Austin's Line of Authority

LINE OF AUTHORITY

AUSTIN J. BALLIF was ordained an Elder, by Jeffery S. Ballif

JEFFERY S.BALLIF was ordained an Elder, by Don R. Ballif

DON R. BALLIF was ordained a High Priest April 29, 1979, by Newel Hodges Linford

NEWEL HODGES LINFORD was ordained a High Priest Oct. 25, 1955, by Adam S. Bennion

ADAM S. BENNION was ordained an Apostle April 9, 1953, by David O. Mckay

DAVID O. McKAY was ordained an Apostle April 9, 1906, by Joseph F. Smith

JOSEPH F. SMITH was ordained an Apostle July 1, 1866, by Brigham Young

BRIGHAM YOUNG was ordained an Apostle Feb. 14, 1835, under the hands of the Three Witnesses-- Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris

THE THREE WITNESSES were called by revelation to choose twelve Apostles and on Feb. 14, 1835, were "blessed by the laying on of hands of the Presidency" -- Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams -- to ordain the twelve Apostles.

JOSEPH SMITH, JR. and OLIVER COWDERY received the Melchizedek Preisthood in 1829 under the hands of Peter, James and John.

PETER, JAMES and JOHN were ordained Apostles by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Line of Priesthood Authority and more New Investigators

Hey Family, I hope all is well and that you all are having fun back in Utah.


Just to let you know last week I asked my mission president for official permission to leave in July and he said that would be fine. So it is totally official but the specific date is still unknown to me. I am going to say that I will be home at the latest the 12th of July but I am pretty unsure about that.

I am grateful for the LINE OF AUTHORITY that papa sent for me. I have been curious to know my specific line ever since it was brought up by the apostle L. Tom Perry last year when he came and spoke to the mission in Eugene. I was glad to receive it on account of the fact that Authority is such a huge deal to me because of the 15,000 different christian denominations out there.. who believe that the whole Bible applies to them.. when only a small part does. Because they haven't received the proper ordinances of salvation without the Authority of God. Which "no man taketh this honor unto himself except he be called by God, as was Aaron." (hebrews 5:4), which is shown to us that in Exodus 28:1 it shows that Aaron was ordained by Moses. Which Moses was directly called of God. I just wish there was an easy way to explain these things to others.

Anyways, Elder Stokes and I have seen some cool miracles this week. We found 3 solid new investigators and we also had a really awesome experience with one of our investigator couples that we have been teaching. Long story short we introduced Larry and Cheryl to their best friends in the pre-mortal life. And they have the best fellowshipping family in the UNIVERSE now. So we will be watching a session of Conference with them and they will be coming to stake conference the following week. We also found an awesome black guy yesterday named Richard. he is the Bees Knees. He read the Bible in prison and now he is trying to make his life right. I really like him. He reminds me of a shorter, older, Kobe Bryant... so sufficeth to say I am pretty excited to start teaching him.

We have transfer calls this weekend and we have been feeling as though Elder Stokes might be getting transferred and I will be getting the greatest companion I will have in my life besides my wife... the spirit works in mysterious ways I tell ya.

I love you all and I pray for yall to have a fantastic week!

See you in July!!

Elder AJ Ballif

We are Finding More People to Teach

Hey Family! I am sorry that I never got around to emailing much or at least sending a letter home.. we had a busy week. And we were running late last Monday so I didn't have time to write you guys a nice juicy
letter...

But I have more time today so just be happy! :)

Elder Stokes and I had a really good week this week finding 5 new investigators to teach. We are excited because we have been trying to find people to teach this whole transfer and I finally think that we can start teaching more so than finding.. because finding is good and all but I am a teacher. That is what I have worked on the most and I am just better at teaching when I am sitting down--and not on the doorstep.

We have very good potential in this area and I feel like I might end my mission here. Which is exciting because I will hopefully get to see many of the people I have found "do the dip". :)
(missionary rap song)

So to allow you guys to do a countdown for when I will be returning and along with that make me trunky.. I believe I will be probably coming home July 12th. I am not totally sure yet but I will ask my Mission President this week in my email to him.  I am working hard and I am and have been growing alot as a person.

Anyways to answer some questions about transfers by Jennifer's request: Transfers are every 6 weeks and they are usually on monday, tuesday and wednesday of the 6th week. the next transfer date will be April 2-4th, then May 14-16th, then June 25-27th. And then I will be home 2-3 weeks after that.

Anyways... I want to know any good movies and music I have missed. Because I feel like I have. So maybe make a list for me for when I get home. So I can get a few easy-er dates. I'll have an easier excuse for asking...? whatever..

I love you guys and I can't wait to see you guys..

I am happy that Cameron is ok about losing his teeth... just don't let dad pull them. He is a monster. And Cameron and Carsen are definitely my best friends still. They are the coolest. And I have a feeling Ellie and I will be best friends too. Then we will be the Wolfpack. The 4 best friends that anyone could ever have. (I hope no one understands the reference or you need to repent)

Have a great week!

Love you all.

Elder AJ Ballif

Fasting and Prayer --> Blessings

Hey Family, I'm glad that everyone is doing pretty good.

My week was a trial of faith.. but the Lord blessed Elder Stokes and I yesterday. I was fasting for an elect investigator and within ten minutes of the end of our fast, we tracted into one and got a call from our bishop for another. Needless to say, our fast was a great success. I love the Lord and I love the blessings he gives to those that keep his commandments. I, like Nephi glory in truth and I love when we have faith to accomplish something and are diligent the Lord doesn't disappoint.

I am a really big fan of our area and the people in this place. It is more conservative and the temperature and climate is similar to Kaysville. I have been reading a lot of the Book of Mormon and I love every time I read it. It is so good! as is the New Testament. But so many people don't understand the Bible.. so most people are not wanting to learn more because they don't understand very much. They just think the Book of Mormon is our version of the Bible most the time. I just want to cry... and many of them don't listen because we are two young men and think we don't understand anything. Which is bologna...

We are planning on going to Bend today and there is a Nike Outlet store there that everyone wants to go to and I was hoping I might get a little more $$$ for that adventure due to the "no sales tax". And I am also planning on sending home a box or two of stuff that I would like to be home so I can get on the plane with no hassle of excess weight.

Anyways.. to answer some questions, I love the members of our ward.. they are awesome. We have been fed every night we have been here. We tract 12 hours a week and we have a full car covering one ward. the Redmond 1st ward.


I love you all, and just so John knows I will be sending a card to him but it will be late because I am only supposed to write on P-day. So I will send it off today.

I love you all and CAN'T wait to see you pretty soon.

until then.... <3 YOU.

Elder Ballif