Last One!

Hello Everyone!

This will be my last email to all of you. I can hardly believe that this time has come. I have loved serving the Lord and will continue serving Him forever.

This week went well! We had a couple exchanges, so it was fun to spend time with some of the Elders in our Zone. One of them was Elder Silas Wright from Idaho Falls. We stayed busy this week and taught many people.

One of our investigators almost dropped us this week. We went to the library to teach him, and one of the first things he told us is that he didn't want to meet with us anymore. We asked if we could share one last message about The Book of Mormon, leave it with him, and follow up in the future. He said we could. The Spirit was present as we testified of this beautiful book. He brought up a concern in his life and we directed him to a passage in The Book of Mormon that would help him. He loved it! We left him with many chapters he could read. There is power in The Book of Mormon. I know it's true.

I spoke in church yesterday. I will also be speaking this next week in Pocatello. I'd love to see you all there! I'm not quite sure what time, nor the address to the chapel, but I'll figure that out soon enough.
I conclude by quoting the Apostle, Paul. " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" (2 Timothy 4:7) So much of our life in this restored gospel comes back to enduring to the end. Once we receive and gain a spiritual witness that this is true, we must endure. We must press on. I testify that Jesus Christ lives. He desires to help us on this path and His doctrine has been set forth. We "know the very points of his doctrine, that [we] may know how to come unto him and be saved." (1 Nephi 15:14)


With Love,
Elder Rogers

Special Sabbath

Hello Everyone!

This week was splendid! On Tuesday we met our mini missionary. He's from Elizabeth City. We had a great week with him! On Wednesday we had our Mission Leadership Council meeting. Our focus for the month of August is using The Book of Mormon. There is power in this book of scripture. Our Zone Meeting went quite well also! The Spirit was present especially as 4 missionaries, myself included, bore their departing testimonies.

This Sunday was a special Sabbath. Not only because it was fast Sunday, but we had five investigators that came to church! And our mission president and his wife also came! And our Stake President. And what made it even better was the great Spirit in the fast and testimony meeting. A member, who is leaving on his mission to Pocatello on Tuesday, bore his testimony at the beginning. Later on I bore my testimony, centered on Christ. As I walked to sit back down, I saw my companion, Elder Nipko stand up to bear his testimony. Our convert also bore a powerful testimony on missionary work. President Weed and many others also bore their testimonies. I loved that meeting!

We had some great lessons on Sunday as well. The work is really starting to pick up! One of our investigators said she wants to be baptized and has been keeping all the commitments we've been leaving her! 

I began my departing testimony in Zone Meeting by echoing the words of Nephi, " I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul" (2 Nephi 33:6) I know that He has reigned victorious over sin. All that we must do now is turn to Him.

I love you all! Have a great week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Called to Serve

Hello Everyone!

This week we did a lot of service! We helped a lady work her DVD player, we loaded a bunch of wood from a wrecked shed into a dumpster, we helped do some preparation for painting some rooms, and last but not least we mowed a lawn. All for members. It felt great to serve in this way! And the Lord even blessed us with a tender mercy when we mowed the lawn. The whole week had been in the upper 90's and the humidity was dense. We were planning to mow the lawn around 1:00. We were blessed with cloud cover, lessened humidity, and it was around 86 degrees. That was a blessing.
We had a mini missionary with us this week. He's from Alabama, but he's visiting his grandma in Virginia this Summer. We had a lot of fun with him serving the Lord.

I've been getting into the Old Testament a lot more recently.There's a lot of good stuff in there! The principle of faith and sacrifice is a constant theme. As Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac, an angel stopped him and said, "I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me." It struck me. We must be willing to sacrifice for God. There can be nothing in our lives that we withhold from Him as we come unto Him. I know there are great blessings in sacrifice. Indeed, "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven" (Hymn #27, Praise to the Man) I know that as we sacrifice for God, He smiles down upon us. We will surely be blessed as we make Him a priority in our lives.

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Exit Interview

Hello Everyone!

This week was a hot one! But also a good one! We had exchanges on Friday with the Deep Creek Elders. I was biking for the day. Haha you don't know what you've got till it's gone! (I've been in car areas nearly my whole mission) We had a great time and it was fun to help a member family move. They live in a huge, 25 floor building.

Church was amazing this week! We had Ward Conference, so our Stake President addressed us. He's inspiring. We also had 3 investigators come to church, so that was exciting! One of them sat next to us and asked many questions throughout sacrament meeting. (It was his first time.) He enjoyed it and said he may come back next week!

On Wednesday, we had interviews with our new mission president, President Weed. Elder Nipko went first and I had an interview with Sister Weed. She's really nice! Then we swapped and I went in with President Weed. He had me offer the opening prayer and then one of the first things he asked was, "Is It Okay If We Make This Your Exit Interview?" I was not expecting that! But I told him that I was fine with doing that. He asked me how I would describe my mission in 3 sentences. After just a little bit of thought I responded, "I have come unto Christ. I have invited others to come unto Christ. And the foundation has been laid for me to continue coming unto Christ for the rest of my life." I felt pretty good about that response. It truly is our purpose to invite others to Come unto Christ. There is great joy in coming unto Him, and there is great joy in inviting others to do the same. I know He lives. I know He is aware of our every concern and is yearning to help. 

