Day 90-District Meeting-6-26-06

Today we had district meetings. Those are always fun. Today's district meeting was extra special. It was Elder Goodrich's birthday. We sang him a song. We also played a trivia game which I won. Not to be lifted up in pride, mind you, but I knew a lot of the answers. Here's an example: "In the June Ensign of this year the Gospel Classic talk, 'Profile of a Prophet' was given by whom?" (silence) "Anyone?" (I stand up.) "President Hugh B. Brown"?, I ask. "Yes. Five hundred points for Elder Pierce."

My favorite questions, though, were the ones I didn't know the answers to. Example: "Which OT prophet compares missionaries to fishers and hunters?" I didn't know, but Sister Pletsch, a sister missionary in my district who looks eerily similar to Chloe O'Brian from the tv series 24, did know the answer. "Jeremiah?", she asks. "That's right. It was the prophet Jeremiah! Jeremiah 16:16

Another good question was, "Which OT prophet was made fun of for being bald?" As it turns out, it was the prophet Elisha. 2nd Kings 2: 23-25 It's a pretty funny story. (Elder Pierce drew a cartoon depicting the scripture.)

Another thing we had to do for one of the questions was recite Joseph Smith's First Vision as it appears in Preach MY Gospel on pg. 37...backward. I could not do it. We were not allowed to look. You had to do it from memory. You could write it down from memory and then recite it. That is what Sister Pletch did. She got it!

I'm so excited! I can't wait! Tomorrow's the day we go to the Visitors Center with S. Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya', tomorrow. You're only a day away!

Day 89-Torrential Rain-06-25-06

Sunday. It was pouring rain this morning as we made our way to church. W. was there. S. didn't come, though so that was a bummer. It was never set in stone that she'd come this week. We just set it out there, gave her an invite. Oh, well, maybe next week...

Torrential rains. It's official. The weather conditions have upgraded to torrential. We have a ravine next to our apartment complex. It is now a rushing river. Fortunately, there's a bridge spanning the ravine that we'd cross every day on our bikes. At least we did before my companion broke his arm. Now we are in our apartment listening to the rain. Somewhere out there, Elder Oram and Phelps are traveling around in this stuff. I mean, I'd be out there, too...if I could...but my companion's gotta take it easy this weekend. You know how it is.

Day 88-Jail Time-06-24-06

Well, here it is, June 24th, Pioneer Day. My companions arm is still broken. The ward members are at the temple today, so we don't have an exchange. W., T. and A. don't have baptismal dates, so that is how things stand now.

Good news, though. We got a call from A.'s mom. She wants us to come over and talk to her tonight. Wow. I don't know what to make of that myself to tell ya the truth. We'll just have to see what she wants. I hope A. did not get into trouble. He's been avoiding us so that he can hang out with friends that have questionable reputations. Who knows...maybe A. will be there. I don't mean to sell him short.

Elder Oram and Elder Phelps came by today to pay their respects to my crippled companion. My afflicted amigo. My fractured friend. My battered and bruised buddy. What was I talking about Oh, yeah! Exchanges. Elder Phelps stayed with my companion while Elder Oram and I went to teach T.

T. I can't believe that I'm only now getting around to mentioning her here. I could fill up page after page of things about T. Let's see...Sister T. B. is a recent convert to the church. She's been investigating the church since 2002, but did not get baptized until just last year. She had a lot of questions. She still does. She knows that the church is true. She just has lots of doctrinal questions that she would like to answer for herself. She has a hunger for spiritual knowledge. As a missionary, I love this.

I first met with T. in mid-May with my first comp., Elder Buttars. She is black, divorced, with three kids. Her children are grown for the most part. Her youngest son is 17. More on him later. She has two grandchildren that live with her. T. is so sweet and kind. I don't have one bad thing to say about her. She thinks I'm precious.

T.'s son is in jail. He was arrested a month ago for armed robbery. He did not have a criminal record until this. He along with two other young men in their early 20's robbed a service station at gun point. Sister B. was in shock when she found out. She went to visit him the next day. He wasn't sorry! He said that they would have gotten away with it if they would have had a car. That's right. These three jokers robbed the store and left on foot. He was arrested within the hour.

T's glad that her son is in jail. "At least he can't harm innocent people", she said. Don't get her wrong. She loves her son. It's just now he's in a position where he might listen to the missionaries. She is hoping he'll have a change of heart. It might take some time. T. called the Starbuck's where he'd been working and told them that he would not be back because he had been arrested. "Arrested!" said the manager, "but I didn't press charges." "What?!" said Sister B. As it turns out, a week before the convenience store robbery, her son had stolen $400 from the Starbuck's where he worked. He was caught on camera. The manager did not ask for the money. He just told her son not to come back.

