La Spezia

(Anziano Wilknson)

This week I did my first companionship exchange and I got the chance to go to the beautiful city of La Spezia (literally translated, the spice). It is a port city, the biggest in Italy I believe, and also is well known for it's brightly colored buildings. It's very close to the famous Cinque Terre and it is also, for you British literature buffs out there, where Mary and Percy Shelly lived out the final part of their lives; the home still stands today actually.

Elder Johnson (who I was on exchanges with) and I had a great time, seeing as we are both extremely interested in the sciences. Needless to say we didn't stop talking the entire time we were together!

This week I was studying chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel, which contains the doctrines of the five lessons that we are to cover with those we teach. At the very beginning of the chapter it says, "The lessons in this chapter contain the essential doctrines, principles, and commandments that you are to study, believe, love, live, and teach." It is a simple and frankly obvious statement, but it nonetheless stuck out to me.

I realized as I thought on these words that the five actions it mentions, "study, believe, love, live, and teach" are each individually necessary for success in missionary work as well as for the spiritual progression of any individual. Without all five of them, effectiveness as a missionary and/or spiritual progression is impeded or perhaps even halted. Even the removal or neglect of just one of the five would result in limitations and loss of effectiveness in the other four. For example, one can't teach the doctrines of Christ very well if one doesn't also actively love, live, study, and believe the doctrines.

So often as we study the gospel we find this same principle of interconnectedness between the doctrines and principles we teach. It's so amazing that this is so. For me it stands as almost a small bit of undeniable proof that this is Christ's church, led by an actual prophet of God, because no mere man could create a religion with as much revealed truth as we have without making it contradict itself. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this is the true church of God and I know that He has a prophet here on the Earth who leads that church. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ it brings me so much joy and I know that it will continue to do so well into the eternities. I'm glad to have the opportunity to share this joy with the people of Italy and I hope to make a difference in their lives by giving as many people as I can the opportunity to experience it as well! I invite you all this week to share with someone you care about the joy you have received from having the gospel is your lives! The joy that comes from sharing joy is beyond compare!

Until next week,

Anziano Wilkinson

La Spezia

 Siena

Confessions

(Anziano Wilkinson)

Okay, so I have a confession. I have been holding back about writing home about the food here in Italy because I wanted to make sure I wasn't passing judgment prematurely. It still might be premature, but I think by now I am pretty safe in making this assumption. You know that stereotype about Italy having great food? Well, it's absolutely true! I have had so many good experiences already with meals here in Pisa and so far and it only seems to be getting better with each passing day. One a side note I had my first authentic gelato this week and it was magical to say the least. Let's just say the likelihood of me gaining weight on my mission skyrocketed when I discovered how good it is here!

Other than that I am beginning to settle into the life of a missionary; no longer am I having to ask questions every minute about what we are doing and why. And my comprehension of the language is improving noticeably with all the practice I am getting. Also time is back to it's 'normal' pace with days flying by at unreasonable speeds instead of the slow crawl that it was moving at for my first week. One could say that things are going pretty well for us here.

This week I was studying a bit about prayer and I came across a little instruction box in Preach my Gospel on how to pray. It is very simple, it says first "address our Heavenly Father", then "Express the feelings of your heart", then "close in the name of Jesus Christ". I was struck by the fact that it grouped what is usually separated into two distinct steps (giving thanks and asking for things) into one whole, namely, "express[ing] the feelings of your heart". I realized then that when we give thanks to our Heavenly Father, it should be from the very core of our hearts. Our thanks should be every part of the main course as our requests, not just side dishes thrown in as part of a balanced prayer.

Prayer is such a wonderful concept; it's literal communication with our Father in Heaven. He listens to, cherishes, and even responds to our prayers. I know He does, I have experienced these things in my life time and time again and always to a greater extent when I speak sincerely with Him and when I remember my relationship with Him as one of His children. I would like to invite all of you to keep this in mind as you express the desires of your heart to Him; remember each time you pray that you are praying to no less than your loving Father in Heaven. I promise He enjoys hearing your voice, especially in sincere and heartfelt prayer, no matter how unworthy you feel you are, because He loves you. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I hope you all have a great week! Go share your testimony with someone for me! It is fast Sunday after all!

-Anziano Wilkinson

A letter from a Missionary Mama (Cummings)

Dearest Sister Kayla and Elder Jared,

What a great stake conference we had this weekend!

Our new general authority is Senator Gordon Smith from Oregon.  He shared how when in office he always instructed his personnel that no matter what he was doing, or where he was, that if a call from Salt Lake came they needed to find him.  Well about 11 years ago, his assistant told him a heavily accented man called from Utah and she was going to hang up on him but because of his request to receive calls she put him on hold.  It was the newly ordained Elder Deiter F. Uchtdorf.  Elder Uchtdorf then proceeded to tell Elder Smith that in Italy the church was restricted in owning property and in building buildings.  He ask Elder Smith to use his connections to look into this.  Elder Smith then made the appropriate calls including to the Italian Ambassador to the U.S. and in time got an appointment to go to see a government administer to discuss this issue.  Elder Smith called Elder Uchtdorf and told him about the invitation for the meeting in Rome to discuss these concerns; Elder Uchtdorf on hearing this update, asked to accompany him. 

At the meeting in Italy, the government administer brought along with her a professor of religion and together they listened to Elder Smith share how members of the church have been in Italy since the 1860's and even though there were tens of thousand of members currently, they were not given the same religious benefits as other religions.  He even stated and used the USA NATO  agreement with Italy that allowed for this equality.

The government administer turned to the professor of religion and asked what could he do to help the Gentleman.  The professor of religion then shared how he and his family had been to Utah a few months before and had toured a beautiful square with an even more beautiful building on it.  The government administrator looking at Elder Uchtdorf, asked if the church could build one of those in Rome.  Elder Uchtdorf smiling said, "We could start tomorrow."  

The religious professor went on to share how their tour guides were two beautiful girls from Italy.  He continued by expressing that if the LDS church in Italy could produce such wonderful, confident girls and people then they needed to do all they could to give the same powers and privileges to its members as it did other religions.

About 4 years later, in general conference, the Rome, Italy temple was announced. Elder Smith was in the general authority seats and in attendance at that session. When the announcement was made he looked up to then, President Uchtdorf, to find him staring right at him.   President Uchtdorf then gave him his beautiful smile and a thumbs up sign.  The Rome, Italy temple is currently being built in the shadow of the Vatican, in the same land and streets as the ancient apostle Paul walked and administered.

Elder Smith shared this story not because government officials met but because two simple missionaries bore witness and testimony just like D&C 1:23 says, " that the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers."

I am eternally grateful that you two are among the weak and simple whom declare strong testimony and help move the gospel and work forward.  I have felt the blessings in our home because of your efforts and dedication.  I love you so very much, keep passing it on!

Love mom

Repentance: An Open Invitation

(Elder Cummings)

This week has been a blast.  I have seen so many people I know which has actually been a little strange.  I saw both Elder Nick Alvarez from New Jersey and Elder Logan Maloy from Illinois just yesterday.  It is so nice to see people you love doing something that you know will make them happy.

We got our flight plans this last Friday.  All the Hmong Elders but me and one other leave the 8th before 4:00am.  Elder Ferguson and I leave the next day, he goes at 4:45 and I go at 6:00.  By the end of the day I will be in Fresno California where I will be for the next two years.  Wow.

The topic that has been on my mind this week is repentance.  As I have pondered the topic I have started to appreciate it a lot more.  As missionaries our purpose is to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end" (Preach My Gospel, p. 1).  Understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ is essential to serving as a missionary and repentance is an essential part of that gospel.

I have come to the conclusion that repentance is more than just being cleansed of sins through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Repentance is an open invitation to rise up from our fallen state and develop celestial character.  In Mormon theology we believe that the purpose of our existence is to become like God.  We believe that God is the literal father of our souls.  Just as mortal fathers do not intend for their children to have it all worse off than they do, God does not want for us to have less than all He has.  In Matthew 7:11 we read "if ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"  Family relationships in this life are patterned after those we have in Heaven with our Father and Mother who are in Heaven.

To live with them again we have to become like them.  We have to have the character of Christ, we have to put off the natural man and become a saint through the Atonement of Jesus Christ the Lord (Mosiah 3:19).  Christ showed us by his example how we must live to return to live with God, and there to inherit all our Father has.  Christ made the way possible for us to become better people. For "all we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way" and in doing so we have turned away from God (Isaiah 53:5).  Because of this "it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish...except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made" (Alma 34:9).

Through the Atonement and through repentance we have to opportunity to be better each day, to become more like God each day.  Repentance is not just about cleaning up our actions, but it is "to change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with [God's] will" (Preach My Gospel p. 62).

I invite you all to look at your lives and make the decision to repent, or in other words, to make the decision to know God better.  Repentance necessitates learning better who God is and our relationship with Him as His literal spirit children.  I know and bear testimony that true happiness is found only in living in accordance with God's will.  Repentance is the process by which our will is brought in line with God's.  Repentance is the process by which we become more godlike.  When we repent we change from living in disobedience to obedience.  Obedience is the only way to receive blessings (D&C 130:20-21).  Blessings, as define by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are "anything contributing to true happiness, well-being, or prosperity" (The Guide to the Scriptures; "Bless, Blessed, Blessing).  I invite you all to repent.  I invite you all to live happier lives.  I promise that you will.  The Lord's way is the only way to eternal joy.  If you do not yet know the Lord's way I invite you to learn.  It is the only way. 

