Called to Serve

These last few weeks have been super fun! The weather has been nice and the work has been good. The community is really nice, and friendly. This week ends transfers and begins a new one. I get to serve another six weeks here in Cordova with Elder Smith.

There are 12 missionaries going home on Tuesday, and seven coming on Wednesday. We also get a new Mission President on the first of July. So its really exciting because there are going to be a lot of changes in the mission. 

In my studies this week week, I decided to focus more in the Doctrine and Covenants. 

and in the 4th section it says that those who have desires to serve God are called to the work and that really hit home for me. It's not just missionaries, or church leaders. It is everyone who has a desire to serve the Lord that is called to His work. 

As missionaries we are promised that there are people prepared to receive the gospel that we need to find.  Well, that promise isn't just for the missionaries. it is for everyone who is called to the work.  There are people everywhere who are ready to come unto Christ. 

Member Missionary work is so important. It is vital. 

I'm excited to see what happens here in Cordova over these next few weeks. Fishing season is in full force this time of year, so everyone is gone a lot on the water, but that won't stop the work from progressing. 

Stay Swell,

Elder Cody Poppleton

Cordova in June

Nyob Zoo!!!
These last few weeks have been super crazy!!
The last few days, the Salvation Army has been selling all of their
stuff because the store is closing down. We have friends with the
pastor there, and so he asked for our assistance in helping move all
of the heavy furniture and such, and putting it into people's cars.
It's interesting to see how regular human beings, can turn into
ferocious predators in a matter of seconds when they find out things
are like 90% off. 😂
When we finished, the pastor and his wife took us out to get some
pizza, and we had an amazing "conversation on religion" (they had no
idea I was teaching them the lessons)
Well long story short, they are now going to read the Book of Mormon!! #awesome
It was an incredible experience.
We also were able to have a zone conference this last week, and we had
a special guest presiding at this meeting. It was Elder Russel M.
Nelson. President of the quorum of the twelve apostles.
It was cool to hear from him and his wife as well as Elder Gong and
his wife. We actually got to hear from the security guard too. That
was awesome!
Being a missionary in the bush of Alaska...you kind of get forgotten.
So receiving a package from my mom this week made my whole mission pretty much!
I was so excited. Helps me know I'm not totally forgotten. 😁

The People of Cordova are AMAZING!!! Even if they literally have no
desire to learn or talk about religion. They still want to talk to you
and be your friend.
Total 180-degree from anchorage. In anchorage everyone pretty much hates you.
But here people like the missionaries for the most part and they talk
to us, and we get to know them, and do service for them. Its amazing!
I love the people of Cordova with all of my heart, and I pretty much
never want to leave.

President Nelson in this last General conference said something along
these lines.
Disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be
different from the rest of the world.

I LOVE THAT!!!
I know that as we become truly converted to the gospel of Jesus
Christ, we will not be afraid to Stand out, speak up, or be different.
And that all starts with the Book of Mormon.
So if you aren't reading every day. Please do so.
The prophet has asked us to do that as well. And whatever excuse you
may possibly have to not read it everyday is invalid. Because there is
no excuse.
If you have time to check Facebook, you have time to read.
If you have time to eat, you can listen to it while you do so.
If you're too tired, suck it up. And read.
Its so important. When Christ asked Peter "do you love me?"
He is also asking you that question. And if your answer is yes. Then
keep the commandments.
Because is says "if you love me, keep my commandments." And we are
commanded to read the Book of Mormon every day.
And I know that as you do so, your testimony of the savior and the
prophet Joseph Smith will increase. And that the lord will bless you.

Anyways, ✌️

-Elder Poppleton