January 31 - February 6, 2012: "Do we do what we are capable of doing?"

Hello fam!

Phenomenal letter dad. I wish I could make sense of what I write half as good as you do! 100 days eh? That’s scary... I've been reading one section of the Doctrine and Covenants a day for the past 40 days so that I will be able to read the great section 138 when President Smith reveals the true doctrine of how the gospel is preached to those in the spirit world on the last day of my mission. With this, I realized that day 100 was hit on Saturday. It's an emotional feeling to think back over the past 20 some odd months. I never thought I would grow so close and become so attached to so many people in such a short amount of time. Also, I don't know if you remember this, but February 3 was the day that I received my mission call two years ago. Two fetchin' years! I couldn't believe it. And two years ago today (I think) I went through the temple to be endowed with power from on high. What an amazing experience the past two years have been. More experiences that breed growth have come in the past two years than the entire previous 19 years of my life. Just like when the gospel was restored to the prophet Joseph Smith in the early 1800s the world experienced tremendous growth technologically. There's no doubt in my mind that the Lord's hand was in that. There is also no doubt in my mind then when we each personally make the gospel a priority in our own lives that the Lord's hand provides further experiences that forge growth just as He did for the world following the restoration of His gospel. One funny key learning I've had regarding the time the gospel was restored: In the year 1830, the year the church was formally organized, the United States Patent Office in Washington D.C. closed because "everything that ever could be invented, had been invented." The rest is history.

My roller coaster has been up this week. Investigators and teaching opportunities have been coming out of the wood work. We've been really hitting the ward roster hard in attempt to regain the trust of the ward. In our quest to find less-active members and part member families, we have found MANY who have moved away. I know the Lord puts us in places He needs us at specific times and we have found that several of the inhabitants of the homes of the former members have been interested in the gospel. One man by the name of Sean was the most uninviting and uninterested from his outward appearance. He has tattoos from head to toe. Seriously, not a spot of skin shows through on his arms. His neck, chest, knuckles, back, you name it is covered in tattoos. We still talked to him. We found him to be one of the most sincere, humble people who has been searching for truth for quite some time. In a brief, 1 minute conversation on his drive way, we talked about the Church of Jesus Christ being restored to today in its fullness to a prophet. His friend who wasn't very into the conversation tried to crack a joke by asking, "So why did you guys choose to come to Arizona? Isn't there any other place you could have gone?" In all seriousness, I looked him in the eyes and said, "we have been called by a prophet of God to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people here. God has sent us and He knows where we need to be and who we need to talk to." I then talked briefly about the process of a missionary receiving his mission call. Sean overheard this conversation. He was amazed that I answered so seriously. For the next several days, he talked to co-workers and friends about there being a prophet on the earth. He would say things like, "Dude can you believe it? An actual prophet. A prophet like MOSES is on the earth...TODAY! It just blows my mind. I love it." We met with him a few days after that first discussion and taught him lesson 1 from Preach My Gospel. He seriously agreed with everything we taught him. We invited him to be baptized and he accepted. He works a lot and wasn't able to come to church but we are very excited to continue to teach him and watch him progress. He is one who will look good in white.

We received a very welcomed referral this past week also. The Lord is really blessing us. A young man by the name of Preston has grown up Catholic his entire life. He began to study the religion and realized that each pope would change basic doctrines taught in the church that he didn't really agree with. Well that didn't sit well with Preston. He began researching other religions and got his hands on a Book of Mormon. He thoroughly read through it. Around the same time he was talking to some girl on a free online chat room. She happened to be from Mesa and is a member of the church. They met up and began dating. Preston continued to research the church and referred himself through mormon.org. When we got to him, he was already in 3 Nephi and could quote certain stories better than most missionaries. He already knew it was true. He brought up baptism and requested that we help him get baptized. Obviously, though the invitation seemed a bit backwards, we accepted. He will be baptized on February 25th. Pretty dang sweet! It's true that angels are preparing the hearts of the children of men.

So we have been trying to find new "fun" ways to find people to teach. Glendale Community College happens to be in our area and we devised the bright idea to go see what we could do when it came to proselyting on campus. We didn't want to make our attempt unwelcomed so we just went and sat on a bench for a little while and said hello to people as they walked by. We had more success sitting on that bench while people came up to us to talk than we have had knocking doors. It was pretty cool. I then thought, "hmmm, I wonder if the administration would be opposed to us setting up a table with pamphlets and pictures to hand out to people while we talk to them?" We went to the administration building. The lady there told us that we would need to go to the Student Life services office and speak with the people there. We did so. The lady there told us that she would need to talk to another man who was able to give permission for such things and that she would call us the next day. She also said that usually it costs $50 a day for people to do such a thing. Well we were discouraged and didn't count on really hearing back so we walked around campus for a little while and then left. The next morning we got a call. It was the lady from Student Life telling us that it was totally fine for us to set up a table and that we would just need to tell them before we set up so that they can inform security before they haul us off. We were stoked! This Thursday we are planning to go do some "Dan Jones'n" at the commons area at Glendale Community College! We'll see what happens. Hopefully we don't start a riot and get killed by anti-mormon students. Gotta stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places though right? Yeah...

