“Remain Faithful, Don’t Judge, and Always Forgive” - April 29, 2013

Hello everyone,

Yes the weather here is very nice now.  Thank you so much for your letter this week...it is always so strengthening to see the strength that the Lord gives his servants. I thought this last week that even if they did pay all the people who served in the church, it wouldnt make a difference...only the grace of God could help us fullfill our roles and callings in this great work.

Thank you so much for your advice on ward council...we are still a really far ways from that with a pretty young priesthood, but we will get there before the stake is built. The more we can be exposed to where other missions are, the more we would be able to catch a vision and go towards it. Do you think you could scan a Progress Record for me and send it just so I could see it to see where we could improve? That would be wonderful! We are working on improving member relations as you know, and getting our correlation meetings and ward councils in order are the first step.

This last week was pretty amazing in all reality but also pretty hard...but I do feel like although I always seem to feel like I'm not doing my best, I also realize that the more I am on a mission, the higher "my best" gets. Being grateful has really aided me in this quest for fulfilling the mandate of our prophet last conference to become more profitable servants in the Lord's vineyard.

I just wanted to share a story about one less active family we have that we are working with: Andrei Ivanov is a wonderful man who served as a branch president about 10 years ago. Due to a change in the mission, the Brethren decided to combine two branches and as a result he was not called as the next branch president. With his pride blinding his vision Brother Andrei left the church with his wife and 1 year old daughter and hasnt come back since. Here's where we come in. We started to visit them with the excuse of just getting to know them...and we have started to see some progress. This last lesson we were able to come out and say that we had prayed a long time and felt like we received revelation for them specifically....with this foundation of a lesson, we were able to be very straight forward and teach truth that would burn its course through the heart: Forgiveness of self. So many people in the world do not forgive themselves.  Many of our less-actives leave the church for such small, meaningless reasons, and by the time comes to return years down the road, their pride says "no, God will not forgive me, the members will not forgive me, and I cannot forgive myself." We 

taught the lesson, the Spirit presided, and by the end they knew exactly what we were implying and 

what we were asking them to do: Put the past behind, believe not only in Christ but actually believe Christ (meaning to trust that he will forgive if we repent and remember it no more), and to forgive yourself. We talked about Alma the Younger and the shear fact that if Alma had not forgiven himself, where would half of the some of the most doctrinally based chapters of the Book of Mormon be? They wouldn’t be good. At the end of the lesson, Brother Andrei asked if we could come by Saturday to do some service, in order to help them have the time to go to church Sunday. This made me so incredibly happy! We were convinced that the Lord would forgive him and that he could in the future forgive himself.  Sadly, on Sunday when we shared the good news with the branch, some of the people denied all hope of that family returning saying that they had already put their effort and time in. They said It was hopeless for them.  This is wrong.  That very same doctrine taught in D&C 64 speaking of forgiveness and in us having the greater sin if we don’t forgive, applies here. When we don’t forgive, whether ourselves or others, especially when the Lord would freely forgive them, we 

have the greater sin in that we deny the Atoning and transcending power of Jesus Christ's Atonement. I would hope that our members everywhere keep firmly in their mind the verses found in 3 Ne 18:32:

Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them.

Thank you for you wonderful advice in strengthening the members here...they need it badly just as any of us do. To read all that you are doing with the missionaries is so incredibly amazing! It really makes me happier than ever to know that my family is a missionary family. There is no greater family than that. Elder Clarke, a member of the first quorum of the seventy said it well when he said: "Do you want an eternal family? Then do eternal things." I know that the work of the Lord is the work of the eternities:  “To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”.  If any family wants to be eternal, I would say that missionary work is just as much of a necessary aspect as is attendance of temple and church, daily reading the scriptures individually and together, and daily family and individual prayer. There is no greater work. As I sat pondering my call as a missionary and what it means to be an authorized representative of Jesus Christ, I was overwhelmed at the short amount of time the Lord has suffered me to be his representative. I am called to help all mankind return to Heavenly Father. I am called to strengthen His Church and the children of Zion. I was foreordained before this world, and in this world, I am seeking to make my calling and election made sure. I am called to call the wicked to repentance, and righteous to path of perfection. I am an imperfect representative of the Perfect One, and through His Grace, or Enabling power, I am becoming as He is and will stand before him and be like him. I am a missionary of Jesus Christ.

Let us continue to be witnesses of the Savior in all times, in all places, and in all things even until till death, especially as we represent him in his perfect mercy and not his perfect justice, for justice is God's and we are required to forgive all men.

Your Son, Elder Claypool

"To Know. To Do. and To Be." April 22, 2013

Good morning!

I love that in all the things that you (mom) could tell me and let me know, you talk about missionary work first and foremost. That really shows me just how much you are in the right direction. This week was pretty busy for me too since we had a transfer meeting, a new transfer, I received a new companion (Elder Carley from Utah - an amazingly humble elder!), planning for the zone, the district (as in the future-stake), and our own area. There have been a lot of times this week when I was just super tired after really straining myself. However, it is exciting! There is no greater feeling than looking back on a day, being dead tired, and knowing that you did what you could in following the Lord.

Of course I look back and when I compare what I did with a General Authority or Mission President it's really nothing, but I still feel like the Lord is trusting me more and more as I seek His grace in becoming a more profitable servant in His hands.

Heavenly Father can say about every one of his children: "This is my beloved son/daughter in whom I am pleased," for as a loving Father, it doesn't take much for Him to be pleased with us if we try. He is so loving. But.. I want him to say unto me: "You are one of my beloved sons in whom I am well-pleased."

We've been doing a lot of work in preparing our mission for the next step of perfecting the work with the members by simply applying what is written in the Preach My Gospel manual. It's absolutely incredible that the Lord would bless us 18,19, 20 year old kids with revelation that can change the history of a country if applied right. How privileged we are! How much He trusts us...how much we could trust others more.

This last week we had some rougher moments in seeking to raise the bar (challenge ourselves more). We have a lot of people who will give out their numbers, receive the message with lukewarm relations and not really progress. These are not who we are called to teach. We are called to teach those who are prepared to hear, not be forced to baptism. So, we've been raising the bar of contacts and investigators with the promise from our mission president that if we let go of those who are not progressing, we will receive a new investigator who is ready for every one we let go. It happened. We let go of two investigators who for various reasons we felt were not ready or accepting or progressing, and literally that day, we gained one new investigator who called us, set up with us, went to a baptismal service, and just was incredibly interested and humble. Even yesterday we were coming back from a high-council meeting (we were translators in the meeting) and a crazy lady stopped us, and said we were beautiful and she moved on...it got weirder as a drunk man came up to us asking where his friend was that passed away that day...it started to seem like a movie. On top of this conversation a lady came up to us asking if we could carry her bags to her home which wasn't far away. So talking with this drunk man about the plan of salvation and life after death, and this lady walking along side listening, we carried her bag, talked to her for a second, and she even agreed to meet with us on her own accord! It was a miracle! The situation after that continued back on a very amusing path as that crazy old lady came back and started defending us and telling the drunk guy to improve and change his life in a very straight forward way...that was pretty funny...but because it can always get better... another drunk gentleman came up and yelled "What are you arguing about" to the crazy old lady and the  first drunk man (who were arguing loudly as we just stood there in shock of all that was happening so fast), and then the second drunk man proceeded to join in the argument...oh, how days are never boring here. People defend us.  Although it was a funny story, we really were blessed with this wonderful nice woman. The Lord works in mysterious ways!

Elder Lukashuk is doing well from what I know. He even was so kind as to call me on my birthday and congratulate me. He's been to the temple to do baptisms and he is just flourishing. I'm going to send him a letter soon, but if you would like to send him a letter I can send you the address next time.

It's all true. We can talk about the teachings of the church and step back and ask ourselves, "do I really believe that?!"  That is when I step right back forward where I was, holding my ground, and say "Yes, I believe that." Although all my testimonies are a little more than simple beliefs, they are strengthening by the day. And by the fruits of the Gospel, I know this is from God. We all have that opportunity if we will just let ourselves experience it.

Wow...dad's last joke definitely made me laugh big time...especially since I have a University of Utah sweatshirt that I found and that I work out in...only to work out in though- ha ha.

It's super cool to hear that you'll be so close to Ukraine! Maybe you'll be able to feel the wave that is spreading over this part of the world with missionary work. It's pretty amazing. I really am starting to feel like a real missionary who is so blessed to do this work. I still have many things I don't do right and let my own self get in the way, but I really am starting to become a representative of Jesus Christ. It's all because of focusing more on: Preach My Gospel and the Scriptures (Preach My Gospel is a manual available to all members, not just missionaries) . Of course prayer plays a huge roll in such and all my incredible companions and circumstances, but really knowing and applying (which I would say to know is to have already applied and tasted the fruits) brings the change.

The Prophet and President Monson said something very interesting that I have come to know to be true in my life that really outlines the simple steps necessary to become what Heavenly Father would have us become: To Know. To Do. and To Be.

I still have that paper that you wrote us in priest quorum all those years ago that is all about becoming who we are meant to be, and I've referred back to it on my mission here.

First, however, is "to know". When we study the word, the word gives us desire, direction, and determination that is all carried to us via the Holy Ghost. We have so many opportunities to know something from our Heavenly Father thanks to ancient and modern scriptures, handbooks, manuals, internet, and so much more especially weekly attendance to church. We must first come to know.

Second we "must do". I love the quote by James Allen that says "Man is only subject to his circumstances until he realizes he is master over them." I have a firm belief that any excuse to not do will never be stronger than the eternal, God-given right we all have to choose. We have that sacred opportunity to, as Elder Holland put it regarding an olympic swimmer's mentality, "Kick when [we] don't want to kick, and stroke when [we] don't want to stroke." Some may call it pretending to be something we're not, but I call it practicing perfection, - and that is why we came here to this earth: To practice, to grow, to make mistakes, to learn.

However, there is a difference between "doing" and "being". We can do something only once and be categorized in the "doing" category, but in "being", that action is repeated not only once but comes from us naturally. That is a daunting task. But, that is a genuis of our character and the human body also, when we do, and do repeatedly, it becomes a part of us. Like one of the prophets had said after writing in a journal for 40-50 years, having started only because the prophet said to do so: "I feel like a fish out of water if I don't write in my journal before bed."  We have to commit to become what we want. What He wants.   If we only follow these steps, we can literally become all we were meant to be...and it all starts with doctrine. (see Alma chapter 31 verse 5)

Thanks for being so amazing and always making me smile! I love you and cannot wait to give you a huge hug when the day comes.

And pass my love to my wonderful siblings who will be even better missionaries than me!

Your Son, Elder Claypool

Recent pictures of Kade in Ukraine

"Let Us All Press On" April 15, 2013

I'm so glad to hear that you are doing good! I honestly can say that the thing that made me happiest about your letter was to hear that MaKormick got to go out with your local missionaries and that you are working close with the missionaries. I really loved President Eyring's talk from Priesthood Session of General Conference when he clearly outlined the role of a member in missionary work. I cannot even begin to explain how grateful I am as a missionary for members who, without poking and proding, fulfill the promises they made to Heavenly Father at the time of their baptism and even more so in the Temple if they have received such ordinances. 

We are focusing right now on the family in our mission because that, along with missionary work, are all that matter in this life. Really, the family is the only thing that matters...it's just that missionary work is the strengthening life-blood of the family, both the individual family and the family of mankind.  We preach the Gospel in our homes. 

