Utah County

Elder Austin Rushton and Companions

My trainer and first companion in the field was Elder Argyle from Spanish Fork, Utah. Now my final companion is Elder Townsend from American Fork, Utah. They are the only two companions I’ve had throughout my whole mission who have been from Utah County. The first and the last. Granted they are two drastically different individuals—Argyle was a football and baseball star while Townsend is a marching band guy like me—but they are the only two companions I’ve been able to talk about certain things with. For example, the Purple Turtle, the Gandolfo’s I worked at, the space center, and all the local celebrations around the county. It’s also been great to talk music with a companion who actually knows something about it beyond just that he likes it! What’s more, we were at most of the same marching band competitions, and other festivals and Elder Townsend even knows a few of the people I do. We have had a lot to talk about!

One thing I found out when I first went to college at Weber State University is the amount of contempt some people hold for Utah County within the state of Utah. Now, on my mission, I’ve found that it’s essentially the same feeling the rest of the nation holds towards the state of Utah! So it’s totally fitting that Utah County is named “Utah”, because as the USA is to Utah, Utah is to Utah County!

So what’s that whole attitude about? Usually its manifest in the accusation that those from Utah (county or state, whichever you feel inclined to imagine) think they’re better than everyone else. There’s also the accusation that people from Utah (the state or the county) are too sheltered. Now I’m not going to say those imagined “Utah” attitudes don’t exist, but I’m not going to say they’re the dominant attitude of Utah either. What I am going to say, though, is that I’m glad to finally have a companion who is not going to criticize my home.

Elder Townsend and I saw some great things happen this week. We work really well together! We saw two new faces at church from our investigator pool, we began teaching someone brand new whose major belief is that everything happens according to God’s plan (which is a plan of happiness), and a sister in the branch is going to start having us teach a woman who came to church with her. We have a lot going for us! Cedarville is also coming along well. We committed our baptismal candidate—to the Word of Wisdom last week. She is getting closer and closer, and hopefully everything will work out and she’ll be baptized on the last Saturday of this transfer

Not much else to report on this week. Well there is, but most of it falls under the category of “Stories for After the Mission” or “Unimportant Details and Miscellaneous Lessons”. So I’ll talk about it all when I get home, I’m sure!

A big thank you, again, to all of you who support me financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Much love,
Elder Rushton—Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints