LDS FC: Forwards

To explain the title of my blog: A soccer team is usually called a football club (even here in America). English teams aren't like American teams where there's a city and a team name, it's usually just the area they represent. For example, we see Fullham FC, FC standing for Football Club. They are the Football Club from Fullham. Also, Chelsea FC, Wolverhampton FC, etc. It's even seen in MLS, with teams like FC Dallas, and Toronto FC.
I'm back on a soccer kick! (No pun intended. Seriously... I hate puns). I'm also on a series kick. I enjoyed writing an on going idea, and am going to attempt that again. This time, I will be writing about soccer.
What's so amazing about soccer is the versatility of each player. A good soccer player is a defender who attacks, and an attacker who defends. They'll be up and down the field, running their tails off, working whatever position they have to at the time, ensuring that the other team doesn't score, and their team does. However, while they are able to fill any role, there's still a reason they play their specific position. They're especially good at whatever they do. Today, I'm going to focus on the forwards.

The forward is the attacking force. Often called strikers (which sounds way cooler!), the forward is the one most likely to score a goal. Not as apt to play defense, they usually stay farther back when the other team has the ball on the other side of the field, but that won't stop them when necessary. Their the front line, the attackers, the scorers! When the ball gets to them, they're up their shooting the ball with all their might. They make their stand in the middle, right in the box, getting right in the keeper's face. The keeper obviously doesn't want them to get the ball, cause they're strikers because they're good at putting the ball in.
Some big names that fill this role include Clint Dempsey, Fernando Torres, Lionel Messi, Didier Drogba, and, a great up-and-comer, Juan Agudelo. To someone who doesn't quite understand, they might look at a striker and think of them as a glory hog, someone who doesn't do much on the other end, stays on their half, and sometimes considered a "cherry-picker". Just because Wayne Rooney doesn't know how to stay onside, doesn't mean the rest of them are that way, too! Their role is incredibly important, as a good portion of goals are scored by them. Plus, and this isn't necessarily all the time, but I've noticed that when Clint Dempsey scores, the US Men's National Team usually wins, and when he doesn't, they usually don't... Just sayin'. Forwards are the strike force for their football club!
Well, if we compare the Church to a football club, who would be the strikers? US! The full time missionaries! We're the Church's strike force! We're out there on the front line, knocking down doors, offering service, and talking to everyone we see to try and share our message! We may not be on the defensive as much, and usually are pretty focused on one thing (that is, finding the elect), but we're still out there, scoring goals! Or, saving souls. While the forwards on the team are the main offensive group, we're the main offensive group for the Church. We're the ones that are fed the ball in the center, right their in the danger zone, and expected to finish strong! As surprising as it may seem, without 19-26 year old (seemingly) kids, the Church would be hard pressed to progress. We may seem like glory hogs sometimes, but we're not out here for us. Just like Clint Dempsey isn't on the team just to score goals and get notoriety, we're not out just for personal gain or recognition. Dempsey wants to help his team win, and so do we! But we need help. Just like a football club needs to be a well-oiled, cooperative group, relying on the support of teammates to achieve their goal, so do we rely on the help of the rest of our team........

Forgive Boromir; Forgive Snape

This last Sunday, Elder Smith and I had the opportunity to teach a primary class. We taught about forgiveness, and that's been on my mind a lot recently. We all know about repentance, it gets talked about a lot. We all know how important it is to say we're sorry and make restitution for what we've done, but the other side doesn't seem as commonly talked about. We know to apologize, and are quick to do it, but are we as quick to forgive? Let me give you a couple (somewhat nerdy) examples:

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship has set out to bring the Ring to Mordor to restore peace in Middle Earth. One of the members is Boromir, a temperamental human who's father is the steward of Gondor (standing in while the real king is MIA). He's hot headed, and was quick to suggest using the Ring for themselves. Somewhat grudgingly, and maybe with alterior motives, Boromir joins the Fellowship and vows to protect Frodo. 
Eventually, they come to a bit of a sticky spot: an Uruk Hai ambush! The Fellowship gets broken up, with Frodo and Sam taking their leave, Merry and Pippin getting abducted, Aragorn, Gimli, Gandalf and Legolas pursuing the kidnapped Hobbits, and Boromir having met his demise. Right before the battle, Boromir snaps. This isn't a surprise to anyone, as Galadriel had foretold it happening. Boromir offered to take the Ring for Frodo, at first sounding helpful, but Frodo knew what was up. Boromir then tries taking it by force. After he realized what happened, though, he was instantly repentant and tried to reconcile his mistake. Well, before he could personally apoligize to Frodo, the battle had started. However, Boromir showed his sincerity in defending Frodo and the rest of the Hobbits to the death... literally. Suffering several shots to the body from Lurtz's arrows, but still fighting throughout (setting up an awesome fight scene between Lurtz and Aragorn where Aragorn wins after decapitating Lurtz). There appeared to be no hard feelings towards Boromir, and he died a hero's death. (Note: This is from the movie, not the books).

