The Gospel Will Strengthen Your Family

Hello y'all,

It was another great week in Brooklyn! I keep on learning and growing as a missionary! I was once again reminded this week that when you're diligent and obedient then you are a lot happier and things just seem to fall into place! I'll give some examples a little later, but let's get into the week!

So this week I have just been trying to enjoy everything around me! Sometimes I overlook the fact that I'm in one of the greatest cities in the world! So we have just been trying to enjoy the scenery. We actually go running on the Brooklyn bridge for morning workouts so that's awesome! Never thought I would be doing that. Also the New York life style is something else! People are so shocked when we say hi to them and everything is just so fast pace! It's pretty cool how big of a difference the city is from Long Island. We have one unique mission. 

Anyways remember last week when I mentioned we have the super rich and classy, and on the other hand we have the really ghetto? So yeah I saw more of the ghetto this week. There was a group of like 300+ teenagers walking down this street next to a shopping center, so I was like what the heck is going on? And then this guy said to me "these kids all storm into a store and steal as much stuff as they can, Like a month ago they tasered some lady and then stole her wallet" These kids are nuts! What has this generation come to? But don't worry the cops finally caught on and now every time they see a big group of kids they call for back up and like 40 cops follow them around. Welcome to New York!

But on a spiritual side, we met with Pete again this week! We had a great lesson about the Book of Mormon with him! He is now reading a chapter a day! He even brought up repentance and baptism too, he told us he was gonna get baptized on June 26th so that's really cool! He showed up to church yesterday and he just loved it. He said he likes how we are actually quiet and not yelling like other churches. He said he really felt the spirit! I don't know how I got so lucky to meet this kid! He is so pure in heart and just has the best desires. After he is baptized he is going off to the army so that's cool! I love that guy!

We also met a couple this week named Rosa and Jesus! They are also so prepared for the gospel. Jesus has been through a lot in his life and has a lot of questions about life. It's so great because the gospel answers every single one of them! We talked about how the gospel will strengthen his family relationships and bring safety to his family from what's going on in the world! After we said this, he just bursted into tears and told us this is what he has been waiting for! Again, I don't know why I have been so blessed to come across these amazing people! The spirit was so strong in that discussion I'll tell you that!

When it comes down to it I would say that this mission has saved my life! I had another experience where I was shown that the mission has helped me overcome anxiety. I gave a talk in church yesterday which isn't a big deal, but the big thing was I wasn't asked until the night before! I know if I was at home I would've been freaking out and most likely would've said no. But I was able to happily say yes without any worries! Also if I didn't come out here I would've never met these amazing people! They have opened my eyes up to so many different things and I just have a great love for them! I do not even want to imagine my life if I wasn't out here! I truly understand what it means to be converted to the gospel now, and what a blessing that is!

Thanks for all the love and emails! Keep them coming and I'll do my best to respond. Have a great week! 

Much love,

Elder Jeppson

International Faith Meeting

Sorry I'm so late with this, we had interviews with president so p-day got pushed back to today! But anyways I got a new area! I'm in Park Slope, Brooklyn! It's amazing how diverse this place really is. We have about everything in our area. We've got some super rich people and the poorest of poor. We also have the Brooklyn bridge in our area so we go by there on p-days and then there's this place called Brooklyn bridge park where we play basketball on a platform built out on the water! It's really cool. I had never imagined myself playing ball in the hood of downtown Brooklyn with some homies! It's so sweet! Also I got a new companion and his name is Elder Hunt! He is a stud! He is the hardest worker I've seen, but on the other hand is super funny and makes this work fun! We're getting along real well. But like I said earlier this area is super great! There is always people to talk to! We have this thing in our mission where we are supposed to talk to 15 new people about the church each day also known as "Planting seeds", but here we are able to talk to like 50+ each day so it's great! I love the city it is such a neat experience. This place from my other areas feels like a completely different mission. We walk so much here so I'm always hungry and when we get home my legs are dead! It makes me feel like a worked super hard so that's good.  But let me get into my week

