One year out..I asked him to close his year out with his testimony and here it is...

Dear Family and Friends,

So I have been on a mission now for a year, I can say that I have learned a lot, more than I ever thought I would. I will also say that I have had some of the biggest ups and downs I've ever experienced, but I have felt that each struggle has not only built me to be a better servant of the Lord, but it has helped me learn and grow in the gospel, which is ultimately our purpose here on earth. My testimony has multiplied a thousand times on my mission.


I remember a few years ago our priest quorum hiked half dome in one day. It was 18 miles round trip, I remember that it was difficult, in fact very difficult to get to the top but once there, we were able to appreciate the beauty that was around us and there was a great sense of accomplishment. When we started down, we had to come down 9 more miles so, in my mind I remember thinking "wow this will be easy, all down hill" GETTING DOWN WAS HARDER THAN GETTING UP. I have compared it to my mission when I started I had great energy and excitement for the work and I still do, but things have become routine at times and it takes long suffering and endurance to still go about the work in the same manner.


I'm grateful for the 12 months I've spent thus far and am very excited to see what is next for me, more specifically what I will learn. I have a testimony of the book of Mormon, it truly is the most correct book of any book on earth today and if we can read it and truly ponder the words therein, we will receive our own witness of its truth.


I know that Joseph Smith was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ. As Joseph Smith prayed to know what church was true, they helped him to know of the truth, and through him the fullness of the gospel was restored to the earth in this dispensation.


I love my Father in Heaven and am so very grateful for the sacrifice that he gave to us all, his only begotten son. I know with surety that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christs church once again established on this earth and that nothing will stop the work in which I am engaged in until the great creator has said, it is done. I love this gospel it has changed me as a person and helped me to understand why I Joshua Benjamin Lawson am sharing my testimony here in Ghana, God is my eternal Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is his son and my Savior, and Joseph Smith has brought forth the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the same gospel that Christ preached while on the earth .

I know these things to be true in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Josh aka Elder Lawson and some of his best friends, also one of his favorite Priest Quorum leaders, Mark Smith..they just got to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite..What an accomplishment..sear cliff  straight up. Each of these amazing young men have served or is serving missions in different parts of the world.

Joshua sitting on the Edge of Half Dome! Love how he compared his mission to his hiking that day.

I love this..

Standing next to that big rat makes him a hero in my eyes..eekkk

We love you Elder Lawson, Make your next year the best ever!!