Motorcycles and Sidecars

This week was crazy! I loved it so much though, as usual!
 Karen is doing great! Lee had a mix up though and was put in the hospital! We are really hoping he gets better. We pray for both of them lots! They are so nice and have great spirits. Hopefully we can help them with their lives.
 Elder Peterson is such a rock star! I am so glad that I have a good trainer. He's helped me get the hang of missionary work. It's great. We had dinner with Lee the other night and it was crazy but super fun! We had hot dog and pineapple pizza (interesting..) and it was a very memorable night to say the least. We went to one area of town to do AUF's again and it was so fun but it was like being in a different world again. There were so many Muslims!  Pres. Preston came with us to teach Karen. He is an amazing man! I hope to keep learning from him!  I don't have much time this week to write my weekly letter. I got called to be the primary pianist!! YAY!!!!!!!!! I am so happy! I can't wait!  I love the mission. I love life. Keep going strong and keep the commandments!  Love, Elder Humpherys

 Hopefully these descriptions match the pictures:
 1. This is one of our modes of transportation! Motorcycle and sidecar!
 Woo! It's so fun. I am getting a motorcycle when I grow up.

 2. This is how I felt about first riding in the sidecar. It's super
 dodgy looking at when we turned corners or past cars I saw my life
 flash before my eyes. hahah

 3. & 4. Some sweet pictures of me on the motorcycle

 5. LOOK MOM!! I can build a pea growing thing. :) I was so proud of my
 little creation! We did service at the Moore's house and it has been
 the most enjoyable time of my mission so far. It was a beautiful sunny
 night and I loved it!

 6. All right everyone. This is amazing. I am holding a woman's sword.
 That's not the amazing part.. This sword was a Scottish sword owned
 by... THE MACDONALDS OF SCOTLAND. We found a man who shares the same
relatives as me!! He has their kilt, family crest, and stories! Tell
 Ellen Campbell I am sorry for this story... but the MacDonalds
apparently invited the Campbells over to dinner one night (I think to
 show peace to end the blood feud) and when they were sleeping the
MacDonald's slit all the Campbell's throats..... ehh.. but don't worry
Ellen, I will never do that :)

 I love you all!!
Elder Humpherys

Burnley, Burnley, Burnley!

Wow. This week has been so hard.
There are so many things I wish I could say but I have no idea how to say them.
England is a very tough place. I am learning how to be bold in every aspect of life. People aren't going to listen to a timid missionary. Bold, but gentle.

Burnley is quite an interesting place. When I first got here the old part of town seemed so drab and dark and there were a lot of Muslims. But as my trainer and I have been around the town we have discovered that all kinds of people live here. We had a really neat miracle happen. We were looking for AUF's... an AUF is a person who used to be a member than they moved somewhere and now we have an idea where that address is sooooo we go and check. If the address is wrong we knock ten doors on either side to 1: teach a lesson and 2: see where the person really lives. When we were knocking ten doors on both sides we happened upon a miracle! A man opened the door and said "Long time no see!" Me and my trainer looked at each other and were both really confused and he said that he used to be a member of the church but he got in a motorcycle accident when he was 18 and now he has no idea what goes on. He was having a hard time even speaking to us. He looked about 40ish. He said he would go to University (college) and then forget everything. He knows he was a member but he can't remember anything long enough to remember why.. so what do you? His name is Kevin. We are going to try and visit him frequently. He was so friendly.

 Right before that though we ran into a Jehovah's Witness. They are so vicious and hostile towards missionaries! We've ran into two now and they attack like crazy. They try to tear down the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and missionaries. I wish Jeffry R. Holland was with us. I'd love to see what he'd say to these people.

 Karen (our investigator) is doing incredibly! She has set a baptismdate for the end of the month and we are trying our hardest to help her reach that date. Before an investigator is baptized they need to attend church twice. So we told Karen that and she was more than happy to come. Lee (her husband) on the other hand was very apprehensive. We invited him as well but he said he couldn't because he needed to go to another church for 6 weeks for a wedding blessing for his family. We were a bit sad but still happy Karen was coming. When we went to gopick Karen up we had a miracle! Karen AND Lee were both dressed up and ready for church! It made me so happy!! They both looked so nice and Ithink they really enjoyed their time. It was quite a nice environment.. and as much Lee says he doesn't want to learn he knows all the answers to the questions, he listens to the discussions, and he reads the pamphlets. I think deep down inside he knows there is something more to this church. I hope he finds it!

