What Manner Of Men Ought Ye Be?

Tortillas for the week: 15 

This week was a good ole rough week for us. We had our most positive family drop us, they called and said we have talked with each other (meaning the husband and the wife) and we have decided that we are not interested anymore. Boy did it hurt and I wanted to cry. The hardest thing is you can see in the wife’s eyes that she knows these things are true and that the husband has been touched by our message and then to have them say we are not interested anymore has been one of the hardest things on the mission, it killed. For the rest of the day I was down, it just hurt, and my heart ached but I just kept putting my foot in front of the other. So as of right now we don’t have anything, we have a teaching pool of two. There is so much work to be done and it seems no one wants to listen to the greatest message they will ever hear. The day after the family dropped us we went out to contact and at first I had bright spirits then NO ONE was answering and I was like you’re kidding. We went to a few more houses and people answered but did want to listen to us. I kept thinking what is happening. My answer came the next day. I was reading an epistle from Captain Moroni to Pahoran and these are the words he wrote (Alma 60:21), “Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us?” Those words hit me and I realized I was contacting just to go through the motions, not with the faith or hope of finding someone; I was doing it just to get it done. In that moment I kept thinking why did I do that, why didn’t I have the faith or the hope, why? I don’t have that answer but I do know if we don’t put forth effort, the Lord is not going to help, He won’t truly bless us. We have to do our job before he can do His. He will bless us when we have done our part. It is the same with finding a testimony, you can’t sit in a chair all day and receive a testimony, you have to keep the commandments, study and pray to gain a testimony and then the Lord will provide a spiritual witness through the Holy Ghost that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior’s true church on the earth. It is funny and definitely not a coincidence because when we were teaching Joel he shared with us a story about God and a guy: There is a huge Tsunami and this guy prays to God to save him. The guy is standing there and a helicopter flies by and the pilot says, “Dude get in” and the guy says, “No God will save me.” Then a cop comes by and says, “Get in” and the guy says, “No God will save me.” And then an ambulance drives by and same thing words are exchanged, then friends come by, family members and a whole bunch of other people pass by and say the same thing and the guy says the same thing, “No God will save me, He will get me out of here.” Well the guy dies and now he is in front of God and he says, “God what happened? Why didn’t you save me?” And God responds with this, “I sent you a helicopter, a cop, an ambulance, friends, family and even strangers to get you out of there but you said no, so you can’t blame me because I gave you what you asked for and needed to be saved.” It hit me and made me think am I truly using what God has given me to preach, testify, to convert myself and others, am I using everything to save myself and others? It just made my think and evaluate the way I prepare, the way I teach, the way I love, the way I love Christ, the way I try to be like Christ. As I have been thinking about this I remembered this message, https://www.lds.org/youth/video/christlike-attributes?lang=eng

All these experience has made me reflect on what manner of man I ought to be. Christ said, “Even as I Am.” As I have been thinking all week about this, on Friday I read the talk “The Priesthood Man” given by President Erying from this past General Conference. President Eyring shared this, “We all have heroes. When we choose heroes, we begin to copy, consciously or unconsciously, what we admire most in them.” As I read those words I thought about who are some of my heroes and I could see only two huge heroes in my life, number one is my Dad. As I look back on my life all I truly wanted was to be like my Dad. I even wanted to teach high school physics. I still want to teach but I am not sure I want to teach high school physics. I am seeing that I teach the way my Dad teaches. As I watched my Dad teach I knew he learned to teach from the greatest teacher of all time, this teacher taught the perfect way, He taught to come unto Him, to follow Him because He is honestly the one we can follow to receive eternal life. He taught us how to live; He taught us that He is the way, the truth and the life. He also taught us this and this is the way my Dad teaches, read and study first, your answer is in the Book of Mormon or as my Dad would say read and study the physics book, and IF you don’t find it come to me and I will guide you to your answer and as I guide you will receive the knowledge you need for your answer. Show me you truly want to know through study and prayer. That perfect teacher, Jesus Christ is my biggest hero. He is the greatest hero of all time. President Eyring says this about heroes, “I have observed three common characteristics of the priesthood holders who are my heroes. One is a pattern of prayer, the second is a habit of service, and the third is a rock-hard decision to be honest.” All three of those characteristics are Christ. Christ should be the greatest hero in all of our lives. So I ask who is the real hero in your life?  

