Elder Conner Brown

State College, PA - Week 26

Hello there!

 

Things have been real hot and humid over here lately, but other than that pretty good! 

 

We had a meeting recently with a friend of ours, C who's really into mushrooms and working with trees, and totally down to talk about the message we share. We have our new friend K we're excited to meet this coming week as well. A couple students are trickling in, but it's still pretty barren, and the few students who were in town for summer semester are filing out, but they're leaving lots of nice stuff behind. We picked up a fan-tastic fan for the summer, as well as an insta-pot, both just left behind for the taking. (rubs hands together greedily)

 

We also met with our friend R, who had a real cool experience with praying to God for help and receiving just that, which is fantastic because she hasn't had much experience with praying and has been pretty uncomfortable about that.

 

Also went to MLC and gave another presentation about Social Media we get to bring to zone conference. It's so nice that our mission president is super supportive of making sure it's used even during the summer, so we don't lay it aside after covid. This zone conference, we're going to focus on building faith and confidence to find people online, because it can be pretty boring and a slower role sometimes, but it really works.

Last MLC!

 

 

A cool miracle/message about fasting today. A friend of ours fell on some bad luck and was looking for a new job, so we fasted for him to get the help he needed. That night, we ran into C again and he mentioned he needed somebody with the exact set of skills our friend has, so we were able to get them hooked up! Fasting brings cool miracles, a way to show our faith even more and supercharge our prayers.

 

Hope you all have a cool, fantastic week!

 

Sincerely,

Elder Brown the elder

 

State College, PA - Week 25

Hello there!

 

First week of the last transfer is off to a great start! We had some great experiences this past week.

 

We met a cool guy on the street named K, who's religious and admitted he'd heard some things about the church, but was open to reading and praying about the Book of Mormon and meeting with us, especially after our conversation on the street.

 

Our friend J surprised us by finishing 1st Nephi in just a few days! When he said he read 1 Nephi I had to clarify, "Wait, first Nephi, or first Nephi chapter 1?" He still has a couple concerns, but he feels good about the Book of Mormon so far.

 

Our friend R finally came to church for the first time, and the timing couldn't have been any more perfect! The Sister missionaries here had a friend there of her same nationality and the new missionary who came in speaks their native language, so they were able to bond real easily and have a great time together.

 

We've also been super busy getting things ready for social media for the new transfer. We have a bunch of brand new Social Media Leaders so we've been making sure they're all up to speed and comfortable in their new assignments. 

 

Just a quick verse this week from my Old Testament reading in Psalms, 27:14 - "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."

 

May the Lord strengthen your heart as you ask him for patience in whatever it is you're waiting for. I am eyewitness to the Lord's divine timing so I testify that patience will be worth it.

 

Sincerely,

Elder Brown the elder

 

Hiking mole hill

 

 

State College, PA - Week 24

Transfer news!

 

I found out where I'll be the last 6 weeks of my mission, right here on Penn State! Pretty crazy since they usually file missionaries out of here pretty quickly and I'll have been here for 7 and a half months when I leave. Excited to be here for the great migration of students for the fall semester, though. Hopefully we can start meeting again with N, M, and A when they come back.

 

This week was pretty good and saw some real cool miracles. For a little diversity in finding methods, we tried tabling a lot this past week with some good results. We aren't able to talk to as many people as streeting, but the people we do talk to have more interest. One time while tabling, we saw a guy we'd met on the street a couple times before and had another conversation with him. He mentioned he was looking for a Bible, so we were able to give him one right there. He seemed really grateful and asked where church was and what time and everything, and guess what...he came!

(Tabling with the sisters also assigned to Penn State)

 

Another cool experience this past week, we were talking to a guy on the street in front of a restaurant. While we were talking, Elder Lee recognized one of his facebook friends who he hasn't interacted with before inside the window. The person actually took a quick video of us, so later Elder Lee messaged him on facebook asking for a copy of it, lol. It actually led to a cool conversation about who we are and what we're doing. Hoping to meet and teach him in the future.