Last night I was going through some old letters I got from you. One that I pulled out was one that you left on my pillow the night I was set apart as a missionary. As I read through it I realized that I had never answered a question that you raised to me. You said, "What would you like your family to accomplish while you are serving in Arizona?" Honestly, I feel you all have accomplished all that I could ever dream of because of your written testimonies and experiences that you share with me so frequently. I would have said that I would want you to have an experience each month that you could recognize and see how it has strengthened your testimony regarding a certain topic. Without me having to vocalize that 20 months ago, I feel it has been accomplished and continues to be accomplished. Thank you for providing me with such peace of mind that my family is well and that their testimonies are strong. This is a rough world in which we live and I think at times we take our testimonies for granted. I hope we can have experiences that cause us to not take them for granted. One "accomplishment" that I would add at this point in my mission, is to set a goal to do something hard. Do something you wouldn't normally do and work until you can feel successful. A quote I think of regularly is, "Do I do what I'm expected or what I'm capable of?" We are capable of so much. Sometimes it's undesired to rise above the expectations of the world. It's necessary. In my study I wrote this, "Stand up for what’s right when it's inconvenient. Call people out when they’re wrong and invite them to change." President Beck used to always say, "If you don't speak up when you see disobedience the very first time you notice, it's as if you put your stamp of approval on it and the person will never change." I listened to a talk recently and heard this story:

A stake president in Salt Lake City was speaking at a fireside with youth when President McKay walked in and sat a few rows back from the front. Upon making eye contact with the prophet, the stake president nearly swallowed his tie. Halfway through his talk he felt an impression. It had nothing to do with his topic. He followed the impression and said, "Brothers and sisters, before this world was formed each of you need to know that you served as captains and generals in the Lord's army." He kept going on with his talk. Afterwards, he sat down and noticed President McKay grilling him with his eyes. He went and asked him if he had gotten carried away and said anything out of line. President McKay responded, "not out of line, but inaccurate. There were no captains here tonight, they were all generals." He turned and walked away.

If we knew who we were before this life it would scare us. I don't think there is any coincidence that each of us have been born in these last days. We have no right to dink around with the dumb things of the world and not live up to the full potential God would have us achieve. In D&C 38:12 it talks about how angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares. At the time of the revelation, I believe we were there among those angels with that same desire, and that our future families are still there with that desire.

I hope you have a great week! I love you all so much! Write some letters!

Love,

Elder Colt Mouritsen

January 30, 2012: Life interrupted

Hey Fam,

So this week has been much better than the past weeks here in Peoria. We've placed a huge effort on finding through the less-active and building member trust by helping out the Bishop with this area. We've been keeping track of all those who have moved, have no desire to be contacted, or want to start coming back. Some previous missionaries really burned out the members and we've been doing what we can to build it back up. We think it is working. The Bishop handed us a big list of people who he thinks need a visit from us. Sunday night we visited them and found a lot of good information for him. In helping him with this, we have also found many more people to teach. I know that the Lord puts us in places for specific reasons and often times we have no idea what those reasons are until after the fact. On one occasion, we were checking up on some potential investigators that were tracted into by missionaries around six months ago. We knocked on the door and a young, scruffy lookin' guy answered with his toddler daughter. We talked for a bit and at first he seemed pretty hostile towards organized religion in general. But as we talked further and sought for some understanding, we found out that he was raised in Utah, baptized at 8, but had since fallen away due to some bad experiences. It wasn't a normal door step conversation. We could tell that the spirit really took over and guided the questions and answers to best suit this man. His wife came to the door after a bit and we chatted a little about the Book of Mormon and ended up asking if we could come back and help them understand what the purpose of organized religion is. I won't lie their positive response was quite shocking. We went back the next day and taught about the restoration of the gospel. It was cool to see them guess what the next principle was going to be about before we would even begin teaching it. It is definitely true that there are many out there who are seeking for the truth, but know not where to find it. It was cool to see their countenance change from, "No we hate any organized religion" to "Okay well maybe we will come check it out on an upcoming Sunday." We are continuing to teach them and help them understand truth when they hear it.

