A Igreja e Verdadaires!

(Sister Ellsworth)

Ola from the Portuguese District!!

Well I've reached my halfway mark (in the MTC...) and I think I've finally figured out the trick to falling asleep immediately, knowing which lunchline is the fastest, and when to do your laundry! Haha! This week has been quite a bit calmer than the past two. We're more in a routine so there isn't too much to talk about.

We did have a little pranking back and forth between my district and the district across the hall. They started it by putting smiley face stickers all over our classroom. Then a few days later we "BOM"ed them with Book of Mormon stickers that we got from the book store. In retaliation, they put crickets -- yes crickets-- in our room. They were dead "edible" crickets which was enough to make one of our sisters gag. We gathered all the crickets up and put them in a baggie to which we taped to their whiteboard and said "Temos nao medo!" Which means "we have no fear".

My companion and I had a really good lesson with one of our investigators this week as well. One of the best things about teaching the Gospel in Portuguese is you have to be super simple. Simplicity helps so much when teaching because the Spirit testifies so strongly of the simple gospel truths like Heavenly Father loves you and we can be with our families forever because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

We also get the opportunity to watch "movies" on Sunday nights, which are usually gospel movies like Meet the Mormons or old devotionals from the Apostles. This sunday we watched the Joseph Smith Restoration movie and I hope that everyone gets a chance to watch that move with 300 missionaries. There was a part where Joseph kisses Emma for the first time and the whole auditorium went absolutely nuts. My companion leaned over to me and commented that that one very chaste kiss was all the action we were gonna see for a long time.  After the movie was over someone started singing Praise to the Man and all of us joined in. That was one of the most powerful moments I've ever felt.

One of my goals for my mission is to develop Charity. I'd love your support and feedback with scriptures or quotes! Some really good scriptures I've found about charity are Moroni 7: 45-46 (though that whole chapter is the bomb.com) 2 Nephi 32:2-3, D&C 42:6, and D&C 4:5. Charity allows us to feel Christlike love for those around us and nothing could change the world faster than some charity!! I love all you guys and I hope you're well.

very generous and nameless package came! The district might have eaten all the candy in less than a day... whoops! :D

We walked up to the Provo Temple and we lost half the Elders by the time we got to the top... :)

Minha Companeira!​​​

We bought all the ice cream in the vending machines and had an ice cream party! BYU ice cream is the bomb!!

Stay classy!

Tudo Bem!

Love,

Sister Ellsworth

p.s. sorry if you go this twice... i added a bunch of contacts that weren't saved so I wasn't sure who had gotten it. Hope we can still be friends!

Because of Him

(Anziano Wilkinson)

This week Anziano Te Maari and I had and will continue to have a great Fourth of July week. Starting on Monday, we were invited to eat over at the house of a half-American half-Italian family (the husband, Peter, is American and the wife, Fausta, is Italian). They made all kinds of American food that I hadn't had in forever; everything from guacamole to ribs. My companion is from New Zealand, but since they eat similar foods as we usually do in the states he was equally excited to celebrate our Independence Day. Today we had a zone grill out to which a bunch of missionaries in our zone came (it was a lot of fun). And on Saturday we will have a ward grill out. So basically the only thing I'm missing about the Fourth of July this year is the unending fireworks. All this American style food has been/will continue to be amazing. You would be surprised about how rare some foods are in Italy that are typical for us back home, like peanut butter, bacon, and barbecue sauce. I'm always very appreciative whenever I get to eat these things, because after a while, you begin

to miss them haha.

We also got to meet our new mission president and his wife, the Allens! They are extremely loving people and from just the two hours that we were there together with them I could tell that they are truly

seeking to follow the example of Christ. I'm excited to work alongside them in this wonderful country!

Anziano Te Maari and I found ourselves using a particular video a lot in our lessons this week and watching it so much has given me a broader perspective on it. The video is called "Because of Him" and is

all about what is possible for us because of what Jesus Christ did. Repeatedly I have been touched by the power behind the words in that video. Among other things, it talks about how because of Him, "we can start again." Because of Him, we have "clean slates" and "new beginnings." Because of Him, "Guild becomes peace, regret becomes relief, [and] despair becomes hope." I am unbelievably grateful for the gift that Christ gave to us. He gave us His own life so that we might live. He took upon Him the spiritual pains of sin so that if we looked to Him, "he might blot out [our] transgressions." And He took upon Him the physical pains of mortality so that He might "be filled with mercy" and be able to "succor his people according to their infirmities" (Alma 7:12-13).

Jesus Christ is our Savior. He lived a sinless life, taught His gospel, and led His followers. He took upon Him our sins and

infirmities in the Garden of Gethsemane and then was betrayed and sentenced to death by His own people. He died on the cross. Three days later, He rose from the dead. He lives today. How grateful I am that we have a savior. Because of Him we have second chances and "there is no such thing as the end." Let us go forward rejoicing in this simple truth!

