Baptism is the first saving ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Baptism by immersion in water by one having authority is the first saving ordinance of the gospel and is necessary for an individual to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and to receive eternal salvation.  All who seek eternal life must follow the example of the Savior by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Hello family!

The highlight of our week was the baptism on Saturday! Oh, what a wonderful Saturday morning. We rode over to the Stake Center (they only have fonts at stake centers here in Utah) and met up with the Ward Mission Leader. I was so excited for the young lady I was going to baptize.  As we stepped into the baptismal font, dressed in white, the spirit was so strong. It was incredible! She held my wrist as I raised my arm to the square, said the prayer, and baptized her. When she came out of the water, she opened her eyes and looked at me and all I could see was the pure joy in her eyes. What a wonderful experience to be able to baptize someone as they enter the waters of baptism and follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ. On Sunday, Elder Greenacre did the confirmation.  As we laid our hands on her head and confirmed her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Elder G conferred the Gift of the Holy Ghost upon her, then left her with a wonderful blessing. It's moments like those that truly remind and inspire me why I'm serving a mission. To see folks like her and her sister make sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father, and eventually go to the temple. We're planning on a day when all four of us can go to Timp Temple and do baptisms for the dead..

Anyways, I figured I would say this now since its in three days...but Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! 21 years strong! I love you both! Do something special for me.

On another note, I saw a bright yellow Lamborghini Gallardo LP-540 a few days ago! It was moving so I couldn't snatch a picture but it was HOT! 🔥

Anyways, I think that about does it for this week!  (I didn't inform you last week, but after I emailed you, we met up with the rest of our zone in Lindon, UT and played soccer for at least 3 hours. Serving with a Brit for this long has made me develop a love for fútbol. Yeah good times!)

Love you all!

-Elder Ahrens

Sent from my iPad

We have to align with the correct frequency in order to hear the music of the Spirit. ♬♬♬♬♬ 

Hello family!

So this has been a pretty quick week! Things are moving forward in the Pleasant Grove Creek area!

So, we met a young man who was referred to us by the Ward Mission Leader of that YSA Ward. We were informed about some of his history, but the bottom line is that he wants to turn his life around. A fellow member was recommended to go teach with us but he ended up not being available. So guess who I called who just so happens to be in that same YSA ward? Jordan Capt. It was awesome! So he went with us to teach. This young man has one of the most firm and unshakable testimonies that I have ever heard! As went about teaching The Restoration, the answers he was giving to our questions carried insight that I have never heard before in my entire mission. It was incredible! The spirit was so, so strong in that room! He expressed some of the ways that he gained his testimony and they were very unique and interesting but true nonetheless! He's an amazing young man and I look forward to continuing to work with him! I think one of the coolest things was the fact that Jordan and I basically switched places! Usually it would have been me going with him and Elder Edgington or Elder Musso! So cool to teach with him!

Speaking of Elder Edgington! Well, and Jordan. So Jordan is getting married. He said that both Elder Edgington and Elder Musso will be at his reception here in PG! I just have to hope I'm here next transfer so I can go and see them! Super cool!

So I thought I would share this just because it's funny. So on Saturday we had a lesson with another guy. So when we got there, he was trying to get his truck started because the battery had died. I offered to give him a jump with our car and it fired right up! After a few minutes, he shut it off and we went inside. I was a little concerned about this just because there was no way it was long enough to charge the battery enough for another start. Unfortunately, I was right. At the end of the lesson, we waited for him just to make sure it would start. It didn't. We then jumped him again. Only this time, we had the contacts on the battery, we waited a minute, and it wouldn't start. Wouldn't even click. No noises or lights inside. DEAD. At this point if he had to ride his bike, he would have been late because his work is at American Fork Hospital about 4 miles away. I had one last idea pop into my my head! I informed him that if I put the positive contact on the starter directly bypassing the battery, it would turn over and ignite. He replied that at this point, he had nothing to lose so we proceeded. Thanks for teaching me that trick, Dad! It worked like a charm! Cranked over a few times and roared to life! Redneck start-up: Mission Accomplished✔

So I assume you would like to hear about our investigator! Her and her sister go to church every week, read their scriptures, and have daily prayer. Well we currently have her on date to be baptized next Saturday, the 18th. She has asked that I baptize her. We are so excited for this wonderful occasion in her life! Watching her enter the waters of baptism will be one of the most rewarding feelings of being on a mission! After which, the 4 of us are planning on going to the temple to do baptisms. We're just so happy for the recent decisions that she and her sister have both made in their lives.  I know their lives will be blessed by committing to be a disciple of our Heavenly Father.

