NOVEMBER HARVESTER

The Harvester
 OHIO COLUMBUS MISSION
 November 2012

* Sorry, I am experiencing technical difficulties so the print is off and I've no time to worry about getting the spacing right. Please enjoy anyway! kzn


The Great Ohio 500!
 President & Sister Nilsen

Dean Karnazes has been described as "The world's most famous ultra marathon runner.” He
ran 135 miles nonstop across Death Valley in 120 degrees and a marathon to the South Pole at -40
degrees. In 2006, he ran 50 marathons in all 50 states in 50 consecutive days, finishing with the
NYC Marathon, which he completed in three hours and thirty seconds, that’s an average of 6.8
minutes per mile! While most people would call him extraordinary, he is quoted as saying:

“I wasn’t born with any innate talent. I’ve never been naturally gifted at anything. I always
had to work at it. The only way I knew how to succeed was to try harder than anyone else. Dogged
persistence is what got me through life. But here was something I was half-decent at. Being able to
run great distances was the one thing that I could offer the world. Others might be faster, but I
could go longer. My strongest quality is that I never give up.”

We’ve all been given the advice that a mission is like a marathon, and it really is the ulti-
mate ultra marathon. We’ve been told that we should pace ourselves, that it’s not a sprint but as we
enter the last two months of 2012…it is a sprint and we are all signed up for The Great Ohio 500!
Last year, with the help of our Savior, we were able to guide 361 daughters and sons, “that they
might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” As of today, we have
already baptized 393 people with two months to go and only 107 (or more) future Saints to lead,
guide and walk beside to eternal ordinances.

What do we need to do in order to win this race for souls? In the words of the Savior, “Ye
should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with
power from on high… Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you…I give unto you to be
the light of this people…Be not afraid, only believe…If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear…
Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall re-
ceive…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… Open your mouths and
they shall be filled… And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face.
I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels
round about you to bear you up…I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people…it is the
eleventh hour.”

Believe. Love. Listen. Jesus’ call, ‘Come follow me’ echoes across the earth. The prepared are
waiting to be rescued, “And they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of
our hearts.”
-----------------------------


Why?

David W. Martin
Ohio Columbus Mission Executive Secretary

I arrived in the mission field in November 1977. My group of nine missionaries met at the mission home where the
mission president asked each missionary to explain why he or she was there. If I remember correctly, there were nine
different answers, ranging from, “my parents wanted me to go,” to “my girlfriend won’t marry me if I don’t serve a
mission,” to “I want to follow the prophet.” Then he asked, “Which is the correct answer?” We were all surprised
when he said, “All of them!” He went on to explain that whatever it was that motivated us to enter the mission field
was good. Then he said, “In the next few weeks and months, you’ll learn the real reason why you are here.”

In individual study, companion study, district training, and zone conferences, the “how” and “what” is taught in great
detail. For example:

How do we motivate members to find people to teach?
What do we teach our investigators?
How should I treat my companion, who is a little down right now?
What should we plan for the next zone conference training?
How do we extend a baptismal invitation on the first visit?
How do we get a father to pray in front of his family?

We are very good at understanding and teaching the “how” and “what” of missionary work. But, shouldn’t we start
with “why”? Why are you in Zanesville right now, or Middletown, Powell, or Dayton? Why did you walk in the rain
for two hours yesterday? Why did you smile at the rude person who slammed the door in your face?

After a short while, our original “why” we are serving a mission, if it is one of those ranging from “my parents
wanted me to go,” to “my girlfriend won’t marry me if I don’t serve a mission,” begins to fade, and the real reason of
“why” comes forward. When we individually come to the realization of the real reason “why” we are serving the
Lord on a full-time mission is when we will begin to feel that the Lord trusts us with His children. That is when we
will find joy in the service of others. That is when we will love each day of our mission.

I can’t tell you why you are serving the Lord on a full-time mission. But, I will tell you why I went on a full-time
mission to Idaho. I will tell you why I accepted a call to serve in the young men organization, seminary program,
primary organization, elders quorum, bishopric, high council, stake presidency, and now mission presidency. I will
tell you why I felt such excitement when Elder McClellan and Elder Steglich handed me a nametag with “Elder Mar-
tin” engraved on it.

