Week of April 25, 2016

Dear friends and family,

This last week was pretty great! I think the highlight of the week however was zone conference with President and Sister Rahlf (along with their son, who just returned from his mission in Germany this last week). I was able to see my companion from the MTC, and many other individuals from my batch in the MTC as well that I haven't seen in over 5 months. I am happy to say that they all seem to be doing well! I already recognize that there is nothing like the friendships that you gain while on your mission. Even though I have only known some of my fellow missionaries for a few months, I feel that they will be my friends forever.

Unfortunately, this last zone conference was the last zone conference of President and Sister Rahlf. I will miss them very much when they leave in July. I still remember getting off of the airplane at the Cauayan airport (which is probably only a thousand square feet by the way) and being scared as all get out. I felt very out of place, not knowing the language, culture, etc. and really not knowing what to expect. However, when I saw President and Sister Rahlf, I instantly felt the Spirit and all of my fears went away. I will never forget that moment, when just seeing a couple of individuals was able to uplift and comfort me in a way that is hard to explain. Many return missionaries told me before I left that my mission president and wife would become my parents while on the mission. I never truly understood what they meant until now. I will forever look up to President and Sister Rahlf as examples to follow, and am very grateful for their service on behalf of the missionaries serving here.

As indicated in my last blog, our mission just finished the "Book of Mormon power read." Thus, the topic of this last week's zone conference was about the Book of Mormon. I learned quite a bit as President and Sister Rahlf explained the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and the evidences that Joseph Smith was indeed not the author of the book. However, what I think stood out to me the most out of the conference was no matter what the concerns of an investigator of the church may be, whether it be about doctrine or anything else, it can be solved by reading and gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon.

 I know from personal experience how true this is. There came a point after my baptism that I wondered if I had made the right choice by being baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Having only been baptized at 11 years old, I was baptized because I felt within my heart it was the right thing to do. However, at about 15 and 16, I felt I had many questions that needed to be answered regarding Joseph Smith, and much of the doctrines of the church. I attended other churches a few times, studied the beliefs of other churches, and studied as much as I could on the internet (bad idea) about Joseph Smith, but nothing seemed to quench the questions that I had. In fact, this only led to more questions. However, it was in seminary that I was taught over and over again how important it was to read the Book of Mormon. So, one day I started to read it seriously, and as I did, my questions went away. I know that because the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith and the following presidents of the church were and are prophets of God. It was with this testimony that I attained that I realized that the doctrines of this church are not from man, but from God. I know that anyone who reads the Book of Mormon seriously will find the same to be true as well.

I hope you all have a great week! Next week I'll write about some of my investigators!

Love,

Elder Pulley

MTC Companion and First Mission Companion

Zone Conference Pictures

Week of April 18, 2016

Dear family and friends,

Although I lack time to write a lengthy blog this week, I want to let you know that all is going well in my new area! When I arrived in this area a few weeks ago, there were only a handful of investigators, so I have had the privilege to acquire quite a few new investigators recently. The area we do a majority of our work in is called "Sagana" and it is kind of a developing barangay. It still just has dirt roads, and some of the houses are far apart, but the people here are great. For many of them, they haven't ever met or recall seeing any missionaries before us. Because this is the case, many of them are willing/interested to hear the message that we have to share.

This last week, I finished the Book of Mormon for the third time in my life as part of our missions "power read" which consisted of reading the Book of Mormon in two months along with circling references to Jesus Christ and such. I just want to let you all know of the strong testimony that I have regarding the Book of Mormon. I realized before the mission, and know that this is even more true now, that the Book of the Mormon is the key to overcoming temptation. It has occurred to me that when I read the Book of Mormon that the temptations that I encounter on a day to day basis are much easier to overcome. Along with this I also feel the Spirit stronger as I read the Book of Mormon than I do with any other book. As I pondered this fact, I realized why. The role of the Holy Ghost is to testify of truth. Therefore, if we want to obtain the Spirit in our life as strong as possible, we must then give the Spirit the opportunity to do so by reading the most correct book. I know that with the Spirit we will require in result of reading the Book of Mormon daily, we will be able to overcome all the things that will come our way from the advesary. Moreover, we will have the resources we need in order to continue strongly on our road of lifelong conversion.

Have a great week everybody!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of April 11, 2016

Dear friends and family,

I have been asked recently by some awaiting the mission field to write some fresh advice concerning entering the mission field. This blog will be specifically addressed to those who are awaiting to serve a mission.

