Help paint the house

Quick story. I just sent one to Jo. Here's another

Because we aren't allowed to tract, I've been amazed of how people just seem to be coming to us. It's putting a whole new spin on missionary work. After eating a meal at a members house, we were walking down the road. I waved to a woman staring out her window at us. She waved back, and called us over. Asking if we would help her paint her house. She was joking, she and her 11 kids were painting. But we said we would love to.

Long story short. Her children have been involved in some gangs in Las Vegas, and a few months ago her 17 year old son was shot and killed. She had been raised Catholic, but she was praying hard for the Lord to send something to help her. She said she knew, as soon as she saw us, that we were the answer. One of the first things she told us is that she wants to see her son again, and for some reason she just knew we had the answers to her questions.

Opps. Out of time. Would give more details.

The Lord's Merchandise

Jo! Thanks for sharing your testimony with me, and being so supportive of me. I love your letters and emails.

I am currently at the library. On our way over here the driver, Elder Findlay, saw a large piece of cardboard in the road. He felt impressed to pull over and move it, to do some service. So we pulled over. He and I ran into the road carefully, but quickly, because there was fast traffic. Just upon getting back in the car I noticed a car pulled over with it's hazards on. I suggested we pull up to it and see if they need help.

So we did. We pulled up and met a around 40 year old black woman, who's car kept stalling and couldn't get home. We asked if we could help. She denied us, saying she would be fine, thinking she could do it on her own. But we were persistent. We asked how far she needed to go to get home, and insisted we could push her there. At first she was hesitant, She said "I don't want to ruin the Lord's merchandise." haha. But after failing to start her car again, She accepted. It was around 110 degrees outside and she needed the help.

So myself with 3 other missionaries began to push. It was hot, the car itself burned our hands. I imagine we were quit a sight, many people saw these 4 white guys (all of which are over 6 feet tall, 6"2, 6"4(Me), 6"5, and 6"7), who were all wearing black pants and ties, running down the Road pushing a black car that was burning their hands, in temperatures above a 100 degrees. Well.....I thought it was comical, even the part where she ran a stop sign at a busy intersection. We had stopped, hoping she would break, but she didn't and we ran out after her and pushed her to safety. Luckily we made it through the intersection fine, most people watching just had confused looks on their faces or smiles.

We probably pushed her about a mile, all the way into her neighborhood. (The hill at the end was way tuff)

Safely home she kept saying thank you, many times, ever grateful. We spoke for a few minutes, learned she was a minister of some church, she had been sitting there in the heat. Praying to God that he will get her home, and she believed He sent us. We gave her a book of Mormon. Exchanged phone numbers. One of the Missionaries with us, Elder Chase, will follow up with her. She's in his area, and she agreed to be visited by Elder Chase and his companion.  Me and my companions know some great mechanics she can trust in our ward, and said we would call her to give her some numbers to take her car to.


Now I'm here, sweaty and stinky, but very happy. This is just one example of the many people we have helped here. I have never been full of so much joy, in bringing these Children of our Heavenly Father "Home"

Love you Jo

“I know Joseph Smith was a Prophet”

May 30, 2013

        During Language Study this morning I was practicing the first vision. (Joseph Smith-History 1:16-17). I had it memorized in Portuguese. I was out on the balcony of our apartment, speaking Portuguese out loud to myself as my companions studied inside.

        I pretended to be in Brazil, in a home, looking someone in the eye as I taught them it. I started slowly feeling every word “Vi um pilar de luz…” As I continued, I felt the spirit more powerfully. My voice was a weak whisper by the end, but full of emotion as I uttered the last words “Ouve O (Hear Him)’ with tears in my eyes.

        Before, I had always believed, or at least hoped, the first vision was true, and a real event. It had always seemed logical. I knew the Book of Mormon was true. But today, out there, alone, speaking my mission language,

 I knew.

 I know, as if I had been there myself. I spoke as though I had witnessed it with my eyes and felt the glory of it.

        At the end I was able to say “Eu sei que Jose Smith fa em a profeta (Joseph Smith was a prophet)” and mean it, with every fiber of my being. I don’t care if it may sound weird or odd or impossible to some people, I felt the Holy Ghost tell me clearly through my feelings that he did see the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

        I didn’t need to see a vision or have any form of physical proof. What I felt had a greater impact, and more convincing power than all other things could hope to do. I don’t need proof or a physical witness. What I felt pierced me to the core.

        I’m loving it here. I have never felt greater joy. In some ways, I don’t want to head to Brazil really soon. I love the people I meet, and want to see these people I care about continue to change, and see them baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Don’t get me wrong, as soon as that VISA comes, I know it will be time and I will not hesitate. I love Brazil already, and I haven’t been there yet.

        Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the Las Vegas Temple, it’s amazing. As I sat in the Celestial room, I thought, “This is where I want them to be. I want my investigators to get here. To feel of the powerful spirit, the beauty of the temple, and the glorious plan of eternal families.

        There is no greater work. There is nothing that can compare.

        I love my family so much, and feel an increase love and appreciation each day for them. Thank you for your prayers that strengthen me and keep my safe. Never underestimate the power of prayers for other people.

