September 18, 2017 "3rd Nephi 5:13'

Hey everyone!

Enjoying some Jollaf rice!!!

We've had another great week! I'm amazed by how many people we are able to talk to and teach each and every day. 

I just want to share one brief experience of someone we met this week. We had a neat experience finding a lady named Pam a few days ago. She's a testament to me that God truly does put people in our path. We were parking our car and then walked across a street and she was up on her balcony with her dogs. We just said hello to her as we walked by and to our surprise, she asked us if she could come down and talk to us. When she came down, she told us she just glanced out her window and saw us parking and decided to step out on her balcony and see which direction we would walk. She wasn't going to initiate conversation with us, but decided that if we walked her direction and talked to her, then she would come down and listen to us. She said this has been the hardest year of her life, with tons of trials and adversity that she's experienced, and when she saw us she felt like she needed to talk to us and see if the

Some jollaf rice from one of our African members in the Ward.

message we share could help her feel some peace. She was going in for a surgery today, and our visit with her a couple days ago helped to not only bring her some peace in her time of stress and anxiety, but also opened her eyes to a lot of truth she's been searching for. After teaching her about the Book of Mormon and reading a few powerful verses about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, she could not wait to have a copy of her own. She is excited to continue meeting with us, and is excited to start coming to church. I'm grateful that we were placed in her path! I know that the simple truths taught in the Book of Mormon are powerful and that the witness of Christ that is found in its pages can help heal any wounded soul. 

Can't do missionary work without food.

 Elder Ure and I at one of the Zone Conferences
 last week. I feel blessed to have had some great
companions throughout my mission!

We had two Zone Conferences this week that we trained at. Due to having such a large percentage of our missionaries that are in their first few months in the field, we were asked to train on the importance of teaching simply.  Harold B. Lee stated that we as missionaries and "teachers are not being sent out to teach new doctrine. You’re to teach the old doctrines, not so plain that they can just understand, but you must teach the doctrines of the Church so plainly that no one can misunderstand." We have THE most important message that anyone could share! We have a message that has a life-changing, and eternity-changing impact on those who embrace it. So we need to teach this wonderful message in a way that the Savior would have us teach it. We decided to not merely train the missionaries on the concept of teaching simply, but to teach it as the Savior would teach it. Under the "Teaching the Gospel" section in True to the Faith, it gives us some great insight! It states  "In your efforts to teach the gospel, look to Jesus Christ as your example. Study accounts of His mortal ministry, and look for ways to teach as He taught. He showed genuine love and concern for those He served. He strengthened people individually, teaching gospel principles in a way that would help them with their unique needs. He awakened in some the desire to understand and live the gospel. At times He asked questions that would help them apply what they learned. He taught the saving truths of the gospel, helping His hearers understand what they needed to know, do, and be in order to receive the gift of eternal life."  

I love all of these different things the Savior did as he taught! It humbles me to know that as a missionary, I truly represent Him and His restored gospel. So we need to be sure we're doing all we can to teach His gospel in a way that he would want us to teach it. I love what Mormon says in 3rd Nephi 5:13 "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." This applies to each one of us missionaries as well, called to declare the restored gospel so that those we meet can access the eternal blessings of the gospel. Remembering that I've been called to represent Him every day helps me to keep pressing forward, trying my best to preach His gospel by the spirit. 

Sister Gutzwiller knows my Aunt Becky and Uncle Tom  and others
from when they lived in my home town,Temecula.
And her daughter was friends with my cousin Starla.
What a small world!!!

This is Sister "Gutz" Gutzwiller, a member living in

Woodbridge. When she found out I was from Temecula

she got super excited! She has lived in Temecula with her family twice and started making a lot of connections with me. Super nice woman! I love how small the world is within the church. Throughout my mission I've been surprised by how many connections I've made with different people.

I am grateful for each one of you, all of the wonderful examples I have to look to in my life. But I'm mostly grateful for the example of our Savior and I know that if we look to him, we'll never go wrong. 

I love you all! I hope you have a great week!

Elder Jeremy Duvall

Washington DC South Mission

 Elder Ure and I at one of the Zone Conferences last week.