A Simple act of Service....these great missionaries!

In Preach My Gospel we read “the starting point in building strong relationships with members is the bishop. Offer to help and serve in any righteous way that he asks. Regularly ask yourself, “Am I a blessing or a burden to the bishop (or stake president)?” Develop a “How can I help?” attitude. If you will look for opportunities to love, serve, and teach, the bishop and ward members will be more likely to trust you with their family members and friends” (PmG pg. 161)
I want to share this message I just recently received from a stake president:


"A FEW WEEKS AGO MY WIFE WAS OUT ON THE PATIO AND SAW TWO YOUNG MISSIONARIES SWEEPING OUR SIDEWALK, THEY WERE MISSIONARIES FROM OUR WARD. SHE CONTINUED TO WATCH THEM AND DID NOT WANT TO INTERUPT WHAT THEY WERE DOING ... SHE OBSERVED THAT THEY NOT ONLY CLEANED OUR SIDEWALK BUT ALSO THE SIDEWALKS IN FRONT OF THE HOMES OF MANY MEMBERS OF THE WARD. THIS SERVICE WAS NOT AN ACT OF ADVERTISING, IT WAS SO SIMPLE AND FULL OF LOVE THAT MY WIFE REMARKED TO ME "I FELT AS IF JESUS CHRIST WAS WASHING MY FEET” (TEARS WERE RUNNING DOWN HER FACE)”
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass…

And by very small means the Lord … bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6-7).

Thank you for who you are, true disciples of Jesus Christ.

We love you always,
President May
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Holy Ghost is our Spiritual Guidance System

One of the challenges that Sister May and I had when we first arrived in Chile was to be able to find the different chapels to attend meetings such as zone conferences, zone classes, Sunday meetings, etc. We had the blessing to have Elders Stewart and Rodriguez as assistants when we first arrived. Elder Stewart had studied arquitecture before the mission and was talented at drawing. He was able to draw maps that were very helpful to get to where we need to go.

In anticipation of the arrival of President and Sister Essig, we decided to purchase a GPS to help them as they find their way to chapels and the various places that they will need to visit. For those of you who do not know what a GPS is the following is an explanation:

“The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth”

To use a GPS, you must turn it on before you start on your trip. You must enter the name of the place where you want to go. As you begin to travel, a voice from the GPS will give you instructions along the way to guide you to where you need to go. It will indicate to you where you need to turn, how close you are to your final destination, etc. An interesting aspect of a GPS is that if you do not obey the instructions given by the GPS, it will automatically recalculate a new and alternate route to your final destination based on where you are as a result of not following the original instructions. Another interesting aspect of the GPS is you can adjust the volume of the voice of the GPS to different levels which remain constant regardless of whether we follow the instructions given.
One of God´s greatest gifts He has for us, His children, is the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is our own GPS and it “will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:5).

Being lost is not a pleasant experience. One of the definitions of lost is “unable to find one´s way.” Sister May and I experienced this quite often in our first couple of months here in Santiago as we travelled to different points in the mission. Our hope is that this GPS will save President and Sister Essig valuable time as they travel and more importantly, minimize the stress that comes from being “lost.”
It will be the source of power for learning and teach. It will comfort us in time of trial and sorrow. The Holy Ghost will warn of us of both physical and spiritual danger. It testifies of Jesus Christ and helps us recognize truth. We can feel God´s love, guidance and direction in our lives. Faith in Christ includes having confidence in the mission and power of the Holy Ghost and that we can receive answers to our prayer and personal revelation and inspiration to guide us in our lives.

There is one very big difference between the gift of the Holy Ghost and a GPS. The volume of the voice of the GPS does not fluctuate according the degree we obey it´s instructions, the volume remains constant. When we use our free agency to choose to disregard the promptings of the Holy Ghost, it´s influence will diminish. In other words, the volume by which the Holy Ghost prompts us and influences will gradually decrease over time. It can be like a sunset, gradually decreasing until we are in darkness. We then become subject to another influence, “and the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one” (2 Nephi 9:39).

