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| Ozzie's Baptism |
For my last week, things went pretty great. Lots of the regular things, but some pretty epic things too. August really does cool off in UT and this week has been stunningly gorgeous.
Ozzie passed his baptismal interview, but I'm glad we booked out a lot of time for it because we knew it would take a while. It was fun though because I got to chill with my homie Elder Albritton. His comp was doing the interview so we just hung out on the doorstep for a while. At first we just talked about movies and stuff, but after I got tired of that I abruptly asked, "So what have you been reading in the scriptures lately?" Then we just talked about the Book of Mormon for the next 45 minutes or so. On my mission, something I've grown to treasure is talking about the gospel and sharing and hearing insights with people. It's how I've built my strongest friendships on the mission. Im to the point now where I'm like, "If you're not talking about the gospel, what are you even talking about?" If you want to really get to know someone better or develop a deeper relationship with them, read and discuss the scriptures with them and bear your testimony to each other. It's one of the big reasons I'm so grateful we have the Book of Mormon and love being a member of the Church.
Juan Carlos got confirmed on Sunday as well. He thanked Elder Petersen and I a lot for all that we've done for him, when I really feel like I was just doing my job and Juan Carlos was there for it. We described our experience with Juan Carlos to a member family in another stake we cover and the dad summarized it in a way I really liked. He said, "You were a tool in the Lord's toolbox, and you were ready to be used when He needed you."
We had Ozzie's baptism on Sunday at the Alpine Tabernacle here in American Fork, and it was just so right for Ozzie honestly haha. We got there about an hour early to help set things up in the basement where the font is, and once that was done I asked the guy that unlocked the building for us if he could unlock the assembly hall and if I could play the organ. He was like "Hm I don't know if my key opens that but why don't we go try," and then when his key worked he was like "Hey well whaddya know." That was a pretty once-in-a-lifetime thing to play that organ because it is amazing. I had Elder Petersen take a video of the whole thing haha.
Ozzie's baptism went great too. I remember when I told him that he was going to be betting baptized on my last Sunday as a missionary and he said, "Well I'm honored!" There were lots of friends and family there, and he invited a lot of his music professors from BYU. Not gonna lie that was definitely on my mind when I played the prelude and the songs and stuff haha. Ozzie is going to be such a great member of the Church. He will contribute so much to the kingdom of God. His wife is pregnant too so he'll be a father for the first time in about 6 months, and he's really excited to raise a family in the gospel and teach his new daughter the things he's learned. He's very inquisitive and has all kinds of amazing insights about the gospel. After people get baptized there's still lots of new-member lessons to teach, and more steps to take. Baptism is just a beginning. After Ozzie's baptism we told him that he wouldn't be "graduating" from the missionaries just because he's a member now, and he said, "Oh of course! Now is where the fun begins!"
Today on my last pday I had my exit interview with President Evanson. Exit interviews are also a pretty once-in-a-lifetime thing, so I knew I 'd really need to pay attention. He had some very profound but very simple advice for me. It was so great to have one last time to sit down and talk with him. I will really miss working with him and being taught by him so frequently. He's an amazing example of service and devotion to the Lord and to His kingdom.
The mission is a pretty once-in-a-lifetime thing in general. My mission has taught me so much. They always say a mission is to help others and invite others to Christ, but I really feel the biggest change in someone's life that was made on my mission was in my own. The mission is just as much as it is for you as it is for the people you will serve. I owe everything to my mission. My life is completely different now than it was before. I'm so much happier with who I am now than who I ever was. I see everything different now than I did before. It's changed my life completely. I never thought a mission was for that or could do that, but that's probably how serving a mission was able to change me so much.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on earth, not just another church. It is the way our loving Heavenly Father has provided for His children to make covenants with Him and receive all that He has. The Church is airtight. There is no way it isn't true. Joseph Smith was a prophet and continues to hold the keys of this dispensation. He is an amazing man and my testimony would not be what it is without his example. The Book of Mormon is a blessing to this world. It can arm us with spiritual power and protection against the contentious world we live in. It is the word of God and a life-changing book. Reading it can teach us that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on earth, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, but most importantly, that Jesus Christ is the Savior. He was sent by our Father in Heaven to redeem us all from sin. It is only through Him that we can repent and become all that we are meant to be. The more that we turn from sin and follow Him, the more we are changed by His Atonement. We can become better people than we can even imagine if we repent and follow Him. His teachings are the only way to enduring and indescribable joy.
Thank you all for sticking with me to the end! I'll be giving a talk about my mission in my home ward this Sunday, August 14th, at 10:30am at 3645 N Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA.
Love you all!
Elder Snyder
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| Playing the Alpine Tabernacle organ |
