Missionary Moment: Is God's Signature in the Book of Mormon

January 17, 2012
      A letter from Elder Whaley:  This last week we were reading The Book of Mormon with a ten year old girl.  We started from the very beginning.  We read the introduction and the testimony of the eleven witnesses that saw and held the plates that The Book of Mormon was translated from.  After reading the testimonies and seeing the different signatures, she stopped and asked us:  Why isn't God's signature there?  I paused.  She then asked: "Isn't God a witness of all truth?"  I thought for a few seconds.  Keep in mind that I had to recover from shock.  This is a ten-year-old girl asking these questions and as simple as it seems I suddenly realized how important it was.  I directed her back to the introduction page.  In the second to the last paragraph the invitation is given to read The Book of Mormon, then to ponder in our hearts the message it contains and then to ask God the Eternal Father in the name of Christ if the book is true.  And then it is promised that those who seek sincerely will receive a testimony of it's truthfulness by the power of the Holy Ghost.  That's God's signature I told her.  That's Him telling you whether something is right or not.  That's a signature God places on your heart instead of  on a page and that's a signature no man can erase, tear up. forge or burn.  I then invited her to keep reading and praying about."
Great questions deserve inspired answers!

EXPERIENCE OF A LIFE TIME

January 8, 2012
     Though I have had a cold the work in the Mission field will not stop! Especially when we get a referral from a recent convert to teach her cousin Ricky (name changed) who is only here for a month, and now he is getting baptized next Sunday! We went in to teach Ricky, he is an awesome kid and is joining the army.  He went to church  last week  just to please his cousin, we taught him later that day.  Then we came back to 2 days later,  we sat down with him and the families home we were meeting in.  After prayer we ask Ricky "hows your reading and praying going?"  He stops us and starts acting nervous and just says to everyone, "I need to talk to the missionaries alone".  My first thought is that we are getting dropped again!  But Ricky told us that he felt so good about what is was learning!
As Sunday came around again Ricky shared the experience to the day with us he said, "  I got up today so excited to go to church but on the way to church I got the worst pain in my side, there was something telling me to not go in!  But I fought through the pain.  There was something in Sacrament meeting telling me to get up and get out of there, leave you don't want to be there...but I stayed there and again pushed through it, and at the end of Sacrament, I felt so great!!!!  I and Elder Pyne had the opportunity of teaching him how the spirit feels. (Galatians) and then we taught him the Plan of Salvation, and showed him the importance of Christ's example on being baptized and the major importance of Christ's atonement and ask him if he'd follow Christ's example?...."Absolutely!"  Was his reply.  We told him that we had prayed about a date for him...and that the15th of January we would be hold a baptismal service for him.  "Guys that would be perfect!"  We asked Ricky to give the closing prayer, I think that it was one of the best prayers I have ever heard....mainly for the fact that in his prayer he said that, "I know Heavenly Father that you sent Elder Anderson and Elder Pyne to me for this purpose, to introduce the Book of Mormon to me...and I know the the 15th...I know that I will be ready for that day."
     In our experience with teaching Ricky it is one that I will never forget!  Let's just say that Ricky went through a literal hell to come to Christ.  And it is because of this experience that my testimony now is unshakable.  I know without a doubt that through the priesthood all things are possible.  Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we all can be forgiven and lifted up. I have never felt the spirit more strongly in my life. It is an amazing feeling...It will be a sad day when I am no longer missionary, and that day grows closer and closer everyday. I have never understood why people were sad to go home...but I have come to know why over the past few weeks.  This great calling we have as missionaries is only for a short time.  We only have a short time to bring families together for time and all eternity.  What a blessing it truly is.  It took me 20 years to realize the importance of the Book of  Mormon and to truly see the happiness it can bring.  I know without a doubt that this Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is the only true church on the face of this earth.  I hope that I will be able to help my brothers and sisters here in Virginia know that, and hopefully when I go home I will continue to share the gospel with others.  I will be an example!
    I got a letter from one of the the stake high councilmen here and in it he talked about the lyrics to a song."teach me all that I must" KNOW" being changed to,"teach me all that I must, "DO", he went on to talk about how the song should probably be changed again to," teach me all that I must "BE"  in which the quote from Aristotle applies..."We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence is not an act, but a habit."
Love you all,
Forever your son, Dakota Thomas Anderson

JOURNAL WORTHY DAY!