Go watch this video that I've been talking about. It's truly fantastic! The name is "Because of Him" and you can find it at this website: http://www.mormon.org/becauseofhim . It's only two and a half minutes long and I promise it is well worth your time! Have great week and spend some time thinking about what is possible for you personally "because of Him."

-Anziano Jake Wilkinson

American-Italian Family 4th of July Barbecue Zone grill out

President Allen and Sorella Allen

Week Two: fireworks, long lost cousins and the church is still true!

(Sister Ellsworth)

Happy 4th of July!

Well I made it. Woot! Everyone told me the first week was hard but they didn't mention that it would feel like it last 6 months! We've hit our stride, learning Portuguese out the wahoo and teaching investigators in another language. We pray, sing, and talk in class in Portuguese pretty easily when it comes to gospel related topics. 

So super weird thing... .I met two long lost cousins this week!! Both are descended from Edmund Lovell Ellsworth (Thanks Grandpa for teaching my my family History). I think it was an amazing blessing to have family alongside the work with me. Sister Ellsworth (not me) is going to the Philippines and she's from Arizona. I didn't catch where the other is going but she has the same red hair I do! 

On Saturday night they let all 2000 of us missionaries out into the parking lot to watch the fireworks. We sang songs and had queso, chips, oreos, and lots of junk. It was great to see the fireworks.  :) 

Everyone has asked me about the MTC food and honestly it's not too bad. The eggs are probably the nastiest thing ever but I usually prefer just to get a salad and fruit bowl. Even then, there's a lot of food XD Something interesting that happens here is that people sing and harmonize while they are getting ready in the morning. Our room is across the hall from the showers and bathrooms and we woke up this morning to the national anthem ringing through the halls. Everyone has such a brilliant light of Christ about them!

We got to clean the Temple and go on a temple walk which was a great experience. I have a great district (or group of people I learn with) who are all so nice and dedicated to serving Heavenly Father and sharing the happiness that Christ brings. 

Something I loved this week was a devotional given by Jolene Swenson. She talked about mistakes and how they are a part of out lives. Can you laugh at you mistakes? Being in the MTC i make more mistakes in one sentence than i have in a very long time. It's very humbling to ask for help and to take advice from someone who knows more than I do. Mistakes change us and help us learn. Act for yourself and don't be acted up. You have the freedom to choose, thanks to the free country we live in and to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Have the faith to throw yourself out of your comfort zone, because refusing to progress because of fear of change is the worst thing that can happen to someone. We are here to learn, progress, grow, and have love for each other. You are free to change into something better. 

My cousin, Sister Ellsworth!! 

​I have the best Companion, Sister Johnson!

​We both struggle with Portuguese... But Tudo Bem!

​Getting all Artsy Fartsy. This is one of my favoite pictures!

​The sisters in my zone.

​Our district mascot!

​Our zone on 4th of july

​

Tudo Bem!

Much Amor,

Sister Ellsworth

More pictures: 

My awesome companion

terrible picture but this was our "we are not impressed by these fireworks" faces

There are nearly 2000 missionaries at the MTC right now!!

Learning By the Spirit

(Elder Cummings)

We got transfer calls last night and Elder Bagley and I will be staying together for at least six more weeks!  Our area has so much power in it!  The branch is cozy now in the summers with only around twenty making it out to sacrament meeting each week.  All of the members love the missionaries, and are very happy to help us in any way they can.  I absolutely love it here!  I can consistently find ways to grow and improve myself as a disciple of Christ.  Elder Bagley and I have started studying paj lug, literally translated to "flower words."  Paj lug are poetic couplet phrases and speech patterns that show the highest respect that can be given in Hmong culture.  Elder Bagley and I have been implementing them into our prayers.  It has been a wonderful experience to learn better how to address my Heavenly Father in love, in Hmong.

With over half of the branch out of town for the fourth of July, this week could have been a slower one in teaching, but we have powered through it.  We have been led by the Spirit to neighborhoods, and then to streets, and then to doors that have been ready to receive the message we share.  The Lord is so merciful to us.  He speaks to us "according to [our] language , unto [our] understanding" (2 Nephi 31:3).  He wants to be understood!  He wants to teach us!  

One of the people we have been teaching is preparing for baptism later this month.  Years ago he overcame cigarette addiction, and more recently he has conquered alcohol.  As we were visiting him this last week we began to talk about repentance.  As we discussed he was taught new truths by the Holy Ghost and became aware of additional steps he must take to be completely free from these past transgressions.  He had to pray for forgiveness!  The Spirit taught him as we talked.  God spoke to him through the still, small, voice.

