Surviving Hurrican Irene

Hello Family!

Sooo... no.  I didn't die in the "hurricane".  I wish you could have been here to see how bad people were freaking out.  You would have thought there was about to be a zombie uprising the way people were acting.  People are crazy in Jersey!  There was a mad rush to the stores and people were fighting over water like kids fighting over the last piece of candy... super funny. 

We were instructed to evacuate and stay at the church, so we did.  Can't say that I've ever slept at the church before, but I've done it for the last two days now.  It definitely rained, and it was kind of windy.  Basically the storm was a joke by the time it got here.  Oh well, better safe than sorry I guess.  The only problem now is the flooding.  Our apartment is right next to the Passaic river, so we had to re-evacuate and we're back at the church... again.  The flooding will last for a couple of days, but thankfully one of our members has a really nice landlord who is letting us stay in an empty apartment for a few days.  We haven't been able to help anyone out yet, because we were instructed to stay put here, but later today we're going to help some members whose basement is flooded.  I feel like slothful servant because we haven't been able to do anything for so long.  I don't ever remember having time to just sit around.  It's kind of weird.  The earthquake that happened a few days ago wasn't really a big deal for us either, I didn't even feel it.  There are some trees that have fallen down and scattered debris every once in a while, but flooding has been the real issue where we are.

Lately I haven't been able to get the Book of Mormon off of my mind.  Of course, it's always on my mind as a missionary, but lately it seems like everywhere I go I'm reminded of how incredible it is.  A book written thousands of years ago, but specifically for our day.  It has the power to influence one's life greater than any other thing that can be read, at least that we know of.  It is one of the most precious treasures, yet it is so available to any who desire it.  It is of this availability which I have pondered about.  Maybe it's because of all the literal flooding that has taken place around me, but I can't help but marvel at how President Ezra Taft Benson's vision of flooding the earth with the Book of Mormon is taking place right before our eyes.  A few days ago I met a recent convert (is probably in his late 20's) here in Caldwell.  Like with all converts that I meet for the first time, I asked about his conversion story.  Like all conversions, his was incredible! He is a writer and so naturally he loves to read.  One day he was looking through his father's library for something he had not read before.  His eyes quickly caught hold of book he had never seen before.  It was The Book of Mormon.  He had heard many things about Mormons and was interested in learning more.  His attitude soon changed from that of casual curiosity to what he called a "deep obsession" with not only the Book of Mormon, but with the doctrine of Mormonism.  He read the entire Book of Mormon in 6 days, while also spending time researching our doctrine on line.  He soon found out about the Doctrine and Covenants,  as well as the Pearl of Great Price.  His desire to learn more was so great, that he printed off every single, solitary page of those books.  He researched the commandments and began living them even before meeting with the missionaries.  For over a year, he studied and lived the Restored Gospel to the best of his ability with no help whatsoever, other than the writings of the prophets and of course the spirit.  S. is extremely intelligent, and one of the greatest philosophical minds I have ever met.  Everything made sense to him because he went about it with the right attitude, looking for truth.  Eventually, he recognized that to receive all the blessings which were his right, he needed to do something about his new found belief.  So he found the Bishop's number one night and called him and asked him what he needed to do to be baptized.  Just a few weeks later he was baptized.  All because someone, somewhere, at some point of time, had the sense enough to follow what was surely a prompting from the Holy Ghost and give S's father a Book of Mormon.  That very same day I met with another convert for the first time.  Her story was very similar.  While visiting her parents, she also was looking for a book to read in their collection of books.  She too came across The Book of Mormon.  She, along with both of her parents, her husband and her son, was baptized soon after.  Once again, someone was doing their part to flood the earth with The Book of Mormon.  I plead with any who read this letter, to share what has been such a great blessing in my life, and hopefully in yours, with someone who has not had the opportunity to receive such.  The Book of Mormon is the road map to happiness, and it is essential for gaining a divine witness that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator

Love,
Elder Tilley

P.S. Thanks for the family letter!  It was awesome and I love to hear from everyone!