I know that Christ truly is the priesthood man and that this church has His priesthood. As we met with a menos activio (less active), who now is a pastor in another church, we talked about the Book of Mormon and the priesthood. At one time he was a priesthood holder and I asked him about that and he didn’t answer, all he said was I have accepted Christ and that is all that matters. I looked at him and said we have Christ’s authority, no other church has His authority, no other church has His authority to preach His gospel but we do, and I know it and right now I am preaching in the name of Jesus Christ because I hold his authority. And then I said stop denying Christ and stop denying the truth. He then said he had to go. The next day I just opened my Book of Mormon and read this cry form Mormon which is found in Mormon 7:5, it is a cry and invitation to the present day Lamanites. He says, “Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up.” Mormon’s words are a great reminder of the responsibility and a heavy burden upon me to bring these chosen people back unto Christ. I have the responsibility and bare the burden that Elder Holland talks about in his talk, “The Cost—and Blessings—of Discipleship” He says, “In addition to teaching, encouraging, and cheering people on (that is the pleasant part of discipleship), from time to time these same messengers are called upon to worry, to warn, and sometimes just to weep (that is the painful part of discipleship)” to bear the burden of the Lamanites, the burden to bring the people of Ammon back to the one that sent Ammon. Boy is it a big burden but I testify with Elder Holland with his words, “In courageously pursuing such a course, you will forge unshakable faith, you will find safety against ill winds that blow, even shafts in the whirlwind, and you will feel the rock-like strength of our Redeemer, upon whom if you build your unflagging discipleship, you cannot fall.” I know that is true.

Despite all the challenges and disappointments this week there has also been tender mercies. Last night was one of those tender mercies as I am witnessing one heart being changed. We challenged Joel to baptism. I asked, “Joel when you know the truth will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized in His Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?” He said, “No.” Then I said, “When you know that this is true?” and then came a smile, he said, “Yes, I will when I know this is true because it is from God.” So be strong everyone, take heart. And remember pure Christ like love flowing from true righteousness can change the world. I testify that the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth and you are members of His true Church. Have courage and be bold share His message of joy, love and eternal life.

What I love about Mom is that she still races to this day and what I love about Dad is our good ole days in the feed zone.

con much amor, ducks forever.
Elder Mcilmoil
July 21, 2014

Scripture of the week: Mormon 7:5 

“You can be a great model, an average one, or a bad model. You may think it doesn’t matter to you, but it does to the Lord.” President Henry B. Eyring

“We have been prepared for our time and place in the last days of that sacred work. Each of us has been blessed with examples of those who have made that work the overriding purpose of their time on earth.” President Henry B. Eyring

“The priesthood holder you want to be prays often and with real intent. In the evening you will get on your knees and thank God for the blessings of the day. You will thank Him for parents, for teachers, and for great examples to follow. You will describe in your prayers specifically who has blessed your life and how, during that day. That will take more than a few minutes and more than a little thought. It will surprise you and change you.” President Henry B. Eyring 

I bear witness of that gospel and that Church, with a particular witness of restored priesthood keys which unlock the power and efficacy of saving ordinances. I am more certain that those keys have been restored and that those ordinances are once again available through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than I am certain I stand before you at this pulpit and you sit before me in this conference.” Elder Jeffery R. Holland 

Day 365, Hump Day, One Year

Dinner Is Served

Catfish Soup

Tortillas: 15 and I had catfish. OK IT WAS OFFICIALLY HUMP DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEP ONE YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hummmmp Daaaaay!

365 Celebration

Pizza And Hump Day

Where to begin this week, we met this guy, Joel who lives in Georgia. We met him when I was on divisions with Elder Turner, he called out to us because he knew weren’t local. We talked with him in English. The guy is sweet and funny. He told I am not Mexican or Guatemalan, I am an American. He has lived in the states for 15 years. He was born in Guatemala and is here visiting family. He said, “Man your Spanish is good for only learning it in a year.” Honestly I am not satisfied with my español, I want to be fluent. My desire is to speak the language the way the Lord wants me to speak it so I can communicate with the Laminates. Anyway he wants to learn more about the church, we will meet with this week. Also this week we had a BBQ with the Branch. We had about 50 come, members and non-members. I made BBQ chicken and potato salad. It was funny because everybody asked where the tortillas were at, I just smiled and said this is an American BBQ. They said ok. It was a great activity.