 

In Old Testament reading, I just finished the book of Job which had some pretty school scriptures, arguments, and philosophy, but I liked one scripture in particular:

 

Job 23:8-10

8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

 

Sometimes we can't see the Lord's hand in our lives from where we are in our trials, and when that happens, those are the times when our testimonies have potential to break or become stronger than before. If we trust the Lord to see us through our struggles, we are providing the opportunity for him to show us how great a planner and support he really is. 

 

Have a great rest of your week!

Love you all!

Elder Brown the elder

 

Getting caught in the rain

 

P-Day activity at The Arboretum at Penn State - Pollinator's Garden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State College, PA - Week 23

Hello there!

 

We've had some fun blessings/opportunities this past week with the Arts Festival going on. It's an event run on Penn State and nearby downtown State College where there's tons of food, music, and stands with people selling art. We were able to do some streeting around there and set up a table ourselves to talk with people. One night while tabling, a guy named E came up who met with Sisters two years ago before COVID! He got lost in the cracks or something, but he wants to make a place for God in his life, so we get to meet him soon!

 

We also had a cool lesson with our friend J about faith and the Book of Mormon. The spirit was present, which is the ultimate key, and he seems to be getting more open to Book. 

 

One sad part was we had to say goodbye to Elder Thompson, who just finished up his service mission in the Penn State YSA branch. He has done so much good here, for the branch, for the many organizations he does service for, and supporting missionary work in the area. 

 

 

 

It was cool reading in the Old Testament about rebuilding the city and the temple, how they worked in constant danger with their swords always on them. Cool because we just recently on the zone conference trips listened to part of the story of building the Kirtland Temple, how it was also in constant danger and enemies all around to prevent its building. In both cases, the Lord provided a way to keep his commandments and protected his people. 

 

It's comforting to know that nothing has changed between then and now. The Lord supports those who put their trust in him and his spirit.

 

Stay cool and have a great week!

Sincerely,

Elder Brown the elder

 

 

 

State College, PA - Week 22

Hello there!

 

We had a busy week of travels, attending all three zone conferences scattered throughout the mission, but it was really cool to see everyone and give our training throughout the mission. We mainly talked about ways we can use Facebook more effectively and use our devices with more focus throughout the day. Even though we listened to pretty much the same other trainings each zone conference, it was cool to see the slight differences between the meetings and the different insights the spirit can give you.

 

As far as the work goes, we had a good first lesson with D, a guy we met on the street a couple weeks ago. He believes in God and wants to keep Him a part of his life, so hopefully he keeps meeting to learn how he can do so. 

 

On the way back home, we had a nice service opportunity when we saw some neighbors of ours trying to cram a big couch out the front door. Many hands and knowledge about how to move furniture made for light work.

 

The topic of focus for this zone conference was repentance, how important it is for us and in God's plan. I love a scripture that was shared and the thought President Wright attached to it.

Alma 34:15 - "And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance."

 

When we repent, we make meaning of the Savior's Atonement in our lives, or make use of it to purify our lives. The whole reason the Savior suffered so much is to grant us this "means", his grace or enabling power. When we put it to good use and turn to Him, it brings him such great joy (D&C 18:13), so let us truly repent all we can!

 

Stay cool and have a good week!

 

Sincerely,

Elder Brown the elder

 

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple under construction

 

State College, PA - Week 21

Hello there!

We had a nice week despite having to drop a couple people. T sadly was more interested in arguing than learning, so we'll have to leave him where he is.

 

One cool miracle, though, a friend we invited to FHE last Monday was able to come, and even cooler than that, a member in the branch brought a friend as well and the two friends knew each other! Had a super fun evening helping them to know and be comfortable in the branch.

 

Another fun experience, while we were walking next to the campus to do some contacting, we met the Nielson triplets from my last area, Hershey! It was so much fun catching up with them real quick and the perfect chance to get on their email lists, since they're all headed out on missions soon. 

