Mormon Messages: "Book of Mormon: An Introduction"

We posted a few stories recently on the history of the Bible and a current exhibit at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (here, here, and here).  The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and serves as a companion scripture to the Bible.  The Church recently released a video (below) to introduce the Book of Mormon to those who may be less familiar with its history, its provenance, and its relevance to our lives today.  Narrating the video is Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elliot's purpose as a missionary is to share the message of Jesus Christ, as contained in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  Preach My Gospel teaches:

The testimony of the Book of Mormon confirms the testimony of the Bible that Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God and the Savior of the world. As you teach the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will testify often about the Savior and Redeemer of the world. By the power of the Holy Ghost, you will add your living witness of the truthfulness of this message.

Please enjoy the video.  And if you'd like to receive a free copy of the Book of Mormon, you can order one here.  You can also receive a free copy of the Bible here.

Mormon Messages for Youth: "Same Jersey"

As priesthood bearers, we must realize that all of God’s children wear the same jersey. Our team is the brotherhood of man. This mortal life is our playing field. Our goal is to learn to love God and to extend that same love toward our fellowman. We are here to live according to His law and establish the kingdom of God. We are here to build, uplift, treat fairly, and encourage all of Heavenly Father’s children.  (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Pride and the Priesthood," Ensign, November 2010.)

When Elder Uchtdorf spoke at the October 2010 General Conference, he likely had never heard of Brandon McEuen, starting quarterback for the Safford High School Bulldogs, or Teren Bingham, starting quarterback for the Thatcher High School Eagles.  But it's hard to imagine a better real-life example of the message Elder Uchtdorf sought to convey.  The video (below) tells a wonderful missionary story of Brandon and Teren, opponents on the field but teammates in the priesthood.  You can also read about them in the Church News.

(Brandon and Teren don't excel only in football.  Brandon was selected as Gila Valley basketball player of the year, and Teren was on the honorable mention team.)

Elliot's May 16 email

Here's Elliot's latest email.  He has a new companion and everything seems to be going great!

Hola!

My new companion, Elder Nield is awesome. He catches on quickly and really likes to just get out there and do the work. We get along well and I think we're gonna see awesome things happen in this area.

We both spoke in church this Sunday, my second time in like 4 weeks, and it went well. In fact, the Bishop got up after us and told the congregation that we're missionaries that they could trust with their friends and that they ought to give us referrals. We got some afterwards. I've never had any Bishop say something like that so this is awesome.

Other than that everything's going well. The work should be picking up even more here real soon. We have a dinner appointment every night until I think Wednesday of next week, so we're having a good time.

I gotta run, but I love you all and hope you're doing good! Good luck with the banquet mom!  [Lori is in charge of the Hart High Show Choir banquet tonight.]

Love,

Elder Elliot Adair

P.S. I would've sent a picture of me and Elder Nield but I forgot my camera! Oh well...

Oklahoma City Museum of Art: "Passages" opens Monday

Several weeks ago we posted a story about "Passages," a worldwide traveling exhibit of historic biblical texts and artifacts.  The exhibit is set to open Monday, May 16, at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.  Here's a great new video (below) and a news story about the exhibit, with some terrific footage of many of the items that will be on display.  Enjoy the video, and then there are some pictures after the jump.

San Antonio area missionaries perform the national anthem

Back when Elliot was in the MTC, he got to sing in a choir of missionaries at the October 2010 General Conference.  We posted about that experience, with pictures, here and here.  It was a great opportunity for Elliot and he really enjoyed it.

Missionaries are often called on to sing or perform in public settings.  I recently ran across a video of a group of missionaries serving in the San Antonio, Texas mission who were asked to perform the national anthem before a playoff game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies.*  It's a great rendition of the anthem, very traditional, and I thought it would be fun to share it on Elliot's blog.  Enjoy the video after the jump.

* The Grizzlies won that series and are now facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the western conference semifinals.  The Thunder lead that series 3-2, with game 6 tonight.

Elliot's May 9 email and pictures

Here's the latest message from Elliot.  He sent some pictures too.  You can see them after the jump.

Hey!

It was awesome talking to you guys too. [We spoke with him yesterday for Mother's Day.] Y'all are awesome and keep it up!

I guess there's really not too much to update you on that I hadn't done yesterday, but I'm excited to be training! [Elliot will get a new companion Wednesday, a brand new missionary straight from the MTC.] It makes me nervous, but I'm more excited. I just wish I knew who he was. Right now he's sitting in a classroom in Provo, UT. I remember being in his shoes like it was yesterday. It's feels like it was practically yesterday.

And I'm grateful for the time I had with Elder Endicott too. . . . I just hope I'm llegando a ser [becoming] the person God wants me to be!

Everything else is going awesome. I'm still loving this area and the works going well. I'm glad to know it's all good back home too! I love you all and thank y'all!

Love,

Elder Elliot Adair

And just for fun I included pictures! One of me in a Model T [for members of the Newhall First Ward, you can see his blue "100 Days" challenge wristband], one of my companion Elder Endicott, and one of an awesome burrito I ate recently at Los Dos Amigos.

More new pictures of Carlton Reininger

Shannon Reininger sent some new pictures of Carlton Reininger.  These pictures come from the blog maintained by Carlton's mission president and his wife, the Lindahls.

And if you're wondering why we don't post more pictures of Elliot, he told us today that he left the charger for his camera in his last area, Clinton, but just got it back this week.  Hopefully we'll get some new pictures of Elliot soon.

Enjoy the pictures of Carlton and other missionaries from the Mendoza Argentina mission after the jump.