So, I haven't been too good at keeping up on my journal, but I feel like today is definitely a "Journal Worthy" day. Elder Pyne and I woke up to go work out we did our thing and then came back to the apartment.  We finished getting ready for our day and  I ran out to the car to grab something...and well....we couldn't find the car...so Elder Pyne and I came to 2 conclusions...One...that someone jacked the missionaries car...or 2 we got towed....We decided it was probably the latter of the two scenarios and called the towing company,  Needless to say, they had our car....And loved to tell me that we owe them 150.00 Dollars!!!!....So I called my Zone leaders and was talking to Elder Morrill.  I ask him what do I do? He told me that I needed to make sure I had enough money to pay for the car so I needed to call home.  Way Cool!!!  So being an obedient missionary I called home.  I got to talk to my Dad, who was more than suprised that I was calling him, and then mom was super pumped! haha,  Mom made sure that I had all that I needed.

All in all I figure it was been a pretty weird day/cool so far. Not to mention we probably have gotten 3inches  of rain so far today...and it's still pouring!!!

Hope you all can get a laugh out of this.  Hopefully it can brighten your day :)

I love you all and miss you all!
Love,
Dakota Thomas Anderson!

3 for the 10th!

So in the last post on here we were teaching one of our less active's family. We have since then taught three lessons to them and they are now all on date for the 10th of december!! :) Hope everyone had an amazing thanks giving! Again, I love you all. Hope everyone has an amazing holiday season! Alyways in my thoughts and prayers.
Dakota Thomas Anderson

Missionary News this Week

    THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF SUCKEDDDDD!!!!!!! dropped 5 times. all our investigators fell off date!! and then Sunday happened.... We invited one of our less actives to church and asked if he could give us a ride. He hadn't been to church in 5 years or so. He came and said he wants to go back again! 

Now "Ernie's" family aren't members. He is married to a catholic lady and her kids are living with them.So on the way home from church I asked "Ernie" if we could talk to his family and his wife's kids (who are married with kids too) about the gospel...He told me we could try but it  probably wouldn't be of any use. I figured at this point I was willing to try anything to get some new investigators...WOW THE LORD IS AMAZING!! All of a sudden "Ernie's" wife and her daughter, and her husband started talking about religion. Some how I taught the plan of Salvation. I feel bad being a trainer some times...I often teach an entire lesson with Elder Pyne saying 1 or 2 sentences. It's not that I don't trust him. I just get going and I'm off like a rocket! 

But anyways right as I was about to wrap up the lesson "Oren", the husband of "Ernie's" wife's daughter asks "when will you be back" So we set up an appointment for tonight at 8! Please pray for this family. I know they feel the spirit so much, but as we all know prayers always help.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach the gospel to others.  I know that this church is true!

I love hearing from all  of you!!!  Miss you and love you all so much!  I keep you in my prayers every day!

Love, Your son, your favorite bro!!!

Dakota Thomas Anderson 

Trainer ... The Lord qualifies whom He calls.

My new companion and greenie is Elder Pyne.  He is from Utah.  He played right tackle in high school.  I should be his trainer until January 20th.  Mom, as far as a trainer goes I basically show him the ropes and make a copy of me and put him out in the field. :)  On November 12th we had the opportunity to baptize another young lady into the church.  I think that it is petty awesome for Elder Payne to be out in the mission field 2 weeks and having his first baptism.  I was asked to confirm Mac (name changed) as a member of the church.  It was an overwhelming experience.  It is an awesome to feel the spirit of the Lord and be able to share it with others.

Dressed in White

    A recent convert that moved into our ward called us on October 17, 2011.  She said that her 10 year old daughter Kelly (name changed) wanted to be baptized!  What a way to start our P-Day.  She is scheduled to be baptized on November 12, 2011.  My second baptism.  It feels so good to be able to bring one of our Heavenly Father's choice daughters to the light of the gospel.  She has a great testimony, and a beautiful spirit.  The ward will welcome her in with open arms.  Thanks for all the prayers in our  ( Elder Bates and mine)    be-half and of those that we are teaching.  The Lord blesses us in so many ways to accomplish his work.
     We had another baptism on October 20th, again a recent converts daughter who is 13.   I know that I told you that transfers were coming up and I wasn't sure what or where I would be at.  But I just got the word that I will be staying in Spotsylvania. (YEA!) and I will also be becoming a trainer.  WOW!  A lot to take in.   I am so grateful to be serving a mission and I am seeing the Lord work miracles in the lives of the people here in Virginia.  Remember that I love you all.  I have the best family ever!
     Love,
         Your Son, your brother, your friend.  Dakota Thomas Anderson
                                                      P.S.  Only 48 days till Christmas!