Branch BBQ Prep: This Is What You Do When It Is Pouring Rain Outside

Branch BBQ: American Style

Let's Eat!!

WOW I have been in Guatemala for one year and honestly it doesn’t feel like it. This is what I am feeling about my one year mark I don’t like it all because everything is about to be my last, my last interview, my last district meeting, my last zone meeting, my last of this and my last that. I don’t want that to happen. Honestly before my year mark I just looked forward to having a year and now I know time is going to fly by and I will be home. During this past year there were times I had no idea what to do and now at times when I don’t know what to do I turn to the Lord for help so I can know what I need to do. He always helps and shows me the way. Serving a mission is the greatest choice I have ever made. I have discovered things about me that I would have never have discovered if I didn’t serve mission. You cannot find any greater joy than serving a mission. You cannot find greater heartbreak and sorrow than serving a mission because you are the Lord’s hands, helping Him gather the lost sheep. You see that some sheep just don’t want to come back at all, they don’t want to answer the Masters call; the call of pure love, the call of redemption, the call of peace, the call of Come to Me and I will give thee rest, the call of the Master’s words of I will heal you. It just rips your heart to pieces seeing them turn their backs on the greatest invitation ever: TO COME UNTO CHRIST. You also see the people that do answer, now that is indescribable joy. The hardest and saddest thing is when YOU don’t answer the call of the Master. At times I haven’t always answered the call of the Master in my service. I have said no I’m done, no one wants to listen. I have felt that I don’t want to work because I get tired of people not caring or that just don’t want to Come Unto Christ because it is too hard to give up things and too much commitment. In those moments He comes to me and heals me, He gives me a feeling of peace that everything will be ok, that there is someone, maybe not in this area but someone that is searching for answers, wants to make a change and wants to listen. Without a doubt Christ is our Savior, without a doubt He is the reason why I get up every single morning. He knows how hard it is to get up and go to work when it seems pointless. All I can say is that He knows, HE TRULY KNOWS! Yes there have been so many times when I was like ok I am done, I am going home, I want it easier, I want to serve in the states, I want to speak English, I don’t want to learn a new language, then something stops me, the spirit telling me that He didn’t want to do it either, I can hear these words being said to me, John I didn’t want to do it either, that night was so excruciating, the next day the pain didn’t go away, the pain I felt I could barely bare. I said my God, my God where are Thou? I made it, so can you; you have my strength because you have taken my name upon you and because you came unto me. This past year I come to know Christ more than I would have. I have come to know my Father in Heaven, the Father who loves me so much He sent His only begotten son to atone for my sins and to rise from the dead again that I may escape spiritual and physical death bringing the blessings of eternal life. I have also come to know that He has showed me that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Yes it is worth everything to serve a mission just to come to know our Heavenly Father and to know He loves me and sacrifices everything for me just like my Dad and to come to know my brother, the Savior Jesus Christ. I have come know these glorious beings through prayer, scripture study and miracles. Yes I have regrets in the past year and I have seen so many tender mercies that makes this past year so precious. I testify Christ lives, I give you my witness that He lives and this is His church. Since this is His church why do we expect at times life to be easier as we declare ourselves Disciples of Christ. If we truly our His disciples we should experience His life as much as we can. In the words of Elder Holland, “How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary. Missionary work has ever been easy. I believe it is supposed to require some effort, something from the depths of our soul because it was not easy for Him. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the Living Son of the Living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions. The only way to salvation is through Gethsemane and on to Calvary. The only way to eternity is through Him—the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Yes a mission is hard that is how we can bear our witness of the truthfulness of His gospel. I love being here among the Laminates, it is so amazing, they are a chosen people.

