And they had no more disposition to do evil (Mosiah 5:2) + Rice Krispie Treat Joy

Okay so real quick everybody is waiting for me to finish so I have to be supa quick and write an email that is entertaining but also spiritually uplifting as fast as I possibly can..

The result is as follows:

HELLO ALL!! Thanks for being here week after week! I appreciate it so much!! I love you!!

So funniest story of my whole mission:

We are teaching a middle aged woman named Maki. She is the funniest person ever (the kind of funny person that isn't trying, everything she says and does is just hilarious). She's from Lesotho, and she's GOLDEN!! She brought herself to the church about 6 months ago and has been dodging missionaries ever since, even though she comes to church every week -- but she couldn't deny Elder Mcopela and Elder Weiler!! 😈 We started teaching her about a month ago and now she's being baptised on Sunday!!

But last week we were teaching her about the Word of Wisdom and she told us that she didn't have any problems with it, in fact, she was already living it!! But she did tell us that she had somewhat of a shady past... the conversation went roughly like this:

Us: "So Maki, you promise you won't do drugs anymore?"

Maki: "NOOOO I DON'T DO THE DRUGS!"

Us: "Are you SURE?"

Maki: "YESSS! But I used to sell.. the what? Oh. I used to sell the dagga" (dagga is Afrikaans for marijuana)

Us: "WHAT?!"

Maki: "Yeah! I USED TO BE A MILLIONARE!!" (At this point we're dying from laughter)

Maki: "I even had customers from South Africa! They would travel to come buy from me! YOH! They would bring MONEY!!!"

(and it all ended with us laying on her couch dying hahahahha) It's even funnier if you know her!)

We asked her why she stopped and she said that the Lesotho military came to take her to prison and she refused hahha she promised she would stop and I guess they let her go? hahahahaha

One of the best nights of my life (she also fed us after so that was a plus)

Okay so I have one more funny story but here's a spirtual thought (I'm just gonna copy and paste from my email to President Thompson because I don't have time)

"This week I also noticed many changes in my desires and in my nature! I have always been inspired by Mosiah 5:2 in which it mentions that those who listened to King Benjamin had "no more disposition to do evil" -- last transfer I began to ponder how I could also come to have the same desire to do good continually; as I have searched in hope to change my sometimes selfish or narcissistic desires to aligning my will with my Father's, I have found that the remedy is the Atonement! The past 2 weeks I have spend my Monday and evening hours studying from the Infinite Atonement! It has been a miracle in and of itself to observe the changes that happen within me as I strive to understand and apply the principles of the Atonement of Jesus Christ! I have learned the central message of the Book of Mormon and of the message that we share is that Christ performed an infinite sacrifice that redeems all men from sin through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel! I know that we need to make our lessons more centred on the Saviour and His Atonement, and those principles are found largely from the Book of Mormon!!!"

Okay one more funny story before these guys kill me:

Mom sent rice krispie treats and they literally made me cry tears of joy. Best day ever (thanks Mom :) ). I shared them with a member named Karabo and our conversation went as follows:

Karabo: "These are good, I don't think I've seen these in South Africa.."

Me: "Yeah they're from America" *pointing to the USA Olympic Rings on the wrapper*

Karabo: "WOW I'M EATING SOMETHING FROM AMERICA?? I FEEL SO BLESSED!" 

Well mission is still the best!! I am so happy! I know that this work is true! I know that the gospel changes lives! I know that the Atonement is real, and that all of us will be greatly blessed from greater testimony of it!!

Amen.

--

Elder Weiler

Have Miracles Ceased? (Moroni 7:27)

Hellooooooooo friends and family!!!!

Week 1 of Transfer 8 was nothing close to what we had expected!! The Lord pretty much cleansed our investigator pool, which was hard, but we know that the Lord is leading us to the elect! I know that the field is white, already to harvest, but we've got to find WHERE first!! 

I really love two scriptures from the 7th chapter of Moroni, verse 27 says:

 27 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceasedbecause Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath satdown on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father hisrights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?

