Time in Guayaquil I am sure that you have all heard about the earthquake that went down here in Ecuador. Elder Johnson and I are so blessed to say that we are perfectly fine and safe. Thank you for all of the prayers that have been sent our way, but more for the prayers that have been sent to those who are suffering. It hurts my heart so much- with the thought of the beautiful people of this country who I love so so much- suffering. These people are amazing. They are incredible. And they deserve the prayers of everyone.
The earthquake did not damage much of our mission. I feel so blessed to not have to see the suffering of these people with my own eyes. Everyone we are serving is just fine! We are pretty far away from the trigger point...but that does not mean that we didn't feel it. I am sure it was quite the sight actually...we were mid prayer when it hit. The Brother who was praying hurried and finished and then we ran outside...it still had not hit hard. But about 10 second passed and we actually started to lose our balance. Things started falling from all around the place! It gave Elder Johnson and I much fear! We actually started hugging each other and jumping up and down like 10 year old girls. In Vinces, where we are at, the earthquake lasted about a minute and then the power went out for about an hour. It came back for about another hour and then went again for another 5-6 hours...we will get to that a little later in the spiritual message! ;)
I don't even know where to start with this week! It was incredible!
I think I will just share one experience really quickly!
We
found a man who had JUST finished off his smoke...and he had a packet
of 2 more. We felt the strong impression to stop and talk to him so we
did. We first testified of God...of His existence...of His love. Then we
went strait to the case. We testified that He is a God of commandments
and of Prophets who talk with Him and that a Prophet received a
commandment called the Word of Wisdom. We explained that smoking and
drinking is against the laws that God has given us and that we are
damaging ourselves as we partake of such substances. We asked him, "Brother, what would Jesus Christ do with this packet if He were
here?" He thought for a second...gave out a grunt, smashed the packet
between his hands, and threw it into the street. He told us he has kids
and he needs to be a better example to them. He thanked us so humbly and
so kindly and we were able to take out another visit for later this
week. What a tender mercy to see. We were blessed with the chance to
literally see repentance take place. How amazing. What a Christlike
example. What would Christ say about the things we are doing in our
lives? What are we willing to smash and throw away in order to follow
the Savior?
Now on to the spiritual message...
The
earthquake that just occurred here and the loss of electricity brought me to
the realization that we were blessed with the privilege of reliving
both miraculous and devastating events in history. "And there began to
be great doubting and disputations among the people, notwithstanding so
many signs had been given (of the crucifixion of Christ). And there
was also a great and terrible tempest; and there was terrible thunder,
insomuch that it did shake the whole earth as if it was about to divide
asunder. And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the
face of the land..." (3 Nephi 8).
I can testify with all of my heart
that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to this earth and established
His very church. Not a church of men, of tradition, or of habit...but a
church of truth, of power, and of authority. There existed one single
church...the church of Christ Himself. The very one that he constructed,
formed, organized, and led. But the people rejected Him...they even
crucified Him...and His death and absence caused the world to shake and
the light to go away just as it did here in Vinces on Saturday night.
Vinces was completely dark for about an hour. I thought of my Savior
during this hour of darkness. How would it be to not have a Savior?
Dark. I felt in danger. We had no communication with other missionaries.
We were lost! Just as those who lived in darkness for 3 days in the
account of 3 Nephi. But just as the light came to Vinces once more...the
light came to the world once more. "And now it came to pass that thus
did the three days pass away. And it was the morning, and the darkness
dispersed from off the face of the land." There is no doubt in my mind
or heart that Jesus Christ lives. He arose and because of his
Resurrection these Nephite people were brought out of the darkness just
as we were on Saturday night. We were ordered to go back to the house immediately because it was not safe outside - so we did. We got home,
planned, got ready for bed, (snuck in a protein shake just like old
times ;)) and RIGHT before we said the prayer...the power went out
again. Just as the power went out in the world when Christ had ascended
to the Heavens. "And they began to be divided into classes; and they
began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to
deny the true church of Christ." The TRUE church of Christ was denied
and eventually withered away because of the pride of men. Because of
the false teachings the light was taken from the earth once more just as
it was in Vinces after it had returned. The only churches that remained
are the same ones that we see today. Churches edified by men without
direction from the One True God and without any power whatsoever to grow
closer to the Lord, Jesus Christ. I lived this on Saturday night. This
is called apostasy. And it was once of the most miserable things I have
ever experienced in my life. I do not want to complain...because it was a marvelous experience that really touched my heart and has changed my
testimony forever. Elder Johnson and I COULD NOT SLEEP. IT WAS
ROASTING! The only thing we have that permits us to fall asleep is the
little fan that we have. So when the power goes out...we are toast. The
fan is also what keep us safe from the zeebra-squeets because the breeze
from the fan blows them off of our skin when they try to bite us. So
the mosquitoes got us pretty good. The fan also gives off a sound that
helps us not hear the loud music from outside that never stops. It
helps us sleep in peace. The fan is the gospel of Jesus Christ. After
His ascension to Heaven the power went own and the fan stopped working.
The heat of unbelief and false doctrine did not let people live in
peace. Satan's temptations bit all continents and could not be blown
away...and the world fell into darkness. These hours were miserable! The
apostasy was MISERABLE! But what relief, joy, and gratitude we had when
the sound of the fan was heard and its breeze was felt. The heat went
away. The mosquitoes - millions of mosquitoes were blown off of our skin.
And the music was no longer heard. We could fall asleep in peace. The
power was back and the fan worked in Vinces just as the power came back
and the fan started spinning once more in 1820. I promise all of you
that if it were not for a 14 year old boy who entered a sacred grove on a
beautiful spring morning we would have no fan. The gospel of Jesus
Christ would not function. The heat of false doctrine would be
unbearable, the bites from Satan would torment us, and the world's
wickedness would take over our peace. We would have no access to the
atonement of the Savior - had this 14 year old boy not of prayed. The
restoration of the gospel and the life of Joseph Smith has been and
forever will be the greatest blessing in your entire existence apart
from the blessing to have a Savior and Redeemer and for the life He
lived and gave for you. I know without a doubt that the heavens were
opened that spring morning. They were opened because there was no truth.
There was only tradition. They were opened because God is love. God is
mercy. God is forgiving. And God is real. God would not be God if it
were not for Joseph Smith. I know and testify that the fan is spinning.
Jesus Christ has once again established the very church He Himself
organized during His earthly ministry on earth. I don't know it because
my parents told me, because I saw it on YouTube or because I read it. I
know it because I talk to the Almighty God of the Universe. I talk to
your God. I converse with Him who know all. I speak to Him who created
the universe, the sun, and the stars...and I have asked Him if what I
have shared is true...
I do it every single day...
and He never fails to tell me "yes".
Love you all!
Elder Noll
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