Week 7 - I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!

I love being a missionary because of what it has done to me in the process of loosing myself for helping only others. The more I am here the more I see God's hand in the lives of all man kind. He loves us SOOO much and only wants us to be happy!!! I can see how perfect God sets things up for us on Earth and how He loves us soo much.

The funny thing is, I can see His hand in parts of the Gospel where I would have never thought Him to be. One example is the Great Apostasy. I didn't ever think it was important to have a Testimony about this topic. I just knew all the facts about it and how after Christ and his followers were killed off the people didn't accept the doctrines and corrupted them and took little pieces of truths. What is there to have a testimony of?

After being here for about 46 days, I have learned more and more the importance of having a a deep personal testimony of everything you teach, and gaining that testimony through diligently seeking it and through pray. Once you are acting on your faith, your faith will be strengthen, and through your faith being strengthened you act more, and thus an endless ever growing cycle. And, the Spirit of God will not withhold anything from you. Through the Holy Ghost you can know the truthfulness of all things.

So how do you act on apostasy or apply your faith about it?

I have come to realize, through the Spirit, that there is so much to learn from each and every piece of the Gospel. And, when you gain that testimony, the more you come to realize how omnipotent and deeply loving our Heavenly Father truly is.

The Apostasy wasn't God withholding his love and the Gospel from the people. Because, God is always ALWAYS there! He never withholds from us. Anytime we feel He has left us, it is actually we who have left Him and turned away from Him. And, is exactly what happened during the Great Apostasy. There was a great amount of turning away from God.

There still were good people weren't there? Yes, and God helped them in every way possible, He doesn't take away the agency of people. If He did that would go against His plan to help us grow, experience, and learn to become as He is and have eternal life.

All bad things happen so that something greater can come to pass. It is the refiners fire. A simple way to put it is "no pain no gain."

God would have loved to have the gospel on the Earth during that dark period of time, but it was necessary for it to come where and when it did. And, even at the time it came, it was hard to keep it going.

And there is soooo much more that I learned! I love have having an understanding of God's immense love for us.

This is just a sample for you to taste. I can't hand you a testimony or spoon feed you. You to have to do as many people and prophets have done before.  (Moroni 10: 4-5 & 1 Nephi 10:17-19).

I love you all and thanks for all the love and support you all have been giving!
사랑합니다!!사랑합니다!!사랑합니다!!
Elder Timothy Alger



Moroni 10: 4-5
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things


1 Nephi 10:17-19
17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.

​Just walking, enjoying the cool, cool Utah air on my way to studying!!​

South Korea!! Represent!!! ​

​I always love the views for studying.​

​I spy Elder Ellis!! He just got here! New Missionaries can give us new energy!​

​The camera can't capture how AWESOME the mountains are!​

​Sister Takemura is such a great missionary! She makes her own pass along cards for her investigators. 

She is so diligent! ​

​They are all ready putting up Christmas lights in September!!! WOWOW​ 

​One the teachers for the fast track class, is now teaching at Oxford, so we get to practice our Korean with the Natives!! They are all so much fun!!​ 

We are practicing quick proselyting for when we take the subways and buses in Korea.  ​ 

​It's raining! Time for some pics!​

​I love these Elders!!​ 

​That's my District!​

​We are ready to serve the Koreans!! 2 weeks!!!​

​A sister training leader in my District stole my camera!​

​This Sunday was freezing!!! It was snowing on the mountains and raining here!​ 

​The snowy mountains in Sep.​​

​If you look closely you can see Mt. Timp. is covered in snow from yesterday.​ 

​The Temple ground are always peaceful and beautiful!​​​​​ 

Korean Hearts @ the Temple ​

​When your not given a nice car make it a nice one! It reminds me of home. 

Week 6 - God is Guiding Me!

Everything is going great and I can feel God guiding me as I walk with my hand in His.

This past week I had a turning point in my lessons. On Thursday, in our afternoon lesson with 신해련. She has been a tough one since the start, she has really encouraged me to always improve in my Korean. So for this lesson we were going to teach her again about baptism, because she has many question about it and doesn't quite feel the need to be baptized. So I went ready and eager for her to understand. 

