Dear Family,
This has been probably one of the most exhausting and Spiritually uplifting weeks in my mission thus far, as well as a week of trial. Some events that I'm sure you've at least heard about being the Cultural Celebration for and Rededication of the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple. We were participants in the Celebrations on Saturday night, singing Called to Serve with gusto amid the youth participating there as well. The three Buenos Aires missions participated, so there were about 600 missionaries in addition to about as many or more youth. It was pretty stirring! As a side note, I was just looking back and saw the word gusto and I just saw an interesting language connection that I don't know if others have noticed. The verb "gustar" in Spanish means to please, and often when a person meets another they say "un gusto conocerlo," which is, being interpreted, "A pleasure to meet you." So when connected back to the English, singing with gusto isn't necessarily singing loudly and fully as much as singing with pleasure. Interesting language bit there...
The rededication itself was amazing! I wish I could remember all of it, but my head just doesn't want to function properly for me right now. Elder Mervyn J. Arnold of the Seventy spoke of hope an progress, which seemed to be a theme with the majority of the general authorities during this time. I'll admit I kept getting lost during the dedicatory prayer because of the translation taking place. I heard both languages and occasionally got lost in the change, thinking that certain things had already been said before remembering that they were just now being said in a different language. It was an interesting experience being able to understand almost perfectly both of the languages, to the point of recognizing the exact same meaning of both.
Friday night we had a special missionary conference with President Eyring, Elder Ballard, and Elder Christofferson. The Spirit felt there was almost palpable. Elder Christofferson gave his address in Spanish himself, since he served his own mission in Argentina. I wish I had brought my notes to share some of the things that they all spoke, but one of the things that sticks out in particular with me was an experience that President Eyring shared. He talked about two main things, actually that stuck out. The first has to do with the process of calling young men and women (and the senior couples and sisters I imagine) to specific missions. He talked about how the first time he, as an Apostle, sat with Richard G. Scott to send them out. He described how he sat in a room with Elder Scott in front of two computer screens; one showing a picture of the prospective missionary, the other a little bit of information about that missionary. From there, while pondering about where this person would go, he said he would get the slightest of feelings of where the prospective missionary should go and would say to the mission offices "show me all of the missions in ___________ area." Once the information appeared, he told us that the name of one of those missions would shine just a smidgeon brighter (not a direct quote). He would click on that name, and the missionary would receive his call. After several minutes of doing this for several missionaries, he told us he turned to Elder Scott and asked, "Is that small feeling all I'm going to get? That small little push?" to which Elder Scott replied in the affirmative. The telling of this experience led into the second thing that stuck out.
Following the sharing of this experience, he told us that that little push is what we as missionaries need to acquaint ourselves with and that it leads to really knowing that God knows and loves each one of those people (refering both to prospective missionaries and our investigators) so profoundly and so intimately that we need to trust perfectly in him and follow each little push we receive. He said, quote, "When we know that God loves us...we will not fear."
Fear is something that I have often succumbed to and given as a reason for not talking to such and such on the street. "Oh, I don't know if they'll understand me," "I don't know if they'll accept me," "I don't want to get rejected," etc. Something that I have learned (and will undoubtedly continue learning for the rest of my life) is that something like this has nothing to do with me. In each question, my fear was a selfish one and one that exhibits a lack of trust in my Father, who already knows each of His children with a perfect love, one that breaches all bounds we can conceive of. I have for years said that I know that God loves me, but by fearing in the manner that I was, I was in effect denying the claim of my own knowledge. This is because if I know that He loves me, I should also know and trust in the fact that His love is perfect and that He will share with us a portion of that love for another person enough to help them to recognize that love for them, giving me the words to say to them in the moment that they are needed, trusting in God more than in the "arm of flesh."
Fear is the antithesis of Faith. "Neither can live while the other servives." (Props to the one who can tell me where that comes from) They cannot coexist in the same instant in the same person. Faith drives away fear and leads to love, trust, and happiness. Fear, when allowed to enter the heart, covers our faith and leads to hate, mistrust, and misery, leaving us with an empty feeling. Faith is love. Faith is Hope. Faith is belief, and it leads us to act.
I apologize for using this time to organize my own thoughts on this subject, but this has been just as edifying a time for me as I hope it has been for you. Our investigators continue to progress and we right now have seven people actively preparing to be baptized in the next few weeks.
Thank you for your prayers. I feel their effect. I love you and pray for you as well.
