Homecoming Talk

MONUMENT OF CONVERSION 

Its crazy too look out into the crowd expecting to see faces you recognize,  but when you get up here all you see change and growth in both  friends, family, and ward members. You all look amazing. Thank you for all  the love and support while serving for the past two years in the celestial  land of the Dakotas. For those who don't recognize or know me, I'm Adam  McMullin, couple weeks ago Elder McMullin, and I was called to serve in  the North Dakota Bismarck Mission. As a fun fact the North Dakota  Bismarck Mission is the largest continental US mission and covers all of  North Dakota, majority of South Dakota, top of Nebraska, parts of Montana and a smidge of Minnesota. So you can imagine transfers we're a pain. Now  my mission is something that has become very special to me because I not  only learned what true discipleship was, but I changed as a person and as a  son of God. You see, I traveled 100's of miles to learn that I wasn't good enough, that I was helpless without the our Savior Jesus Christ. But gradually through the divine plan of God I was shaped into a new person, a new person with a deeper testimony and love for God's Church.

For about a third of my mission I had the privilege of serving under the  faces of some of the most influential men in American history. Thanks to the  first amendment, missionaries like myself had the opportunity to operate a  booth in the avenue of flags of the Mt Rushmore Monument. Although we  weren't allowed to openly pass out copies of the Book of Mormon or  distribute pamphlets, we could however ask people where they were  visiting from. Visitors could write their name on a small sticky note and  place it on a map of the world representing their hometown. Now this map  was special in the fact that it has miniature models of all the temples either  announced or currently operating across the world, leading people to ask  "what are those white buildings and why are there so many". This simple  question was the gateway for the opportunity to share one of the greatest  truths of the gospel, that families can be together forever. As I served up at  Mt. Rushmore a scripture would often pop into my head. 

Isaiah 49:15-16: 15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. 

16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. 

Mt Rushmore took around 14 years to carve, featuring the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theadore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln all great men who helped shaped this country. How long does it take for Christ to engrave Himself upon our lives and hearts? Weeks? Months? Years? Its described in 1 Nephi 14:7 that we can have be hard hearted to the point that rocks themselves are more obedient to God. Brothers and Sisters to have Christ "engraved upon the fleshy tables of our hearts" namely to be changed by Christ, is not and was never a one time thing. Like Isiah 49 read God and Christ will never forget us, but rather it us as his child that forgets Him. A common attitude in the Dakotas is to declare yourself as a God fearing devout Christian, but only attend services or really worship on Easter and Christmas. Christ did not sacrifice His perfect life to have us as one of his supposed disciples remember Him only when its traditional, convenient, or socially acceptable. To be changed through Christ and truly have his name engraved upon your heart requires consistent dedication. Mt Rushmore was not carved by a sudden burst of explosives when the price of dynamite was low, nor was it carved by people who came once in awhile blowing the dust off the tools they were expected and gifted to use daily. President Nelson said the following in the April 2019 General Conference addressing the topic of repentance: 

"Whether you are diligently moving along the covenant path, have slipped or stepped from the covenant path, or can't even see the path from where you are now, I plead with you to repent. Experience the strengthening power of daily repentance-of doing and being a little better each day. When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy-the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent we choose to become more like Jesus Christ! 

While I was serving in Jamestown, ND my companions and I attended a town fair celebrating the upcoming new school year for the University which I was formally escorted and now banned from. While walking around, I felt prompted to talk to a group of young college age kids and ask if they were looking for a Church to attend for the upcoming school year. The response I received was one of crude gestures, irritating rumors, and being called "a wife seeking hungry cultist". Let me tell you, I was about ready to throw some serious hands with these kids until a lady with bright purple hair who I have never even seen before yelled "Adam, I need to talk to you". Turning around I saw a somberly dressed lady with wide eyes clutching a bag of popcorn and a collection local Church's propaganda. This is Tiffany. Confused, I asked her how she knew my name and she said the man behind her told her my name was Adam and that she needed to talk to me". Looking around I didn’t see anyone I recognized or  introduced myself too. "Where is he, I politely asked, thinking it was a member attending the fair or maybe someone we already contacted". She immediately spun around and started getting emotional. "He was right here and said that the right Church I need in my life was the one you attend". Shocked I explained who I was and what our Church believes, she said tat everything I said "checked out" and agreed to meet the next day at her house. The next day she said she did a whole lot of research on our Church. Side note, this usually doesn't go well. However, in a miracle way she explained that she learned that we have dietary restrictions, pay tithing, obey laws pertaining to marriage, and are held accountable by our leaders via a special card to get us into our Temple. Baffled I stuttered for words confused at what she was hinting at, until she interrupted and said "Adam, actions speak louder than words. I want to attend a Church that doesn't have Christ apart of their life, but dedicate their life to Him. I want to sit with people every week in Church, knowing they are volunteering and sacrificing their time not for money like a pastor, but out of love for God. That is the true Church of Christ Adam, and I want in. Tiffany was latter baptized in October and has since moved to Montana and still attends Church and participates heavily in the Choir. 

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Tiffany saw that we were disciples of Christ, that we were marked with Him  and had something unique to offer. I like to relate this story to Matthew 5:15 " Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Its easier than you think to hide the marking or light of Christ. We can succumb to Social pressures, get lazy, or even feel embarrassed to believe so differently than the world's views. 

The next story I want to share is about another lady named Lynda. Some of you may know this, but a very large part of my mission featured me serving in the office operating and managing our missions social media influence through digital advertisements, search engine optimization, and even SMM funnel conversion ratio marketing. In January of 2021 I released a new Ad collection called Manet focusing on finding those who were feeling alone. Lynda actually ended up seeing and messaging this ad and ended up actually messaging our Facebook page wanting to learn more. 

Brothers and Sisters, has Christ's sacrifice left a mark on you? Have you accepted the order in 2 Corinthians 3:3 "too [write] not with ink... not in tables of stone, but in the fleshy tables of our hearts? Is Christ your life or mearly a cameo? Are you truly a follower of Christ? In one way or another we will fall short of the needed conversion to return to our fathers house. We need to travel 100's of spiritual miles to learn that we are nothing without Christ. But with Christ. If we embrace him as our savior and begin the slow difficult carving process similar to Mt. Rushmore we can be something we could never even dream. Psalms 82:6 "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. Moses 1:39 "For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." 

Brothers and Sisters, God and Jesus Christ are real. They know us on a personal level. They have never nor ever will forget you. We chose this life. in the begging. We have been reserved for thousands upon thousands of years up until this very point in this very location to serve our God, and let His son's divine gift allow us to become something we never could alone. Begin carving your Mt Rushmore. Your monument dedicated to Christ and serve as a attraction to others of the impact Christ and God have left upon you. Begin carving now, in the name of Jesus Christ amen. 

Homecoming Plans

HELLO AMAZING FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!! For starters I just want to thank you for all the thoughtful notes and prayers you gave me while I was serving in the Dakotas. I seriously felt your support and love and want to sincerely thank you for it. This Sunday (July 31st) I will be giving a report of all my experiences as a missionary serving in the Dakotas and I would love too see you all there! Everyone is invited and the service will start at 11:30am at  6100 W. Chapel Dr Highland, UT 84003. You all are also invited to attend the after party at my house 10655 North Larsen Ave. Highland Ave. UT where lunch and other refreshments will be served. If you'd like to support virtually feel free to click the attached Zoom link. Thank you again so much for all of your love and support and I hope to see you all on Sunday and give you a big hug!!!

Love Adam McMullin, your favorite McM who lived in the NDBM <3

I'm Home!

So I Became A Storm Chaser

HELLO AMAZING FRIENDS AND FAMILY! So much as happened this week I can’t even begin to describe the miracles, cool experiences, and amazing memories, BUT FIRST, spiritual thought time with Elder McMullin-yay. This week was finally the week where I realized I was concluding my mission in less than a month. I cannot even begin to describe the wide array of emotions surrounding this including, excitement, nervousness, and even fatigue. I pondered in my personal study and prayed in all my personal prayers asking God if I did all I could as a His servant. My answer was extremely disheartening. I wasn’t the best missionary, there were times I could have been better and situations I could have handled better. I was very upset with myself, frustrated with all my missed opportunities and short comings. These feelings stayed with me until through Church, but as I was walking out of the building a car horn went off and I heard someone yelling “Elder McMullin! Elder McMullin! McMuffin!!” . I turned and looked to see Lynda McCary, someone I found last year in Rapid City and taught for almost five months. She waved me over with the biggest smile on her face and pulled out a piece of paper. She handed me the paper and I looked and read “limited use temple recommend”. Lynda was baptized seven weeks before I arrived for round two in Rapid City and was interviewed that day for her temple recommend. With tears in her eyes she said she has never been this happy, and that if it wasn’t for me messaging her over Facebook and stopping by her house every other day to read scriptures with her she wouldn’t be alive. “You’re the best missionary Elder McMullin, you brought me something no one else could with the same level of love as Christ himself”. I bawled in that parking lot and on the drive back to our apartment as I reflected on probably one of the most profound lesson I’ve learned on my mission. None of us are the best missionaries or members. . Even our heroes in the Book of Mormon were imperfect and had their off-days. But through the atonement of Jesus Christ our efforts are magnified to celestial proportions and miracles occur. Don’t get down on yourself Brothers and Sisters do your best each and every single day and miracles will exhibit themselves in both your life and the lives of others.

 

 

Switching topics, on Sunday we had the crazy experience of driving Elder Mecarellio from Rapid City to Bismarck where he would be able to fly out to His original assignment in Fuji. We were only given two hours notice of the drive and had to quickly help pack his bags and load them into our car as we prepared for the 6 hour drive ahead of us. As we were driving through Sturgis all of our phones in unison screamed a extreme weather alert, with predicted baseball sized hail and 40mph winds and rain. Thinking that it was just a joke we continued driving until we saw this blue abyss of swirling clouds and hail. It looked kind of like the eye of a hurricane. Rain immediately began pounding our windshield and we started hydroplaning. We turned around and back tracked our way out of the storm while storm chaser vehicles and national weather service trucks raced into the eye of the storm. After back tracking 45 mins we stopped at a gas station with around 75 other tourists or locals. Everyone was watching the storm and trying to huddle under the gas station awning. Oddly enough, nothing seemed to come and people started pulling out and making there way back up to North Dakota. We were about to follow the other cars to North Dakota when we had a prompting to stay at the gas station for twenty more minutes. Frustrated that it was Sunday and we could’t even by snacks or drinks for the trip we waited till we were the only ones in the gas station. Suddenly the winds shifted and cars came streaking back to the gas station, MISSING their front and back windshield, massive dents all over, and broken head and tail lights. If we would have left earlier we would have been caught in that wind change and totaled our mission vehicle, or worse gotten injured like many other passengers and driver. We drove to a freeway underpass and parked our vehicle as tightly as we could with the concrete. We waited for three hours as golf ball sized hail fell like rain drops. It was a surreal experience once the hail was over to see that every vehicle but ours was damaged by the hail. We knew that we were protected by the Lord and would continue to be as we resumed our six hour journey with a 3 1/2 hour delay. 

 

 

When we arrived in Bowman around 10:30pm we were all exhausted and anxious to start heading home until we got word from President Camp that the assistants were an hour outside of the exchange location and we would have to sit tight in Bowman. It was pouring rain with lightning dancing all over as we all tried to sleep in our little Nissan Rouge. We shared stories and toured the 1,000 populated town and even tried to give a Book of Mormon to the gas station lady (she was not having it). Finally at 11:45 pm the assistants arrived and Elder Macarellio was passed off to the Bismarck Elders to catch his flight that was leaving for Fiji in less than 8hrs. We were told to drive home and make as little as stops as possible and if needed sleep in our car until sunrise. After saying a prayer we left Bowman around Midnight to make it back to Rapid city by 2am. We had a great time driving and singing until we saw a sign on the road. At this point in time it was still pouring rain and lightning was everywhere. I got out and looked thinking I was hallucinating to see “Welcome to Montana” on the side of the road. We had been driving west for a hour when we should have been driving south resulting in us ending up in the wrong state at 1 in the morning. Laughing but also frustrated we back tracked back to Bowman and got on the correct freeway to Rapid City arriving at 3:45 in the morning. Needless to say I slept really well that night. 