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Century-the temperature and the school

Hello Everyone!

This week was great! I'll start out by explaining the title of this email. First of all, it was quite hot this week. 100 degrees and around that on Thursday and Friday! Along with the humidity it makes you extremely grateful for air conditioning! As far as Century, the school, we had transfers this week. There were 18 new missionaries and when I saw Elder Bennett, I exclaimed, "Are you from Pocatello??" He responded with, "I went to Century! Don't you remember me?" It was fun to see him. It's always exciting to greet and be with all of the brand new missionaries.

Sunday was pretty exciting as well. On Saturday we gave a call to an investigator we haven't taught in a little while. She could never come to church before because she worked on Sunday. But we just called her out of the blue yesterday and invited her. She came! Apparently she didn't have to work. Church was quite spiritual and we felt the great joy of the Sabbath Day.

I've been reading this week from the Index in the back of The Book of Mormon under the reference, "Jesus Christ, Atonement Through". I found a verse that I absolutely love! It is in 2 Nephi 11:5. "And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death." What a wonderful thing to delight in. God truly has created and carried out a plan of deliverance. I know that through Christ and His Atonement, we will one day have glorified bodies. We have divine potential. As we rely on Him, we will be given strength to make it back to Our Father as an Eternal Family. What joy we will feel!

I love each of you! Have a tremendous week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Remember

Hello Everyone!

Happy Independence Day!! Celebrate and eat and remember and reverence and be grateful and watch fireworks! We already did some of that at a pancake breakfast this morning for our ward. And we're definitely going to watch some fireworks and eat some more and celebrate this great country!
We had a great week! On Wednesday we had exchanges with one of our District Leaders. I was with Elder Johnsen for a day. It was pretty neat since we were companions nearly a year ago. Our investigator, who got baptized recently, came out to some lessons with us. He's got a strong testimony! On Thursday we met President and Sister Weed. As they walked into a chapel full of Elders and Sisters we all stood up. It was a sacred moment. They both spoke and introduced themselves. They're amazing! President Weed began his remarks with his testimony of Jesus the Christ. That was reassuring. Sister Weed also spoke, and she has a great sense of humor. They're from Las Vegas and President Weed was a Judge. I'm excited to serve with them!

I read some scriptures today about "remembering". It's an important thing to do! There are many things that are important to remember, but one of the greatest is found in Helaman 5:9. "9 O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world." I know that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He is our greatest Hope. As we remember Him, we will be fulfilling our baptismal covenants, and be filled with the Spirit.

Remember this day, the sacrifices made by many so that we can have religious freedom, freedom in this country, and deliverance from spiritual and physical bondage.

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Chesapeake, Your Faith is Shining

Hello Everyone!

This week was absolutely inspiring! Especially our weekend at Stake Conference. On Tuesday we got a mini missionary for the week. He's 18 and came from Virginia Beach. We saw so many miracles having him with us!

On Friday we went on exchanges with the Assistants, and Elder Fuller came with me. We had a fun time working together and reminiscing about our time serving together over a year ago. (I was his trainer in Washington, NC) Saturday and Sunday were Stake Conference. This was President and Sister Baker's last weekend as our mission president and wife. I love them so much and it will be hard to see them go. They have impacted my mission and my life immensely. They are both such stalwart examples of righteous disciples of Christ. On the Saturday session of Stake Conference, all the missionaries serving in the Stake (Myself included) came up front to sing the mission hymn as a special thanks to President and Sister Baker. Our mission hymn is "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy". It was such a spiritually powerful moment as we began singing the fourth verse, the mission verse. It reads:

Chesapeake, your faith is shining,
As the lights along the shore;
Reaching out to Father's children,
Guiding each to Him once more.

Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman.
You have rescued, you have saved.

Many tears were coming throughout the room as we felt their love and they felt ours. It has been such a blessing to serve with them. Each of us has the great blessing and privilege to let our lights shine.

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Last Zone Conference

Hello Everyone!

Well this week was full of all manner of emotions. It was a good week! On Friday we had our last Zone Conference with President and Sister Baker. It was so spiritual. President Baker is truly inspired of God. The main focus of the Conference was consecration and devoting all that we have and are to God. We all left with a little more desire to do a little better. And we had the opportunity of hugging President Baker since they're finishing their mission soon. We are excited for President and Sister Weed to come in as well, though!

As I read 3 Nephi 13, I noticed an interesting theme in the Lord's Prayer. It reads:

" 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."

There is such an attitude of reverence, humility, and repentance. Our prayers ought to be the same. When we pray, we should acknowledge the great love and power of our Father in Heaven and thank him humbly for His loving grace. As our prayers are in the manner taught by Christ, we will be humbled and find joy in more and more. I know that God hears the humble prayer.

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Baptism!

Hello Everyone!

