Happy Birthday Elder Todd! 21 and happy in Ubon.

Busy week in Udon!

Working with people of Ubon!

Tolman and Todd in Tuk Tuk

February 18, 2013

Hey Todd family!

Isn't life just peachy? Things can't get much better than they are! 

Thanks for all of your birthday wishes!  I love you and thank you all! 

And for Christian, I'm really excited for you! A mission in Texas will be a great experience. It sounds like there are going to be a lot of  mission calls coming soon.  That's good,  because there is a lot of work to be done. 

Things here in Ubon are really going well. I feel blessed that the Lord sent me here. And things are so great with Elder Tolman! We've had a lot to do and been super busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

So, as far as highlights from this week--they're all connected with the wonderful people that I've been blessed to work with. 

Sister Boom has now come to understand the Sabbath day. She didn't really understand it before. But now she's looking really good to make her baptism on Saturday! We're looking forward to that! It will be a great day. We didn't really get to see her a whole lot this week. It just so happens that her schedule for work interferes with our proselyting hours. 

Ton is also doing really well! He has a humble heart  and good intentions. He loves the activities and the friends that he has made in the Church. We're working with him on getting the fundamentals down. He's really struggling with reading. It's hard because there is a different language form of speech used for reading books.  And the Book of Mormon uses a TON of hi-so, formal, and royal vocabulary. So, a lot of the people out here don't quite get it. But the cool thing is the more he reads, the more he understands. He should be looking good for a March baptism. 

We are also teaching a couple named Pong and Can. They have two daughters that are members. They are way good! We had an absolutely amazing lesson with them this last week. 

Elder Tolman and I have been looking for ways to improve our teaching. One of the things that a member in Asoke mentioned is that people don't understand enough about the Savior.  So we made a goal to teach from the Bible along with the Book of Mormon. It's a bit of a problem. In the MTC there was almost a negative attitude towards the translation of the Thai Bible and a lot of people, as a result, don't use it. But they recently came out with a new translation, translated from Hebrew. It's actually not too bad and seems, in some ways, to be more accurate with definitions that are in the Bible Dictionary.  So we decided we're going to start using it as we teach about the ministry of Christ.  

In our lesson with Pong, we used EVERY book of Scripture:  The Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. We're so blessed that we had so much scripture to explain what we were teaching. 

Do we ever murmur that God gives us so much of His word? Why should we? So often we say, "A Bible, a Bible, we have a Bible, it's called the Book of Mormon, and we need no more Bible." We need to really use the full cannon of scripture to the convincing of the Jew and gentile that Jesus is the Christ. I testify that He is. The first principle of the gospel is faith in HIM. Principles 2, 3 4, 20, 90 cannot come until we have that faith. 

Oh, so back to the lesson.  It was AMAZING. We taught about the Plan of Salvation. The Spirit was so strong and they expressed their desires to be baptized! We were so grateful that the Spirit unfolded these things to their understanding. 

I testify that as we use the scriptures, we will have greater light and understanding come into our lives. It is the word of God, and there is power therein. Never neglect it, or fail to read. I love you all. Have a great week! Go make someone smile!

-- 
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Happy Missionaries in Ubon

Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:16
From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net

Hello Hello!
How are you all doing? I honestly cannot believe how fast this last week went. I think I say that a lot, but hey, it's true. 
Things here in Ubon are really good.   Marie Livingston served here. I've seen some of her records. That's been fun!   
SO where to start? I don't know. 
How about with our investigators. That is why I'm here afterall. So here they are. 
I talked about Sister Boom. She's good. She's really nice and really wants to be baptized. She interviewed this week and passed!  Plans were made for her baptism next Saturday. But yesterday, she went to work, and she didn't keep the Sabbath. As a result, she will have to wait to be baptized. It's sad. And it may seem a little harsh.  But it's something that is a problem. 
Preach My Gospel tells us the importance of the Sabbath. It teaches that if we grow careless in our reverence for the Sabbath, our religious life decays, and all aspects of life will be negatively affected. 
Something that I'm learning over and over is obedience. I think I talk about it ALL THE TIME. But it IS the first law of heaven. We simply can't have the Spirit without being worthy. We must, "go out from among the wicked, and be clean... that bear the vessels of the Lord. (D&C 38:42)."  
I know Sister Boom will be baptized. She's got a lot of really good desire. Her husband is also started learning with us. His name in Gan. He is good too.  He's a little slower when it comes to learning. He dropped out of school in about ninth grade, but he likes going to church. He's got a smoking problem--about 20 cigarettes a day. But he's down from 30 at the beginning of the week. He said he believes in God because he sees that people can change. It's so true. Believe it or not, we are not cast in stone. We can change through the atonement of Christ the Lord. We can improve ourselves each day. That's the promise of the atonement, the conditions of repentance, the miracle of forgiveness. It's all about becoming. The Lord doesn't see as we do. "For the Lord looketh upon the Heart" 1 Samuel 16:7 (I think that's the reference.) 
I'm out of time. But really quickly before I sign off, here is an update of our other investigators. We are teaching a man named Ton. He's good We've only taught him once. He needs the basics. 
We're also teaching a man named Phong. His daughters are members, and he's really solid. He's just waiting for a sign, so we're working with him about knowing by the power of the Holy Ghost, since, "by the power of the Holy Ghost ye shall know the truth of all things.(Moroni 10:5)."   If that's wrong it's because I can't remember how to say it in English.
Well, I love you all TONS! Be obedient and faithful!

