Happy Birthday to My Companion!

Well Well Well,

First off Happy Birthday to my companion who turned 21 today!!! Woo Hoo. I think when you turn 21 on a mission its a little different then in the world haha. We are going to make tacos and play Ping Pong! It should be a fun and relaxing Day of Preparation!

Well as everyone knows we had General Conference this week end!! For missionaries General Conference is like the Super Bowl for missionaries :) We get to hear Prophets and Apostles of God tell the will of the Lord to us now days. What a bold declaration it is that we believe we have prophets and apostles on the earth today, but it can and will be confirmed to those who pray and earnestly seek the guidance of God in their lives. People often wonder what happened to the Organization of the church Jesus Christ established while he was on the earth. He called twelve apostles and seventies to lead and guide his church. When he left back to heaven they were left with the charge to continue the church with all the ordinances and covenants it contained. One of the first things they did as apostles is call a new one to fill the void filled from the death and betrayal of Judas Iscariot. This set forth an eternal pattern of authority and order in God's Kingdom. As the early saints were persecuted and killed that Authority to authoritatively speak in the name of the Lord left with their death. The church continued for a time, but was soon swayed with "every wind of doctrine." With the loss of the authority which Jesus gave to his apostles called the Priesthood, no one could authoritatively write and interpret the scriptures. The church was then subject to the opinions and interpolations of man. It became a church of inspired opinions rather than a church founded upon by correct and Direct authority from God himself. Thus the reasons for disagreements, changes, and settled doctrines. The formations of other church arose and the authority that had been so vital was now lost because the people chose to reject and kill the holy apostleship. You see if there would have been an apostle on the earth there would not have been confusion concerning the doctrines, but becuase there was no longer the church fell into a state of apostasy or as the scriptures put it a falling away. This was predicted by Amos, Paul and many of the early prophets and apostles. Have we ever wondered why there are so many churches on the earth today really? It is because that authority was lost so many years ago. Gods direct line with his prophets and apostles was cut off because of the hardheartedness of the people. Luckily God is the same yesterday today and forever and in his infinite Goodness called another prophet to RESTORE, not reform, the true church that Christ established, not one established on the feelings one has towards the Bible. The authority was restored to the prophet Joseph Smith and has had a continous line from him to now. God has reestablished his Church because of the faith of his people with a prophet and apostles who have direct and frequent communication from on High to guide the affairs of his church. This is the message. This is the truth. But how can you know? You can read the "fruit" of the prophet Jospeh Smith, the Book of Mormon, which he translated, and pray to ask God if he speaks through his authority again on the earth. My witness is that he does. That we have the guidance directly from Heaven through Prophets and Apostles again on the earth. This is my testimony, and it has been given to me line upon line, precept on precept, as I have searched pondered and prayed. I am so grateful for our Heavenly Father and the sacrifice of His Divine son Jesus Christ. I know they live, and that as in times anciently, Jesus stands at the head of His Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. General Conference is a witness of that. If you pray and listen to the talks given you will know that they are prophets and apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ and that is my promise. ‵or by the power of the Holy Ghost you may know the truth of all things."

I love you all and pray for all!!! Keep it up!!!

SIncerely
Elder Passantino