The following is a clip of the email that I sent to President Thompson today (I am so bad at balancing time for emailing hahaha):

You told us to expect miracles; well we are witnesses that miracles have not ceased (Moroni 7:27,29)!! On Friday, after weekly planning, we prayed that the Lord would bless us and the members of the ward to find people to teach, literally right before I closed, our phone began to ring, after we closed and picked up the phone it was a member with a referral for us! He said "This one will be a baptism for sure!" hahaha the Lord certainly heard and answered our prayer! This is only one of many miracles of receiving referrals; even a inactive member contacted us and gave us a referral! This week we are going to contact over 10 referrals that we have received this weekend alone! I know that miracles continue in these last days! I know that the Lord directs this work! And I know that He WILL help us when we exercise faith and when we put all our trust in Him! 

And verse 29 from Moroni 7:

 29 And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren,have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, NAY; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. 

(I capitalised "NAY" because I'm trying to make a point hahaha)

I am a witness that MIRACLES HAVE NOT CEASED! Heavenly Father knows what we need and gives generously to all who are willing to pay the price (covenant keeping, humility, and total confidence and trust in Him)!!!

Out of time!! Buh-bye!!!!

-- 

Elder Weiler

Wasn't I just here???

Okay so pretty much this was the fastest week and entire transfer of my whole mission!! I lost my planner last week so I literally can't remember what we did this week. hahaha!

We had transfers this weekend! Elder Mcopela and I are staying together for another transfer! He is only my second companion that I have been with for more than a transfer! (Elder Benissan, my trainer, was the other), so it's going to be weird to be with him for 3 months! However, I'm SUPER excited because he turns one year next month and I'm totally going to bake a cake or muffins or something and surprise him!!!

I think I can just say that this was the best week ever because mission NEVER STOPS GETTING BETTER!!! This week my love for the Book of Mormon has grown A LOT! Elder Mcopela and I strive to teach from the Book of Mormon as much as possible; and as we do, I fall more and more in love with it! My faith and testimony of the Saviour has grown so much! Truly, it is another testament of Jesus Christ! He lives! His Atonement is real! I know that as we strive to have intimate interactions with Him and His Atonement each day that we will come to have a conviction of His divinity and His infinite and eternal sacrifice on our behalf! Elder Roberts (the senior couple here in Bloemfontein) (I literally feel at home with them) showed me a sweet scripture yesterday --

Doctrine and Covenants 45:2-5: It speaks about Jesus Christ being our advocate to this Father; in verses 4/5 we read His testimonial on our behalf at the judgement bar! Through His words for us, He never once mentions us, and that's because we have never/will never do anything that is as worthy or as mighty as was the Atonement that He performed! We cannot save or exalt ourselves! It is only through Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Sincere Repentence, Proper Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End (keeping covenants, continually repenting, partaking of the sacrament, sharing the gospel, and living obediently) that we will live with God again! That is the BEAUTY AND SIMPLICITY of this gospel! All we have to do is follow the path that has been laid at our feet!

I would recommend all of you to read D&C 45:2-5 and insert your own name in verse 5 and ponder your commitment to follow Christ.

2 And again I say, hearken unto my voice, lest death shall overtake you; in an hour when ye think not the summer shall be past, and the harvest ended, and your souls not saved.

 3 Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—

 4 Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

 5 Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.

Okay well I only have 10 minutes left, I'm sorry that I don't have more details as to who we saw and what we did, but I can tell you that we are certainly engaged in the Lord's work! I can tell you that the Book of Mormon softens and opens hearts, and I can tell you that the Church is true!!! There is literally no other option. I CANNOT DENY IT. The experiences and the testimonies that I have been blessed with are too great to deny. I know that one day we will all stand before God to be judged, and I know that we have been given all that we need to prepare for that day!

I love you all! I love the scriptures and the knowledge and peace that they bring! I love this work! I know that we are all enlisted in it!! I love this gospel!! I love our Saviour!!

Peace Be Unto You All! I hope that you all have the most wonderful week of your wonderful lives!!