In this lesson 신해련 gained some clarity with her past questions, but this time, as we taught her she had looooads of questions. She usually has 1 or 2 tough ones, but this time she was letting it all loose. And, what was really awesome, this time we understood EVERY question and answered them pretty well, considering our ability to speak Korean. As we came closer to the end she threw out some questions that I did know how to answer. And, I didn't want to, because I didn't want to just assume. She asked, "So why do I need to make a promise to God through baptism when I can just promise through prayer. And, why do I need a remission of my sins through baptism when I can just repent of my sins through the repentance process?" All I could/wanted say to her was, "That is a very good question, a very good question." And, after being stumped we just decided to just bare testimony of what we do know, for a fact, is true. 

In that lesson my heart stopped because I wanted her to progress sooo badly. And, I am glad that when I was speechless my companion said to 신해련, "You have grown so much!!" It opened her eyes and especially my eyes that she has come so far from where she was when we first met her, she accepts our messages more often, she is praying, and reading the Book of Mormon, and she is a lot more open. She had said earlier in the lesson that she really wants to believe what we are saying is true, and I feel she was asking so many questions because she wants that clarity. All these thoughts, by the Spirit, hit me in a second. And, we told her that how much she has progressed, is because she is reading from the Book of Mormon and is praying. And, the Spirit hit me sooo strong. She said, "I can see your testimony, and I can FEEL your faith. It is so strong. Thank you !" I might have shed a tear or two.

What was the turning point for me was, it wasn't my poor understanding of Korean that was holding her back anymore, it was my understanding of the doctrine and the lack of a testimony specifically about baptism.

I am LOVING being a zone leader with my companions!! Elder Nelson, has a fantastic knowledge of leadership and doctrine and has helped tackle things that needed to be tackled. Elder Anderson, also has a great understanding of doctrine, but what he brings to the table is so much compassion, and making sure everything is resolved.

I am loving this chance to better love, support, and serve my zone. I love getting to know each one individually so that I can help them in their specific circumstances and needs. We really are a power zone! Each one of them are amazing and bring something different to the table.

Last night, we invited each district, under the direction of the district leaders, to set a goal on how their district specifically can help the 3 new districts coming in this Wednesday, come closer to Christ, so that they have a better transition and to show them that they are loved and supported by the Zone.

I love meeting new people. I am so eager to meet the group coming in this Wednesday!!!

On a personal note. I have found it hard to be able to accomplish everything that I want to as zone leader and in my own personal goals in becoming a the best/prepared missionary I can be in the field (mostly in my goals in learning Korea). In the past, I was on fire in learning the language and accomplishing my personal goals, but once I became zone leader this past week, I have been lacking in solidifying my understanding in Korean. Before I would use the evening to solidify and finish up any of my goals last minute. But, now I use that time to go in to each room to see how everyone is doing; in learning Korean, relationships with companions, and just listening to them. Everyone wants to be cared for and heard and I enjoy providing that for everyone.

I didn't want to sacrifice one for the other. So decided to asked God for guidance. In class on Friday, we had guest teachers. And, being inspired and full of the Spirit, they had us write down a question in our journal (The Book of Mormon answers Questions of the Soul was the topic). And, they said read Mosiah Chapter 3.

I started reading. And, the Spirit brought to remembrance that, I knew that I wouldn't receive an answer if I didn't have the Spirit and ask God in prayer. I stopped and prayed. That's when the cool stuff started happening.

Personal revelation, to me, is so thrilling. The Spirit makes study that much better! 

In summary, I found out that if I continue with the goals I have and hearken to the Spirit always, I'll achieve. But, only if, as it says in Mosiah, I "yield to the enticings of the Holy Ghost, and put off the natural man [bridle my worldly passions and desires]... willing to submit to all things the Lord seeth fit [His will]." As I focus on only doing God's will, I will find that I will have more capacity to accomplish everything , in it's fullest.  

