Hello reader. My Name is Alex Thomson, and this is my blog. This
being the first post I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit
about myself, about this blog, and what the two of us (the blog and I) will be
about for the next two years.
About me
I was born and raised in Oregon, born in Albany and raised
in Corvallis, and as far as I’m concerned it’s the best place on earth. I was
born of “goodly parents” who taught me just about everything I know and whom I
love very much.
I’m the oldest of five children, three boys and two girls.
My family has always been close, but after the death of my sister we grew even
closer. While her passing was a huge trial in our lives, I feel that it was
also a blessing in disguise, because it helped us to realize the brevity of our
time here on earth and the importance of Gods plan for us, His children.
I was Homeschooled until I was 16 years old, whereupon I
began attending LBCC (the local Community College) and eventually earned my
Associates Degree. I intend to continue
my education further, but for right now I am devoting all my time and efforts
to a work that I know to be far more important. You see, I have been called to
leave my home and my family, my personal hobbies and academic pursuits, and
serve two years of my life as the Lord’s ambassador to His children in Canada.
But I will not be a stranger in a strange land (at least…
not TOO strange). For me and my family
going to Canada feels something like coming home… well maybe not “home” per se…
but more like visiting our slightly eccentric cousin, who lives way out in the
woods and insists that they are a sovereign nation, despite the fact that it
would be a ton easier to just throw in the towel and accept statehood already… but
I digress. I am truly excited to serve the people of Canada, because, in a way,
they are my people.
On my father’s side my Great Great Grandpa Thomson
immigrated with his wife and children to Canada form Scotland in the early
1900’s. My Grandfather was born and raised in British Columbia, and my Grandmother’s
family moved from California to Vanderhoof British Columbia when she was only nine.
They actually met in Canada and only later moved to the United States where my
father was born.
On my mother’s side, my Great Great Great Great... (A lot of
“Greats”) Grandfather also lived in Canada, where in 1836 he met a man by the
name of Parley P Pratt near present day Toronto. Pratt introduced him and his
wife to the Book of Mormon and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, they were
later baptized and he went on to hold several fairly prominent leadership
positions in the church. My Great Great Great Great Grandfather was John
Taylor.
Again, I’m excited to serve the people of Canada, and share
with them the wonderful message of the gospel. It has been a blessing and a
source of strength in my life and in my family’s lives. I know that this is the
time, the place, and the work that I am meant to be doing.
About the blog
Why the blog? I am starting this blog so that you, yes you,
can keep track of my adventures and experiences on my mission. Why do you care?
I have no idea! But if I haven’t bored you to tears yet, why not keep reading?
Who knows, you might actually learn something.
So how’s this going to work? Well, I can’t post here myself,
but I can write emails, letters and pictures home. So my dear sweet parents
(bless their optimistic hearts) will be posting some slightly edited versions
of those emails, letters and pictures on my behalf.
Edited? Yes, edited. Spelling and grammar goofs mostly, but
also any personal information about myself, my companions, or the people we
meet, may be redacted in order to preserve some degree of privacy. So if you
see a bunch of people referred to as Brother K, Sister Q, or Elder J, it’s
probably not because Canadians only have single letters for last names.
About my church
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, but you probably know us best as Mormons. Many people think Mormons are
kind of weird, but that’s only because they don’t really understand who we are
and what we believe. I’d like to tell you a little bit about what we believe,
but lucky for me Joseph Smith, the Lord’s first prophet in these later-days,
already said it far better than I ever could.
1 – “We believe in God, the
Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.”
2 – “We believe that men will
be punished for their own sins, and not for
Adam’s transgression.”
3 – “We believe that through
the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by
obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”
4 – “We believe that the first principles
and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ; second, Repentance;
third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of
sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy
Ghost.”
5 – “We believe that a man must be called of
God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are
in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in
the ordinances thereof.”
6 – “We believe in the same organization that
existed in the Primitive Church, namely,
apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so
forth.”
7 – “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions,
healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.”
8 – “We believe the Bible to be
the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also
believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.”
9 – “We believe all that God has revealed, all
that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many
great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”
10 – “We believe in the literal gathering of
Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the
New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ
will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will
be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.”
11 – “We claim the privilege of worshiping
Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience,
and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or
what they may.”
12 – “We believe in
being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates,
in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.”
13 – “We believe in being honest,
true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to
all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe
all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope
to be able to endure all things. If there is
anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek
after these things.”
To learn more about Mormons and what we believe visit Mormon.org, or click on the orange box to the
right to view my profile.
About my mission
I have been called to serve as a missionary of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and have been assigned to labor in the
Canada Vancouver Mission. As I understand it my mission includes most of
British Columbia, minus a chunk out of the southeast corner where the Calgary
Canada Mission took a bite out of it. The top half of my mission is basically
nothing but trees, mountains, and Grizzly bears. The bottom half is a lot more
like what I’m used to; still a lot of trees and mountains, but more people,
Costcos, Walmarts, Safeways and Starbucks than bears.
About my testimony
As a kid I attended church and read the scriptures with my
family. In my teens I still went to church and read the scriptures, but I also
attended seminary (a kind of early morning gospel study group for the youth),
and strove each day to be an example and testament of Christ to those around
me. I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t always do a great job, but I tried to
do just a little bit better each day.
While I was raised in the church I didn’t always have as
strong of a testimony of the things I was taught. I can’t say exactly when, but
sometime in my teens I really started to think hard about what I felt, what I
believed, and what I knew, and it was during that time that my own personal
testimony really began to grow. I questioned everything, because I believed
that I should, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, “Fix reason firmly in her
seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with
boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be a God, He must more
approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear."
So I asked, and I found my answers. And while I cannot say
that I have a perfect knowledge or testimony of all of the doctrines of the
church, I can honestly say that I know this church is true. That I know that
there is a God, and that He loves us. That we are His children and that He has
a plan for us. That Christ atoned for our sins and that through Him we can be
free. That Joseph Smith was a true Prophet, and that he was the Lords
instrument in restoring this gospel to the earth. That Thomas S. Monson is the
Lord’s Prophet today, and that He leads and guides this church.
I am excited to serve the people of Canada because the
message taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true,
because it has blessed my life, and because it has the power to bless the lives
of all who are willing to hear and accept it. Of this I testify. Amen.
How to contact me
From September 5th to September 26th I will be at the Provo MTC (Missionary Training Center), so if you would like to contact me during that time you can send letters and packages to:
Elder Alexander David Thomson
MTC Mailbox # 208
CAN-VAN 0926
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604
After the 26th it would probably be best if you sent any letters or packages to the Vancouver Canada mission home. You can find the address in the box to the right.
For now, farewell.
And God be with you 'til we meet again!