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Todd and Tolman-Companions at last!

Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2013 11:47

What a week! Things here are fantastic as ever!
So, BIG NEWS!! I'm not sure if you knew, but the countries of Laos and Myanmar are in our mission. Well, this last week, the Lord's hand was stretched forth. Here is what I can say about Laos: 
"By invitation, the Thailand Bangkok Mission received approval to have four young service volunteers to labor in Vientiane, Laos.  These service volunteers will work with Deseret International Charities under the direction of the Senior Couples who are located in Vientiane, and will be involved in a variety of humanitarian and educational service opportunities, including clean water projects, hygiene, neo-natal education and English language instruction.  The young volunteers will also support the Branch activities of the Laotian Saints in Vientiane, Laos.  The Church is not yet officially recognized in Laos and this recent activity is for the purpose of providing additional educational and humanitarian service."

Pretty amazing if you ask me. 
Well, I also got transferred. I'm now serving in Ubon! It's way out in the Easaan. And my new companion is.... Elder Tolman!!! We finally get to be companions! Things are great! It's a whitewash.  Neither of us have ever served here, but luckily Elder Tolman served in nearby Yasothorn, so he kind of knows the area. It's just the two of us here. There were a lot of changes in areas last transfers, so some of the companionships got moved out because we're short on man power. We're waiting to get that increase in missionary complement. 
It was sad to leave Pakkret and all those members and investigators, but we feel that there will be great adventures here for us. Lek and Tiger passed their interviews for baptism. I'm sad I won't get to see there baptisms, but it's comforting to know that they'll happen! 
So, We haven't really had a whole lot of time to work here yet. Thursday we had transfers, then Friday we had zone leader council in Bangkok, then we got on a train on Friday night and came up here! It was nuts. We were in the dead center of Bangkok, and we were trying to get a taxi to take us and all of our bags to the train station. It was rush hour, traffic was worse than usual, and no one would take us. We were kind of panicking and we weren't sure whether or not we'd make our train. But guess what we did! We prayed. We felt the impression to call the Assistants, Elder Benjamin and Elder Heap. So we did. They had just finished a teaching appointment and were close. They came and picked us up in their van. Then they got us to the train station on time! It was amazing. What was anticipated to take well over an hour took us not even 30 minutes in rush hour traffic. We just kept hitting green lights. I know that it was because the Lord made things possible. We were so grateful.
We made it up here on Saturday morning. We got our stuff all into the house and we started trying to figure out things here. It's been a little bit of a challenge just because everything is so new to us, but it's so much fun.
Elder Tolman is as great as ever. The branch here is big. The district president told us that they've had almost 150 at church! That's a ton! So I'm really excited to be here. We've got some investigators too. I don't know them very well, but they were at church yesterday and they have baptismal dates. One is Sister Boom. She seems good and really humble. And the other is Brother Ton. I'll give you more info about them as things move forward.
One thing that I want to share with you is from 2 Nephi 21:2-5. It talks about Jesus Christ, and how He was blessed with the ability to judge because the Spirit gave it to Him. It's something that Elder Tolman and I will be focusing on here; how to follow the Spirit more. This coming week I encourage you all to study from chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel, and try and give a greater role to the Holy Ghost in everything you do. We are promised that if we use the Holy Ghost for our guide, we shall not be deceived. 
I love you all! Be safe and strong and healthy! -- ้ด้วยความรัก
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Progress in Pakkret

January 27, 2013

Happy Almost February!

Can you believe it? The time is going by SO fast! It’s like sand slipping through my fingers. Or, to quote Jacob from the Book of Mormon, "The time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream..."