So now, thinking that he can get away with anything, he goes and robs a convenience store and walks out with $500. He was not able to spend it, however...

Speaking of people who are in jail...we stopped by A.'s. His mom was waiting for us. Apparently, A is in jail. His fiance accused him of robbing her. It's a long story, but I think A is innocent. We'll have to wait and see. My companion and I will try to go visit A in jail. Today was pretty busy. Tomorrow is Sunday. We got a lot done today. I'm sleepy. I'm going to bed now. 'Night.

Day 87-The Doctor's Office-6-23-06

On the way home from the hospital last night there was an amazing lightening show. The sky was constantly illuminated with bolts of light shooting across the air. It was very surreal. The ZL's dropped us off at our apartment about 1:30am. We proceeded to get ready for bed. I helped my companion into bed, tucked him in and I promptly fell asleep. Because we did not get in until late last night we were both allowed to sleep in today. My companion had a hard time getting to sleep last night. I can't imagine why!

He's been making calls all morning trying to get an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. It's kind of funny to watch. He can't hold the phone in his hands, so he lays it on the table and leans over the phone to talk into it. I came up and offered to help make the calls. We talked to Sister B. (mission pres. wife) and she helped to make some calls.

We got an appointment for today! The problem is that we need a ride and the ZL's are out doing service. They should be back in an hour. Whoo-hoo we got a ride with Elder Chacon and Elder McKnight, the Spanish-speaking elders. They are on their way right now.

We are on our way to the emergency care center. While we were waiting, we taught these construction workers about the Book of Mormon. They'd been making improvements to the sidewalks of our apartment complex. Nice guys. We gave them each a Book of Mormon. They seemed very interested and promised to read it. I told them if they had any questions to call us. Missionaries are never off duty.

Okay, we got Elder Davis' x-rays and are now in the waiting room of Dr. M. I don't know how long it will take before he can see Elder Davis. We've been waiting a while. I guess now is just as good a time as any to go over some topics I've been meaning to address.

I'll talk about some of my favorite past experiences with Elder Davis not already mentioned in my journal. I think it's ironic that my "mission breaker" (remember Elder Buttars was my first companion and my mission trainer. He said that my next companion would be my mission breaker and break the "traditions" that I had established with him. I would then find my own style) broke both arms. I joked with him that he's the Davis de Milo. He takes it all in good humor.

I'll talk about my morning exercise with Elder Davis. Back when Elder Davis had working arms, we'd always go running in the mornings. At least once a week we go to a smoothie shop. We order a small smoothie and walk back to our apartment talking about our plans for the day. The last time we went, we were walking back and we saw these two young men heading our way. As we passed, I smiled and waved to them as is my custom. They looked at me funny. I then realized that I was not in my suit and tie. I was in my workout clothes. No wonder they looked at me funny. I told Elder Davis that it felt weird being out in something other than my church clothes. I feel like Clark Kent. You've gotta wonder if Clark Kent ever walks down the street and forgets that people don't know that he's Superman.

Okay, the word came back from the doctor. Apparently, my companion only broke 1 of his arms. The right arm is just badly bruised. The left arm is broken in 2 places, at the wrist and the elbow. Elder Davis was told that he should be healed in a couple of weeks. I'm not sure about that, but hopefully that will be the case.

We are back at our apartment now. The ZL's gave us a ride back. The Spanish Elders had things to do. Elder Davis is going to lie down for a while. I was asked by Elder Spencer to clean up our apartment while my comp is recovering, so I'll go ahead and tackle that. Then maybe I can write some more in my journal.

Well, I got some things put away and organized. The room looks a little nicer. Tomorrow I'm going on my exchange with Elder Oram. My, how the tables have turned. Elder Phelps will stay with my companion so I can do my work. It seems like only yesterday that I was helping Elder Oram in Reston because of his companions sore back. I wonder if all Zones in the mission are this accident prone?

I'm a little tired. It's been a strange couple of days. Hopefully, tomorrow things will get back to their normal order. (Don't hold your breath)

Day 86-Day of the Mulberry Part II - Give Me a Break-(see Day 69)-06-22-06

We taught S. today. She was concerned about how she thinks that we are putting our faith in men, in prophets instead of Jesus Christ. She said, "for all the times we've talked together, you talk about Joseph Smith more than Jesus."