There are tooo many things I want to share, that I have learned and that have happened, and it doesn't help that I got my email deleted while I was flipping laundry. 

I love you all, and I encourage you to come to God with your "Questions of the Soul" and turn to the scriptures. I promise you will receive an answer!  

사랑합니다!! 

​I met one of Kallie Jordon's besties from Dixie!!! She recognized me as we were walking by and said that she remembered seeing lot of pictures of me. LOL... that's awesome. It's always fun to meet new people!​

​A fantastic Studying spot with a painting of the Red Sea being parted!!!​

Tyler Head! I love seeing him sooo happy!!! It is fun to see friends from back home. All the people that come from towns in Utah seem to know everyone. ​

​Cook 자매님 was so in awe of Sister Reds food art!!!! ​

​Wilson 장로님 wanted to show us his natural art ability as well. (left)​

​It is raining, time for a pic!​

​View of the MTC while studying​

​The grass is sooo green when it rains!​

​Kershaw 장로님 got a wonderful shirt from his family today​

​Selfie!​

​Photo bomber Kershaw 장로님과 Adams 장로님!​

​The natives are all sooo nice! I will miss them when they leave for Pusan tomorrow​.

The Whole Zone!!​

Everyone enjoying their last walk with the oldest districts​

​Kershaw장로님 da best!​

Posing with the natives​

​Han 장로님 is always so happy!!!!​

​He is so silly, and I don't mind his UV ray glasses.​

The Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders (My District)​

​Just Whicker 장로님 taking a comfy nap. ​

​I don't know why we all found him sleeping so funny.​

​We were all so quite and had a ball with it​

​One night we finished TRCs and had some left over pizza. While I was talking with Kallie's College Friend, her companion saw the pizza and somehow convinced my companions to give her a slice and she told us we would regret it. So we got this note 6 days later. lol​

​:( Kershaw 장로님 is leaving. He will do great in Pusan​, South Korea.

Going to the Temple on P-day to do Korean confirmations for Brother Lee again.

Week 5 Count Your Blessings

This Week has been Awesome! I love every moment here! I can't believe it, but it gets better and better each day I am here. And, I am surprised at how much I have learn through God. And, the Gift of Tongues is Real!

I have come to realize that the Gift of Tongues works just like knowing the truthfulness of all things by the Spirit; through prayer, having a sincere desire, diligently seeking it (through constant study, etc), and being worthy to receive the gift.

Through my constant effort to have this gift I can feel my mouth being filled with the right words in lessons, as well as the investigators being able to understand some of my poor grammar.

I have learned 15 sentence forms w/ over 200 intentionally memorized words, + all of the many words I have picked up through conversation and listening to Korean. I know how to bear my testimony, give lessons in Korean, and pray from my heart. It is exciting! And, I know for a fact that I couldn't be where I am at without the Lords help. THANK YOU!

Another thing that excites me is our District Goal to only speak Korean, everyday from when we wake up in the mornings until we walk in the doors for lunch. It is soooo much fun to be able to communicate everything through speaking Korean alone.

I choose to be fully dedicated to the Lord and I am digging my root DEEP while I am in the MTC so that I can grow a lot more, have juicier results, and better serve the people of Korea once I am in the field.

On Tuesday night, President Facer met with my district after the devotional. We all were talking about how we can apply the things the Spirit prompted us to do during the devotional, so that we can change our nature (not just our actions or behavior, deeper results) and become as He is. (That is one thing that I really love about the MTC I am always constantly remind about Christ and how we can improve ourselves to become better servants of the Lord) And, President Facer said something about the Atonement that I had never thought of before. (In my own words) "There are two parts of the Atonement, the Saving Power and the Enabling Power. The saving power is used to clean our selves from sin and disobedience. The Enabling Power is used to strengthen us and help us improve ourselves beyond just being sinless, while at the same time, aiding us in our process of Becoming like Him!"

