Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?

Tue, May 22, 12:47 PM I love that phrase! whenever anything awesome happens, that's what come to mind! and I'll say it, and Elder Henstra will say "Nay, it has not". Serving God full-time is pretty great :) This week we had a couple of pretty sweet little miracles. There is one person who we are working with who Elder Henstra and I were very close to dropping (where we no longer work with a person), instead we persisted, and blessedly we have started working with the rest of his family now! we also got to have a sweet BBQ with them this past week, and that was just a blessing, especially because we'd been trying to figure out how to get to know the rest of his family better. The lord Provided a way! Also, we had the task this week of figuring out how to seek out and find new people to teach through Technology this week. Elder Henstra and I were struggling with this, as we would prefer to just be out an about talking to people in their faces. But, because we were obedient God totally blessed us! We got out of a lesson with RJ the profit, I checked my phone and a random person I'd been talking with had messaged me and said "hey, could we meet up tonight so you can teach my friend and I more about the Mormon church?" and I was like "Heck ya!" So honestly, as we keep the commandments God blesses us. We recieve the automatic reward of doing whatever we did, and then God pours out extra blessings on top of that for being obedient to him! I know that it is through our Faith in Jesus christ that we are Healed spiritually, and can be healed physically. Check out Enos 1:4-8 :) Elder Johnson

RJ the Profit

Tue, May 1, 6:39 AM So, Elder Henstra and I are driving around Newcastle on one of the most beautiful clear sunny days we've had thus far this year! and we can't find a house that we are looking for, because he have a lesson coming up with this guy, and we don't know where his house is at. So, We were driving past a nice, clean, rowdy little house, just messy enough to know that a young family lives there. And I was like "Hey let's knock it!" so we stopped and got out, and a cool young mom answered the door, but she had a baby on the hip, and her kids as well as all the neighborhood kids in the back yard playing, so she didn't have time to talk. She told us to come back later, and we turned to go back to our car, just in time to see this dude walking down the road away from us, and without a word to Elder Henstra we both started in Hot pursuit after this dude! blessedly elder Henstra has long legs, so he walked in big long strides till he caught up to the dude, who turned around right as elder Henstra was about to talk to him, and he introduced himself first. We got to talking and found that this guy's name was Rory, and he loves Jesus! and when he saw us, he really wanted to talk to us, but he saw we were busy so he started walking away. Well, as we kept talking he brought up how he raps about God, and how that's his release in life. I'll include a couple videos below, they were pretty good 😁. Man, but long story short, we are now teaching Rory (aka RJ the Profit) and he's loving the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I think it so cool how god was able to lead us to Rory, There's a lot more little details that led to us even being in newcastle to talk to that other dude, that put us in a place where we could find and help Rory. One principle I learned from this is, "If it's good, simply do it!" there's a lot of stuff in this world today, and we can easily overthink things "should i do it?" and then we can of a million reasons not to "oh it might offend them, what will so and so think.." on and on. In order for us to be trusted by God enough to receive a steady flow of revelation and promptings into our lives we need to act! 9 times out of 10, it it is a good thing and you act on it it's acting on a prompting, that's from and apostle of the lord (Ronald A Rasband), and as we act on what may seem to be little promptings, big cool things happen in our lives! "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" I love you all! Ask god for some opportunities to act on promptings this week, and if needed ask him to teach you the way to recognize how he will speak to you :) -Elder Johnson Ps, fog is way cool, and the big ole' miramichi river finally broke this week! so there is actually a river here now, and there are ton's of ice chunks floating down it, way cool. we saw this one person just chillin in a kayak on one of these chunks floating down river... i was amazed :)

Love Power!

Wed, Apr 25, 12:34 PM Ya know, this week I was reading in Alma, and the spirit helped me see how these missionaries in the Book of Mormon had a righteous frustration as they worked among the people. As we went out to work the next day, we had a full day of just getting out and talking to people! leave at 10 home by 9. So we went to it, and honestly I was frustrated that some of these people just didn't care about God Really at all! it kind of made me sad. But as I talked things out with my companion he said, "you know, it really is their choice, they have agency, all we do is invite!" and that is so true. That's exactly how christ looks at us I think, and today as I was thinking about this God helped me see that Christ's love for us is the thing that really helps us stubborn people change! and I'd say that is a true principle in whatever situation you may be in. If one person is hardhearted and stubborn, whether at work, at school, it's your best friend, or your siblings, you being heardhearted and harping at them isn't gonna do much. So just take the time to love the Heck out of them! :) Well, thankfully spring is finally here, the ice on the river is almost cracked, and our 4 feet of snow is down to one. So thanks for those of you who may have prayed for me to get some sunshine! Vitamin D happy pills just can't replace quality sunshine :) Elder Johnson​​​​​​

Spring!

