Favorite Scripture

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." (3 Nephi 5:13)

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

The Importance of the Spirit

Helllllooooooooo!
Well another week has come and gone and here we are again!  This week was probably one of the harder weeks I have had on my mission.  To start the week out we had a zone meeting and it was pretty great....we talked about the importance of our investigators feeling the spirit and how to help them feel it better.  Afterwards is when it got interesting....so the guys in our apartment wanted to talk about some stuff.  So the two Africans started talking about the stuff that the others do wrong....and then it turned into a fight.  I tackled my companion and then came a lot of talking to try and calm everyone down...at the end of the night everything was good.  The next day things didn't feel right...my companion wasn't normal and neither was the other African.  At lunch time the other African in our apartment came outside and said if my companion slept in the apartment he was going to kill him.  So he was transferred!  Guess President Weed can’t have an easy last couple days.  After the transfer things became better in our apartment....the spirit had literally returned...I think I really am starting to understand the importance of the spirit.  The rest of the week was pretty normal...we worked hard to find people to teach.  We taught a lot of good lessons.

This week I studied a lot of the Doctrine and Convents and I came across a scripture that I really loved...and I want to share it with you.  It’s from section 122:

4 And although their influence shall cast thee into trouble, and into bars and walls, thou shalt be had in honor; and but for a small moment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce lion, because of thy righteousness; and thy God shall stand by thee forever and ever.
 5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;
 6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;
 7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."

Basically whatever trials we go through...it will give us experience and by for our good....I love that because I feel like I have seen a lot of things during my mission and this reinforces my testimony that it is all for my good!  My knowledge of the scriptures is growing so much...I love them.  I’m thankful for them.  All is well here.  I hope you have a great week.  I love you and miss you so much!

Avec beaucoup d'amour,
Elder Joseph D. Allred II



Last Zone Conference with Pres. Weed
Birthday party for one of the Elders


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

ça va aller!

Hellllooooo!
Well another week has come and gone and here we are again!  This past week was really good.  The week started out pretty normal.  We are continuing to have problems because of the rain!  ça va aller! (it will go) On Tuesday right as we were getting ready to go out we walked outside and saw a massive black cloud....I was like, companion we are going out and he was scared.  Random fact....people from Africa are afraid of water.  Anyway so we are teaching our lesson and then the rain begins to pour!  There was water everywhere by the time we were done with our lesson.  We walked in water for a while.  Got me pretty wet but I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Anyway later in the week we had our last interviews with President Weed.  It was really weird but I thought that we had a really great interview.  We talked about a lot of stuff and he gave me a lot of advice....it’s crazy that he will be going home in 2 weeks!  So tomorrow President Morin will be entering the MTC and get here July 1st.

On Friday there was a Zone conference for all the missionaries, it really was a testimony meeting but it was still pretty good.  At the end of it President and Sister Weed gave everyone a hug and we said our goodbyes.

To end the week we had a baptism....Marie!  It was awesome but she was late to the service so she almost didn't get baptized but everything worked out well.  Side note from this week....I got peed on by a baby....nasty.  All and all it was a good week!  I love you and miss you!

Avec beaucoup d'amour,

Elder Joseph D. Allred II


Bishop's daughter

Elders Allred and Mutoke

Common Store




Monday, June 9, 2014

And Then the Rain Came

Bonjooour!

Well another week has come to an end!  This week was a really great week!  Things started out pretty hard.  We had a lot of appointments set up and things were good...and then the rain came.  And that made it very difficult to go into our area.  So we missed almost all of our appointments.  Things got better later in the week!  We didn't have killer numbers this week but the people we are teaching are pretty solid!  We fixed a baptismal date with one of our investigators for this Saturday...we are hoping all will go well with that.  We also set baptismal dates with two other investigators.  We have been working a lot with the members this past week also and they have been helping us out so much!  We have a member in our area named Prisca....she is actually inactive right now but since I have been here we have been working with her a lot and she came to church a week ago and she is giving us contacts!  Things in our area are really heating up...the work is going good here!   All and all things are good.  Thank you for your prayers and your support.  I love you and miss you!

Avec amour,

Elder Joseph D. Allred II

Monday, June 2, 2014

Ahhh...the things you find in Africa


I didn't get a letter this week but he sent this picture and informed me that he has 7 months left. Wow! Time flies!

Baptismal Preparation

Well I can’t believe that another week has passed but here we are again!  This week went by pretty quick!  The week started out interesting.  After we left the cyber, a huge storm had just passed and then the roads were flooded and we couldn't find a way home so we walked for a while in water until we found a taxi.....it was pretty terrible.  The rest of the week went pretty much the same.  I was sick for almost the entire week but I’m doing better now.  We also spent the week preparing our investigators for baptism.  The week before someone’s baptism is the worst, making sure that they are really ready and follow through is terrible.  But everything went well, only problem was our investigators were late for their interviews and for the baptism!  But all is well!  The week finished out pretty normal.  This week I was blessed to do a baptismal interview for a child.  I couldn't believe the things that he was saying to me; this kid had such amazing faith!  I could see a future missionary in him.  Every time he saw me after the interview he was so excited and always gave me a hug!  All and all it was a good week!  Have fun in Utah and we will talk soon!  I love you!

Avec amour,

Elder Joseph D. Allred II