So that Spanish family I told you about in a recent email... The Godinez family. We passed them over to the Spanish elders last weekend and had a good lesson in doing so. They have since been committed to be baptized. It took a little over a week. One of the Spanish missionaries who is teaching them is Elder Falconer, a former assistant to the president and very good missionary. He said that they are probably the most solid and elect family he has ever taught. It felt good to be used as an instrument in the Lord's hands to find someone searching for the truth. I can see the father of the family speaking in general conference one day. They are amazing.

This week my studies have been more focused and beneficial than at any other time in my mission. I don't really understand it but I think it is because I look forward every single day to learning something new from the scriptures and finding cool "key learnings" to help better my teaching. I will share one that was brought to my attention. A missionary recently talked about how we are all like angels. We bring messages of truth to those who are in need. I wanted to study this idea further. In doing so I found scriptures such as Hebrews 1:13-14, 2 Nephi 32:2-3, D&C 7:6, and D&C 42:6. Hebrews says Angels are ministering spirits who minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. Do we not? Nephi says those who have received the Holy Ghost can speak with the tongue of angels. Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost. They speak the words of Christ. Do we not? In Doctrine and Covenants section 7, John the Beloved is made a flaming fire and ministering angel for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth. As are we. And finally, D&C 42 talks about how we go forth, two by two, declaring the word like unto angels of God. As I thought further, I thought about other angels who have come from the presence of God to declare messages to mortals. The angel Gabriel spoke to Zacharias, Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph to announce the birth of two babies, John and Jesus Christ. The angel Moroni came to Joseph Smith 3 times in one night, once more the next day, and once a year for the next four years concerning the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. An angel came to Laman and Lemuel to assure them the Lord has power to deliver Laban into their hands. One came to Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah. John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood to the prophet Joseph. Peter, James, and John restored the Melchizedek. Elijah restored the sealing keys. Moses, the keys of the gathering of Israel. Elias the keys of the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham. There are probably many others. One key element to each of these visitations, the mortal receivers were interrupted from their regular, routine life and changed. If we are like unto angels, then why are we so afraid to interrupt others’ lives and help them change from a regular, routine life to a life of answers and celestial living. I'm sure glad that Moroni didn't come to Joseph and say, "Oh shoot...he's praying. I better come back another time." Or the angel Gabriel to Mary, "Oh...she's filling up her pale of water...I better not disturb her." Or, "Hmmm...Alma seems pretty busy destroying the church, I probably shouldn't interrupt him while he goes about his 'regular' and destructive routine." No, it wasn't like that. Of course, people have agency. But we do to. The scriptures are clear in helping us to know we are as angels -and angels interrupt people’s lives to help them change for the better. As missionaries, we must be bold and talk to EVERYONE even if they are working on their car, walking their dog, riding their bike, building a space ship, etc. Each person that decides to join the church is interrupted from their normal life and changed it for a better life. This has been proven to me many times with people I've been able to have contact with.

Well I hope all is going well for you. Things are good here. We set a baptismal date with a YSA age girl last week who was invited to come to FHE with a friend. Hopefully it all works out.

Thanks for all that you do! I love and appreciate your support and letters.

Love,

Elder Mouritsen

January 18-23, 2012: The Roller Coaster (and letter from Mark Coleman)

Hello!

Good to hear from you. Sounds like things are going great back there in K-Town. Sounds like it is going to be a good super bowl! Fill out a guess for me and send the winnings my way. ;) Your mom told me about her experience the night of your dad's memorial. That is so comforting and clear. He's ok. How fun that will be to hear more stories told when we see him again.

