Our Message is Simple for 2011

Thank you for all of your efforts in magnifying your purpose to invite others to come unto Christ. The Lord has blessed our mission greatly throughout the year 2010. We are so grateful for the work of both missionaries and members in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone. Our message is simple:


6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. (2 Nephi 2:6,8)

We have a great opportunity in the year 2011 to show our love for our Savior by increasing our faith, obedience, and diligence to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost in greater abundance. As we have more of the companionship of the Holy Ghost in our lives, we will have more charity because it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). As we have more charity, we will teach the doctrine of Christ(Our missionary purpose) with more power and we will work more effectively with our wonderful in the Vineyard of the Lord. May our love for the Lord be our greatest motivation to give all of our heart, might, mind and strength in bringing salvation to our Heavenly Father´s children here in the Chile Santiago North mission.
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Christmas gift..."The thing which will be of the most worth..."

"Christmas means giving. Heavenly Father gave His Son and the Son gave His life. Without giving there is no real Christmas and without sacrifice there is no true worship. Christmas means giving of yourself, heart and mind and strength to assist those who are needy and share the cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ-these are the true meanings of the Christmas spirit."
President Gordon B. Hinckley

“And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.” (D&C 15:6)

Thank you for all of your efforts in the work of sharing the precious message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ here in the Chile Santiago North mission.
We love you very much,
President May
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"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, ' Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.' We read Alma 5:14:

14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you lookup, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?

It is my prayer that we understand that the trials of the mission are the flames that refine us to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. We cannot go through this process without His help. “Through the Atonement we can be freed from the burden of our sins and develop faith and strength to face our trials. As we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
We love you all,
President May
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What kind of stature?

In a recent mission president´s seminar, Elder Lynn Robbins of the Seventy shared the following quote from Elder Henry B. Moyle:
“In life a missionary rarely rises above the stature that he or she carves out for him or her self in the mission field.”

Stature means standing, reputation, character, ability or condition. In other words, it means who we are and who we are becoming in the mission field that will set the standard for the rest of our lives. Elder Robbins gave an example of this when he said:

“The way a missionary gets along with his or her companion will predict how they will be in their future marriage.”

Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel show us how to become more like the Savior. It requires that we “learn of Him and seek to incorporate His attributes into our lives”(Preach My Gospel pg. 115). D&C 88:118 teaches us that we must “seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” Chapter 6 provides some suggestions on how to develop Christlike attributes by study:

• As you complete the “Attribute Activity” at the end of this chapter, identify the attribute you most need or want to develop. Study the section about that attribute, and set goals for developing it.

• Read through the chapter without studying the scriptures, and determine which attribute you want to study more fully. Then study the key scriptures associated with the attribute. Search for additional scriptures not listed in the chapter that teach about the attribute. Record in your study journal ideas for developing the attribute.

• Identify an attribute you wish to study. Follow the pattern under the heading “Developing Christlike Attributes” found at the end of the chapter.

Learning by faith requires actions. Elder Robbins taught “that being without doing is “faith without works” and doing without being is hypocrisy.” Just like true faith in Jesus Christ leads to action, true hope, charity, virtue knowledge, patience, humility, diligence, and obedience leads to action.

Chapter 6 also provides suggestions for learning by faith:

• Identify the attribute you wish to develop.

• Write a definition and description of the attribute.

• Record questions to answer as you study.

• List and study thoroughly passages of scripture that teach about the attribute.

• Record your feelings and impressions.

• Set goals and make plans to apply the attribute in your life.

• Pray for the Lord to help you develop the attribute.

• Evaluate your progress periodically in developing each attribute.

We set daily, weekly, and monthly goals and plans in our proseltying efforts to invite all to come unto Christ. Just as important is setting daily, weekly and monthly goals to develop Christlike attributes. These goals and plans should be recorded in our daily planners. As we give our best efforts to accomplish our goals to develop Christlike attributes we will truly become like Him and come to know Him as the Savior taught, we will come to know through own experience that “people become converted as they live the principles they learn (see John 7:17) and feel the Spirit confirm that what they are doing is pleasing to their Father in Heaven.”(Preach My Gospel pg. 196)

We love you and you inspire us,
President May
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Ways to remember citations, memorize and mark Scriptures

During the month of October, Hermana May spent time with each missionary(after they had their private, personal interview with Presidente May)to ask them for their ideas about how they memorize,remember, mark their scriptures and what really works for them individually. One dear Elder shared with her that he had the most rainbow colored, elaboratly marked set of scriptures after about 1.3 yrs in the mission, only to have them stolen! He realized that he needed to have them marked in his HEART and not just on the pages in his books. This is what these insightful, masterful teachers shared during those special conversations;

Ways to remember and mark scriptures:
Personal insights from our magnificent missionaries! Oct 2010 .

• Remember stories, problems, answers used in the stories. Remember Chpt 5 PMG, questions of the soul.
• Read the BofM stories simplified to get better overview of all the stories
• Colors used come from chpt headings in PMG. Look for themes and topics from BofM and the Bible.
• Ask for the Holy Ghost to remind me what I read. Mosiah 2:41
• Look for something personal each time, not just the chapter topics to guide me.
• Try to summarize what I read in Personal study and record that in study journal.
• Remember/memorize the topic headings of each chapter!
• Topics in lessons from PMG
• Sharing the scriptures I just studied in personal study with my companion in our study.
• When I learn for an investigator, and teach it in that day, it stays with me better
• Simple codes and clues help
• Questions of the soul answer many needs
• Highlight or I put a color dot on each question mark and they stand out to me. This shows me when others are asking questions and their answers I can use too, for myself.
• Learn by the stories in the scriptures. Those stay with me, and I find them by stories.
• All of my scripture mastery are one color. Those I can find and I use them often
• I NEVER mark my scriptures! I remember by context, where the topics took place and that reminds me where they are to go look for them again.
• I share them somewhere, after I learn them. Make use of them, don’t just store away in book!
• I don’t like to mark them, or have them messy. I bold, write over the font in letters just the part I want to remember and stand out for my investigators to read.
• When I have personal experiences with them, I can use them again in topics or themes.
• I enjoy seeing when God reveals his character to us when He gives revelations.
• I use blank copy when I go out to teach. I have to prepare ahead, remember and ask Holy Ghost to give me the insight and reminder from my studies. (Brave!) Remember them by principles and who went through the experience, then I can find them.
• I like to think of where that happened in the history of the book.
• I read somewhere that if I REALLY want to remember them, I wouldn’t mark them. That is as if you are telling yourself that you stored that information in the book, it is saved there, and now I don’t have to store it safely in my brain! Wow, what a novel idea. Don’t just mark to save in book. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
• Remembers a story when a 70 in the church lost his copy of B of M, he couldn’t get started reading again for days. He felt like the copy he had was his life one, and the new one wouldn’t help him as much. (Elder Gene R. Cook?)
• I use the same scripture a lot to have it stay with me. Jacob 4:1-3….why scriptures stay with us. (Elder Bruce R. McConkie started a new B of M each year!)
• Enjoy the scriptures. They give me treat. Like a real comfort. They teach me during my trials.
• Every day I have a new goal. I find a few that I like, and use them during the day, many times. I also site them when I teach them. Use different themes, and they come to you, the same scripture.
• I ask how they apply to my personal life. Why do I want to mark it? I think when the people look for help and strength from the Lord, I see they are blessed, by faith.
• I like to BOLD, write over the letters with ink, in Spanish. They stand out and reinforce the words to me, as I write over them. I love the stories. Mosiah 14:7-9. Its great. Let’s memorize it.
• I write in my journal how this applies to me. Text to me….I list by topics. Then I also prepare mini talks, with my companion, 3-4 scriptures by topic, with personal stories and testimony. Ready!
• My scripture mastery/dominio are all marked, also about baptism, and preguntas del alma.
• Lots of post-it notes, with thoughts about the doctrine. Roll play with companion using new ones.
• Later I walk with my B of M, blank copy in hand. I have to rely on the Holy Ghost to remind me which ones I need to share, and can’t depend on my crutch, marked scriptures in my pension.
• Use blank copy while teaching. I have to know where each person, new identity starts teaching and talking to find it in context. I use the guide in the back, when all else fails!
• I put them in by themes. Then after I know where one great one is, I scripture chain them, and mark in the margin the next leading one, go there, add another scripture in the margin and the chain leads me along in teaching!
• Read by the numbers, not just the context?
• Alma 33:23, use my agenda often to record.
• I like to re-read my lists often. They stay fresher to me, and then I can add new ones to it.
• It’s important for me to know the story/history, so I can remember who talks when.
• Read out loud, in voz alto! Reminds me where I am, in what context.
• Learn what I got from the story, not just reading. What principle, doctrine, and insight I learned new or need to apply to my life today. That helps me to remember why I am reading right there.
• If I go to find a scripture and can’t find it, I write the thought down, search for it at home, and then when I’ve had to go find and hunt for it, usually I then never forget it again. The trick is to not forget to write the thought down, or you forget to go look for it too.
• Remember by one word themes, Atonement, Faith, repentance, etc. I try to apply the scripture of the day in THAT day. It takes faith for me to share it sometime that day.
• Sometimes I try to put it to music, like memorizing it to a song. Difficult sometimes.
• I’ve worked on learning the 100 PMG citas. When you mark them you think you already know them so you’ve stored them with the marks. Not as effective.
• Coordinate the numbers with addition, subtraction, etc and that helps me to remember. I like numbers, digits, pages, etc. Coordinate them to remember. (Only if you do study in same language!)
• I know I have to be worthy of the spirit to have the conocimiento. Hechos 8
• Mark by themes and then the story.
• Start my studies with in-depth questions. I find the response and then label that. Pdte May had us read, “Living waters ” a talk by Elder Bednar changed my mission scripture study. Now I look for questions my real investigators have before I start, and then find answers. I look for doubts and find the answers. I find answers and think of their questions, this bridges connections, like he said. Read Alma 22-homework…Set a goal to use that scripture I'm learning 3x in one day.
• I look for doctrine, principles and applications and then see them in the stories. I daily write my impressions about it, so that the study isn’t just habitual.
• Color and line the number by theme. I use a song or make a rhyme like children’s songs-helps.
• I like using my English copy to search(Latin Elder) and search for topics.
• Read out loud. I love poetry and also drama performances. So the feelings of these people are more memorized and retained as I say them as if I were the speaker expressing these thoughts. It stays with my and I feel the spirit put the gospel into action.It helps me show love for them and teaching people, not just scriptures.
• I try to have a relation with each doubt or question, the answer from someone. Then I can relate them to each other.
• Memorize citas by the chapter headings.
• Like to think chronologically. Using inspired questions, I think of where the story took place, Alma-king Lamoni, and it helps me think of topics, service, spirit, needs, questions, doubts, etc.
• Scripture mastery always stays with me. I like to practice and use them too.
• I learn by the needs of others. DyC 20.
• Use the index and search with investigators
• I love the stories in the BofM and I review Chpt 3 in PMG MANY times. Repetition, I remember
• Go into the street with a blank copy, and ask the Holy Ghost to remind me and guide me in the thoughts and scriptures I need to share.
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“A Tree that was Tall, but Fell Short…”