Tue, Apr 17, 1:25 PM Hey guys! so I finally saw Grass the other day! we drove 5 hours to halifax, and it was so warm. There was so much grass! it was 14 degrees Celsius. But, the following day we drove all the way back to our district leaders area, which is very similar to ours. It was about -10, and there was still snow in all of the yards taller than I am! so, here we are.... winter is still upon us up in Miramichi, New Brunswick. We had the opportunity to learn some stellar stuff about scripture study this week at a missionary conference! there are 3 main reasons people study the scriptures 1.To feel good/feel the spirit 2.To learn the doctrines taught by the church. 3. To receive revelation. 1 and 2 are ok reasons to read, but as these become our focus, we lose the end goal in mind. "Start with the end in mind" as President Russel M. Nelson always says. So our end goal when we study should be receiving revelation in our minds and in our hearts. God's desire is for us to receive eternal life, and the only way we can understand, appreciate, or fulfill this is by receiving revelation by means of the Holy Ghost. I challenge each of you to change your focus in reading the scriptures, and come with a desire to receive revelation/personal understanding in your studies this week. :)

The weekly-Smartphones make us dumber!

Wed, Feb 21, 2:14 PM So this week we got smartphones.....As missionaries here in the CHM it was announced and looked forw​ard to by many! (I personally didn't really care either way). After we got our smartphones, we went out with another set of missionaries to visit a past investigator named Jeff (sidenote: I love jeff so much! he's a such a good dude, and it's a miracle to see how much his life has changed from reading the book of mormon, and accepting the help of Jesus Christ!). So we were sitting in their car (and they got a new car that day as well, the church sells their cars once they hit a certain mileage limitation, and theirs was up), and this missionary said "this is the best zone conference I've ever been too! and the best day of my life" as he continued to dilly dally with his smart phone. Now, for all of you who are concerned about missionaries having these things, don't worry, it was just the novelty of it all that these missionaries have been basking in, give it a week, and we will be implementing these tools into our daily proselyting with skill to become even more efficient servants of the lord. The reason why I Bring this up is that I didn't feel any different! I was sitting there thinking about why, and I came to the conclusion that through experiences in my life, and just with me being who I am, I've learned that Joy doesn't come from the world and never will! Buying things will never fulfill our existences purpose of Joy! neither does hype music, or partying, or drugs. And no my friends, sadly neither do chocolate chip cookies. Happyness is a choice! and we gain deep abiding Joy as we serve our fellow men and Women, and is not something that can be purchased, it is something only earned by obedience to God's commandments. This isn't necessarily something that we do to please god so he will pour the happy dust on us though, It is "living after the manner of Happiness". What we do refines us into what we are! and when we do things that happy people do we are able to become more happy. More than that though, we have the grace of Jesus Christ to lean on the whole way to working out furthering our Joy! and we do this by repentance (Becoming more obedient to God's commandments, through the help of Jesus christ and his grace, as well as being spiritually purified and forgiven for not being obedient to those commandments in the past.) I love ya'll lots and hope you enjoy my spontaneous rant about happiness. I know that God is there, and he knows each and everyone of us personally, and that he's awesome! like seriously, He's way cool. and I bet you he's the happiest guy out there! so take the time tonight or right now to ask him "what can i do, or should I do to be more happy?" Love Elder Johnson PS. here are some pics of me with two way cool members here in Miramichi, Patrick Wait, and Ricky! Also one of the members has way cool lord of the rings stuff, and let us take some pictures with it!