Our investigators were baptized this week! It was such a wonderful experience for everyone!Their son from Richmond, came down to baptize them. I gave a talk on Baptism how it is the gate on the path to eternal life, the path back to our Heavenly Father. After each baptism they embraced their son and there was such a sweet spirit there. Then their daughter-in-law sang "How Great Thou Art". I love that song.

They had a luncheon afterwards. My companion and I were there as the food was being prepared and cooked, so we went to ask what we could do to help. We were given the job of cooking the hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill! It was somewhat unexpected, but in a good way. Most of the burgers turned out great! I won't give too much detail about the other burgers. There were a lot of people there, and even some of their non-member friends! It was a great day!

This week I've been reading in The Book of Mormon a section commonly called "The War Chapters". I learned a great lesson in chapter 49. It talks of the Nephites preparations for war in verse 20 and in verse 23 states the result of their preparation. "Thus the Nephites had all power over their enemies..." What a simple, yet powerful principle! The Lord says in the Doctrine and Covenants. "...if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30) I know that this is true. We ought to be spending much time each day in spiritual preparation. if we do, we will be given strength.

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Transfers!

Hello Everyone!

Transfers happened this week! My new companion, Elder Nipko, is from Ephraim, Utah. He loves basketball and has been on the mission for about a year. And he was in my Zone when he started his mission, so I knew him before! I was his first zone leader and now we're zone leaders together! Transfer day was fun and it was great to see many of my past companions!

We had a miracle on Saturday! We had a lesson set up for 1:00 with a lady, and we had a member who was going to come with us. About an hour or so before the lesson the member had to cancel on us. It was out of the way of many of the members in the ward, and so I knew there would be difficult finding one on such short notice. I offered a prayer to Heavenly Father that we could find someone to take. Then we started calling. After nearly exhausting our resources I had the thought of calling a Less-Active youth we have been working with. I almost expected him to turn us down because he had in times past, but he said he'd come! And he had a great time! It blessed him, our investigators, us, and it was a simple answer to a simple prayer.

As I studied a talk from the most recent General Conference from Sister Oscarson, I was touched by 7 principles that lead to conversion. "We all need to seek to have our hearts and very natures changed so that we no longer have a desire to follow the ways of the world but to please God. True conversion is a process that takes place over a period of time and involves a willingness to exercise faith. It comes when we search the scriptures instead of the Internet. It comes when we are obedient to the commandments of God. Conversion comes when we serve those around us. It comes from earnest prayer, regular temple attendance, and faithful fulfillment of our God-given responsibilities. It takes consistency and daily effort."

With Love,
Elder Rogers

P.S. Our Investigators are getting baptized this weekend!!

Pig Pickin' and Transfers

Hello Everyone!

On Saturday around 11:00 we got a transfer call! Elder Davis, my companion is getting transferred to a new area called New Kent. My new companion's name is Elder Nipko. I went on exchanges with him about a year ago in New Bern, NC! He's great and I'm excited!

Our miracle investigators are still doing wonderful! They're set for baptism next weekend and everything is in place for it to happen. We're all excited! Our Ward had a pig pickin' today, which is basically where someone cooks an entire pig and everyone works together to eat it! It was tasty!

This week I ponderized Matthew 5:14-16. This is Christ teaching His disciples.
"14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
I love where He states that men don't put the candle under a bushel. They put it on a candlestick so it's light can bless everyone. As I thought over this verse I realized that the restored gospel can be related to that light. Why would we hide the glorious light under a bushel? When one receives it all they want to do is put it on a candlestick so that everyone in the house can have their lives illuminated. I know that when we share the light we have received, our appreciation for the light increases. Christ is the greatest Light. May we let the warmth of His Light illuminate our lives and all that are in the house.

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Hello!

Hello everyone!

This week was fantastic! We've been working on making better lesson plans and it has made a difference. This week we taught the husband of a Less-active member. He is Muslim and so our teaching approach was a little different. Being in the South just about everyone I've taught has been Christian - Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic, you name it. It was a good lesson and we're excited to keep teaching him.

Our investigators are still doing wonderful! They are getting baptized on June 11 and their son from Richmond is going to come and perform the ordinance. They're so excited, and so are we! At church they have been introducing themselves to everyone. It's great!

This week I have thought a lot about the Savior. Our lives must be focused on Him. He truly is the Light of the world. Our hearts should "magnify His holy name." (2 Nephi 25:13). I also think of what King Benjamin said in his great sermon. "For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?" (Mosiah 5:13) We truly must serve Him and think of Him and love Him.

With Love,
Elder Rogers

I Believe in Miracles.

Hello Everyone!

This week was absolutely miraculous! Just wonderful! We had two exchanges with some great Elders on Tuesday and Friday. But the best part is the miracle we had. I may have mentioned something last week of them coming to church, but I'll retell the story so far from the beginning.

Last week this couple came to church. Their son and daughter-in-law are members and their son had introduced them to the church a little while back. After church they invited us over to dinner on Wednesday. It was delicious! And they are so prepared for the restored gospel. We asked them what their expectations were about the church and the wife said something to the effect of, "Well, baptism! And then of course getting sealed later." My companion and I were ecstatic!