Recently one of the trees in the front of the mission home fell down during a heavy rain. The tree was one of the biggest and tallest of all of the trees in the front yard. It measured more than 48 feet tall with the diameter of the trunk being more than 2 feet. Apparently the weight of water soak leaves and oversaturated soil combined with a strong wind caused the tree to topple over. Evidently the tree did not have roots sufficiently thick and deep enough to keep the tree from falling. Because the yard has been watered regularly throughout the years, the roots were able to supply the needed water to the tree without having to grow thick and deep into the ground to find water.

I want to invite each of you to share with me in your weekly letter to me next week some of your thoughts about this story. Here are some questions you might ask yourself:

· What can I learn from this event as it relates to me personally?

· What are some of the basic gospel principles that can be applied to this story?

· How could this story be used to help an investigator or member become more converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

· What scriptures could I use to teach the principles from this story?

· What could have been done to prevent the tree from falling?

I am looking forward to hearing from each of you!
We love you,

President May
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Savory Spiritual Feast even before Thanksgiving

As we are preparing here at the Mission Home to welcome in the Holidays, which means not only getting the turkey, papas y gravy ready, but also the Christmas trees and garland out, we are reminded of the more important part of these Celebrations. Of course in November our hearts are thankfully turned to our many blessings, which we could undoubted list for hours and take too much room here on paper. Not only for the material, monetary and comfort blessings, but more importantly, the eternal blessings, in the spiritual aspects of our lives, such as families, friends, relationships and gospel testimonies. We as members of the church have the most to be grateful for, in the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Atonement of Jesus Christ changes our lives and gives our very lives eternal meaning. What are each of us going to feast on this Holiday Season that will truly "nourish us?"

In anticipation for the celebration of Thanksgiving; whether sharing it with family, loved ones, acquaintances or even alone, it usually focuses on the main attraction; “THE FEAST.” But we are reminded that there is more than just Turkey and pumpkin pie in a true feast. Recently we have been spiritually fed by listening to our Church leaders in October, when our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson and the Lord’s 12 Apostles, and other anointed also taught, inspired and reminded us of eternal truths that are ours for the ‘consuming.’ Just a reminder; “Because of your faith,” “Reflections on a Consecrated Life,” “Of things that matter most,” ”Cleansing the Inner Vessel,” “Avoiding the Trap of Sin,” “Faith—The choice is yours,” “Never Leave Him,” “Be Thou an example of the Believers,” He teaches us to Put off the Natural Man.”
This was not just given to us as appetizers, but as the meat that the Lord wants us to know, as we were fed Doctrine to help us change our lives. We were nourished by the good word, felt the love from our Heavenly Father again, as we recognize that He sends prophets to the earth to bless and guide us. (PMG)
After the General Conference, we had a Mission Presidents’ Conference here in Chile. We were taught again, by our Area Presidency; Elder Carlos Amado, Elder Lawrence Corbridge, and Elder Jorge Zeballos, and their wives, along with another visiting member of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Lynn Robbins and his wife, Jan. We were invited to learn by faith, as they taught us about the Plan of Salvation, The Atonement, The Restoration, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, The Book of Mormon, The Blessing of Interviews, Uniformity Vs. Flexibility, Stewardship and Support, Motivation, Judging, the difference of numbering and counting, asking “heaven inspired questions,” setting goals, doctrine of love, Velocity vs Perspective, etc…..we could go on and on. We know that these messages were not just for the Mission Presidents and wives, but these teachings will go forward to our missionaries, throughout all of the 9 missions in Chile. How blessed we are to receive instruction now, pertinent to our missionary work here in the Vina where we are called to serve.
Lastly, our whole Chile Santiago North Mission was able to feast early in November with our Mission Tour/Zone Conference with Elder Lawrence Corbridge and his wife Jacque visiting authorities. We again were fed, as he personally described the Savior’s nourishment, “mantequilla y miel” which means butter and honey. He described how Jesus Christ only partook of good, spiritual, sweet things, and didn’t digest other disagreeable items, such as sin gives to us, to pollute our spirits and not fill us with the nourishment that the Holy Ghost gives us. We learned details about the Holy Ghost, deciding to decide, and helping us to be worthy for the Lord to help us do His work. All of these messages and lessons were so valuable and meaningful for us, as they were sweet to our spirits, we have no need for Dessert!
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We are Grateful and Thankful for YOU!

This Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It is a time where we reflect on all that we have to be thankful for in our lives. We want to express to you some of the things we are grateful for about you as servants of the Lord here in the North mission:

We thank you for…
*Being prepared and worthy to be called as one of the Lord´s elect to serve in the North Mission.

*Developing greater charity in your lives.

*You desire for the salvation of your brothers and sisters here in Chile.

*Loving and serving your companions.

*Your love for the Lord by obeying His commandments.

*The desire you have to continually improve, be better and practice well in training opportunities.

*Sharing your talents gifts and abilities to bless the lives of others.

*Your happiness in being unselfish and focusing on the needs of others.

*Supporting your leaders.

*Being valiant and hardworking under all circumstances.

*Being great leaders who show concern for your missionaries by calling them on birthdays, giving blessings, encouraging and motivating.

*Your dedication in not just completing your mission but rather magnifying your calling.

President Thomas S. Monson in his recent general conference address entitled “The Divine Gift of Gratitude” expressed the following:

“Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.”

I would like to invite each of you in your letter that you write home today to express gratitude for your blessings. As we do so I testify that we will unlock the doors of heaven and feel God´s love in our lives which will ultimately bless the lives of our investigators, members and all with whom we come in contact with each and every day in this great work of the Lord.
We love you and are eternally grateful for each of you,
President May
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President Hinckley's comments about the Book of Mormon

What can we learn about the Book of Mormon? Do we ask questions before we Study? What is the reminder we need about this sacred book?President Hinckley said in his testimony of the Book of Mormon:

“Each time we encourage others to read the Book of Mormon we do them a favor. If they read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, they will know by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. From that knowledge there will flow a conviction of the truth of many other things. For if the Book of Mormon is true, then God lives. If the Book of Mormon is true then Jesus is verily our Redeemer, the Savior of the world. The great purpose of its presentation and coming forth according to its own statement is, to the convincing of the Jew and the Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations. If the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, for he was the instrument in the hands of God in bringing to light this testimony of the divinity of our Lord. If the Book of Mormon is true, the Church is true, for the same authority by which this sacred record came to light is present and manifested among us today.”

President Hinckley promises that if we prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, there will come into our hearts an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, there will come a strength and resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God. Thus we will be more committed to finding, teaching, baptizing, confirming people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost.
Remember that the Lord loves you and we love you,
President May
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There is JOY in Repentance!

One of the most important ways of developing greater love for God, His Son and for all people is through applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives daily. It is not always easy to love those that act in a way that makes it more difficult to love them. It may be someone who insults us in the street, the person that slams the door in our face, or someone who is not very patient with us.

The Lord expects us to love all people including those that are difficult for us to love. At times this is not an easy thing to do. The Lord said “ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:43,44) It is easy to love those that love us. The Lord said “for if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (Matthew 5:46)

If the Lord expects us to love everyone including those that despitefully use us (Luke 6:28), He surely has provided us a way to be able to do it. Applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives on a daily basis will increase our capacity to love others.

How do we apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives each day? The second principle of the gospel is repentance. We learn in Preach My Gospel that “our faith in Christ and our love for Him lead us to repent, or to change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with His will. Repentance includes forming a fresh view of God, ourselves, and the world.(Preach My Gospel pg. 62)

As we repent our view of others changes especially those that act in a way that make it more difficult to love them. We see them as God´s children and recognize their value. As we feel the Atonement working in our own lives through daily repentance, our love for all of God´s children will increase. “Thus, as we repent daily, we will find that our lives will change and improve. Our hearts and our behavior will become more Christlike.”