My why is from three scriptures that you have, I’m sure, memorized:

Heavenly Father’s work, and what makes Him happy, is bringing His children back to live with Him. To return to
live in God’s presence, one must be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. He has invited His disciples to assist in this
great work.

I love Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I am trying my best, as weak as I am, to align my
desires with theirs. I want to be one of the Lord’s disciples. When I am asked to serve the Lord, I consider the calling
a gift. It helps me to realize that the Lord hasn’t lost track of me, and in fact, wants me to help Him in a particular
way.
-------------------------------------
 November Birthdays!


November 2 Sister Richardson
November 3 Elder Larson Sr.
November 9 Elder Unzaga
November 9 Elder Mudrow
November 11 Elder Beaudoin
November 11 Elder Gayer
November 13 Elder Stewart
November 16 Elder Culler
November 17 Elder Ross
November 18 Elder Jared Johnson
November 20 Sister Young
November 21 Elder Irwin
November 23 Sister Mudd
November 23 Christensen
November 24 Elder Alger
November 25 Elder Allen
November 29 Sister Bradford
-------------------------------------------


Redneck Cleanup—Part 2

We thought we might have to write a second edition of the “You know your apartments
need to be cleaned if……” but many of you have taken heed and been working hard on completing
those tasks. We do have just a few, however, that may perk your interest. So here goes. You
know you need to clean your apartment IF………………..

*The dead, “fried” mouse behind your stove is putting out an odor that will keep you awake.
*Your bed (on no frames) is still in your “living room”. Have you been to the Mission Home lately and seen President
Nilsen’s bed in the middle of the living room? He can be in the middle of all the fun activities and catch a little
sleep in between too. I think not!!!
*Your broken washer has water running out on all sides. Call us for help immediately!!
*The clutter in your study area and bedroom (or is that the living room?) resembles a scene from hurricane Sandy. Pick it
up!

As missionaries, you have been promised the ministering of angels. (D&C 84:88) Keep your living quarters clean and neat so
angels will be able to enter. Clutter and neglect can cause contention and discouragement, both of which are of the adver-
sary. Orderliness and cleanliness are conducive to receiving the spirit. You need the spirit to continually abide with you in order
to be effective in your service. Following are some tips:

*Have a place for everything and keep everything in its place.
*Keep your house “dejunked.” Throw away, put away or give away.
*Do today’s work today. Make your bed, prepare and serve meals, do the dishes, dispose of garbage or trash and keep
things picked up, wiped off, put away, or thrown away. Leave any area better than you found it!
*Be organized. Plan your work and work your plan. Have a system for keeping track of papers in binders, file folders and
so on. Keep notes on appointments, tracting areas, follow-ups, dinner invitations, references for talks, thoughts for your
letters home.
*Be prepared—there’s no substitute for preparation. You knew yesterday you would be hungry today. Have food in your
house. You knew yesterday you would need clean clothes today. Keep your laundry current.

The Clean Apartment Award for October goes to Greenville: Elder Allen and Elder Maher
Honorable Mention this month goes to the following Elders: Bracken/Francom (Sidney), Riquelme/
Henke (Piqua), Riggs/Cobabe (Miamisburg), Saunders/Robinson (Dayton), J. Turner/K. Smith
(Pickerington 2), Hemmert/Coughlan (Athens).

We found great improvement this month and commend you for your efforts. Please continue to keep it
up!!!
We Love you, Elder & Sister Wursten
---------------------------------------------


Our Standard of Excellence

1. We are 100% obedient all the time.
2. We are ALWAYS FINDING.
3. We SERVE the members and EARN their
referrals.
4. We INVITE all new investigators during the first lesson
to pray, read the Book of Mormon, attend church, and be
baptized. (We strongly encourage informal chapel tours.)
5. We ACHIEVE our goals through faith, prayer, fasting
and exceptionally hard and smart work.

1. We have 80% + “member present” for lessons after the
first discussion.
2. We find 3 or more new investigators each week. We
always have 15-20 part-member or less-active families/
individuals we are serving.
3. We have at least two investigators at church each week
focused on the Ordinance of the Sacrament.
4. We teach 20+ lessons a week.
5. We complete at least one short service project per week,
preferably serving our Bishops and Ward Mission Lead-
ers and others under their direction. We build trust and
earn their referrals.
6. We achieve all of our morning schedules —- 100% per

Week—the foundation of our day. This includes role
playing for the members and investigators that we teach.