 Also here is a birthday picture for Dad, Rose, and Dustin! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!
I love you all. Thanks for all of the prayers. They are definitely needed. Hope you are all doing well.
 Love, Elder Humpherys

Dear family and friends,

 Missions are incredible! I just left the MTC and got assigned to my
 first area. Me and my trainer are whitewashing in city called
 Burnsley. Whitewashing means that they replaced both missionaries that
 were in the area with new missionaries. It's so crazy. My trainer has
 no idea where we are and I have no idea where we are but I love it!
 Every day is an adventure.

My trainers name is Elder Peterson. He is an all-star! I am so
 grateful that I have been given a good trainer. He is such a good
 missionary and we both have the same goal in mind.

 Burnsley is a nice place. It's got a lot of Muslims. It's like the
 only people I first saw were Muslims. It was crazy. I just thought I
 landed in Saudi Arabia or something! But they are all nice people. I
 have only been able to tract for about an hour... haha but I love it!
 It's a bit scary sometimes. I don't know what to say. But the spirit
 always puts something in my mind. Today I was told that I have a
 really cute smile and that my voice sounds like Leonardo DiCaprio's
 hahahah. How flattering. We met a woman named Runley and another woman
named Nickola. They are both great I hope they give us a call. All
though I don't think they will.

 I hope that me and my companion will have success. We were called to
whitewash this area for reason.. I don't know why. But I will soon.
 I love you all.
 Love,
Elder Humpherys

My district and one of my teachers, Brother Carr!

  Elder Mullen, me, Razanadahy.

 Elder Mullen and I are pretty good friends now. 

He is going to Leeds. He's from Idaho actually.

Razanadahy is in my mission. He is from Madagascar! He's fantastic!

Cool pic of my name tag ha ha ha!

  Pictures: My district. They are wonderful. Moroni district!

Elder Peterson and I. He is my trainer!

Dear Family and other poeple who will read this,

Ne-how!

Oh my heavens.

This week has been one of the hardest, most discouraging,  tiring, happiest, funnest, and fastest weeks of my life. I feel like I am drinking out of a fire hose! There is so much to learn. I'm not meaning like about the gospel, there is so much to learn about TEACHING the gospel. I can't believe how much it takes to share this gospel with another human. It takes a lot of focus and determination, that's for sure

I love the MTC! The food here isn't what it was cracked up to be, but it's not bad. The teachers are amazing. We have two teachers for our district. Brother Carr and Sister Willis. They are incredible! I can't even describe how amazing they are. Sister Willis is the best teacher I have ever seen. She is spectacular!

If I were to give any advice to anyone going on a mission after being here for one week it would be to LEARN HOW TO LOVE PEOPLE. There is so much we have here in the gospel but if we don't love who we are teaching, we are not going to teach at all. You can pray for the spirit to be there, you can study your scriptures, you can read preach my gospel all you want. But, if you don't know how to sit down with another person and ask them question and really get to know them by listening to their answers, you will not teach them. You will not be able to meet there needs. You will not be able to resolve their concerns. If you do not love them, you will not teach them. Take opportunities to really think about other people and understand what you can do to help them.

But ya, the MTC is crazy. I love my district. I am in the Moroni District with Elders Razandahy (district leader), Mullen, Li, Butterfield, and Groll. Sisters Wagner and Urian are in our district as well. My companion is Elder Li! He is such a cool guy. Tell the Baker family that my first companion is from TAIWAN! I thought of the Baker boys as soon as we were assigned. He is the nicest and funniest guys i've ever met. He is always sinigng some pop song by like "we are never getting back together" by taylor swift and they keep getting stuck in my head. hahah. But he is a great guy and it's been neat learning how to teach along side him. Because English isn't his native language he teaches the gospel in a very simple and plain way. It's a good example to me because I make things way to complex. All I need to remember is that God loves us. He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for us. He has restored the gospel through the prophet, Joseph Smith and as proof that he has has given us the Book of Mormon which contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. My purpose here is to invite and help others to come unto to Christ by figuring out what investigaor needs by asking them questions and really listening to what they have to say. I love it. I love that all I get to do here is focus on people and serving them and best of all, helping them return to there Heavenly Father.

The plane trip was pretty crappy. I got really hot and sweaty but I sat by a nice girl named Olivia on my way to England. We had a lovely chat about things.

It's hard to e-mial because I'm very short on time and there is so much I want to say.

