The Final Epistle of Elder Hopkins to the North Carolinians

It is with mixed emotions that I sit down to compose this, the final epistle of my missionary service in Boise. First of all, I thank God for each and every one of you who have shown your support over these past two years as I've been in Boise, whether by letters, e-mails, cards or other, unwritten and intangible ways. I know that the prayers which have been offered for me were not few in number, neither were they tethered to any specific religion or faith. I can truly rejoice, knowing the goodness in the hearts of the people I am privileged enough to call friends. "I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ." (Romans 15:29)

The thought on my mind now - and I'm sure many of your minds - is: "Now what?"

I may not be able to lay out the course of the rest of my life or be certain of where I will graduate, who I will marry, how many children I have or where I will work and live in the future. However, I do have the tools to know that my future will be exactly what my Heavenly Father knows it can be. As Luke put it, the scriptures were written "that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed." (Luke 1:4) Through study of the scriptures, prayer and attending Church, I have confidence that God will lead me to where I need to go, who I need to meet and what I need to do.

Jeffrey R Holland said, "God doesn’t care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go." I really like that sentiment. We've all made mistakes. I'm not even talking about sins at this point, but just mistakes. I'll name a few of mine so you can get an idea of what I mean.

I did not study as hard in college as I could have, or take it as seriously as I should have. I am willing to change that. I was not as physically active as I could have been. I am willing to change that. I did not tell my family often enough how much I love them. I am willing to change that.

Hopefully from those few illustrations, you can see what I'm trying to get at. The Atonement of Jesus Christ was not ONLY to take away our sins. And it isn't ONLY sins that we can repent of. This was a fallacy I had in my mind before my mission. The Atonement - that is, Christ's suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary - is not solely for mending things of a spiritual nature. The everyday, the secular, the ordinary things are also included - probably more often - in that all-encompassing act of forgiveness and compassion. Repentance includes small, seemingly insignificant changes we make to be better people, and consequently, better disciples of Christ. They may seem like little things today, but they could end up being, over time, large problems that seem difficult to handle. "The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken" said Samuel Johnson. So we need to learn to repent and change even the little things in our lives to be better.

Our future depends on it.

The last remark I want to make has to do with having hope. As Ether said in the Book of Mormon, "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." (Ether 12:4)

The future is all about faith and hope. We have to have confidence that God will keep His promises. That when we pray, He will dedicate our performance to the welfare of our souls (See 2 Nephi 32:9). I know He will. There is no other way to express it. Faith is not blind, that much I know. It may not be seen, but it is felt.

As President Thomas S. Monson, the living Prophet on the Earth today, said in April of 2009, "My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

I may need sunglasses.

With all the gratitude I posses,

Elder Mike Hopkins

Mid-Abdominal Miracle

So a few nights ago, I was really really sick in my stomach, having pains and cramps that I've never experienced before or since. I got to sleep and felt a little better the next morning. As the day went on, however, I started to have pain again, apexing that night at about 11. I had had a blessing, said a bunch of prayers and talked to a few families and it seemed like everyone would ask "Do you think maybe it's appendicitis?" to which I would reply that I didn't think so, because I was too scared that I was just psyching myself out and didn't want to go to the hospital and waste money just to be told I would be ok.

I called Sister Cannon and asked her what she thought I should do and she and President agreed that it would be better safe than sorry and encouraged me to go to the hospital. I remember President saying "You'll have to drink some pretty gross stuff for the CT Scan, which might make you sick to begin with." I did not want to drink that stuff.

I hesitated and pondered but finally decided to go, all the time dreading the "CT Drink." I got dressed and was tying my shoes when I realized that I wasn't really in pain anymore. I froze. I didn't know if the only reason I didn't hurt was just because I was sitting a certain way. Slowly, tentatively, I laid down. No pain. I sat in a chair. No pain.

I stood. I walked. I bent over. Nothing.

Still in disbelief, I called Sister Cannon and told her the pain was gone and that I wasn't going to go after all. She said "Wow. Really? that's interesting because we just finished saying a prayer for you."

I slept like a rock and woke up the next morning feeling great, albeit a bit hungry.

It's humbling to know that God really does watch over us, especially so when we're in His service. It was a miracle, to be sure.

-Elder Hopkins

PS - Maybe I was just feeling sympathy pains for my sister's pregnancy. (It's going to be a boy!)

The Official Countdown

Elder Hopkins will officially arrive at the RDU Airport at 7:03 pm EST on July 14th, 2011. He'd love to see you there if you can make it! :)

The Best Books

Well, my friends, it certainly has been a while.