So during the week, we had our quarterly interviews with President McCune. They went really well. The only bumming part is that we were informed that it will be the last time we meet with President McCune formally before he is released in July. A bittersweet experience. With all of the changes in the mission, things are definitely getting
prepared for a greater thing!

Anyways, I think about sums up this week!

Until next week!

Love you all!

-Elder Ahrens

I am sooo excited to hear a Prophet of the Lord!

Waiting for General Conference to start.

Salt Lake Temple

Committed to serving the Lord!

Awesome companion, Elder Greenacre.

Hey Family!

  This has been a productive week.  One of the highlights was when we went on exchanges.  I went in our district leader's area and we did plenty of walking around, talking to everybody, sharing the #BecauseHeLives video and handing out the pass along cards.  We were walking around and we literally talked to everybody!  Some of our appointments fell through, so we walked around and did some contacting.  I think one of the highlights of that day was when we had dinner.  Elder Evans had talked to this family previously inquiring about breakfast for dinner.  But since he wasn't in the area at the time... I got to have it!  While I was in the area we taught a young boy who is 9 years old and he's been talking about baptism.  We talked about faith, repentance and also about the promises we make at baptism.  It was actually pretty easy teaching him because of the copious amount of 9 years olds I taught in Spanish Fork!  We also shared the video Because He Lives.  It was a pretty good lesson.    

   So the sister of our recent baptism is on date for baptism!!!!!  When she left to go back to her hometown for a week, we asked her to pray about a date for baptism.  And she replied in April.  We are pretty excited about that!

   Now to the real deal of the week.  General Conference!  It was a lovely morning.  Got up, got prepared for the day ahead, jumped in the car with a few other missionaries, and drove to Lehi to meet up with President McCune and the other missionaries who were also going.  From there we jumped in the car with the APs and off to SLC we went.  We arrived a couple of blocks from the Conference center.  As we were walking we saw numerous protestors and anti-christs.  Then we went into the Conf Center and found our seats and took a bunch of pictures.  Talked for a while and then watched as General Authority after General Authority walked into the Conference Center.  I wished that I was down in the front row talking to all of the Apostles as they greeted everyone.  After a few minutes went by, the entire room went silent as President Monson, President Eyring and President Uchtodorf walked into the room. You wouldn't believe the spirit that just floods the room as they walk in. It gave me chills! Then conference started and we had the opportunity to hear the talks in person. Listening to each one of these folks who were called of God speak to us testifying of the gospel is a life changing experience! I'm thankful that we get to re-watch/re-read these talks on Gospel Library. I'm going to have to re-read President Packer's talk being that no one could understand a word he was saying. Watching him sit there in his chair giving his talk..man I felt so bad. He looks terrible! I fear his time may be coming. It's kind of cool to think that when he passes, he will be greeted by God without a single fear. Serving as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ for many years...and he's still coming along! It was so cool to listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! Their singing combined with the power of the volume of that incredible pipe organ! I'm sure Sister Harris would kill to play that thing! Amazing! I think one of my most favorite talks was from Elder Perry. As I watched him stand at the pulpit....check-TOWERING over that pulpit....he is TALL! 6'5, 93 years old, and flippin awesome! Elder Perry is still chuggin along!