On the streets, people are in a hurry to work and it gives us a good opportunity to ask "What is the most important work you can do?" Thanks to modern day revelation, we know that the greatest work we can ever do is within the walls of our own homes. We also know as the Prophet Joseph Smith said when it all comes down to it, preaching the gospel is the greatest duty of man. 

We preach the Gospel to our friends. I love how the Index in the Russian scriptures defines missionary work so simply.  Missionary work is preaching the gospel by example and, if neccessary, using words.  Let the Spirit guide. 

We preach the Gospel to the world. Isn't it interesting that the prophets and apostles whom we sustain and support as ordained ministers and special witnesses of Jesus Christ quoted the last few verses of the Gospel of Mattew over 5 times during conference? "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo,I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20) That was the last thing that Jesus said to those who called themselves Christians - and is a marking characteristic of all who call themselves Christians, as Elder Oaks so clearly taught in General Conference. 

And We give all the opportunity to our families beyond the grave to partake of the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

This is a pretty cool work, isnt it? Smile. 

I have such a strong testimony that the Prophet Thomas Monson is the Prophet of God on the earth today. He holds all the keys and eternal authority needed and required to receive all the greatest blessings we could ever receive from our all-possesing Father in Heaven. I believe he is the prophet of God. The coolest thing for me is that like the Israelites who followed Moses, the Nephite who applied the words of King Benjamin, or the Early saints who with faith sacrificed all to heed the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, I can follow the Prophet in my days. And I choose to also. 

I guess with all the missionary work that is going on in our home I can only imagine the blessings that will come to our family, our home, the twins's future, and all the people Korm will touch and convert as a missionary. This is the work to be in! Thanks for your example and humility to change from the comfortable way things were done before and sacrifice to follow the Prophet who is calling all of us to take our position in the ranks and not sit this last final battle out. "The Challenge for all of us is to be more a profitable servant in the Lord's vineyard." (President Monson). Who knows what the future will hold.

I don't know who my new companion is, but I'll know tomorrow. I'm staying here in Donetsk to further my part of the work He has suffered me to fulfill.

I'm so glad to hear from you and to hear all the wonderful news there. Wasn't General Conference amazing?! (www.lds.org). Between watching it in Russian and in English we watched a total of 18 hours of General Conference this last weekend! It's really quite amazing to watch in Russian next to these members I love so dearly. Sadly, many members, after the 1st session, didn't stay to watch all the other sessions (which was super frustrating for me since we need these members to be stronger). I would hope all would not put something wordly above the words from God through His prophets and apostles. There is nothing more important and we can thankfully always find time. 

The mission is going wonderful with a lot of weaknesses in me but I am feeling more and more like a true missionary. The secret? Applying "Preach My Gospel" (this is a manual/booklet which missionaries use and it can be found on the church website), which are words of the Prophets. We obey with exactness and we receive blessings...it's almost like God promised us that obedience is important...okay so my lack of funniness in my jokes hasn't changed, but in all seriousness my testimony has definitely strengthened that God is in the Work. I even memorized D&C section 4 for the first time in my life...in Russian yes, but still, like Elder Scott has taught multiple times, "memorized scriptures become friends in a time of need". 

Sounds like dad continues the battle against woodpeckers attacking the house. Did you know that they have woodpeckers here in Urkaine too? They are called dyaddles. 

To let you know about my surroundings, the Shakhtar stadium is pretty close to our area, but you could Google the street Parkhomenko 4a...that is the church next to which we live. It's our future stake center - smile !

I wanted to thank you so much for what you taught me as a youth. The Prophet and Apostles quoted 1 Peter 3:15 quite a few times and I instantly remembered our days from priest quorum class together. Though the youth of this day are more prepared and will be even better missionaries than we will have been, I'm grateful for the aid I received from you. It's our job now to "catch the wave" as Elder Nelson said and become better missionaries. I'm reading the New Testament right now which I have read earlier in my life. But now I'm more focused and feel like it is really the first time. It is incredible to see the Master and His example to all. I love Him. 