I'm going to preface my email by restating something that I wrote about a while ago. I recently listened to a speech given by an EFY speaker named Troy Dunn. It was about how this life is just like a roller coaster. If you think about it, roller coasters are not fun at all unless it picks up speed, goes down, through loops, up steep hills, etc. If you got on a ride and it started climbing up the chain and kept going up and up and up and all of a sudden stopped without ever going down, it wouldn't be worth it at all! Such is life. Often times we find ourselves on top of the world with so many good things going on with the thought that nothing bad could ever happen. But then a trial or challenge comes and our roller coaster hits the downhill. The ups and downs of life definitely provide experience and growth that is necessary for our progression towards our Heavenly Father's kingdom. I'm grateful for the trials in my life that have prepared me for greater trials in the future. My time in Phoenix North was filled with ups and downs but I know from my confirming feelings that the ups definitely outweighed the downs. It is also confirmed to me because the memories that I have of Phoenix North were all positive, powerful, uplifting experiences that have helped me grow tremendously. My last week in Phoenix North, I would say my roller coaster was up. In getting transferred to Peoria, I was filled with many mixed emotions. I felt like I was leaving my family again but I also was excited for the unknown experiences that were ahead. In the first ten days of being here it has been much harder to find people to teach and help progress in the gospel. Elder Brothers isn't used to all the rejection and antagonizing people we come into contact with. For a while, it was really taking a toll on him. I continue to tell him that we just need to find the good in each day and stay optimistic and positive for the days and weeks to come. It seems as if our roller coaster has been down. On Friday, we both were sick of cancellations and no-show appointments from the previous days of the week. We continued to fight through and look forward to an appointment we had Friday night with a girl named Tricia. We have never been able to teach her an actual lesson. Finally, on Friday we were able to do so. We used the introduction to the Book of Mormon as an outline to teach about the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. It was a good lesson. The spirit was there. We invited her to be baptized and she accepted for the 11th of February. Following the lesson our spirits were high, we were rejuvenated and excited from the success. Our roller coasters were up! The following day we got a text from a member of the ward saying that Tricia had texted him and asked for a ride to church. No way! We were even more excited! Rarely do investigators ask for their own rides to church especially after only one lesson. Our roller coasters continued to go up. Sunday morning came, we were waiting by the doors to the chapel, greeting people as they came in. The member walked in through the doors, but no Tricia. UGhhh..... We asked him what happened. He said that in between the time of her texting him and church, Tricia had caught the flu. Her wisdom teeth are also coming in and were giving her some grief as well. Ohh man we were so sad... Satan is a bummmm... Our roller coasters were down...

I feel that in such a short time the Lord has taught me an important lesson. This life would not be worth it if it wasn't for the ups and downs. Constant, positive, good experiences (or "ups" on the roller coaster) can't be forced or coerced just as the Holy Ghost can't be forced or coerced. There will always be times in life that the Lord blesses us with that help us keep life in perspective, or in other words help us appreciate the good times. Reading Mark Coleman's email (below) this morning has boosted my spirits and sent my roller coaster up to new heights! I'm so excited for him. He is going to be a phenomenal missionary. I wanted to share his email with you so you could hear the news first hand.

Yesterday in church a man came up to me, shook my hand, and said, "Hey Elder, I know your uncle Trever." I was pretty surprised by the greeting and asked how? He then went on to say that he knew him from his mission. His name is Brother Pearson and he was companions with Justin King and knew Trever from zone conferences and what not. Just thought I would let you know so you could tell him. Small world!

We got a new bishopric in the YSA yesterday also. We didn't know the old one very well but it was sad to see them go. I'm sure the new ones feel a lot like you felt when you got called to the calling. I can't believe how long you have been in there though! Over a year now right? Crazy.

Well thanks for all you do. I really love and appreciate your support and letters. I can't believe how fast time has flown and continues to fly.

I love you.

Elder Colt Mouritsen

Letter from Mark Coleman on 1/20/12.

Hey Elder Mouritsen!

It's Mark Coleman. You might not remember me because it's already been a week since you left and I'm sure you've converted a dozen or more investigators, but I thought I'd share a little bit of news with you. On Sunday, Bishop Grizzle was told that Salt Lake approved my ability to go on a mission. On Tuesday night after Book of Mormon class he gave me the good news when I requested my third update on the goings on. On Thursday, when I gave a talk at the missionary zone conference meeting I blurted it out. I think Elder Buttars was slightly offended I hadn't told him the same day, but I wanted to tell you both at the same time. I thought about trying to get your new number, but before I could tonight, Elder Buttars reminded me that I have your email address!

I've been told to turn in my paperwork by June. I wish to go wherever I am told to, just as I wish to go on the mission because God told me to do so. If I could choose, it would probably be a Spanish speaking mission anywhere that speaks Spanish outside the U.S., I suppose.

I felt elated on Tuesday night when I received the news. I had walked 18 miles on Monday to get my home teachee, Katey Redd her school supplies and go to FHE (I walked to the Bethany Holme Wal Mart from my apartment and back as wells to back home from church after FHE). My feet really hurt, and I was really sore on Tuesday, but after I got the news, I felt great. The girl in my office who gives me a ride to temple on Wednesday is now in college classes and takes the day off, so I considered running to the light rail after work to make it to baptisms on time. I woke up that morning and was too tired. I thought, I'll just go tomorrow when I get a ride. But then another co-worker offered me a ride. Deciding that I'd rather oblige a blessing then my physical comfort I went on Wednesday. I prayed like last week for the strength, and I received it like last week. I walked over 40 miles between Monday and Wednesday and I am no worse for the wear.