So we met this guy named Pete this week! He has been investigating the church for about two weeks now. Last time Elder Hunt went over there, they taught Pete and his mom, but this time his mom wouldn't come out of her room for some reason. But don't worry Pete wanted to listen! He invited his friend over, and his name is Paul. We just started talking to get to know them and we found out that both of them weren't living the best lives a couple years ago. Pete used to be into drugs and was involved in a gang and Paul had similar experiences. We found out that just last months Pete started to believe in God. He realized the life he was living was just dragging him and his family down. So just a month ago he had an experience where he was in danger but somehow he got out of it and a voice whispered to him saying "Pete I am here". He realized that, that had to be God. So he prayed for the first time in his life and that moment. What a powerful experience that is! We ended up having a great lesson with them on the restoration and the spirit was so strong! I think it's the strongest I have felt during a lesson. So when I realized I was feeling it I asked them how they felt. And they said "peaceful, I'm not worried about anything right now". So we explained to him that was the spirit, and we told them that if he stayed on this path he can have the spirit to be with him always and can live a happier life. He is now preparing for a baptismal date on June 19th! The lord is truly preparing these people. These are the kind of experiences that keep you going when times get hard!

Also we had the opportunity to go to this international faith meeting in Brooklyn city hall! It was probably on of the coolest experiences I've had! There was over 200 different pastors, priests, bishops, chaplains, reverends, Jews, and Muslims there! Elder Hunt and I were the youngest people in there by far. It was so cool to see so many religions get together! We had the president of the Brooklyn borough come speak to us about how we need to unite and fight against the hardships of the world! It was so cool! Everybody was shouting their "hallelujahs", "amens", and other loud praises. There was also a lady that sang to us and everybody was just getting so pumped up and singing along. I'll send some videos of it! But the coolest part about it is that we got to share our beliefs with so many of them! We planted a lot of seeds there!

I am just loving it here! This is the hardest I have worked on my mission and I have never been more happy! It is so fulfilling knowing that I am giving my all to Heavenly Father. It's so crazy to think about a year ago I would be having anxiety attacks thinking about talking in front of people, but now I am in a leadership position so I've given many trainings in front of missionaries and  I'm able to talk to random strangers on the street without freaking out! I have a huge testimony and I am proof of the scripture Ether 12:27 in the Book of Mormon where the lord says "I will make weak things become strong unto you". I know the lord keeps his promises! I know it was only because of him that I got through this anxiety, and what a blessing that is to me! Don't give up everyone. Take this promise to heart that the lord can make your weaknesses become strengths.

I love where I'm at right now, I love missionary work, but mostly I love the lord! Have a great week all! I'm sorry I didn't write any of you this week, but I promise I will next week! I love you all!!


Elder Jeppson

Last Week in Lynbrook

Good morning family,

So this was my last week in lynbrook! I will be getting transferred! I don't know where yet, all I know is that I have been called as a district leader! I'm pretty nervous about that but it will be good for me.  I am pretty sad that I'm leaving Lynbrook, it was not easy! But I am excited for a new start!

So this week we met with the Elderly couple H***** and C****! We had a really good lesson with them about priesthood authority. H***** is really struggling with his health right now and he is feeling a lot of pain, so we offered to give him a blessing. In the blessing it was said as long as he continues to learn and apply the gospel he will be given the strength to overcome what he is dealing with. They told us again that they are just going to listen to what we say and apply it! And also that they want to be baptized! So they are coming along very well!

We also met with our good friend Joshua! He is a young father from Nigeria. He is a really cool guy! He told us that he has learned more from us then he has at his own church! And the only reason that is, is because of the spirit! He told us he wants to start bringing his family to our church so we will see! He also told us that we have become some of his closest friends! He wants to come visit us out in Utah when we go home! In my patriarchal blessing it was said that I would meet life long friends out here so that is coming true! It is such cool to experience to see it happen.