Harry Potter: Severus Snape was bit of a jerk. He was always mean and unfair towards Harry and his friends for apparently no reason. We later discover that it was because Snape still carried a grudge against Harry's dad. There is a very tense relationship between Harry and Snape, and they're often forced to work together. 
Dumbledore is convinced, throughout the series, that Snape is a good guy, and fighting on the right side. Despite anything Harry says, Dumbledore maintains his confidence in him. Even when we as the readers are privy to certain information that shows the Snape is not the person Dumbledore thinks it is, there's still more to it. 
*SPOILER ALERT!!!*: Snape, even after killing Dumbledore, still is in fact a good guy. He seems to be right in the inner-circle of Voldemort, even up until the very end of the series... and his life. As he's dying, he gives Harry some of his memories that Harry is able to see in the Pensieve. He discovers that it was all part of Dumbledore's plan, and even killing him was necessary. Dumbledore told him to kill him. After Harry learns of this, he forgives Snape of the 6 years of insults and unfair treatment. In fact, after all is said and done, Harry names his second son Albus Severus, in honor of Dumbledore and Snape.
Boromir and Snape did some pretty bad things to people: people they were supposed to be helping and overseeing. Frodo never disliked Boromir, really, but Harry despised Snape. In both cases, trust was broken, either from the beginning, or after a certain act. It's hard to earn someone's trust, it's harder to earn it back. However, despite what they did, the people immediately effected by their less than admirable treatment forgave them. They realized that they had made a mistake, repented, and were forgiven. How willing are we to forgive? When someone wrongs us, we're angry. We get mad at them, and we don't want anything to do with them. And what about when they apologize? When they say they're sorry? It's so easy to think "they wronged me, I don't have to forgive them." But the Savior told us we need to forgive, as well as ask forgiveness. He said: And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:25, 26). He even forgave them who crucified Him, saying: Father forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34). It's important to forgive, not only because our Lord said to, but because it will bring peace to those who wronged us, and to us as well. If we can't forgive, we can't be forgiven. If Snape and Boromir can be forgiven, so can someone who wronged you.

Elder Davis and Elder Holbrook's Spiritual Center Top 10

Elder Davis gave you his list, here's mine! Check out Spiritual Center's Top 10!

The Miami Heat. They Have the Potential, So Do You, by Elder Freeman

SLAMMA JAMMA, by Elder Butler

    

The Dream, by Elder P. Davis

 Take a Swing at Golf: Warming up with Hole 1 365 yds. Par 4, by Elder Kuck

   

Basketball Playoffs, by Elder Moore
  

The Foul Line of Christ, by Elder Davis

       

Get Up or Give Up, by Elder Haymore

From a Runner's View, by Elder A. Smith

      

Witness, by Elder Knudson
     

 Gospel According to a Sports Guy: Part 1,  by Elder Elmer

    

