The joke is on you

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy!  Glad to see they can still have some fun.    

Yoyo wo de jiaren he wo de pengyoumen,

Woohoo! Missionary work is the bomb. :) The oldest generation left last week on tuesday and so that means were the old ones now.. Crazy stuff for sure. There is one generation of elders and sisters under us and we get 36 more on Wednesday!!! Most of them are going to Taibei. So we'll have about 70+ missionaries in our zone in the MTC which is a ton for the Mandarin zone. Our new Zone leaders are Elder Phelps and McKay. We tease Elder McKay about him being the next prophet and stuff because he's the great great grandson of David O. McKay. It's all in good fun.

Non-serious stuff first:

This week was full of pranks. I don't know why but man they started happening one after the other after the other. Elder N--- started it with pretending to be Elder McKay and pranking my comp by writing this big long love letter from one of their previous sister friends at Weber High. He put a bunch of conversation hearts all over his bed and my comp got a good kick out of it when he was about to get into his bed at night. We didn't tell my comp till like 4 days later that it was Elder N---.. ( I didn't explain that well but whatever) the funny thing is is that my comp pranked Elder McKay thinking that it was him that had pranked him. He stole his bed and put it in one of the bathroom stalls. Good stuff. Then I scared about 5 people and got some of them on camera. So much fun, I take so much joy in scaring the crud out of people. :) On laundry day when we get new sheets and make our beds and stuff I got pretty sick so my companion and I came back during the day and took off Elder B------ sheets and folded them all up like before. We got back to the class and told him that he had caused us to fail our room inspection because he hadn't made his bed. He swore to us that he made his bed and he was so confused. We got back to the room and he was like, "WHAT IS GOING ON?! I THINK I'M GOING CRAZY. I THOUGHT FOR SURE I MADE MY BED!" I just could not contain myself my companion and I laughed for 20 minutes straight!! 

Patience is a virtue that I definitely need to improve on. I think that is why I am in the district I am in. The Lord new that I would needed to be humbled and be taught patience. Gotta love it. What I've realized is that we're all just a bunch of 18 to 26 year olds who are trying to bring souls unto Christ. The other silly stuff doesn't matter. :)

I had a truly testimony building experience yesterday. We watched Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Restoration. Since I had been in the MTC I felt like that was the main part of my testimony that has been kind of lacking so I have focused on this week reading the Doctrine and Covenants and Joseph Smith History in an attempt to really try to improve my testimony. During the movie last night I was overcome by the Spirit. I truly felt that the Lord was answering my prayers as I was watching the movie. Joseph Smith is and was a true prophet. He restored the gospel in this last dispensation.

 He died as a martyr for the Church and for his Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. His ministry, like the Savior's, was short but powerful. When Joseph Smith rebuked the men while in liberty jail? I know he had the power to call down the wrath of God upon them. He healed 100's, blessed thousands, and because of him millions are now able to know their purpose in life. He emulated Christ's example. He truly spoke with God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ. They revealed the fullness of the gospel unto him. Because of his faithfulness he has been received unto the Father and continues to serve Him. Sacrifice TRULY does bring for the blessings of heaven. There are souls at stake. This missionary experience isn't just something to make me better! Joseph Smith restored the gospel in order to bring souls unto Christ.

The doubts I have had about the church up to this point are pointless. God takes care of those feelings through faith and following His commandments. Heavenly Father and Jesus loved us so much they saved us for this time to bring souls unto Christ. We really are the army of Helamen. My ability to bring others to Christ hinges on my willingness to work hard and belief in what I am doing. The priesthood power is real. I have the same priesthood Joseph Smith had. If we want to exercise our priesthood we must remain worthy, align our will with the Father's, and exercise faith in his supreme power. I know these things to be true.

I love you all. I think about you all every day and pray for your success. Remember, sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. Do you understand what that means? You all are entitled to the blessings of heaven if you are sacrificing what you can. I believe you, especially my family, are sacrificing a lot right now. Call down the blessings of heaven. Beseech our Father in Heaven to help you. I know that He will. I know this is true.

Until next time,

Elder Meeks