Elder Davis said, "Well, let me ask you this. Do you have faith in Jesus Christ?" "Yes." "Do you believe that He is the Savior and redeemer of the world?" "Yes." "I can see that you have a strong faith in our Savior and His Atonement. It's because of that that our message to you is about the Restoration. You already have faith in Jesus Christ..." Then I jumped in, "You have the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-20) We are here to bring you the rest of the foundation."

We've been going around in circles with S. about faith without works. My mom sent me some talks about faith without works. I'll read over them so hopefully I can help S. to understand that faith without works is dead.

A lot of things came full circle today. We were heading home from our meeting with S. at the Hatch's house. Every time we head home from where S. is, we pass by the house where a less-active member lives. His name is Brother G. He is a nice, older gentleman. He's black, in his late 70's and a convert for 12 years. He was sealed to his wife in the temple for time and all eternity. She passed away two years ago. Bro. G. hasn't been able to come to church for a while because of his bad back. We usually go over once a week and share a spiritual message.

That is where I went on exchanges (day 78). I needed to teach a discussion to a less active member as a part of my certification. It's amazing how Heavenly Father works. We talked to Bro. G. about the laws and ordinances of the gospel. He bore his testimony of temple work and eternal marriage. It was so touching. The spirit was felt so strong at that meeting. It's just what he needed to hear, how much the church cares for all of its members. It's just what I needed, too. To hear his testimony of how much the church means to him. It was a great experience.

Bro. G.'s house is the first house on the left of the mulberry tree where we talked to T. (day 69). So, anyway, we're heading home for dinner. I pass by Bro. G's house; past the mulberry tree and then I hear a crash. I look behind me and there is Elder Davis sprawled out on the sidewalk, the wheels of his bike spinning futiley in the air.

My first thought as I walked up to Elder Davis was of the scarecrow form the Wizard of Oz. After the flying monkeys came and kidnapped Dorothy, they roughed up her friends and the scarecrow ended up ripped apart. "They took my arm and they threw it over there! And they took my legs and threw them over there!" Well, that's you all over."

Before you start to panic, Elder Davis' arms and legs are still attached. He was just lying on the ground looking up at me. Thank goodness he had a helmet on. "Can you get up?", I asked. "Gimme a minute." So I waited. While Elder Davis was lying there, I gathered up the contents of his pockets and set his bike upright. "Are you okay?", I asked. Elder Davis had a bright red gash on his right forearm. "You need a band-aid?" "Maybe later."

About this time a car pulled up. There was a nice woman who saw our plight and wanted to see if there was anything she could do to help. "Do you need a doctor?", she asked. "Maybe a ride to our apartment", Elder Davis moaned. We got my companion to his feet. His whole body was sore. I took our bikes to Bro. G.s house. He said that he was honored to watch them for us. We'll get them tomorrow. Good thing he was so close. Then this nice lady gave us a ride home. On our way, she told us that she was on her way to Richmond, saw us and knew that she had to help. She told us the reason that she was going to Richmond was...brace yourself...a Jehovah's Witness convention. That's right. Our ride home was a J-Dub. Very funny, Heavenly Father. I get the joke, I think. It's amazing how all of these different things come together. How ironic.

We're at the urgent care right now. Bro. B. dropped us off. Great man, Brother B. Elders Spencer and Goodrich just showed up, so Bro. B. went home. It's getting late. It's almost 10:00 at night. We're still waiting. We've been at the hospital for 2 hours now.

Here's why Elder Davis crashed: He told me that he saw the mulberry tree up ahead. He thought, "I'll bet I can pluck a mulberry from that tree while biking." He tried to grab one, lost control of his bike and crashed. (You two're dumber than a bag of hammers." Everett O, Brother Where Art Thou) The funny thing is, after he crashed I went over to the tree and picked a handful of mulberries. "Hey, Elder Davis, do you want a mulberry?" I said. He moaned and groaned. All because of the want of a mulberry.

I'm tired. I might write in here later tonight, but I think I'll take a break.

The time: 11:40 pm The place: the Emergency Room. I should be asleep by now. It's pouring rain outside. It just started a little while ago. Heavy winds. Thunder and lightening. It's very peaceful. Maybe it's just me.

It's now 12:20am. Still at the hospital. We've been here 4 1/2 hours.

Unbelievable! He broke his left wrist and BOTH his elbows. Because of the want of a mulberry. I am in shock.

We're still at the hospital. They are putting a cast and a sling on each of my companions arms. I looked back to day 82 of my journal. I wrote that I thought something big was going to happen this week. This is not what I had in mind. I don't get some things and how they work out. The time is now 1:05am.

Day 85- I'm Certified-6-21-06

Washington D.C. South Mission Master Teacher. Certification for Elder Pierce-April 20, 2006 to June 16, 2006.

