April 8, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

I first off; I want to thank you all for the prayers in my behalf. The last few months have been pretty rough because of the lack of success we have been having. Last week I got pretty discouraged. I share this experience with you because we all have times of darkness and sadness where it looks like there is no hope, no light at the end of the tunnel and that we might as well give up. This is a lie! The advisory wants us to swim in our misery, telling us that there is no shore and no dry ground. I told myself this over and over.

My dear friends, there is a light at the end of the tunnel; there is a shore where we can rest! The Savior provided us with His perfect sacrifice! In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Alma declared his testimony of the divinity of the Savior and his Atonement. He teaches us that not only did He suffer for our sins so we don’t have to, but He suffered for our every feeling. He suffered for our loneliness, what it feels like to lose a loved one or even a child. He knows what it feels like for someone to feel like they have nothing left. He knows what it is like to feel depressed or unloved. He felt and suffered it all so we don’t have to. All we must do is turn our trust and faith to Him and lay our burdens at his pierced feet, and He promises that He will give us rest.

This last weekend we had General Conference, where the living prophet and apostles speak to us and give us guidance. I came to Conference with a question. There, the prophets spoke to my soul and my heart. I know that my Heavenly Father does love me and He just wants to bless us. My prayers and questions were answered as peace and love came over me, I felt my Saviors love surround me. We do have a purpose in this life. Do not stand in darkness when there is light near by. We can be filled with the warmth of His light and His love. All we need to do is take a step toward it. 

This is just on of many wonderful talks given at April 2013 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

I thank you all so much for your prayers. Like President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was one of my favorite prophets, I have found the turning point. We are all human and so we all must go through struggles and be tested. That is part of the glorious plan of our Heavenly Father. While Elder Hinckley was on his mission he became very discouraged at one point ready to give up and return home. In his own way he found what he needed to do and stepped into the light. He lost himself in the work. He became known the rest of his life for his optimism and hope for the future.

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. ... If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers" Gordon B. Hinckley

I know that this life is truly wonderful! Just think of God’s glorious creations and how we are His greatest creation! He loves us. I do not write this for everyone to feel bad for me, because I am fine! Believe me life is good, real good!!!! I am just so happy to feel the sun on my face and to feel every door slammed in it as well . . . hahaha . . . its awesome!!!! I love it because the next door will be the one!!! I wrote this and shared this for anyone who ever has been, ever is, and ever will be discouraged! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!! It will all work out! Laugh and enjoy it. How grateful I am for Jesus Christ and all He has done for me!!! My life has never been better!!! And I know it is because of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and all of the marvelous and infinite blessings that are just waiting to be poured on us!!! God does indeed love us, I am a witness of that. Jesus is the Christ, He lives and so will we. Be hopeful and excited for what the morning brings because the darkness of the night always brings a bright new dawn!

Love,

Elder Gomm

Whoooooohoooo!!!! :D

April 1, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

Last week was a little rough. I will leave it at this, that is was just a hard week. I want to keep positive about everything, but know I really could use some prayers.

In other news, my companion and I are teaching a great young man. He introduced us to his brother and his cousin who are very golden! We are pretty excited. We taught one of the best lessons ever! The restoration of the Priesthood authority made prefect sense and they were very excited to read the Book of Mormon.

Easter was awesome!!!! And my message is this: "He is Risen!" I read the account of Christ’s resurrection from the tomb in the scriptures and studied in depth about the Atonement.

It was an amazing morning. I am so grateful for my Savior and His wonderful sacrifice! We taught Gospel Doctrine class at church and had to wing the whole thing but it went great! 

We then had dinner with two families from the ward. We ate some really good food and then someone threw cake at someone which started a water fight, which started a soda fight, which started a mud fight, which ended with people wrestling in the mud. I tried so hard to not join in, ya’ll know me and water fights and mud fights. 

I ended up with a few splatters on me but it came out in the wash. They said that this happens every year, sounds like a good tradition.

Well, I love ya'll! 

Love,

Elder Gomm

PS I could really use some mail; I have been in a pretty big drought here this last month. This is what my mailbox looks like everyday after we stalk the mailman.

Contact my mom for my latest address. Thanks for your prayers and letters.

March 25, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

The work has been really slow lately and I have been on my knees almost all the time wondering what I am supposed to do here.