God wants you to Live Long and Prosper

Pretty sure we all know the saying "Live Long and Prosper", accompanied by the hand sign. Of course, this comes from one of the most influential works of sci-fi in the history of... well, the world, Star Trek. Specifically Spock, the half Vulcan who acts as the cool, level headed counterpart to the often trigger happy, impulsive Captain Kirk. The two make the perfect team up to always get themselves and the rest of the crew of the Enterprise out of whatever tight situations they find themselves in. The saying is often rattled off with no real attention to what it entails. Live Long and Prosper. Good ol' Vulcans want us to have long, fulfilling lives.
Live Long, the first part, means to have a life that is not cut short, that it will be long enough for us to reach all the goals and achieve all the things we have set out for; that we won't just be blasted by a ticked off Romulan. Prosper, a very meaningful word. Many people have differences of opinions on what it means to prosper. A lot of people apply it to money. To prosper, you must be rich, and be able to afford anything. Others may think of it as success. They may have prospered in their field. Prospering means to be successful or fortunate; thrive; flourish. However one views being fortunate or successful, that is the Prosper implied by the Vulcan salute. So, when Spock raises his hand, pointer and middle finger together, ring finger and pinky put together, split between the middle and ring, thumb extended, he is wishing you to have a long, full life in which you have time to achieve your desires, and to be successful and flourish in all of your endeavors... But of course, that's a bit of a mouthful, so it can be summed up simply in "Live Long and Prosper."
Vulcans are an interesting race. They thrive on being stoic and emotionless. Their intelligence is almost unmatched, and their ability to stay calm in even the most stress filled situations make them a valuable asset. Spock differs from most of his planet, as he comes from a union between Vulcan and human, and is often looked down upon for it. He has several characteristics of humanity, including a temper and compassion, unusual of Vulcans.
Now, if someone such as this wants those he meets to have such a wonderful life, how much more would our Heavenly Father want the same? Moses 1:39 states "For behold, this is my work and my glory- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Sounds an awful lot like "Live Long and Prosper", doesn't it? That's exactly what God wants for all of us. He wants us to have a long, productive life in which we can live a good life, and follow His commandments, to return to live with Him. There's no way to be more prosperous than to have Eternal Life, to live exalted in the presence of our Heavenly Father, and His son, Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy; He wants us to succeed and to flourish. It is His greatest desire that we achieve this, and His very purpose to make it happen! He cares so much for us, and would like nothing more than to have all of His children, happy and smiling, satisfied with their mortal lives, to return to live with Him forever in eternal glory. So, next time you read Moses 1:39, think of it as God giving you the Vulcan salute. Live Long and Prosper.

Nerdy Directory

Liking all these Nerd posts? Well, I'm not the only one out there crankin' 'em out! Follow the links below to all the nerdy goodness!

Sister Nestman's "Live Long and Prosper"
Sister Nestman's "Terran to Zerg, huh?"
Sister Nestman's "And the Sorting Hat sends you..."
Sister Nestman's "Nerd Unleashed"

Elder Miller's "God's Commandments... Are you playing hooky?"
Elder Miller's "Spongebob and the Gospel"

Elder Butler's "Gollum... and the Godhead"

Mine!
"Choose the Right... Spider-Man did!"
"Captain Planet, He's our Hero!"
"More Than Meets the Eye"
"Missionaries: Gotta Catch 'em All!"
"Iron Man, only Better!"
"May the Force be with You"
"The (Super)Power of the Priesthood"
"Go, Go Power Rangers!"
"Heroes in a Half Shell"
"The Gospel According to a Nerd: Part 1"
"The Gospel According to a Nerd: Part 2"
"The Gospel According to a Nerd: Part 3"
"The Gospel According to a Nerd: Part 4"
"So Do All Who Come to See Such Times..."

Choose the Right... Spider-Man Did!

Once upon a time, there was a kid in New York named Peter Parker. He was really into science, and very smart. He wasn't the most popular kid, but still hung out with kids like Eddy Brock and Harry Osborn, and even having a friendship with some romantic overtones with one Mary Jane Watson. He lived with his aunt and uncle after being orphaned. One day, while touring the facilities at Oscorp, he's bitten by a spider... that just happens to be radioactive, having been experimented on. Because of this, strange things start happening to him: suddenly he doesn't need glasses, he's gained muscle, he's fast, he's strong, he's cool. Oh, and he's able to crawl up walls and has super human strength and agility. If all this is sounding familiar to you, you've either read comic books, watched tv, or been to the movies in the past 20+ years.
This is, of course, the story of Spider-Man. Peter has to quickly adjust to these super powers, and decide what he's going to do with them. He's going through some hard times, and it would be awfully easy to abuse these powers to gain popularity at school, or even get money for him and his aunt, who are both struggling financially following the untimely death of his uncle. But, thanks to some solid advice from his uncle ("With great power comes great responsibility"), Peter makes the right decision and becomes a good guy, fighting for justice and defending the innocent. He becomes Spider-Man. He runs into many supervillains in his career, most of them animal themed, but they all seem to share a very common thread: They had some kind of run in with various sources that changed them and gave them powers. Look at the Green Goblin: pretty much the same thing that turned Peter into Spider-Man turned Norman Osborn into the Green Goblin. It was Oscorp's team of scientists that created the serums for villains like Rhino, Sandman, and Shocker, a malfunction in one experiment that turned Oscorp's top scientist into Doctor Octopus, and Oscorp technology that allowed Adrian Toomes to become the Vulture. It almost always comes back to Oscorp. (Note: these are just some of the origins of these characters. Some story arcs will tell it differently).
Even people like Eddie Brock, after being exposed to the alien symbiote and became Venom, or Max Dillon, who became Electro through a freak accident, still were put into a very similar situation as Peter Parker. They all were suddenly changed, drastically, and were given incredible powers. They all had the same choice Peter had, to use the powers for good, or evil. Granted, a good portion of these people (namely Flint Marco and Aleksei Sytsevich) were criminals before gaining super powers, but they still had their choice. While Peter was able to realize what he had was a gift he could use to help people, others, motivated by greed or power or both, were drawn to the dark side. Also, sinister men in the background (such as Norman Osborn, L. Thompson Lincoln, or Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk) played a key roll in enticing people like this to be bad.