But we're doing all that we can to make the most of the next several months. One of the things that we have been talking about in our zone, is being diligent.  We’ve determined that diligence isn’t fulfilled by just running hard or going, going, going to accomplish things.  That won’t really be effective and isn’t the right way to be “diligent.”  Instead, we’re focusing on giving a consistent, concerted effort over a period of time. That's diligence!

 One scripture that has been on my mind lately, is something that the Prophet Joseph Smith said to a group of elders while traveling along the Missouri river. He stated, “But verily I say unto you, that it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief."(D&C 61:3)

That's something that I feel that the Lord wanted me to learn this week—how to really work smart. I feel like I’m also supposed to take the time to think about HIS children and determine what is it that THEY need.  I’m pondering how can I help THEM.

We did a zone training about discerning by the Spirit.  We discussed how instead of rushing up to someone and just throwing facts about the gospel at them,  we should really talk to them and LISTEN to them. Then, by the Spirit,  we should discern what it is that they need. It's hard. And we're working on developing that skill. But it's helped me to just take the time and care about the people more. 

This week was just really great!  So as you know, we've been focusing on less-active members. I can't remember if I told you this last week or not, but President Senior was telling me that what we're learning to do with less active people, will be of great benefit to me when I go home. He said that the things we are learning will really make a difference in the work that I will do in the church for the rest of my life.

We had some really great experiences with the less actives we saw this week. So we've been working with Sister Vaenda. She's been a member of the church most of her life. But recently, she has become kind of bitter. So instead of going over and calling her to repentance telling her to get back to church, we decided to follow Ammon's example. We had gone and cut her lawn the week before, and this week we were going to do some more clean up. We got there and just started to work, cleaning up her yard. We uncovered what I thought was a motorcycle trail, but as we worked we discovered it was an actual driveway.  It was a fully paved concrete driveway!  It had just gotten grown over to the point it was barely a trail.  

One interesting thing that popped into my head as I was working was that I should do my best work. I remember mom always saying to me, "Do a Todd job." She meant to do something worthy to put your name on it. But as soon as that thought entered my head, another line from Preach My Gospel came to mind.  "Honor Christ's name by your actions." I then changed my mindset from doing a Todd job, to making my work worthy of the Savior’s name.  I hoped Hewould be willing to claim our effort as His. That's what we all promised to do when we were baptized. We agreed to do His work when we took upon ourselves His sacred name. I pray that we will always live worthy of it.

Anyway that's not the end of the story. We were just talking to her and she said that she needed this help, and that the work we did in the name of the Savior was the motivation she needed to go to church. Can you imagine our joy when we saw her walk into the chapel yesterday? I'm so grateful for that. The Lord is looking over us. 

I only wish there was enough time for me to tell you everything good that happened because of the Lord pouring out His blessings. But I don't have enough time. One day.

Lek and Tiger are still progressing. They'll be interviewed again this Thursday! Then, because of district conference on Saturday and Sunday, they'll wait till the next week to get baptized.  They’re date should be Febrkuary 9th. But they really came forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits. The Spirit of the Lord wrought a change in their hearts. 

Sister Palm--oh man! She's golden! She's really progressing, she's starting to use the language of prayer correctly, which in Thai is difficult because you have to us a whole other vocabulary. It’s the Thai that’s used only when speaking to royalty or those of high rank. But she's getting it. Then on Saturday after the baptism of the Sri Lankan family she and our other investigator Tui were there. She told Tui to just get his act together and get a baptismal date! She said, “Isn't it just so great?”  He's really opening up to us as well. The Lord is sending us really prepared people! It's great! 

Well, thanks so much for all your prayers! Please continue to do so. I'll do the same.

Love you tons! 

Elder Todd

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The Lord is Hastening His work!

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 

Dear Family,

I was astonished yesterday when I woke up and realized that it was already Sunday again. I remember right before I left the MTC, I got a letter from Nate. He had just crossed his year mark. He said that the crazy thing was that people said year two goes even faster than year one. Like so many things in life, I didn't comprehend it until I experienced it myself. 

Time marches forward.  As we near the second coming of our Lord, He is hastening His work. That is something that President Senior talked to us about at Zone Leader Council, or Counsel as he wanted to call it. He said that we all know that the Lord is hastening his work. And what happens in a war when one side starts working faster? The other side does the same. It was a voice of warning raised. As this marvelous work goes forth we must step up in all things. 

That includes obedience. We'll be receiving an increase of missionaries in April, and one thing that we're really focusing on is establishing a culture of obedience. That is the culture of Christ. It's somehing that is crucial. I encourage you to continue to develop that culture wherever you live.  