Saying goodbye to all the members and people I have been working with was really hard! I really feel like they have become my family! I cannot imagine my life if I didn't come out on a mission and meet these amazing people! As my mission has gone bye I've realized that the only thing that truly matters is family! And the only way to keep your family together is the gospel! So when times get hard my greatest motivation becomes my family now and my future family! I've been so blessed with my family and the people I've served among.

We also had a general authority come to our mission this week! His name is Elder C. Scott Grow. Funny name huh? He was telling us a story where he was playing the piano at a leaders meeting and President Uchtdorf was there. And he came up to Elder Grow while he was playing the piano and gave him a great big hug from behind and said "see Scott Grow? No, see Scott play". It's cool to see that the general authorities are real people. But anyways Elder Grow talked a lot about after the mission and how we need to be life long converts. He was so personable and made us feel so good about ourselves. He didn't lay down any new rules or anything he was just there to uplift us! It was such a cool experience.

Also one of the missionaries in my district is going home this week so the ward had him give a talk yesterday! He talked about what he has learned on his mission and how he has changed. He shared an experience where in the MTC he was feeling very homesick so right then he said a prayer and asked if Heavenly Father would take away the homesickness then he would be exactly obedient and work his hardest! And he said for the next two years he didn't feel homesick once. It was exactly what I needed to hear! So my goal has been to give it my all so I don't have any regrets when I go home like I've said before. I'm really gonna miss that guy! He has taught my a lot on my mission. He also talked about serving others and how that has changed him! It is such a blessing to serve others! I've noticed when I am helping others that is when I am the happiest.

So it was a pretty good week! The spirit was strong and I was led on what I could change to be a better missionary. I am excited for my new journey and I can't wait to just serve the people. Have a great week all! 

Much love,


Elder Jeppson

Happy Mother's Day!!:)

Good morning to all of you and happy belated Mother's Day for all you mothers and future mothers! 

This week was really good for me. We didn't teach as much as we usually do but the quality of the lessons we had this week were amazing! So let's get into it!

On Tuesday we got a referral from missionaries in Florida, so the same night we got it we went over and visited these people. And the people we met are probably the most pure in heart family I have ever met! They are an elderly couple from Jamaica! But as we got talking to them we found out that one day while they were in Florida they were sitting in their car in a parking lot and two sister missionaries came by and knocked on the car window. They got talking and the missionaries found out that the man (H*****) has cancer and the woman (C****) needs a liver transplant. So they started talking about priesthood authority and said that they had some Elders that could give them a blessing of healing. So after all this they moved to New York and we got in contact with them. We got talking and ever since their blessings C**** got a call from the hospital saying that they had a liver transplant for her after waiting for 3 years! And Horace has been gaining his strength back since the blessing! Two big miracles right there! But we got talking and we found out that they really want to get baptized.

They really believe that this is the true church! It is so inspiring to see the faith they have! They both have had tough situations and are still praising good and thanking him for their trials. They know that as long as they stay true to Christ everything will be okay. They are so down to earth and amazing! We've been there twice now and every time that we have walked in the door they said "oh praise God, thank you for being here". So awesome!

We also met with Ashley this week! She Is doing good. We found out that her biggest concern right now is her husband! He doesn't like the fact she is coming to our church so he gets mad at her and won't let her take her kids with her to church. She told us they had like a 2 hour argument about it the other night and she just told him off and said she'll go to this church if she wants! She is so solid. We read the book of Mormon with her this week and she is coming to really enjoy it. She is gonna start reading it with her children so it's great. So she is doing good.

We also met with Thomas again. He has been reading from the Book of Mormon lately and really enjoys it! He said again "Every church needs to use the book of Mormon". He is such a solid guy. He is kinda in the same situation as Ashley though! His family is deeply rooted in the baptist church so he feels like they will be disappointed with him if he comes to our church.  But he said something really cool though. He said when he goes back to Nigeria (in like 3 months) He is gonna walk into our church there. And when his family sees how nice the Mormon are there and how great the church is, they will all start wanting to join. So his plan is when he goes back to Nigeria he'll be baptized.

