Homecoming ❤️

"Days Never to be Forgotten." -- Oliver Cowdery

Dear friends and family,

I have absolutely LOVED being a missionary! This past week has been an amazing one too! Recently I've thought about Oliver Cowdery, his special call to be a scribe for the prophet Joseph Smith,  and how fast that time went when they were working on the Book of Mormon translation... it was just a matter of months! But while the time has gone fast these past 18 months as a missionary, I have thought of Oliver's words, "These are days never to be forgotten." 

Goodbyes (clockwise from top left):  Ollie -- such a sassy little lady haha,
Crystal and Brother Powers, the Amiraults, and Carl

I was able to walk through the Hale and Smith homes for the last time with a name tag on with Sister Baantjer. I am so grateful for those sacred grounds where so many events necessary to Christ's church being restored to the earth happened. We shared some of our favorite Book of Mormon scriptures with each other in the Smith home as we stood in the very place where they were translated. One of my favorites is Alma 37:36-37, which says, "Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." Even though I've read that scriptures many times in that room, when I read it that day "whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord," jumped out at me because I realized we can be led by the Lord wherever we are in life, with whatever we are doing, with or without a missionary name tag. 

Last time at the Smith home

We also had a very special opportunity to meet President Henry B. Eyring and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland! They were on their way to Palmyra for the youth Face to Face event, and came in to take a tour with the Abneys. They were able to arrange for us sisters to sing for them at the end of their tour. We stood around the bust of Jesus Christ and sang "This is the Christ" (which talks about the events that happened in 3rd Nephi which was translated here!). We got to talk with them for a few minutes and shake their hands after the song. President Eyring looked at the Christ bust, and then us and said, "Do you see that? He's smiling at you. He loves you, and we have felt that as we've been here." And Elder Holland said, "Yes, and we are proud of you." The Spirit was so strong, and I know that they are men called of God to help direct His work.

Looks back on my time serving as a missionary, I really have come to know that the Lord loves each of us and is proud of us when we try our best. I'm so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ which makes all things possible. Because of Him we can repent, become better and live with our Heavenly Father, and our families, again. Through ordinances performed through restored priesthood authority we really can access all that Christ offers us. We can find joy, peace, and direction through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Book of Mormon was translated by the prophet Joseph Smith through the gift and power of God. There is so much we can learn from the Book of Mormon because it filled with words for our day! Our Heavenly Father knows and loves each one of us, has provided us a Savior and a way to come home to Him, and how grateful I am for that!

Hurrah for Israel! 

Love,

Sister Larsen

A few final pictures:

Last comp selfie with Sis. Baantjer

Goodbye Banners!

So long, Priesthood Restoration Site!  We have loved serving here!!

Driving to Philadelphia with Sis. Anderson

At the temple

PHILLY