There is one Elder in our district named Elder Mullen. He is from Oakley Idaho! He is awesome. He is probably my best friend here along with my companion. But, we've had some great conversations about the gospel. He's going to Leeds though so once we're out of the MTC it'll be hard to keep in touch.

We went shopping today and I discovered I am terrible at talking to other people here. Okay, not terrible but TERRIFIED. It's pretty scary. But give me a week or two and I think i'll adjust just great. The personalities here are very strange. Very loud and talkative. People are hard to understand. haha funny thing is, I thought I would come here and get an English accent but I am always with my companion and I am getting a Chinese accent!! Hhaha.

Well, I hope things are going well with everyone! I think everyone should take lessons from the missionaries at least once. They wil listen and help you anyway they can. That's why we're here. 

Love you all and praying for you always,

Elder Humpherys

How the Book of Mormon Can Change A Life

[My last talk given in my ward before I left on my mission]

May 26, 2013

It is so wonderful to see so many friends and family members here this day. Many of you know I have been called to serve a full time mission in Manchester, England. My mission area is a beautiful and historic part of the world. It encompasses the northwest of England from the Scottish border and drops all the way down into North Wales and includes the Isle of Man. I feel very blessed to be serving here considering that my family roots run deep within the area surrounding Manchester. I can’t wait to go to the land of my forefathers and invite all to hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon has been called the Keystone of our Religion. With all the Book of Mormon has to offer mankind it may well be known as the most remarkable and important religious text ever given to the world. It testifies to the world that when men and nations walk in the fear of God while obeying his commandments, they prosper and grow. If they disregard Him and His word, there comes decay that, unless stopped by righteousness, leads to impotence and death.

Prophets Testify of the Book of Mormon for our Generation

Throughout the Book of Mormon prophets continually testify of the importance of the Book of Mormon and how important it is to our generation today. One example is found in the Book of Enos.

As Enos journeyed into the wilderness the words that his father spoke concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into his heart and his soul hungered to know the truth. He then began to offer up the desires of his heart to God. He prayed all the day long and when the night came he still was found raising his voice high to the heavens.

The Lord spoke to Enos and forgave him of his sins.

When Enos heard this his faith became unshaken in the Lord and he began to pray for the Lamanites and after diligently praying with all his heart the Lord granted his desires.

This is the desire which Enos had for his brethren..

Enos says “… if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites, should fall into transgression, and by any means be destroyed, and the Lamanites should not be destroyed, that the Lord God would preserve a record of my people, the Nephites; even if it so be by the power of his holy arm, that it might be brought forth at some future day unto the Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might be brought unto salvation.”

Enos along with many other prophets, knew the significance of the book. He knew that through this book men would be brought unto salvation and if they followed the teachings given they would develop faith in Christ and draw nearer to God.               

Becoming Converted to Christ through the Book of Mormon

Why is the Book of Mormon such a powerful tool in one’s conversion to the gospel? As Joseph Smith once said “..the Book of Mormon [is] the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

The central purpose of this book is to testify that Jesus is the Christ. It testifies of Christ by supporting His life, mission, and power.  Those who know little or nothing about the Savior will come to know Him by reading, pondering, and praying about the Book of Mormon. I have gained a stronger testimony of Jesus Christ as I have read the Book of Mormon. I want to add my living witness of the truthfulness that this book truly testifies that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world.  

A Prophets Promise

President Gordon B. Hinckley has emphasized the need for every Latter-day Saint to read and re-read the Book of Mormon. He gives a wonderful promise to mankind when he gave this prophetic statement.

“Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will read the Book of Mormon,… There will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.”

Brother and Sisters, every single soul in this room can benefit from this prophetic statement given by Gordon B. Hinckley, but we must take action. As we go about our daily lives do we strive to read this sacred text? Do we take full advantage of the promise that has been given to us? We must not neglect this book. No member of this Church can stand approved in the presence of God who has not seriously and carefully read the Book of Mormon. This Book can change your life. It will fortify you against the evils of our day and will bring a spirituality into your life that no other book will. It will be the most important book you ever read.

President James E. Faust related an experience that demonstrates the converting power of the Book of Mormon: 

“Sister Celia Cruz Ayala of the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission decided to give the Book of Mormon to a friend. She wrapped it in attractive paper and set out to deliver her present.