While I tell everyone I do it for weight loss, I'll let you in on the secret and tell you that I do it to commune with the spirit. When you are sore and tired, your feet are blistered and hurting, when you can no longer stride normally, but walk like an old man from the delirious state you are in, you find yourself humbled, meager, and weak. When you call upon the spirit in such a state, as long as your actions are righteous, it will carry you. It takes away the temporal pain with spiritual joy. I have no better way to test the spirit then to place myself in a situation where I need the spirit before calling upon it. I find temple night (Wednesday) the easiest day of my walking, even though it follows 2 days of 12 miles worth of walking and should be the hardest. I think that is because my actions are in tune with what the spirit wants of me.

I've also learned a lot about walking and D&C from such endeavors. You should always keep your feet dry, one attorney hikes the Grand Canyon up and down, 25 miles in 10-12 hours. He told me he changes his socks every 6 miles, I will try that soon. A girl who did 'Trek' told me she wore nylons under her socks to prevent blisters. I... will not do that, but perhaps I'll tell my wife or daughter to do so one day! :) I've heard that covering your feet with vaseline or any lubricant helps prevent blisters. I also read that using duct tape on blisters as well as on the major contact surfaces of the feet helps. I have not yet tried any of these methods. One thing I have tried was soaking my feet in tea-water. I read about it online, and immediately D&C came to mind, I'm quoting from memory so excuse the non-uniformity..."Strong drink is not for the belly, but rather the washing of the body". I always imagined a guy pouring vodka on his own head, rubbing it under his arms and smelling them to see if it improved their smell. I haven't tried the vodka shower yet either. After soaking my feet in the tea-water, however, I found, just as purported that the tannic acid does indeed prevent blistering. How funny that revelation from a hundred some odd years ago still applies today.

I do miss you Elder. I was not very happy for the last couple of weeks, but on Tuesday we read my new favorite Book of Mormon verse. It's in Mormon 9, verse 14. "...; he that is happy shall be happy still;..." It was explained that if we are not happy now regardless of living righteously, even in exaltation we still won't be happy. That made perfect sense to me. It makes me realize that there is no reason or use to wait for paradise, or for goals in life, or for the perfect woman to be happy. That joy is a decision and that it must be had now so that the millennium might start in the hearts of those who live righteously and joyously as all mankind will in the reign of Christ. While I am melancholic writing to you, I am happy when I think about how you brought the opportunity for joy into my life, Elder. I am joyous that the scriptures will always speak to me and nourish my soul so that it may in turn sanctify my body. Your calling and this faith has brought the 2 most incredible people I have ever known into my life to teach me more than I have ever learned in less time than I have ever studied. While the world has taken you both away from my physical immediacy, I am grateful for the time we had. I am happy and joyous and grateful in the lessons learned and will never forget any of them.

Take Care Brother,

Mark Coleman

January 12-17, 2012: After Our Faith Is Tried

Hello there Ya'll!

All is well here in Peoria! It is very weird to cover some of the same streets that I covered back in Phoenix North except that I'm just a few miles west. Our family ward is smaller and when we drive down Peoria Road I can look all the way down the street to the mountain that we lived near when I served in Phoenix North. It is so weird because when I heard that I was getting transferred, my mind was set on being sent so far away. In reality, I could get back to my old area in less than 2 minutes from the furthest east boundary of our wards. Being so close, so many great memories are brought to light as I think about what transpired over the past 20 months. I loved the opportunities that I was given there. Saying goodbye to the members was like saying goodbye to my family all over again. It was very hard. I have honestly had to work hard to keep back the tears. I know that I will be able to see them all again in the future though and that keeps me going. Mark Coleman wrote me an unbelievable letter before I left that I am going to save for you to read when I get home. Katie Redd emails me almost every week to tell me about what is going on in the ward. Many people have also expressed interest in coming to my homecoming. This is another good reason for living so close :).

Monday night I went and said bye to the James' family. Sister James was not there because of a relief society meeting. I talked to Mike (recent convert) and Sister James' parents who were there when we all went through the temple. I love those people. Afterwards, I couldn't handle the thought of not saying bye to Sister James after all that she did for me. We went to the church where her meeting was held and made sure to find her so I could say an adequate goodbye. She cried and gave me a hug :/ haha but said that she is going to do all that she can to get the family to come up to Utah for my homecoming also. I'm not thinking about it much but I think that it will be a grand reunion!

So when we got to the wards here we noticed that a lot of the investigators were doing anything but progressing. You asked if there was a reason for both missionaries getting transferred out. The answer is that I don't really know but for me to train a new missionary it would have to happen because I wouldn't be able to train in a Zone Leader area. President Taylor was particularly emotional when it came to this group of new missionaries that came out. Three zone leaders were released to be trainers. The other two were elders that I was in the MTC with. (Elder Halligan and Mendenhall) After getting our new companions, we sat together and got to know each other. President Taylor came over to Elder Brothers and me and when he made eye contact to tell us about the experience he had in having us be together, he couldn't get the words out because he was in tears. He is an extremely emotional and spiritual man. Apparently he felt very strongly about Elder Brothers and me being together. I know he is right.