One of the things that we talked about was less active members. After the meeting President told me, when you go home you're not going to be working with baptism as much as you are now. But you will be going home and have the responsibility to help the less actives. He told me to learn and develop this skill so that it may be of benefit to me always. 

We talked about following the Spirit and using discernment to talk to people on the street and finding out what it is they need. The Lord already knows, we just need to figure it out. It's something that's hard to teach, but we can learn  by experience. I was paired with Elder Banta from my MTC group. We were walking through this college campus talking about what things could help people. We felt that helping someone understand their divine nature, and individual worth would make a big difference in their lives. We saw this woman who just had a worldy look about her. We went up and asked her if she new what her individual worth and divine nature were. She was a little shocked, but we testified to her that we are all children of God. We told her that He loves us and has prepared many things for us. And that our potential is greater that we know. She was left with a feeling of wonder. But she should be looking to take the lessons.

It reminds me of what Paul wrote:  

1 Corinthians 2:9

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

If only we could all begin to understand this scripture. There are great things that Heavenly Father sees in us, and expects from us. 

One thing that was really cool happened yesterday at church.  A member brought two visitors; her boss and his wife from, Iran. They didn't speak Thai so we got to translate for them. It was really fun. They were nice. They took copies of the Book of Mormon in Persian with them. I figure in countries like that, the Lord has specific purposes for those copies of the Book of Mormon. 

I was a sad about our investigators this week. Lek didn't pass her interview. She had a problem with a sin in the past and needs to meet with one of the counselors in the mission presidency to resolve it.  As a result her son Tiger won't be getting baptized until she is ready. I'm confident they will still be baptized.  Hopefully it won't be too long. Please keep them in your prayers. 

Ni Naa is also having struggles. Her mom is not happy with Christianity. She is very strict Buddhist. But Ni Naa still wants to change. Please pray that her mothers heart will be softened.

One last experience,  well two,  happened yesterday. The first was that I had the opportunity to interview 2 Sri Lankan boys for baptism. It was really interesting to do it because it was in English. They're refugees here, and don't speak English super well. And the interpreter didn't make it!  So we decided to go forward and follow the Spirit. It was so sad to hear what they had been through coming from Sri Lanka. They feel that Thailand is like the promise land. They shared experiences how they just know God had stretched forth His hand in their lives. 

Then Last night there was another lady who I was blessed to interview. It was amazing. The first thing she told me was that she and her husband have a goal to be sealed in the temple. Also she wants to be baptized that she may receive eternal life. That's a really good reason! She has been learning the gospel for about a year, because she has been waiting for her husband, who is a member, to be ready to baptize her.  She just really opened up and shared her very strong testimony of the Atonement. It was really special. I love getting to interview because other people's testimonies build mine up. The Spirit really just builds and enlightens both of us. 

I'm so grateful to God, and for His Mercy. I love you all so much!

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Miracles continue in Pakkret!

Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2013 
Hey Mom, Dad, Jennifer and John, Cate and Dave, Brooke and Lauren!

Happy Children's Day! This last Saturday was children's day here. Basically it's a day just for kids. We were assigned to go to some service at a community center with some kids and their parents. Usually for service we don't do things involving children, because of increasing legal complexities. But we got to go and we just played a bunch of games with them, like:  "Elder Says,"  the hokey pokey, three legged red light green light, and they showed us the Thai version of duck duck goose, which is way more fun. 

The community appreciated it. The parents all seemed so grateful, and it was a chance to think like the Savior taught, "suffer the little children." I was reminded that the children are the future. And so it is with the church. Without the rising generation, the church, the kingdom has no future. That is why the role that Jennifer and John will be taking on here soon is so crucial. Church leaders have taught for years that "the most important of the Lord's work [we] will ever do will be within the walls of [our] own homes." Mom and Dad, thank you for doing a great job.

One thing that I'd like to share with you from my studies this week is something that I have started doing recently.  I wish I would have done it my whole mission. Thomas Edison said; ''The value of an idea lies in the using of the idea." The same is true with knowledge that the Lord blesses us with. If we don't apply the things that we learn as we study the scriptures, then our study is without profit. So, as I try to improve myself and become what the Lord sees me as, I have begun to write a conclusion at the end of my studies. What I learned and what I will apply. I feel like things are going well, because I can pray at the end of my study for the Lord to help me with those things for that day, then turn it into a  regular thing.