Marshmallows, Persecution, and the tears of a Hardened Criminal

Well, for Marshmallows, very simply this week we rebuked our investigator (lovingly) for believing false doctrine. We have been working to help him get baptized (and he really wants to) but due to some things that he believes currently it would be bring him condemnation rather than blessings if he were baptized. So we were teaching him, and he's a very somber man. Things can get serious pretty fast, and they were extremely tense right after I rebuked him with scripture for missing the mark (missing the point) of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We sat in silence for about 3 minutes while He looked at the ground (and hopefully contemplated what I said). He then looked up at Elder Cox, and asked "can I share with you my version of the Garden of Eden?" up to this point we had been considering whether or not this man was a false prophet, and I was extremely worried about what he was going to say. "sure!" elder Cox said. And so this man commenced "In God's living room a long time ago was a boy named adam, and in the living room with adam god placed 2 marshmallow's. One was the marshmallow of life, the other the marshmallow of the knowledge of good and Evil..." This man's fellowshipper who was in the lesson with us during this tense moment busted out laughing, and couldn't stop! the man stopped and looked at his fellowshipper for a second, but then continued. He continued for another 10 minutes, meanwhile my companion and the fellowshipper and I were working so hard not to bust up laughing! it was one of those moments that was so ridiculous you had to be there. The Persecution. Simply enough, we knocked a door and a lady opened and said "Oh, the mormons. You have no respect for women." and she went off. I sat there with my righteous pride, waiting till I could lovingly correct her, because my mamma taught me to treat women the best! and this lady was just way off in left field about us. Well, we know from the scriptures that "contention is not of God" and so we just did our best to love the heck out of this lady! we found out that this random outlash was due to a lot of challenges in her life at that time, and since we acted out of love, and didn't argue (or contend) with her we parted ways with her having a better day. In another experience this week we were able to teach one of our investigators who is just a bro! we read 3 nephi 12 with him, and at the end of it he just poured his heart out to us. He told us about the guilt and shame he's struggled with a lot of his life for the decisions that have taken him in and out of Jail since the age of 11, and he was tearing up hard (tear like crying)! we were able to testify that god loves him and that through repentance he would be able to find the relief that he's looking for. We invited him to seek forgiveness and make reconciliation with those who he has harmed. The atonement of Jesus Christ is real, and through the sacrifice of our savior we can and will find healing in our lives, for all of the hurt and short comings in our lives. Elder Johnson Have a Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad :)

"So is your official title like Mormon Catholic?"

We were blessed to meet a man that I've grown a great love for in this past week. His name is Mike Macneil, and He's cleaning up his life! He's 23 and after a rough past he found God about a year or 2 ago. He's got 3 pit bulls, the biggest being 140 lbs of pure muscle, and skull (it's head is the size of a boulder). We've been able to teach him multiple times in the past week, and he's just ready to "come unto christ". We were able to teach him yesterday, and he asked us "So is your official title like Mormon Catholic?" we were just like "What?" "You guys aren't a part of the catholic church?" *Cue lesson The Restoration of the Gospel Of Jesus Christ* Afterwards he was like "Oh ok, makes sense. Book of Mormon, Cool stuff!" he looked over at his girlfriend, and said Stephany! I'm gonna be a mor-man! you can be a mor-woman" His girlfriend wasn't as excited, but that'll change once we teach her more this Friday :) so that's mike! This is a thought that's been playing on my mind this week. Jesus Said "Ye are the light of the world" I've pondered on that throughout my life since i first memorized that way back sophomore year. This week, I've been thinking about the real meaning of Christmas, and how the world these days is just so focused on stuff! But as a missionary, where we are basically traveling hermits, we don't really worry about stuff. Occasionally we find a cool knick nack and we go for it, but It has taught me to find that true joy comes in our interactions with our fellow men and women. We are the Light of the world! Joy comes in being with family! With Friends! with talking with the random punk kid at school, or the old lady next to you in the shopping line! I challenge you to reach out to someone today and have a great conversation with them, face to face. I promise you that you will find true joy! as you are do this you will find the light in your lives! Also fun thing. This week, we had a parade here in New glasgow. Our challenge bring christ back into christmas, how we did it. we took the only trailer we could find, and we filled it with hay. I suddenly was Joseph, and Sister Nowlon (one of the sister missionaries here) was mary. My companion elder cox, became the purple wiseman, and sister osborn was the angel. Well, it was awesome :) Elder Johnson

