Flipping the Pages of Life

To the reader:

This week I have had the pleasure of completing my time in the Valencia Ward here in Tucson and now embark on the next step of my journey in the Central Ward! I am officially being transferred... from the south side of Ajo Way (a road) to the north side of Ajo Way. While the Valencia Ward covers the southern part of Tucson between I-19 and I-10, the Central Ward covers downtown, the University of Arizona (most of it anyhow -- but they have their own missionaries), the entire City of South Tucson (which does not cover most of south Tucson), and the residential neighborhoods near Reid Park to the east. There are three English companionships in the ward and it is the southernmost part of the North zone of my mission -- as opposed to the northernmost part of the South zone where I am now. Suffice it to say I am moving to downtown Tucson.

This being my first time moving areas, I am very excited (and a little bit apprehensive!) for the move. By my understanding I will be in a bike area, though that hasn't been confirmed yet. I have no idea what the work will be like there (though we will meet at the same church building we meet in now), but I do know my companion will be Elder Taylor -- who I know almost nothing about as well. I will have the joy of learning all these things next week, and then reporting on them in my next weekly letter! So you can look forward to that.

I actually have very little to report this week other than my impending transfer; much of my week has been in anticipation of the same. My time here in Valencia has been as greatly varied as my companions, and I have enjoyed being able to work with the wonderful, very special people here, whether they be the hardworking and caring ward members, or the many Spirit-filled, loving investigators whose love and faith for God I have had the privilege to watch grow over the last five months. That is incredible to say -- at the time of my departure (this Tuesday) I will have been in the Valencia Ward just four days shy of five months. I have now said the majority of my good-byes and obtained contact information for a few of my closest acquaintances and friends here in the ward, and I do hope to see some of them again (I know you're reading this Angel, Mike) after the completion of my service in Spain. I highly recommend the Valencia Ward to any Tucson missionaries who may be reading this.

Otherwise, things are relatively calm. Though I am nervous and a tad skittish of this next, as-of-yet unknown chapter of my mission (and indeed my life), I trust that it is where the Spirit wants me to be. I would like to quickly quote a scripture from the book of 3 Nephi from the Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 5:13, wherein the ancient historian Mormon, in abridging the sacred records of his predecessors, describes his calling in the advancement of the work of the Lord:

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." (3 Nephi 5:13)

Different people have different callings in life to fulfill this same principle: the advancement of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we come to recognize the truth of His gospel, we must then help said truth advance: some at home in their everyday lives, some as part of their work, some as full-time missionaries. Indeed, even beyond the religious gospel it is necessary that we must promote what we know to be good and true regardless, whether that means something as small as a single, tiny gesture of kindness in our day, or by dedicating two years of your life to this cause. In the case of Mormon, he abridged the record of the peoples of the ancient Americas with instruction from God so that the truths therein might be preserved and revealed to the people living over a thousand years later -- us. Therefore he was "called of [Christ] to declare [Christ's] word among [Christ's] people, that they [the people] might have everlasting life." Even in the realm of missionary work, the way that we contribute to this grand cause may vary. I have oft struggled to avoid comparing the work that I am doing to the work of others. We must not do this, however -- I encourage all of you to find value in the work you do to advance the good (whether it be religious or secular) every day and, rather than comparing it to the perceived quality of others' work, rejoice in the inherent goodness and worth of your own work. Such rejoicing need not be restricted to my religious fellows: anyone, anywhere, doing good is advancing the work of the Lord. Show kindness, help others. You are doing good things!

I look forward to what the next transfer brings, and I hope y'all have a wonderful week waiting for my next report. May the Lord bless you all with peace, joy, and love.

-- With much love,

Elder Wyatt Brannon

Arizona Tucson Mission

(Originally written and transcribed 14 Mar 2021.)

Photos:

I hang out with my epic district at our last district council, and enjoy a delicious crêpe with our newest members. Also, me at the Pima Air and Space Museum last Monday, where the Boeing 787 my father used to test fly back around 2010 has once again met up with my family.