The good news is that if we fail to following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we have a way to recalculate our course as does the GPS. It is called repentance. Repentance includes forming a fresh view of God, ourselves, the world and others. It brings our will in line with the Lord´s will. It brings the forgiveness and peace of the Lord into our lives. Our guilt and sorrow are swept away. We will be able to qualify to return to live with our Heavenly Father and His Son. We will feel the Spirit in greater abundance.

We as missionaries are called to teach by the Spirit “and the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach” (D&C 42:14). It is my prayer that we will do all that we can to have influence of the Holy Ghost into our lives so that we can be powerful instruments in the Lord´s hands to bring many of His children to the knowledge of the truth.

We love you and we are grateful to be serving with you. You are great and faithful servants following the Lord´s path,
President May
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What is our motive for being Obedient?

Our love for the Lord should be our motivation for all that we strive to become and do as missionaries and in particular, our obedience. We learn from Laman and Lemuel that their motivation for repenting and being obedient was not there love for the Lord for they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them (1 Nephi 2:12). Only when they were caught, reprimanded, chastised, shocked, corrected, etc. did they humble themselves and desired to obey. Three reason for obedience:

1. Avoid punishment (Good Reason).
2. Receive blessings (Better Reason).
3. Love for the Lord (Best Reason).

We have many examples of Laman and Lemuel repenting and being obedient to avoid punishment (Good Reason):

“And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did as he commanded them” (1 Nephi 2:14).

“And it came to pass that the Lord was with us, yea, even the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them, and did chasten them exceedingly; and after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord they did turn away their anger, and did repent of their sins…”(1 Nephi 16:39).

We also have many examples of repenting and being obedient to receive the blessings (Better Reason)

“And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands” (1 Nephi 2:20).

Nephi is a great example of being motivated by love for the Lord (Best Reason).

Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works…

My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.
Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen”(2 Nephi 4:16,17,20-23,30,34-35)

May our love for Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ be our motivation all that we seek to become and all we do.

We love you,
President May
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Am I ready and qualify to teach at the MTC?

I recently received a request from the MTC to fill out a recommendation for a former missionary to he hired to teach missionaries in the MTC. In the recommendation it made mention of the qualifications that one needs to have to be considered to be hire to teach in the MTC:

The MTC needs teachers that:
- Love the Lord and sincerely testify of Him
- Have a vision of missionary work and demonstrate the principles of Preach My Gospel
- Are humble, teachable, and receptive to feedback
- Are responsible, dependable, and truly obedient
- Can effectively teach and help missionaries fulfill the purpose of their call.

Please ask yourself, "Would I want this missionary teaching the missionaries who will come to me from the MTC?"

We can turn these statement into inspired questions to ask ourselves:

Do I love the Lord and sincerely testify of Him?
Do I have a vision of missionary work and demonstrate the principles of Preach My Gospel?
Am I humble, teachable, and receptive to feedback?
Am I responsible, dependable, and truly obedient?
Can I effectively teach and help missionaries to fulfill the purpose of their call?

I invite each of us to evaluate ourselves by reviewing these questions and setting goals and making plans to become the missionaries the Lord expects us to become so that we can bring many souls unto Him. Please feel free to share with me your goals and plans and your progress in your weekly letters in the future.

We love you always,
President May.
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What great Example in Jacob from the Book of Mormon

What a great example we can learn from Jacob in regards to the importance of magnifying our calling and of being fruitful in our efforts:

For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi.And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day” (Jacob 1:18-19)

Are we accomplishing what the Lord has sent us here to accomplish as missionaries? Are we asking ourselves, “What more can I do?”

In our prayers at the end of the day, do we give an accounting of our work to the Lord? Do we feel personal responsibility for the sacred trust the Lord has given us?

“Your faith will be manifest through diligence and work.” (Preach My Gospel pg. 116)

What is our work?

“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)

It is my prayer that we will be fruitful servants of the Lord in bringing souls to Him through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.

