Hey!

how are you all!? Sorry bout last week I could've sworn that I sent out the email but I think that I was soo rushed that I probably clicked out without hitting the send button... whoops my B.... haha but everythings good here! We had a really cool experience to listen to two general authorities and their wives today! Elder Clayton from the Presidency of the 70 and Elder Perry of the 12 came down today because of some of the changes that are going to occur in the next few weeks in our mission so they came and we had a conference with them that was sooooo good!!!! Then on top of that Elder Bednar is coming to our stake for stake conference this sunday so that's 2 down...10 to go..no acutally 3 down when Elder Holland came last week so only 9 to go now! But it was sooooo goood!!!! Obviously I don't have enough time to go over all that they talked about but it seems that the theme was is that the work just keeps going forward but the Lord needs more! The missionary efforts that 60 thousand and some odd are putting in just are for today but they are for the future..planting seeds and growing leaders for the future of the church! It's amazing to think how quickly and swiftly the church is growing and growing on the shoulders of testimonies being spread across the world not only by missionaries but by members alike and this is how it will be forever..."Until the Great Jeahovah will say the work is finished" how grateful I am to be a small speck in it and the little that I do to help it roll forward but the Lord needs more! I do have a testimony in this restored Gospel and in the organization thereof! I do know that Christ lives and that He is the head of this church as Paul stated being the cornerstone! I know its all true and that one point or another all will come to know that for themselves! I am grateful for your prayers and fasts in my behalf and on the behalf of all the missionaries! and as well you all are in my prayers always!!! Have a great week!!! Talk with ya next week!!!

All my love,

Elder Lawter

No letter this week...

...but there are pictures!!

So Hardcore

La Familia Munoz 

Howdy everyone!

How's everyone doin? It's been really nice down here mid 70's sunny lot's of work goin on...can't complain. We actually have transfers tomorrow so I found out that I'll be staying another one here with my companion...so I don't want to jynx it but it's looking like I'll end my mission here with Elder Hill but I don't wanna count the chickens before they hatch....but it's looking that way. Then again I could be way off...there's going to be some changes soon in the mission so who knows what all will be goin on but wherever with whoever it's all the Lord's work and it's all the same...bringing people unto Christ.

I was reading something interesting a few days ago in the Bible Dictionary about faith. And I've thought a lot of times about what faith really means to someone and I can generally explain it but a specific answer for a specific person is almost impossible to explain but here's what stood out to me in the Bible Dictionary it said that: Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true (Heb 11:1; Alma 32:21), and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed himself and his perfect character, possessing in their fullness all the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, power, and every other needful thing, so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in him without reservation. Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith (Rom. 10:14-17). Miracles do not produce faith, but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one’s faith." It's the last part that sticks out to me is that Miracles don't produce faith but rather it's our obedience and righteousness to all that God has commanded. And to think of what He's commanded us; obey the commandments for one, read the scriptures, go to church, pray always, share the testimony that you have.....things that definitely put our faith on the line to let it grow and that faith leads to a relationship, and that relationship leads to happiness...it's all God's plan for us and that's what we're sharing and through those things I know you'll be blessed!

Love Much,

Elder Lawter

Awesome weekend!

Hello Everyone,

So what a good weekends it's been! You can put your money on having a good weekend with the General Authorities....they for sure didn't disappoint. Then today we actually went to the temple so it's been just a Spirit packed month already and then later on at the end of the month we're going to get the privilege as a mission and a stake here in Sweetwater to meet 2 members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles I think I'm actually suppose to keep that a little hush hush so I'll let you all know who they at the end of the month but once again...it shouldn't disappoint....

But it's been kind of the realization that I had this weekend and that I usually have every time I get the chance to listen to General Conference, meet a General Authority, or just read in the Ensign that these really are men called of God and are leading His church. It's amazing for me to think of how much God truly does care about us so He sends us messages in many ways. In the scriptures we read of angels being sent to give certain and most important messages but as well as Heavenly angels and messengers are sent, there are earthly messengers sent from God to help us, to guide us, and to lead and direct us. Now these people can be family, friends, people we don't even know that are sent from God to cross our path and to bless us but as well He sends His Prophets to lead His children and to direct the church. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealed his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) and as well God's church is... "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." (Ephesians 2:20) Where would His church be without a Prophet and Apostles guiding it with His authority? A better question where would His children be with out the guidance of someone who receives direct revelation from God? They would be lost just as the people were when they rejected Noah, Moses, Christ Himself, and many others. So just as God spoke to Noah and Moses and Abraham...He speaks today to His Prophet and Apostles to guide the whole world. It's a bold statement to claim there is a Prophet today leading the same yet restored church that Jesus Christ set-up on the earth...most people thinks that such things don't exist in these days that all the prophets and apostles died off a little after Christ's time... So why would God just make that exclusive to back during the times of Christ and a little after and before? Like I said before in the times of most trial and struggle would God really leave us helpless and hopeless? I have a hard time believing that and because of that I'm proud of the testimony and blessing that I have in following a modern-day Prophet called of God to lead us and guide the whole world. and this past weekend was just another testimony builder for me. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He leads and guides His church through a Prophet. I know without a doubt that these things are all true and it's my invitation to all to just search it out.....if someone says I have the best chocolate in the world and it's absolutely free would you just take his word for it chow down on that stuff! It might just be the fat kid in me but I'd eat all that I could...they would kick me out and put up refuse servicee to this guy at that chocolate buffet..it's the same principle what I'm telling you. I'm in the Lord's service preaching the most important thing anyone will ever hear and my invitation is to just try out for yourself...study it, learn of it and see if what I'm telling you is true. I know that as you do diligently that you'll find out for yourself that it's true.... "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round." (1 Nephi 10:19)... The blessings are innumerable but it takes the faith and the diligence to find it out... I hope that everyone can find the Lord and his truth and when they do they will see the light and all the blessings that come as they have in my life! as all you are blessings to me and I love you soo much!!! Take care and have a good week!!!

Much Love,

Elder Ryan Lawter