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

Elder Jepsen - Visiting the Washington Spokane Temple

Our prep-day was changed because of Memorial Day, this gave us an opportunity to attend the Spokane Temple and I was once again reminded how much I enjoy the Temple. It's a fairly new temple. Plans for the Washington Spokane Temple were announced in 1998.  


Temples are always beautiful buildings in each their own unique way. Exteriors as well as interiors are such as one would expect for a House of the Lord. But, I think the real beauty is in the transformation that follows the adherence to the teachings and ordinances performed there. 


The welcoming and all-embracing peace I experience in the Temple is unlike any other experience I have ever had. I feel closer to God while there but I can't spend every day in the Temple, or I wouldn't have time to practice and share the very teachings that makes the House of the Lord a blessing. A good visit to the Temple will renew my focus and lift me spiritually but I must live it and share it, and that has it's own rewards. 


The missionary work here began in 1854 with four Elders that came to the area and began sharing the gospel and the last available numbers show 257.710 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 503 congregations for Washington State.


We are quite blessed as missionaries that the Lord has chosen to trust us with teaching quite a few good people at the moment, I find it encouraging to see people progress and change as the gospel opens up to them. We currently have three baptisms scheduled and are hoping to schedule two more this week. I am grateful to be a part of it and I will let you know as it all develops. 


The Washington Spokane Mission is about to experience a change of leadership as President and Sister Palmer soon finish their missions (three years). Our new Mission President couple will be President and Sister Mullen and I am sure they'll be just as great as President and Sister Palmer. 


Love you all, 
Elder Jepsen