Week of October 10, 2016

Dear friends and family,

As usual, things are busy here in Cauayan, but all is well! This last week Elder Vane and I had the opportunity to attend our Mission Leadership Council, which was enjoyable.  We engaged in missionary exchanges and taught many wonderful investigators! Perhaps the greatest thing that happened this last week though was General Conference!

The second the General Conference started, with the singing of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I was surprisingly overwhelmed with the Spirit. I felt great gratitude in my heart and knew that everything that I would hear in that conference would be from the Lord Himself. Perhaps one of the greatest privileges I have as a missionary is the opportunity to declare to other individuals of a living prophet, and living apostles on the earth to guide us in our days who "know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come" (Mosiah 8:17).

While our world continues to become more wicked, it is easy for one's soul to be troubled at times with the things we see on the news, and even in our daily life. Before the mission, as many of you know, I was an avid news watcher. It troubled me  to see all of the unfortunate occurrences in the world, and the lack of regard many individuals have for the welfare of their fellow man. Indeed,it is easy for a man to see such things on the Nightly News and ask himself where peace and protection can be found in such instability. However, when we consider the fact that there is a living prophet, who literally is the mouthpiece of the Lord, we don't have to go searching very far (D&C 1:38). I know that if we listen to the living prophet, and other inspired leaders of the church, that we will obtain the protection that we desire for ourselves and our families.

One example I often use to illustrate the extraordinary perspective of prophets is comparing the perspective of an individual located at ground-level versus an individual located in an elevated place, such as in a high tower, in midst of a battle. While the individual on the ground may be able to see a little ways from his current location, his vision may be slightly shallow, as he only relies on the height his own body provides for him. The individual in the tower however, is at great advantage. With his elevated height, he is able to see far in all directions, and direct others at ground level of those things they should do to effectively protect themselves from oncoming danger. So it is with us and the prophet. I have a strong testimony that Thomas S. Monson and the other brethren are prophets seers, and revelators. Moreover, I know if we listen to their counsel based on their extraordinary perspective, that we can ultimately attain happiness and protection in this world and the next.

I am happy to say that all is still going well with our investigators. Last week, we didn't have as many individuals come to church as we wanted to, but that is okay. There is always next week! And, I have an investigator, Rosemarie L., who will be baptized this next Saturday! I am so excited to tell you all about her next week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

P.S.-Did any of you see the talk given by Elder Schmutz? He is going to come and visit my mission next week! I am pretty excited!

Note:  In the Philippines they watch General Conference one week later than in the USA.

Missionary Leadership Conference

Pday Activity