Sacrifices

Bottom: This is the work of our members and investigators in our area. They hike with this thing for 2 1/2 hours up and down the mountain about 6 times. This is VERY heavy.. honestly.. I couldn't lift it by myself my companion had to lift it onto my shoulders then I squatted it. It is about 250 lbs...  just think about how hard that is. WITH hiking that long! What sacrifice...

Top: our group..some left but we had an attendance of 63.. it's been in the 60's for the past three weeks so it's coming along great!

Finding Joy

Beware of Pride

Doctrine and Covenants 38:39 "And if ye seek the riches which it is the will of the Father to give unto you, ye shall b e the richest of all people, for ye shall have the riches of eternity; and it must needs be that the riches of the earth are mine to give; but beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old."

This is something that has been very powerful to me. I have pondered and studied and pondered and studied and pondered and studied again and again about pride, and have received a lot of personal revelation about this specific verse and about "pride." First off, what is pride?? It's the opposite of humility, which is submitting to the will of the Lord, so pride is submitting to the will of man, But what does Jesus say about this?

John 12:43, D&C 3:6-7, D&C 30:1-2, D&C 60:2 Pride is what we say, "What will men think of me?" instead of saying, "What will God think of me?" The central feature of pride is enmity- enmity towards God and our fellowmen. Enmity means "Hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition." This is a great sin, in Proverbs 8:13 God states that he "hates" pride. God doesn't hate much things but when his children fear men more then him he is a little disappointed. How it should actually be is like how he clearly stated in Philippians 2:21 "for all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's." All thing are Christ's and so are we, so we, like he once cried in agony "not as I will, but as thou wilt" should be our dearest cry. If we always think about me, me, me, then our outcome will be like the city of Sodom in Ezekiel 16:49which was destroyed because of PRIDE! These people lived the scripture in Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." The people of Sodom had an "haughty spirit" of worldly things and then they became prideful and then, came the fall. C.S. Lewis clearly stated what pride was " Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. . . It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, Pride has gone." How clearly explained. Sometimes when we say we don't have pride we are indead being prideful. Pride is indeed the silent killer. It is one of the most innocent sins that the whole world has! 

Think of all the many lives that could've been changes if they wouldn't have had PRIDE!
The many Less Active members that choose to be offended because of PRIDE.

The thousands of preparing missionaries that don't go on missions because of PRIDE in not confessing and submitting to the will of the Lord.

The many problems in families that can be solved if PRIDE wasn't involved.

The many missionaries who should focus on the LORD'S will, not ours, in the mission field wanting and trying to be the most baptizing, best teaching, and most known because of PRIDE.

Think of all the examples Lucifer who wanted HIS plan and HIS glory, the Jews who crucified Christ because they thought he claimed to be "Kind of the Jews", Herod the kind that beheaded John the baptist, Saul of the old testament who despised David, King Noah who feared his judges more than God, and many, many, many other famous "nowaday" actors who yield themselves to men rather than God because of fame, money, and pressure. It all starts with PRIDE! This is why we must be humble. We must always say "thy will, not mine be done." It is a combined, unified companionship of humility and faith that can control the power of pride. Like stated in Alma 26:4;13;16 do not be compelled to be humble, but be humble in all circumstances we are in, always have the will of God in our heart and mind, and submit to it! I love you all so dearly!
Love Elder Cody W. Johnson

New Area

Leadership Training

Teaching

Mission President Training

Well we were supposed to have a MPT (Mission President Training) this week with President Lopez, but, he is very ill. We were blessed to be able to give the training to the zone. He gave us a Topic of "Extending Commitments" Pmg Chapter 11, and also Alma Chapter 26. I want to share some of the personal revelations that I received as I study and pondered these two topics.