 

 

My sweet brothers and sisters it has been an amazing week finding 13 new people to find this week and seeing a direct fruit of missionary labors. The Lord protects and loves His members if they choose to follow his council and instruction. I know that I would not have made it back to Rapid City safetly if we had not listened to the Holy Ghost. I am so grateful for this Church and grateful for my mission and who it has helped me become. Love you all and see you in three weeks!

 

 

Love your favorite McM in the NDBM

Elder Adam McMullin

I'm Now Part Of A Soda Based Gang With Only Middle Aged Women.

HELLOOOO AMAZING FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!! My goodness has it been a crazy week, so many wonderful service opportunities and miracles! Before we get into all the nitty gritty though I want to get started off with a quick spiritual thought. When we think of Christ's atonement, what emotions and thoughts come to mind? Gratitude? Peace? Fear? For the almost two years that I've been a missionary it's astonishing to see the variety of emotions regarding Jesus Christ's atonement, especially how so many fear this precious gift. I think it's no coincidence that in Matthew 28:5, when Mary visits the empty tomb of Christ, the very first thing the resurrected Christ says is "fear not". The atonement of Jesus Christ is nothing to be feared, repentance is a gift to be enjoyed each and every day. Christ did not sacrifice His perfect and sinless life to punish, shame, or embarrass you. He died and endured all things to heal your heart and mind, to provide comfort in ways that are only possible through pure love and sacrifice. Brothers and Sisters, don't hide in sin thinking that it is safer and more comfortable than being in your bishop's office or temporarily not holding a temple recommend. I can promise you that true and lasting happiness is only found in the light of Christ and his atonement, not in the web of Satan's pride stinging lies.

 

 

Something really cool happened this week that has been in the works for awhile. There is a kid in the Rapid City ward who graduated in 2019 and has been hesitant to serve a mission. Last year I was challenged by then Bishop Policky to get this guy out of trouble/bad habits and into the mission field, which at the time was an extremely daunting task. Ever since I have been back here in Rapid City I've been able to help this kid, who I love so dearly now, through two major spiritual crises, a death in the family, and resolve of some nagging addictions. I am very excited to announce that just a couple days ago he put his mission papers and is planning on serving a mission by early fall. It's amazing to see the immense amount of change that has occured in this man's life. He has gone from despising the Church and Joseph Smith to having a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon's authenticity and immense love for President Nelson. This change has brought so much joy into my life and I am so excited to hear about all of the lives that this future missionary will change.

 

 

Here in the midwest, we don't get much for entertainment aside from bars and the occasional mall visit. However, being an extremely religious community there is a very large non-drinking community which unites together through something called Sip and Save. Circle K runs a promotion where for the mere price of $6 you get 30 days of free any size fountain, slushy, or coffee beverage. Elder Smith and I have been frequent visitors of this promotion and have actually seen shocking success in teaching opportunities with our fellow sip and savers (I'm telling you, Diet Coke and the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ were just meant to be paired together). Just this week, Elder Smith and I have had the immense honor of being inaugurated into the Sip and Save Squad where our girls at Circle K (Cindy, Brande, Jennifer, Amandea, Cherl, Carol, and Tif) don't even bother checking our memberships any more, but rather wave us through the lines and flash us the secret Sip and Save Squad gang sign. Yah, we love our girls. So much in fact that they all have copies of the Book of Mormon in their cars that they usually read on their cigarette break. So yah, caffeine really does save lives- spiritually and physically.

 

 

I have also had the cool experience this week to help convert an old school bus into an RV this week. There is a super sweet returning member who has a daughter with some disabilities that make it difficult for her to travel, socialize, and see anything aside from her school and house. Well this Sister has been saving up her money for over 13 years to buy an old handicapped school bus and convert it to a RV to travel the country with her daughter and elderly mother. It's so sweet to see how much effort this single Sister has put into her daughter's "dream bus" so that her daughter will be able to have memories of God's beautiful earth, before she leaves it. Needless to say it's been so fun to grind out rusted out screws and repaint a full sized blue bird school bus and prepare to send off the Arntz on their travels.

