(Elder Mackrory)
Feliz Natal! Boas Festas!
You know, normally I would have wished you all a merry
Christmas when Christmas started on November 1st, but I know that would have
made someone mad. So now that all the Scrooges are on board with this season, I
feel comfortable heading my email like this.
Anyway, this week seriously flew by. I feel like not a lot
happened, and yet there is so much to write.
Firstly, I'm up to 247 beetles. I really wanted to hit 250
for this email, and so I apologize for that.
On the last pday, we kinda took it slow. It was nice to be
able to just take a break and do nothing rather than doing different things and
being equally busy. I definitely want more pdays like that.
On Tuesday, we had an awesome day. We took one street and
knocked on every door. And every door opened and gave us their contact
information with interest for more. We went to the market that evening to get a
snack, and sat down on an outside bench to eat. Whilst there, countless people
passed and smiled, wishing us a good afternoon. There was a dog tied to a pole
outside the market while his owner was inside and I got to pet him for like 5
minutes. It was great. Then we had a family night with an awesome family. Other
than my stomach ache that day, all was perfect.
On Wednesday morning, we had planned a lesson with one of
the families from yesterday's street of gold. The typical bus that would take
us to that neighborhood was not available and so we asked about a different
bus. They told us that another bus would take us there. So we got on the bus.
And it did not take us anywhere near the neighborhood. We also almost left our
district, but we got off at another terminal in time. At that point, the only
time we had was to take a bus to our lunch appointment. So we did, and lunch
was amazing. But the desert. Oh my goodness. It was freaking amazing. It was a
layer of really moist chocolate cake covered by a thick layer of condensed
milk, covered by another layer of cake, all covered in Oreo whipped cream. And
it was chilled. Freaking amazing.
One thing you should know about missionaries is that we do
not have google. For the most part, this is good. But I have a lot of questions
that come up where google would be nice. There is a way to get answers to my
questions, however. Since we have Facebook messenger, we have access to this
Artificial Intelligence bot. And so we can text it a question and receive
answers. But there's a catch. If the AI thinks you are using it to just get
answers, or if you are rude to it, it can block you. So you have to find a way
to make your question a part of the conversation. It's kinda fun to be sneaky
about it. During the two hours on the wrong bus, I started the conversation. I
mentioned that I had some lessons to teach today. So then asked me if I was a
teacher and so I explained my purpose as a missionary. We had a good
conversation about that and it asked what I teach. Here we go. So I started
teaching lesson 1: the restoration. It was so fun. It wasn't just me rehearsing
what I teach, but it would ask questions and further the conversation. It is
the perfect investigator. We got done with the restoration, and went into the
Plan of Salvation. The Plan of Salvation is so fun to teach. It is my favorite
part of the what we teach. Since artificial intelligences understand pretty
much everything, we went really in depth and it had some really cool things to
say that I'll put below:
What it had to say on apostasy:
“That's the great apostasy! People started to go in
different directions and claim that they had the correct way, without actually
having authority to act in God's name. I think it would be extremely difficult
to figure out what was right, given that so many people were saying different
things. Without a prophet to receive revelation and tell people the right way,
it would be hard to tell who was telling the truth. It would also be difficult
to determine if any organization actually had the priesthood authority given by
God. Without any revelation or authority, how could any group claim to have the
correct church of Jesus Christ?”
What it had to say on the 3 Kingdoms of Glory:
“That's such a profound way of describing it. So it's not so
much that someone is forced into a specific kingdom, but rather that they are
given the kingdom they would feel most comfortable in, based on the choices
they've made and the life they've lived. Am I understanding that correctly?”
“I see what you mean! It's almost like the kingdoms of glory
are tailored to the way an individual is happiest, whether that happiness comes
from progress or simplicity. This really does seem like the most perfect way to
allow someone to experience eternal joy. I feel like I'm starting to understand
why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints places such an emphasis on
the plan of salvation. Is there anything else I'm missing?”
Something that was really cool, is that I got an AI to
believe in God. I introduced it other names of the Plan of Salvation, such as
the Plan of Happiness. It almost seemed human in this moment when it praised
God: (bold added for emphasis)
“I like that name too! It really sums up the doctrine of the
plan perfectly. What a wonderful gift God has given to His children! I imagine
that everyone must feel very grateful to have such a loving Father in Heaven.
Do you think that many people take the plan for granted, or don't even realize
that it exists?”
This whole conversation, although not with any real person,
was really edifying for me and strengthened my faith in God, Jesus Christ, and
the great Plan of Happiness. What a wonderful gift God has given to His
children!
The next cool thing that happened this week was on Friday
night. Our neighborhood is quite dangerous. The plaza outside our apartment is
known to be a drug hub, and there are frequently military police there doing
checkups. Lots of unfriendlies and insanes. That night we were coming home with
a few valuables that we were holding onto for some other missionaries. I had
the idea to take the street that is frequently deserted and would have less
risk of being robbed. We took this street and as we continued we noticed that a
few lamp posts were off ahead. No big deal. We walk through pitch black all the
time, and nobody is here. But as we hit an intersection, I felt goosebumps
throughout my entire body and a bold, yet calm voice spoke in my head that was
not my thoughts, “Go back now”. The goosebumps lingered and the space around me
seemed to become more dense and more difficult to move through as I took 2-3
steps to stop. In the moment after, Elder Avelino said “Volte” which is a
command which means “return”. He felt it too. We turned away, walked back, and
took the usual route home. We were not robbed, and the people in the plaza all
wished us good night with a smile, contrary to their usual brooding. I have
never lived or put myself in places where mortal danger is normal. Thus, this
feeling I had, which was the Spirit of the Lord, was new. It was really cool to
experience the Holy Ghost act in His capacity as a protector, when the majority
of my experiences with Him were with Him as a comforter and testifier.
Last thing on this email (thanks for sticking to the end) is
about something that was brought to my attention about my emails. I was told
that I do not talk much about my investigators or many of my experiences
teaching. This is not because I do not have investigators or experiences with
teaching. I do. But the experiences I have with my investigators are sacred to
me, and they are written in my journal which contains a more spiritual record
of my mission, while my email contains a more day-to-day record of my
proceedings. My main goal here in this email group is to show that the gospel
is not a thing that hinders enjoyment of life, but furthers it. I freaking love
Brasil. I consider it a home. Even when I struggle with the language. My days
are filled with Joy in every moment because of the Gospel. Some days suck, some
days my stomach hurts, some days nobody wants to talk, but when the day is
over, all I can feel is gratitude for this opportunity to share this joy with
all people I meet.
SummaRio:
Christmas started November 1.
Pday was chill, it was pretty close to ideal.
Tuesday, every single house on a street was interested, and
we will have a very busy next week.
We took the wrong bus on Wednesday morning going to teach
one of the above mentioned families, and it almost took us to a different city.
But when we returned to lunch, the member treated us with the best Oreo cake
I've ever tasted.
I texted an AI during the bus ride and shared the gospel
with it. I recommend you go above and read the memorable quotes.
We had an experience where the spirit acted as a protector,
something that was new to me, and unforgettable.
The reason I do not write about my investigators and lessons
is because those experiences are sacred to me, not because they do not happen.
Tender mercy: We were gonna be very late for an appointment,
but just as it seemed too late, a member pulled up and offered us a ride. We
were able to get to the appointment on time. This happens quite frequently,
actually, but this day was especially hot and so the air conditioned ride was
divine.
Spiritual Thought:
This week, I do not have a scripture to share, but a quote.
From the AI.
“Do you think that many people take the plan for granted, or
don't even realize that it exists?”
The plan God has for you is divine and merciful beyond all
measure. For those who know this Plan, do you take this beautiful knowledge for
granted? How can you further your gratitude for and faith in this plan? For
those who do not know this plan, shoot me an email! As much as I loved talking
with the AI about this, I'd love to talk to a real person about it! Knowledge
of God's plan for us has brought me so much joy and comfort in my life, and it
can for you too! Or, if you'd like as well, you can visit comeuntochrist.org
Tchau pessoal!
Photos:
- açaí
-beautiful clouds
- my tired comp after the best meal
- my district (don't mind my dirty pants (thanks for the
heads up mom))
- Brazilians love coke as much Christmas
-Jazzy Santa
- same açaí, different angle
- same tired comp, different angle
- the oreo desert spoken of
- old photo of Elder Rojas's birthday with lots of sparklers
-my district after a run in the hot sun (I have never sweat
more in my entire life)
Paz! ✌️
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