I have felt that teaching influence all through my life.  It is an incredible blessing.  He will teach you all if you listen for it.  He will teach you as you attend church, as you pray, and as you study His holy words.  He will teach you in a way that you can understand!

I pray that you will all have a wonderful Fourth of July!  I love living in a nation where men and women are free to act and believe.  It is truly a blessing from God.

With love,

Elder A. Jared Cummings

The Truth About Miracles

(Anziano Wilkinson)

This week was the last week in the mission for President and Sister Dibb; their spots have now been taken by President and Sister Allen. While we're sad to see the Dibbs go, I can't help but be excited for what's the fresh new mission president and his wife will be like and how their strengths will continue to enhance this mission even more than ever before. I am hoping that their fresh enthusiasm will inspire us to greater commitment levels and greater success! We will get to meet them on Tuesday and I'm sure I'm not the only one excited to meet them!

This week I stumbled across a poem that really struck me. It's called "Student" by Jessie Eastman Holt and it talks about the speaker's hunt for knowledge. It's goes like this:

I set a snare for knowledge

On every epic page;

Pursued the word of wisdom

Up and down an age;

Poet, saint, and wise man

Stealthily I stalked;

Listening, I followed

The very ways they walked.

But soon I stood astounded,

For every path they trod

In the end curved widely,

Swiftly back to God.

I like that it starts out sharing the story of the speaker's educational journey and then wraps it all back in at the end to share with us his most important discovery, the one he never really expected to find, that each school of thought he explored lead him to the same realization that God was the mastermind behind all of it. I love this concept because one of the truths that a I hold most dear is that all truth can be grouped together as one great whole. There is no truth that does not complement and support other truths. Whether we're talking about science, philosophy, or religion, what's true will always supports other truths, while what is not true will never consistently support untruths. This doctrine brings a lot of peace to my mind because even though it's slightly obvious because it shows to me that our Heavenly Father is not a father of confusion, but rather a Deity of harmony and logic. He never works beyond the realms of what is true, or, in other words, He is not a God of magic. Even the most unexplainable miracles are subject to this truth, from turning water to wine, to raising Lazarus from the dead, to the miracle of the atonement. None of these miracles were done by magic, but by quite logical and true means that we simply don't have the knowledge and understanding to explain yet. Understanding miracles and the influence of God like this does not diminish their grandeur, but instead helps us to realize and appreciate the incomprehensible wisdom of our Heavenly Father and His supreme influence over the elements. Many things that we can accomplish today would have been considered miracles decades ago. For instance, with a few taps we can use a smartphone to instantly video call our friend in China from anywhere in the world to wish him a happy birthday. Is this not miraculous? Let us not forget that the heavenly gift of greater enlightenment was never intended to make us think less of God, but instead cause us to marvel even more greatly at the beauty and wonder that is so prevalent in the universe He has created for us. When we take a step back and see this life for what it really is, we realize that truly everything around us is a miracle, from friends and family to a nice comfortable home to the stability and safety of an organized government. Quite easily we could say that all of the instances of the hand of the Lord in our lives are, in their own ways, miracles.

I'm so grateful for the many miracles in my life that inspire me to greater gratitude and greater desires to do good. I'm so grateful that truth is truth no matter where you find it and for the inspiration that it gives me to never stop learning. This week, ponder the miracles in your life; look for the blessings, even the small ones. Then, ponder on how you can invite the hand of God into your life even more. The words of the Book of Mormon prophet Moroni might be of assistance. He says, "it is by faith that miracles are wrought." Increase your faith, see miraculous things. As you look for miracles in your life I am certain you will find them and as you nurture your faith in our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, I can promise that you will see even more.

Enjoy your week and all the miraculous blessings it will bring!

-Anziano Jake Wilkinson

The Church is Still True!

(Sister Ellsworth)

Quierdo meu amigos,

Holy moly! What a week! Technically 5 days I guess.. This week has been a very humbling experience to say the least. I walked into the MTC, they put a badge on me, and then starting going off in Portuguese. I caught on pretty quickly because of my spanish, but the poor Elder next to me was struggling. We are in classrooms for about 9 hours a day with breaks in between to eat and to exercise. We spend about three hours doing personal study, three hours with your companion, and three studying the language. It's quite the brain teaser!

I have a great companion. Her name is Sister Johnson and she's going to Mozambique speaking Portuguese. In my zone there are 10 Sisters and 1 Elder going to Lisbon! Pretty awesome :) We're already quite close and good friends. The Spirit is so strong here and everywhere you look there are soldiers of the Army of God walking two by two down the corridors.