Right now, as I write this letter, as I mentioned last week, I do so in my second area in the mission. Believe it or not, on the 19th of this month, I'll have been gone 8 months! The time certainly goes by fast, doesn't it? These past seven and a half months have been some of the most challenging, but rewarding months of my life. I have learned many things, both spiritual and temporal, and know that the decision to serve a mission was the best I have made in my life.

One thing that I learned in the MTC that I would like to share with you is that perhaps, the war in heaven in our pre-mortal existence wasn't fought physically, as wars are fought here on earth between nations, but was rather a war of words, a war of testimonies, and ultimately a war over souls to join one side or the other. We of course know what side we were on in the pre-mortal existence. The reason why I bring this up is because this war still continues today. As members of the Lord's church, we are all enlisted in the Lord's military force, to help bring souls unto Him. However, we are given two years in our lives to serve in our God's army on the front lines, and give everything we have to help bring the lost sheep unto Him. I am of course referring to serving a mission. I feel that this great opportunity is not only a privilege, but an obligation as those of which who have been given so much.

Of course, as members of the Lord's front line, there a certain guidelines, or rules that are given to missionaries that help protect them and make them as strong as possible as they take on the opposing side head-on. One thing many missionaries struggle with is being obedient to all of these protective guidelines. It is really saddening to see other missionaries who are sent home, or who suffer much heart-ache because of the difficulty they have following mission rules. I of course do not want this misfortune to happen to any of you so I have some advice that I think would help you all now to prepare for the exact obedience that is needed in the missionary field.

First, decide now that when you become a missionary that you will be an exactly obedient missionary. Then, start being exactly obedient to the commandments that are given to you right now. I feel that if you are strictly obedient to keeping the Sabbath day holy, going to seminary, reading the scriptures every day, etc. that you all will be that much more prepared for your missions, and you will all receive many blessings in result. As my mission president said it so well: "Until there is obedience, sacrifice doesn’t mean anything to the Lord.  Selective obedience brings selective blessings." 

Other than that, just keep being good kids! I just want to let you know of my very strong testimony of missionary work. There is no more important thing you could do with the next two years after high school than serving a mission. I love this wonderful opportunity I have been given to serve in the capacity that I do, and I know you will all feel the same as you serve your missions.

Have a great week and enjoy the cool weather!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Last Companion

Last Zone Leader 

PDay Hike

Elder from America

Week of April 4, 2016

Dear family and friends,

 

This last week was transfer week, and I have been transferred! It was more difficult than I thought it would be to leave Cataggaman. After working there for almost six months, I felt like the area was my home, and I of course acquired love for all of the people there. One thing that I won't forget was saying goodbye to the Tamayao and Malazzab families. I of course taught them one more lesson before I left, and I chose to teach both of the families about the importance of preparing for, and being sealed in the temple. After the lessons, both families expressed their thanks to me, and Nanay Tamayao even wrote a letter for me which she said not to read until I left. What Nanay Tamayao told me in that letter I will never forget, as she expressed her heart-felt thanks for my service. As a missionary, it is very easy to notice one's own weaknesses and such, but it was as I read that letter that I realized that perhaps I made a bigger difference in the lives of those individuals in Cataggaman than I thought. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to help people feel the peace that comes from living a righteous life, and helping families become closer together through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

I am now located in Santiago City, which I believe is the largest city in my mission (maybe 100,000 people), and I work in three barangays of Santiago: Calaocan, Baluarte, and Sagana. This area is so much different than Tuguegarao,it's crazy! The people are different, their language is different  (Ilokano), and some of the food they eat is even different. The one thing that is nice is that the people here are even more friendly and willing to be taught than my last area. However, I was quite surprised to see that lack of investigators that are in the area that I am in now. I am very excited to work my hardest in my new area, and hopefully acquire a lot new investigators for me to teach!

 

 My new companion is Elder Tabudlong, who is a Filipino from Mindanao. He has a very interesting personality, and is a little rebellious, but everything has been going great thus far. I think we will work quite well together.

 

Because this last week was conference for you all, and conference will be this next week for me, I want to tell you of the knowledge that I have that our leaders of the church are inspired individuals of God. Even being in the Philippines, I cannot escape hearing some news as to what is going on in the United States regarding our election. One thing that brings me great comfort is knowing that we will never have to elect the leaders of our church, and that they are all righteous individuals of God, who lead and teach according to the revelation they receive. My hope as an individual is to give proper value to their messages to us during General Conference, which are ultimately from our Savior for our benefit and protection.

 

Thank you all for your support and prayers on my behalf! 

 

Love,

Elder Pulley