We love you and we know that you have been called of God,
President May
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Isla de Juan Fernandez and Eucalyptus Trees/Armor of God

How important it is that each of us put on the armor of God each day to protect us from the harmful enticings of the adversary (2 Nephi 9:39). What does putting on the armor of God mean to us? In D&C 27:15-18 we are taught:

15 Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.

16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;

17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.

We recently visited the branch located on Robinson Crusoe Island. It was a wonderful opportunity to visit and get to know the members on the Island. We are very grateful for the dedicated service of Pedro Chamorro who has served as branch president for the past 25 years. His daughter, Maria Belen, has been called to serve in the Chile Osorno mission and will enter the MTC this Thursday. She is the first full time missionary serving from Robinson Crusoe Island! She will be a fantastic missionary.

We had the opportunity to hike back into some of the remote areas of the Island. It is very spectacular with many beautiful trees and plants. There is a particular tree called the Eucalyptus that really thrives on the Island. It has a large root system that soaks up much of the water and moisture around it, so much that much of the plant life and other trees cannot survive because of lack of moisture.

In order to keep the population of the Eucalyptus trees at a level where other plant life can survive, workers have to kill some of the trees. They do it in a very interesting way (see attached photo). They remove a 8 to 12 inch segment of the bark from the base of the tree. Without the bark to protect it from the heat of the sun, the tree begins to dry up and eventually die.

What a great example for us of the importance to put on the armor of God each and every day so that we are protected from temptation and sin that can damage our living testimony. Is my prayer that we as missionaries can wear the armor of God so that we can be strong, valiant and worthy to proclaim His living Gospel to the wonderful people here in Chile.

We are grateful for your dedication and diligence in bringing souls to Christ,
President May
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Nephi demonstrates power of Prayer

We can continue to learn from Nephi´s great example of being highly favored of the Lord. He has a tremendous testimony of the power of prayer in not only receiving instructions on what the Lord wanted him to do but also to receive the strength to overcome trials and challenges.

In 2 Nephi 4:35 we read:

“And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.” (1 Nephi 18:3)

“Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.” (2 Nephi 4:35)

Prayer is one of the greatest resources we have as missionaries for a source of spiritual strength to carry out our purpose of bringing souls to Christ. Preach My Gospel teaches “through faith you receive answers to your prayers and personal inspiration to guide you in the Lord’s work.” (pg 116)

Let us be diligent in praying to the Lord in all that we do in this great work so that our efforts are in accordance with His will after the manner in which He shows us.
We love you very much,
President May
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Past successes help increase our Faith

I had the opportunity to work in Rencali zone with two different companionships this past week. I had the opportunity to knock doors. As we were knocking doors, I had the thought come to mind of past bishops and relief society presidents were found by knocking doors. As I kept my mind focused on these thoughts, it built my faith to continue knocking doors with greater urgency and hope of finding more of them.

Nephi was a great example of reflecting on past successes to increase his faith to overcome current trials.

It is one of the many evidences of why he was highly favored of the Lord. Lehi had just died and Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angry once again at Nephi. I am sure Nephi was thinking, “Here we go again, are they ever going to learn?” He must have been feeling somewhat disappointed with the whole situation. In 2 Nephi 4:17 we read:

“Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

Nephi was always quick to recognize, especially in times of difficulty and trial, the great things the Lord had done for him. In verses 20-26 we see how Nephi recognizes what God has done for him:

My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.
And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.

And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

Nephi draws strength to face adversity and trials that he is currently facing by bringing to memory the times in the past in which he has seen the hand of the Lord in his life in blessing and strengthening him. Nephi uses this as a source of strength ot overcome his current challenges and trials. Verse 26 illustrates this well:

O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

I invite all of you to be like Nephi and remember the blessings and the success the Lord has blessed you with in the past as a missionary to help you overcome challenges and trials you are currently facing.