Here's what I had to do: (followed by 11 hand-written pages of things that Elder Pierce did-goals to be met- and scriptures he memorized in order to become a senior companion out in the field in Washington D. C. South.)

Here is an example of some of the scriptures Elder Pierce memorized:
God is our loving Heavenly Father-Romans 8:16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God."

Heavenly Father reveals His gospel in every dispensation-Amos 3:7 "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

The Great Apostasy-Amos 8:11-12 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land. Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord; And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to see the word of the Lord, and shall not find it."

The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith- Ephesians 4:5 "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism."

Pray to Know the Truth through the Holy Ghost- John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your rememberance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

Pre-earth life: God's purpose and plan for us; Moses 1:39 "For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

Agency and the Fall of Adam-2Nephi 2:25 "Adam fell that man might be; and men are that they might have joy."

The Atonement; (Joseph Smith Translation-differs slightly-plain and precious parts left out of the Bible) 1st Corinthians 15:40 "Also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial and bodies telestial; but the glory of the celestial, one, and the terrestrial another, and the telestial, another.

Faith in Jesus Christ 1Nephi 3:7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

Repentance- Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

Baptism, our first covenant- John 3:5 "Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God."

The gift of the Holy Ghost- D&C 33:15 "And whoso having faith you shall confirm in my church, by the laying on of hands, I will bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them."

Endure to the End-Matthew 10:22 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

And so many more...

Elder Pierce: Boy, what a lot of writing that was. (His mom decided not to type everything - what a lot of typing that would be.)

Day 84-Investigators-6-20-06

Much happened today. We went on exchanges with Elder Oram and Elder Phelps. I went tracting with Elder Phelps. We did that for a couple of hours which brings my total tracting time to 32 hours.

I'm certified! That is one reason why Elder Oram met with me, so he could sign me off on the last little bit I had left. I finished everything I needed on day 80, but wasn't able to meet until today. It takes a lot of memorization of scriptures to get certified.

Good grief. We're not going to the Visitor's Center tomorrow. W. still feels a little under the weather. I'm glad he was able to make it to church with us on Sunday. I just feel that it would be good for him to go. We'll keep trying. We'll get him there. Someday.

Evaluating our area, we are not as in great a shape as we once were. Our investigators have hit a snag. Some are further along than others, but they've all got things holding them back, stopping them from progressing. W., T. and A. won't make their baptism dates. It's okay. We'll wait until they are prepared. Not a huge deal. I'm not too worried about W. but I have to say that I am worried about A. and T. T just doesn't show any interest. He's young and going to college in the fall. What is the importance of religion to him? We keep trying to show him why he needs this now. We'll see how it turns out.

As for A., we've tried to get a hold of him almost every night, but he is always out partying with friends. He needs to decide which is more important. Right now it's his "no-account" friends. He's got to choose for himself. We can't choose for him. When and if he is ready to change, we'll be there for him.

S., N. and J.-J is so busy. He almost works missionary hours- and those are busy let me tell you. He says we can talk with him when he is not working so much. We'll see...N. on the other hand, is just hard to contact. He's been gotten good by the J-Dub's. He's not a card-carrying member, but he might as well be. The scripture that he shared with us last time, Jeremiah 10:23, in the J.W. study buddy, tried (in vain) to link it to governments and how they are wrong.

The scripture talked about how you should follow God and trust in Him, not man. I'd like to point out to N. that that men are telling him not to vote or celebrate Christmas, not God. But that's the point of this book-The J.W.study buddy takes scriptures from the Bible and puts them into categories in the hopes that people who read them will equate the scriptures with their dogma. For example: Jeremiah 10:23=Govt. Bad or Psalms 146:3=Don't vote. That's why they believe they should not vote; cause the Bible tells them not to put their trust in man, and when you vote, you trust in man.

Wait until I see N. again. Do I have something to share...As Joseph Smith said, when he was looking for which church to join..."for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passage of scriptures so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible." JSH 1:12 The Bible is open to misinterpretation. There is only one way to know for sure which way is right and that is by sincere prayer. James 1:5

I've got some scriptures about God's idea of government that I want to show N.
1st Peter 2:13-17, 2nd Peter 2:10-11, John 19:10-11, Romans 13:1-4. I want N. to read these verses next time we meet. More importantly, I want him to pray about them. It's all here waiting for him. He' just gotta choose.

It's so frustrating when investigators don't even try to read the Book of Mormon. If they want to know the truth, THEY MUST READ! and pray, of course. I can't overemphasize the importance of prayer, but if they are not reading, what is there to pray about?