Weekly/Monthly Companionship Goal
Baptize one person or family every week/month!
------------------------------------------



SPANISH MESSAGE

Esta mes tuvimos la oportunidad a escuchar la voz de nuestro profeta. Que bendición no? Como miembros de la Iglesia
de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días tenemos la bendición especial de un profeta viviente que recibe revelación para
los hijos de Dios aquí en la tierra. De la Biblia sabemos que “no hará nada Jehová el Señor sin que revele su secreto a sus siervos
los profetas.” Entonces es solo por los profetas que podemos saber los secretos o sea el Evangelio eterno de Dios. Podemos leer
las palabras de los profetas antiguos en las escrituras y aprender del evangelio y de los mandamientos de Dios.

Podemos recibir muchas bendiciones por seguir lo que los profetas dicen. En Predicad Mi Evangelio dice “Los que
escuchen y sigan el consejo de los profetas y apóstoles vivientes no se desviarán. Las enseñanzas de los profetas vivientes
proporcionan un ancla de verdad eterna en un mundo de valores cambiantes y nos ayudan a evitar la desdicha y el pesar.” No
sabemos que piensan ustedes pero queremos ser felices y evitar la desdicha y el pesar.

También con un profeta viene la autoridad de Dios. Los profetas y la autoridad que tienen ellos, son una manifestación
del amor de Dios. “Dios demuestra Su amor por nosotros es llamando a profetas, a quienes se les da el sacerdocio: el poder y la
autoridad de Dios.” (PME pagina 32). Como misioneros tenemos la responsabilidad de traer estas buenas noticias a todo el
mundo. Debemos compartir la felicidad que hemos recibido de teniendo un profeta viviente con nuestros hermanos y hermanas
para llevarles al amor de Dios.

Somos siervos de Dios y tenemos su poder y autoridad, recuerden la promesa que Dios nos ha dado “sea por mi propia
voz o por la voz de mis siervos, es lo mismo.” Sabemos que hay personas que quieren la dirección y felicidad que vienen por un
profeta. Entonces vayamos a trabajar para ayudarles encontrar esta dirección. Les Amamos Elderes.
-Elder Hales y Elder Ragan

Venid y Escuchad la voz del Profeta
------------------------------------------------

Newly Arrived Couples!

ELDER AND SISTER ROBINSON


Mary and I were born and raised in Utah—Lehi and
American Fork. After graduation from B.Y.U., I became
employed by the Boy Scouts of America and we moved to
central, then southern California; then on to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin; Kirtland, Ohio; Ogden, Utah; Portland, Oregon;
back to California, and finally Irving, Texas. After retire-
ment we moved back to Alpine, Utah.

We have three children,15 grandchildren and 9 great grand-
children. We have enjoyed the opportunity to serve
the Church in many callings in different parts of the coun-
try, from a small Ward in Wisconsin, a Young Single Adult
Branch in California, as well as traditional wards in the
other areas. We enjoyed and were able to participate in
missionary work with friends and neighbors in each area.

Upon retirement we decided to serve in the Temple. Grant
played a little golf and Mary became involved with the chil-
dren and grandchildren.

We were very excited when we found out we would be
coming back to Ohio and are looking forward to serving the
small Branch here in Jackson.

ELDER AND SISTER HUGHES'

OSU

INSTITUTE

Elder Robert and Sister Barbara Hughes are serving as CES
specialists at the Columbus Ohio Institute just a block from
Ohio State University campus. They are from Spanish Fork,
Utah, where Elder Hughes was self-employed in the Insur-
ance Business. They are the parents of 7 children and have
14 grandchildren.

Brother Hughes has been involved in student wards at BYU
for the past few years, and Sister Hughes has enjoyed serv-
ing in her ward Young Women and Relief Society auxilia-
ries. They have also served as temple workers in the Provo
Temple.

They enjoy being out of doors, getting exercise in the fresh
air and love to hike. They also enjoy spending time with
their children and grandchildren and participating in family
activities.

This is the first of (hopefully) several missions served to-
gether. Both of them enjoy being around young single adults
and are excited to help serve and build the Lord's kingdom
in the great Ohio.

-------------------------------------------

NEW ARRIVALS!