Like I said the area was pretty slow and we didn't have many investigators when we got here. We began to use the ward roster to find new people to teach. We visit less active members and part member families in any spare moment that we have. If the person we are trying to find isn't there, then we knock the street to find out the reason that Heavenly Father sent us there. It's been slow for a little while, but at the end of each day we are able to look back and find out just why we were sent to the places we went. We have found many new people to begin teaching. One great experience we had happened last night. It was about 8:30 p.m. and we were quite bummed after having a born again Christian try to bash with us and several other doors slammed in our face. I could tell that it was wearing on Elder Brothers. It's hard to keep a good attitude in times like those but it's extremely important. The last door we knocked was SUPPOSED to be a prospective elder/less active member. When the door opened, a Hispanic man, his wife, and two kids came to the door. We asked them if "so and so" was there. The older man looked puzzled, looked at his son and told his son to speak to us. The 13 year old boy spoke English and Spanish and was able to interpret. He told us that the person we were looking for was not there. His mom then said something in Spanish and he translated by saying that his mom knows someone that is a missionary like us. To our surprise, they then invited us in. We talked for a little while to get to know them. They are from Mexico. They went to the Catholic Church while there and now attend a non-denominational English speaking Christian church even though they can't understand. Being from Mexico, I was very surprised at how modern and nice their house was. Usually they are not that way. We found out that the father is a woodworker by trade and builds amazing cabinets and tables. From what I could see, he was extremely good at what he did. As we talked, they asked us if we wanted to have some lemonade and stay for dinner. We told them we had just eaten but that we would love something to drink. We sat around the table and the dad then told his son to tell us that he would love for us to teach them because they can understand some things even though they can't speak it back. We proceeded to teach them about the restoration of the gospel. Though they looked puzzled, I know they felt the spirit. At the end of the discussion, the mother asked us if we would pray for her family and her home. We did so. Upon our departure, they told us that we could come back anytime we wanted if we ever needed anything. We told them that we would get Spanish missionaries to come by and teach them further. They were very happy at the thought. They continued to offer anything and everything they had, including free beautiful cabinets for our kitchen. Maybe someday! It was amazing to see how the spirit could have an effect on an entire family though we couldn't speak the same language. Just a testimony to me that the spirit can touch anyone that is willing to listen. The language of the spirit is spoken spirit to spirit, and we are all spirit children of God and speak the same spiritual language deep down. We just have to find it. Next Saturday we will be going over there to teach them with the Spanish elders. I can see them being future leadership in the church. This experience was awesome for Elder Brothers to have. At the end of the night, he made the comment; "Now I see why we knock on doors. It's for the one that will finally listen. Now I see." We receive no witness until after the trial of our faith. Our faith was tried many times with doors being slammed and people trying to prove us wrong, but it's AFTER our faith is tried that we can receive answers. It was a great experience.

To answer your questions concerning the bike. Elder Buttars and I started riding a little bit before I left. Elder Brothers doesn't have a bike at the moment but when he does we will start riding. At the moment we drive a 2011 Ford Fusion. It's a pretty sweet car! :)

Once again, thanks for all that you do. I truly love and appreciate your letters and support. I can't believe that it is already 2012. It blows my mind.

I love you. Please know that!

Love,

Elder Mouritsen

January 12, 2012: A New Companion and a New Area - Peoria

I have been given permission to tell you my new address and also who my new companion is. We are serving in the Peoria Stake in the Rio Vista (YSA) Ward and the Sahuaro Ranch Ward. Another YSA! My companion is Elder Brothers. He's from Bozeman, Montana. He has seriously done everything. Everything he has, or has done, are things that I dream of! He is sponsored by Oakley as a freestyle skier. He's been Heli Skiing several times. He owns an Alaskan Malamute, which is a dog that looks like a wolf but is bigger than the normal Siberian Huskies. He loves to hunt, fish, run, bike, play lacrosse, etc. He's 6'4" and is going to make a great companion. We're doing the best that we can to get ourselves embedded in the work here in these two wards. There's not much to work with YET but we are going to build it up.

My address is now:

8650 W. Peoria Ave. Apt. #2063

Peoria, AZ 85245

It was really hard to say goodbye to the Phoenix North Stake. Real hard. I still think back to the great memories that were made there. Having never been transferred before I don't know how long it will take to get accustomed to a new area! We will see though. I actually am now just on the opposite side of where Justin King's ward is.

I hope all is well. Have fun getting back to the swing of things at school.