On the way she was attacked by a bandit who stole her purse and with it the wrapped copy of the Book of Mormon. A few days later she received this letter:

Mrs. Cruz:

Forgive me, forgive me. You will never know how sorry I am for attacking you. But because of it, my life has changed and will continue to change. That book [the Book of Mormon] has helped me in my life. The dream of that man of God has shaken me. … I am returning your five pesos for I can’t spend them. I want you to know that you seemed to have a radiance about you. That light seemed to stop me [from harming you, so] I ran away instead.

I want you to know that you will see me again, but when you do, you won’t recognize me, for I will be your brother. … Here, where I live, I have to find the Lord and go to the church you belong to.

The message you wrote in that book brought tears to my eyes. Since Wednesday night I have not been able to stop reading it. I have prayed and asked God to forgive me, [and] I ask you to forgive me. … I thought your wrapped gift was something I could sell. [Instead,] it has made me want to make my life over. Forgive me, forgive me, I beg you.

Your absent friend.  

Such is the conversion power of the Book of Mormon.”

A Personal Conversion Story

This was my first Book of Mormon. I received it around the time I turned six. I found it very useful to write in, and by that I mean drawing little pictures and practicing my spelling here on the bottom of the first page. I loved to carry this Book around with me. I would try to open it and read it many times but I could not understand it. I would just flip through the pages and wonder what stories were held within this hardcover. Even though I could not read I knew that this was no ordinary book. I knew that there was something more and as a little child I had known that this book was special.

Little did I know that this small blue book would become the most precious volume of literature I have ever read.

Throughout middle school and high school I would just read snippets of the Book of Mormon, or look through the index and find a word that would help me with what I was going through in the moment. If I felt lonely I would look up comfort, if I felt scared I would look up hope. I would read a chapter or two and would find happiness. But it would only last for a small time. Throughout the years I have started the Book of Mormon many times without the success of finishing. I would become discouraged at the fact that I didn’t understand what was being taught, I was really slow, and it took a lot of time.

 When I began my senior year of high school one of my really good friends and I decided that we would start the Book of Mormon and read it cover to cover. We began sometime in September and would encourage each other a lot. It took me a long time to read it but I persisted. Every night before bed I would pull out my Book of Mormon and would read a chapter or two. As I did this, day by day, I could feel myself changing. Everything in life seemed clearer, I was happier; I could feel the spirit with me throughout the day, and I was gaining a testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.  I was growing to love the Book of Mormon more and more. The stories were incredible! I was sad when I would put it down because I just wanted to read more.  

I am a very slow reader and it took me at least 8 months to finish reading all the way through to the end. On March 14, 2012 I was driving home from mutual and I just decided it was time for me to finish. I felt prompted to go and drive to the temple and read. I was really excited because I knew I was finally going to gain that rock solid testimony of my own. I was going to have one of those stories where I prayed sincerely after reading that promise by Moroni and I would gain an overwhelming feeling that this book was true. I parked in front of the temple and focused on the book. When I finished I began to pray. I closed my eyes and I asked Heavenly Father if it was true or not and I didn’t feel anything. The answer came in its own time. The next night I began writing in my journal. As I started to write about my experience I instantly remembered who I was 8 months previous to this time. I had changed and grown so much in that short period of time. I started to write down my feelings of the Book of Mormon and what I learned. The spirit began to enter my heart again and it testified to me that it was true. I always felt it was true but now that I finished it and sincerely prayed about it with real intent and having faith in Christ.  I knew it was true.

I exhort you, my brothers and sisters, to make it a priority to study out of the Book of Mormon each and every day. Find a time of day where you can sit down and focus on the scriptures and then study at that time every day. Read carefully so that you understand what is being taught. Open up each of your study sessions with a prayer to Heavenly Father so that you may receive inspiration through the Holy Ghost. Write down a study plan and study for the same amount of time each day. Keep a journal next to you so that you can write down and remember the precious teachings you learn through the Holy Ghost. Keeping a journal can help you organize your thoughts and I have learned that as I write what I’m feeling things become clearer to me. Writing notes down into a study journal is how I ponder of the scriptures; my journal is the conduit for my thoughts. I learn what Heavenly Father is trying to teach me by writing in my study journal as I study.

“If you want to talk to God, pray. If you want him to talk to you, read your scriptures.”

My prayer is that each of you will leave here today with a renewed conviction to read the Book of Mormon prayerfully and diligently. I promise you that if you do, you will receive so much happiness. You will have the added measure of the Spirit of the Lord in your lives and in your homes, you will have a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience and follow His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.

I promise you that if you read this book again, with a sincere heart and having real intent to follow its teachings, you can know with surety that Jesus is the Christ and He came here to redeem the souls of all mankind that they might dwell in the presence of God forever and ever.

