ANOTHER AWESOME WEEK IN THE SOUTH...OUT YONDER!

22 August 2011

Hey Everyone!! How are things going? How is Church?and how is all the goodness???

Things here are going really well! We're looking to baptise possibly 3 people this week! We had a car fast (?) the other day and we ended up teaching a bunch of great lessons and getting in contact with some former investigators.

It's been really hot and really humid here. I never thought I would have to wipe off with a towel so much in one day here in the South. We've got a ton of people asking us what kinds of southern food we haven't heard of yet...haha!...so we're catching up on the food here!

This is what I'm talking about!! Yeah!



Elder Zollinger and I are doing really well. We just had a lesson the other day with some folks and they seem interested in our message and want to learn more. We're getting geared up to teach them more and answer all of their questions. We might be put on the spot with a preacher that is in their bible study group soon. If we do go, we'll be in the middle of a bunch of people asking us questions. It will be interesting to see what will happen - seeing as how we have the Book of Mormon. We'll definitely have to have them read

John 14:12...."Verily, Verily I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

Matthew 3

3 Nephi 27:18-21..18."And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words. 19.And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. 20. Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. 21. Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;"

So....wish us luck. We'll see what they think. Hope we can go and talk with them about the gospel.

We recently had a preacher express his sorrow for us. He said that we should read the KJV of the Bible and that our works are nothing - because they don't save us. Basically, when we visit with people we have to try and correct them on their own doctrine. They like to pick and choose and we keep busy giving them references to their questions from the KJV of the Bible...so it's very interesting...

The other day we encountered someone who proceeded to tell me what they think we believe! It was tough to get my word across. I tried to correct him on our beliefs and referred him to mormon.org and then I bore my testimony. It was hard for me....because I was trembling and the love I have for the scriptures. I feel frustration when I'm bearing testimony to others who will not ever listen and yet have not ever lived the gospel or have ever read The Book of Mormon.

Doing the work in Virginia!!

Well, let me know how things are going. I hope the Singles' branch is going well and that the 4th Ward is going well also. Tell everyone I said "Hey WHATS UP!" haha!

Love y'all

Elder Richards

Virginia Richmond Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter Day Saints!

15 August 2011 Hello Family!

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for the email's and pics! That was awesome to see that y'all went to see the Zollingers! Haha! Something that my companion and I cooked up. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

I wanted to tell you that a young man by the  name of Jason Harder just got called to the Washington Tacoma mission. I thought that you should also know that his family was in my last area. Jason is super stoked to be a missionary!

Remember if you see him that your son E. Richards went on exchanges with him and visited with his family often....just fyi!

Other great times here in the mission.....we're now doing genealogy for people and using FamilySearch to help people with the past....so I won't be too far behind you mom! Haha! It's something our mission is doing that's new but very effective in getting new people to teach.

Dad - I'm stoked that you are remembering more from your mission. You SHOULD WRITE THOSE MEMORIES DOWN. That way we have more in common, and the more I can tell you when I get home - I'll also be asking you more of your experiences on your mission.....so be sure to write them down. I hope that you're doing great! and that work is going well.

Something that just came to mind was something that Uncle Dan said to me before I left, "I didn't believe in what I sold"....which is sad. In my last night in the MTC, Elder Holland spoke to us about the purpose of "Preach My Gospel". "It is to first convert the missionary and then to teach beyond their own conversion". I can't look at the gospel as something to sell, because it's FREE! and we can achieve anything we want. We must all be backed up to the wall of faith and it is there that we must make our stand - to rise above the rest or fall into darkness and confusion.

So with that said, I'm super greatful that I have the family that I have - that we all have a goal in  mind and are firm in sticking to it.

Thank you Mom and Dad for your examples and righteousness. I'm greatful for the discipline that I had over the years and all of the good times and hard times that have led me to be on a mission.

I love you all and I hope all is going well.

Love your son and Missionary,
E. Richards :-)

Going fishing on P-DAY!



Companion study w/ E. Zollinger



And here we are in living color!