Week of February 27, 2017

Dear friends and family,

This last week the Lord blessed me with experiences that I will never forget. I am enthused to share with you a little bit of the things I did, and most importantly the things I learned last week!

First, logistically speaking, I had the busiest week I have ever had on the mission! On Monday, we prepared for zone conferences and other meetings that took place throughout the week. Then, on Tuesday, we had a zone conference for all of the missionaries in the northern portion of the mission, on Wednesday a zone conference for all of the missionaries in the southern part of the mission, on Thursday a trainer and trainee follow-up meeting, on Friday a wonderful meeting with Elder Bednar, on Saturday a special Philippines area broadcast with Elder Bednar, and on Sunday we did transfer logistics! As I look back on this week and all that we were able to accomplish in terms of teaching and preparation, the help of the Lord is evident in all that we did. I am very grateful indeed.

For our zone conferences, Elder Olsen and I talked about the importance of using inspired questions in our teaching as well as pure testimony, and I learned much as I did so. There really are an unlimited amount of things we can do to be more effective teachers...

As I ponder however on last week's experiences, my mind is of course drawn to Friday, in which Elder Bednar and Elder Bowen's long-awaited meeting came to pass. On Friday morning, when I arose from bed and peered into the sky outside, what I saw troubled me a little bit. It was rainy, and there were some low clouds. On any normal day, that would have been a very welcome sight considering how hot it usually is. However, here in the very little city of Cauayan, a sight like that means that airplanes won't be able to land. After conversing with President Hiatt, he asked that I ask all of the missionaries to pray that Elder Bednar might be able to land safely and I did so. It was then that I rounded up all of the missionaries that were in our house and asked Heavenly Father that He might bring to pass a miracle, and cause the clouds to part according to our faith in Him. I was indeed able to witness a miracle after about 10 minutes as the clouds parted, and the sun shown through to the earth Not only was Elder Bednar able to land safely, but his flight arrived early (another miracle as all of the other flights are usually very late). I was once again in awe, and my faith was once again strengthened as I witnessed yet another miracle in my life.

When the time quickly came for Elder Bednar to come to the church and address us, Elder Olsen and I set the big picture (group photograph) up and it turned out great! Then, I had the privilege in the beginning of the meeting to sit on the stand with Elder and Sister Bednar and talk to them. I will never forget the exchange I had with Elder Bednar as I sat up on the stand with him. I asked him questions about how he was going to do the program, and I told he and Sister Bednar how nervous I was. They reassured me though and after I conducted, Elder Bednar told me, "That wasn't so bad, was it? You did a great job!" Those words might have just been something that he just uttered out of politeness, but they meant a lot to me. I hope I can always be worthy in my life of being told that I am doing a good job from an apostle of the Lord.

The meeting we had was a little different than I expected in a good way. Elder Bednar really just had a question and answer session with us, and it was wonderful! I stand in awe of his understanding and knowledge. The fact he is an apostle of the Lord is undeniable. The Spirit was very strong, and I received answers to questions that he never directly answered with his words, but that I felt and understood through the immense power of the Spirit that was present. I testify almost everyday that I know that there are living apostles on the earth like Peter, James, and John, but now when I say those words they will have even greater power. I know, with no doubts attached that Elder Bednar and those that serve with him are prophets, seers, and revelators. And, I know with all my heart that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. I only wish all could know as I do.

On Saturday, after Elder Bednar and Elder Bowen left Cauayan and returned to Manila, they conducted another question and answer session at the MTC for all of the Philippines. It was wonderful! And, do you know what? The Spirit that was present in the chapel as I watched him on the screen was just the same Spirit I felt as he stood at the pulpit himself the previous day. Truly, whether we be far, close, within the sound of voice or not, the Spirit that is with the words of His prophets is the same, something I didn't quite understand before.

As I ponder on all of the wonderful experiences I have had while in the course of my mission, my heart is only filled with gratitude. I have had so many wonderful experiences and learned so many things that I wouldn't change for anything else. 

Have a great week everyone!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Elder Pulley speaking to Cauayan Missionaries before group photo

Elder Pulley Conducting 

Elder Bednar speaking to Cauayan Missionaries

Cauayan Philippines Missionary with Elder and Sister Bednar

Cauayan North Zone Conference

Cauayan South Zone Conference

Week in Review February 13, 2017

Dear friends and family,

This last week was actually a little less busy and was really fun! Among other things, I had the opportunity to go on exchanges both on Wednesday and Friday with zone leaders, and it was awesome! I think one of the best privileges of having the position that I do is that I am able able to interact with and learn from so many fellow missionaries! It is truly extraordinary how much we can learn from one another as we associate in our respective fields. 

Last week, we were blessed to find more new investigators, and the investigators we are working with are progressing wonderfully! We will be having quite a few baptisms in the coming weeks for which I am very grateful.

As I search my memory for something I can share with you, nothing too remarkable comes to mind other than a wonderful Elders' Quorum lesson that I was a part of yesterday. It so turned out that yesterday's lesson was about being optimistic even in unfortunate circumstances. As we discussed how it is we can be happy even amidst great trial, it was a wonderful experience to hear all of the wonderful insights of those around me who have had many struggles in life, but are still happy nonetheless.

