We Will Miss President Monson

When I woke up on Wednesday I was surprised by the news that President Thomas S. Monson, our beloved prophet and president of the church, had passed away the night before. 

 The Mormon newsroom announcement read:

With tender feelings we announce that Thomas S. Monson, president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died this evening at 10:01 pm in his home in Salt Lake City. He was with family at the time of his passing. He died at age 90 from causes incident to age.  President Monson, who has served as president of the Church since February 2008, leaves behind a legacy of service and good works.

Mormonnewsroom.org produced this video which highlights President Monson's legacy of service and good works: 

One of the things we teach our brothers and sisters here in Belize is that there is a prophet on the Earth today who leads and guides us as did prophets of old.  

You can also see the video by clicking here

With the passing of President Monson, a new prophet, or spokesman, will chosen by God.  President Hinkley explained the process of how this is done.

This transition of authority, in which I have participated a number of times, is beautiful in its simplicity. It is indicative of the way the Lord does things. Under His procedure a man is selected by the prophet to become a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. He does not choose this as a career. He is called, as were the Apostles in Jesus's time, to whom the Lord said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you."

The years pass. He is schooled and disciplined in the duties of his office. He travels over the earth in fulfilling his apostolic calling. It is a long course of preparation, in which he comes to know the Latter-day Saints wherever they may be, and they come to know him. The Lord tests his heart and his substance.

In the natural course of events, vacancies occur in that council and new appointments are made. Under this process a particular man becomes the senior Apostle. Residing latent in him, and in his associate Brethren, given to each at the time of ordination, are all of the keys of the priesthood. But authority to exercise those keys is restricted to the President of the Church. At his passing, that authority becomes operative in the senior Apostle, who is then named, set apart, and ordained a prophet and President by his associates of the Council of the Twelve.

There is no electioneering. There is no campaigning. There is only the quiet and simple operation of a divine plan which provides inspired and tested leadership.
                                                               
                                                            *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

This past week marked 6 months in the mission field.  With the beginning of the new year and Christmas behind us, we continue in the routine of missionary work.  We enjoy working with the elders and sisters assigned to our area.  Here we are having a district meeting via Skype with the missionaries serving in Corozal, Orange Walk, and Belize City.

As Paul Woods handed us keys to a new car, our life has changed with how we'll be getting around Belize, as we said goodbye to our pickup truck.
...a key to a new car, and the key to change people's lives-- reading and gaining a witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

We were happy to meet a wonderful prayer warrior here in Belize City.  As we met by chance and  started chatting with her on the street, she invited us to her prayer group that was meeting that night in her home.  This is what she posted about the experience:  

Our first prayer meeting for 2018, and what a blessing, we had two guests, Elder & Sister Magnusson from Los Angeles California.  I want to thank God for His presence and grace, and most of all, for His agape love, as we shared with each other.