 

Getting ready for this next week, we're giving a Social Media Presentation for each of the zone conferences, so there'll be a lot of driving and speaking, but should be a cool experience coming up.

 

There's a cool quote I read recently from Lawrence E. Corbridge:

 

I heard someone say recently, “It is okay to have doubts.”
I wonder about that. The Lord said, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” I have a lot of questions; I don’t have any doubts.

 

If I could rephrase what "someone said recently" I'd say "It is okay to have questions" because there's a big difference between doubts and questions. Questions when approached with faith build testimonies, but when approached only with skepticism and doubt destroy testimonies. I encourage anyone with a difficult question to remember how Nephi approached a hard question.

 

1 Nephi 11:17 - And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.

 

I testify that God lives, he loves his children, he fulfills his promises, Jesus Christ is our Savior, and Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration.

 

Hope you all have a happy 4th of July!

 

Sincerely,

Elder Brown the Elder

 

 

Sewing repair job on the the sleeve lining of my suit coat

 

Facebook Post 7/2/2022

 

In the book of Omni, the prophet Amaleki is very limited in the words he is able to share with us, so I find it cool to note what he deems most important to share:

 

Omni 1:26 - "And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."

 

In the end, the most important thing we can do in this life is follow Christ and make sure our lives are in line with his teachings. For those who lose or dedicate their lives for Christ, they are promised that they shall in fact receive eternal life. So, I invite you all to ponder how you can offer more of your soul to Him, then act on it.

State College, PA - Week 20

Hello there! 

 

First full week of the transfer and we were able to get some great contacts! Didn't have many lessons set up quite yet, but we met some cool people like a guy, A, who's looking to find some change in his life. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the best way to invite positive change in your life, of course!

 

We also had MLC this past week, where we talked about some great topics of improvement for the mission. We as the Social Media Coordinators gave a training about more effective and focused Facebook missionary work. Even though the summer is here and it's the perfect time to meet people on the streets, we don't want everyone to forget what the Lord taught us in the past two years of COVID. 

 

Another cool topic was family history, how it works as a great retention tool for recent converts, and also how it can be used for finding people. It was cool, cause on the way back from MLC, Elder Lee stopped somebody and asked if they knew much about their family history. It started up a great conversation and we were able to get their number, so the Lord definitely rewards faith.

 

Speaking of family history, I'm stuck in the book of Chronicles recently. It's been quite a drag, except for one little verse that's a good gem:

 

1 Chronicles 4:10 - "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldst keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."

 

I testify the Lord is always willing to intervene in our lives for the better if we're willing to let him!

 

Sincerely,

Elder Brown the Elder

 

State College, PA - Week 19

Hello there!

 

Had a smooth transfer week, getting Elder Powers shipped home to California and picking up Elder Lee from pretty much next door to us in State College. Should be a fun transfer, especially since Elder Lee was a Social Media Coordinator a while ago for a long time, so he knows the ropes better than I do. 

 

This past week, we were able to meet with a new friend of ours named D, who wasn't very religious growing up, but is interested in checking it out and is super open to learning and acting. We started with some basics like who God is and how we commune with him through prayer, which he found very interesting. Super excited to see where he goes.

 

Also met a bunch of people out on the streets and got lots of contact info. Elder Lee served on a college campus a while ago, so he knows how to street very well. I'm excited to see the work we get to do these next couple transfers. One lady we got to talking to, for instance, actually knew some of the members in the area so hopefully they'll be able to all get together.

 

This week reading a lot in Kings, I read about king after king after king that reigns in wickedness, and so the people follow suite. We don't have that kind of influence these days, but our actions matter a lot more than we think. The way others see us as disciples of Jesus Christ is partly why we are commanded to "be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Tim 4:12) Our actions and example have the potential to invite others closer to Christ, but only as long as we act so the spirit is present in our lives.