Old fella, Big fella, and the Young fella's

This week I had the opportunity to drive up to Cape Breton to Go on an exchange with some missionaries way up there! We were able to help one of the members move out an older woman who is moving into a nursing home. We showed up, and due to the woman's recent poor health we put on face masks and Latex Gloves in prep to enter her home. Once we entered, we found it wasn't as bad as the member had supposed it might be, and got to the work. The Member, Bro Demeer, Brought one of his Workers. "Big Fella" A big ole first nationer (for you americans that means indian in Canada). Well, big fella grabbed a deep freeze and started dragging it straight out of the house, he was banging it side to side to move it little by little forward, and It was one of the most violent moves I've ever been a part of. "hey young fella" he said, gesturing to me. "grab the other side of this and help me out" so I did, and he had me walk and wiggle it out with him. Well, my hand and fingers were destroyed by that 😊 as they hit the walls, and the ground. But we got it out! with less damage done to the apartment than I had originally thought might occur. We continued to move out this old womans stuff, and time and time again Bro demeer ("old Fella") would look to Big fella, to get this stuff out of the house. There were a couple of specialty items, such as a $10,000 bed, and $5,000 chair. both with hydraulics and stuff. This big old native guy would just rip it right out of the house! I'm sorry, this email isn't very spiritual. but It was the event of the week! the most violent move I've ever been a part of (with perhaps the most expensive items). As a thank you for the help, Old fella gave Elder cox an I some moose steaks On a more spiritual note, yesterday the lords promises were fulfilled, as I taught our investigator Carmen about Jesus Christ. He has some strange beliefs, as he self-taught himself religion from the bible from an early age. But as we were reviewing who our savior Jesus Christ is we dove into really what he is saving us from. The lord Unloosed my mouth as we were able to review Alma 7:10-13, and we helped Carmen understand very plainly that Jesus Christ saved us from Eternal Physical Death, and from Eternal Spiritual Death as well. We helped him understand how Jesus did this through his atonement, the suffering in the garden of Gethsemane, as well as his death and resurrection. I am grateful for our savior Jesus Christ, and I know through his grace we can overcome sin as we act in faith. I know simply because I've experienced the change of heart that comes as we exercise Faith unto repentance in Christ. I love Ya'll lots! Elder Johnson​

Light The World

Alright, alright, alright! So, Christmas is rolling in for all of you americans now (its' been rolling in since the beginning of november for us here, since thanksgiving is in October here) but I am so excited! I love Christmas, I love serving others, and I love Jesus! So as a missionary I've been working hard to help roll out the "Light the World" Challenge issued by the Church. Its simply serve others in 25 ways for the 25 days leading up to christmas. I'm stoked for it! Many people we talk to in an average day, are quick to say "I've got my religion! have a nice day..*SLAM*(door now in my face)" but now it has been going "I have my relgion!" but before they slam to door "Oh, yes? you Love jesus? I love Jesus! Here's a challenge Jesus issued to us..." Mat 5- Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on the hill cannot be hid neither do man light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candelstick! that it giveth light unto all that are in the house "So here we see that Jesus Challenged us to be lights to the world. We are inviting you to take that challenge! and be a light to the world!" "oh how wonderful" they say, "how can I do that?" "Well, we are inviting people to serve 25 ways in the 25 days leading up to Christmas. What better gift could we give to Jesus?" And so many people have been accepting the challenge up here in Nova Scotia! It's too legit to quit my friends. I want to throw down the same challenge to all of you! Will you follow the example of Jesus christ, and serve your fellow men this christmas season? Love Elder Johnson

The Power of Faith and the Book of Mormon

Hello! I'm not sure when the last weekly email i sent out was. Maybe last week, maybe a couple of weeks ago. Either way, To update Ya'll, I'm here in New Glasgow Nova Scotia Now! My companion is Elder Cox, and he's just a fun guy with a lot of heart. We walk and drive through the streets of new Glasgow singing constantly! The wise Elder Cox said "It's not a joyful heart that leads to singing, but singing that leads to a Joyful heart!" So we sing a lot, people look at us funny but its' awesome. I've been able to do this a lot of my mission as I followed the example of my uncle Kyle in some mission stories he's sent me, and its' so true! singing leads to happiness. (We'll have to send our mixtape out sometime) The past two weeks have been awesome! God has been rewarding our acts of faith, and we have been able to pick up four new investigators! and we hope to pick up their familiies soon as well. One of them is a man named Glen. He is a recovering drug addict, and was raised without the idea of God in his life. He's recently been attending the Christian Fellowship church! So he's working to draw closer to Christ. We were able to meet him and share with him the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He told us that he's a very logical and well thought man, and after we explained the apostasy and first vision, we shared that the "Straight" and "Narrow" way that Jesus Christ taught in the new testament has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I asked him "how can you know glen, if what we are sharing with you is really from god, and not just another false pathway?" "Well," He said. "I just believe it, I struggle with just believing things, but for some reason it just makes sense" and in my head I was just like "Thank you so much Heavenly father!" Because god is awesome, and it's the spirit that confirms truth to people's hearts. That is why it's so important to seek out the spirit in our search of truth. I can help confirm truth to us 😁 Elder Johnson