--

Elder Weiler (Moroni 8:3)

PS We had a braai to celebrate the 4th of July and it was delicious and I am proud to be an American (everybody around me is tired of hearing that)

Happy Restoration Made Possible Day!!!

My fellow Americans,

It seems like every week I have less and less time to write about better and better weeks!!!! (I'm the worst)

I have 17 minutes to share with you the fastest week of missionary work ever!

Okay, the 10,000,000 pictures will tell a lot of great stories for themselves, but a few noteworthy events this week are as following:

We put like 6 people on baptismal date! The field really is white, all ready to harvest!! We have been SO blessed with revelation this transfer! I feel like Elder Mcopela and I have been led from elect to elect every day this week! I have nothing but gratitude in my heart! The Lord really does lead us when we seek Him! He sees things that we can't see; but as we earnestly, faithfully, and humbly seek His guidance, we will be guided! Our prayers will not go into the air!

We got to meet President and Sister Thompson on Saturday! 

We had a Zone Conference with the Elders from Lesotho and Bethlehem! They are the sweetest couple in the world!! President Thompson has so much excitement for the work! His fire was contagious! I was amazed as I listened to him; he made a big emphasis on using the Book of Mormon more in our teaching, the very same revelation that came to Elder Mcopela and I just 3 weeks ago!!! Revelation is real!

This whole week I made a huge deal out of the 4th of July and told everybody that we were going to celebrate on Monday, of all the missionaries living in Bloemfontein only 3 of us are Americans, so everybody was like "Why would we celebrate YOUR country's independence?" and we were like "THE RESTORATION COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED UNLESS AMERICA HAD IT'S INDEPENDENCE" and nobody could rebut that so we're all celebrating "Restoration Made Possible" Day today!! hahah we're braiing and I'm determined to find an American Flag somewhere in this town! (Pictures to come next week)

So yeah, sorry I don't have a lot of time (my bad) but I'm sending all the love that I possibly can in this email! Life is soooo good here! I love this work! This is Week 6 of the transfer! I can't believe how fast the time has flown by!! But my first transfer here has been full of growth!! I am so grateful that the Lord gives us the opportunity to learn every day! I am so grateful for second chances! And most of all, I am so grateful that we have a Saviour who Lives today! He strengthens us, He comforts us, and HE STANDS WITH US!

HAVE THE BEST WEEK EVER!

--

Elder Weiler

Saying farewell to President and Sister Zackrison :(

Funniest story -- we were visiting Naval Hill and these Helicopters started doing a photo shoot in from of the Nelson Mandela statue, and they were like RIGHT NEXT to us! So.. photo cred goes to Elder Rowe

Holding hands with Nelson <3

On top of Thaba Nchu Mountain!! (Best Zone Activity Ever).  Missionaries painted this on the top of the mountain and it's become a quest to get here in the Durban mission.

 We got SO CLOSE to this herd of Zebras and we definitely tried to chase an Ostrich without success hahahaha

Before and after shining my shoes after ONE DAY... Bloemanda is a dust patch. hahahah

I cut Elder Rowe's hair on Monday and it was almost a disaster BUT I think it turned out okay :)) He seems pretty enthusiastic about it hahaha

Microwave mishaps, Climbing Mountains, and Revelatory Popcorn!

Okay I'm not even wasting time with a whitty beginning because I have two weeks to report in 26 minutes.

Life is awesome. The church is true. This work is most definitely, undoubtedly, and unequivocally (shoutout to Elder Rowe from England for that last adjectivce (it sounded way better in his accent))

the Lord's work!! I LOVE IT! 

This week was probably the best week of my mission. Here's why:

Last week while Elder Mcopela and I were weekly planning -- forget it I'm attaching a portion of my email to the mission president (my FIRST letter to our new mission president! He arrives with his family tomorrow!)