The Lord Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  He is our brother and our friend.  I leave this testimony with you in His sacred name, amen.

- Elder Jared Cummings

A Wonderful Scripture

(Sister Cummings)

So my time for emails is running really quite short but I wished to share something that I learned from my studies this morning.

So as a part of this plan which we are a part of, there is a moment of judgment. A judgement based on this what we are able to accomplish and act on in this world which we currently live in. One of the most imposing images that I can think of revolves around this one moment where we stand in front of God our Heavenly Father and suddenly become aware of absolutely every bad thing that we had ever done or even thought of. The crippling fear that would accompany that moment seems unbearable. Could you imagine looking God in the eyes and telling him that you couldn't come and live with him because you were so imperfect? Frightening.

Except for one fact.

At this moment we will not be alone.

Jesus Christ sometimes refers to himself as "the advocate" or in French "avocat" which means Lawyer. A wonderful moment is described in Doctrine and Covenants 45:3-5

3 Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—

 4 Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

 5 Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.

In a moment of fear Jesus our savior will step in and testify of our willingness to do the will of the Lord. And through our acts on the earth we had chosen to follow Christ. Therefore being worthy to use his sufferings or atonement to become pure once more.

This scripture drives so much of my work ethic as a missionary. This is one of the reasons why I am here, so that those around me, my brothers and sisters, may know that if they have Faith, repent, are baptized by someone holding the authority of God, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and then continue to live in righteousness, in the last days they will have peace. They will be found worthy of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and then worthy to live with our Father in Heaven.

I know that these things are true, it is testified to me day in and day out that we have a heavenly father who loves us dearly and wishes that we may come and live with him once more. It is for this fact that he sent his only begotten son to the earth to suffer for our sins.

I love you and I pray for you everyday. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Last Post

(Elder Slade)

Dear friends and family:

Yesterday was transfer readouts! I, unsurprisingly, am transferring. More surprising is the fact that Elder Storm is leaving Miami as well, so our area is getting whitewashed. Two new missionaries who don't know the area will be coming in to replace us.

I'm not sure what to write in this email. Last Saturday, I had my departing interview with President Richardson. I gave my last talk on my mission on Sunday, and I'm flying home on Thursday morning, and I'll see you all for the first time at about noon over in Colorado.

It's been a good two years.

Thanks,

Elder Slade

P.S. For those of you who don't have my personal email address, you will be able to get in contact with me at brandonyoyoslade@gmail.com. I don't know what my phone number will be yet. I used to have a facebook page, but I deleted it before I left on my mission, so I'll probably go back and recreate it, starting from scratch, so that it's easier for me to keep in touch with all of you.

Italy at Last

(Anziano Wilkinson)

So as many of you already know, I have finally made it to Italy! And if my mom hasn't already told everyone, my first area is Pisa! After thirty-some hours of lugging my bags across two continents and an ocean, I have made it in one piece, thank goodness! By now I'm mostly over the jet lag and am settled in. We really hit the ground running when I got here, cycling all over in the hot, humid weather to reach appointments and what not. I was severely sore for the first few days and I have to drink my weight in water just to stay hydrated, but I can promise all of you back home, there are few things cooler than riding through the streets of Italy on a bike!

We travel by train a lot in this area; the ward boundaries are quite large (yes, pisa has a ward, thankfully!). So one of the prime ways to find people to talk to is on the trains. Italy is a tough crowd to talk religion with though; finding people who will listen to you, let alone who are interested in your message is very, very difficult. The work is difficult, but evidently not impossible, or else I wouldn't be here! My trainer is Anziano Robinson and he and I get along well; he's been a great help for me as I've tried to figure this place out. He's on his 12th transfer, so he's pretty seasoned already.

Sunday night we had an extremely heavy rain storm, which flooded a good potion of the streets and in particular, ours. The water even reached our apartment building and flooded the basement floor (we're okay though, we're on the third floor). Our bikes we're not so lucky on the other hand, since they were in our tiny little garage space. We had to wade through the water a bit to get them out or else spend an hour walking just to get to the church and then another hour to get back. It just occurred to me that I am completely understating the severity of the flood; I'll just post pictures. Oddly enough, this sort of thing isn't really uncommon in Italy I guess, since the emergency infrastructure is well equipped, enough to have cleared out basically all of the flooding within 24 hours. I'm not sure why they don't just fix the gutter system instead, but oh well; this way is for fun for missionaries!

But really though, we are having a great time in Pisa and I can tell that it is going to be a great experience! Until next week, Can't wait to hear from you all soon!

-Anziano Wilkinson