Sister Brittany Sue Anderson
Springville, Utah

Elder Derek Bowler
Taylor, Arizona

Elder Travis Michael Clark
Bedford, Wyoming

Elder Brenner M. Coughland
Blackfoot, Idaho

Elder Ephraim Kade DeCoursey
Kennewick, Washington

Elder Tyler Jason Doermann
Highland, Utah

Elder Michael Reece Epperson
Bountiful, Utah

Elder Harry Alexander Foster
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Sister Mary Elizabeth Green
Colonial Heights, Virginia

Elder Jordan Eric Hogan
Bountiful, Utah

Elder Cameron Levi Larson
Mesa, Arizona

Elder Jacob Hamblin Miles
American Fork, Utah

Elder Tyler William Moore
Genola, Utah

Elder Schuyler Thomas Robinson
Nampa, Idaho

Elder Adam Michael Thompson
Mesa, Arizona
----------------------------------------

Sleep, Glorious Sleep!

Sleep isn’t merely a time when your body and brain shut off. While you rest, your brain stays busy, keeping you running in top condition and preparing you for the day ahead. Without enough hours of restorative sleep, you’re like a car in need of
an oil change.

It’s not just the number of hours in bed that is important—it’s the quality of those hours of sleep. Your internal biological
clock is regulated by processes in the brain that respond to how long you’ve been awake and the changes between light and
dark. At night, your body responds to the loss of daylight by producing melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy. Dur-
ing the day, sunlight triggers the brain to inhibit melatonin production so you feel awake and alert.

While it may seem like losing sleep isn’t such a big deal, sleep deprivation has a wide range of negative effects such as:
fatigue, lack of motivation, moodiness and irritability, reduced creativity and problem-solving skills, inability to cope with
stress, frequent colds and infections, concentration and memory problems, weight gain, impaired motor skills and increased
risk of accidents, difficulty making decisions, increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.

There are four stages of sleep, all four are important.
Stage 1 (Transition to Sleep) – This stage lasts about five minutes. Eyes move slowly under the eyelids, muscle activity
slows down, and you are easily awakened.

Stage 2 (Light Sleep) - This is the first stage of true sleep, lasting from 10 to 25 minutes. Eye movement stops, heart rate
slows, and body temperature decreases.

Stage 3 (Deep Sleep) – You are difficult to awaken, and if you are awakened, you do not adjust immediately and often feel
groggy and disoriented for several minutes. In this deepest stage of sleep, brain waves are extremely slow. Blood flow is
directed away from the brain and towards the muscles, restoring physical energy.

Stage 4 (REM Sleep) - About 70 to 90 minutes after falling asleep, you enter REM sleep, where dreaming occurs. Eyes
move rapidly. Breathing is shallow. Heart rate and blood pressure increase. Arm and leg muscles are paralyzed, while the
brain is refreshed.

During the night, your sleep follows a predictable pattern. Together, the stages of REM and non-REM sleep form a com-
plete sleep cycle. Each cycle typically lasts about 90 minutes and repeats four to six times over the course of a night. The
amount of time you spend in each stage of sleep changes as the night progresses. For example, most deep sleep occurs in
the first half of the night. Later in the night, your REM sleep stages become longer, alternating with light Stage 2 sleep.
This is why if you are sensitive to waking up in the middle of the night, it is probably in the early morning hours, not im-
mediately after going to bed.

The most damaging effects of sleep deprivation are from inadequate deep sleep. Deep sleep is a time when the body repairs
itself and builds up energy for the day ahead. Just as deep sleep renews the body, REM sleep renews the mind. REM sleep
plays a key role in learning and memory. During REM sleep, your brain consolidates and processes the information you’ve
learned during the day, forms neural connections that strengthen memory, and replenish its supply of neurotransmitters,
including feel-good chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine that boost your mood during the day.

To get more mind and mood-boosting REM sleep, you may occasionally try getting to bed at 10:00 for an extra 30 min-
utes. Improving your overall sleep will also increase your REM sleep. If you aren’t getting enough deep sleep, your body
will try to make it up first, at the expense of REM sleep.