Pray for our investigators and less actives. We are building this desire to be more profitable servants of the Lord, but we need all the prayers and the timing of the Lord we can get. I guess we just need to work with diligence until the time is right. It's all going to happen very soon...we can feel it. Never forget how much I love you and revere you.

Love Your Son Elder Claypool

"Послушание, всегда и везде -- Obedience, always and everywhere" April 8, 2013

Dear Family,

I think it is I who should be thanking you and dad for all you did in raising me! I thought a lot about this yesterday and the days before and a feeling of gratitude came over me. It was quite humbling really. You see, I was thinking about my birthday and all that it meant, knew that pretty much only my companion knew about it and I wasn't going to go around telling people it was my birthday. Naturally I was thinking, "man...this day isn't really going to be about me that much is it? It's a Fast & Testimony Sunday...so no birthday breakfast even. Well, we don't have time to really cook anything special because we're busy anyway, and probably no one knows it is my day." Soon after thinking about me, the Lord taught me my lesson that day:

In our zone conference my companion taught us all brilliantly about the meaning of the words "unprofitable servant." He drew a diagram illustrating what King Benjamin had written. Imagine that on this diagram there is Heavenly Father and You. There is one arrow from Heavenly Father to you with the caption "Life and the condition to keep the commandments". Then as we try to keep the commandments (or in other words the arrow from us to Heavenly Father) another arrow is drawn from Him to us with the caption "immediate blessings." In pondering about this I realized how backwards we have it on our own birthdays. We did nothing really but come into the world, and yet we celebrate ourselves as if it were some kind of accomplishment. I'm not saying we should forgo celebrations or anything like that...mainly because I still enjoy them too much and I love birthdays! Smiley face. But, really if we take the time to think about it, our  birthday is a day in which we should give more to others for that which others gave to us. Mainly it should be us giving more to God and our parents for the life they give us. So, on my birthday I thank you mom, dad, and my Heavenly Father for all you did in giving me this opportunity to live and learn. This is the purpose of our lives in losing ourselves for the sake of other's welfare. The coolest thing is, we find ourselves...that is, we find ourselves at that potential which we are capable of attaining.

Thank you so much for your letters! I really enjoyed them and laughed super hard when I read dad's jokes. In regards to MaKormick,  I am so proud of him! He's starting to really listen to the Spirit and that is how he is learning. It is interesting that in the Gospel we can learn and learn and learn, but until the Holy Ghost takes it from our head to our heart (and only He can) then we really haven't learned anything. That really is the key that you told Korm too...or that he told himself.

Haley's quote on my birthday related to it super well. It talked about how the greatest lesson we can learn in life is doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done. I think of the Savior and his obedience. In my interview with President Podvodov, our acting mission President before President Campero returned, (which by the way was all in Russian) he said something that is just classic for this man: "Obedience, always and everywhere"  (sounds cooler when you say it in Russian by the way). Really, it's like dad always said the two most important words are: "Obedience" and "Repentance". Obedience, because if we are obedient, we will do all we are supposed to when we are supposed to and receive all the blessings of God because of it. Repentance, because as we all know, WE AREN'T PERFECT! Thank you so much for your support and always helping me see the better. I am improving and the Lord is really blessing me with that.

