And So It Ends

Well, here I am emailing in Ghana for the last time. I think Ghana is sad I am leaving because the weather has been nothing but cloudy and raining with some sun all week. Even right now it is dumping buckets outside.

Thank you too everyone for the last 2 years, reading my emails, writing me, and prayers in my behalf. I am excited to reconnect with everyone upon my return this Friday. This last week in zone conference President Stevenson talked about " Last Sermons". He told us if he has it his way he would not even mention going home but its the Presidents responsibility to prepare the missionaries for a new mission president. Pres Stevenson started with a video of Bruce R. McConkie's final testimony in general conference of April 1985. We went over other examples of final sermons like Paul in the new testament, King Benjamin, Moroni etc. And for all of them talked about the elements in each of them. So I will use this email for my almost final sermon (I count my talk in sacrament meeting a couple weeks tho I will be released already)

It has been quite a journey the last 2 years. Been filled with every emotion that you can think of because missions are just really big scary roller coasters but at the end we are pumped and ready to do it again. Though hard at times I will forever be grateful for this missionary experience. Through it all it has left me with a strong testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. A deeper conversion and a love for my Savior Jesus Christ and my Father in Heaven. I know without a doubt that Jesus Christ lives and made the greatest and last sacrifice for the sins of us all. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ knows me personally and loves me. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that we are in the true church of Jesus Christ. I know that we are being lead today by prophets and apostles that have been called by God. And I know that Jesus Christ has left a path for us to follow and if we follow Him we can live with God again.

I am nervous to come home... but really happy. This country is great and all but God bless America! #Merica

-- Elder Johnson

Fire Week

Hello once again!

You would think after writing so many emails every week my memory of what happened over the week would get better but that is not the case. The week just flew by in the blink of an eye.

As I am coming close to finishing my service as a full- time missionary the thoughts have come that have been saying "I am not a good missionary" or "You have not done enough".  As the thoughts have come I first thought, those are thoughts that are coming from down below not above. Second, I have thought about the hours I have been out, The copies of The Book of Mormon I have handed out, and the lessons I have taught. Though mistakes have been made through the last two years, I feel I have done all that I can. This week will be my "fire" week :P

My favorite discussion from the week was this past Friday. We met with a less active, Patrick - older man, really nice, a lot of questions, which I like.  Our plan was just to meet with him and introduce him to Elder Sowah and teach from whatever question Patrick asked. Well, it was the one time he had no questions from us.  So I had a prompting to open one of the Jehovah Witness books ( ya... they teach him too...) and when I opened it I stopped on a page and knew this is what we had to teach. The lesson was about "Where do we go when we die, which our beliefs differ from the Jehovah Witnesses' beliefs.

The quote that I will remember for the rest of my life is this... "Preach the Gospel wherever you go and when necessary, open your mouth."  People watch how we act, what we say and our actions so make sure all of that goes a long with the gospel standards.


Love you all,

Elder Johnson