James's Comment

James is this awesome 9-year old from one of my favorite member families ever. He read the Book of Mormon with his dad when he was 7. His testimony of its truthfulness grew and he decided to be baptized when he was 8.

Watch out for this kid while playing board games! He's got a few tricks up his sleeve; he's no joke in the game of Secret Hitler. One P. Day when we were playing Secret Hitler with him, his mom, and his dad, James made a comment that caught my attention.

We frequently taught one of our friends who was not a member at their household. James often joined in for the conversations. That friend of ours decided to make covenants with God. They were baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

While playing a game with James, he said something to the effect of, "I think it's really cool what you guys did. You got someone who wasn't coming to church at all and helped them come to church to the point where they were even baptized!"

I overlooked the comment at first and simpled agreed with him. But the more I thought about it, the more cool it became. The thought of getting people who don't come to church to go and eventually be baptized is such a common thought amongst missionaries. It's what we try to help people do every single day.

And because of that, it's become so normal. You forgot how wonderful that thought truly is. Because it is really cool. We are helping people change their lives. We are helping people draw closer to God and their Savior. We are helping people make covenants with their Father in Heaven. And we do it every single day.

James, you are oh so right. It is really really really cool what we had the chance to do. And what I have the chance to do for these two years of my life.

I LOVE being a full-time missionary. I've never been so consistently and resiliently happy in my entire life.

Nearer To Thee

At the start of each year, my home ward does this thing where the missionaries write short talks and then one of the parents of the missionary reads them to the congregation. It's a great time. This is mine for this year. 

I was asked to focus my talk on "how the members of the Fallon Second Ward can draw closer to our Heavenly Father during this upcoming year."

It's kind of comical because a couple-few weeks later, after some boundary changes, the ward I am now in is the Fallon Third Ward.

Also due to the ward change, I'm unsure when, or even if, our talks will be read. Regardless of what takes place, here is my talk.

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Hello!

I'm under the impression currently that by the time this letter is read, our ward boundaries will have been changed. So that’s kind of weird. We’re not even the 2nd ward anymore. 

I thought I would have my mom introduce me real quick through means of her reading the words I have written.

I'm Elder Alexander Perazzo. I've been a missionary for almost 15 months now, which is wild. And I'm currently serving in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission, which was my original assignment. Our mission also includes most of Salt Lake and various surrounding areas, such as Midvale, Murray, Holladay, and Rose Park. It also includes the southwest 1/6th of Wyoming.

I started off by spending 10 and a half months in two areas both near Sugarhouse. I have been serving in Rock Springs, Wyoming for the past 4 and a half months, although I just got transferred back to Utah and am currently in my new area covering the Holladay YSA and the Olympus Stake. I actually happen to cover the ward of a member many of you will recognize; Becky Jamieson, my cousin.

I have loved my mission and the experiences/people I've been able to have/meet :)

I was asked to give a few thoughts on how we can draw closer to our Father in Heaven in this new year.

I have grown closer to my Savior and my Father in Heaven more so in the first year of my mission than at any other year I’ve experienced during this earthly life.

I think that is, primarily, for 3 reasons.

Reason #1

I have a consistent and large amount of time set apart for personal study almost every single day and my routine of saying prayers every morning and night, alongside other times during the day has been more constant and fervent than ever before.

Missionaries have 1 hour of personal study almost every single day of the week. It’s a beautifully sacred time where we get to immerse ourselves in the scriptures and the words of the living prophets.

I am not saying that you need to find an hour or even a half an hour of time to study the scriptures every day. That is simply not reasonable for many people.

What I am saying is that there is power in prayer. There is power in the scriptures. As Joseph Smith said, “I told the brethren . . . man would get nearer to God by abiding by [the Book of Mormon’s] precepts, than by any other book.”

If you make those two simple things a priority in your life, everything will run smoother. Trust me. Make a sacrifice. You’ll gain far more than you’ll give up. 

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Reason #2

Trials, difficulties, and being simply uncomfortable is an abundant thing on a mission.

Missions are hard, believe it or not. But through trials, we grow. This is why life is so difficult. It is to prepare us for our future; our future both in this life and in the life after.

However, remember what Elder Eyring said in the past General Conference, “Now, even with such blessings promised through tribulation, we do not seek tribulation. In the mortal experience, we will have ample opportunity to prove ourselves, to pass tests hard enough to become ever more like the Savior and our Heavenly Father.

Rely on Christ during your difficult times. For me, doing so is when I grow the most.

Reason #3

I’m sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Restored Church with others.

I asked my previous companion, Elder Townsend the question this talk is based on. “In one or two sentences, how can we draw closer to our Heavenly Father?” His almost instant response was, “By helping others to do so.”

This principle is oh so very true. And I think it’s another reason why I’ve grown so much closer to my Savior and my Father in Heaven during my mission. Because I’m constantly trying to ‘invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel.”

It is such a beautiful thing to see people’s faith in God, Christ, and Christ Restored Church grow.

As we help others, our faith too will increase.

In regards to sharing it with other members of our Church, especially those of us with member families:

Be an example to your kids or siblings or even your parents. Share a favorite verse you found and an insight you had. Encourage your family to say prayers together or read the scriptures together. Start doing family prayer and scripture study alone, if you have to. Your family will soon join you.

In regards to sharing it with those not yet a part of Christ’s Restored Church:

I love what Elder Uchdorf says about sharing the gospel in normal and natural ways. “If someone asks about your weekend, don’t hesitate to talk about what you experienced at church.”

He, at another time, says,

“In fact, the gospel will be such an essential, precious part of your life that it would feel unnatural not to talk about it with others. That may not happen immediately—it is a lifelong effort. But it will happen.”

People are far more prepared to hear the truth of the Restored Gospel than many times we think they are. Please, share the gospel with others. Help the missionaries in your ward and ask them to help you in your efforts to share the Gospel. Ask your friends if they would be willing to hear more about your faith and how it can help them. You will grow nearer to God if you do so.

I know now more than ever before that this is Christ’s Restored Church. That Russell M. Nelson is a prophet on our earth today. That Christ did Atone for us, and that God is our loving Heavenly Father.

I bear witness of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.