last email

Hey family (#103…) I must say, this is quite strange. Today is my last p-day to do something fun. We are going bowling! And then on Wednesday I get to go to the Temple! This temple trip is basically what I have been waiting for since I got here to New York. It’s THE trip. President Bennion and his wife will accompany us this time (at our year mark they didn’t…). You may find it strange to hear but I’m also stoked to ride the train again! I love them! Talking to people on the train makes me feel like I’m in a movie! Conference was SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!! THE BEST EVER! (Sorry you got juked Beau… we only have 6 months don’t worry! One time I went by myself to our stake center. Well If I remember correctly… ask mom…???) I really enjoyed sitting there in Lynbrook once again in my usual seat taking meticulous notes. I feel like the highlight of the conference was President Monson’s first talk, It was this year that I really saw him as a prophet. I guess the shadow of president Hinckley was too great for me in April, but this time it really sunk in. I could just tell. President Eyring is amazing as well. His talks were extremely powerful and motivating. I had a cool experience last night right before bed time. Our branch president walked into our pad with the other elders and asked if we could give him a blessing. He asked elder Karl to anoint and me to seal. During the blessing the lord had me repeat a portion of Pres. Erying’s talk which particularly stuck out to me. He was talking about service in the priesthood and said “The more faithful service we give, the more the Lord expects from us.” This phrase is just as true as it is terrifying!  Being a leader is very taxing and isn’t easy. It wasn’t meant to be. But if you look at the man with the hardest job in the world, He always smiles. I’m referring to Pres. Monson. I can’t imagine him smiling when he has to close areas down or send missionaries home or excommunicate members, etc. It’s not easy to travel thousands of miles almost weekly and most of all to worry over the saints and their trials. THERE IS NO WAY THAT GOD IS NOT HOLDING THAT MAN TOGETHER! Another “theme” I particularly enjoyed was President Uchdorf’s talk on “stand close together and lift where you stand.” That’s really what this world needs, you wrote me dad “this world is NOT getting any better” and this is exactly what we need. People have got to start putting themselves aside and lifting others. And we’ve got to start having the unity of Zion. (President Eyring gave a very encouraging talk in which he commended us for how well are doing right now, and to improve what I already there.) I love to enter conference with 2 or 3 questions in my mind that I would like answered, this conference I particularly desired some further insight on my patriarchal blessing. Wow did I ever receive it. Ok, I didn’t have a vision but I really felt like the talks were directed at my blessing. Phrases kept passing through my mind from it and I was able to ponder what it is that the lord has in store for me. I strongly feel that I will need him a lot as I mature and really, “start” down my own path. Also I received a greater desire to serve the lord in my future callings, what ever they may be. I reflected on all my leaders and Bishops, etc. I realized just how big of an impact they had on my life. I think I have a busy future, to say the least. One last highlight was watching the world report between sessions, and hearing the prophet talk about the temple celebrations that have been taking place in the recent months. What an amazing contrast our youth have with the world! In modest clothing and illuminating happiness we danced and sang to praise our Lord and thank Him for a new temple! As we look forward to celebrations like these we will receive a glimpse of what our ancestors felt, and really comprehend why they went through so much. I have loved serving a mission. I love the feeling and love God gives me by completing his commandments. I now understand why a Prophet has given us this commandment. “Adam fell that men might be; men are that they might have joy.” 2 Nephi 2:25 Happiness comes at a price. It requires sacrifice. I love you family. – Elder Johnson –