We also taught them on Saturday and then on Sunday they came to church and also brought their non-member son and his wife! The Stake President gave a powerful talk about Christ and that evening the same family drove us to a fireside put on by our Mission President and Wife. That was Spirit-filled and inspiring! And they loved it! They want to get baptized in June and we are so excited for them! The Lord has brought to pass a huge miracle and I'm grateful to have the chance to be a part of it.

This week I've pondered somewhat about our Eternal Family, with Heavenly Father at the head. His purpose is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39) He desires and yearns for all of us, His children, to return to Him and dwell with Him forever as an Eternal Family and this happens as we live the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 2 Nephi 2:8, Lehi teaches his son Jacob, "...how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah..." It is greatly important! As we share this beautiful gospel which will bring others to God, we will draw nigh to Him as well. I know He loves us. I know He is our Father. And I know that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Have a wonderful week everyone! I love you!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

P.S. Here's one of the Elders I went on exchanges with and also a city across the water that we saw.

All We Need Now is Some Farr's Ice Cream!

Hello Everyone!

This week was great! There was a lot that happened. On Wednesday we had our Mission Leadership Council meeting which prepared us for Zone Meeting on Friday. We are learning more about how we can work together with the members in our areas to help our investigators progress. Zone Meeting went really well! The Spirit was there and there was a lot of good participation.

Mother's Day was great! Skyping my family was fantastic! And a miracle came at church! There was a couple that walked in that was new, so we introduced ourselves. They looked like members, so I asked if they were visiting. One of them said that yes, they were. So then I asked if they were members. Nope. Haha at that point we realized what a great opportunity this was! We later learned that their son was a recent convert and their daughter-in-law (His wife) was a returning Less-Active. They've read a large portion of the Standard works! They stayed for all three hours of church and invited us over for dinner this Wednesday. And as if it couldn't get any better, they are next door neighbors to our High Priest Group leader! So we're thankful to the Lord for this miracle and are excited to see what comes!

This week I've been reading a little in the book of Acts. It's great! I really loved Acts 5:41-42. Peter and the Apostles teach of the Savior. "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."

I know that Jesus Christ truly is the only One who can bring means for repentance and forgiveness. And what a blessing that is! As we come unto Him and repent, He will truly forgive us. We will feel the peace of His grace. I testify that we will find the greatest joy in life by following the simple pattern of faith, repentance, and keeping our covenants. I know He lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Well I love you all! Have a marvelous week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

P.S. We played some disc golf today. It was amazing! For those of you that are unaware, I used to always get some Farr's after playing disc golf. It was a wonderful tradition!

The Waters of Baptism

Hello Everyone!

Well I'm just really excited that our investigators got baptized on Saturday! It was an absolute miracle! Their father who has been a member for under a year, baptized them! There was a sweet spirit and we were all edified. I was able to play the piano and accompany the songs, so that was fun.
We experienced a little miracle this week as we acted in faith. We had pulled up to the home of a Less-Active whom we had tried to visit several times before, but we could never find them home. We had tried at different times of the day, but to no avail. Before we went to knock on their door, we noticed that there was an "X" through their name on our ward roster. Perhaps they had moved, or didn't want contact. But we decided to try anyway and so we went and knocked on their door. On the first knock, a man answered. We asked his name and found out that he was the non-member husband of the Less-Active lady we were coming to visit! He said they were busy, but accepted a return appointment! It was a miracle! We must always act in faith. Although something like that doesn't always happen, the Lord always blesses us when we do act in faith.

We also had a wonderful Stake Priesthood meeting last night. One young man from our ward quoted Elder Neal A. Maxwell, who said, "The more we know of Jesus, the more we will love Him. The more we know of Jesus, the more we will trust Him. The more we know of Jesus, the more we will want to be like Him and to be with Him by becoming the manner of men and women that He wishes us to be (see 3 Ne. 27:27), while living now “after the manner of happiness” (2 Ne. 5:27). I love this quote! We must learn of Jesus. As we do we will be filled with peace, faith, hope, and love! I know that He lives. He is our Savior. May we all study and feast upon His word each day. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Have a wonderful week, everyone! I love you!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

P.S. This week I also saw Elder Talbot, my last companion and the other Elder Rogers in the mission!

"Let Us Help You Move!"

Hello Everyone!

This week flew by! We've been staying busy here. On Monday we had a Zone Preparation day, so that was fun! And everything is lining up for the baptism on Saturday. They have both been interviewed. Their dad is a recent-convert of about 6 months, and he's going to baptize them! We're excited!

We were at an appointment that fell through on Saturday and a man was walking past us, so we started talking to him and sharing the gospel with him. He told us he was about to go help someone move and he didn't have time. So we asked if we could help and he let us! There were a bunch of people at the house already, but we got to help move tables and couches onto the U-Haul. It was great! Haha most of the time people won't let us help like that.