On our third day they had us teaching investigators in Portuguese, to which I was quite freaked out. We ended up teaching this man for 35 minutes in very poor and broken Portuguese. Even though I couldn't understand very much of what he said or what I said, the Spirit was so strong in that room. It was wonderful!

The food has been interesting. The cafeteria has been closed all week due to the new mission president training seminar so breakfast is eggs, bagels, cereal, fruit, or a doughnut every morning. Lunch is always some sort of sandwich which are actually pretty good. Dinner has been catered from subway, chick-fil-a, taco bell, papa johns, etc. This morning we finally got our cafeteria back and it was good! BTW do not send me any candy XD My whole apartment has been sent 20 lbs of candy and junk! Blegh!

​Second Day!

​All of our language books. They said it would be about 8 lbs of books.  MORE LIKE 20!! We have english and portuguese in EVERYTHING. ​In class with (L->R) Sister Gubler, Elder Van Wagnen, Elder Pehrson, Sister Johnson, and ME! We have 10 people per class. All of us are going to Portugal or Africa!

Sister Johnson and I after teaching our first lesson in PORTUGUESE! ​

My message for all of you is Mosiah 5:5!  "Am I willing... to enter into a covenant with my God and do his will all my days(?)" I say HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!

Never limit yourself based on what you think your capcitiy is. The Lord can increase your capacity to do anything (even teach a lesson by yourself in Portuguese after three days) and he will!

Need to find evidence of God? 2 Nephi 29:8, John 20:31, and Moroni 10:4.

The Church is still true!

Tudo Bem! (All is well)

Amo-te,

Sister Ellsworth

PS If you are reading this on my blog and you want an email please send your email to me! I only have a few :)

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Sorry for the late email today, Elder Bagley and I had to go down to Fresno earlier today (two hour round trip) which put us on a delay.

So many things happened this week!  Thanks to more effective planning Elder Bagley and I were able to greatly increase the amount of lessons we were able to teach with investigators this week.  One of the greatest fears I have felt as a missionary is the fear of having nothing to do.  We have been working on shaking of this fear and spending time in homes only as long as we are needed rather than staying until the time forces us to leave to be on time to our next plans.  It is much more energizing this way!  We are seeing positive changes in those we are visiting, as well as in our companionship, as a result.

This week also marked the end of a two month period of a massive scripture memorization project.  Elder Bagley and I, upon being challenged by the mission president's wife, memorized 114 scripture references--54 form the Bible and 60 from the Book of Mormon--and the over 150 verses that are associated with them in an effort to be more effective teachers out of the scriptures.  It has been hard work, but we, along with four other missionaries in the mission did it.  The reward has been a profoundly increased love for the Savior and His teachings through His holy prophets.  This whole experience has definitely taught be something: cognitive power can easily be increased with steady effort over a long period of time.  My memory has improved greatly as I have been a missionary.  While still in the MTC I would struggle to memorize a small handful of essential words daily, and after months of practice my capacity to memorize has easily quadrupled.  We are all capable of incredible things if we will set our minds to it!  So set your mind to something and stick with it!

Sou Saetern was baptized this last Saturday and confirmed on Sunday.  He asked me to perform the confirmation, so gratefully I did.  The confirmation is what truly completes the baptism.  It is when the gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed.  Joseph Smith is quoted to have said that "baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half--that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost" (History of the Church, 5:499).  The reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands is both biblically founded and essential for salvation (see Acts 19:2-7).  Another Joseph Smith quote: "The baptism of water, without the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost attending it, is of no use; they are necessarily and inseparably connected" (History of the Church, 6:316).

Why is the Holy Ghost so important?  He is the Comforter sent forth by the Father to teach us all things, and to bring all things to our remembrance that Christ has taught (see John 14:26).  Learning truths of the gospel by the Holy Ghost is essential for our salvation, for "it is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance" (D&C 131:6).  God absolutely does reveal the truths of His kingdom to the common man who is an earnest and humble seeker.  Such was the case with Joseph Smith.

Today is the 172nd anniversary of the day of his martyrdom.  He and his older brother, Hyrum "were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o'clock p.m., by an armed mob--painted black--from 150 to 200 persons.  Hyrum was short first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaining: O Lord my God!  They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls" (D&C 135:1).  My testimony is that of the scriptures in saying that "Joseph Smith,  the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.  In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fullness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose [the] book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain.  He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood" (D&C 135:3).

It has now been 172 years and approximately 3 hours since that day.  The work has not halted.  I know that Joseph was called by God.  I know that he did not set up his own church, but that he restored the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth.  I know that Christ continues to lead his church today through a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  I know these truths by the power of the Holy Ghost, and cannot deny them.  I am so grateful to share this message with all the world!

You all have a wonderful week!

With love,

Elder Jared Cummings.