Last week my companion and I and the Sister missionaries in this ward met with our bishop. Our bishop is a great man and I love him to death! He is just as concerned about the work as we are and wants to do everything in his power to get the work moving from the trickle that we have at the moment. 

Love,

Elder Gomm

PS Thank you for your prayers; I have really needed them.

March 18, 2013

Hey Ya’ll,

Well, to be honest this week was a little rough. But that’s OK. The work is really slow right now and I have been doing a lot of praying and studying on what we can do differently. I got the stomach flu, it’s going around town at the moment but I am better now.

At baptism we make solemn covenants with God that we will:

• Keep the commandments of God
• Always remember Jesus Christ
• Take the holy name of Jesus Christ upon ourselves

When we do this we are set apart from the word and we have a sacred obligation to bear the name of Christ and share the Gospel. We know we must be a light unto the world; that we must be an example to the unbelievers, we must be an example of a disciple of Christ to our friends, family and people we come in contact with. This is vitally important and is a big responsibility, and God will bless you for your efforts. We must open our mouths.  In Doctrine and Covenants 33, the Lord promises that if we open our mouth, He will fill it. We need not be worried of what to say or what the reaction will be. All we need to do is-- Act.

Things we can do to act are:

·         Pray for missionary opportunities. Have faith and be prepared to share your testimony

·         Fast for missionary work to happen

·         Give someone a Book of Mormon, or direct them to mormon.org

·         Invite them into your home where they can learn about the Restored Gospel from the missionaries

The work moves best when we can help the members do their missionary work and we simply teach. It is the duty of every member to be a missionary. So please, we need your help, and the Lord needs your help. Do all you can to become that true disciple of Christ.

Love,

Elder Gomm

March 11, 2013

Howdy ya’ll!

Well another week gone bye. This last week was a roller coaster; lots of ups and downs.

Many of people who have been investigating the church have been avoiding us or getting new jobs so we can never see them. Oh well, on the up side of the week, we have seen a lot of less active members and we had a few come back to church so that was pretty cool.

This week I just have been really happy, I mean just full of joy, almost to where I want to shout Merry Christmas or something! It’s just nice to have the Holy Ghost with you and it makes me happy even when times get rough.

Saturday and Sunday were pretty fun. Saturday we tried a new street contacting idea using genealogy that Elder Call and I got out of Preach My Gospel. We go around and ask people what they know about their genealogy and ask where they came from. We were doing this on Main Street near the courthouse. Main Street kind of reminds me of Placerville. 

The courthouse reminds me a little of the courthouse in the movie Back to the Future. 

Later that day we helped the bishop move a less active member’s trailer. That turned out to be pretty interesting. We went out into the countryside; there are some real hillbillies out there, good backwoods folks (they even call themselves hillbillies). Well, we got the trailer all hooked up to bishop’s huge Ford pickup named "Ed" and we were trying to get it pulled out of a little space. After many attempts we were stuck! Suddenly a guy walks over and says, "Hey that looks pretty tight." I said, “Yeah it is.” and he said "Wooohoooo!!! That’s how it should be, let me giv'er a whirl!” This guys name was Mike and he talked and acted exactly like Gomer Pyle and Ernest T. Bass combined. He owns a garage in his barn so he knows trucks. This guy was a true redneck (and proud of it). It was awesome!!! He pulled that trailer out of that spot like it was nothing, laughing and whooping the whole time like Ernest T. Bass. It was pretty amazing. I just loved every minute of it.

That’s pretty much it for this week.

Love,

Elder Gomm

PS: We now have sisters missionaries in this area with us. One has been out for 5 weeks that is how long my trainee has been out!!!!!!! The other a few days!!! So, the 5 week sister is training the new missionary. I get phone calls and questions on how to do things every once and a while because both are so new. I feel like I am in a way training 3 missionaries, but it’s FUN!

March 4, 2013

Dear Family & Friends–

I am doing well. I am NOT getting transferred and Elder Call and I are getting along great. He has been the best companion since my trainer. He is a true missionary and a hard worker with great desire. He listens to me and we learn and grow from each other.