First I want to give a list of scriptures from Doctrine and Covenants 6:9, 11:9, 14:8, 18:14, 19:21, 33:10, 34:6, 36:6, 43:20-22, 44:3, 55:2, 58:47. There are 5 words I want to point out; Say, Declare, Cry, Call, and Preach. These words all point to one thing "REPENTANCE" But what is the difference between "Repentance" and "Repent"? 

Repentance: A process, or a change of heart, life style.

Repent: An invitation.

When we invite people it is to repent. The word Invite is repent. The word repent is repentance. We invite people to repent and when they repent they go through the repentance process. The most simple invitation to support my claim is one that Jesus Christ said which is "come, follow me." This invitation is repent and repentance. Those three words are inviting all men to change their old ways and to do good and be better. The single word "repent" is Saying, Declaring, Crying, Calling, and Preaching repentance. 

Moroni 7:12-13 That which inviteth to do good is from God.

                      That which inviteth to do evil is from the Devil.

Q:But what if someone is in-between? what if they don't do anything(don't invite)? is it from God or the Devil? 

A: From the devil. If it is not inviting to do good then it is from him. That is why it is so important to Say, Declare, Cry, Call, and Preach repentance! Our purpose "is to INVITE..." if we are not inviting we are not doing what God wants of us.

Alma 26

"But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his, yea. . . God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people."

These souls are Gods, not ours. They are his and always will be. We are just instruments in which God prepares a way for his children to receive his words and enter into his fold. I know that God loves each of us and knows each of us. His love is un-explainable and un-describable. The only way to describe it is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They both love us beyond imaginable. He paid for our sins and invites ALL to come unto him, and so should we. 

Love Elder Cody W. Johnson

Six More Months

Well... only 6 more months.. I don't know and am not sure how to explain the feelings that I have right now.. really weird and sad. Just thinking back to my first two areas I where I blew away 10 months of my mission struggling with disobedient companions trying to help them be more obedient then the state they were at. As this new year started I've made a resolution to not only finish these six months out but to consecrate them with the obedient and hard working companions that the Lord has blessed me with. I just want to express my love and appreciation for each and every one of you, especially my loving family. As I consecrate these last six months all I ask is to support me and to pray for me. I do not want any other packages or things coming from home. It will not only help me but help you. I do appreciate sincerely the things I've received for the past 1 1/2 year. But in all honesty it can wait 6 more months and will save you more money. I will be sending one group email instead of replying one by one to everyone and will hope to uplift and increase your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for the time that i have remaining to serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. 

I want to send my appreciation to my family for the prayers and fasts for the Lord's children in Isabela searching for the truth. This sacrament meeting we were blessed to have 19 investigators attend sacrament meeting. The attendance of the group in San Agustin was 65. I could not and can not express the feelings of happiness that I had received as I entered into that little house where we hold our special sacrament/group and to see all those people that we have been working so hard to get to come unto the Lord, finally, make the decision to come and partake of his goodness.

I want to share a story of one investigator in specific. Emelio Espanola. This father of two girls who are getting baptized on the 24th of January finally came to church after searching for the Truth. This was honestly a blessing of the Lord and this is his story. So this week he was working, hiking up and down the mountains, but on Friday something happened, as he was hiking down he took the wrong step on a rock and slipped and was almost paralyzed. He explained "I am lucky that the rock did not land directly on my back somehow I was moved to the side where it only hit a few inches from my spine." As we went there on Saturday not knowing of this thing, we come into his house and see him laying down and ask him and he explained the story. The thing that entered into my mind was not to follow up about his prayer about Joseph Smith but to simply read from James 5:14-15 and to give him a blessing, so that is just what we did. As we finished the prayer we shook his hand and walked off. That next day, Sunday, he recited to me what happened, he said, " After you left elders, it was hard to walk, very hard, but I stood up and I went outside and walked around my house and I was determined to come to church no matter how far I had to walk." and he did precisely what he said, he did come to church, wants to be baptized with his wife and his kids. "The prayer of faith shall save the sick" and you're prayers did save the sick, not the sick physically, but the sick spiritually. This is just one of the MANY miracles that we had this week. Thank you all for your support and prayers. I offer the same to you all and express my gratitude and love for each and every one of you!