Me And Elder Turner Hitching A Ride

Brahma Bull Hitching A Ride

Nacho Hitching A Ride

Great is this work. I can say these words from the Book of Mormon in Alma 17 about my mission, “And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.” “And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted.” “And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.” “….great was the work which they had undertaken.” “And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach the word of God to a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not labor for them with their own hands.” Yes at times this people are heart hardened but the Lord is pouring out His spirit upon them and one day they will be like the people of Ammon. Those who have fallen will be people of such great faith and they will have sons like the 2000 stripling warriors. Yesterday I was thinking about my mission as I was studying the story of the 2000 stripling warriors, and I realized the change that overcame them when Helaman writes that we did go before the Laminates not knowing what is about to happen and he says to the 2000 stripling warriors, “Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?” This is when the change happens. Helaman says this to Moroni, “And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.” For they told Helaman, ”Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.” “Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.” “And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” These young men were running for their lives with fear, the fear of death, the fear that they said their last goodbye to their parents, the fear of the unknown, then all of a sudden the power of God came upon them, and they exercised faith and they feared nothing. They said IF we DO NOT DOUBT God WILL deliver us because our Mothers taught us to believe. As I was reading this account I saw myself among them, because the day I left I was running, I was running into the unknown but since I have been taught by my Mom and Dad that if I did not doubt God would deliver me. I do not doubt that my parents knew it, they still know it but most importantly I now know it for myself. I say to all of you who read my words and all to the world that JESUS IS THE LIVING SON OF THE LIVING GOD. THE CHURCH IF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTERDAY SAINTS IS THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH. I BEAR WITNESS OF THE TRUTHFULLNESS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON, IT IS TRUE AND IT IS THE WORD OF GOD. I SAY TO ALL THAT I KNOW WITH EVERY FIBER IN MY BODY THAT CHRIST LIVES, THAT HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD, THAT WE MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE AND BE FOREVER FAMILIES.

Preparing For The Burning Of The White Shirt

Hump Day Burning Of The White Shirt

Nothing Left But The Buttons

What I love about Mom and Dad is that they have made it a year, DUCKS FOREVER.

With love, 
Elder Mcilmoil 
July 14, 2014 

Action Shot: Stick Pole

Love These Kids!!!

Sunday Selfie

Scripture of the week: Alma 17:11 

Has the time for stripling warriors come and gone or do we need them now more than ever? 

“Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].” Jeffrey R. Holland

Stand Strong And True

“God not only loves the obedient, He enlightens them.” Henry B. Eyring 

“You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you exercise faith.” Henry B. Eyring

365 Day Shirt

“I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not aall angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.” Jeffrey R. Holland 

Sometimes You Just Don't Ask

“I promise that because of your faithful response to the call to spread the gospel, He will bind up your broken hearts, dry your tears, and set you and your families free. That is my missionary promise to you and your missionary message to the world.” Jeffery R. Holland

The Fourth Of July, President And Hermana Smith, And Guess What Day It Is?

365 Gift Of Freedom

Happy 4th Of July

In Honor Of Our Freedom

Tortillas: 20
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!!! AMERICA, THE PROMISED LAND, the land Captain Moroni dedicated in Alma 46, so I want to bear my American witness, I know that the constitution of America was inspired by God, I know that George Washington was the President Of the United States Of America, I know that we are a free country, I know that blood was shed for our liberty, I know that the founding fathers were inspired by God to do the things they did, I know that we are the red white and blue. God bless the U.S.A. :)

Fireworks and the 4th of July: Somethings Don't Change

4th Of July Celebration

This is What Happens When You Play With Fireworks

The 4th of July was a very interesting since I am reading the war chapters in Alma during this sacred holiday in the states. As I read I’m seeing George Washington and Captain Moroni are so very similar. When Moroni made the title of liberty out of his torn coat and then “bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren” I also see the painting of George Washington praying in Valley Forge. I see so many similarities between the Nephites being led by Captain Moroni and the founding fathers being led by George Washington, inspiring the people to defend their religion, freedom, peace, and families. I truly love and have gratitude that they both fought for religious freedom. We have so much to be grateful as we celebrate our freedoms each 4th of July.

President And Hermana Smith With Our Zone

I met President and Hermana Smith on Wednesday. WOW he is something else, he is so amazing, I can’t even describe what he is like. Mom and Dad you have to meet President and Hermana Smith. I know these two are chosen of God to lead the mission. President Smith spoke to us and it was amazing! He talked about Coming Unto Christ and about our objective as missionaries. You could feel and see the spirit working through him as he talked to us. It was a powerful moment. During his talk he only used the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants to teach us. After he closed his talk he did something I have only seen apostles do, he blessed us, and I know that he was moved upon by the spirit to bless us. He blessed us that we will receive stronger desires to work which we have never felt before. I knew right in that moment our loving Father in Heaven was speaking through my new mission president showing us he has been called by divine revelation to serve as our mission president. I also had an interview with President Smith. I have never felt such comfort, I could tell this man anything. I have never felt so much confidence in someone I just barley met. And Hermana Smith is just as amazing. To describe Hermana Smith well let’s just say she is like my Mom and my Grammy. When I had an interview with her I felt like I was talking to my very own Mom, it was so great. I can’t say enough about President and Hermana Smith. 