        Com Amore,

                Elder Pollard

Opening the Gates in Sin City

4455 Allen Ln. #140 North Las Vegas, NV 89031

 

That's my new address, I think, I hope the Elder sitting next to me is telling the truth. It's the mission home, all mail goes through it and they will see that I get it.

 

Whew, what a week! I hope I get more mail and less email because I love all the emails I'm getting, but have very little time to read them and would like a hard copy.

Things are going great here. Different than what I thought, but I thought I'd be in a third world country by now. I'm loving it. I have two awesome companions, Elder Titus and Elder Findlay. They have us in a 3 some because I'm a "VISA-waiter" and no one has any idea when I could take off. I'll call you at the airport when I do. Elder Titus is a 6 foot 5 large Elder from Washington State that is just as large is Spirit. He is very kind and loves people and making them laugh, so naturally we are rather joyous together. Elder Findlay is his trainer and my temp trainer I guess, he's from Canada where he was playing college basketball before, and he's been out for about 20 months. He is obedient and knows how teach people, instead of lessons, with the spirit. I have probably the best companions here and I've grown to love them already.

We are in an area of Las Vegas that's only about 6 blocks, but jammed with people. 95% of it is Gated, meaning we aren't allowed to tract or knock on doors. We have one ward we cover, that should have about 500 members, only about 150-200 are active or even consider themselves "Mormon." My companions had been working here for about 6 weeks before I came, and they had practically no investigators or lessons to teach. But I have seen a miracle start to happen since I got here. I am thrilled to be out teaching and finding, and the Lord has been granting us success.

Now, we have many lessons with non members set up and with those inactive. We are seeing a large number of people come back to church after many years, and as we teach them lessons they are willing to give referrals of their neighbors and friends who are inactive or aren't members that we can go visit. I have felt the Spirit strongly, reassuring me, feeling me with comfort, peace, joy, and a love I've never felt so powerfully before. He has made it clear to me that this is where He wants me right now and as I be obedient with exactness, He enables me to make a large difference in these people's lives.

We seek people out and serve them. We have done yard work, move people to knew homes, and help people find jobs. We visited a man who was inactive for many years, and he said he wasn't interested in anything we could say, and we were wasting our time, and he would not come to church their was too much in his life right now, all before we had uttered a word. But we asked what he was struggling with, and he had been unemployed for some time and was losing all he had. We worked with him and contacted programs in the Church for him to help him gain a job. We addressed all his physical needs and did everything we could to help. We assured him of why we are here, our purpose isn't to gain members in the church. Our purpose to bring people closer to Christ by helping them receive the necessary ordinances. We are here as representatives of Jesus Christ, and will act like such. We are filled with a love for the people and will serve them and let them feel the love the Savior has for them.

I've found though, before you can take someone to where you want them to go spiritually, before you can talk about the Garden of Gethsemane and eventually the sacred grove, you must go to where they are spiritually. Learn their needs and adjust the lesson of the restored Gospel, that helps in all aspects of life, to their needs. I feel a love for the people here. The members are great, and very strong, and their wouldn't be missionary work without their help. I smile and talk to every person I can everyday. I open my mouth and the Lord feels it with what needs to be said to that individual.

I'm so grateful for my parents, I've realized everything in my life has prepared me for this time. I tell stories of past experiences everyday to teach doctrine and relate it to people. I am so grateful for all the past blessings and trials before my mission. I'm out of time. I'll have to write some letters. I will keep Robert in my prayers each day as with my other loved ones.

 

Love Elder Pollard

If you'd like to write him, use his email:  daylen.pollard@myldsmail.net. Or the mission home in Las Vegas address to the right.

He's in Vegas Baby

Daylen has been in Vegas for one week now.  Because he was busy with the transfer last Monday and today is Memorial Day (libraries closed) he has not been able to write home.  I'm sure he'll have lots to share when he does.  We did however find his Vegas mission BlogSpot that had posted several pictures of their new missionaries.  These are ones we copied of Daylen. 

Ancestors

Hey Jo! I'm calling home at 5:30 for about 5 min, to tell where my reassignment is! I dunno, you and Nate Probably won't be there. I don't want you to drive up there for 5 min. So make sure mom calls you or something. I have no idea what my address will be, I fly out early Monday morning. I'll let you know as soon as I can what it is. I love you!

 

Oh, something I want to tell you. We had an apostle talk to us on Tuesday, Russell M Nelson. He gave such a powerful talk. When apostles talk just directly to missionaries, their talks are amazing. It was on family History. After the talk, I did some pondering and praying. I learned some things and gained a testimony of Family History I hadn't fully realized. I learned that I have people on the other side of the veil, who are very much alive, who are praying for my success. They are the Ancestors of the people I will meet and teach. Hoping I will give their descendants the gospel, that they might receive the saving ordinances they need to proceed. 

When it says in the scriptures that He will send angels among them, I've learned the Lord does send angels to His missionaries to help them. I have felt their presence, the presence of our own ancestors and the those of the people I am to teach, and those who are grateful for an ordinance we did in the the temple for.

Love you

 

P.S, I was sick for about two days, just a cold and a head ache. I just worked through it, strived to be humbled, and was healed rather quickly once I got what i needed to learn from it. Being sick, is just part of the Missionary experience.