It is my prayer that we will apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our own lives through daily repentance so that our love for our Heavenly Father, the Savior and of God´s children will be the motivation to invite all to come unto Christ.

We love you always,
President May
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Scripture Knowledge from our Heads to our Hearts

Do you ever feel at times that your personal study has become routine? One of the keys in receiving personal revelation and inspiration through personal scripture study is pondering what we study. Pondering is defined as to give careful and often lengthy thought or consideration quietly, soberly, and deeply. This type of effort is what takes the scripture knowledge from our head to our heart. Our hearts begin to open to the Spirit of revelation and inspiration as we act. This is the same process that our investigators experience as they begin the feel the workings of the Spirit in their hearts as they take action to keep commitments.

In Moroni 10:3 we read the following:
“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.”

In his recent general conference address entitled “Serve with the Spirit,” President Henry B. Eyring shared with us the importance of pondering:

“Our humility and our faith that invite spiritual gifts are increased by our reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures. We have all heard those words. Yet we may read a few lines or pages of scripture every day and hope that will be enough.

But reading, studying, and pondering are not the same. We read words and we may get ideas. We study and we may discover patterns and connections in scripture. But when we ponder, we invite revelation by the Spirit. Pondering, to me, is the thinking and the praying I do after reading and studying in the scriptures carefully.”

Nephi provides a wonderful example of the importance of pondering:

“For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord…” (1 Nephi 11:1).

The Savior taught the importance of pondering:
“Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again” (3 Nephi 17:3).

Let us take time to ponder and pray about the things that we that we read and study so that we may be greater instruments in the hands of the Lord. As greater disciples of Him, we will be able to truly magnify our calling to bring many souls to a knowledge of the restored gospel by exercising faith in Christ and His Atonement, repenting, being baptized by water and the Spirit and receiving the blessings of all who are His faithful followers.
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Charity/Caridad in Action

Anonymous note from one of our valiant missionaries:
"In regards to Caridad:
I have really been praying for charity and the opportunity to show charity everyday, but quite possibly my spanish grammar isnt correct in my prayers, because this week people have been showing me charity. I have been sick this week, and my companion has been super sweet to me. And when I threw up at the church poor Elder **** and Elder **** cleaned it up. What great examples of charity they are. Afterwards the elders gave me a blessing of health, and thankfully it hasnt disrupted the work too much. If there is a mission medal of valor or charity, Im nominating these three missionaries. The members too show me charity everyday, and are patient with my language skills. So again, thanks for letting me serve here with this amazing district and zone."

Another wrote:
“So, tired or energetic, discouraged or excited, you just have to keep on going in the work of the lord and trust that if you do your best, the Lord will do the rest and everything will work out in the end. I love the mission and would not trade it for anything else!”

“Así que, cansado o lleno de energía, desanimado o emocionado, sólo tiene que seguir adelante en la obra del Señor y confiar en que si usted hace su mejor, el Señor hará el resto y todo saldrá bien al final. Me encanta la misión y no cambiar mi situación por cualquier otra cosa!” Read more!

Missionaries' thoughts from their Book of Mormon Studies

What a blessing it is for me to be able to interview each of you during the month of October. As you have shared with me scriptures from the Book of Mormon that have impacted your life, I have felt the truthfulness of the scripture found in D&C 50:22
22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.
Here are some wonderful scriptures shared by missionaries in interviews in the Quilicura zone:

2 Nephi 9:20-23 has helped this missionary teach the doctrine of Christ powerfully in lessons.

Jacob 7:25 teaches to trust in God and rock of salvation which has inspired this missionary to overcome trials.

1 Nephi 2:16 helps this missionary to understand the principle of praying about a commandment or mission rule to gain a testimony of it and obey it.

Alma 26:27 brings inspiration to this missionary that the Lord will bless us with success if we remain faithful to Him.

3 Nephi 5:13 reminds this missionary why he came to the mission.

Ether 12:4 assures this missionary that faith in Christ brings hope which forms and anchor to our souls to remaing strong in the Gospel.

What great examples of the power that the Book of Mormon has to bless our lives. The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion (Preach My Gospel pg. 103). We will continue to be blessed as we learn through our diligent study of the Book of Mormon focusuing on its three great purposes:
“Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.” (Book of Mormon, title page)

We are grateful for your wonderful examples of faith, humility, obedience and diligence in magnifying your callings in servants of the Lord in helping all come unto Christ by receiving the restored gospel.

We love you and continually pray for your success.
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El Rescate/ The Rescue...includes faith to move mountains

BLOG ENTRY: “Faith to Move Mountains”
Saturday, October 16, 2010
This past week, Chile experienced yet another event to the see the hand of God perform miracles right within its borders. What a blessing to be here in this spectacular country, and observe how merciful God is to all of His children, as we watched with great interest in what took place here in a secluded and previously quite unknown pueblo of Copiapo’, in northern Chile. There are many types of disasters or catastrophes world wide, including Chile’s previous 8.8 earthquake back on Feb 27 of this same year, when news from here again rocked the world. However, the question this time is not how you drill into the seafloor and connect with a blown-out oil well like was needed in the U.S.A., but how do you drill a half-mile-long tunnel into very hard rock, and then use that hole to extract trapped men? The whole story changes to become one more with human interest when there are lives at stake.

Here the local television broadcasts all labeled the specific event that was requiring the success during the challenging feat of rescuing 33 trapped miners as ‘El Rescate” (The Rescue). We found that quite interesting, since in our notes the main theme of our dear prophet’s comments for last year was labeled, The Rescue. It is with these thoughts we would like to share some of our observations and comparisons we discovered and discussed during this process.
To share a bit of background and insight from a local here, we found many details flung at us, left and right, from the news, media, neighbors, members, missionaries, etc, all sharing their tidbits and opinions about the whole ordeal. This is a journal entry, and not a published article, so take the details and thoughts as only personal insights, not doctrine!

The accident happened on Aug. 5, where the 33 miners suddenly found themselves trapped in a copper and gold mine, that unfortunately, (and this would be considered illegal in the USA,) had no second, back up exit. They found their way to the small, emergency shelter down below, but the problem was, they had no communication with those up above, to tell them they were still alive. This was their lot for 17 days! Meanwhile, they survived off 2 days worth of rations of food, water and oxygen that was there, 700 meters below/ or 2,300 feet; practically ½ mile below the earth’s surface. This took organizational skills, leadership, patience, faith, prayer, and much more.

The newly sworn in Harvard trained businessman, millionaire President, Sebastian Pinera had the wisdom to insist they begin the work to search for the apparently trapped men. As with any mining disasters, locating these men entombed in the mine in Copiapo posed the first challenge for rescuers.They were searching in certain areas, drilling where they might imagine they could be. After another cave-in blocked a ventilation shaft, the only option rescue workers had for reaching the missing mining team was to drill six-inch (15-centimeter) exploratory holes deep into the ground. Attempts to reach an underground shelter where the miners might have sought refuge failed seven times – blamed on the mining company's poor maps – but the eighth try finally reached the sanctuary at a depth of 2,257 feet. This mountain on top of these men consisted of about 700,000 pounds of rock overhead, enough to give anyone a newly acquired case of claustrophobia!

“Drilling straight down over hundreds of feet can be tricky business, according to Jeffery Kravitz, a U.S. Mine Health and Safety Administration (MHSA) technical expert. After all, drilling just a single degree off of a straight line (perpendicular to the surface) to a target can leave one more than 40 feet off-base.”

After 17 days, there literally became a ‘light at the end of the tunnel,’ as workers sent down another probe that came back up with a tattered paper attached which was written in scribbled red pencil, “Estamos bien en el refugio, los 33.” (All 33 of us are well inside the shelter.) When the elation died down, and the reality set in, it was obvious it would take quite monumental efforts to find a way to get the men out of the mine. Chilean rescuers on Monday started sending down five-foot- (1.5-meter-) long tubes called palomas, or "doves", like carrier pigeons. A large drilling machine, donated by Codelco copper company in Chile, soon began drilling the 26-inch hole through which the trapped miners would be hauled back to the surface. This rig would be a rotary-type drill, meaning its drill rotates with several diamond-tipped, teeth-like "bits" that chew up the rock underneath. The mine's veins of gold and copper ran through quartzite with a high level of abrasive silica, rock so tough that it took all their expertise to keep the drill's hammers from curving off in unwanted directions. At one point, the drill struck a metal support beam in the poorly mapped mine, shattering its hammers. Fresh equipment had to be flown in from the United States and progress was delayed for days as powerful magnets were lowered to pull out the pieces.

On day 26, a team from the US space agency, NASA arrived at the mine to offer their advice on keeping the miners healthy. Previously the miners had been surviving on water, cans of tuna, and then after they were discovered, began to receive only glucose tablets and high-protein milk. Finally they were able to have Meatballs, chicken and rice piped through a tube, which changed their attitudes. They were told that it might be 4 months to get the escape tunnel drilled through the massive rock mountain, but now those above had goals and made plans. The workers above began to monitor each individual miner and follow his health and well-being to ensure the safety for the men. They began to have communication with their families who were all waiting anxiously, in the impromptu tent city dubbed affectionately, “Campamento Esperanza—Camp Hope.” After a total of 69 days underground, they had a new perspective on their future, as the miners really had hope to be rescued.
As we began to see the results of the rescue come to pass, we observed different actions, comments, comparisons that reminded us of the Savior and His way of rescuing us in this life. We might be listing these ideas in future blog entries, but
we continue to see sybolism in this rescue and how the Savior rescues each one of us
in our lives here on earth.