We all face choices everyday. Maybe we're not going to be blasted with gamma rays, bit by a radioactive spider, injected with super human serum, or have some crazy electrical malfunction that will give us super powers, but things will happen that will require us to choose what to do: whether to make the right choice, or the wrong choice. Peter didn't have to be good, just like Mac Gargan didn't have to be bad. They could've chosen opposites. We could've been reading "The Spectacular Scorpion" were it not for Peter and Mac's choices. And the same goes for us. No one makes us do anything. Everything comes down to our agency, and ability and right to choose. This is a very special gift given to us, and will gain us great rewards if we use it correctly. All we have to do is make the right choice when the time comes. How can we know what the right choice is? Luckily, we have tools for that. Just as Peter had a wise uncle who lent him some great advice, we have scriptures and prophets that help us to know what we should and shouldn't do. But, there's an opposition, as well. There are also men like Kingpin and Tombstone who want us to make bad choices, decisions that will benefit us and help us in the worldly realm. Things that seem like they'd be good, because it helps us out, but really do hurt us, because they're bad. As it says in the Book of Mormon, "...wickedness never was happiness." (Alma 41:10). So, remember, despite what great things may be gained through wrong decisions, it's always important to choose the right. With great power comes great responsibility, so use your power for good. 

Captain Planet! He's our Hero!

Do you remember the show Captain Planet? Such a cool show! A bunch of kids with crazy rings fighting the bad guys, and when it gets too much for them to handle... Call in the blue guy! That's right, Captain Planet! He's our hero! He steps in, and with his superpowers (which were always rather ambiguous), he would save the day! Good stuff! And all the kids had their rings, and they represented different things: Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Heart... I'm still not entirely sure where Heart comes into play, or what exactly it means, but it was always the last one mentioned, so it must be important! And, of course, when they put their rings together (well, not really together, more just pointed them in the air in the same direction), the magic energy things would join in, summon Captain Planet, and he'd enter with his famous line: "With your powers combined, I am Captain Planet!" Cue '90s inspirational music to set the mood for the heroics! And of course, those weren't just any kids, they were Planeteers! What a cool name! Run around, wear a cool ring, summon a blue superhero, and get a cool name for doing it. All they needed were jackets with their name and logo on it! All their villains in some way represent the problems facing the stability and well being of the environment, and it's their job to not only save the world, but educate people how to take care of it. But, it's through all of their efforts that they can get the job done.
We often run into big problems in our life, and need some help. I'm sure we'd all love to have some superhero show up and save us. Unfortunately, that doesn't really happen. No caped crusader will come and beat the bad guy. We can't just sit back and watch as the situation is cleanly resolved. However, we aren't left alone. Our Heavenly Father has given us a protector, if you will. Someone to comfort us, to guide us, and to help us. This is the Holy Ghost. We are able to summon Him at any time to help us out in a bind, but there are certain things that need to be done, certain "powers" that need to be "combined". We need faith, obviously, as that is the beginning of everything. We also need obedience to the Lord's commandments, and to be worthy of this gift. We need to study the scriptures, and understand what the Holy Ghost is, and how it can help us. We need to pray, to tell our Heavenly Father what we need, and to ask for the Holy Ghost to help us out. With these powers combined, we can have the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, to swoop in and help beat the bad guy! Pretty simple things to do to get the great gift of the Holy Ghost! It's incredible how much the Lord is willing to do for us, and for how little He asks in return! 