This week’s adventures and miracles deal with knowledge. I have received many small revelations and promptings from the Holy Ghost to see different people and help less active and new members progress. It is so important to listen to the small promptings of The Spirit. We must pray and seek for the gifts of the spirit as well as live worthy of its companionship. (Preach My Gospel 89-93) In addition to asking and knocking we must seek. This week I have sought, learned, and developed the Christ-like attribute of knowledge. In many instances of Christ life and ministry he combated the Scribes and Pharisees with scripture. Jesus Christ was very well versed in the scriptures and the words of the prophets. This week I have been zealously searching the scriptures. My highlighters and pens have been diminishing day-by-day because of my newfound love for the scriptures. I have never been much of a bookworm or a reader; I was always usually outside exploring or watching the TV. Hahaha! But now the 3 hours of study that we as missionaries have is my favorite part of the day.

I have started my study and search of who Jesus Christ is. I have started with the New Testament looking at every footnote and cross-reference. I am also reading the inspired book Jesus the Christ written by the Apostle James E. Talmage. I challenge all to read it! If you want to know in deep simplicity who your Savior is, the scriptures and Jesus the Christ will help you draw closer to Him.

This week we will be starting some workshops with Family History work and I was wondering where is the word GOMM from???? People always ask me. This week we also may be teaching some seminary classes.

Tuesday we get the new sister missionaries. We helped the ward clean and prepare their apartment. But it didn’t get rid of the creepy feeling in that place. Everyone says it is haunted and Elder Call and I believe it. Hopefully no one tells the sisters so they don’t get scared. Haha!

The work is going ok. All of our investigators are getting sick. Satan is really fighting us hard at the moment but we have faith that things will turn around shortly.

Thanks for the letters and packages!!! Mom the package you sent was pretty much the best package ever. I loved the pictures and the letters!

That’s it for this week ya’ll!

Love,

Elder Gomm

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

February 25, 2013

Dear Family & Friends-

Well I have been out 7 months, today. Weird…I feel like I just got here, but then I feel like I have been out for a year and a half because of the crazy experiences that I have been through. Hahaha! But then it also feels like I have been out 7 months and that I still have quite an exciting mission ahead of me.

Moses held the keys to the Gathering of Israel. The 12 Tribes of Israel were scattered throughout history. Before Jesus Christ comes again, the whole House of Israel will be gathered together. It was prophesied of in the Bible that those gathering keys would be restored.

Kirtland Temple

After the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Priesthood was restored which is the authorized power to act in God’s name. Joseph Smith, the prophet, was commanded by God to build tabernacles—temples—once again. In Kirtland, Ohio, the Saints of the latter-days once again established the Lord's holy house again for the world. Many heavenly messengers appeared in that holy temple including Moses. Moses conferred the keys to the gathering of Israel in the last days as prophesied centuries earlier. Missionaries then were called to spread the gospel throughout the world.

Those keys have passed down from prophet to prophet. Last October during the General Conference to the World, President Thomas S. Monson—the prophet and president of the church—turned the key to the Gathering of by lowering the age of missionary service. Because of that prophetic declaration, missionary service has spiked worldwide. Church News Release on New Age Requirements

This next transfer 40 new missionaries are arriving in my mission. Worldwide 58 new missions are being created, which will affect the boundaries of my mission here in Charlotte, North Carolina. Changes will be effective in June and we are excited to hear the details. The influx of missionaries affects my mission term as well. Because of the 1/3 shortening of the stay at the MTC I will be coming home 1 week earlier that expected. I was kind of upset about that. This means the next transfer will be on the 6th of March here. I will most likely be staying because I am training a new missionary.

It is amazing to watch the literal gathering taking place and it is just one more reason to shout that this is the ONLY true Church of Jesus Christ himself, because no other way is this literal gathering taking flight. I testify that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet and holds those sacred keys and power.

Dad you will be pleased to know that I have started to read the New Testament. I am marking and cross-referencing everything and it is tedious but truly amazing. I have a great zeal toward learning and obtaining knowledge.

There were a lot of great spiritual experiences this week but too little time to share. Basically Elder Call and I felt like we should go visit a recently baptized family, and teach them about temples. It turns out that we called them in the middle of an argument but they let us come over. We brought The Spirit into their house and they both felt it as we walked in and shared a message about temples and families. It was pretty neat. We left and their conflicts were gone. We both had no idea until the next day when they told us about what was going on. It was pretty cool.

Well, that’s pretty much it for me here in the South.

Congrats to Maggie on your mission call!!! Texas is awesome and it is still a part of the South! Oh yeah!!! But you need to write me!!!!!!!! My mailbox is kinda empty lately and Elder Call keeps getting tons of mail. Hahah! I remember those days.

Love ya'll!!!!

Love,

Elder Gomm