During my personal studies recently it has occurred to me the great importance of both 'heart' and 'mind'. And now both of those words (But especially heart) have been sticking out to me everywhere that I read in the scriptures. We learn from D&C 8:2 that " [God] will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart." So those are the two places the Spirit speaks to us. As I pondered this, I realized how important it is to purify our hearts and cleanse our minds. It's is so important! I know that as we do, we will be more aware of God's influence. He will more easily guide our paths and give us direction. I know He truly loves us and is always reaching out to us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I love you! Have a wonderful week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Darkness Dispersed

Hello Everyone!

This week was wonderful! On Wednesday, we had a mission leadership meeting where we learned more of the power of prayer and felt the Spirit in great abundance. On Thursday, we taught one of our investigators a lesson on following the Prophet. That was a great experience. Friday came, and we had Zone Meeting! Our mission president and his wife were there, so we were a little nervous, but the meeting went quite well. A few hours later, we had interviews with President Baker. He is such a wonderful man. Interviews were fantastic and I learned a lot!

General Conference was also just inspiring! I was filled with the Spirit of God as His servants addressed us this weekend. What a blessing! There's also a scripture that I really love about heeding the prophet's counsel in the Doctrine and Covenants. It's section 21 verses 5 and 6. It reads, " 5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. 6 For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory." I know that the promise given here is true. As we receive the prophet's words, the powers of darkness will disperse. Light will enter our lives. We will come to know Our Father and His Son. (John 17:3) I know they live. I know they love us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all! Have a splendid week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Miracles

Hello Everyone!

This week was absolutely miraculous!! The biggest miracle happened near the end of the week. I believe it was two Thursdays ago that Elder Davis and I set a goal to have a baptism on April 23rd. Last week we began teaching a 9 year old son of a recent convert. He is so smart! I haven't taught young kids too many times, but some of the answers they give are better than most of the people we teach! But anyway, this last Saturday we were going to set a baptismal date of April 30th because we thought that would be about as soon as it could happen. That didn't work for the dad, so we thought that we could do it sometime in May, but the father suggested that we do it on the 23rd! It's quick, but the ward pulled together and the baptism is practically already planned! It has been absolutely miraculous!

Yesterday we went to visit a less-active member we had never met before. She let us teach her and her teenage son. We taught and testified of the Restoration. It was apparent that they had once been very strong in the church. She said the closing prayer and it was so powerful. One of the most sincere prayers I've ever heard, and she expressed a desire to come back to the church. The Spirit was quite present, and we left feeling so good.

This week we were blessed so much by the Lord. There were many hard days, but as we pressed forward, we saw miracles. Moroni said it well in Ether 12:6. "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." I know that life can get difficult, but as we press forward with faith in Christ, miracles will come to pass. He knows us perfectly and wants what is best for us. With Christ, we can always have hope.

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice!

Hello Everyone!

Easter was wonderful! And so was our week. It flew by. On Thursday we were heading to one of our investigators homes. I missed a turn, but we kept driving to see if the road would reconnect, or if there would be a detour we could take. We soon realized there wasn't. But we also realized that a less-active member we had never met was close by, so we decided to go visit him. We didn't end up meeting him, but we met his son (He's probably about 30) and invited him to church. He said he'd come! On Sunday he came with his wife and two kids! It was a miracle!!

Another wonderful thing happened this week. We were teaching one of our investigators and he told us that he's been starting to pray more and he's felt a change in himself where he's starting to act with more kindness and love. It's really neat to see the change in ourselves and others like that. And the gospel truly does change us for the better!

This weekend is General Conference! Come up with some questions or concerns you have in your life, write them down, and then listen to General Conference prepared to receive answers and guidance. I testifty that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet called of God to lead His church and children at this time. I know that his counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are also called of God. Your Heavenly Father has given them inspiration and revelation that you need to hear. I promise that as you watch General Conference, you will receive guidance. In 3 Nephi 12:1, the Savior tells the Nephites, "Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants...: I know that this is true for us as well. May we all listen to the voice of Christ, given through His living servants in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Have a blessed week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

P.S. There's this burger joint we go to with a Less-Active a lot. It's delicious!!

Lay Hold Upon the Word of God

Hello Everyone!!

This week was great! On Thursday we had our Zone Conference. It was amazing! We talked about how we could more effectively plan and introduce The Book of Mormon. It was great to see all the other missionaries and feel the Spirit in such great abundance. During a short testimony meeting at the end, many of the missionaries shared short testimonies of Christ. What a beautiful feeling it is to feel the Holy Ghost bear record of the Father and Son! We felt Their love and were all uplifted.

The next day we did exchanges with some of the Elders in our Zone. Elder Ray came here to our area and my companion went to theirs. At our dinner appointment with some members, the father told me that I should grab some seconds. So I did and began to eat again. When I finished, he said I should take some more! Haha I ended up eating 4 servings and being quite full. Perhaps next time, Ill just tell him I'm on a diet. But it was a great appointment and we watched #Hallelujah with them.