This whole miner experience was compared to the spectacular world wide phenomenon that occurred 41 yrs ago, on 21 July 1969, when mankind left the safety of the earth and took their first step to walk on the moon. Now here we were trying to send people from the safety of the world as we know it, to enter deep into the earth and help bring people from the dark, into the light.
What we learned from Gordon B. Hinckley is true, more so now than ever before, (“The Faith to Move Mountains,” Liahona, Nov 2006, 82–85,) “Increased faith is what we most need. Without it, the work would stagnate. With it, no one can stop its progress.” We know that faith can move mountains!

In this recent Oct 2010 session of General Conference, Bishop Edgely said, “When the disciples asked Jesus why the could not cast a devil out as they had just witnessed the Savior do, Jesus answered, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove. (Matthew 17:20) I have never witnessed the removal of an actual mountain. But because of faith I have seen a mountain of doubt and despair removed and replaced with hope and optimism. Because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of sin replaced with repentance and forgiveness. And because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of pain replaced with peace, hope, and gratitude. Yes, I have seen mountains removed.”
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Faith to Move Mountains....

In light of the Chilean mining rescue, we would like to include some information regarding the details we learned about the rescue. One impressive thought we felt so apropos was heard in this recent Oct 2010 session of General Conference, when Bishop Edgely said, “When the disciples asked Jesus why the could not cast a devil out as they had just witnessed the Savior do, Jesus answered, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove. (Matthew 17:20) I have never witnessed the removal of an actual mountain. But because of faith I have seen a mountain of doubt and despair removed and replaced with hope and optimism. Because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of sin replaced with repentance and forgiveness. And because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of pain replaced with peace, hope, and gratitude. Yes, I have seen mountains removed.”

More to be added soon.
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Great thoughts written to Pdte. May from Missionaries/Anonymously....

A quote from a trainer:
“I am trying to get out of her way a lot, but sometime I have to let her fall and I have to say that sometimes that is hard. I have learned that sometimes that is charity. If she falls, so do I. So to really love her enough to help her learn, I have to be willing to look silly too.”

Letter to Pdte. May (anonymous)

“The only real solid investigator that we have right now is a 48 year old man named victor. Wow the lord has definitely worked a miracle in his life so far... one month ago this man was in the streets selling and doing drugs and believed in being possessed by demons and it was a big mess in this mans life. We started working with him and helping him out and wow has he changed! It has been a dramatic change in the period of a couple weeks and truly I think it has been from his assistance in the church. He has 3 assistance in church (times he has attended) and came to one session of conference which he loved. This man has completely changed and although he still has a ways to go with the word of wisdom he is progressing dramatically and the lord is working a miracle in front of us here in _______! The coolest part was yesterday at church Victors prima came up to me and told me thank you for the work you are doing with my cousin, no one believed in him and he has no support at home but you believed in him and now he is changing. It was such a great experience for me for her to tell me that and it gave me that purpose of why I'm here in the mission. He even came to church sporting one of my white shirts and a tie! He was looking good and definitely felt the spirit in the church.”
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The worth of souls is Great in the sight of God, DyC 18:10

What great news this past week that all thirty three trapped miners were rescued from some 2,300 meters below the surface.There are many lessons that can be applied from this rescue effort. I would like to share one that stands out to me.

When the mine collapsed, the status of the thirty three miners was unknown. The first step in rescuing them was to find out where they were and whether they had survived or not. With use of maps, rescue worker had a general idea of where they could be. They began boring exploratory holes in the vicinity of where they thought they may be. They drilled seven holes with no success. On the eight attempt, they located them.

The size of the hole was just large enough to send a long cable through in which a written note could be attached. One of the miners wrote a note that said, “We are all alive” and attached it to the cable. When the note was received by rescue workers, they immediately went to work to create a plan how to bring the trapped miners to the service.

They created the plan and informed the miners that it would take many months to rescue them, possibly as late as Christmas. Meanwhile, through this small hole in which they had establish communication with the miners they began to send food and medicine to help the miners survive. The plan was to drill another hole large enough to send a rescue capsule big enough in which one person could fit in to be brought to the surface. The rescue workers accomplished their plan earlier than expected and were able to rescue all thirty three miners.

The influence of the Holy Ghost acts as a life line to those whom are trapped by the burden of sin. As a person feels just enough of the influence of the Holy Ghost to learn that there is One who can rescue us all and brings peace and happiness into our lives, it brings hope. As the miners were sent nourishment to stay alive through a small hole until a big enough hole could be completed to bring them to the surface, the Holy Ghost brings spiritual nourishment as a person begins to pray, study the Book of Mormon and attend Church. The life line increases in size sufficient for a person to develope faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and a desire to conform his or her will to the will of the Lord through repentance. Faith in Christ and repentance prepare a person to allow the Savior to rescue them through the sacred ordinance of baptism by water and the Spirit.

As those miners came to the surface, what joy was felt by family, love ones and the rescue workers. What joy is feltas a person comes to the surface of the waters of baptism, rescued from the bondage of sin to a new life.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! (D&C 18:15-16)

May we continue to work with all of our heart, might, mind and strength to rescue souls is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
We love you all,
President May
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Instruction from Elder Zeballos

Yesterday I had the rare opportunity to attend Church in the ward where Sister May and our daughter Sarah attend. It is also the ward that Elder Zeballos attends with his family. What a blessing to have the opportunity to be taught by him. I testify that he is called of the Lord as one of His chosen servants to teach and instruct us in the ways of the Lord.

In Sunday school class, we talked about the importance of having a living prophet to guide and direct us in these latter days. Elder Zeballos shared with us some wonderful insights regarding the importance of following the prophet. He explained that during the week before conference, he has the opportunity attend with other members of the Seventy a training meeting with First Presidency and another meeting with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In the meeting with the First Presidency, President Monson introduces a key point of emphasis or theme as a focus for the Church. In 2009 it was rescuing our less active members by visiting them to invite them to come back. Elder Zeballos said this year´s focus from President Monson was just three words, “Obey the commandments.”

Elder Zeballos went on to share some powerful counsel given by President Spencer W. Kimball in regards to obedience. President Kimball stated that they are three basic things that keep us from progressing in this life:
1. Sin.

2. Lack of faith.

3. Lack of desire to serve.
In Preach My Gospel, it defines sin as disobedience to God’s commandments and results in becoming separated from God (Preach My Gospel pg. 61). We are disobedient because we lack faith in Jesus Christ and when we lack faith in Christ, we have less of a desire to serve Him.

Why do we sin, lack faith, and have a lack of desire to serve? If we put this question in the positive, it would be, “Why are we obedient, have faith in Jesus Christ, and desire to serve Him? Elder Zeballos shared with us the following scriptures found in Moroni 7:42-44 that provides the answer:
42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.
43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart.

If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

In other words, it all goes back to the two basic commandments to love God and love our fellowmen. Was not love the motivating factor for Heavenly Father to create the plan of happiness He did so that we could progress by coming to earth to learn and progress and someday become like Him and return to His presence? Was not love the motivating factor that Heavenly Father sent His only begotten Son to atone for our sins so that we could be saved and return to His presence?
We love him, because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).
So as we can see, it all began with Heavenly Father´s profound love for us, His children. So much that He sent His only begotten Son to the world to stand in our place to satisfy the demands of justice for all those who repent and strive to keep all of His commandments by suffering for our sins.

Our Christ like attribute that we are focusing on for the month of October is charity. What greater thing can we do to show our love for God and others than by being obedient with exactness to the commandments and to help our companions, fellow missionaries, members, and investigators do the same?

We love you and pray that each of us can develop greater love of God and others,
President May
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New missionaries are learning so quickly!

What wonderful new missionaries have arrived here recently. We had our training with those who just arrived on Oct 8th. Here are some of their comments and observations in just a short time/one week:

"We walk alot. I have blisters already, but it is worth it. We are teaching so many great people. We already have 3 with baptismal dates! We met a woman with cancer. We gave her a blessing, and the pain left. I have a great companion."

"I'm learning about humility here. Wow, this is the first time I haven't been home for General Conference but I had a great view right from here!"

"I'm already going through so many large changes. Some I never thought I would. Really"

"This is really cold here. So different from my country. I'm learning that the Lord loves us, even the good and the bad. My companion is so patient!"



- Read more!

Bicentenario, 200 year Independance Day Celebration in Chile, el dieciocho/18th de Setiembre!