"last week during weekly planning, Elder Mcopela and I were discussing the status and progress of our investigators and the work as a whole, we've been working hard, but we felt our efforts weren't leading anywhere! Although we were teaching and testifying, investigators didn't seem to progress, although we met with members and taught them the overs and unders of missionary work, members didn't seem to want to help us -- as we contemplated these things, we received very clear revelation, we weren't using the Book of Mormon enough. As we recognised and began to apply the Book of Mormon in all of our lessons, it was also revealed to us that we weren't being bold enough, and that we needed to make our purpose more clear to everybody that we met! As we received continued revelation our energy and our excitement grew more and more bright, that energy and excitement carried us through our week, and as we reviewed our stats yesterday we discovered that this was our best week yet, by far!! "

Elder Mcopela and I also read a quote from PMG that talked about having our "fishing lines" in the "water" -- referring to being effective and working hard while we're in the area, we knew that our lines were in the water, but we need to Change the Bait!!! #ChangeTheBait 

The comparison actually brought to life Christ's invitation to "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men" -- through revelation, Elder Mcopela were guided to "cast our nets on the other side" and they were definitely filled!! I know that the power behind the Book of Mormon is the power to convert, soften hearts, and answer prayers! It is true! There is NO other option! 

A great portion of my joy also came from speaking boldly -- as missionaries we have the authority to preach the gospel by the spirit of the comforter, but unless we seek it, that authority will not translate into spiritual POWER! This week I really felt like Elder Mcopela and I spoke with power and authority, and it worked! People listened! Investigators are progressing! And the ward will grow!

In addition to revelation concerning the Book of Mormon, baptismal commitments, and boldness -- it was revealed to us that if we want to more fully fulfill our purpose as missionaries we need to be working with more Part Member families, to enable them to enter the doors of the Holy Temple to be sealed for time and all eternity! 

Also, I only said revelatory popcorn because all of this revelation came as Elder Mcopela pondered in silence eating popcorn hahaha

But I stand as a witness that because of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the windows of Heaven have been opened again! That God is guiding us! I am also a witness that Miracles have not ceased!! The Lord lives! 

We also had two microwave explosions this week... 

We were warming up a container of food that an investigator cooked for us.. I guess the lid was on too tight... It was a disaster... and the food looked REALLY good... RIP

the second was a boiled egg that Elder Mcopela tried to warm up... also... terrible mess.. RIP egg :(

Last week we had our Zone Activity, we climbed Thaba Nchu Mountain! It was AWESOME! The best Zone Activity I've ever had! Upon arriving I was feeling confident in my mountain hiking abilities, BUT I WAS HUMBLED BY THAT STEEP, VICIOUS MOUNTAIN! But it was awesome. The view was INCREDIBLE! I took a TON of pictures but my camera won't connect to this computer soo... tons of pictures next week! But it sufficeth me to say that is was awesome. We had the time of our lives! 

Okay, this email is already really long, but I feel like I could write forever. This really has been the best 2 weeks of my mission. Receiving, following, and witnessing revelation has brought boundless joy to Elder Mcopela and me! I have said this in every email I've typed today but I love mission more than I can ever describe with words!! This is the best time of my life. I love the change that has occurred in me! I love the knowledge that this Lord has blessed me with; increased understanding of the gospel has changed my perception on life! It has helped me to know what I can do to prepare for the eternities!! 

I know that this church is true. I'm not afraid to tell any man or woman that! THIS IS THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST! WE ARE GUIDED BY A PROPHET CALLED OF GOD AND NOT OF MAN! I pray that you might find the same joy as you continue to FEAST upon the words of Christ, open your heart to the Lord daily, and pull down and follow revelation from the Lord!! 

--

Elder Weiler

PS We also had to say goodbye to President Zackrison and his wife last week -- that was hard! I LOVE them! I will always remember them! But I'm PUMPED for President and Sister Thompson! 

PPS I used caps lock WAY TOO MUCH THIS EMAIL

SORRY

Bag stolen . . .really!?!

(London didn't have much time today, but he did send a short e-mail to me, which I thought I would share.  Thanks so much for your love and support!)

Hey Mom!!

This was a great week!! But I actually had my bag stolen last week.... So I lost my scriptures and the SD card that you sent me. I'm so sorry about that. I know that you spent a lot of money on it. I should be getting new scriptures from the office sometime this week!