This week I was reminded that there is great power in the scriptures! I thought a lot about how we must liken the scriptures to our lives and how we must treasure them up in our minds. The scriptures truly do teach us all things that we should do! (2 Nephi 32:3) In 1 Nephi 19:23, Nephi says, " And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." I know that the Scriptures are true. I promise that as you read them, your faith in Christ will increase, and you will one day " land [your soul]... at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out." (Helaman 3:30) What a wonderful promise! God has spoken. May we continually hold fast to His word in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love each of you. Have a fantastic week!!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

#Hallelujah

Hello Everyone!

This week was wonderful! We've been staying really busy and teaching a lot. The Restored gospel is the best message anyone could share!

On Friday we had District Meeting and we also went on exchanges with our District Leader, Elder Bullinger. He's my MTC companion, so it was really fun to be companions with him again (For a day), 18 months later!

There was a man that the Sister missionaries here have been teaching and he was baptized on Saturday evening. It was a wonderful service. And Church on Sunday was absolutely marvelous. The Spirit was strong and we were edified. I know that as we continually follow Christ and keep the commandments, we will be given continued strength.

During Fast and Testimony meeting, I bore my testimony about how the gospel is all about love. The Plan of Salvation was made out of love and carried out because of love. John is truly correct when he states, " He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4:8-9) What a great privelege it is to serve our Father and help all to feel His abounding love! One way we can share His love is by helping others learn of Him and Follow Him. The Church recently came out with an Easter video that helps do just that. I would encourage you to share that video with a friend or family member. I know that as you share God's love, you will feel it in your life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all! Have a lovely week!

WIth Love,
Elder Rogers


P.S. The video is found at www.mormon.org/easter

Grand Caravan Ridin'

Hello Everyone!

I'm in Virginia now! It was a wonderful, crazy, stressful, and fulfilling week! The first three days of the week, I packed and said goodbye to a few of the members in Mt. Olive. I'm definitely going to miss a lot of people down there. On Wednesday, a member drove us to Greenville, NC where transfers took place. I got to ride up to Virginia with two of my past companions, Elder Dudley and Elder Ferrero, so that was fun!

On Thursday was a mission leadership meeting and then Friday was Zone Meeting! It's been 5 months since I've conducted and led a Zone Meeting, so I was a little rusty, but it still went really well. Our Zone is great and everyone was excited and happy.

My new companion is Elder Davis. He's from Layton, Utah and he loves rock climbing. He's been on his mission for almost 18 months. He's great and I'm excited to serve with him here in Suffolk!

We've already seen miracles here. The Lord's hand is so prevalent in this work. I know that 2 Nephi 27:23 is true. It reads, "23 For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith." He truly does do miracles. As we exercise our faith in Him, He will reach out and miracles will be present in our lives.

I love each of you! Have a miraculous week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

P.S. Yes, our assigned vehicle is a Grand Caravan.

Yes, It's called the "Virginia" Chesapeake Mission

This week was exciting! I'm getting transferred to Virginia on Wednesday! This will be my very first time serving in Virginia. I have absolutely loved serving in North Carolina, but I am also excited to serve in Virginia. We got transfer calls on Saturday. Elder Talbot is staying in Mt. Olive, and his new companion will be Elder Weber, who has been out for about 6 months. My new area is the Bennett's Creek ward in Suffolk, VA. My companion's name is Elder Davis and I will be serving as a Zone Leader again.

On Tuesday we experienced a miracle! We were in a town we don't go to very often because it's far away and we were headed back to Mt. Olive. I saw a sign for an apartment complex and felt prompted to try to go find it. We ended up at four homes that looked like there were people home, so we decided to knock on their doors. The last one was a man from Haiti and he invited us in to teach him. We began to teach the Restoration and about halfway through he told us that his son was a member! He called his son out of his room and when I saw him, I realized that I had seen him at church before! So now we're teaching the father. We'll see where it goes!

On Wednesday we had some crazy weather! We ended up staying at a Less-Active members home for about 3 hours because we had to stay inside due to the tornadoes! Luckily we were safe and the next day there wasn't much storming.

I have been "ponderizing" a verse of scripture each week for a few weeks now. This week I chose Ether 6:12. It is when the Jaredites land upon the promised land. Part of it reads, " [they] did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them." Our Father in Heaven is so merciful! Whenever I personally thank Him in prayer I feel His Spirit in great abundance. We have so much to be grateful for! Think about how He has blessed you in your life. And then thank Him. I know that He loves us. As we express our gratitude for His tender mercies, we will realize more and more of them in our lives.

I love each of you! Have a grateful week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Real Southern Cookin'

Hello Everyone!

This week went really well! We stayed really busy and a couple less-active's we've been working with came to church yesterday. We also went to a place called "Grady's BBQ" on Saturday for lunch. It was so delicious!

Our investigator from Haiti has been doing really well! He said he'd be baptized if he found out the restored gospel was true! We've been doing our best to help him feel the Spirit and progress in the gospel.