   As conference came to a close, we all gathered outside with President and Sister McCune for a picture! This is kind of crazy but as I walking down the street to temple square, I was walking with Elder Laffidy (an elder who was in my MTC district), he noticed this young lady who, to both of us, looked very familiar! I don't know if I've told you already but Elder Laffidy is from South Carolina, and so he went to EFY at Southern Virginia University just like I did. This young lady whom we noticed was a counselor at EFY when he and I went! Her name is Hollie and it was super crazy to see her again! She said she recognized our last names and we were reminiscing the good days. Anyways, we continued on to temple square! We saw person after person...even saw a dude dressed up like Satan standing outside the gates talking bogus stuff about the church. There were a few people who I knew that I bumped into there. Pretty cool! Took plenty of pictures! While we were hanging out there it became very apparent to one of our group leaders that we needed to get to the Front Runner (train) station quickly otherwise we would miss it back to Lehi, UT! He gathered all of us and we literally (I'm not joking) ran all the way from Temple Square to the train station! We got there with only 5 minutes to spare....holy moly. I bet we looked ridiculous. A bunch of Mormon Missionaries running through the streets of Salt Lake hahaha! All in all we got back in time.

     We then watched the remaining sessions of conference. It was a really good time! Spent that time with a few of our favorite awesome families. Good times!

Anyways. Good week! Fantastic weekend! I won't ever forget it!

We have a fun hiked planned today for p-day so we're off to do that!

Until next week! Love you!

-Elder Ahrens  

New Zone - Aspen Grove Zone (Week March 23 & 30)

So grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ!

Awesome family we visited.

Awesome Family!

Awesome Family!

Elder Greenacre and myself.

We can always go to the Lord when faced with uncertain directions!

I love the temple. Families are sealed together forever.

The Mt Timpanogos Temple.

"P" Day (Preparation Day) requires a little rest.

Well hello everyone! Elder Greenacre and I are still companions. Yea!!!!  

Last Monday, me and my companion moved to a different house. It's really nice. We have our own kitchen and private entrance. And we are now closer to the Edwards!

We saw Jordan Capt last Sunday, which was awesome. When we went to his Ward, I had no idea he was in this YSA Ward...we're sitting there and I look over and there he is with his fiancé! Go figure haha!

This morning we played soccer with the Elders in our district. We are going to start playing every MWF at 6 a.m..So I may come home with some mad soccer skills!

So during the commotion of transfers, several missionaries had gone home but not many came out so several areas were combined into other areas. Me, Elder Greenacre, and Elder Carder (Our District
Leader) were essentially moved out of the Timpanogos zone (which was a totally awesome zone btw) and put in the Aspen Grove Zone. One of our zone leaders, Elder Simonsen is actually from Chesapeake, VA! We get on pretty well and we informed each other that we come from a good part of the country haha!

So far in the Aspen Grove Zone, we have had some amazing opportunities to teach people about the Restoration.

Mom, thank you so much for the Nike+ FuelBand! I love it and it is so awesome! Works great, looks good, and keeps me motivated! Learn more about Nike FuelPoints and you'll know why!

So Sister Edwards has been spoiling me and Elder Greenacre. She's made me chicken enchiladas, banana bread with chocolate chips, scotcheroos, and chocolate chip cookie bars! Holy moly she's the best haha! Even more motivation to work out! Haha

So Dad tells me that y'all are planning on selling the house in Ogden to get another. Last night I prayed to Heavenly Father that he would help you all as you make these decisions. I know and have experienced the power of his hand in my life as I make decisions here in the mission field and I know that he can help you in this time.

What else....uhh I saw a Nissan GTR, and an Audi R8 this week haha!

I'm sure Sister Gerber will tell you, but I saw her this past week and actually taught a lesson with her! It was kind of cool. Mom, she talked about how much she adores you lol. I mean...what's not to love?! ❤️

I think that about sums up the life of a missionary for this week! A big shout out to Brother & Sister Edwards for all they do for me. Sister Edwards told me about y'all's conversation yesterday. Glad she's there to keep me in line and keep you informed haha!

Anyways...love you all! Looking forward to what the future holds! Oh, by the way, I'm going to the  Morning session of General Conference!

-Elder Ahrens

Greetings from Pleasant Grove, Utah

The courage to follow the Savior's example.