Thanks for the pictures!! I'm glad to hear that Alys's funeral went well. How is the family doing now?

Things are going really well here, the work is a little slow because the area was just whitewashed, so we're still working our way into things, but we're seeing very real progress! We are also rejoicing because of the revelation we're receiving that's guiding our work!! The Lord is definitely watching out for us!!!

Being a Zone Leader is great, but we have to travel a lot, so we aren't able to work in our area as much as we'd like to, so that's a little disappointing, but we're still making a way!! The work of the Lord must go forward!! (I also say that all the time). Also, will you please update my blog and mention that I don't have time to write a weekly email today? Send my apologies.

I love Elder Mcopela! I really love him! We're great friends!! He also loves the work and he has a really sweet testimony! He joined the church when he was 20, he's 25 now, and his knowledge of the gospel is astounding! I think my favourite thing about him is that we have so much fun doing the work! We both love to teach so when we tract we tract with purpose!! Even just walking around and contacting we're always having a good time! The time is FLYING by! I can't believe that this transfer is already halfway over!! I feel like my mission is flying by too quickly!!! I don't want to leave!! (no offense)

We're serving in a ward! The members are great, but we're still wrestling to get them involved in the work with us, but we're most definitely seeing progress!!!

Love you so much!! Please tell Grandpa that I said Happy Father's Day!! Also tell Gogo I said I love her!! :))

Did you make cinnamon rolls yesterday?? I was definitely dreaming of them while we were at church yesterday ahhahaha!

Thanks for always being here every week! I always LOVE your emails and I LOVE hearing from my sweet mom!!

I hope you have the best week ever!!

--

Elder Weiler

No electricity, no problem.

Dumelanga! 

First and foremost, mission is flying by! I felt like I was sitting here, rushing to type a weekly email, just yesterday! 

We had a great week! Here are a few highlights:

On Wednesday we drove to a little town called Bethlehem (lame reference to a hymn) and had a Mission Leadership Conference! It was suuuper nice to roadtrip (the round trip was 500 kilometres (RIP to our monthly K allotment)) and the meeting was incredible! As I left the meeting I felt somewhat crushed by the weight of all that I need to change as a missionary, the meeting really opened my eyes to a lot of my shortcomings and weaknesses, however, the next day I read a quote that I LOVE -- it says: To gain knowledge we must recongise that we lack knowledge first" -- and that really brought everything into perspective for me, I realised that me seeing all of these things that I needed to change wasn't supposed to discourage me, but it was the Lord showing me where I can grow! I am so grateful for the constant opportunities we have to spiritually grow and mature, provided through the Atonement of Jesus Christ! 

This week I have found myself saying "The Church is so true" more often than usual hahaha, Elder Mcopela and I have been blessed with so many faith building and testimony confirming experiences! Unfortunately, lack of time prevents me from sharing all of them, but it sufficeth me to say that we have had so many tender mercies this week! The Church is most definitely true!! I have pondered a lot Christ's advice concerning false prophets -- He said "By their fruits ye shall know them" -- as I have really considered and pondered the "fruits" of the Church I realise (more logically than spiritually) that the Church really is true!!! The Lord really is communicating with us through our beloved Prophet, certainly miracles have not ceased!!! I'm sorry that this is so scatterbrained but I'm literally racing the clock right now ahaha

Also to explain the subject our electricity went out again last night but I think I've become well acquainted with dark, cold showers hahahah TIA (This is Africa)

Lastly, when I first got here, I was very satisfied with the weather -- cold mornings, warm afternoons, cold nights -- but now... It's literally Freezing mornings, numbing afternoons, and hypothermic nights hahahaha however, Elder Mcopela and I have managed to survive! it's good to be back in Utah winters!! (That was sarcastic) (I still use parenthesis too much).

Sala Kahle!!

--

Elder Weiler

Pics: This is an area called "Beans" ( I have no idea why ), I also think the stray dog really really brings the reality of what it's like here hahahah