This year in Chile, as the Bicentenario marks their 200 years of independence, the Chileans are even more ready to celebrate. The government legally made the holiday official for this year to include Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, to make the 17, 18, 19, and 20th all holidays for everyone. This was to allow total rest and complete partying to the nth degree! Our missionaries participated in their wards.
Some of our observations we noticed throughout our mission as we visited different celebrations:

• All stores, businesses and local restaurants are closed.
• Celebration parties include typically, empanadas, to start. This should always be accompanied by a choripan/hard French roll, sliced vertically with a sausage inside. Homes have their personal hibachi set up, to the large size parilla/grilling bar-b-q that allows great quanties of meat, chicken, sausages, and completes to be cooked. Even on street corners a metal trash can, will soon serve with a grill on top to cook anticuchos-a favorite of Chileans, of shish-ka-bobs with hotdogs, and some type of meat, unknown and unimportant to most.
• People are bustling around in groups, families, with children in tow, in the dusk, early mornings, late hours, etc, that looks like trick-or-treaters on their way to some fun activity.
• Ferias and bonfires are roaring on street corners, down the blocks, in the roads and lighting the neighborhoods.
• Typically quiet neighborhoods have speakers blasting cueca music, and most people seem to know and recognize the music and we hear them singing along, with the words. It feels like piped in Christmas music, but more lively and elevates their spirit after a long winter.
• KITES: September, which is just on the brink of spring in South America, is a pleasantly breezy month in Chile. Ideal for flying a kite! And, as in some other countries (The Kite Runner, for example, describes the same passion for kites in Afghanistan), in Chile kite flying is supreme. In the past, most kites were homemade, but now more and more are commercially produced and more elaborate than those that come out of the family workroom. Nevertheless, homemade kites still, and always will, have a charm that will keep them flying. As everywhere else, the idea of kite flying is to see who can stay up there the longest and the highest. At the same time, however, the person controlling the string can experience a good run on the beach, through a soccer field, or in any open space in the neighborhood. All through September in all parts of Chile the kites fly, and sometimes besides the person flying the kite, you can still see groups of youngsters who run with long poles, gladiator-fashion, after the kites that take a nosedive and get caught in telephone wires and on tree limbs. On Dieciocho, there are kite-flying contests all over the country, with the bright colors of the airborne paper dotting the sky. One of the most popular designs for the kites is the Chilean flag.
• FLAGS: Chile’s national emblem
Chile’s flag is very similar to the flag of the state of Texas: a lone star on a blue background in the top left corner, complemented by wide stripes of red and white. On Dieciocho, flags fly all over Chile. Flags are flown on tops of houses, off the roofs of businesses, on balconies in the ‘bloques’ or housing ‘projects’, on windows in shorefronts, flapping in the wind behind vehicles or from their hoods and wearing them on pins and lapels. Before Dieciocho, there are announcements on the radio and TV about how to fly the flag properly, and, on September 18, a homeowner could be fined for not having a flag displayed in the yard or hanging on the house. This may seem quite a rigid requirement on the part of the Chilean government, but in the meantime the thousands of flags make a spectacularly colorful scene in every town and city of the country.
• CUECA Dance and Costumes: The cueca is traditionally danced by a male and a female. There are specific steps (sliding and stamping) and movements in circles and semicircles. These movements change according to the three parts of the sung cueca, so the dancers’ steps have to coincide with each section of the song. The dancing is very mathematic and geometric but also very engaging and personal. Each dancer has to end each part of the dance in the spot where he/she began. The man and woman can join arms and talk in the preliminary promenade before the singing begins, as well as when the singers have finished. However, during the dance, they can’t speak, touch each other, or take their eyes off each other, except when they make turns.
Both dancers carry handkerchiefs, which act as silent but expressively integral members of the dance. The handkerchief conveys festivity and, since the cueca is basically a dance of courtship, it acts as the “language” of the people who are dancing. The woman keeps her handkerchief near her face or at shoulder level. The man can wave his handkerchief over his head, at waist level, or around the woman’s feet. Occasionally the dancers hold their handkerchiefs with both hands. If the cueca is done correctly, what looks to the uneducated eye like a dance floor full of people just whirling around happily waving handkerchiefs is a very precise performance with a flirtatious and joyous spirit.
During Independence Day celebrations, those who really know how to dance the cueca will come to the fondas or appear in presentations dressed in traditional dance clothes. Men wear riding pants, chaps, spurs on their boots, a short jacket, a short poncho called a manta, and a flat-brimmed felt or straw hat. Women wear a long black skirt, white blouse, and short jacket, with the same type of a hat as the man’s; or a flowered dress with an apron, and no hat. The other people visiting the fonda join the experts on the dance floor, even if they aren’t sure of the cueca steps. The bottom line is that the cueca is an expression of joy, and national independence is something to celebrate happily. When you dance cueca, it doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, rich or poor, from northern, central or southern Chile. All that matters is that you’re Chilean, you love your country and you cueca proudly to show it. Read more!

Specialized Trainings, "Working with Members," in the Viña del Senor

During the change, Pdte. May has been inspired to help teach our missionaries great doctrine, scriptures and ideas to help our missionaries work in conjunction with our members in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ here in Santiago. Here are some of the ideas:

Pdte. May outlined a lesson following the pattern that the Brethren sent us from the Missionary Dept of the church. We taught scriptures and the doctrine, about why we need to work with members, citing Jacob 5:61, 71-75, and bringing more servants into the vineyard. These members will also feel the spirit, have joy, their testimonies will be strengthened, and they will be more active themselves, while they are teaching others. They will feel the Holy Ghost in their lives and they will also begin to remember the importance of reading the scriptures, particulary the Libro de Mormon, and also the reason to pray and attend their meetings. We reminded the missionaries of teaching teh doctrine of Love, that the Savior teaches us, DyC 12, DyC 4: 5, and then he and Hrma. May demonstrate some roll play that the missionaries also break into groups and new companionships to practice themselves. After praciticing these skills, we discuss the PMG activity, pg. 172 #5 about sharing the gospel in an activity we call, "The Vina del Senor." These missionaries are supre bright, have many insights and techniques that they were able to teach and show to one another about how to make this effective. Pdte. May passed out a form where the missionaries go into the members home and begin helping THEM identify names of people and associates, that THEY would like to think about/with prayer,how to begin steps to introduce the gospel. We domonstrated more roll plays, with options they could suggest of giving them a Liahona/Ensign, taking them to a church activity, sharing a pass along card, Book of Mormon, visit to the temple, acts of Kindness and reminded them of the PMG ideas of, "Andando haciendo bienes" going about doing good or simple acts of kindess. They were helped to see how to show service in simple ways and were able to identify new ideas themselves. very interactive and lots of zone participation. We love being with our missionaries more often. Then Pdte May reminded them of having help in the Vina, Missionary work will Multiply our blessings, DyC 104...multiplicar una multiplicidad de bendiciones!
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Sept 11th and some history of Chile

On ‘once de setiembre’ in Santiago, people typically head to their homes earlier in the evening, and hunker down with a bit of anxiety and apprehension, as they don’t know what might begin in way of destruction or vandalism. The teenagers or 20-25yr olds seem to feel that they have the right to commemorate the change in gov’t that happened back in 1973 with their own types of violence. -----------------On September 11th in 1973, the military which was then led by Augusto Pinochet stormed the presidential palace and seized power from president Allende, who was found dead soon after. A ‘junta’ headed by Pinochet was established, which immediately suspended the constitution, dissolved the Congress, imposed strict censorship, and banned all political parties. In addition, he embarked on a campaign of terror against leftists in the country, which as a result, approximately 3,000 Chileans were executed or disappeared and more than 27,000 were imprisoned or tortured and others exiled and fled the country. Now our Church Area Presidency has wisely warned us to have our missionaries return to their apartments early, by 8pm, to not be in the streets just in case some danger might arise. Our missionaries are totally obedient, and all were safely inside with no problems.This is just a simple prelude to the otherwise fabulous and patriotic, flag-waving celebrations that most Chileans feel so inclined to participate in for their Sept 18th Independance Day, that this year will commemorate 200 years; their Bicentenario. We are all looking forward to wonderful activities, events, dance presentations and songa by stakes, wards, branches, and communities. This is a wonderful and blessed country, and we are grateful to be here to share the greatest joy the Chilean people could have in their lives....the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Read more!

Have we not Great Reason to Rejoice?

This month our missionaries are memorizing in either Spanish or English,Alma 26: 12-13. All are invited to join in this effort to strengthen our testimonies and remind us of the source of our abilities and miracles that we are seeing in our lives.These scriptures are beautiful and our mighty missionaries memorize scriptures so that they can teach more powerfully. Hermana May is always impressed to hear many of our missionaries memorizing the scripture in BOTH Spanish and English. She tells them they are SUPER STARS! Do you remember these scriptures?
Alma 26:12-13 (Ingles)12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
13 Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?

Alma 26: 12-13 (Espanol)
12 Sí, yo sé que nada soy; en cuanto a mi fuerza, soy débil; por tanto, no me jactaré de mí mismo, sino que me gloriaré en mi Dios, porque con su fuerza puedo hacer todas las cosas; sí, he aquí que hemos obrado muchos grandes milagros en esta tierra, por los cuales alabaremos su nombre para siempre jamás.
13 He aquí, a cuántos miles de nuestros hermanos ha librado él de los tormentos del infierno, y se sienten movidos a cantar del amor redentor; y esto por el poder de su palabra que está en nosotros; por consiguiente, ¿no tenemos mucha razón para regocijarnos?
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Becoming a true disciple of Christ

Elder Bednar shared the following in regards to becoming a true disciple of Christ:
A disciple is one who follows or attends upon another for the express purpose of learning (Oxford English Dictionary On-Line, second edition, 1989). Please note that a disciple both follows and learns, as the following scriptures highlight:

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12; emphasis added)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30; emphasis added)

Thus , a disciple of Christ is a follower of Jesus who learns of and from Him and lives according to His teachings. As we learn in Doctrine and Covenants 41:5:
He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you.

