Zone Conference, Exchanges, Fireworks, and Temple Trips 6-21-2025

Wow....this week has been incredibly revalatory and some would say even life changing. Regarding the title of the email we had zone conference exchanges (fireworks we don't talk about that one) and a Temple Trip with our two recent converts!! It was a super joyous week and my companion and I have been doing the good work and seeing momentum. Tuesday was so powerful we had zone conference with about 50 plus youth from the area and it was so special it was one I'll never forget. We had a training by the mission President oddly enough on Chastisement from God and others, how to seek, give and accept correction. I loved it for a lot of reasons because often we all get corrected for many different things and I have felt particularly that I have been seeking and getting Chastized from God a lot the past 2 months and it's been overwhelming. I often see a lot of growth but tend to beat myself up for my shortcomings and weaknesses. This zone conference couldn't have come at a better time it truly helped me feel God's love and trust that he has for me. My mindset has changed and I could see more of God's plan for me and the love he has for me and all of you. During zone conference my back was hurting so bad I felt like an old man and I just knew I was harboring a load I didn't need to but I couldn't figure out what. Immediately following zone conference I had a zoneleader exchange. Something I have been looking forward to for the past 6 weeks it was so amazing. This Elder is heaven sent for me he reminds me so much of my buddy Gus and we just get along and I trust him. We had an amazing comp study and coming out of zone conference I was ready to receive further revelation and boy howdy it came. I received answers that I have been seeking for most of my mission especially the last 4 months and it changed my life and it came in the form of chastising. The timing was impeccable coming out of zone conference I was ready to receive this revelation and my back was basically cured it no longer hurt. On the exchange we had a couple other spiritual experiences I won't forget but it was amazing! Coming off the exchange I wanted to better learn how to correct others lovingly in an edifying way and God gave me that opportunity. Heading back home at the end of the Exchange the other Elders are lighting off fireworks outside the apartment during pross time. I learned quickly how to lovingly correct others and for that opportunity I was grateful and everyone was ok. The rest of the week Wednesday through Friday was a blur honestly. I took the revelation I received and applied it in all I did and saw miracles and my life changed. My companion and I have met some cool people and I have better learned how to Let God prevail and allow my will to be swallowed up in his and Joy came and miracles flowed! My companion and I have had some spiritual conversations and things are going great! Friday we were preparing for a temple trip with our recent converts and we had no rides for them! It was a mess so around 7:45 we just biked to a members house on a whim to ask if they could take us and the let us in, fed us dinner, and offered a ride. It was such a miracle. The morning of Saturday came and we traveled to the temple it was so special. Never before could I imagine the Joy that would come from baptizing somone you met a month ago in the temple calling them brother, or sister, as they partake of the Joy of temple work. My heart is so full. Being in the font baptizing my friend while looking at a painting of Jesus Christ getting baptized by John is a sacred experience I will forever cherish. God is so good and the Church is so True. I have a sure witness of these things born of the spirit through personal experiences. I thought of each and every single one of you back at home as I was in the temple knowing how much I Love all of you and how much God loves all of you knowing that the sacrifice I render on my mission is Recorded on earth and in Heaven and it's all possible through all of you who read this weekly and been by my side. D&C 62: 3 Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you God loves you and I love you! Always remember that and stay sweet. -Elder Williams