 

 

Well that's been my week! I absolutely love being here in Rapid city and even more so as a missionary! So sad to think that's this all about to end, but just a better reason to work harder and make even more memories! Love you all so much and thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers!!

 

 

Enjoy this vlog of my mission life: https://photos.app.goo.gl/AJw1c7DGU7dgUjJQ8

 

 

You're favorite McM in the NDBM!

Elder McMullin

Transfer Monster Strikes Again

HELLOOO amazing friends and family!!! Hope you all had a fantastic Easter yesterday and were able to feel and appreciate the very unique spirit around this special holiday. This week has been a very spirit filled and interesting week. I started messaging a guy on Facebook this week who posted a lot of really intriguing questions on his Facebook page. I’ve been chatting with him for about two weeks now and all I can say is I am grateful to be a member of this Church. Andrew (this is not his real name) is a man who thinks life is a coincidence that we are all just the “cruel” result of an accidental chemical reaction. He believes that Jesus Christ was just like every other person and just “faked” the lifestyle of a savior, because ultimately there is no God. Andrew said ,in his own words, “He has failed to show any signs regarding His existence”. My response to this rather bold and quite frankly idiotic statement was asking if there are consequences for the decisions we make in this life. “What is preventing you from killing yourself right now if life is full of misery and it's impossible for true happiness? Wouldn’t death be a relief”? His response was simply “idk''. My sweet Brothers and Sisters, we do know the answer to this question. You made the decision, long before you were ever born on this earth to accept the redeeming joy of Jesus Christ into your life. Yes, you may not remember making this decision, but there is evidence all around you of this decision, because “all things denote there is a God '' (Alma 30:44). There is a Savior, He did die for you and He allows you to live forever in a choice state of peace and glory. Treasure these truths and let no one convince you otherwise.

 

 

Well we got transfer calls this week and…. I am happy to say I am staying as a District Leader here in Rapid City and now have the privilege of covering both the Black Hills and Rapid City Wards with Elder Smith! Let me tell you I have never been more relieved and excited with an upcoming transfer! Elder Smith and I are great friends and have already been together this last week due to other missionaries returning to their original assignment. Anyways we are both excited because both of our birthdays are in this transfer and were also the official Mt. Rushmore missionary set! Mt. Rushmore Elder prt 2!

 

 

I had the amazing opportunity to attend the funeral of our mission councilor's father-in-law. He was a Vietnam Veteran and was buried in the Sturgis Memorial Cemetery. Let me tell you it was probably one of the most touching funerals I have been to. The spirit testified so strongly of the divine foundation of this country and how we really are citizens of “God's Country”. The importance and need for patriotism is something I have learned a lot about on my mission as well as something I hope to bring home with me. We are so blessed to live in the country, although current circumstances may not be ideal, that allows any person with any background to become anything if they put forward the needed work. I am beyond grateful to be a citizen of the United States. God Bless the USA.

 

 

Anyways, LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Don’t get too much juice for y’all but next weekly email should hopefully have some good and exciting ish! Love you all!

 

 

Your favorite McM in the NDBM,

Elder McMullin

 

 

No photos this week, I'll send some next week though!

Wait What... McMullin Is That You?

Sup'... so this awkward but I haven't sent a weekly email to y'all in six months. These last six months have been absolutely crazy featuring me being called as the Social Media Assistant for the mission, returning back to my cubicle in the mission office, living the oil barron life in Williston, and am now back happily serving in Rapid City as a Mt.Rushmore Elder! I've also had the pleasure of being companions with three amazing Elders and finishing the training of the fourth. Needless to say a lot has happened since I've last written y'all and it's crazy to think about where all the time has gone and how I will be stepping back on a plane home in just two months! Coming back to Rapid City and serving in the same ward from a year ago has really made me reflect a lot on my mission and how much it has changed me. Words simply can't describe the absolute joy I have found in serving a mission as well as the amazing people I have had the privilege to teach or serve with. I would highly recommend and encourage everyone who is able to serve, regardless of whether you're a guy or girl, to jump head first into the whirlpool of missionary work and be transformed into someone unachievable through other routes. Serving Jesus Christ and God is truly a transformative experience where you are able to strengthen your testimony alongside refining social, physical, and intellectual talents. If you are thinking about serving a mission, pull a Nike and just do it. I can promise as both an active missionary and someone who was once in your boat that it is worth more than your time, your job, your relationship, and really anything. 