A disciple of Christ is one who is following and learning to be like Christ-learning to think, to feel, and to act as He does. He or she is striving to gain “. . . the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Becoming a true disciple of the Savior and following His ways are the most demanding learning objectives we can ever strive to achieve. No other discipline compares with His curriculum in either requirements of rewards. Discipleship demands total transformation of a person by putting off the natural man and becoming a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord (see Mosiah 3:19). A disciple is one who loves the Lord and serves Him with all of his or her heart, might, mind, and strength. (A Disciple Preparation Center, Elder David A. Bednar, August 31, 2004)

I invite each of us to ask ourselves the following question, what more can I learn about the life of Jesus Christ and what more can I do to follow Him so that I may become a greater disciple of His? It is my prayer that we will all become the disciples of Jesus Christ that He expects us to be so that we can more fully accomplish our purpose which is to find, teach, baptize, confirm, and help others endure to the end.
The Lord loves each of you very much,
President May
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Time is short, even in the mission

Nice Poem, sent from one of our Hermanas, about taking advantage of our time. It is precious.
Slow Dance
Have you ever watched kids On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down. Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won’t last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask ‘How are you?’do you hear the reply?

When the day is done do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores running through your head?

You’d better slow down Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won’t last.

Ever told your child, we’ll do it tomorrow?
And in you haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time to call and say, ‘Hi’

You’d better slow down. Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won’t last

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift…thrown away.

Life is not a race. Do take it slower
Hear the music before the song is over.

~Unknown
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Greatest gifts of all

Elder Amado stated the greatest long term gift we have is Eternal Life in the Celestial kingdom and the greatest short term gift we have is the companionship of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Preach My Gospel states that have the companionship of the Holy Ghost should be our greatest desire.

The process of having the Spirit in greater abundance in our lives involves taking action to do two things:

Engage with greater frequency and effort in activities that bring the Spirit:

• Pray for the Spirit (see D&C 42:14).

• Keep the commandments (see D&C 20:77, 79).

• Diligently treasure up God’s word (see D&C 11:21; 84:85).

• Teach so that others understand your message and are edified (see D&C 50:13–22).

• Exercise faith (see Moroni 10:7).

• Develop Christ like attributes.

Engage with greater frequency and effort in activities that help us remove behaviors that distance us from the Spirit:

• Purify your heart (see D&C 112:28).

· Pride.

· Disobedience to the commandments and mission rules.

· Laziness.

· Negative feelings such as anger, envy, lust, or covetousness.

· Judging others, criticizing them, or saying negative things about them.

· Not following the counsel of leaders.

· Comparing ourselves with others.
Preach My Gospel teaches that we have been set apart for our sacred callings with the promise that the Spirit will be given to us as we meet the requirements set by the Lord. Enjoying the gifts of the Spirit should be one of our most earnest desires.

As Elder Costa has invited to set great goals, we must have greater faith and greater companionship of the Holy Ghost to achieve those goals to accomplish the great and marvelous work the Lord has sent us to do here in the Chile Santiago North Mission. There is no better starting point than obedience with exactness to the commandments and mission rules so that we can accomplish our purpose which is to “Find, teach, baptize and confirm people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost.”
We love you,
President May
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“Relatos de Exito” (success stories) from Newest Missionaries

Missionaries in Phase 2or3 have been here for 12 weeks, or are in their second ‘change’ cycle or third, respectively. As the meeting begins, any are invited to share something they have learned or witnessed in their teaching or personally that demonstrates success or miracles they are participating in and observing. Here are a few thoughts, shared anonymously:

Aug 20, 2010- FASE 2/3 Training
Elder M: “We have been teaching a 15 year old girl who is a daughter of a member. When we talked about serving a mission, she asked us the question, “Can girls serve missions too?” and we of course told her we have sisters/hermanas in the mission, who go at age 21 or older and serve for 18 months.
She told us, “I’d like to serve a mission too!” and she isn’t even baptized yet. That is how powerful the Holy Ghost is in testifying and prompting of the truth.”

Elder S: “This woman we are teaching as cancer a brain tumor. She wouldn’t get out of bed. She told us she felt not point to it, as she didn’t want to waste some of her time and energy if she was just going to die soon anyway. When she talked to us, her left had trembled and shook from the pressure from the tumor on her brain, I assume. I met her on my 2nd day in Chile. We began teaching her and just 2 weeks ago, she was baptized. Now she has hope, and feels happy. She has energy and doing many things. She knows she will die, but we will all die someday but now she feels happy, with hope and peace.”

Elder T: “This is not something I have ever seen or heard of before, but in our ward last month, there was zero/0 % home teaching in our ward. Incredible. We started working with some of the leaders in the ward, and they are enthusiastic to help. They began going with us to do visits, and we are making great strides. We even met a man who had been less active for over 18 YEARS! Now we are teaching him again, with his family. Miracles when the members step in and want to help, catching the influence they can be in the other ward members’ lives.”
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Prayer and the Book of Mormon answer "Questions of the Soul."

What a wonderful opportunity and blessing we have of helping people receive the saving ordinance of baptism. It is our purpose: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19). In Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 we learn that the first requirement to be baptized: All those who humble themselves before God…

What better way to prepare those we teach for baptism than to invite them to offer a kneeling prayer in the very first lesson. The act of kneeling down shows humility toward Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We find a great example of the power of a kneeling prayer in Alma 22:
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15 And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.

16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.

17 And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth,

23 … And the king stood forth, and began to minister unto them. And he did minister unto them, insomuch that his whole household were converted unto the Lord.

Let us be valiant as we invite the head of the household to kneel in humble prayer in the very first lesson so the great questions of the soul can be answered, “Does God know me?” and “Does He answer my prayers?

We love you and pray daily for your success,
President May
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Having a "Passion to Find!"

Yesterday Sister May and I went to a meeting in Colina. We went through a toll road. We paid the money to the lady who works at the tollbooth. At the same time we gave her a pass-along card and invited her to attend church on Sunday. She told us that lives in Colina and knows where the chapel is located. She asked us what time the meeting starts. We invited her to attend church next Sunday. She was very friendly with us. As we continued driving toward Colina, Sister May asked the question,"What do you think is happening in her life that makes her more sensitive to the Spirit? Is she reading the Bible? Has she had some type of spiritual experience? Is it her recognizing the need to have something else in her life? Is Heavenly Father trying to communicate with her in one way or another?"

In the zone conferences last week saw the DVD of Preach My Gospel about finding people. One of the missionaries spoke of the importance of having "a passion" to find people. For me, passion is constant. The passion for finding people to teach the Gospel is not something that we turn on and off.
Elder Maynes of the Quorum of the Seventy, shared this story:

“One day I was traveling in the car with the family during the summer holidays. I had to stop to fill up the car with gas. We stopped at a gas station. While filling the car, I saw two missionaries filling their car. I approached them without telling them that I was a member of the Church. They were friendly and I asked them where they were from and what are and they doing. They answered my questions and then said goodbye to me. I thought these two missionaries really missed an opportunity to share the gospel with me. It made me think whether they really understand their purpose.”

A sample of this passion to find is whether we are talking to everyone during our preparation day. Are we taking advantage of opportunities to talk to everyone when we go on the bus, do shopping, walk among the people? The Lord will bless us when we show love for all people in every moment of every day.

Now is the time to have this passion to find those who will follow Jesus Christ. I invite each of us to pray to develop the love and charity that will create in each of us "passion for finding" all of the time. In this way we can bring more souls to the Lord through baptism and magnify our purpose as missionaries.

We love you,
President May
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Faithful, obedient Missionaries

Just to report to all the families and loved-ones of your great missionaries serving here in the Chile Santiago North Mission. They are amazing in their obedience and desire to serve the Lord. The Missionary Dept in SLC has sent all Presidents of missions all over the world a new, simplified curriculum to help us become better teachers of Preach My Gospel, including doctrine, principles, and application. The following are the 8 lessons we have been instructed to teach. We started out exactly as the brethren requested, first teaching our leaders (Assistants, zone leaders, district leaders and trainers)Now we have set the course and announced the exact dates for the month of August to continue to teach ALL of our anxious missionaries who want to learn how to be better. Here are the 8 lessons:
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1. Doctrine of Christ-your missionary purpose
2. The role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion
3. Revelation through Prayer
4. Revelation through the Book of Mormon
5. Revelation through church attendance.
6. Teach people, not lessons.
7. We invite, they commit, we follow up.
8. How to begin teaching.

These changes will also include interviews now happening trimestral and zone conferencias the same. The missionaries are eager and willing to adapt, change and become better. We love these great Elders and Hermanas
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Steadfastness in Christ

In 2 Nephi 31:20 we are taught what we need to do after we have recieved baptism by water for the remission of sin and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. We are to press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. Steadfastness means fixed or unchanged. To be steadfast in Christ we must follow this counsel “He has set the perfect example, and He commands us to become as He is (see 3 Nephi 27:27). Learn of Him and seek to incorporate His attributes into your life. Through the power of His Atonement, you can achieve this goal and lead others to achieve it also.” (Preach My Gospel pg 115)

Having a brightness of hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance(Preach My Gospel pg. 117). When we have hope in Christ it will bring light into our lives to guide us as we press forward in our steadfastness in Christ.

