Priesthood Restoration Site

Hey everybody!

I can't believe it's so close to Halloween. It feels like yesterday I

left four days after the Fourth of July. But that's how the mission

goes! So fast.

I know I usually focus on my week, but I wanted to focus on an

important part of my week for my email. This past Tuesday, I went to

the Priesthood Restoration site. It was in this area, Joseph Smith and

Oliver Cowdery received the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist

and the Melchizedek Priesthood from the apostles Peter, James, and

John. It is also where 70% of the Book of Mormon was translated.

This Restoration site has been open for about 2 months and we had the

privilege to go and see it as a mission. It was so great seeing many

friends I have made over the course of my mission. As well as two of

my trainers, Elder Foster and Elder Froc. Even though we left at four

in the morning to travel four hours, it was worth it. I loved the

spirit I felt from walking those sacred grounds. And to be addressed

by President Anderson on how special, this place really was, I was

touched. It made me reflect on my own receiving of the Priesthood and

how important that truly is to me. It also gave me a chance to renew

my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and how dedicated he was to

this work of the Lord, along with his trusted companion, Emma. I pray

as I go and do all the Lord asks me to do, I may do it with honor to

my Savior, Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith did that to the very end of his

life. May we all appreciate the love and appreciate from this great

prophet and the work he has done in order for us to understand the

truth of the Master and our perfect Father in Heaven.

                     (Leo & his 1st Zone Leader, Elder Riley)