I am still here in the Boise South Zone, but my new companion isn't new at all. It's one of my all-time favorite companions from way back in Rupert! It's Elder Juan Diego Henao Cifuentes! (a.k.a. Elder Henao) He is a great missionary, and it will be wonderful not only to serve with someone I know, but also a hard worker for my last transfer.

Also of note, I will soon be the Uncle of a NEPHEW in October! I wish the Internet was a better canvas to display excitement on, but all I have is words, which are not wholly adequate to contain my happiness!

Something I've thought a great deal about recently has been the blessing and the importance of the Scriptures in my life. There are so many times when they have helped me to be a better person. Sometimes, what I'm reading is not as relevant as the feeling that comes from opening and just reading the first thing you see. The Scriptures are a powerful force for good and they help us in the best of times and the worst of times. They are the Balm of Gilead and are the words of God, even "the word which healeth the wounded soul" as Jacob testified (Jacob 2:8).

I once heard someone say that the word "Bible" is an acronym for "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth." I like that. I think that also applies to the Book of Mormon. The Scriptures help us know what we should do in this life and how we should act. Most importantly, they teach us of the Savior, who is the ultimate example. As the current Prophet, Thomas S. Monson said, "He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love."

The records that are the most sacred are those of the life and ministry of Christ Himself, found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament and much of 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. These accounts help us not only read and live what the Savior taught, but see the way He lived, the way He interacted with others and most importantly, the love He had, and continues to have, for each of us. There are so many things He taught us, and yet, the accounts that we have only include small instances in His life.

I'm reminded of the words of John the Beloved in the conclusion of his account of Jesus' life: "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written...But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." ( John 21:25 & John 20:31)

Nephi, whose ancestors would see Christ and make record of his appearance in the Americas, wrote at the end of his life, "And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. (2 Nephi 33:10)

When all is said and done, the Scriptures are here for us to testify that Jesus is the Christ and that by and through His name we can receive eternal life. I add my testimony to those ancient prophets whose diligent efforts allowed us to have the Scriptures today, that Jesus Christ lives and He truly does love us. And because He loves us, we can do all things that he requires of us, no matter how difficult they may seem.

I love you all, and thanks for all your support!

Always,

- Elder Hopkins

Not So Much About a Bunny

Amidst goodbyes and good times, I embarked to the Boise South Zone to serve with Elder Dustin Bitter from Cypress, TX. The Boise South Zone is the zone I began my mission in (although I began in the Boise South Stake and now I'm in the Boise East and Boise Young Single Adult Stakes) and will be the area I end in. It's a mixed shroud of emotions when you come to realize that you've just been transferred for the last time; when you think, The next time I open this suitcase, it'll be in Raleigh.

Weird.

An interesting contrast is that of my experience in this Zone 18-21 months ago and now. Before, I was a greenie, very inexperienced, totally lost and without a clear purpose or direction. Now, I can think back on those mistakes or confusing times and smile, knowing that it was a refining process. Life itself is a process similar to that, as are many of it's major experiences. We begin very disoriented, perhaps even afraid. But as we press on with a hope that God will help us make it to the other side and that we're passing through trials or periods of uncertainty for a reason and not just by happenstance, we always will eventually emerge victorious, better individuals at the end than we were at the start.

Orson F. Whitney said: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. … All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable. … It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.”

As one contemplates trials and suffering, one cannot but help to think of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The scope of His suffering in this life, specifically in the Garden of Gethsemane, evade human understanding. He lived a perfect life, yet suffered for us. Not only the best of us, but even the vilest of sinners. His was a vicarious sacrifice for all of the children of God who would ever be born of man. He did it because His Father had asked it of Him. He did it because it was His responsibility as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. But, incomprehensibly, he did it primarily out of love for us.

We, who are terse and unloving to our fellowman. We, who are selfish, stubborn and disobedient. We, who all too often forget Him and His Father and everything They've done for for us.

I'd like to leave you with a brief summary of thoughts from Jeffery R Holland, one of the Apostles of the Church, on Easter and why Christ would do what He did. His comments help me more fully understand my Savior's love for me and I hope it can do the same for you.


(If you can't see the video, click this link to watch: CLICK HERE)

Always,

Elder Hopkins

1 Cor. 13:8 - Charity Never Faileth

So, the main big news of this week is that I have a new companion: Elder Philip Dela Cruz from Honolulu Hawaii! Elder Threet is getting the Big Transfer back to Arizona. It's going to be good to have a new companion to help me in the Meridian North area. Elder Dela Cruz is a good teacher and is really bold, which is good. We hope to find a lot more people to teach this transfer. In fact, the whole mission does. We had a mission-wide fast to help us find new investigators this past Sunday. So far, we've already seen the hand of the Lord bless us with new families to teach. What a blessing.