The Roads We Walk To Find And Teach The Lost Sheep

GUESS WHAT DAY IT IS?????? HEY WHAT DAY IS IT????? GUESS WHAT DAY IT IS????????......it;s what...its HUMP DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH HUMP DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ONE FLIPPIN YEAR; HEY ELDER ONE FLIPPIN YEAR.....FLIP IT’S A YEAR......FLIP......wow what do I say about this past year, I can say I have never had a harder year in my life, never, but I have also never experienced so much joy and love . The trials, the tears, the heartache are worth every joyous moment here on my mission. Above all the best parts of this year are the moments I testify, when I bear witness of Christ and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the truthfulness of this church. Those are my favorite moments in the mission. It is all about the moments I get to bear witness here in the mission as well as the rest of my life. Time has truly flown by this past year. Time goes by so much faster when you don’t think about time. I will confess that I have had moments when my heart was depressed and I was ready to call president Bautista and say I am going home but in those very moments these words would come to mind, “Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.” Also in those moments there would be something that would happen that would lift my heart and make me carry on and to dig down deep to carry my cross. I can say with all my heart, my soul and every fiber in my body that bearing our cross is this life is the greatest thing in the world, yes at times it seems like the dawn will never come, or the sun will never rise, but it always does because the great consolations of the Easter season. In the words of Elder Holland, “Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].” I know that is true, so I say to all of you, “Don't You Quit. You Keep Walking. You Keep Trying. There Is Help And Happiness Ahead. Some Blessings Come Soon. Some Come Late. Some Don't Come Until Heaven. But For Those Who Embrace The Gospel Of Jesus Christ, They Come. It Will Be Alright In The End. Trust God And Believe In Good Things to Come.” I love you all and I say to all of you young men who can serve a mission but have chosen not to, you have made the biggest mistake not to serve, so young men, get active in the church and get clean. The road of forgiveness is so worth it! I know because I have walked it, it is the most glorious and hardest road but this road shows us the power of the atonement. There are two verbs in Spanish saber (to know) conocer a alguien (to know somone) so saber el Salvador (to know the Savior), conocer verdaderamente el salvador, Jesucristo (to truly know the Savior, Jesus Christ) go on a mission!

Guatemala Is Beautiful

So Good!!

Just More Scenery

What I love about Mom and Dad is that they write me every week, Ducks 4 Forever.

With Love,

Elder John D. Mcilmoil

July 7, 2014

Scripture of the week: Alma 48:11-12, 17

“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light.” George Washington

“Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.” George Washington

“In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children” Captain Moroni  

“Assume the good doubt the bad.” Elder Jeffery R. Holland

The night is darkest just before the dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming.

“I will be home in a blink of an eye mom” Elder John D Mcilmoil/July 9th, 2013 

Hump Day!!!

July 2013

Guess What Day It Is?

July 2014

The Book Of Mormon, The Priesthood And This Is God's Church

Usted Habla Inglés

Tortillas for the week: 30. This week has been a week of personal revelation. Answers I have been searching for a year, yes a year, but a year of study and a year truly learning that the Lord gives you answers when you are ready and when it is His time. The Lord taught me some things this week that I needed to know for my last year and with getting a new mission president. Some of the things the Lord taught me were taught in a talk given to new mission presidents, what a surprise. If I could choose a theme for this week it would be a week of the priesthood and Book of Mormon is the word of God. The Book of Mormon is the key to our testimony. If you don’t know if the Book of Mormon is true, then read it, it is just that simple-read it. If you don’t truly know that this is the true church, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and if you may not know Jesus is truly the Christ, read the Book of Mormon. Take on Moroni’s promise (Moroni 10:3-5) READ, PONDER IN YOUR HEART AND ASK GOD. I can’t even begin to count how many times I have said this to the people we teach. “Hey you want to know the truth, read this book (The Book of Mormon) and pray because jack look here, if this book IS NOT true then this church is false, Jesus truly IS NOT the Christ, Joseph Smith was NEVER a prophet, and we are WASTING two years of our life, but hey if this book is TRUE, then this is the ONLY true church of God upon the face of the earth, Jesus IS the Christ, and Joseph Smith IS a prophet of God. I have shared so many times and will continue to share the same thing President Benson said, “The only problem the objector has to resolve for himself is whether the Book of Mormon is true. For if the Book of Mormon is true, then Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith was His prophet, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, and it is being led today by a prophet receiving revelation.” A prophet of god made that statement and I know he was a prophet. I know that if the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and because it is the word of God we HAVE God’s priesthood keys. I know we have prophets and apostles here upon the earth right now who have the priesthood which is power and authority from God. If we didn’t have the priesthood, our church would be false, but we do HAVE priesthood keys. THE CHURCH IS TRUE and is led by living prophet called to speak for God. As we teach I try and focus on the Book of Mormon because it is the word of God and the priesthood because the priesthood seals families for all time and for all eternity.