One of the most amazing things about Filipinos is although their life is very hard, it is very rare to find one who isn't smiling. It has been hard for me to imagine living like most individuals do here, getting by day to day by working hard, long hours in the fields or construction but I have learned much as I have observed their behavior. It really isn't as important as what trials we are facing as much as it is the perspective we have while enduring it.

At the mention of this subject my mind is drawn to Joseph Smith, who endured much in his short life of 39 years.One of the hardest seasons of the Prophet Joseph Smith's life was when he was a prisoner in Liberty jail, for a crime for which he had not committed. While he endured extremely uncomfortable conditions within that jail, and received negative news as to the welfare of his fellow saints, he asked a question perhaps many of us have posed within ourselves that being: "O God, where art thou?", wanting to know where the Lord could be as he faced such unfortunate circumstances. The Lord however, responded to Joseph Smith with a revelation that has come to be one of my favorites as I have gone about my mission.The Lord said; "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment" (D&C 121:7) and reminded him that "all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (122:8).

As I have pondered over those two sections in the Doctrine and Covenants, it has occurred to me that most the time in our lives, we look at burdens and trials as an obstacle in our path when we don't realize that it is really just an opportunity to take a step higher and progress, which is why we are here on earth. Truly, although trials are not always fun, they are the building blocks of our progression and ultimately help us fulfill our purpose while in this life. It is as we become grateful for all aspects in our lives, both the easy and the not so easy, that we attain true happiness in this life and into the next.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Missionary Exchange 

Week of February 6, 2017

Dear friends and family,

This last week was so busy but so wonderful as well! Among many things this last week, we traveled to Tuguegarao to show the missionary broadcast there, prepared and taught in the missionary leadership council, and of course did quite a bit of proselyting as well.

As I ponder on all of last week's activities, my mind is drawn to one of our investigators whose name is Gloria. If you remember from my letter last week, she is the woman I mentioned who recently returned home from Lebanon to a very different son and upon request has been engaged in lessons the last month and a half. It has been wonderful to see the change that has occurred within her as she has accepted the Gospel and done her best to become a better disciple of Jesus Christ. There is one problem though. As her plans currently stand, she will be returning to Lebanon next week to work another two years abroad away from her family. This is extraordinarily unfortunate  predicament as well considering the wonderful affect she has had on the rest of her family the past month.

A few days ago, Gloria told Elder Olsen and I that she has a strong desire to be baptized before she returns abroad to Lebanon. However, considering the circumstances, this wouldn't be possible as it must be ensured that whoever is baptized has the ability to go to church and partake of the sacrament every week, something that wouldn't necessarily be possible considering her profession and circumstances in Birut. Not to mention that she wouldn't be able to help herself and her family progress to the temple if she is abroad. After some consideration and some deliberation with Elder Olsen, it became very clear to me that Nanay Gloria must either choose to stay home, allowing her to be baptized and progress to the temple, or she won't be able to be baptized.

This fact pains me a little as I love Nanay Gloria. It is hard to see such a situation come about. However, this last Saturday, Elder Olsen and I decided to fast for Nanay Gloria to help her make the decision that is right for her family. And, upon my request, President and Sister Hiatt accompanied us last night to help her understand the decision she will have to make. I have prayed and prayed for days that the lesson yesterday would help her choose to stay.

Last night, as the lesson finally arrived that I had been anticipating, the Spirit was very strong, especially as President and Sister Hiatt explained the options that were before her. As we left last night, it still wasn't clear as to what she will decide, but in my heart I felt peace, knowing that I had done all I could do to help her make the right decision.

As I have subsequently considered what occurred last night and the feelings I had, I remembered the story of Nephi and his family, who were forced to separate from Laman and Lemuel after arriving in the promised land of ancient America because of their dangerous behavior. As recorded in the Book of Mormon, Nephi "did cry much unto the Lord" (2 Nephi 5:1) concerning the matter, but after all of his efforts to help his older brothers change, "it came to pass that the Lord did warn [him] that [he], Nephi, should depart form them and flee into the wilderness, and all those who would go with [him]" (2 Nephi 5:5). 

I think many individuals may read this passage and think that Nephi was relieved to leave his brethren, but after some consideration, I feel otherwise I don't think it could possibly be easy to leave members of your family, no matter how difficult they may be. However, I feel that he must have had peace in his heart, for he had "exhort[ed] them with all the energies of [his] soul..with all the faculty which [he] possessed [many times] that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things" (1 Nephi 15:25). Perhaps Nephi had the strength to continue on and become as happy as he did because he knew in his heart he had done his best to help his brethren make the right decision, regardless of the decision they actually made.

As I have seen manifest throughout the course of my mission, it is quite a common circumstance to have family members or other loved-ones who make decisions we wish they wouldn't. However, as I have learned through consideration this last week, peace in such circumstances really does come from doing our best to love them and continue to help them. Although the end-result of many situations may be such that are unfortunate in nature, we will still have the peace of heart we need, knowing that we did our best to help them do what is right. That is indeed all the Lord requires of us.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Nanay Gloria and her family