Easter Sunday

Elder Collett and I are doing well. We are covering 13 YSA wards in Orem, so we attended a few of them yesterday, for Easter. We had a great discussion with AJ. And then we ran into Enrique, a young man who was a convert in 2017, and then was really upset and asked to not be contacted. However, we were able to talk to him for a long time about his Jewish and Christian beliefs. Then I was able to do a baptismal interview for a lady some Elders were teaching. Unfortunately, they didn’t quite finish teaching her, so when I asked about the law of tithing and the word of wisdom, she didn’t know what either of them were. So, it was a long interview, since I got to do some teaching to prepare her to make those commitments.

 

I had an opportunity to talk to a lady who is a therapist and struggles with trusting and loving Heavenly Father, and feeling that from Him. I talked to her about how when she first meets with people in therapy that they probably don’t trust her. She agreed. I asked her how they built that trust and she said, “By meeting together and being willing to be open and share.” I told her that Jesus is the master therapist. If she is willing to spend time with Him, and be open to sharing and receiving, she can build that love and trust with Him too. I love when I am able to help people feel more connected to Heavenly Father and Jesus!

 

Elder J. Cluff

New Companion & New Area

I was transferred last week to a YSA ward in the Cherry Hill part of Orem. We are over one ward – but it covers 2 Stakes. My new companion is Elder Collett, from Hemet, California. He has been out about 5 months. You name it, he has done it – raced cars, played every sport, etc. He is talkative, which is nice! We are living in the basement of a nice house, with Elder Davenport and his companion, which is fun, too.

 

In the last few days, we have met with a couple of investigators, who go to UVU. One of them, AJ, is Baptist and has been taught by missionaries for 2 years. He has member roommates and has been going to church with them for a long time. He is giving his 3^rd talk this next week, in sacrament meeting. He has read the Book of Mormon but said he has not felt God tell him to join the church. He said he loves the Bible and while he likes the Book of Mormon, he doesn’t feel that connection and spirit about it like he does with the Bible. I think he must have some reservations about leaving his Baptist church that he loves and has great connections to.

 

We also met with Madison, a quiet young lady that we are trying to get to know. And, we met with Shaunja, a young lady whose boyfriend is a member.

 

Yesterday, when we went to the UVU Institute building for church, I was walking down the hallway and saw Mitchell, standing outside the RS room door, looking down at his phone. As we passed, I quietly said to Elder Collett, “I think that was my brother, Mitchell.” He immediately did a 180 and started walking back. He introduced himself to Mitchell, shook his hand with a big grin and then I came out from behind him. Come to find out Mitchell was waiting for his fiancé, Julianne. When she came out, I recognized her, because of the pictures my Mom had sent me, but she didn’t recognize me. Mitchell said, “I’d like you to meet someone .” She smiled and said hello to my companion and me. Then Mitchell said, “This is my brother.” She was quite surprised! I guess I may be seeing them more often on Sundays.

Seeing the Light & Feeling The Spirit

Notes from a call from Jacob today, April 4, 2022.

I am sending you a picture of the Rowley family that we taught in Lehi. The parents were sealed on Friday night, April 1^st, in the Jordan River Temple, and then their kids, Brandon, Tyler and Erin were sealed to them. Elder Reed and I were both able to be there, with our companions. It was a really great experience. It was my first time seeing a sealing. The sealer shared some neat things about the symbolism in the temple, and then shared the difference between the words, pertain and appertaining, that are used in the sealing ceremony. He said they mean the same thing (to belong), but appertaining is used when speaking with royalty. I loved being in the temple and learning.

 

A couple of weeks ago, we were able to go to the temple and do an endowment session. Afterwards, as I sat in the celestial room, I was reading scriptures, pondering, and praying and had some insights. The celestial room is bright and full of light. Yet, as I sat there with my eyes closed, I realized that what I saw was darkness for those moments. Then the thought came to me that there is light all around us. But, if we choose to close our eyes to it, we will see darkness. We need to open our eyes and see the light.

 

Yesterday, we were teaching a family where the Dad is a member, but the Mom and daughter are Catholic. As we taught about the restoration, we discovered that even though they had been taught before, there was a lot they either didn’t understand or were not taught. We also explained about the Holy Ghost and how He helps us to know truth, often through warm feelings. Then, as we read the introduction to the Book of Mormon with them, the daughter said, “I feel really warm inside!” It was a cool experience to be able to help them feel and recognize the spirit. I have learned that the spirit brings truth untoour hearts, but we need to bring the truth into our hearts. We need to accept it and not shut it out.

 

We got transfer calls last night and I am being transferred on Wednesday to another part of Orem – in the Cherry Hill area. I will be serving in the YSA ward with Elder Collet, who has been in the area over 4 months. I wonder if I will see Mitchell? I will be living in a home with my new companion, and Elder Davenport and his companion. Elder Davenport went to share a message recently with some members in his area and low and behold, he found out he was talking to my brother. Pretty cool! So they took a picture and sent it to me.

 

I loved General conference this past weekend! We were able to watch a couple sessions with members, one with investigators and one at the church building. I feel so much love when I hear Pres Nelson and Pres. Eyring speak. And I really enjoyed Elder Bednar and Elder Holland’s talks. And 17 more temples announced? They literally are beginning to dot the earth. Some day we will have thousands!

 

~ Elder J. Cluff