Here are some additional tips for good sleep hygiene:
Make the bedroom as dark as possible. Cover windows with foil or blankets, etc.
Keep the alarm clock far from your bed where you cannot check the time or see the light
Keep the room cool
Use a good pillow
Don’t drink two hours before bed
Don’t use caffeine
Don’t read in bed, train your body that your bed is for sleep
Do write in your journal or read your scriptures to calm your mind
Get eight hours of sleep! Your body and mind need it!

Sweet Dreams, Sister Nilsen
--------------------------------------------------------

TESTIMONIES OF DEPARTING MISSIONARIES


After two years, I know that serving a mission has been the
greatest learning experience of my life. It has given me the
chance to grow and solidify my own testimony. I know that Je-
sus Christ lives. I know that His Atonement is real. I have
learned that faith leads us to act sometimes even when things
don’t make sense. I know The Book of Mormon is the word of
God and because I know that, everything else falls into place. So
long Ohio. It was real and it was fun! In the name of Jesus
Christ, Amen.
Elder Kenneth Jones Blackburn

This Gospel changes people. It has changed me! It made me
decide to serve a mission and stay on my mission when things
got very rough. How grateful I am for these past two years! I
have been a witness to lives’ changed through this, Christ’s Gos-
pel, enough times to know it’s true! The experiences I’ve had
and the friendships I’ve gained here are my most valuable pos-
sessions! Like so many others, I will add my testimony that this
has been the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, and because
of that, the most rewarding. It is so worth it! I will be eternally
thankful for my time here. So keep doing the Lord’s work!
Don’t be ashamed of your faith! Proclaim it proudly. I will
stand by this Gospel when everything else falls away. I know it
to be true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Seth Richard Bushman

Elders & Sisters: I believe God to be real and I have come to
know of our divine heritage. We are, in fact, spiritual sons and
daughters of our Heavenly Father. He once walked as we do
now and desires for us to become like Him. He sent His Son as a
mediator so that this great work could be accomplished. I am
grateful for the Savior’s sacrifice so that we can return home. I
believe that we are sent here to spread His plan of redemption
that our brothers and sisters may also come to know of their
identity and strive to return home. I know these things are true
and I say them in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Chase Landon Hogan

My testimony of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and His Gospel
have been strengthened during the last fifteen months while serv-
ing this mission in the Great Ohio. It has been delightful to work
with President and Sister Nilsen and all the others in the mission.
I testify that God the Father lives; that His only begotten son,
Jesus Christ, also lives; and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has
been restored to the earth by revelation to the Prophet, Joseph
Smith. We continue to be led by prophets. The Priesthood has
been restored and we are privileged to be able to be a part of
bringing souls unto Christ here in the Ohio Columbus Mission.
Elder Sheldon Larsen

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the
foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth
that which is great.” (D&C 64:33)” For God hath not given us
the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound
mind.” (2 Tim 1:7) I love the testimonies of departing missionar-
ies!! I love and pray for ALL the missionaries in the Ohio Co-
lumbus mission. I see your hearts, your love for Heavenly Father
and Jesus and giving your all to show this love. What Joy! What
beauty! What joy Father must have because of you! Bless You!!!

Elder Olson & I have loved being missionaries! We have
loved being a part of the Great Ohio Mission!! Our lives
have been so richly blessed and our eyes have been opened
to a new joy that we have never experienced before. Our
love for our Heavenly Father's children has intensified and
grown. We know that the worth of a soul is great in our
Heavenly Father's eyes, and He loves and values all of His
children. Our joy has been full and we have been so privi-
leged to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! Mis-
sionary work is so exciting and rewarding. We are finding it
very hard to give it up. I think we have become addicted to
it!! We love being disciples of our Savior and feeding his
sheep! We have tended our little flock here in Adams
County, & have been blessed to see the changes come into
the lives of those who have accepted the gospel and entered
the waters of baptism. It is so wonderful to see the light of
the gospel shine in their faces and the joy the gospel brings
into their lives! We love the Adams Branch, President
Staub and his counselors Brother Mitchell & Brother
Rice. We love all the members of the Branch who work so
hard to serve in their callings. They are our dear brothers &
sisters and we will never forget them or their love and kind-
ness to us. We pray that the Branch will continue to grow
with the newly baptized members and become a Ward
soon! Our lives will never be the same after this wonderful
experience we have had serving a mission in Adams
Branch!! We love our Savior Jesus Christ and know that
He is the only begotten Son of our Heavenly Father. We
have a testimony that He lives and has atoned for all of our
sins, weaknesses, mistakes, illnesses & sorrows. We testify
that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God, called to restore
the gospel to the earth again once more in these Latter-
Days. He saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ and
sealed his testimony with his blood. We know that Thomas
S. Monson is a living prophet today. We sustain him as our
prophet and give our hearts and our actions to following his
counsel. The Church is true!
Love & Farwell to all, Elder & Sister Olson

