Elder Pulsipher

Pictures in the MTC

2012-02-04T17:49:00.000-08:00

2012-02-04T17:47:00.000-08:00

2012-02-04T17:43:00.000-08:00

Jan 27, 2012

2012-02-02T09:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Family,

That is sad to hear that Joe Pa died. I know that he is a man of Faith and the last year of his life was very sad. I hope his legacy will not be tarnished. Addison send me a Dear Elder to tell me all about JR day. Thank you mom for sharing your testimony. Yearbook sounds awesome Aubrey! You will have to teach me how to use a computer after my mission. Keep up the work Anson!
This week has been awesome! I am really enjoying all the time they give us to read the scriputers here at the MTC. This past week, I finished the Book of Mormon. I know the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ. I know that it is truly the Word of God, and that a man will grow closer to God by abiding by it's precepts than by any other book. I am now starting the New Testament. Elder Cooper and I are both so excited to read the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Christ was the perfect example of how to be a missionary. Throughout his entire ministry, he served, invited, healed, and taught. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that we will find happiness in this life as we come closer to the Savior.

One of the Elders in my district, Elder Daines, shared an awesome poem with me titled I'd Rather See A Sermon by Edgar A. Guest. It has taught me the best way to share the gospel is to live the gospel.

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
FIne counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all preachers are the men who live their creeds
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs
I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

I know that the most important thing we can do is to "Be an example of the believers" (1 Tim 4:12). I know that actions speak louder than words. Christ taught through his actions. As a missionary, I need to live what I teach (1 Cor 9:14).

Sunday night, Brother Clayton M. Christensen spoke to us. He was a Rhodes Scholar and is now a Professor at Harvard Business School. He is a very educated man, but his spirit was even more impressive. His talk was amazing! As missionaries, we need to teach others how that they can gain a belief instead of what to believe. He told a story of one of his friends who had a bunch of questions about religion and life in general. Bro. Christensen gave him a book of Mormon and directed him to two chapters. He gave him a list of steps to find his answers.
1. Kneel and Pray out loud to find insights to his questions as he read
2. Read the two chapters in the Book of Mormon
3. Write down the insights he had gained from his reading
4. Pray for more insights from the Holy Ghost
5. Read the two chapters again
6. Write new insights and revise his previous answers.
7. Pray and Ask God to know if the things he had read and insights he had discovered were true.

A week later, his friend came back with the answers to his questions and knew that the Book of Mormon was truly the word of God. He was baptized soon after.

The next day I took Bro. Christensen's advice and truly studied Mosiah 18 and 2nd Nephi 31. It was an amazing experience. My understanding of the need to be baptized and all of the doctrines of Christ grew so much. I am so grateful for the scriptures and the Spirit they can bring into our life. I know that the Scriptures are the Word of God. I know that they testify of Christ. I know that this is Christ's Church once again restored to the Earth witht the same Priesthood Authority that Christ gave his apostles. If you are not already, read the scriptures every day. You will be amazed at the happiness that comes into your life. Mom and Dad thank you for being such great examples to me of reading the scriptures.

After this talk, we watched the movie the Testaments. It was amazing and strengthened my testimony even more of the Savior. I know that he suffered in the Garden and died for us. I know that he was resurrected and appeared to the people in the Americas. During the movie, the Spirit touched both Elder Cooper and I. It was an awesome experience and strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ even more. I know that God Lives and loves. We can feel God's love for us as we read the scriptures and use the Atonement. I know that Our Savior Lives!

Love
Elder Pulsipher

Week 2

2012-01-15T15:26:00.001-08:00

In the last week here at the MTC, I have learned so much more about our Savior. It has been incredible. I invite you to watch the Overcoming Burdens video that I believe is linked on the side of my blog. We watched it here and it is an amazing testimony to me that our Savior knows us personally and can rescue us in our times of need. I know that we can all grow closer to the Savior as we learn of him in the scriptures and use the Atonement in our lives.

On Tuesday, Elder Russell M. Nelson gave a devotional here at the MTC. It was so awesome! I am so glad that the fullness of Christ's Church is restored here on the Earth today and is set up the exact same way Christ set up his church with 12 Apostles and a Prophet. I know that they are special witnesses of our Savior Jesus Christ. Elder Nelson spoke on the Doctrine of Christ and the Gathering of Israel. I now understand my role as a missionary in the Gathering of Israel. I especially loved Isaiah 18:2-3 that talked about swift messangers who will spread the fulness of the gospel in the latter days. I also love Helaman 5:11 that talks about me, as a missionary, being his angels. I know that I am doing the Lord's work as a missionary.

The 8 Elders in my district all decided to join the choir here at the MTC. I was quickly humbled that I know almost nothing about singing, but I am still enjoying it. Durign the devotional, we sang Behold The Wounds In Jesus' Hands. The lyrics to that song are incredibly powerful. Read them because they convey the message of the Atonement of Jesus Christ so beautifully. I love the power of music because it always bring the Spirit. Before one of our meetings, we sang Families Can be Together Forever in Spanish, but it was still very special. I love and miss you and pray for you many times a day. I know that through the Atonement of Christ we can live again. I know that Families Can be Together Forever.

My Spanish is improving everyday. I am amazed at what I do remember from high school, but I have learned way more here in a week than I did in two years. I know that God can bless us with the Gift of Tongues if we pray for it having faith in Christ. I know that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE through the Savior. My goal is to be an effective teacher in spanish by the time I leave the MTC. I want to be able to express in Spanish all the thoughts that come to my mind during lessons. I am far from being able to do that right now, but I know that if I continue to work hard I will be able to by the time I leave to Chile March 5.

Elder Cooper and I have made a continuous effort to be Obedient with Exactness. We are working very hard at it because we know that we will be blessed with the Spirit as we are obedient. If we are obedient, we will be blessed with the Spirit; but if we are obedient with exactness, we will be blessed with miracles. I would consider me learning Spanish a miracle so I need all the help I can get. I know that obedience with exactness is an outword expression of our Faith in Christ. I know that it brings the Spirit and will help me become a better missionary.

We have also been spending a lot of time studying the Doctrine of Christ. I know that the way to grow closer to Christ is through Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of The Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. Faith in Christ comes through learning of Christ through the scriptures and praying to our Father in Heaven. Faith will push us to become more like our Savior. With the Holy Ghost, the word Receiving stood out to me. I know that we need to continue to be worthy of the Holy Ghost so that we can receive it everyday. I know that through Christ we can do all things. I know that he is my Savior and as we align our lives with him we will become happier.

Love,
Elder Pulsipher

Good Luck see you in 2 years

2012-01-08T14:38:00.000-08:00

Everything you need for two years in 2 suitcases and a backback.

2012-01-08T08:40:00.000-08:00

Saying Goodbye at the San Diego airport