Love, Elder Cody W. Johnson

Merry Christmas

White Christmas

Well... can't complain, the Lord has given us the opportunity for two more souls to enter into the fold of God. This week was a great one. The area is AMAZING! we hike mountains(yes. MOUNTAINS), cross rivers, and climb rocks every single day! It's a great area. We have another group with an attendance of 43 yesterday. Usually it's 75 but it was a busy week. This week christmas is coming up and have another soul entering into the fold of God this 25th. I can't explain the work here in Isabela. It's just amazing.. These people hike down the mountain two hours to come to church what great faith is shown in this area. Even strong storms of rain cannot stop these people from coming to the church. These people build my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as I see the dedication of these people in the mountains just to keep the commandments of God. Can't wait to see you family on Christmas! hope you are excited also! I'm doing great, the appartment, area, ward, group, companion and everything that comes with it! LOVE YOU ALL!!
Love, Elder Cody Johnson

"WHITE" Christmas in the Philippines. a picture is worth a thousand words so this picture will try to explain my joy and happiness this Christmas season!

Got to skype with the WHOLE family.
can I complain? No.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Love Elder Cody W. Johnson

Sister Marquez

Sister Johnson, How are you? I don't know if you still remember me !Its Sister Marquez we met in Temple Square before you drop off your son in the MTC.  I just back home in my mission and I met Elder Johnson and he looks different, he just a great missionary and really fluent in my language!  I heard a lot from other missionaries that he is really obedient and hard working missionary!  Keep up the good works Sister and Elder Johnson really loves the Philippines ! Take care!!

Love, Sister Marquez

Zone Leader

Well this week was good.. had some rain on Sunday pretty hard so the investigators at church was kind of low but I know my companion will bring it back up next week! Well I transfered that's why I'm on kinda late.. I'm going back to the zone of my second area Binalbagan Zone but I'm going to Isabela which is a Zone Leader's area.  Yes, I'm now a zone leader!! My companion is Elder Suarez he is from Cavite Philippines.. (this area is Brayden Evans previous area) so it's good, very progressive and VERY mountainous. It will be great.. I'm great hope all of you are also! I love you all and hope you the very best!!

Love Elder Cody W. Johnson

I'm ALIVE!!

I'M ALIVE!!! the typhoon wasn't even bad.. it passed by just like last year.. "no elements can stop the Lord from hastening the work in Bacolod Philippines Mission!" 

What a miracle.. As we were going to the computer shop just barely we met this amercian member, who is in our area, who is a return missionary, that served in japan, and said "to be honest i'm not one of those anti-mormons, i've just been a little bit lazy, my faith is still strong and i know it's still true, but i will come back and if you need any one to work with you or any transportation just text me." what a miracle! 