So here's the rundown. First off-- Sister Nong. She's doing really well! It was really funny when we went over to teach her. She said, 'Elder, I have a question. Is the lottery that the government supports, against the church policy? We could have just answered her question. But I rememberd what I had read from the book "True to the Faith." So we read it together. That The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is opposed to all forms of gambling including government sponsored lotteries. She said, Oh. Ok. Her sister then said we all told you! All 6 of us said it till we were red in the face! Then she said, we should have pulled out the book sooner. It's the same with teaching. We need to always teach from the scriptures, from the manuals that give authority to our words. It is for that reason that the Lord has blessed us with these things. She's doing really well.

For Lek and Tiger. They're looking at making the date for the 26. We were mistaken. They had committed to the 26.  They are ready and know that they're ready. 

Then Ni Naa. She is really progressing. The way that she came to our church after the Catholic church in Germany is amazing. Thai people don't differentiate between churches. They think, "Oh they believe in Christ. They're all the same." The Lord has used that to His advantage with people who have become interested in Christianity overseas. It's been a great blessing to see people brought to the true and living church. She's  doing really well. Her parents don't want her to go to church and be baptized, but she said she's felt that there is something inside of her telling her that she can communicate with God. The Lord has prepared her.

Then our other dater, her name is Palm, like a palm tree. She has a baptism date for the 22nd of February. She's got a little issue with coming to church, but she found a way yesterday which I think will only build her faith that the Lord can and will make it possible. She came to English class and that's how we found her. So she's looking really good on her progressing. She said she's 80% sure that this is true. She just needs to check the other 20%

Then yesterday, we had an astounding 7 walk ins to church. 4 in our area! They came and were talking to us. The son asked me, "Did Joseph Smith really see what he said he saw?"  I was grateful that I was able to answer YES. I could because of the feelings that the Spirit of the Lord brought to my heart in that instant. It was different. Earlier in the week we had taught a couple who after hearing the Joseph SMith story said, "It's just a fantasy. It's just a story tale." I feel bad for them. It is one of the MOST important events that has ever happened. But if our hearts are hard, the Spirit of the Lord can't let us know that it's true.  But I testify that it is true. And that the church is true!  I love you all.

Be safe and faithful! Stay warm! 

-- 
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Elder Todd and Elder Doria Comps in MTC & Pakkret

Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 

From: bryan.todd@myldsmail.net

Hello Todd Family!

How are you doing? This last week was a busy one! It was great! One of the biggest events was that we moved houses. I always heard that it was a pain to close down an old missionary house. It is. There was SO much junk that missionaries had left there. But the move went well. 

That's not super important though. Here's what is. We've really been seeing the Lord's hand this last week. I'm as humbled as ever to be reminded that this is His work.

When President Senior first got to Thailand, there was an new emphasis placed on working with the less-active members and bringing them back to church. President told us that it was the Lord's will that we work through them, and that as we did so, we would be blessed. Once the mission made the change, we set a record for baptisms in one month. As we continued we still had high numbers of baptisms.  But as of late, we've slowed down on both number of baptisms and reactivation work. 

I believe that there is an interesting correlation between the two. We can't look at them as two unrelated things. When it comes down to it, it is the same redemptive work of God. So we're placing an emphasis on it. We went into MLS and we got a list of the whole branch--some 460 members. We have only 102 on average who are active. SO, where are the rest? We started working on locating them. And as we did the Lord brought us investigators. It's kind of like how Elder Holland said last conference in paraphrasing the Savior, "if I want fish, I can get fish.." Well if the Lord wants investigators, He can get investigators. So here's the rundown on the investigators. 

Lek and Tiger. They're doing well. Not a whole lot new with them. They have dates for the 19th. A mother and a son.

Nina. She walked into church yesterday. She had wanted to go to church for years but her parents would not let her. She went to study abroad in Germany and went into a Catholic church. Then, upon coming back to Thailand, she came to church with us yesterday! She want's to follow the Savior. She should be getting baptized on the 26 of this month! We'll have to work more with her, but I'm feeling really optimistic! She already had a Bible and is reading it. Now she has a Book of Mormon too! 

Then Brother Tui, another walk-in from last week. He's really beginning to progress. He still doesn't understand a whole lot, but he's reading and praying. He's starting the first steps. We're teaching him about the Savior more in depth tonight. We're going to watch a movie with him at an FHE. That will be great for him! 

We had a member bring his two friends, another walk in that's also starting to learn.  

It's really good here. I'm learning a lot about the importance of consecration. Right now we're working as a zone on a 40 day fast. We made a list of anything that pokes at our spiritual side. Anything that doesn't let the Spirit work with us and we're fasting from it for the next 40 days. It's based off of a talk by Gene R. Cook. 

Sorry today is so short! I'm short on time I love you all!

-- 
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