 I hadn't really thought a whole a lot about the Atonement in this manner. I know that Christ has felt everything we felt, our sorrows and sufferings in every way. He Atoned for us Spiritually (Sin; Spiritual Death), Physically (Any pain & of course physical death), and Mentally (Our depressions, anger, etc). But, I only thought of the Atonement as helping us when we are broken and hurt. I am so grateful for the fact that President Facer is tune with the Spirit and for the Spirit itself, so that I can receive guidance in my specific and personal circumstances/needs.

I know that if I didn't have the Spirit I wouldn't truly understand what President Facer said. And, I would be as Laman and Lemuel (1 Nephi 15:7&9) "And they said: Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive tree, and also concerning the Gentiles" (In my case the Atonement). [We haven't asked God about what he has taught] "for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us."

I know that, because I have been doing everything I know how in keeping the Spirit with me and by coming to the Lord in prayer about what I have been taught, I have received the Gift of Understanding. Am so grateful for the scriptures, that I may have understanding in what I should do to Become --(Happy, Purposeful, and as He is!)-- on this earth.

I know that The Book of Mormon is true! I know that it was made for us in the Modern Day to have a solid Iron Rod to guide us to have true Joy on Earth and Salvation here after.

So.... Coming back to the Enabling Power of the Atonement, throughout this past week I have been focusing on and able to use the Enabling Power of the Atonement to become beyond just clean, but to become more than I ever could on my own. A process of Sanctification. I and can feel His help!!! It is amazing the things you can do if you just ask for help from your Father in Heaven.

I am sooo grateful for prayer, so that I can remind myself of the many blessing I have been given and ask for/receive specific blessing. I know for a FACT that he listens. (Even in Korean)

And, one last thing. This last Sunday, my companions and I were pulled aside by President Ellis and I thought for sure that we were being asked to give a Priesthood Lesson. I was wrong. He ask me and my companions to be Zone Leaders.

I wasn't expecting to be a Zone Leader, but once I heard that I was going to be a Zone Leader, I knew that it was God's will and that I could do it.

(Funny thing is right after we were done meeting with him, the Zone Leaders asked us to give the lesson in Priesthood. LOL, my gut was right.)

My companions and I haven't done much yet as Zone Leaders, other than the fact that we are excited to be able to serve the whole Korean Zone! I love to see all their faces, and I'm excited to be in charge of making sure that they all feel loved and that their needs are met. I am also excited that I will have the chance to better get to know each and everyone of them.

As Zone Leader, I need to be intentional, diligent, and (as Christ's Representative) be His hands on Earth. This mean I need to step up my game and always be a great example of what is to be expected of us as missionaries. In our zone culture I can see us becoming more united and overflowing love; the LOVE of Christ (Because of a testimony that is part of our very being). And, all of this coming from an authenticity and changed(-ing) nature and ways of being.

I love our Zone! They are all amazing Missionaries!!

사랑합니다!!
Love you, Tim!!

​#1 My District having class on top of the T3 building, waiting to teach our lessons (If you look to the right you can see my teacher throwing up a peace sign)​

#2 Lol, the new Native Sisters are crazy... FUN and AWESOME. They are very helpful in my learning process of Korean.​

​#3 I am in SEOUL! JK just another cute drawing Sister Cook drew for us on the board.​

​#4 One of my Companions! Elder Anderson, Love Him to death.​

​#5 LOL when the lines are super long... just eat cereal (I love having Rice Crispies, with a dash of Cinimon, and Almond Milk, its the BEST)​

​#6 I have been at the MTC for a MONTH, what the Heaven, where did the time go? 1/24 done with the mission. :(​

​#7 I love the sunsets we see on the way to Volley Ball Sat. Nights.​

#8 Ditto (You wish could be here; BYU and the U battling it out from the Field)​

​#9 I love Elder Kershaw (lol he is all skewed in this Pano.)​

#10 Volley Ball nights are the best!​

#11 We are going at it!​

​#12 Just Chill'n​

​#13 As zone leader we are in charge of leading the Sunday Temple Walk. I LOVE Sundays!!!! (BTW Sister Cook and Stretbeck from our district are now Sister Training Leaders, they are the BEST)