Well, it snew again.

Yes folks, that's right. It snowed in Denver! The first snow of the season. It was actually just a cold spell that hit for a couple of days and then passed for the most part, but it's still recognizably colder than it was before the cold spell. The snow was only for a couple of minutes, but it definitely happened!

And boy, what a week! I had exchanges with the Assistants on Tuesday, and had a great day. We tracted into a woman who turned out to be a less-active member. She stopped attending church in another ward because of other members. But she's moved into a new ward now (which she hasn't attended), and we encouraged her to go! She didn't say she would, but she did commit to read from the Book of Mormon daily and pray. Great!

When we finished transfers, Elder Mecham filled me in on some crazy news! President Murdock had called the Assistants to his office (Elder Mecham and the AP I wasn't with) to talk about some emergency transfers. There were a couple of Elders who were going home in the middle of the transfer, and they would have to shut down an area. After praying, and moving around a few missionaries on the transfer board, President decided to give us a third companion! He sent Elder Muir to be with us in the singles' ward. He is a missionary who has been in our zone as long as I have. Another missionary was brought in to take his place. So as far as we know, he will be with us for the remainder of the transfer, and then get sent somewhere else. It's been fun! I like having a trio. Elder Muir's trainer was Elder Brunson, my follow-up trainer, which makes us "step-brothers!"

Elders Rogers, Muir, and Mecham

This week we met a less-active member of the Church named Tim. He called us  up last week and asked about the meeting time and place for the singles' ward, then we had a lesson with him on Thursday. It was good! He has spent most of his life in and out of activity in the Church, and decided he wants to change his life and come back. It's great to be able to help someone who wants to be helped!

On Saturday, we finally taught a referral we recieved from some of the Sisters a couple of weeks ago. She's 18 and lives in an apartment with a roommate. It turns out that her roommate is an inactive member! Whoa! We taught both of them about our Heavenly Father's love, and they agreed to come to church next Sunday. I really hope we can help both of them, because there's a lot the gospel can do for them!

On Sunday, we left right after church to go to a special Zone Conference held by Elder Larry R. Lawrence of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. It was MIND BLOWING! His wife actually took the bulk of the time in the conference, and taught us all about the house of Israel, it's fore-ordination, scattering, and gathering. There was a lot that she shared that I had never known. A lot of her material was taken from past General Conference talks and modern revelation. I, Elder Rogers, can only write but a small part of the words that she spake. She taught us that in the preexistence, there were a few who fought in favor of Heavenly Father's plan, and bore testimony to their brothers and sisters of the promised Savior. They convinced the rest of the two-thirds of the hosts of heaven to accept the Father's plan. Those who bore testimony are those who are of the house of Israel! Those who decided to follow based on their testimony are Gentiles. Heavenly Father sends those spirits who fought valiantly into the bloodline of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (with the exception of a few who came before, e.g. Adam, Enoch and his city, Noah). When we receive a patriarchal blessing, our literal lineage in the house of Israel is declared. There are a few Gentiles who do accept the gospel, and per instruction from the prophet, patriarchs declare to them no specific tribe of Israel, but state, "You receive your blessings through Abraham." Out of 1,010 patriarchal blessings Elder Lawrence reviewed as a member of the Eastern Europe Area Presidency, only 5 stated that the recipient received their blessings "through Abraham." We know by this that those who are of the house of Israel, literally descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by fore-ordination because of their premortal obedience, are those who rallied in favor of the Savior, His friends, and are more likely to recognize and accept the message of the gospel.

Sister Lawrence also taught us about scattered Israel and the ten lost tribes. As Mission Presidents in Russia, Elder and Sister Lawrence learned that every single one of the lost tribes is represented in Eastern Europe, as declared through the patriarchal blessings of the people. This work is the literal gathering of Israel, and the restoration of the ten tribes! There is also a record of scripture, that of the lost ten tribes, which we learned will be brought forth soon. Very soon. So everyone look forward to that!

We had a great Mission Leader Council in Vail yesterday, and talked a lot about how we can change the culture of our mission and sacrifice much more in the service of the Lord. Now we're carrying out the plans we made! I'll let you know how that goes in the future.

I love you all and hope that life is fantastic for you! Make your days awesome, and choose the right!

Sincerely,

Elder Rogers