My dear Elders and Sisters,
When it comes down to it we have only one decision to
make, whether or not to serve the Savior. This decision pre-
sents itself in many different ways. Mormon 8:38 says
"...Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an end-
less happiness than that misery which never dies--because
of the praise of the world?" This scripture played a huge
role in my decision to serve a mission. Even though I have
not always lived up to what it teaches, I know that endless
happiness is by far much greater. I have tasted the happi-
ness and the misery, both in the extremes, and testify that it
is just as Alma the younger says in Alma 36:21, the contrast
is incredible. I testify that Christ lives. I know He loves us
and He know us personally. I know that we may partake of
great joy with others when we bring them to a knowledge of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I testify that we have a living
prophet on the earth, and I bear solemn witness of the truth
and divinity of the Gospel. The Spirit has taught these
things to me and will teach them to you. Let Him.
"1. Each life that touches ours for good Reflects thine own
great mercy Lord; Thou sendest blessings from above Thru
words and deeds of those who love. 2. What greater gift
dost thou bestow, What greater goodness can we know
Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways Strengthen our


Thank You! I have loved being with you and being spiritually
fed together with you and through you. I love my Heavenly Fa-
ther. I know He loves us. He cares about little things. He
blesses us. He can change our hearts if we pray and ask. I love
prayer and all the scriptures. I love The Book of Mormon. I
love and appreciate Joseph Smith and testify of all he did—of his
faithful obedience and love to the Father. I love the Holy Ghost.
What a joy to feel his presence! I love how the Holy priesthood
of Heavenly Father transforms men into Godly beings! I know
that Jesus atoned for our sins so that we can be completely
cleansed and have a fullness of peace and joy. I know that the
plan of salvation is the true path to happiness and joy, whereby
we can be with the Father every day of our lives and after. Be-
coming like our Father is joy. Obeying what He asks will help
us grow to be like Him—loving and serving Him and loving and
serving our brothers and sisters. I say this in the name of Jesus
Christ, Amen.
Sister Sharon Larsen

The four in hand knot, pocket squares, tie dimples, Göt2b Glued,
mitered cuffs, shined shoes, table manners, matching socks to
slacks, good hygiene, tailored shirts, daily flossing, penmanship,
double vented suits, clean fingernails, hair parts, hand sanitizer,
Buckeye Blitz, car areas, permethrin, Burt’s Bees, Pilot G2 .38,
made beds, air conditioning, electric razors, cleanliness, main-
tained area books, useless deep doctrine, note taking, personal
study, marked scriptures, my two sons, accountability, obedi-
ence, compliments, gratitude, Elder Tolman, being an example,
sanctification, consecration, personal revelation, some of you,
the senior couples, the scriptures, Sister Nilsen, President Nilsen,
and our Savior Jesus Christ. I have been blessed with the oppor-
tunity of learning to love these people and these things because
of the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, which I proudly
bear. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Asher Lee Long

What a sacred privilege it has been to serve the Lord as one of
his full time missionaries and in the fullness of time. I have
come to know my Savior over the course of these two years in a
way that I never thought possible. He has, in a very real way,
become my personal Savior. I have felt His love for me and for
those around me and I have seen His love manifest through the
great people the Lord has placed in my life. The great investiga-
tors, wonderful members, and magnificent companions, who
have become angels sent from God to bless my life, they have
been there through the joys and sorrow and have kept me strong
through it all. Every time I think of them, I think of the words
that the Lord said to the Prophet Joseph Smith , "Thy friends do
stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts
and friendly hands" and I long for that day. My dear Brethren, I
know that this Gospel is true and that we are involved in the
most important work of all. I pray that you will make the most
of it, because this sacred time is short. I know Jesus Christ is the
Son of God and that he called Joseph Smith to be his prophet in
these latter days. I know the Book of Mormon is truly the word
of God, that this is His true Church and that we are led today by
a modern day prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I love you all and
leave my testimony with you in the sacred name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Elder Benjamin Luna

faith, enrich our days. 3. When such a friend from us de-
parts, We hold forever in our hears A sweet and hallowed
memory, Bringing us Nearer, Lord, to thee. 4. For worthy
friends whose lives proclaim Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love, We praise thy
goodness, Lord, above." (Hymn #293-Each Life That
Touches Ours For Good)
I know in whom I have trusted. In the name of my Savior,
Redeemer, and Elder Brother Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Aaron Casey Pearson