Mom, I love you and I hope you had a fantastic birthday! Did you get my card? I am going to send some more stuff but I just wasn't able to due to the move.

Love,

Elder Colton Mouritsen

January 3-10, 2012: Big Transfer News and a Tribute to Grandpa Roger

Howdy!

Well that was a very tough email to get through. Several times I found myself holding back tears. I feel very sad and frustrated that I could not be there. There is so much I would have liked to say. This week has been one of very mixed emotions. I got the call from President Taylor on Wednesday morning. He said some very comforting words to me. I then got another call from him on Saturday. I will relate the experiences I had this week in chronological order.

Tuesday: Zone Leader Council. Same ol', same ol'. We are focusing a lot on obedience because a lot of the missionaries have become relaxed with some of the smaller rules.

Wednesday: Called by President to tell me about Grandpa's death at about 10:30 a.m. It was hard to focus the entire day. That night in my prayer before bed I prayed that I would have one last "mortal" experience with my Grandpa. I didn't know how that experience would come, but I will relate to you the answer to my prayer by quoting my journal entry that was written the next morning.

"I would like to recount the dream I had on the night of January 4th, 2012. I was told today by President Taylor that My Grandpa Roger passed away. To be honest this was an answer to my prayer. He had been suffering from cancer for a long while now. With so many mixed feelings in my heart and mind, I pleaded in my prayer before bed to be able to have a final "mortal" experience with him that I haven't been able to have for the past 20 months. I soon found myself fast asleep and dreaming after struggling to keep my eyes closed from the many things on my mind.

I remember it being my last day as a missionary (yet at the same time it wasn't) and I was able to return home for a short time. I remember wearing normal, non-missionary attire but at heart and mind I was still a set-apart missionary. I remember thinking that I hadn't been released by my stake president but I also hoped that that meant I would be able to return to the field after my short experience back home. The first place I was taken was a restaurant in West Valley City called Francescos. I walked through the sliding glass doors only to find my family sitting at a long, wooden, "family-size" table, eating their fresh garlic bread. My mom, dad, and sisters were there. Many members of my extended family were there. I specifically remember greeting my cousin Whitney who was sitting next to her immediate family. I cannot recall the other people who were sitting at the table but I remember it being a lot like any other family get together. My Grandpa Roger was sitting at the corner of the table nearest the glass door. As I walked in, I shook his hand and took my seat kitty-corner to where he sat. He looked the way I remember him looking the last time I saw him before my mission. He was in a wheelchair. His hair was white and thin due to constant treatments of chemotherapy. His stare was long and lifeless to those sitting around the table. His regular University of Utah sweatshirt covered his upper body and his well-known bifocal eyeglasses were on his face. His skin was worn, freckled, and tattered with signs of a life well lived. His hands and feet were swollen. But the most important attribute of his person I noticed was that his mind was clear, voice-unwaivering, stories-unforgotten. He related story after story and smart-aleck comment after comment. His conversation with us all was perfect. The overly told yet overly loved stories of his childhood rang through the ears of those in attendance. In my mind I thought, "How can he look so old on the outside, but sound so young and perfect on the inside?" I realized this was because his spirit, though harbored by his mortal body, was perfect and untattered unlike his body. I love that man. The feeling around the table was one that none in attendance would ever forget. Jokes, stories, gestures, quotes, and songs all brought laughter, tears, and love but overall, absolute joy. Everyone was happy. Out of the corner of my eye, a "visitor" came through a door from the back of the room. He walked over behind the wheelchair which Grandpa was in and told him that he would need to say his goodbyes, which would only be goodbyes for a short time. The room went quiet. Each remained in their seat. Tears slowly rolled down each person's face. I held up my left hand, caught his tear filled eyes with mine, and made the sign of "I love YOU" with my hand. He wept as he was wheeled out of the room away from his family, for a short time. I then found myself gathered with numberless concourses of people in a gigantic room that resembled an LDS chapel. The difference was that all the walls in a normal sized chapel were gone and replaced with stadium like seats that seemed to go up forever. I was seated on one of the front row pews on the ground in front of the pulpit. I finally realized where I was. I looked around and recognized faces of those who were in attendance. Each of them had been impacted in one way or another by my Grandpa. The rows and rows of people seemed endless as they stretched up and up the stadium seating. I quickly realized I was in attendance with the thousands of others at what I thought was my Grandpa's funeral. The only thing was that there was no casket. No viewing. Most of the time was spent visiting and recalling memories we each had with him. Then, a hush seemed to go over the entire room. The Mouritsen "daughters" all got up and went to the pulpit. They sang the songs, "Daughter of a King" and "Your Goodness Lives On" which were written by my sister Madison. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Not because of sadness, but because his goodness truly does live on through us. I know his goodness lives on. Following the songs, I found myself back in the mission field, happy to be there. I knew I was needed to gather Israel in from this side of the veil, while Grandpa would be gathering Israel in on the other side.