On Friday I was able to share the same message I shared with all of you on Easter with all the missionaries at our zone conference, but what was more, the Lord filled my mouth and gave me confidence to do so since the entire conference was in Russian. Like Korm, when the Zone Leader's Council made the decision that we all must speak 100% Russian outside the apartment with a few exclusions, I was a little protiv. (That means "against it" in Russian...there are so many words that others will just have to know in Russian when I return home because they are a part of my vocab now)  But the thoughts always were: "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven" and how true that is. We have sacrificed comfort, maybe understanding, and even the ease of feeling the spirit and receiving promptings in English as we have gone to just speaking Russian in the mission. However large the sacrifice, it will be worth it. Every choice in this life is a sacrifice in the end: Either sacrificing what matters at the moment for what matters most, or sacrificing the greatest blessings available for that which is readily on display. When the conference was about 3/4 of the way over, I sat there and this feeling of sheer joy came over me as I realized that for the last 3.5 hours we, English speaking missionaries, had been speaking the language we were called by the Lord to speak. That's true doctrine.

I love you. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever forget that.

Elder Claypool  

"He is Risen. Jesus is the Christ" - April 1, 2013

Good day family and friends from Ukraine!

Can you believe that it is 10 degrees here and people are in shorts and t-shirts? We are for our prep day. Feels like spring!  Okay so there's a difference between Celsius and Fahrenheit, but it is pretty beautiful here! Happy Easter to you too!  

Some news from me...

President Campero (our mission president that was in USA being treated for cancer) is officially back! He flew back to Ukraine on Friday and is already back in full swing working. Everyone needs to meet this man. We were talking with a less active about the sacrifices we should make and he was just making excuse after excuse. We kind of stopped the light speech and really just talked to him straight up. I realized how incredible of a man our president was as I related his situation: A mission president,  life-threatening cancer, from Bolivia serving in Ukraine, had to be in America, meeting with as many doctors as he can, and all why? To get back to serve the Lord. Without even knowing if his disease was going to be fatal or not, he planned on coming back and has come back, either to die in the service, or live to serve Christ some more. We really do not have excuses. Especially when we compare ourselves to the Savior of mankind.

In this Easter season, I have been blessed with the opportunity to really ponder some more what I am actually doing as a missionary...and how I am thanking my Savior for what he did. 

This morning I was reading in Moroni 7 which states "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men. For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens. And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased?" 

That is, Moroni is asking us whether or not Christ's work is finished, - whether or not the miracles (or the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ) has ceased. He continues:

"Behold I say unto you, Nay;"

How have they not ceased?

"...neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness. And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfil and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him. And by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father, the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men." (Moroni 7:27-32)

Take a moment to ponder just what Moroni and actually what his father Mormon is teaching us (which they left us these writings from over 1,600 years ago for us today).  In my words I would say this: Our Father in Heaven has created a perfect plan for our fullness of joy in the unit of families, unified with our Father in Heaven. Because of the nature of His Plan and Eternal Law, all mankind fell so that they could have joy, in the future, become full. Jesus Christ, our Loving Advocate and Intercessor  before the Father, whose name we praise especially this Easter season, took upon himself all that was made wrong by the Fall giving to us, all the children of the Father, an unconditional blessing of immortality and the returning back to the presence of God. But  we are held accountable now for our own choices. Hence why all prophets and apostles from the foundation of the world have said what? (and this is where Mormon's writings come in) Come unto Christ in order to partake of the blessings of the Atonement that are conditionlly given based upon each individual's personal usage of the Atonement. Or in the words of Mormon: "...lay hold upon every good thing...and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them." (Moroni 7:19, 24) 

Imagine to yourself you are with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ who are sitting on their eternal throne in the heavens having completed the Miracle that is sufficient to save all men that will use it. You would see them, in order to allow all to use this gift in full, make a covenant with Abraham and all the holy prophets in the history of the world. You'd also see them giving the prophets the keys to access this gift and administer the ordinances (and thus the covenants) required to obtain the fullest blessings of the Atonement to all men. So now in the Perfect Plan of God the Atonement is completed (or The Miracle), the opportunity exists for all to obtain it (or to obtain the miraculous blessings of the Atonement), but do all have the opportunity to do so? This is why He sends His angels from His presence to testify to mankind that all may "...have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father, the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men." (Moroni 7:32). Who will carry the Good News to the world? We will. 