Love,
Elder Dewsnup
P.S. I haven't as yet read your emails to me. We were trying to get on quick to get the writing done, because we have other things to do, but we'll be trying to get on again later. I've printed the messages and will be reading them soon. I'll reply if I can. LOVES!!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
This week 9/3/12
My Dearest-Wonderfully-Amazing-Absolutely-Awe-Inspiring-And-Loving Family,
I love you. Things have been brought into a more interesting view for me lately. In less than a month, I will have been on my mission for a year. This is a little surreal for me (spelling?). I can still think back and remember with clarity several of the events of the last week before entering the MTC and many things in the MTC. It is hard for me to really comprehend the passage of time.
Elder Soelberg and I have been getting along wonderfully. Very few arguments, and those trifling. He's way cool and he's grown so much in the language. He can't see his change, but in the four weeks we've been together, his language skills have just about doubled. He is confident in himself during the lessons for the most part, until he thinks he's made a mistake. I don't correct him unless what he has said completely changes the meaning of the sentence he wants to say, which has happened much less this last week than the first week. Almost not at all. It makes me think back on the first days of my mission and wondering how in the blue blazes I was going to figure out all the grammar. I still don't think I have it all perfectly, but hey, miracles have happened.
I apologize for the scarcity of news in the investigator region in the last several weeks. I don't remember if I have told you about Alberto and the Fernande family yet. That family is a part-member, recent convert, and little "less active" family, and we were passing by relatively regularly to teach the retention lessons to those who needed them. Once we invited another one of the boys to participate, and three weeks later he was baptized. This last week (two weeks after the baptism and one since his confirmation) he was sustained to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. He also came to church in a suit and asked us for help tying his tie (as far as I know, he's the only one in his family who has a suit...). He's a stud.
This week we also found a lot of new people to begin teaching, many of them just from passing people on the street. As I said earlier, miracles happen. We just started teaching a young woman who has a one-and-a-half year-old boy named Eric. He's so much fun to play with (before and after the teaching, of course) and is very obedient to his mother (sorry Mom, don't know if you can say the same about me at that age...). It is so great to be teaching her. This Sunday, she woke up early and almost couldn't sleep because she was so anxious to go to church. Then when we stopped by to pick her up with another member, she looked so discouraged because she didn't have any diapers for Eric to wear and she was afraid he'd have an accident. We organized things right on the spot, talked with the Relief Society president, and got diapers for her there. She enjoyed the meetings immensely and is reading from the Book of Mormon and Gospel Principles books both at once. The only thing that is a problem is that she and her husband aren't married. Please! pray that they can get married soon and that there won't be any problems!! We're going to be finishing up the Plan of Salvation, talking about eternal families, and then introducing the Law of Chastity tonight so that she can understand the importance of marriage in the eternal plan of God. Just realized I haven't said her name, it's Janet.
I continue my studies in the Bible, and John continues to astound me. The stories are much more poignant to me now than before. I used to think the Bible was boring, except the parables (mostly because of the Living Scriptures movies we had). Now I find so many different meanings and personal applications to so many little things. It's way cool.
Well, my family, my time has drawn to a close for the day. The rededication of the Temple happens this weekend and there are many preparations to do personally and in the ward. The work calls, the fields are white, and the Keeper is calling me to "thrust in the sickle". As I assist in the gathering of Israel, know that my prayers are with you all, that you may also be gatherers in your own parts of the vineyard. Right now you may now be full-time harvesters, but in the middle of the daily chores, a small harvest can be enjoyed.
With love,
Elder Dewsnup
P.S. Let Sharkbait and Minion know that their favorite Uncle Dweebus is giving them hugs! When do I get to see prego pictures?
P.S.S. I'll try to get some pictures of my own in the next letter.
I love you. Things have been brought into a more interesting view for me lately. In less than a month, I will have been on my mission for a year. This is a little surreal for me (spelling?). I can still think back and remember with clarity several of the events of the last week before entering the MTC and many things in the MTC. It is hard for me to really comprehend the passage of time.
Elder Soelberg and I have been getting along wonderfully. Very few arguments, and those trifling. He's way cool and he's grown so much in the language. He can't see his change, but in the four weeks we've been together, his language skills have just about doubled. He is confident in himself during the lessons for the most part, until he thinks he's made a mistake. I don't correct him unless what he has said completely changes the meaning of the sentence he wants to say, which has happened much less this last week than the first week. Almost not at all. It makes me think back on the first days of my mission and wondering how in the blue blazes I was going to figure out all the grammar. I still don't think I have it all perfectly, but hey, miracles have happened.