At the end of the phone call when I heard this sad news, President Taylor said to me this, "I've set people apart before and told them that they would have those on the other side of the veil with them, watching over them while they served. I don't say this to everyone, but I feel impressed to tell you that your Grandpa has been added to the front lines and is added to those on your right and on your left and directly behind you. He will be there watching and guiding you in the time of need." I know that is true."

That was my entry. I felt like I should share it. I would have liked to have shared it at the service you held for him last Saturday.

Saturday night I got another interesting call. Elder Buttars answered the phone and President asked if he could speak to me. I was handed the phone and we began talking about some of the needs in the zone. We specifically talked about some struggling companionships. He then turned the conversation away and said, "Well the real reason I have called you is because the Lord has a new assignment for you Elder Mouritsen. The Lord has called you to be a trainer and a district leader." I was overwhelmed with some excitement, yet some major feelings of being torn away from the place that I have come to love so much. Of course I accepted.

Sunday was our ward conference. I'm glad that I was told the transfer news on Saturday because it gave me opportunity to say some last goodbyes to members in the ward. Since it was ward conference President Hettinger and the other stake leaders were there also. It worked out really nice because I was able to say goodbye to them also. President Hettinger and I have gotten really close over the past 20 months. Bishop got up to announce the meeting. During the announcement he stopped and said, "A long-time friend of ours here in the ward will be leaving us this week. We just wanted to publicly thank Elder Mouritsen for the work he has done and the love we have grown to have for him. We wish him the best wherever he goes." My heart was so big and I knew it was going to be extremely hard to say goodbye. It was so nice of him to say something like that. Next President Hettinger got up. He started by publically saying thanks also but then he took it to another level (haha). He said something to the effect of, "Hypothetically speaking, if I had two daughters who were up at BYU and not dating anyone, and Elder Mouritsen was not a missionary, I would sure love for them to date and marry someone like him. I've been very grateful to be able to work along side him for the past 14 months." Oh my, it was so embarrassing. Everyone busted up laughing and OH, what made it worse? His daughters were there and they were sitting on the FRONT ROW! And yes one of them is 19 and one of them is 21. Both are also very "fair and delightsome" as stated in the Book of Mormon. It was pretty funny yet awkward. Probably a good thing that I am getting transferred. Haha. They came up and talked to me after the meeting to ask when I was going to be home after the mission also... :/ President Hettinger is the man and I am definitely going to stay in contact with him after the mission.

Yesterday was when I read your letter because I had to transfer a bunch of stuff from my USB to Elder Buttars. I also had to email him some things. Following the email, we went to lunch with a member at Chiles. While there, a song came on over the loud speaker. You may have heard of it. It is called, "With or Without You" by U2. I thought it was interesting with all the stuff going on around. It reminded me a lot of my memories and experiences with Grandpa while up in Dingle. I also was looking through some past letters while packing and found the long printer paper letter that you had all the family members write on that you sent to me from Thanksgiving 2010. On the back of the paper, I found a note from Grandpa that I don’t remember reading before. It definitely describes him. I will quote it to you:

Dear Colton,

It has been 0 degrees all day here and we have been huddled together to stay warm. We have been burning wood like mad and if this continues we will have to start chopping up some of the smaller children to keep the fire going. Please send us any extra heat you are not using...Please say a prayer for me, I think the Lord will listen to you.

Frohliche Weinacten, Grandpa Roger

I was touched by that. I also don't know what "Frohliche Weinacten" means and I don't even know if I spelled it right. Oh well.

I recently found a poem that I want to share with you to close this email.

As I stare out the window,

Tears still in my eyes.

I see the vision of those I love,

As we said our last goodbyes.

The flight was long and tiring.

As two questions plagued my mind,

Do I want the life that's ahead of me,

Or the one I left behind?

You see twenty four months is such a long time

For going door to door.

In my reflection, I thought,

There must be something more.

I struggled down off the plane,

Looking for a friendly face.

When a man called Pres. said:

"Son, you've come to the right place!"

I sit reflecting once again

As this day is my last.

Please, Lord, it isn't fair,

The time went way too fast.

As I stare out the window

Tears still in my eyes,

I see the visions of those I love,

As we said our last goodbyes.

The flight was long and tiring,

As two questions plagued my mind;

Do I want the life that's ahead of me,

Or the one I left behind?

I love you all. Thanks for all your comforting words and strength. I'm excited to move on and finish strong to the end.

Love,

Elder Mouritsen