Having a love of God and of all men is the reason for pressing forward with steadfastness in Christ. When you are filled with charity, you obey God’s commandments and do all you can to serve others and help them receive the restored gospel (Preach My Gospel pg. 118).

Feasting on the word of Christ will keep our steadfastness focused on Him. We feast upon them because they open the door to revelation and show us what we need to do and become. We search the scriptures to learn about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from God and comes through studying and living His word and His gospel (Preach My Gospel pg.73).

As missionaries we must have a steadfastness in Christ by having a brightness of hope, having a love of God and of all men, and feasting on the word of Christ to be powerful servants of the Lord who bring many souls unto Him regardless of the obstacles or adversity. This is His work and He has sent us here to bring many souls to Him through baptizing, retaining, and reactivating our wonderful brother and sisters here in the Chile Santiago North Mission.

We love you and the Lord expects great things from us,
President May
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Great Missionaries in the Temple

We had a beautiful morning today, in the Santiago Temple. We have 24 wonderful missionaries who are preparing to leave to return to their homes. We have a tradition to take the outgoing group to the temple, usually the Friday morning before their Monday/Tues departures. However since the temple will be closed for the next two weeks, we had them meet us there this morning, for a lovely session together. This is what we observed....
We noticed a great outpouring of love for each one of these sweet missionaries. We are so aware of their individual personalities, talents, gifts, abilities and many of their desires are obvious by the way they worked as missionaries. We have grown to love them incredibly, and we know that the power of that love comes directly from the Savior, and His specific love for each one. We thought of how easy it is to think of these young men in a ‘group’ of 24, for the sheer numbers can be daunting as we think of the interview time required for their farewell, the meals and food quantity to prepare for them before they leave, for time for individual testimony bearing, for travel arrangements, logistics in transporting them all, luggage and baggage limits, etc. But again, we are sweetly reminded of them as individuals. The Lord knows and loves EACH one of them, not in a group of 24, but their divinity as a son of God. He atoned and made the sacrifices He did for each of us, one at a time. We too have grown to love and cherish our own relationships with them that we know will also be eternal. They will forever be ‘our missionaries.’ We also know and love them, one by one. I will list their names at the conclusion of this post for evidence of their great individuality.
We sat together in the 9am early session with them and felt of their spirits there. I was the only Hermana among us, as this whole group consists only of Elders, who are going home this change. I was amazed at the power in their deep, strong voices as they responded appropriately during the session with confidence in their answers, having served the Savior, and knowing of their commitments they have made. We were able to go into the celestial room there, to greet each one as they entered. This is a choice experience that I pray I will be allowed to remember always. As they came into the room, each one came directly over to meet Presidente May with a hug. I know that this was poignant for him, as he hugged and held each Elder in his warm abrazo/hug while he whispered into their ear how much he loves them. He told them how pleased the Savior is with their specific offering of service here in the mission. He told them that we really love them, and always will. I felt that they have made this mission great, with their contribution and that the Lord would hug them too, if He were standing in the room with them. I imagined in my mind’s eye of their parents smiling faces, many crying like I was, to see their fine son stepping off the plane, to be welcomed home after two fruitful years of service. Then as I glanced around the room, trying to memorize the scene through my tears, I noticed almost all standing again, at the ready position, with their heads bowed, some in obvious prayer and communication with our Heavenly Father, but faithful and obedient to the call they have and whatever they will receive in the future. These are outstanding men that will go on to serve the Savior faithfully in future callings, and who have strengthened their own testimonies and relationship with the Savior, that will influence their entire lives. Together these missionaries, plus our others who are staying in the mission, along with those who have gone on home before them, have helped to save thousands of souls here in the Chile Santiago North Mission. This is a direct promise in the Book of Mormon, and our missionaries have fulfilled this promise here. We recognize that through these incredible, but imperfect missionaries, the Lord was able to use them as instruments in His marvelous work here. (Alma 26:12-13) Presidente May and I feel to express like Ammon stated, after recognizing how full his joy was, in the miracles that the Lord has provided in life, “therefore, have we not great reason to rejoice?”
Although it is with a touch of sadness that we will send them home with our love and hugs goodbye we are happy they kept their promises, and for who they are. We are grateful for the privilege to work side by side with each one of them, in a variety of capacities, we will not forget, in this beautiful part of the Savior’s vineyard. We will never be the same for having had this time together.
Elders:
Argueta
Barker
Campos
Caro
Chavez
Escobar
Fuller
Hicken
King
Larson
Leatham
Lenhart
Lloyd
Mangels
Martyn
Millaqueo
Mitchell
Newton
Nicholas
Pini
Rosenlof
Skeen
Shaw
Simmons


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Love for the Lord, Jesus Christ

Here is an important question for us to ponder as missionaries, “Why is love for the Lord and those we teach so important?”

The Book of Mormon provides wonderful accounts of the Savior´s great love toward the children of men:

1 Nephi 19:9 The Lord endured rejection and persecution because of His great love for all men. Do we still love those who call us names and reject us?

Alma 7:11-13 Because of the Savior´s great love for us, He completed all that His father asked Him to do. Are we doing all that He has sent us here to do?

Ether 12:33-34 The Lord is willing to lay down His life for the world. Are we willing to do all that we can do accomplish our goals?

2 Nephi 26:30 The Lord has commanded us to develop charity. Is charity our motive for all that we are doing as missionaries?
It is my prayer that we continue to develop love for the Lord and for all those whom we teach. Preach My Gospel states that we show our love for the Lord and gratitude for His Atonement by bringing souls unto Him.

We love you and pray for your success,
President May
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Responsible for our Time

It is truly a blessing to be serving with each of you as representatives of our Savior Jesus Christ here in Chile. Our purpose is to invite other to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentence, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.

We only have a limited amount of time to accomplish this purpose and complete all that the Lord has sent us to do. Time is our greatest resource and the Lord expects us to take advantage of every moment to bring His children to the waters of baptism. One of the greatest ways we can express our love and gratitude to the Lord for His infinite and atoning sacrifice on our behalf is giving our best efforts to plan, find, teach, baptize, confirm and help people endure to the end every day of our missions.

Our best efforts also include being accountable to the Lord on how we are using our time and the degree of urgency we carrying out his work. We are reminded in Preach My Gospel:

Use Time Wisely

1. Feel personal responsibility for the sacred trust the Lord has given you.

2. Choose to be proactive in accounting for your work to the Lord and to your mission

leaders. Don’t wait to be asked. Don’t require others to follow up with you frequently.

3. Have a desire to account for your labor.

4. Accept full responsibility for your efforts. Never blame others for difficult circumstances or lack of progress.

5. Seek to learn from your leaders, and invite them to suggest ways you can improve.

6. Be motivated to do your best work.

One of the most powerful ways we can show the Lord how much we truly love Him is at the end of each day, give an accounting of our work. As we kneel in prayer we can review our efforts in accomplishing our purpose and recommit ourselves to the Lord as a demonstration of our love and service to Him.

I have a testimony of this great work and I know that the Lord expects our very best. I want to invite each of us to ask ourselves the following question, “What more can I do for my Savior to invite other to come unto Him? I know He lives and I know that our time is short for us to show how much we love Him through our humility, faith, obedience and diligence in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the Lord bless you always, we love you very much.

President May
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Baptism on Easter Island