We are grateful for all that you do in bringing souls unto Christ and we love you very much,
President May
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Elder Scott taught about "Transforming Power of Faith and Character,"

We know that in the mission we are going to have many wonderful spiritual experiences as we go about the work of bringing souls unto Christ. We are also going to pass through some very challenging times. As we reflect upon the words of Elder Amado that with every change we will experience a particular challenge in one form or another to increase our faith.

We learned this past week in our zone conferences about the life of Nephi and how he was at his very best in terms of faithfulness to the Lord, obedience with exactness, and diligence in the most difficult and challenging of times. How was he able to do it?

In his talk entitled, “The Transforming Power of Faith and Character” Elder Richard G. Scott teaches a very powerful principle in regards to developing strength of character to continue to be faithful, obedient and diligent in challenging times.

“Faith and character are intimately related. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is intended to be used. Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith. As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced. The more your character is fortified, the more enabled you are to benefit from exercising the power of faith. You will discover how faith and character interact to strengthen one another. Character is woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience.”

In the past I have used the example of bank account when describing the relationship that exists between to missionaries in a companionship. When they love and serve each other and work together in unity and harmony, they make deposits in the account. When the account has plenty of deposits in it, the relationship can withstand any great challenge or trial.

Elder Scott teaches us that when we exercise faith unto obedience with exactness consistently on a daily basis, we will develop the strength of character that we can draw from in times of great challenge and temptation. Our own personal account of faith and character will be sufficeintly full to see us through any trial or challenge. The same faith we exercise in being obedient to the little things in the mission will grow to be a powerful source of strength in times when our faith may be tested in the form of a progressing investigator no longer wanting to be taught, not finding any new people teach, or not having any baptisms for extended period of time. These are the moments where consistently being obedient with exactness to the commandments and the mission rules will give us the power to press forward with a steadfastness in Christ… (2 Nephi 31:20) to accomplish what the Lord wants us to accomplish.

It is my prayer that we will exercise great faith in Jesus Christ that will provide us the power “to do miracles according to God´s will. Faith is a principle of power. God works by power, but His power is usually excercised in response to faith (see Moroni 10:7) (Preach My Gospel pg.116).

We love you and pray for your success,
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Why was Nephi highly Favored of God?

Presidente May wrote to the mission this week, helping them prepare for the upcoming zone conferences we will have next week. He asked them to read the General conference talk by Elder Richard G. Scott, "The transforming power of Faith and Character," which he sent attached each of them, in Spanish and English. He invited our missionaries to study and meditate on the the questions, "What does highly favored of God mean?" and also, "Why was Nephi highly favored of God?" -
En preparacion para las conferencias de zona que se efectuaran el 8,9 y 10 de Febrero, con el tema “Ser Altamente Favorecido del Señor”, quiero invitarles a estudiar el discurso “El Poder Transformador de la Fe y el Carácter” por Elder Richard G. Scott dado en la Conferencia General de Octubre 2010 (Adjuntos)
Tambien, quiero invitarles a pensar y meditar en las siguientes dos preguntas:
1. ¿Qué significa “ser altamente favorecido del Señor”?
2. ¿Por qué Nefi fue altamente favorecido del Señor?
Quiero invitarles a buscar referencias de la escrituras en el Primer y Segundo Nefi como evidencias de porque Nefi fue altamente favorecido del Señor y traerlas a la conferencia listo para compartir.

¡Que El Señor les bendiga en esta obra tan maravillosa de traer almas a El por medio de la fe en El, arrepentimiento, bautismo, la recepcion del don del Espiritu Santo y perseverar hasta el fin!

Les amamos,
Presidente May
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How is my 'Bank Account' with my Companion?

The relationship that exists between to missionaries in a companionship can be likened to a bank account. This "relationship" account is created and maintained by both missionaries patiently, faithfully, and consistently making deposits into the account. When the relationship account has plenty of "money" both missionaries are happy and are able to have harmony and unity in their companionship. As we read in Galatians 5:22, the source of love is the Holy Ghost and so therefore the companionship qualifies to receive inspiration and revelation to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.