I apologize for the scarcity of news in the investigator region in the last several weeks. I don't remember if I have told you about Alberto and the Fernande family yet. That family is a part-member, recent convert, and little "less active" family, and we were passing by relatively regularly to teach the retention lessons to those who needed them. Once we invited another one of the boys to participate, and three weeks later he was baptized. This last week (two weeks after the baptism and one since his confirmation) he was sustained to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. He also came to church in a suit and asked us for help tying his tie (as far as I know, he's the only one in his family who has a suit...). He's a stud.
This week we also found a lot of new people to begin teaching, many of them just from passing people on the street. As I said earlier, miracles happen. We just started teaching a young woman who has a one-and-a-half year-old boy named Eric. He's so much fun to play with (before and after the teaching, of course) and is very obedient to his mother (sorry Mom, don't know if you can say the same about me at that age...). It is so great to be teaching her. This Sunday, she woke up early and almost couldn't sleep because she was so anxious to go to church. Then when we stopped by to pick her up with another member, she looked so discouraged because she didn't have any diapers for Eric to wear and she was afraid he'd have an accident. We organized things right on the spot, talked with the Relief Society president, and got diapers for her there. She enjoyed the meetings immensely and is reading from the Book of Mormon and Gospel Principles books both at once. The only thing that is a problem is that she and her husband aren't married. Please! pray that they can get married soon and that there won't be any problems!! We're going to be finishing up the Plan of Salvation, talking about eternal families, and then introducing the Law of Chastity tonight so that she can understand the importance of marriage in the eternal plan of God. Just realized I haven't said her name, it's Janet.
I continue my studies in the Bible, and John continues to astound me. The stories are much more poignant to me now than before. I used to think the Bible was boring, except the parables (mostly because of the Living Scriptures movies we had). Now I find so many different meanings and personal applications to so many little things. It's way cool.
Well, my family, my time has drawn to a close for the day. The rededication of the Temple happens this weekend and there are many preparations to do personally and in the ward. The work calls, the fields are white, and the Keeper is calling me to "thrust in the sickle". As I assist in the gathering of Israel, know that my prayers are with you all, that you may also be gatherers in your own parts of the vineyard. Right now you may now be full-time harvesters, but in the middle of the daily chores, a small harvest can be enjoyed.
With love,
Elder Dewsnup
P.S. Let Sharkbait and Minion know that their favorite Uncle Dweebus is giving them hugs! When do I get to see prego pictures?
P.S.S. I'll try to get some pictures of my own in the next letter.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
o.O 8/27/12
My dearest Family,
Well, tomorrow, I will finish 11 months since entering the mission field. This is weird. Time has flown by and I have the promise from many people that it will only keep going faster. I'm slightly annoyed by that, but I can get over it I guess.
Something that I want to share with you is that we were able to take an investigator on Thursday to the Temple open house. It was amazing. The Temple is divine, and as the building says, it represents and is "Holiness to the Lord, The House of the Lord." We've met with several people who have gone and they describe their feelings in many different ways. Beautiful, marvelous, divine, peaceful, forgiveness, love, tranquility, etc. The words just kept coming. The architecture is stunning, but the Spirit that one feels. even in the gardens on the grounds, is something special. Once I get the chance, I'll send some of the pictures that I took.
In my personal studies this morning, I was reading in the 6th chapter of John and had a "duh/ooohhhhhh/Way-to-go-Idaho" moment. I made a connection that I have been taught for years, that never sunk in. After Christ feeds 5,000 (which counts only the men in the crowd) He and His disciples sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilea. When the crowd wakes up in the morning, they follow Him and find Him in Capernaum (my spelling may be very spanish, because I don't remember how to spell these names in English). He then goes on to teach a doctrine about the difference between worldy bread and Mana, which feed the natural body, but do not give life, and the Bread of Life. Fir the first time I really began to understand why it is that we eat bread and drink water when we partake of the Sacrament. Christ teaches in this chapter that He is the Bread of Life, and that he who goes to Him will never hunger nor thirst. Then he gives a commandment that up to now has not been taught, as far as I understand it, in the Hebrew/Jewish culture. In verse 53 is says (quoting from the spanish) "If ye eat not of the flesh of the Son of Man nor drink His blood, ye have not life in you." He goes on to promise that " he that eats of my flesh and drinks of my blood has eternal life..." The Joseph Smith translation shed further light by continuing the phrase in this manner "...and I will raise him up in the resurrection of the just in the last day." From this I finally understood that the Sacrament is just as important as baptism. Indeed, baptism is required to enter into the way, but it is the renewal of our covenants by partaking of the bread and water each week (which represtent His flesh and blood) that we remain pure and can be raised up in the last day. This doctrine was so disturbing for some that most of His followers "turned back and walked not with him." But for those of us who understand, this can be and is the greatest gift that we can receive, the possibility to have eternal life (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7).