Quote of the day goes to him! We were asking him if he was gonna do anything special for his wife for Mother's Day and he said no, so we asked why not and he said "Because she isn't my mother, it's Mother's Day not wife's day". Then he said "So there's probably gonna be a fight on Mother's Day now". He is such a funny old man haha. I have met some of the greatest people out here.

Also as we all know yesterday was Mother's Day so it was so good to talk to my mother and family. Some people get homesick when they Skype but when Skype it jut gives me more motivation to work hard for them! It's always good to see the support that comes from them. I love you mom! You're the best. :) 

My invitation this week is to take some time out of your days and think of ways that your mothers have raised you to live happy and righteous lives. I've been pondering about this all week and my mother has done so much for me. Everyday should be Mother's Day! Have a nice week y'all! Thanks for all the letters and emails I have received.

Much love


Elder Jeppson

Time for a hair cut

A member made my mom an apron for Mother's Day

Prayers are Answered

Good morning all,

So sorry this is so late I was golfing all day and I didn't have wifi until now. But today was super awesome! I member went out of his way and flew back from Utah to take us out golfing for my birthday! We had a miracle because all last week the weather was saying that it was gonna rain all day today. But I made sure to say a prayer that it wouldn't rain and it didn't! Heavenly Father is so merciful to me. But  we did have some other challenges! The course didn't have rental clubs so we had to go to a golf store and put down 500 dollars to try out used golf clubs and then just return them and get the money back after. But it wasn't that easy! The member who paid for all of that ended up losing the receipt and without that receipt he would have to pay 1,500 dollars because we wouldn't be able to return the clubs without it. So we went back to the golf course and were looking all over for it and he found it in a trash can! So so so lucky!! It was quite a scary experience. But it ended up being really fun and one of the best birthdays I have had! I didn't play to bad for not playing in over 10 months. I also got so many amazing emails so thank you for all of you who sent those!! Great day for me. :)

I'll tell you a little about my week now. :)

So for the last couple weeks we haven't been able to see Ashley because she is always so busy! But this week she actually showed up to church! She hasn't been able to come Sunday's because her sons started baseball and their games are on Sunday's. So we started praying this week that somehow she'd be able to make it and guess what?? Heavenly Father answered our prayers and it rained Sunday so their game canceled so she was able to come!! She was telling us after church how much she missed coming!! Also a member asked her how she feels about the church and she told him that she is getting close to baptism!!! It was so awesome to hear her say that because we were getting pretty disappointed because we haven't had anybody close to baptism since I served in Huntington. So that was a miracle!

Also we met with a less active that hasn't been to church in over two years! She told us that she wanted to leave the church for good. She felt like this wasn't where she belonged. So we started talking and then the spirit kicked in! We started asking some deep questions about her that the spirit led us to say. Through these inspired questions we came to find out that she has never prayed about if the Book of Mormon or if the church was true. We went on to find out so much more of her concerns and ways we could help her all because of the spirit. We promised her that if she prayed about the church sincerely that she would get the answer and be able to get over the trails in her life and return to peace. You could tell she was opening up to it. The spirit is the only way when it comes to missionary work. I am very thankful for the gift of discernment.

We also met with another less active guy who is really struggling in his life. He is paralyzed from the waist down and it pretty depressed right now. But we got talking and he feels like he has no chance to make it to heaven. He feels like he has made so many mistakes that he won't be able to make it. So we talked about the atonement and the plan of salvation. We told him that no matter what he has done, because of Jesus Christ's love and grace we can be forgiven for anything. This is a great reminder for all of us. We all are human and will mess up! Heavenly Father knows that! We all have second, third, fourth and many more chances. Never give up on yourself! There is always a way back. Love God and do your best and that's all he asks of us. By the way this guy was feeling so much better after and had hope for the first time in awhile. That right there is what missionary work is about.

So it was a great week and birthday! Thank you for all the love and support you all show me. I love you all so much

Elder Jeppson