April 7th

Family,

I am doing well and I had a good week. Conference was great! I don't think I can express enough about the importance of General Conference and the blessings that come when we follow and act upon the teachings of our Prophet, President Monson, his Apostles and the General Authority. I don't think I could pick out a favorite talk either because they were all way good. I am also blessed to receive a personal witness and testimony of the promptings that I felt as I watched Conference. I know what they said to be true because I received my own confirmation through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

I don't really have too many other things to say. The work is steady right now. This week we just extended a lot of invitations to watch both the Saturday and Sunday sessions of Conference. This week we will be following up with a lot of these people that we extended this invitation to. 

Unfortunately nothing new has happened since I last wrote to you guys from last week. Maybe I'll have a cool story or something for next week.

Dad- I got the package with the letter. Thanks again for that! 5 miles. Wow, you're the guy. Keep it up! 

Karen- Enjoy Palm Springs with Dad. Let the Hampton's and Sis Moser know that I'm doing good.   

Jazz- Te mande un otro correo. Te quiero.

Hathaway Family- Hope you all enjoyed conference! Love you guys.

Have a good week. Keep working hard. I love you guys.   

Elder Berthelson

BostonStrong

March 31st

Family,

Thanks for your letters. .....

As far as anything new that happened since the last time I wrote you guys, not much has been going on. The weather is still awful, in fact it even snowed a little bit earlier today. I just can't wait for the warm weather to come. 

Elder Johnston and I are doing well and working hard. We ended up going to that Catholic mass yesterday like we promised our less active friend. In fact, it wasn't even Catholic mass, it ended up being some kind of group that didn't believe in organized religion. All they believe was that all you needed to do was read the Bible and believe in Jesus Christ and you were saved. It was very weird nonetheless. And our less active friend never even came to our sacrament meeting after he got done with his "church," so it really wasn't worth going to I guess. Other than that, nothing too much has happened this week. Our investigators are slowly progressing. The only thing holding these people back, both our less actives and investigators, is their commitment or desire to attend church. This has been one of the biggest struggles with a lot of the Hispanic people, that at least I've dealt with on the mission. They promise you they'll go and then they either end up having to work or they make up an excuse to not go. It's kind of frustrating, but it is what it is.    

I just want to bear my testimony on General Conference and the importance of this time of the year to hear the words of our Prophet, President Monson, and his counselors. I am so blessed to be able to receive further instruction and guidance on what I need to do, not only for me as a missionary, but as a person in general. I know that our Prophet receives direct revelation from the Lord. He addresses concerns and needs of what we need to do as members of the church to strengthen our testimonies, which will bless our lives so that we may be able to overall become better and happier. I've never in my life been more excited to watch General Conference. This is something that's more of a need rather than a want at this point in my life.

 

 

I also received your packages in the mail this week. Thank you guys so much!! 

......

Can't believe I'm saying it too, but Lets go Wisconsin!!  Keep working hard guys. Love ya all.       

   

Elder BerthelsonBostonStrong

General Conference Weekend and Transfers

So on Sunday, Oct 6 between the morning and afternoon sessions of general conference, I was able to baptize A______ (left of me) and Elder Stones, my good friend back from the mtc, was able to baptize F______. It was such an incredible experience! This gospel not only blesses the lives of others, but it is a blessing to us personally as well. D&C 18:15-16

 

I just wanted to share and remind you guys how grateful and blessed we were to hear such inspirational and powerful messages that were shared during General Conference! Honestly, this was probably the first time in my life where I actually had that "thirst" or desire to listen intently to the talks of each General Authority that were spoken. Not only because of the fact that I'm a missionary and we're required to do so, but with everything that's been happening, I really needed to be spiritually uplifted. And that's why I was so anxious to watch GC, it could not have come during a better time for me. I also can't tell you how blessed I was personally to hear the words from our beloved prophet, President Monson, especially the talk that he gave during the Sunday Morning session. I felt like he was talking directly to me. Definitely was an answer to my prayers, and I'm sure towards many others as well. 

 President Monson's Talk Sunday Morning, “I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee”

My new companion's name is Elder Santos. He's Mexican so he's a native speaker, but he's also almost finished with his mission so he knows pretty good English as well. I met him once, he's a good guy. I'll meet him tomorrow for sure in transfer meeting so I'll tell you guys more about him later and send pics as well.