If I had more time, I'd continue to share more, but I have run out for the day. I love you all!!! Stand firm in the faith. I pray for you always!
Love,
Elder Dewsnup
--
Well, tomorrow, I will finish 11 months since entering the mission field. This is weird. Time has flown by and I have the promise from many people that it will only keep going faster. I'm slightly annoyed by that, but I can get over it I guess.
Something that I want to share with you is that we were able to take an investigator on Thursday to the Temple open house. It was amazing. The Temple is divine, and as the building says, it represents and is "Holiness to the Lord, The House of the Lord." We've met with several people who have gone and they describe their feelings in many different ways. Beautiful, marvelous, divine, peaceful, forgiveness, love, tranquility, etc. The words just kept coming. The architecture is stunning, but the Spirit that one feels. even in the gardens on the grounds, is something special. Once I get the chance, I'll send some of the pictures that I took.
In my personal studies this morning, I was reading in the 6th chapter of John and had a "duh/ooohhhhhh/Way-to-go-Idaho" moment. I made a connection that I have been taught for years, that never sunk in. After Christ feeds 5,000 (which counts only the men in the crowd) He and His disciples sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilea. When the crowd wakes up in the morning, they follow Him and find Him in Capernaum (my spelling may be very spanish, because I don't remember how to spell these names in English). He then goes on to teach a doctrine about the difference between worldy bread and Mana, which feed the natural body, but do not give life, and the Bread of Life. Fir the first time I really began to understand why it is that we eat bread and drink water when we partake of the Sacrament. Christ teaches in this chapter that He is the Bread of Life, and that he who goes to Him will never hunger nor thirst. Then he gives a commandment that up to now has not been taught, as far as I understand it, in the Hebrew/Jewish culture. In verse 53 is says (quoting from the spanish) "If ye eat not of the flesh of the Son of Man nor drink His blood, ye have not life in you." He goes on to promise that " he that eats of my flesh and drinks of my blood has eternal life..." The Joseph Smith translation shed further light by continuing the phrase in this manner "...and I will raise him up in the resurrection of the just in the last day." From this I finally understood that the Sacrament is just as important as baptism. Indeed, baptism is required to enter into the way, but it is the renewal of our covenants by partaking of the bread and water each week (which represtent His flesh and blood) that we remain pure and can be raised up in the last day. This doctrine was so disturbing for some that most of His followers "turned back and walked not with him." But for those of us who understand, this can be and is the greatest gift that we can receive, the possibility to have eternal life (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7).
If I had more time, I'd continue to share more, but I have run out for the day. I love you all!!! Stand firm in the faith. I pray for you always!
Love,
Elder Dewsnup
--
Elder Matthew H. Dewsnup
Misión Buenos Aires Norte
Gral. Lavalle 1828
1646 San Fernando
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Apologies 8/20/12
Dear family,
I just finished writing to you the briefest letter I think I have written and right before sending, the entire thing deleted. Now it really is the shortest letter ever.
I apologize for the brevity of this message, it's not even fit to be a letter. I commented that we went to the Temple today, which is the main cause of the lack of time. We are only allowed to go on P-Days.
I studied from the Bible in the testimony of John. One chapter a day has brought to mind many wonderful blessings of knowledge that I wish I had time to share with you.
I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Dewsnup
I just finished writing to you the briefest letter I think I have written and right before sending, the entire thing deleted. Now it really is the shortest letter ever.
I apologize for the brevity of this message, it's not even fit to be a letter. I commented that we went to the Temple today, which is the main cause of the lack of time. We are only allowed to go on P-Days.
I studied from the Bible in the testimony of John. One chapter a day has brought to mind many wonderful blessings of knowledge that I wish I had time to share with you.
I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Dewsnup
Monday, September 3, 2012
Hola! 8/13/12
Okee Dokee,
Well for starters this week, it's been better than I thought it would be. My new companion is Elder Soelberg from Ogden Utah. He's awesome and in so many ways like Elder Buxton. We've hit it off quite well. I was gonna attach a picture of him ain this email, but I'm still trying to catch up from so much time of not having a card reader, so it'll probably come next week, hopefully with another baptism picture as well. So, things are moving right along. Elder Soelberg actually started his mission in Oregon, waiting for his visa to come through. So when he got here, he'd already had three months field experience. His Spanish is great, even though he has a Mexican accent, which is which is making it hard for him to understand the Castellano spoken here. But we keep practicing and we're moving forward.
