Hope Is Never Lost

Lunch With Alexis And Lacho

Tres Companeros

I’m going to start off by sharing what I learned from President Smith this week in our monthly meeting with him. We read part of Alma 43, he then asked what we learned and I shared what I learned from verse 2, which reads, "Y no diremos más acerca de su predicación, sino que predicaron la palabra y la verdad de acuerdo con el espíritu de profecía y revelación; y predicaron según el santo orden de Dios, mediante el cual se les había llamado.” (sorry it is in Spanish) it says something like this; we won’t learn about their preaching from how many knocked doors or street contacts, stats do not mean anything. We learn when teaching the word of God is through the espíritu de profecía y revelación (spirit of prophecy and revelation). President Smith then asked me what is the spirit of prophecy. I shared my thoughts. He then taught me what Joseph Smith said, “No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy.” In Revelation 19: 10 John the Revelator says that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” To be a minister of Jesus, a man must testify of Jesus; and to testify of Jesus, a man must have the spirit of prophecy; for, according to John, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.  We must pay whatever price of faith and obedience is required to retain this great blessing. This great blessing brings light and certainty and peace. What he taught and shared with me was an answer to prayer as I have been thinking a lot about the spirit of prophecy. We have been able to share this message with the members we have been meeting with this week. As I have been thinking more about what President Smith taught me, my eyes have been opened to a new perspective to the light of Christ. Last night I learned from the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional that I need to continue in the light I have received and follow the Lord’s example to do good.

Feliz Cumpleanos Elder Moncada

Also this week we had an activity hosted by us. We showed the video Joy To The World and we also showed He Is The Gift. We also shared a message about Christmas. We had about 50 in attendance and maybe 10 people were members, so we had a lot of investigators and potential investigators come. It was super sweet!

I Will Go Where You Want Me To Go

Zona HueHue Centro Almuerzo

As I end this email I want to share an experience I had. When I opened the first day of Christmas Mom sent me, there was a quote (Mom thank you for that quote, it was inspired!) HOPE IS NEVER LOST. As I read over and over that quote I knew the Savior gave to me the gift of hope. It is through His atoning sacrifice that He gave me the gift of hope when I fall short. That hope brings life eternal and a forever family. We had a lesson about the plan of salvation with a family and the wife had lost her husband. I asked her do you think you will ever see your husband again and I then asked the kids if they thought they would ever see their Dad again. They all said no. We then explained that families are forever and hope is never lost. I testified it is through the Prophet Joseph Smith’s humble prayer that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. His humble prayer brought hope through the understanding of our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness and forever families. President Uchtdforf said, ”No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations surrounded by those we love.”  Now as I read that quote Hope Is Never Lost, I give thanks to Brother Joseph and his humble prayer which brought forth the knowledge of the atoning sacrifice of Savior Jesus Christ which gave all of us the gift of hope. I share the same words as what a leader from SOY (EFY Guatemala, December 2-7 2014) shared this Sunday, she said one of the youth in my group said I am grateful for Joseph Smith, if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be here (members of the true church) today, I bear witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith, for he is/was a prophet of God. During fast and testimony meeting on Sunday all the youth that went to SOY shared their testimony. They also shared how SOY changed their lives. All the single adults that were leaders at SOY also shared their testimonies. It was so powerful. If there was theme to the testimonies shared it would have been families are forever, the temple and the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was a powerful meeting, a great way to end and begin the week.

Elder Moncada Showing His Tree Decorating Skills

What I love about Mom again is that she continues to do my days of Christmas and what I love about Dad is that he put up the Christmas lights so people could see the light of Christ.

con mucho amor, ducks forever
Elder Mcilmoil

December 8, 2014

Companionship Study

Who Is The Rockstar?

Scripture of the week: Revelation 19:10 

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” Joseph Smith Jr.

“The nearer a person approaches the Lord, a greater power will be manifested by the adversary to prevent the accomplishment of His purposes.” Joseph Smith Jr.

Friendship