Testimony and Carnival

Jake wrote this in a separate email to our Dad. What an awesome testimony he shares. We wanted to share it all with you - 

So I absolutely love the sons of Mosiah and they give great motivation to serve the lord. They teach very important principles as well. I think conversion is a strong word. I feel everyone strives for conversion each and every day. I am not perfect, either were the sons of Mosiah. I entered the MTC still as a worldly man caught up in things of the world. Definitely not bad things, but things that take us away from serving the Lord. Right before I entered the MTC, all my time and efforts would go toward sports, friends, work, and girls. Any extra time would be going to church or hanging with the family. I was completely and totally turned around. The MTC hit me like a hurricane. I realized I was so far behind in my testimony and in my knowledge to the gospel. I realized it no longer matters how many points you score in a game. How many girls follow you on social media. The start of my mission I was trying to do "catch up". I was starting to do what the sons of Mosiah did in-

Chapter 17: End of 2 ,  "And they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God."

I was trying to do this trying to know the word of God. But I feel a huge part of my conversion is started when I arrived in Barbados a few months into my mission. I had seen success but not like I had wanted to see. I was still worrying about how my hair looked or if I was hungry, or if I was tired. I was still caught up in myself. I even had to repent of some things, sad to say but I am far from perfect.

I compare this a lot to Peter, for he walked with the Savior and did great things but after the Savior left he went back fishing. He went back to his old ways. He didn't know better. We all know the story of these men out on the water that day. And I love the very end of John 21 where the Savior asked Peter the question 3 times of if he loved him. The rest of the story is history.

I truly believe my conversion came when I stopped thinking of myself. When I loved the lord with all my heart might mind and strength. If we all could do this we would all be great missionaries. If we could do as Peter, to leave or nets for a while and go out and open our mouths.

Trust me it is not any easier for us missionaries to open our mouths about the gospel then any member of the church. We all know the truth we all are members of the church. The only difference is I wear a badge and have been called to do it 24/7. But the Lord expects each member to be a missionary. I have realized the work we do is nothing with out members help. They know the people they know the area, there friends with these people. I compare it to a scope on a rifle, I have shared this before in district and zone meetings but it as if members are the elevation turret. they know these people, they live there. Missionaries are like the wind-age turret. The wind comes and goes, so do we. But we both need to work together to hit the target.

Now back to the sons of mosiah. In Chapter 17:3

3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

I am striving every day to be more converted. But for me I am most converted when I was begging on my knees for the Lords help. And fasting all day in the hot sun that we could find someone to teach and someone to except this beautiful message.

I know that the Sons of Mosiah had a hard time in the jungle they served for 14 years which is crazy to me. But they were great at what they did because they repented and changed and lived a life of service. As I strive to change my self and put others first that is when we see success as missionaries. And as we see success as missionaries our conversion grows. As I stand in a baptismal font with my hand to the square and to feel the love of the savior and for the person that is being baptized has changed me forever. It makes me want to do all I can to help these people.

I want you to look at this picture I look at. This is sister hope when we first taught her. And this is her after being baptized and receiving the holy ghost. This is amazing!

Before

After 

Here is his email to the family - 

This week was Carnival so we basically didn't do much just chilled inside. We were not allowed to teach we were stuck in the apartment. It was super chill. I bought a pig I named it Wilbur Bacon Jr. We kept it as a pet for a few days. Then we came back from church and it was gone. I was so sad. 

But then I found it under the deck of our house playing in the mud. I was so happy! I think it stayed because I fed it hot dogs. Did you know Pigs LOVE hot dogs!!! 

Since we couldn't leave the apartment We killed Wilbur Bacon Jr. and roasted it over the fire. It was pretty sweet. 

Well thats about it for this week. 

Love you guys! 

Elder Dixon