The experience of the week was we met this Less active member, he's been through Inglesia ni Cristo, Baptist, Catholic, Seventh-Day, Church of Christ, and now is active in Jehovah witness. We met him once just passing buy and he said to us "elders, don't come back you're wasting your time." and then just walked back into his house. I thought to myself what is this guys problem haha, But the other day we were walking buy and we met him on the dirt road and he started talking to us and of course we turned it back to the church, figured out he was baptized in 1983 and is now a missionary in Jehovah witness. As we were just talking to him i could tell that his faith was completely gone. I asked if he still believed the church was true he said "I can't say yes or I can't say no." Then asked him about the Godhead. He said that Jesus Christ is not a God. And it hit me so hard when this guy is denying the truth that he once held dear to his heart, and followed up by asking if he believes that him continuing on in Jehovah witness will bring him salvation, and he replied "i cannot claim and i cannot judge." (these are all short parts of the visit that we had) but after this visit i realized that he was not going to change his mind he said "i have my belief and you have yours so let's leave it at that and we will see in the end who will be saved and who will not." When he said that to me i don't know what hit me but i just started talking and told him "brother, you know it's true, you've felt it before and now you are denying the truth and especially denying the Godliness of Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, I can say that if I die this moment I will be saved and receive Everlasting life, and can promise that you will not, Why? because you denied the truth and the holy ghost, after this life you will bow down before Christ and you will say that he is God and you cannot deny it, but after this life it is too late brother, you cannot repent after this life. We are telling you the truth and you know it, but you are denying it and so you will be denied everlasting life after this life. We respect you and love you, but I am telling you now that if you continue in your ways you will not return to our father in heaven, especially by denying the truth. So take care brother and think about what we have said." After that we just walked away and don't plan on going back. Like it says in Luke 9:5 "And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them." These things will be a testimony against him and cannot escape it. I know that God lives, Jesus does also. I know that they love us so much. I know that this church is true and is the only church that will bring us salvation. I love you all!! 

Love Elder Cody W. Johnson

We SURVIVED!!

WE SURVIVED THE SUPERTYPHOON! We were not affected by the storm. Mission lockdown is over. All missionaries are safe. They are now back to proselyting. There was only moderate rain and wind all day since this morning. Mahalo for all your prayers!

Typhoon Ruby

WE ARE PREPARING FOR ANOTHER TYPHOON THIS WEEKEND. ALL MISSIONARIES ARE PREPARED AND PROPERLY INSTRUCTED. WE ASK FOR YOUR COLLECTIVE FAITH AND PRAYERS FOR OUR SAFETY.
HAGUPIT rapidly strengthens into a 150-km/hr Typhoon as it approaches Yap, Ulithi and the other smaller islands of Western Micronesa...remains a threat to Eastern Philippines particularly Eastern Visayas this weekend. 

SUPERTYPHOON UPDATE: We have a "mission lockdown" starting Friday 6 PM. All missionaries are in placed. No one is allowed to leave their home during lockdown. Every missionary is made aware of our protocol during a calamity. We thank you for your prayers.
FRIDAY EARLY MORNING: Continues to intensify as it traverses the southeastern part of the Philippine Sea...about 580 km east-southeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar [2AM DEC 05: 11.4N 130.7E @ 260kph]. 
SATURDAY EARLY MORNING: Strengthens further as it slows down and turning slightly to the west, across the central-southern part of the Philippine Sea...about 310 km east-northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar [2AM DEC 06: 12.0N 128.2E @ 280kph]. 
SUNDAY EARLY MORNING: Maintains its strength as it continues to slow down and turns further slightly to the west, across the western-central part of the Philippine Sea, closer to Eastern Samar...about 115 km northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar [2AM DEC 07: 12.3N 126.2E @ 280kph].

Only A Dream

GOOD MORNING TO ALL!!! This week was an amazing week, so many things to look forward to next week and in the whole month of December!! This week we were so very blessed to have out Mission Tour again, and to hear from our area President Elder Ian S. Ardern.

 I just want to share one thought that has been the strongest for me that he shared to all us missionaries in Bacolod Philippines Mission he said, "This all is only a dream unless you act on it." Everything we learn, if not accted upon, is only like a dream that comes and goes, nothing coming from it. We all must act on things we learn and apply them to make miracles happen, without, it is nothing and has no purpose.

Love Elder Cody Johnson

Silly East Ward

After attending Bacolod South Stake Conference we drove to Silay to pick up the Silay East Elders (Elder Johnson, Elder Pedroso) and Silay East Sisters (Sister Walker, Sister Legaspi) and some members including Bishop Enarle to go with us to a Special Sacrament Meeting in Barangay E. Lopez of Silay East ward

Taken after the Special Sacrament Meeting. There were 45 in attendance. Total number of investigators were 17

Elder Pedroso & Elder Johnson with their investigators in church