We've been working with a certain less-active each week for some time. Recently we started reading The Book of Mormon with him. (Alma 32-42) It has been wonderful! He's started to keep commitments of reading the Book of Mormon which he never would before. He also told us that he's starting to think of gospel-related topics throughout the week. He has been remembering a time in his life when he was quite active in the church. There is great power in The Book of Mormon! I know that it is inspired of God and truly an impacting missionary tool. In 2 Nephi 33:10 Nephi testifies that his words are the words of Christ.

"And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good."

I know that Christ loves us. He is so very real and He can help us so much in life. The Book of Mormon testifies of His divine mission and will bring us closer to Him. I invite each of you to make daily scripture study a part of your lives. I know that as you do, you will feel His love in greater capacity.

With Love,

Elder Rogers

God is Love

Hello Everyone!

This week was inspirational! Early on in the week we found some new investigators, so that was exciting! They both seem pretty interested, so we will see how it goes. One of them expressed how much she wanted to change her life for the better. The Spirit was present as we testified that the restored gospel is exactly what she needs.

On Friday, our mission president and his wife came down to North Carolina for a Specialized Training. It was wonderful! We practiced teaching and learned much about teaching together as a companionship.

The next day, Saturday, was the first session of Stake Conference that we went to. A returning less-active family drove us. They are the best! And the meeting was full of the Spirit. Our mission president, his wife, and some Stake leaders spoke and brought such an amazing feeling into the room.
On Sunday, a less-active member that we've been working with came to Stake Conference! The meeting was wonderful and we learned a lot!

One thing that stuck out to me this weekend was the power of love. President Baker really emphasized this. In 1 John 4:7-9 it reads, 

"7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him."

I know that God loves each of us. I know that His Beloved Son loves each of us. No matter what. But when we follow Them and show our love for Them, we can feel Their love so much more clearly. As we live this gospel, our love for God and those around us will continually increase. Think of how you can show greater love. I promise that as you do, you will feel His love. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you all! (And not just because I talked about love in this email!) Have a wonderful week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

P.S. We got some hearts from the Young Women in our ward for Valentine's Day!

So Much to Be Grateful For!

Hello Everyone!

This week went well! We had some setbacks, but were able to press forward with faith. No matter what we go through, we can always rely on the Lord and He will deliver us or provide strength. And we had some miracles on Sunday!

The first miracle was that one of our investigators made it to church. It was exciting because he brought his little daughter and he also told us that his wife would probably be interested in the gospel as well.

The second miracle came that night as we taught a less-active member. We've been working with him for a while and he's been through a lot in his life. When we first started meeting with him he would not read the scriptures or accept many commitments. But recently he's been reading the chapters we offered him and last night he thanked us for our efforts on his behalf and gave each of us a hug.
This gospel is such a great blessing! God loves us so tenderly. And He has blessed us so greatly with the gift of His Son and so much else. May we thank Him and offer our gratitude daily. A verse from the book of Ether illustrates this simple principle. Talking of the Jaredites, verse 12 of chapter 6 reads, " And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them." As we all express gratitude for His tender mercies, we will be more aware of them. He truly loves us. I know that He lives and is yearning to be a part of our daily lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love each and every one of you! Have a great week!


With Love,
Elder Rogers

You'd Like a Free Bible? Our Pleasure!

Hello Everyone!

This week was great! We stayed real busy and saw many miracles! A few of those had to do with some headquarter referrals. Whenever people request a free Bible or Book of Mormon or something like that online, the missionaries in the area are notified. Most of the time these people aren't the most interested, but they mainly just wanted a free Bible. But this week that was different. We got 3 new investigators from those types of referrals! They were all really interested, we gave each of them a Book of Mormon in addition to the Bible, and we'll be continuing to teach them. It's been exciting!
A couple of the Less-Active's we've been teaching are convinced that their life is good right now, or that living the gospel will not bring happiness. No matter where we are in life, the gospel will always bring us greater happiness, peace, and direction. I know that.

Other than that, we've been doing a lot of teaching. It's such a wonderful thing to share the beautiful truths of the restored gospel. One of the young men in our ward is leaving on his mission in a few weeks to Guatemala! He gave his farewell talk yesterday about 'hope'. Hope is such a crucial thing. No matter what we go through or experience, we can always have hope through the Atonement of Christ. In Moroni 7:41, we learn, "...ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise." We can always have hope for eternal life as we rely on Christ. He has prepared the way. Now we must choose to follow in His footsteps. I know that as we do, our lives will be joyous. Challenges and affliction may come, but we will always have a hope to one day dwell with God. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love each of you. Have a hope-filled week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

SNOW!!! But Not That Much.

Hello Everyone!

This week was wonderful! It started out on Monday evening. The Lord has just been blessing us this week. We went from lesson to lesson that night and the Spirit was powerful in each. On Wednesday we had a broadcast to all of the missionaries in the world. It was inspiring! We heard from several of the Apostles and leadership of the Church. One topic they addressed was always having the Savior on our lips. Always declaring His name. This is something we should do as missionaries, but also throughout our lives. One way of remembering Him always is talking about Him frequently.