 

Have a good one!

Sincerely,

Elder Brown the Elder

 

 

 

A brand new Raising Cane's opened in town

 

 

 

 

Facebook Post 6/14/22

How can we recognize truth?

With the world and the internet full of information, topics, and opinions, it can be hard to filter truth out, especially spiritual truths. Thankfully, Christ gave us a way to determine His truth for ourselves.

John 7:17 - "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

Christ invites us to follow his teachings and see if they invite God's influence and blessings into our lives. I know that "every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good...is inspired of God." (Moroni 7:13) Feel free to reach out if you're searching for that truth, yourself!

 

State Collge, PA - Week 18

Hello there!

 

Big news for this week is we got transfer news! I get to stay right put in Penn State, so this will be the longest time I've ever been in an area. Good area to stay in, though, with the fun campus to street contact near and the awesome member branch which is super supportive! Sadly, my companion Elder Powers is finishing up his mission this week.

 

We've had a great week leading up to it, though. A has been progressing great and recognizing the spirit more in his life, so it's been really cool to see his progression up til now and his openness. Hopefully we get one more lesson in before Thursday.

 

We have a new friend we're working with named T who passed by and stopped us near the end of the semester, but who was in a rush and heading home so we got his number to keep in touch. We've been meeting over the phone and just recently finished the Restoration with him. He seems pretty open and super cool, so hoping he reads and prays about the Book of Mormon.

 

A real fun topic that has come up a lot recently has been revelation, how we prepare ourselves to receive it and how we discern it. Of course it's comforting to know that everything which inspires us to do good and love God is inspired of him (Moroni 7:13), but when we're actively learning and practicing to follow the spirit, it doesn't always seem to be so clear. I love how Elder Uchtdorf compared living the gospel to riding a bike and flying an airplane, how the most important thing for maintaining balance is moving forward ("Our Heartfelt All", Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf). 

 

Revelation follows a similar process, in that we have to be acting in order to steady ourselves and discern the spirit's influence in our lives. Nephi would never stumble upon Laban unless he "went forth" (1 Nephi 4:7). If you feel like you're missing the spirit's guidance in your life, I invite you to take steps to make sure you're ready to receive it, then go forth.

 

Have a warm summer week!

Sincerely,

Elder Brown the Elder

 

Thank you to the Primary Activity kids for sending letters and treats!

Elder Higgins, Elder Brown

State College, PA - Week 17

Hello there!

 

Wooo, it's been a busy and super fun week! So this past Wednesday, the Instagram app vanished from our phones all over the mission. After a bit of digging, we learned this was a permanent change since Instagram hadn't really been working as a finding tool in missionary work. However, through a couple miscommunications, our mission hadn't been notified of the change. 

 

Thankfully as the Social Media Coordinators, we were scheduled to give a mission wide training that Friday, so we were able to inform the mission about some changes, as well as help them get other forms of contact from their Instagram friends. That and other changes have been keeping us pretty busy, but we still had time to do some good work this past week.

 

J is doing well and keeping most commitments, but he's mainly meeting for educational purposes, so our main goal this week will be to try and help him feel the spirit and importance of real intent.

 

A is doing great in the Book of Mormon still. The Tree of Life Book of Mormon Video was helpful I think to visualize that. Right now, we're helping him recognize the spirit, how he feels it and when he feels it.

 

Come Follow Me was pretty fun this past week, and not just with the death of the fat king Eglon, lol. (Judges 3) One thing I find important from the story of Samson is that his covenant was simple and easy to keep, but because of the people he decided to stay around, it became a lot more difficult. We all have the chance to choose our priorities in life, and we can choose to find people with those same priorities. If our greatest priority is keeping God in our life, we'll strive to do so and find others who can strengthen us on our mortal journey.

 

Hope you all have a great week!

Sincerely,

Elder Brown the Elder

 

Hiking Mount Nittany on P-day