More Than Meets the Eye

So, what are Transformers? Well, if you're a child of the '80s or '90s, you're going to have a different answer than if you work for the Electric Company. And, if you're a child of the '80s, Electric Company is going to have a different meaning, also. Well, for the truly knowledgeable, a transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductors- the transformer's coil. But, of course, you know me and that I'm a nerd, and will obviously be talking about another kind of Transformer... The robot in disguise kind. I about kicked myself the other day when I realized that I have not written a blog about Transformers... and as far as I know, neither has anyone else, so I had to write this ASAP to make sure I get it done first. Go me! So, we all know the classic line explaining Transformers: "Transformers, more than meets the eye." When people look and see a big ol' semi-truck, or a regular car, or an airplane, or whatever they may be, they don't think anything of it. Same old stuff, nothing weird about it. It's when that airplane suddenly turns into a giant robot and attacks that semi-truck, then that truck is suddenly standing 40 feet tall and fighting back that you realize something is a little off here... The joys of Transformers. From their cools names (Optimus Prime, Megatron, Star Scream) to the cool noises they make when they transform, you can't ask for much more. Drive around in a sweet car that transforms at will into a robot to fight other robots and defend you? Um, yeah, pretty much the American dream, right there!
Well, the main thing that Transformers are known for is their nonchalant appearance. Most people don't even expect much of them in their vehicle form, until they're fighting and protecting them. The same can be said of us as members of the church. We're just like everyone else: we go to school, work, concerts, movies, we hang out with friends, we do everything normal. But, there's so much more to us than meets the eye! We are members of Christ's true church, and have the fullness of the Gospel. We are aware of what is truth, and live a higher standard of living because we're given specific commandments, and have prophets to guide us to know how we should dress, act, talk, what we should and should not do and partake of, and how we should present ourselves to others. While that guy may seem like a typical, run-of-the-mill Joe, he's really a disciple of Jesus Christ, and will stand firm in his convictions. We need to be examples, candles, lights to the world. We don't have to sequester ourselves, or be awkward about anything. We can still be normal people, and do things that everyone else does. It's when those around us start doing things that we know to be wrong that we need to draw the line. Be an example of the believer "in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). The best way we can help those around us is to be an example. If we live the commandments, and stay true to our testimony, we can rub off on all those around us. We may appear to be just regular vehicles (metaphor), but really, there's more to us than meets the eye. We're actually giant robots who defend the human race! (Again, a metaphor).

What Are You Gonna Get With Your Tickets?

So, you know what's ridiculously fun? Going to arcades, playing all those cheesey games, and getting tickets. Seriously legit! Ski-ball, basketball, or that little game where the lights go around and around, and the closer you get to the specific spot, the more tickets you get... Granted, that one is clearly rigged... But regardless, it's good fun. All the bright lights and loud noises keep you intrigued and entertained, and every time you barely miss the mark, you want to play again to do better and prove you CAN do it! It doesn't matter how many tokens or quarters it takes, you are going to beat that game and get 1000 tickets! Because you need those tickets! What can you get with 50 tickets? A couple tootsie rolls, a rubber lizard, a single colored toy, and maybe a cheap plastic harmonica. But what can you get with 1000 tickets? You can get that sweet robot toy! Sure, it'll probably break before you even get home, but there is nothing in the world you want more right now than that robot! So you will play game after game after game, spending your entire month's allowance on them, even asking for an advance from your parents to get the 1000 tickets and get that robot. The harder you work, the more tickets you get, the better the prize.
Now, I'd like to do something different: I'm going to show how my example does NOT compare to the Gospel.
So many times on my mission, I've run into people who think we as a church believe we need to work our way into heaven. That everything we do earns us brownie points, and it's our good works that save us. James said, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:17). Yes, faith leads to works. An example James gives is a person who would see a brother or sister naked, hungry, and wanting, and simply says, "go in peace! Be warm and full!", but does nothing to help them. What good does that do? They can't just be full because you tell them to be. Following the commandments is a work. Repenting is a work. Any good, faithful Christian will agree that these things are necessary. No unclean thing can enter into the Kindgom of God, and it is only through repentance that we are made clean. The Lord said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15), so we know that He expects us to live good lives. Well, it's not each individual act that will earn our salvation. Frankly, there is no "earning" our salvation. We are indeed saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, and through his Atonement. It would be impossible for us to otherwise be made clean of our sins. We could repent, sure, but without Christ's sacrifice, we would still come short. Christ makes up the difference for us. So, even if we do lots and lots of good things, and are really good people, even if we work hard and get lots and lots of tickets, that doens't guarantee us anything. The purpose of this life is to experience trials, and make the most of them, and make good decisions, and to return to live with our Heavenly Father. We are able to do that through living Christlike lives, entering into necessary covenants, and repenting when necessary. It's not a reward system like you'll see at arcades. We don't just get to, at the end of this life, cash in all of our tickets for Celestial Glory. Simply follow all the Lord's commandments and endure to the end, and you, too, can have eternal life! It's that simple!