Yesterday church was canceled. We had had some snow on Saturday and so they canceled church. It's different here than it is back West. Snow is a big deal! So that was pretty sad, but we were able to teach many people, and it was still a wonderful day! Some of those we taught yesterday were people we had tried to teach before, but they wouldn't let us. We had some great lessons as we testified of Christ and His infinite Atonement.

In my Book of Mormon study this week I read several chapters in Ether. One verse that really stuck out to me was in chapter 6 verse 17. It reads, "And they were taught to walk humbly before the Lord; and they were also taught from on high." This verse teaches so many powerful principles. First, they were taught to walk humbly. It didn't just happen. It is not our natural way of walking. Pride so often encompasses our steps. But as they walked humbly, they were taught from on high. Think of your life and the decisions that you make. Do you rely upon God to lead you? I know that as we rely upon God, choosing to take steps in line with His will, He will truly teach us from on high. Joyous is the path that God has laid before us. May we all walk in the steps of Christ.

I love each of you! Have a wonderful week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

It Began in Weekly Planning

Hello Everyone!

This week was great! On Monday we had a Zone Preparation day. It was really fun to meet together with everyone and play some sports!

We saw a miracle this weekend. But it began during our weekly planning session. The Spirit was present as we planned, and a we received some revelation for a certain investigator we hadn't focused on recently. We were inspired to teach him in a particular member's home. So we took action and those plans took place on Saturday. We set him on a baptismal date, and he came to church. He's excited, and so are we! I am so grateful for little miracles like this.

Another of our investigators also came! And 3 or 4 Less-Active's we were hoping would come! It was wonderful! And our Bishop and Stake President both spoke since it was Ward Conference. What made it even better was that there was food afterwards! We a delicious Southern meal!

Recently I've been marking and trying to memorize several verses from the Book of Mormon. There are so many inspiring verses in there! I love it! One of them was from 2 Nephi 9:45. It reads, "O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation." It's just so simple. How grateful I am for a Savior who provides a path of deliverance. He is so loving. Let us turn from all of our sins and turn to God. I know that as we do, peace, joy, and happiness will enter our lives. We will have a great purpose and meaning behind our actions. I know that this gospel is true. And I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you all! Have a wonderful week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

"Do You Have a Dinner Appointment?... Alright, We'll Feed You!"

Hello Everyone!

This week was miraculous! Interviews with our Mission President went really well. President Baker is a wonderful man. On Thursday, we had a lesson with a less-active member that we had been trying to meet with ever since I got here. And we also had a lesson with a member and his wife who's not a member. Both were great!

On Friday, we were out teaching with a member and as we drove past the library, we saw one of our investigators standing outside it. So we stopped and shared a message with him! We hadn't seen him in a while. And then he came to church this week!
There were 3 times this week that members offered to feed us on the spot! On Sunday we didn't think we had any meals, but then we ended up with a lunch and a dinner appointment!
At 7:30 on Saturday night, we got a call and my companion was asked to speak in church. Not much notice, but he did great!

I've been reading the beginning of The Book of Mormon recently. I love Nephi's words! He teaches the importance of prayer in 1 Nephi 18:3. It reads, "And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things." This was as Nephi was building a boat. When we have to do difficult things or go through many afflictions, we must turn to the Lord. Not only will He provide a way for us to accomplish great things, He will provide peace. I know He is there. And He yearns to hear from us. His love for each of us, His children, is great. May we love Him as He loves us.

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

P.S. Here's our mission logo.

Miracles!

Hello Everyone!

This week was great! We saw some amazing miracles this week, but I'm going to save those for the end. On New Year's Eve, my companion and I went to the Mt. Olive pickle drop. At 7 PM they dropped a 3-foot, glowing pickle into a big bucket. (One they use to make pickles I think...) They did it at 7 so everyone can go home and get to bed on time, which was nice for us missionaries since we can't stay up late anyway!

We had a great Zone meeting on Friday. A Bishop from one of the wards came and spoke for a little while, so that was nice. We're going to read through Preach My Gospel as a mission as well, so that's been great!

Alright, now for the miracles. On Monday night, our Elder's Quorum President was scheduled to come out teaching with us. Our appointment for that night had canceled a day or two before, so we were going to just try to stop in on a few people with him. The first person we tried, we ended up having an amazing lesson and our Elder's Quorum President was just excited about it the whole way home. Then Tuesday came and a Brother had signed up to come out to a lesson with us. Around 4 or 5 our appointment for the night canceled. So we called a bunch of people and couldn't find anyone to go visit. Before I knew it, we were driving to our home so the Brother could take us out. I was unsure of where we would go, but after praying I felt peace and knew that it would work out. The first place we tried was an investigator's home and they let us right in. We had a wonderful lesson! The same thing happened on Wednesday! We had a member signed up to come out teaching with us, and our scheduled appointment canceled. The first person we tried let us in and we had a great lesson! Our God truly is a God of miracles! "But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are." (Mormon 9:11) I know that God lives. He loves. And He will truly perform miracles in our life according to our faith.
Have a wonderful week and look for the little miracles in your life!


With Love,
Elder Rogers