May 10th, 2017

Thank you everyone who sent messages and prayers my way on my birthday, it was a great day! I ate tons of tacos and they were delicious!

So here's the thought that I came across this week. It's that pride leads to doubt and doubt leads to fear and fear kills faith. This world is scary and it surrounds us in every aspect of our lives. As members knowing who we are and understanding our unlimited potentials often makes us feel that we don't live up to the bar.. that we aren't worthy enough to call down the powers of heaven to give a father's blessing to cure an infection or even faithful enough to be able to speak with the tongue of angels to that one person in the lunch room that just has something different about them.
Doubt is simply not a part of our divine nature and it never has been. Nor should it ever be!! If you have to fight the spirit to make some big promise or action in order to get attention than the Lord is not going to fulfill that blessing. But He wants you to exercise every pinch of power that is available to you!

I was teaching an investigator this week and he posed the question that if someone were to break a commandment, would their blessings from keeping the other commandments be revoked. I can testify that the Lord does not bless us on the merits of perfection. The blessings are already more abundant than what we can receive, it is our journey of happiness in this life to be physically capable of receiving those.
Doubt leads to fear and that's what literally damns us and halts our growth. Pride is the root of this doubt. You need faith to give up pride and to replace doubt and fear.
The only way to get out of this cycle is to give up our will.

I know we can harness more power than we currently exercise and that is what my mission is doing right now. I know you can do it too. Love you! Here's some fun stuff:

You can find a super good talk on pride here: "Beware of Pride" in Teachings of the Presidents: Ezra Taft Benson.

Love ya! Treat my mom well this Sunday! :)

Elder Lucas Michael Johnson          
New Jersey Morristown Mission

We threw an activity for the kids in our branch painting pots, planting plants and learning about baptism as a special surprise for mothers' day.
Always refreshments!

Beautiful chapel where former Presidents used to attend
A date night we through for an investigator and her future husband! We are so luck to have members that know how to play music and cook!

May 5th 2017

Happy 19th Birthday! 

                                        Here's my family's B-day box from home

April 24, 2017

A great week, one of the Lord's greatest miracles in our area this week was entering the house of Juan Flores. He is an inactive who has two very active brothers in our ward. After many contact attempts we ended up outside there apartment to contact a referral and saw his family leaving.. so what did we do? We ran to go chase them down! But the Spanish program has already taken a toll on our bodies and the car drove away right before we had the opportunity to put our foot in the door. But Elder Bohman had the impression to go back and knock on their door and who answered? Juan!
The miracle part of this experience was really humbling.. What happened is that we entered the apartment and saw literally gallons of every type of alcohol available. On the inside I was really nervous about inviting him to come back to partake of the sacrament but despite that obstacle the Lord blessed us with extra courage and the words to fill our mouth. I know Juan felt something, it is now our job as missionaries help him repent.

I know that the very same spirit that helped us testify to Juan about the infinite reach of Christ's atonement will fill your mouths to testify that it can and will bring peace and joy to your friends, family and acquaintances. Don't be afraid, if you listen to the spirit it will not lead you to destroying your life, socially or monetarily. I promise that a simple testimony of the importance of ordinances and where that authority comes from will fulfill your heart with joy and peace unlike you have ever felt before. You will think more clearly receive revelation more often.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Elder Lucas Michael Johnson            
New Jersey Morristown Mission

April 10, 2017

Don't Be a Raisin, Be a Grape!

April 3rd, 2016

Awesome Week in Red Bank

                                                        Beautiful Zone 8!

This week we had a big activity with glow in the dark games we put together for the youth. We had an amazing turn out, in fact so many youth brought friends and we were shocked at the turn out. We did have to shut things down a bit early due to some foul language flying around, but we were able to open the church doors to the community and met tons of friends in the area. We're hoping they felt like it was a great place to come to and it looks like we will be able to teach the gospel through our examples and words. We have quite a few new investigators and we're excited to share a message with them.

Elder Bohman and I are still companions and enjoying the spring weather in Red Bank. We even made it to the beach today for P Day. This is a photo of our Awesome Zone!

General Conference was Amazing and I loved the message shared about why we as missionaries are out across the world serving in our church. It was what we would love to share with all those who have questions about why we are here and what we are doing. In fact, we may just share what he taught us with those that ask. It was so refreshing to her the Prophet and Apostles and we have had prayers answered so much lately. I'm so happy for the opportunity to share the gospel in New Jersey and I'm excited to spend a week meeting new people and hopefully sharing what I love with them.

Thank you for the support and love you all have shown to me,
Love,
Elder Johnson

March 1st 2017

Getting Settled in Red Bank 🙂

                                          Our new apartment in Red Bank. 

Red Bank is completely different from where I've been serving and I'm really excited for this new experience.  Many people seem to be living in fear in this community. When people see us they run. If we Park by a group they scatter. Members have to check through the window when we knock on the doors. People will turn off the lights and hide if we knock on there doors. Kids call us the "migra". Immigration headquarters are located in our area and many feel we may part of immigration when we come over to talk with people. I'm excited to serve the people in Red Bank and hopefully establish friendships and trust between us so they will know we are here for them. We want to share a message of hope and peace and help them wherever we can

February 20, 2017

Jersey City Memories

Finally found the picture of the same place that hangs in my home in Idaho

                                           Elder Marz is a beautiful Soul

Members delivered all this to us when they found out we were sick (this happened 4 Times)

                     Moroni Martinez, the second best young men's President next to Brother Smart 

                                            This one is for my Aunt Julie!

                                    Hermano Padula, an amazing man of God

 Emil Ciliezer, super big techy who promised to hack our Xbox when I get home with any game we want!

                          Consejo de Barrio with Hermano Urtecho's robotic weapon finger..

                                      Elder Marz's and my last time on the 8th floor.