Isla de Pascua—Easter Island, 25-19 Junio 2010Mision Chile Santiago Norte JOURNAL ENTRY
“I’ll go where you want me to go…....” Not only the magnificent MOAI statues on Easter Island contribute to the rich, diverse culture, but the stories and myths of warriors, traditions, music, and lifestyles are amazing and fascinating. However, I want to share an experience that is true, and really happened to us as we were blessed to return to Easter Island. Yes, sweet miracles do happen as the Lord is involved in His great missionary work in the Chile Santiago North Mission. (English and Spanish follows....)
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In anticipation of the needs of the members and trying to help in the missionary work of baptisms, re-activation, searching for less active members and motivating the small band of members who are still faithfully serving on the Isla, Presidente May pre-organized and announced to the Branch President, Elder Donald Runquist and his wife, Karen, who are serving on the island, that we would like to meet with the members regarding the following topics. Saturday night, we had a Charla Fogenera/Fireside with the theme, Permaneced, and then Sunday, after our regular meetings we would return in the evening for another Fireside to discuss and distribute Preach My Gospel manuals to the members. Lastly, on Monday night, we would hold a traditional branch, Family Home Evening. This was the plan.
At our Saturday night meeting, we were happily surprised to see an investigator enter the back of the room in a shirt and tie! We quickly were acquainted with this wonderful, young man named Carlos Federico Pacomio Figeroa. Carlos is a large, husky, 21-yr old who was delightful; full of smiles, happy, and looked like an islander. He apparently had lived on the “Continent” in Santiago/Maipu with a Bishop and his family for a few months. There he had become acquainted with the Church. When he moved back to the Island, he had been attending sacrament and meeting with the Runquists. As we learned more about him, we found that the Runquists had been teaching him in a very unique way. Neither one of them are Spanish speakers. They have learned quite a few simple phrases since they have arrived from Canada, and now can express the mere basics to survive. However, there is a completely different language ability needed to teach someone the gospel, and they found it. They began to simply teach like we learn in 2 Ne 32:3, “Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” They opened Preach My Gospel in Spanish, and helped him read it together, walking him through the lessons they could not explain enough in his own language, but with the guidance and divinity of this great book, they helped him gain a testimony. This is truly a miracle of the power of Preach My Gospel in the hands of great missionaries. My heart was thrilled to hear of that procedure, as it was again an inspired tool for those who with the accompaniment of the Holy Ghost in their discussions, were able to take the message of the restored gospel to Carlos’ heart, where he was prepared and ready to open his heart and accept the truth. (2 Ne 33:1)
The beautiful story does not end there, however. We were disappointed to find that Carlos was not there in attendance for the Sacrament meeting and other meeting block. However, when we called for a taxi to take us to the chapel for our Preach My Gospel Fireside, who should be driving….but Carlos! I felt very strongly that I need him to know we love him, and I quickly said to him, “Carlos, we missed you at church today. We were hoping to see you again!” and then he explained that he wanted to be there, but because of soccer and people taking time off to see Chile play, they wouldn’t let him have his normal Sunday off. He was disappointed too. Then the spirit nudged me to simply ask him, “Carlos, why don’t you get baptized tomorrow? We could be there with you, before we leave on Tuesday.” He told us that he felt a thrill go through him and he was so excited with the actual thought that he could be baptized. He turned to President May in the front seat and sincerely asked, “Can I be baptized?” President May said that he could interview him and see what he needs to still learn, and how prepared he is, but he would be happy to do that right away. He asked, “Can you come in for the meeting and join us?” “Of course! I want to be here.” So we all excitedly entered the small chapel and after our meeting about Preach My Gospel, inspiring the members to share the gospel, Presidente May and Carlos went to the office, for his baptismal interview. All of the members stayed to see if this really might be happening. When they both came out of the room, with smiles on both of their faces, Carlos told us humbly, “I’m going to be baptized tomorrow!” That was the best news we could all hear, and the joy was incredible knowing he was going to be following Jesus Christ, and join the fold.
The rest of the story is simple. He chose to be baptized in the ocean, on a favorite beach he would go to as a child with his family, Ovahe, near the famous Anakena beach. The whole branch wanted to attend and support this fine young man, so the time was arranged to accommodate all of their work schedules and to still accomplish the baptism before the sun goes down. As we stood on the beach together, with our hearts knit together as one, rejoicing in this blessing of another soul being brought to the truth and committing to follow Jesus Christ, we could feel the Holy Ghost reconfirm to us that this is His work. We sang together, “Soy un Hijo de Dios” and had a prayer and simple message about baptism. Carlos’ mother and sister, who are also not members, were there to support him. The mother had tears rolling down her cheeks, as she watched her son take this important step in his life, and she was happy for him. Before they entered the water, which seemed to all of us, more pleasant and warm than we expected, we looked up in the sky above us and saw a beautiful rainbow right among the clouds shining over the water. We will tell you more of the details of the baptism another day, but as he came out of the water and the four of them embraced, my thoughts were simply, “Carlos could possibly be the first, ever RapaNui, native born Easter Island missionary for the church! I’m going to tell him that and encourage him to go! He is special and the Lord will make him even better.” --Hermana May


“A Donde me mandes ire…” no sólo los magníficos MOAIS de Isla de Pascua contribuir a la cultura rica y diversa, pero las historias y los mitos de los guerreros, las tradiciones, la música y estilos de vida son increíbles y fascinantes. Sin embargo, quiero compartir una experiencia, que es LA VERDAD y que realmente pasó con nosotros al ser bendecidos de regresar a la Isla de Pascua. Sí, los dulces milagros suceden como el Señor está involucrado en su gran obra misionera en la Misión Chile Santiago Norte.

En anticipación de las necesidades de los miembros y tratando de ayudar en la labor misional de los bautismos, la reactivación, la búsqueda de los miembros menos activos y motivar al pequeño grupo de miembros que siguen sirviendo fielmente en la Isla, Presidente May organizo’ y anunció al presidente de la rama, Elder Donald Runquist y su esposa, Karen, que están sirviendo en la isla, que le gustaría reunirse con los miembros para hablar de algunas temas. El Sábado por la noche, tuvimos una charla fogonera con el tema, Permaneced, y luego el domingo, después de nuestras reuniones regulares volveríamos por la tarde para otra charla para hablar y distribuir manuales de Predicad Mi Evangelio a los miembros. Por último, el lunes por la noche, planeamos una, Noche de Hogar tradicional. Este era el plan.

En nuestra reunión sábado por la noche, estabamos felizmente sorprendidos de ver un investigador entrar en el fondo de la sala con una camisa y la corbata! Rápidamente conocimos a este hombre maravilloso, el joven cuyo nombre era Carlos Federico Pacomio Figueroa. Carlos es grande y fuerte, de 21 años de edad que era precioso, lleno de sonrisas, feliz, y se parecía como uno de Polynesia. Al parecer, había vivido en el "Continente" en Santiago / Maipú, con un obispo y su familia por unos meses y se había familiarizado con la Iglesia. Cuando regresó a la Isla, había estado asistiendo al reunión sacramental con los Runquists. Como hemos aprendido más de él, encontramos que la Runquists había estado enseñando en una forma muy particular. Ninguno de ellos habla español. Ellos han aprendido algunas frases muy sencillas, ya que han llegado de Canadá, y ahora pueden expresar los fundamentos simples para sobrevivir. Sin embargo, no es una habilidad totalmente diferente de idioma que es necesario para enseñar a alguien el evangelio, y lo encontraron. Empezaron a enseñar simplemente como aprendemos en 2 Ne 32:3, "Los ángeles hablan por el poder del Espíritu Santo; por lo que declaran las palabras de Cristo. Por tanto, os dije: Deleitaos en las palabras de Cristo; porque he aquí, las palabras de Cristo os dirán todas las cosas que debéis hacer"

Abrieron Predicad Mi Evangelio en español, y lo leyeron juntos con Carlos, caminando a través de las lecciones que no podían explicar lo suficiente en su propia lengua, pero con la orientación y la divinidad de este gran libro, que le ayudó a obtener un testimonio. Este es realmente un milagro del poder de Predicad Mi Evangelio en las manos de los grandes misioneros. Mi corazón se emocionó al escuchar de este procedimiento, como lo fue una vez más una herramienta de inspiración para aquellos que con el acompañamiento del Espíritu Santo en sus lecciones, fueron capaces de llevar el mensaje del Evangelio restaurado al corazón de Carlos, donde fue preparado y listo para abrir su corazón y aceptar la verdad. (2 Nefi 33:1)

La bella historia no termina allí, sin embargo. Nos decepcionamos al ver que Carlos no estaba allí en la reunion Sacramental. Sin embargo, cuando llamamos a un taxi paraque nos llevara a la capilla para nuestra charla de Predicad Mi Evangelio, y se preguntaran, “Quien estaba manejando?”.....CARLOS! Yo tenía muy claro que lo necesitamos expresar nuestra amor por el, y yo rápidamente le dijo: "Carlos, le extrañamos en la iglesia hoy en día. Nosotros esperábamos volver a verle!" El explico que tuvo que trabajar. Él estaba muy desilusionado. Entonces el espíritu, me dio un codazo para preguntarle: "Carlos, ¿por qué no te bautizas mañana? Podríamos estar allí con ustedes, antes de irnos el martes." Nos dijo después, que sentía una emoción pasar por él, y él estaba tan entusiasmado con la idea de ser bautizado. Se volvió hacia el Presidente May en el asiento delantero y sinceramente le preguntó: "¿Puedo ser bautizado?" Presidente May dijo que podía entrevistarlo y ver lo que tiene que aprender todavía, y el grado de preparación que tiene, pero que estaría feliz de hacer que de inmediato. Él preguntó: "¿Puedes venir a la reunión y estar con nosotros ahora?" "¡Por supuesto! Quiero estar aquí.” Así que todos con entusiasmo entramos en la pequeña capilla y después de nuestra reunión sobre Predicad Mi Evangelio, animandos a los miembros a compartir el evangelio, Presidente May y Carlos furon a la oficina, para su entrevista bautismal. Todos los miembros se quedaron a ver si esto realmente podría estar sucediendo. Cuando ambos salieron de la sala, con sonrisas en sus dos caras, Carlos nos dijo humildemente: "Yo voy a ser bautizado mañana!" Esa fue la mejor noticia que todos pudimos oír, y fue una alegría increíble saber que iba a seguir a Jesús Cristo, y unirse al redil.

El resto de la historia es simple. Él escogió para ser bautizado en el mar, en su playa favorita donde iría a como un niño con su familia que se llama, Ovahe, cerca de la famosa playa de Anakena. La rama entera quería asistir y apoyar este hermoso joven, así que el tiempo se organizó para dar cabida a todos sus horarios de trabajo y llevar a cabo aún el bautismo antes de que el sol se pusiera. La madre tenía lágrimas rodando por sus mejillas, mientras miraba a su hijo dar este importante paso en su vida, y ella estaba feliz por él. Antes de entrar en el agua, que parecía a todos nosotros, más agradable y cálido de lo que esperábamos, miramos para arriba en el cielo sobre nosotros y vimos un hermoso arco iris entre las nubes brillantes sobre el agua. Le diremos más de los detalles del bautismo otro día, pero al salir del agua y los cuatro se abrazaron, mis pensamientos eran simplemente "Carlos podría ser el primer misionero, siempre Rapa Nui, nativo de Isla de Pascua para la iglesia! Voy a decirle eso para animarlo a ir! Él es especial y el Señor lo hará aún mejor.” --Hermana May
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