One thing I've really enjoyed studying lately is the doctrine of charity, or the pure love of Christ. In the New Testament, we are taught that the two great commandments are "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." (Luke 10:27) These two commandments pretty much sum up every other commandment we are to live by. If we truly love the Savior we will keep his commandments (John 14:15) and if we truly love our fellow men, we will strive to serve and help them in any capacity we can, overlooking their inadequacies as God overlooks ours.

A scripture I really like is 1st Peter 4:8 which reads: "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." Another translation reads "...for charity preventeth a multitude of sins." I love that. Having love for others not only helps us, but prevents sins from happening. If we loved our neighbor, we would never envy the things that they have to the point of stealing, because we respect them too much to do so. If we loved our neighbor, we would not want to say an unkind remark about them, whether in their presence our without their knowledge. If we loved our neighbor, as Peter writes, a multitude of sins could be avoided.

Want a guide to self-improvement? Try substituting your name for the word "charity" in these verses from 1st Corinthians 13:

4 Elder Hopkins suffereth long, and is kind; Elder Hopkins envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not [his] own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Do all those characteristics match up to your traits? Probably not. Me neither. But that's ok, because that's what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about. We realize we're not perfect and we can't be without some help. In fact, in this life, we will never be. But because our Savior gave up His life for us on the cross and suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, he fills in those imperfect gaps we all have in our lives through his grace and love. As the ancient prophet Moroni said:

Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ (Moroni 10:32)

I know I have flaws. I know there are PLENTY of things in my life I've done wrong and regret. But through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I can be cleansed from sins and return to live with my Heavenly Father again someday. Because of what Christ did, I can be with my family forever. I know God and the Savior love us despite all of our mistakes and because of that, I try harder to love other people as much as God would. To truly see them as brothers and sisters. To see them as children of God.

Thanks to all of you who still care about me despite my frailties and mistakes. You mean more than you realize. Hope all is going well in your part of the globe!

Until next time,

Elder Hopkins

Letter - 3/1/11

We had some interesting stuff happen this week, a lot of which had to do with new investigators. We've been praying a lot for new investigators, and Heavenly Father sure delivered. We had two this past week and have about 3-5 more we'll be contacting soon as well as plenty of member referrals! Good stuff.

One of these new people interested in learning about the Church is named Maxx Brown. We met with him and he asked what he had to do to be baptized right off the bat! When we were talking about the Book of Mormon and told him he could read and pray to know if it was true we said

"You can read and..."

"I'll read the whole thing!"

It was pretty funny that he just busted in and said he'd read it all. We told him that was awesome, but he didn't necessarily have to read all of it before he prayed to know if it was true. We've since seen him again and he's well on the road to conversion.

Another funny thing that happened this last week happened on Thursday night. We had an appointment with Paula Edmonds and JP, her son. We had planned to have the Crawfords - a dad and his son - come with us to the lesson since we can't go in where there's no adult male. About ten minutes before the lesson, they cancel. So we call our Ward Mission leader. He's not home. So we call the other setof missionaries serving in our Stake. They don't answer. About this time, we're desperate because we don't want to give up our appointment. Just then, we drove by the Seminary building at Centennial High and there were lights on. So I hit the brakes, we flipped a U and parked on the side of the road and ran inside.

We get in the classroom and realize it's an Institute class. We walk up to the front of the room and the teacher asks "Elders! What can I do for you?" We explained our situation and asked if anyone would go with us to a lesson. Of course, we thought, we'll get plenty of volunteers. Wrong! No one raised their hand. After a second, a guy in the middle of the room got up and said he's go. His name was Clint.

Clint went with us to our lesson and did an awesome job and saved the day. He lives in a different area off Boise than where we serve, so I doubt we'll ever see him again. So, wherever you are: Thanks Clint!

As a last note, check out this crazy story my companion forwarded me from his parents:

Read The Caption on the first photo ....then look at the second photo

Look at the picture above, and you can see where this driver broke through the guardrail, on the right side of the culvert, where people are standing on the road, pointing.

The pick-up was traveling about 75 mph, from right to left, when it crashed through the guardrail.

It flipped end-over-end, bounced off and across the culvert outlet, and landed right-side-up on the left side of the culvert, facing the opposite direction from which the driver was traveling.

The 22-year-old driver and his 18-year-old passenger were unhurt, except for minor cuts and bruises. Just outside Flagstaff , AZ on U.S. Hwy 100.

Now, look at the second picture below . . .

If this guy didn't believe in God before, do you suppose he believes now?

Thanks for reading and thanks for all your support!

-Elder Hopkins

Errand of the Lord - 1/25/2011

So, transfers were yesterday and Elder Landeen took off to Twin Falls. My new companion's name is Elder D'Jay Threet, From Gilbert, AZ. And no, he isn't black, he's a little white guy, just like me. We actually served right next to each other in Rupert. I was in the Rupert West area while he was in the Rupert area. Since our district had only our two companionships, we saw each other all the time. So, it's pretty cool to be with someone who I know and am friends with. He's been out 22 months, so he goes home way soon. He's hilarious. It'll be good times for these next six weeks. Knowing that he leaves after this transfer means that I'll be here for 3 more months. I love this area, so that's more than fine with me. We've only been comps for a day or so, but we already had a crazy experience.

Today, we went to go e-mail at a library in Boise while there was a meeting for missionaries who are going to be training greenies. Unfortunately, we drove all the way to this library and ALL the computers were taken. We started searching the upper floor looking for some when I see this guy that I SWEAR was a member I knew from a previous area. He locks eyes with me and smiles, so now I'm even more sure. I give him a big smile and handshake and make fun of the hoodie he's wearing by saying "Man! You're brave for wearing that [Oregon] Ducks hoodie here in [BSU] Bronco territory!" He laughed and then said, "Yeah, you're right! So, hey I've heard a lot about your church and I really want to know more. I bought this old journal one day at a thrift store and it had these scripture references that I'd never seen before, so I figured out where they were from and now I know that the Book of Mormon is true."

Needless to say, we about passed out right there on the spot. I got a Mormon.org pass-along card and gave it to him with the missionaries' number for that area. He name was Shawn. I wish so much now that I had given him my e-mail so I'd know when he meets with the missionaries. Hopefully I'll be able to know when something happens.

That situation made me think of a scripture "there are many yet on the earth...who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it." Shawn had been trying to find people to help him know what he needed to do to continue to learn about the Gospel. Heavenly Father made Elder Threet and I to decide to go e-mail at a library neither of us had ever before been to, that was 3 miles out of our way and that we'd end up on the 3rd floor looking for a computer. It's amazing how that works. We left that library not having e-mailed, but having done what God had sent us to that library to do.

Now, some people may say "Eh, that's just a coincidence." I know better than that. I've seen too many things happen in these past 18 months that are just too miraculous to be mere coincidence. I'd encourage each of you to look for the Lord's hand in your lives. At the small, everyday miracles, yes, MIRACLES, that happen all around you as you go about your routine. I can promise as you look for them, you'll find them and find increased happiness along with it.

Once again, thanks to all my friends who support me in everything. Thanks to my Mom and Dad who help encourage me and have always been my heroes as well as great examples. Also a big thanks to my sister, who not only makes this blog possible by posting what I e-mail her (You can still thank her for it, though!) but also is an example of hard work, love and charity. My family is awesome.

Thanks again,

Elder Hops

Letter - 1/18/2011

This weekend I had more baptisms in a day than I ever have before. My last most being the Pollock family in Star (3). But this weekend we had four! The Searles family was baptized, as well as Caiden LaMantia, who was baptized by his father, Rich, who JUST got the priesthood.

The LaMantia boy's baptism was amazing and was also a first for me. I have never baptized or witnessed the baptism of or HEARD of someone being baptized with a cast on. After consulting a physician, we applied a layer of Glad Press 'n Seal™ and then put on a plastic bag and THEN duct taped the junk out of his arm where bag meets skin. It must've hurt to take that sucker off. But, all was successful, his arm stayed dry and he is now the newest member of the Banbury ward.

The Searles baptism was also one of the best baptisms I think I've ever been to (but it seems like every successive baptism is one of the best I've ever been to...) It was cool to see Josh and his two boys, Cane and Camryn, enter into the water and covenant with God that they're going to try their best to follow Jesus Christ's example. The mom, Amber, is going to be baptized shortly, she had a few things she had to work through first. But what's cool is that Josh will be able to baptize her! It was a really cool service, with a lot of emotional points. I was talking to Josh beforehand and he told me he didn't sleep the night before because he was so excited. I said, "It's kind of like Christmas, eh?"

"Yeah, but...a little better." He answered.

That's why you go on a mission. When you meet people like Josh Searles or Rich LaMantia who have had plenty of things go on in their lives that have put them through the ringer and see their lives improve and change through the Gospel of Jesus Christ...there's just no substitute for seeing that change. And no adequate words. Seeing how scriptures bring comfort to those who thought there was no turning back, no forgiveness is indescribable.

Passages like "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." or "...saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Healing and hope is the message Jesus Christ's Gospel has for all of us. If we repent by turning away from our sins and trying our best to forsake them and replace them with better habits, Heavenly Father will bless us, every time.

Thanks everyone, for your support! See you in the summer!


Forever thankful,

- Elder Hops