I cannot wait to share this Book with the people of England. It has truly changed my life and has been one of the biggest factors in making me into who I am today. It has given me hope, peace, joy, and happiness and I know it can do the same for those I teach in England and I know it can do the same for you. I know that this church is the Church of Jesus Christ. I know that it was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith and I know that he is man who truly fought for our religion. I am grateful for his example. I know that we have a loving Father in Heaven. He loves each and every one of you so much. So much that we can’t even begin to understand how deep his tender love is for us. I know that because He loves us so much He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us and to take upon Him our sins so that we may return to live in His presence once more. I know that Jesus Christ loves us and that He lived a perfect life. I know that the Book of Mormon truly is another testament of Jesus Christ and teaches the true doctrines of the gospel right along side of the Bible. I know that families can be together forever and I am so grateful for all of the family I have here. I love them so much. I’m grateful for this wonderful ward that I have had the privilege to grow up in. Thank you to everyone who has helped shape me into the person who I am today. I know that I would not be who I am without the wonderful priesthood leaders, teachers, scout leaders, primary teachers, and others who are this ward. You have all blessed me so much. Thank you to my friends who have pushed me to always me best in all situations of life. I am grateful to have such good friends who share principles and ideals similar to my own. You have all been examples of righteousness to me. I testify to you that I know that this Book will change your life.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Get your free copy of the Book of Mormon here!
[ http://mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon?gclid=CKD84uiytbcCFdB7QgodSHkA8Q&CID=33121110&s_kwcid=TC|1028504|+book%20of%20+mormon%20+free||S|b|22812489975&ef_id=UWOgpAAAAXQRgRYs:20130527035933:s ]

Fill the Unforgiving Minute

This poem is inspiring. I went and got a blessing from my old seminary teachers the other day because I was really sick. It was a wonderful experience! As I was leaving one of them gave me this poem by Rudyard Kipling.   

If—

BY RUDYARD KIPLING

 

  

If you can keep your head when all about you
 Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
    But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
    Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
    And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
    If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
    And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
    And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools

:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
    And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
    To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
    Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
    Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
    If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
    And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

  

I hope to become a man like this. I truly want to become a person who has courage to stand behind their convictions and what I know to be true. I know that I will read this frequently on my mission to help remind me of the person that I want to be. 

I can’t wait to serve my mission. I know that the gospel can bring a sweet peace into our lives that we can’t find anywhere else. I know that we having a loving Father in Heaven and that He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to live and die for us. He is the perfect example. We should strive to be like Him every day of our lives. Living like Jesus can bring us true happiness. I know that Jesus Christ went forth and suffered pains, afflictions, and temptation of every kind. He did this so he may know how to help and comfort us according to our infirmities. If you come unto Him, He will heal you and help you because His love knows no bounds. He will always be there for us and encircle us in His arms of love. I’m grateful for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To those who feel lost, unsure, or if you need guidance to in your life I know that you can find it in this gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Mission Call Opening

Well family and friends, this night was one of the most fulfilling moments of my life. Holding the call in my hands, the excitement and the anticipation, the longing to know where I was going while be surrounding  by my family and friends. This was a great and special night for me. I thought I would title this post "the beginning of my journey" but I decided that my journey to serve a mission began long before this night. Maybe even longer than I can remember. I have been preparing for a mission for my whole life. Every life experience I have had up to this moment has been preparing me for my mission. I know that I am going to meet some amazing people in the England Manchester Mission (EMM). It's going to be a grand adventure and I pray that lives will be changed for the better. I couldn't be more blessed or more privileged for this opportunity. I have 43 days left which feels like a long time, but in the scheme of things I'll be in England before I know it.

Here in this blog I will have someone from my family frequently updating with emails to home and the pictures that I send. I will not be updating in myself because as a missionary that is not allowed. If you have any question for me personally about my decision to serve a mission or my church or anything at all - you can e-mail me them at supermatthum@hotmail.com and I will answer them as best I can before I leave. If I have already left to England you may send your questions about the church to mormon.org. They can help you find answers. Any personal questions you'll have to write in a letter to the address I will post. 

I hope you know how much I love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints. I am so happy that I am  going to be a full-time missionary. I know that this Church is true. I know that the Book of Mormon IS another testament of Jesus Christ. I know that we have a loving Father in Heaven who loved us so much that he sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to die for us so that we may live with Him again. For ever and ever. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.