New member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Famous Gardiner Sisters

Hello family!

This has sure been a very busy week!

To start it off, we had a mission-wide conference in Provo with President McCune, Elder Clarke of the Seventy, and President Donaldson (previous San Diego Mission president). It was the kick-off of the integration of mobile devices in missionary work. UPM (Utah Provo Mission) has had iPad's for a little over a year now, and that's because we were a pilot mission. We have now left the pilot stage and are in the integration stage and several missions throughout the world are slowly incorporating iPads into their areas. We will be trained on how to use Facebook so we can testify of the Savior and invite all to Christ. All in all, it will be a powerful tool for us to share the gospel. The Lord is truly hastening his work!

We had Zone Training Meeting. That's when the Zone gets together and we talk about missionary work and tools and doctrine and stuff like that! I really like going to those because our zone leaders are really cool and we have a pretty great zone! I learn a lot from those meetings and I feel the spirit so strongly!

Jumping forward to the weekend...the sister I mentioned to you was baptized! We had a wonderful baptismal service at one of the stake centers. There were a lot(!) of her friends there. To see the support she had with this choice in her life is incredible. It gives me comfort knowing she has that much support. Elder Greenacre performed the baptism and I had the privilege of confirming her the next day in Sacrament Meeting. It such a neat xperience! We could feel the spirit so strongly in both events! I truly cherish the friendship and relationship we have with her and her sister. They're strong. They've managed to stand firm against the adversary's ferocious winds of discouragement. A true testament of faith and hope in Heavenly Father.

Jump ahead a few hours. This is when we went to the Lindon YSA Ward. We sat with the Gardiner Sisters in sacrament meeting then afterwards we talked for a bit. Hailey, Allie, and Mandi are super cool and I'm really glad I got to meet them! I will probably see them around again.

Backup to earlier in the week. There is a young woman who lives in the stake. She has been preparing to serve a mission in the England London South mission...which also happens to be Elder Greenacre's home mission! How about them apples! Anyways, Tuesday night was her setting apart. She invited us to be a part of it! Beforehand, President Gleason (Stake President) gave a little shpeel about serving and it was kind of like what President Dionne told me...it was kind of nice to hear it again because it reminded me why I'm really here. Anyways, It was so cool because I had never been in a setting apart circle for a missionary! You could feel the spirit just flood the room! Wicked cool.

Welp....today we have Zone Activity. That's where the whole zone gets together and does stuff and has a good time! Looking forward to getting out there and getting active! That about sums up this week.
Pics will soon come! Love you all!

-Elder Ahrens

Unitah Mountains

I'm amazed at these mountains.

Sunset from Dry Canyon

Dry Canyon

What a view!

Aloha!

How are we doin? I hope everyone is doing well! I know I am! Things are going pretty well here in Pleasant Grove! I'm loving all of the pics that y'all send me! I like to see how the fam bam is doing! I heard mom ended up with a brand new Samsung Galaxy S5! Yet, for some reason she gave granny her S4....so we'll see how long that lasts! Love you Granny! Dad, glad you're holding fast to the rod of Apple. iPhones do it better!

So about 2 weeks ago, an elder in our district became very sick. This past week we did exchanges with them because he's been so sick. Basically, we swapped for 3 hours each. Elder Greenacre took the first shift, then I took the second shift. After that, we went back to our usual areas. We're keeping him in our prayers that he'll recover soon.

I've mentioned our mission parents in the past. They take really good care of us and help us out! "Dad" is actually the High-Councilman over missionary work in the Mt.Timpanogos stake. (The other elders' area). We see them pretty much every day so it's kind of nice.

