March 14th Email !!!!

Hey Everyone,

We have done a lot of finding this week. We started off our P-day right this past week and went to a Yankees vs Phillies game! Spent all week at campus trying to invite people to church and we have a couple potentials but none that will be progressing for a week and a half because as of this past Friday it is spring break here at USF. Elder Cook and I have a lot planned this week to work with almost everyone in the zone and hopefully that will help them to try and get motivated. We had a unique opportunity to go to Jay and Wayne Osmond's book signing at Barnes and Noble this past week. Jay had us come up and had me bear testimony to those that attended and it was just a surreal experience because it felt like as I was speaking the whole store was just dead quiet, I've never had that happen before and the Spirit was just so strong. Afterwards we were approached by many members, non members, and even some people investigating in the church!! We gave out our information to get a hold of us as well as church websites etc. There was this mother and daughter that approached us and the daughter was about to turn 21 and she was looking for somewhere where she could make friends and hang out with people who had the same standards as she did. We gave her our information and will hopefully be meeting with her this next week. Jimmy and Jay also took us out to Outback the night before and it was great seeing them and talking about their families, missionary work, and the Gospel. One of the better ways to have a happy lifestyle is found in 2 Nephi 5:12. Nephi mentions he “had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass.” Why would having access to the scriptures be a consideration in a happy lifestyle? Anyone who reads scripture regularly develops a clearer perspective and purer thoughts and has more sincere and thoughtful prayers. Our lives are bound to be happier when we use the scriptures to answer our very personal questions and needs. The scriptures can cleanse us from evil thoughts and fortify our resolve to resist temptation. They can give comfort in times of need such as a death of a loved one or a personal tragedy. Reading them can put us in tune with the Spirit of the Lord so that our depression and self doubts will flee and our confidence will wax strong in the presence of God. D & C 121:45. A powerful expression of the happiness that can come from immersing ourselves in the scriptures comes from Elder Parley P. Pratt’s autobiography, in which he describes his first encounter with the Book of Mormon, which he called “that book of books”:“I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep….as I read, the Spirit of the Lord was upon me and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists. My joy was now full, as it were, and I rejoiced sufficiently to more than pay me for all the sorrows, sacrifices and toils of my life.” The Book of Mormon promises us that if we will act upon the promise in Moroni 10:3-5, that we will have the power of the Holy Ghost to be ours and we will know the truth of all things.

I Love You All,

Elder Salmon