 

 

So as a update of what I've been up too, in October I was ripped away from my fantastic trainee in Fargo, ND (loved Elder Wells) and was called back to the Bismarck Mission office to redo the entire mission's social media stance which fell apart with the departure of the Howells. Let me just say that this was one of the most difficult times of my mission and by far one of the most exhausting. My record was spending fourteen hours on my laptop and driving 2,500 miles in one day- the same day. But I am proud to say we went from being one of the worst social media missions to being second best in the area and seeing an all-time spike in SM numbers for the North Dakota Bismarck Mission. I traveled around the mission doing Social Media Zone Conference training, remade digital marketing audiences for all advertising campaigns resulting in an ad budget increase, redid the aesthetics for the mission's Facebook and Instagram, and finally planned out all posted content and advertisements for 2022 and 2023. I was also companion to the vehicle coordinator meaning I also did all the vehicle inspections, mileage logs, and sales for all retired missionary vehicles. So yah- Bismarck was hecka busy.

 

 

Williston was absolute paradise! I was able to serve with Elder Sorensen, who I actually went to High School with, in the Williston 3rd ward in the dead of Winter. For those of you unfamiliar with North Dakota geography, Williston sits on one of the largest oil formations in the world called the "Bakken" (pronounced bauk-inn not bacon) and is 30 minutes from the Canadian border and almost in the arctic circle. So it was cold to say the least like -45 degrees cold, but you know we love knocking doors in -30 with golf balls while our eyes slowly freeze over if we don't blink every ten seconds. The Williston third ward is renowned for being one of the more hostile wards towards missionaries, but let me just say that Elder Sorensen and I changed that real quick to the point we were being being invited to 5yr olds birthday parties, DJing the stake dance, and being invited over for dinner 40 nights in a row. I absolutely love the people of Williston North Dakota and could honestly not have asked for a better place to continue to serve as Social Media assistant. 

 

 

However, as we know all good things must come to an end. The McMullin and Sorensen duo eventually had to be broken up because of requests from other struggling missionaries and new leadership structure (apparently a social media assistant is against the mission president handbook) resulting in my release of being Assistant and becoming a District Leader and trainer down in Rapid City- in the same ward I served in exactly a year ago. It was a dramatic shift to say the least of going from arctic wasteland to the lush green Black Hills. I've been able to live in an apartment with only two windows (we call it the bunker) with another set of Elders which has been an absolute blast to say the least. We've started making vlogs together and I even attached a few of them for your own personal enjoyment ;) I have been able to be a part of some seriously spiritual lessons while being here in Rapid City and I can confidently say that the atonement of Jesus Christ really can transform and change any person who is willing to let His light into their life. Transfers were going to be this week, but due to an extreme blizzard expecting to deliver 12-17 inches of snow, we are waiting till next week to transfer. No idea what to expect with this upcoming transfer, especially with seventeen of our senior missionaries leaving for their original assignment and only five new missionaries coming in. So I have no idea what's going to happen, but I'm praying I'll continue living in the paradise of Rapid City.

 

 

Anyways, sorry for how long it's been since I've sent a weekly email, but know that I really do love you all so much and feel your support and prayers with me everyday. Love you all and excited to see y'all in two months!!!

 

 

You're favorite McM in the NDBM,

Elder McMullin

 

 

Pictures!!!

I just attached a Google Photos Album with some highlights of the areas I have served in since my last email as well as the vlogs we've started making in Rapid- enjoy!

 

 

Photos of Williston, Bismarck, and Rapid: 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VGsRNXSK2zHGDE769

 

 

Vlog Link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dmC1EMfpZfmXhrE57