Y'all remember our investigator who is getting baptized. We're super happy for her and are looking forward to this momentous occasion!  We're still praying for her parent's hearts to be softened. I really enjoy working with the YSA's because we can relate to each other. We have a good friendship with her, her sister, and her boyfriend. Course....Her boyfriend and I get along because we're both car guys. Haha

So, we had another exchange! This time with the Zone Leaders! They are Elder Cox and Elder Jiles. Elder Jiles was my zone leader when I was in Spanish Fork so I know him pretty well so it's a good deal. This time, Elder Cox came into my area with me. I had never really talked to the guy prior to that..but it turns out that he's like the coolest zone leader ever! Also, we have a lot of similar interests. He's from a small town in central Oregon. We went and talked about guns, trucks, hunting, four-wheeling, and girls for hours hahaha! We both have that "country boy" mentality so we got along really well! I would not mind serving with him at all! Course...he's been out 17 months and he's a zone leader so I highly doubt it will ever happen haha. Who knows!

So while we were on exchanges, the night previous we got an invite to a YSA Ward breakfast. We figured it would be a good opportunity to meet some people, get ourselves known, and maybe get some referrals. Anyways, we were sitting there, and after the breakfast portion, they played a game. So as I was looking around I looked towards the other side of the room and saw someone familiar. We went to throw our plates away, and I noticed two more people who I recognized. You may not know them...but it was the Gardiner Sisters! (They're sisters who sing together and they're awesome. I've seen their videos on YouTube but I never thought I would see them in person!) So I was like...holy crap. So I started talking to them. They're super nice. If you don't know who they are, Google them or search them on YouTube.  It's crazy that they live right here in my area! They've worked with The Piano Guys, Lindsey Stirling and other YouTube famous others in the past.

Well...that pretty much sums up my week! Pretty good week I'd say. Mom and Dad, I wish you luck back in the tundra that is the east coast.

Love you all!

-Elder Ahrens

Great week in Pleasant Grove, UT

M&M - Mormon Missionary 200 days out!

Mt. Timpanogos Zone

Awesome family here in Pleasant Grove!

Hello family!

So things have gone really well this past week!

We had what's called Zone Training Meeting. This is where all 3 districts of the zone gather together and we have a big meeting where we are all able to learn new things. It was a very spiritual and uplifting meeting and I'd probably say it was one of the best that I've been to!

So over the course of the past week, we've been meeting with an amazing investigator that I mentioned to you previously.  She is still committed to her baptismal date of March 7th. She knows that what she's doing is right and she believes it to be true. Her sister has been sitting in and listening to our lessons. The sister's boyfriend is a member and served a mission in Bolivia. He is so awesome and a great example to others! Anyway, her family is struggling with her decision to be baptized but we are praying that they will feel the spirit and desire to know about the gospel.

As far as baptisms go, I had the opportunity to go back to Spanish Fork to witness a baptism of someone who I worked with right up until I left. It was so cool to see her get baptized!

Unfortunately as typical missionary life goes, we had several lesson cancellations this week. People get busy with life. So I don't have a lot to report on. However, as far as the missionary work goes on the Stake level, we're getting the Mission Leaders involved to help increase our missionary efforts here in Pleasant Grove. Can't wait!

What else....oh! So next month, the mission is taking all of our iPads and giving us brand new ones that is funded by the families of the missionaries.

The pictures that I'm getting sent are so nice! I love seeing how y'all are doing. Jenise sends plenty of pics of the little man. How is baby Rox doing? I don't hear much from J and MJ so I'm mainly going off of what's on Facebook.

Anyways, today we're gonna go play some indoor soccer. Guess what! A couple of days ago, I found out that I'm exactly the same (if not a little lighter) weight as when I left home! I put on like 10 pounds in SF and I lost in all in a period of 2 weeks haha. I'm now back at 170lbs haha. So that's my highlight of the week. Elder Greenacre and I
are more health and fitness oriented together so we make it work. 

Saw Elder Capt again this week. He's doing well. He's getting married soon.

Anyways, Dad, when you sent that email about the Daytona 500, I couldn't help but run around the room screaming in excitement! That's going to be such an awesome race a few years from now! Looking forward
to it!

I can't believe how much snow the east coast has gotten! They've taken quite a beating this winter and I've been out here chillen with 50 degree weather and sunny!

Pics will follow this email.

Love you all!

Hasta en la proxima semana!

-Elder Ahrens