Words from Elder Adam Otto in Idaho

This week was pretty much the best week of my life :) I don't know why, it just was! I have never been happier before in my whole entire life! I have just felt such love for these people and the gospel, and it has been soo wonderful! We have exceeded many of our goals, and truly are giving our whole might over to the lord. Our whole hearts, mind, might and strength! It's pretty exhausting, but there is NOTHING more rewarding :)

We were able to set 2 baptism dates with two brand new people :) They are young boys, and are soaking up the gospel with all of their little bodies! They are so prepared, and the parents are so on board! It was a true miracle! It was such a tender mercy being able to teach them the restored gospel and watch their faces light up. How to pray. It was awesome :) Little kids are the best! We have another lesson with them tonight!

Yesterday was the best day ever! It was fast Sunday, so we had the opportunity to bear our testimonies in three of our wards. Oh my gosh, all throughout the day, the spirit was so apparent. We were super busy, and had the best lessons ever.

Last night we were able to teach Stephanie, who has also accepted to be baptized. She is so wonderful. The spirit was so strong during our lesson, as we taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She is accepting all of it, and has such a pure heart and sweet spirit. We bore our testimonies of our love for her, and of the love our Heavenly Father has for her. I've never seen so many people cry before in a lesson! Her husbands face was GLOWING when she said she would be baptized. I know it will bless their lives tremendously :) I know it!

Terry- oh goodness- what a miracle! Terry is such a neat person. She is feeling the spirit, and believes the restored gospel. She says it just makes SENSE! It all has been clicking in her mind, and the spirit is testifying so strongly to her. Her husband shared his AMAZING conversion story, and all of our testimonies doubled. The Atonement truly works, and cleanses people. And Terry really wants that for herself and her family :)She said her choice to be baptized is between her and the Lord, and thats it. And she has definitely made some progress :)

This week I have truly learned what happiness is. I've been wondering why it is so happy. We get yelled at, we get exhausted, Satan works on us super hard, we get discouraged, yet it is so happy. Why?! Because it doesn't matter how WE feel. It doesn't matter if I'M tired. It doesn't matter if WE get doors slammed in our face. Because the true happiness comes from watching OTHERS come unto Christ. When we see our INVESTIGATORS learn how to pray, when I see my COMPANION learning to trust in the spirit, when I see SOMEONE accept the gospel and read the Book of Mormon. Those are pure joys. That is when I am happy.And by doing my very very best, and allowing the Lord to do the rest, I can be satisfied with my work. I know that the Spirit is guiding me, and by showing my love for others, I am blessings lives. As I take the time to pray for these people by name, their concerns, their lives, my love deepens for them. I can feel the love the savior has for all of us.I know this gospel is true! I KNOW the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints is the ONLY true church upon the face of the earth. I know it, and I will never ever ever ever ever deny it. It is true. And how do I know?! I know by the power of the Holy Ghost. I know because when I read the Book of Mormon, the spirit testifies to me what I read is true.

I love you all so much, and I am so grateful for my Savior! And I am grateful I have learned to type really fast so that I can say so much in my emails :) Thanks for everything!

Love,

Elder Otto