Missionaries: Gotta Catch 'em All!

How are missionaries like Pokemon? Better question: how are missionaries not like Pokemon? We're all here for the same purpose, and go through changes throughout our mission. As we grow and improve, we become something bigger and better, just like Pokemon do. We don't do it through fighting like they do, but we certainly do change. I came up with this little joke back in Bozeman, comparing missionaries to Pokemon, and decided to show it to all of you, cause I thought it was pretty funny. So, first we'll look at a pretty standard missioanry change:

First, we have Oddish here... He's all happy and excited, and ready to go crazy on his area! He's unstoppable, and every day is a great day! Let's go tract! Let's go help that person! Let's do it!!!!

Well, all goes well for a while, until he hits the Gloom phase...
Missions are hard! You're tired, you're sick of no luck tracting, you just want your members to give you referrals. This isn't anything like it looked like in the videos! I don't wanna tract any more!!!

But then, eventually, you don't care how hard it is. You don't care how little luck you get, or how hot it is, or how cold it is, or the fact that it's been winter for about 6 months. You're back in the game, you've got a cool red hat (figuratively, of course), and you're ready to rock and roll again! Vileplume! Whatever that means!



Now, not all missionaries are like this, naturally. Some don't ever hit that middle part. They start out rock solid, and stay that way. I know of a few missionaries who fit this next idea:

Ah, yeah! Onix! What a stud! Just a rock solid guy! He's hard working, he's obedient, he loves everyone, and everyone loves him. He's an exemplary missionary, someone you want for a companion. His drive rubs off on you, and there's no where for him to go but up! But as amazing as he seems, we all change, and grow... But how could he improve?


Boom!!! Steelix! No longer just a rock solid missionary, now he's STEEL solid! There's no way he'll be movable! He knows who he is, why he's here, and what he needs to do, and he's gonna do it, no questions asked!

But not every missionary comes out feeling strong and confident. Sometimes, they're scared, and unsure, and don't know what to do. They seem like a Magikarp, just this little fish who seems to have no power. "What do I do? How do I find more people? I don't wanna tract, I don't know these people!" Missions can be scary, and some people may not be quite ready for it... but...

At some point, they find themselves. It all clicks, and they explode! Suddenly, they're superstars! The world is their oyster, and they're gonna go baptize EVERYONE! They grown into their own, and have become large and menacing, like Gyarados! What may have started out slow has quickly progressed, and now we've got ourselves one heck of a missionary!






So, that pretty much sums up Elders. And what about Sisters, you ask? Well, for that we've got...

Togepi! Just as happy as can be! Bright, bubbly, friendly... Nothing could possibly be bad! Everything is great and perfect! Let's go baptize people! Well, eventually the turn into...

Togetic! Even happier! Even bubblier! And what's more, it can fly! Oh my gosh! Everything is so wonderful, the mission is great, all is grand! We're going to go spread our joy and love and energy to everyone, all over the world! Yay! Think it's going to stop? Oh goodness, no. They're just going to progress to...

Togekiss! What's gotta be the happiest, sweetest, brightest, sugariest Pokemon there is. The Sisters just get happier and happier, things just get better and better, you wonder how they don't just pop! They're attitudes are great, their smiles are fixed, and they could walk down the street in a thunderstorm, but their sunny dispositions would make a pathway of sunshine and happiness and keep them dry!

So, there ya have it: Missionaries are like Pokemon. We change, we grow, we adapt, we evolve. And we do it all without fighting! The mission is awesome!