Our Heavenly Father knows us and loves us individually
and personally. He knows everything we go through -
EVERYTHING!!!! It is through our Savior, Jesus Christ,
and His Atonement that we can be lifted, supported and
strengthened. If we believe God, we have hope in the
Atonement. This hope allows us faith, which leads us to be
"sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being
led to glorify God." As we all "deny [ourselves] of all un-
godliness and love God with all [our] might, mind, and
strength" we naturally want to share this love and under-
standing with others around us. May we "become the sons
[and daughters] of God; that when He shall appear we shall
be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is; that we may
have this hope; that we may be purified even as He is
pure. The Atonement is real! The gospel is here! The
church is true! "I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it."
and I share it!!! Godspeed my Great Ohio Family!
Sister Kayte Tilby

Defenders of the Faith!! Oh, how I love you all so much.
Missions truly become a sacred two years. I know the Book
of Morman can bring us to Jesus Christ more than any other
Book. I also know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Re-
deemer. God be with you all ‘till we meet again. Possibly
at BYU/Facebook, etc. Who knows? ROCK ON OCM!!!
Elder Joseph Floyd Turner

Elders & Sisters: Malolelei & Aloha !!
Malolelei in Tongan means hello and Aloha in Hawaiian
means hello but in this case, also goodbye. I do not say
goodbye to you all but to the Old you and I before our mis-
sions. I am anxious to greet the “new creatures” that you
will all become. I testify that our missions help us reach the
magnitude of our potential with the Savior’s atonement. To
try to follow the Savior is easy. You come out, you go
through the motions, then you go home. BECOMING A
DISCIPLE of Jesus Christ takes doing! It’s about conse-
crating ourselves and our will to His. Gotta MAN UP and
do the hard things. I know that many times I’ve felt some-
thing on my back, sort of like a calm energy. I know that
we have a loving Heavenly Father who sent His Son to per-
form the greatest event on earth. Our Heavenly Father and
Jesus Christ appeared to the young boy Joseph Smith who
restored the true Church of Jesus Christ in its fullness. The
Book of Mormon is the evidence that God loves all of His
children. I love The Book of Mormon. I know that Jesus
Christ lives. I love all of my companions, past, present, and
future. I love President and Sister Nilsen. I love you all!
In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Ekuasi Milosi-Satumelipa David Vea
----------------------------------------

THIS AND THAT:

From Elder Niu: Thank you for participating in the Bike

Day on Friday, November 2, 2012. We’ve had great reports
from missionaries meeting and talking with more people as a
result of this action. I am also EXCITED to report that there
were only three Accidents in October—the lowest month
this year. Our goal is 0 for November! Keep up the good
work!!

From Sister Niu: Believe it or not, Christmas is just

around the corner. Please let your families know that any
Christmas packages being sent to the office for you via par-
cel post, Fed-Ex, or UPS, need to arrive at the office by De-
cember 7, 2012. If they are received by this date, the pack-
ages can be delivered at the Christmas programs on the 10th
and 11th of December. Otherwise, the next date we will be

able to deliver packages will be January 3, 2013. The No-
vember Transfer is November 20th. After that date, no one
will be transferred until January and packages could also be
sent directly to you at your current address.

From Sister Nilsen: A reminder to get your flu shot!!

The flu bug has already bitten a few of our missionaries. It
is the season...please take precautions.

The month of November is a special time of year dedicated
to showing gratitude. Everyone enjoys getting heartfelt
thank-you notes. I encourage you to mail a note or two to
those people, in your ward/areas, who have greatly helped
and supported you in your missionary efforts...maybe those
giving you many rides, meals, providing investigators, etc.

Thank you for all you do…..You are Awesome!!