In order to be able to carry out our purpose of bringing souls to Christ through the waters of baptism, we must have the Spirit. We must have the Spirit in our own personal lives as well as in our companionships. Love and unity in our companionships will allow us to become the missionaries that the Lord want us to become and accomplish what he has sent us here to do.

A missionary can make deposits, like with money, into the relationship account in many different ways. Acts of kindness, positive verbal comments to the companion about his or her strengths, expressing gratitude, getting to really know your companion, asking your companion for suggestions and counsel (Using the powerful phrase “What do you think?”), helping each other to be obedient with exactness to have the Spirit, etc. There are many different ways to make deposits into the account. Some of these deposits have greater value than others depending on the companion´s needs. The key is to find out what the companion´s greatest needs are by following the model taught by Elder Bednar: Observe (Ask inspired questions), Listen, Discern, and then act.

If we find out that our companion is feeling discouraged, reminding them of their past successes, identifying and reminding them of their strengths, and sharing inspiration scriptures may have more of a value towards a deposit into the account than simply making their bed. The key is to be patiently, faithfully, and consistently making deposits into the account.

We make withdrawls from the account when we are selfish, prideful, disobedient, disloyalty, complaining, etc. When this type of behavior continues, there is no longer any money left in the account. The financial world calls this being overdrawn which if not corrected eventually leads to bankruptcy. In a companionship this means that one or both missionaries are requesting a change because they no longer want to be together. Their account in their relationship is empty because of lack of effort to patiently, faithfully, and consistently make deposits into the account.

Having a relationship account with a lot of "money" requires effort by both missionaries in a companionship. If one does not do his or her part, the other companion has to make the majority of the deposits to keep the account from being overdrawn. This particular missionary may become frustrated, unhappy and tired of constantly having to maintain the account. That is why it takes the efforts of both missionaries in the companionship to keep the account full. Companionship inventory is the time in which we can evaluate the state of the relationship account.

The Lord has said “… if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27). It is my prayer that charity will begin in our companionships so that we be guided by the Spirit to those who are searching for the true gospel of Jesus Christ, teach them by the power of the Spirit, baptize them for the remission of their sins so that they may qualify for the precious gift of the Holy Ghost, and help be strong and active members who help build the kingdom of God here upon the earth.

We love you and pray for your success as disciples of Christ,
President May
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Do we give thanks in trials and see the Lord's mercies?

In 1 Nephi 2:7 we read:
“And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God.”
This verse teaches us a great deal about Lehi´s depth of faith, obedience and diligence. He had just left everything behind after having his life threatened for preaching the gospel of repentance to the people of Jerusalem. He travelled in the wilderness with his family being guided by the Spirit. Most of his family was supportive of him but he had two sons, Laman and Lemuel, who were constantly complaining and doubting his revelation. In the midst many difficulties and challenges, Lehi built an altar of stones and made an offering unto the Lord to show gratitude for the all that the Lord had done.

When we are beset with trials and challenges in our daily work as missionaries, do we recogize the Lord´s hand in blessing us? What type of alter are we building and what kind offering of gratitude are we making to the Lord? Of course we can´t stop and build an altar like Lehi did but we can show our gratitude for the blessings of the Lord in difficult times by identifying what the Lord does for us and then continuing to be faithful, obedient and diligent in accomplishing the Lord´s work. Building an altar of diligence consists of two components, “effort” and “effectiveness”. As we do this we will qualify “for the tender mercies of the Lord (that) are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. (1 Nephi 1:20)

We love you and we are grateful for your service,
President May
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Power of the Word, by Pdte. Ezra Taft Benson

I would like to share with you a powerful excerpt from President Ezra Taft Benson in regards to the importance of studying the scriptures:

“The Power of the Word”
“Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, “The Power of the Word,” Priesthood Leadership Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, 4 April 1986)

May we feast on the scriptures daily, in particular the Book of Mormon. It is the greatest tool for conversion that the Lord has given us.
We love you,
President May
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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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“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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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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