Great Dinner

Sweet Experience

This week I had a sweet experience. We were talking with two young men and they said, “Hey Mac you going invite us to go eat dinner?” I said, “I don’t know.” As we continued to talk I really starting thinking I should invite them to dinner, I really felt like I should. So I said, “Hey let’s go eat” and they were like really!?!?!” And I said, “Yea let’s go.” So my comp and I took these two young men to dinner. What we talked about was amazing; as we were walking Luis was like hey Gelmer wants to know what church is true. I said, “So Gelmer you really want to know this. Why do you want to know this?” He said, “Because I feel I need to get baptized so I want to know what church is true and go to it.” Then he asked what church is a good church to go to and be baptized. I said all churches have truth but there is only ONE true church. And again I said you really want to know what church is RIGHT and TRUE correct? And he said si (yes). So I bore my testimony and also told him to ask God which church is true, He will tell you because He knows all things and He knows which church is true. Then we arrived at the place we were going to eat at and as we were eating I shared more with them about finding truth. After dinner he said to me, “So to know what church is true I need to ask God because there is only one true church these are the things He knows about and will answer us?” I said, “Yes.” It was an amazing experience.

Two Words Humble and Kind

Also this week I have been studying the story of Captain Moroni. Through my studies I noticed something; the thing I caught is something that is in four days from today: The 4th of July. I saw that the founding fathers were exactly like the Nephites in this way, they fought to protect their wives, their children, their lands and their houses but most importantly they fought for their freedom of religion. Captain Moroni and the Nephites and George Washington and our founding fathers fought for the same thing. Both were great men of faith, both knew that God would deliver them as long as they were obedient and faithful in keeping God’s commandments. So the 4th of July has a new meaning for me. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As I close I share with you my testimony that I know that this church is true, because I asked God some time ago if this is His true church. He answered this question before I knelt in prayer and asked Him, it was when I was a little kid, the first general conference session I ever attended and as the closing hymn was being sung I felt something, I felt a little fire and I remember what I felt I cannot put into words but at that moment I knew I was feeling something I had never felt, the spirit testifying to me that this is God’s church. At that time in my life I believed the church was true but from that experience and many others I know that this is the only true church. A belief turned into something I KNOW and teach and testify of everyday. I bear witness of the priesthood keys we hold are a gift from God, I know this is God’s true church because of the way I have felt every time I think or talk about our new mission president, President Smith. I truly feel he had special witnesses of Christ’s hands laid upon his head to hold keys for this mission. I add my testimony to every testimony given of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I also testify if we read it and always read it we will never leave the church. “If you have not read the Book of Mormon, read it. If you do so prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. I know that this book is true.

My Version of Seeing Transformers

Oh So Good!

What I love about Mom is that she danced with me at youth conference and what I love about Dad is that camped out in the snow cave in front of our house. 

Ducks Forever, With Love,

Elder Mcilmoil
June 30, 2014

Rocky Road

Scripture of the week: Alma 45:6-7

“You cannot do wrong and feel right. It is impossible!” Ezra Taft Benson 

“We know when we are not doing what we ought to do because every one of us has a conscience.” Elder M. Russell Ballard. 

“You are free to choose, but you are not free to alter the consequences of your decisions.”Ezra Taft Benson

“When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.” Ezra Taft Benson 

Obedience is power in the priesthood-Elder John D. McIlmoil 

I Love My Dad and Hot Donuts

Some Days You Just Have to Eat Frosting