As Children of the Covenant of Abraham it is our privilege to carry the message of the Gospel to all the world until this opportunity has reached every corner, every man and woman, and every island, so that the Covenant may be fulfilled; that we "...[may] bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them." (Alma 42:31).   In this Easter Season, let us deepen our understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ by realizing the angels that declared "He is not here, for He is Risen" are none other than those who carry to all the world, to all the city, to all friends, and to all the families this glorious message: He is Risen. We are those angels. We are living testimonies that He is indeed Risen, that miracles have not ceased, but that His work continues with full-force. This is who we are. This is our marvelous work and wonder. This is what is really worth living for. I know it all to be true.

Happy Easter my wonderful Family! I love you so much! 

Elder Claypool 

"All things are fulfilled by Faith" -March 25, 2013

Hey All !

I don't have much time either, but I feel impressed to share with you that each of you in your church callings really are called to do an amazing work. To read your emails every week and to see how you are magnifying your calling by magnifying your love is one of the most incredible things for me to see. I think I say this every week...but I really do have the best parents. I think everyone in the mission knows that.

Time is moving on and the days can seem purposeless and forgettable at times, but I know that God has something better for us: a fullness of joy. I've learned very clearly that if we are only going to have a part-time relationship with Deity, we can only receive a part-time portion of the blessings. Unless we are willing to descend below all things, we are not able to be lifted above all things. Through faith are all things fulfilled. Why? That's something I don't quite fully understand yet. But that's our homework for next week. I'm going to mail you my answer next week, and I'd like to hear yours. It'll be cool to study the same thing this week with you mom.

This week was good in that I was able to do a lot of thinking. I was in another one of those slumps where I just didn't feel capable and just down on myself. I was able to partake of the sacrament, renew some promises, and really decided to set some goals and get back up on my feet. There was one of our assistants on an exchange with me yesterday and it really helped a lot. His name is Elder Mitchel Butterworth and he is from Australia and is an incredible example to me of a leader. What amazes me the most is just how much he, when relying on the Lord is changing the mission. I have a lot of weaknesses, but I took your advice dad and started to count my blessings. On top of that these missionaries (assistants) really helped me just lighten up. It's really easy to get on a negative train here because we want to accomplish more and it is sad that people cannot accept Christ.

Transfers went well with me and my companion ready to really progress this transfer. This transfer is only 4 weeks due to the change in time of MTC (new incoming missionaries from the Missionary Training Center only get 9 weeks of learning Russian in Utah before coming here). I just wanted to tell you how much I am grateful for examples like you and all around me. I have a long ways to go before I am prepared for what I need to be, but if I can just do what the Lord asks, then I have no doubt and have faith and hope that I will be like Him. Truly His grace is sufficient for all of us (Ether 12:27) and all things are fulfilled by faith.

I love you and really know that this is the real life Christ talked about in John 17:3. We're dealing with eternities here.

In regards to missionaries and members who are not active or converted as they should be, we have to answer the "Why" question. Only that will help. They need to feel wanted and needed. If they only feel needed in a physical or temporal manner as a statistic or temporal need, their conversion and dedication will be temporal. But if we want to help them be eternally converted and eternally dedicated, that only comes from feeling needed eternally and spiritually. I'm learning this with the missionaries and members here. If they can understand who they really were, are and can become in the eyes of Him who sees only truth (things as they really are, were, and will be) they will have the power in them to walk the journey of faith.  This is His Gospel.

And mom, Korm and twins, you are an incredible example of losing yourself in the work of the Lord and in result have found yourself. I haven't quite found myself like other missionaries have...but in losing myself, I have the promise to find myself. I love my Savior. I worship my Father. I follow His Spirit...or at least Im getting there - smile.

Keep smiling, eating your amazing food which I always enjoyed too, and knowing that I love and pray for you!

Happy White-Almost-Easter!

Your Son Elder Claypool