Elder Jepsen - It's a Good Thing!

Thank you for all your prayers. Know that my prayers are with you, always! I love you guys. 

This week we have been blessed with so much to do. The work is going well and it's been very humbling. We currently have a lot of people preparing for baptism and seeing people change, as they acquire the teachings of God and apply them in their lives, is like seeing miracle after miracle all around me. I love being a missionary, it's a privilege and very gratifying experience, it makes me want to be a better person, that I may be more for others. 

I love the gospel, for everything that it teaches me and so many others. Living by the altruistic principles taught throughout the scriptures and by the leaders in the church really helps avoid many of the pitfalls and difficulties in life. I have only lived a few years yet and my limited life experience doesn't give me as much to draw on but I see the principles that I aim to live by, changing people's lives and easing their trials. Feasting on the gospel is feasting on life itself. It's a good thing! 

Thank you, Mom and Dad! Thank you for raising me with the necessary principles to allow me the privilege, that I could prepare for and be a part of this great work. It's a truly magnificent experience. 

Love you, 
Elder Jepsen 

Elder Jepsen: Sharing the Gospel

Well, I was transferred and just like my last area my new area is awesome! We are in what is known as the "Temple Zone," meaning we're fairly close to the Spokane Temple. The area has a lot of great families and the Church is strong here. 

We're surrounded by forested hills and decided for a nature hike today, when we had a little time for it. I'd send you pictures but I forgot my camera but if can imagine really beautiful and awesome nature, you've got the picture. 

Our area covers two whole congregations and we get 1100 miles of travel allocated each month. My companion is great just like past companions were, he's 23 and from Arizona. He's dedicated and focused on our task here and I'm sure I'll learn a lot from him. I'm grateful to be here, the gospel is wonderful and a mission is great! I love sharing the gospel! 

One of my favorites, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf once said: 
“May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. But don’t reach beyond your capacity. Don’t set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. Don’t feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Don’t compare yourself with others. Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. The virtue of your own life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, because you are a living witness of the fulness of the gospel (see D&C 45:28). Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5).” 

I can't think of a better way of saying it but they are certainly words well worth following, just like Elder Uchtdorf is great example behind the words. 

I like what a mission does for me and I like what my mission does for others, once again I'm grateful to be here. I Love you Mom and Dad! 

Love, 

Elder Jepsen

Missionary Work, Blogging and Sharing our Beliefs in Jesus Christ

In a recent article on http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765563338/LDS-missionary-blogs-useful-if-etiquette-is-observed.html?pg=1, the issue of missionary work and blogging was addressed, allowing an opportunity to once again review general etiquette, purpose and directions when using social media to share experiences relating to our beliefs. 


Exploring the possibilities of faith and prayer is a very private matter. People generally don't want to find their specific spiritual experience described in detail online, even with their names changed. A missionary blog might best serve its purpose if it is about the missionary, missionary work and spiritually uplifting experiences described in general terms, if involving others. Local members of the church and other missionaries often deserve credit for their spiritual influence, attitude or help and a positive mention by name is often deserved and appreciated when the occasion calls for it. Negative encounters and bad impressions are better left out and forgotten, never forgetting the unforgiving nature of permanence on the Internet. 


Social media allows us to share views and beliefs on a whole other level than a pulpit in a chapel, a friendly chat with a friend or family. There's a world of constantly evolving and exiting possibilities online but it never forgets and nothing is ever totally erased. 


The Internet reminds me of an old adage "Once spoken, words are difficult to retract." I think it is important to remember, that what we do on a blog is there for the whole world to see--always! As Elder M Russell Ballard reminds us: "Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true." 


But, it is not enough that something is true--it must be right! For something to be good, it must be good for everyone involved. Simply changing a name for the sake of privacy does not insure privacy. Discretion, ethics, integrity and respect must be considered when sharing missionary experiences and representing our beliefs through social media. The church's "General Handbook of Instructions" states that: "Members are encouraged to be examples of their faith at all times and in all places, including on the Internet. If they use blogs, social networks, and other Internet technologies, they are encouraged to strengthen others and help them become aware of that which is useful, good, and praiseworthy." 


Doctrine and Covenants 38:41
And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.


Elder M Russell Ballard makes a clear statement, encouraging our participation: "The emergence of New Media is facilitating a world-wide conversation on almost every subject including religion... may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet, particularly the New Media, to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration." 


Doctrine and Covenants 88:81
Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor. 


The Internet and Social Media is one of our day's greatest blessings and I think it should be used to share our blessings and be of service to others. Because: "When Ye Are in the Service of Your Fellow Beings Ye Are Only in the Service of Your God" (Mosiah 2:17)