Our studies have actually been moving us more in the direction of connecting the Doctrine of Christ with Love. So this next section should be interesting. We know from the first general epistle of John, chapter 4, that God is Love. As Dad has taught us, that means that the power of the God, or the priesthood, is the power of Love. Therefore, the priesthood is the power of love. Continuing with that thread, we know that all ordinances that are required for the salvation of souls can only be brought to pass by someone who has the proper authority from God to do so, or someone who holds the power of the priesthood (love).
We read in other places in the scriptures that Charity is "the pure love of Christ" and that if a man hath not charity, he is nothing (Moroni 7). And, we also know that the doctrine of Christ, as explained in 2 Nephi 31 and 3 Nephi 11, include the steps of Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentence, Baptism by immersion, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. It is also interesting to note that when Christ came to the Americas, the first thing he did, after inviting all to come unto him, was ordain disciples and give them the power to baptize in His name and explaining how to do so.
So, since we know that the Power of God is Love, which is the priesthood, and that that power is requisite for someone to truly be baptized and receive forgiveness for their sins, we can understand that the doctrine of Christ is also the doctrine of love. The reason that the doctrine is love is found in a few key experiences recounted in the scriptures. We know through the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants that one cannot receive the ordinance of baptism validly without that ordinance being performed by someone who holds the priesthood authority from God, not from a diploma given by man. For instance, in Acts, we read of an instance in which many are baptized, but have not yet received the Holy Ghost. So two of the Apostles go immediately to that city to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them. Later, Simon sees them doing this and offers to pay the Apostles for the right to have such a power bestowed upon him, and is denied and rebuked by Peter. Such a power (the power of love) cannot be bought, nor given out freely, rather bestowed through worthiness and calling from God. We learn further that whoever excercises unrighteous dominion through virtue of the priesthood loses the same (D&C 121). Thus in order for one to hold and use the power of the priesthood, which is the power of love, he must also understand that that same power required he love others.
Now to really relate the doctrine of Christ to love, knowing that ordinances cannot be received but by the priesthood, given by worthiness and calling from God, we can see that love is required to perform these saving ordinances. We can further understand through the commandments that God has given us to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost (2 Nephi 31; 3 Nephi 11; and others) that He and His Son love us so much that they demand we receive these ordinances. They understand and have explained to us that if a man "believeth not in me, and is not baptized, the same shall be damned" (3 Nephi 11:34). Harsh, maybe. But it is the Word of God, which cannot be changed, but "must all be fulfilled." To expound a little, we need to understand that the Greek word for damned literally means stopped. This applies to the eternal condition of the souls who choose, through our divine gift of agency, not to accept the good news of Christ. By choosing to reject that message and by not receiving the ordinance of baptism, such persons are refusing eternal progress in the Celestial Kingdom of God.
There's a whole lot more that I could have included in here that I chose not to because of time and lack of space in the letter, but the who point of it is that without being baptized, even though our Father and Elder Brother love us completely, we cannot enter into Their kingdom. We will be stopped, or damned, never to progress further. We will not live with Them. We will not live with our families. Those wonderful blessings are only possible by following the commandments, and those include Baptism and Confirmation. "It is written" and it cannot be changed. Justice must be fulfilled. Mercy can only be extended to those willing to accept it, in other words, those willing to repent, be baptized, and follow the path Christ has set before us for the remainder of our lives.
I don't have enough time to add it here or I would, but there is a story in the Gospel Principles book in the chapter on Repentence that shares President Packer's parable on Justice and Mercy. It's a story that I have used several times out here to help people uderstand that principle. There are some who refuse the gift Christ has given us to pay our debts to the Father. But we need to make sure that the knowledge of that gift is shared with everyone.
This is just a part of what I have been learning. There are so many blessings that we know about as Latter-Day Saints. Our other brothers and sisters don't even know what they're missing. That is why we have been charged as a people to dedicate time (as I am, and many others as well) to the spreading of this glorious news. It is a churchwide duty that I did not understand before I got here to the mission field, or even until recently.
I love you all! I can't say it enough, and these words in an electronically simulated message don't do them justice. Please know you are in my prayers and that I am also praying for you to have missionary experiences.
Love,
Elder Matthew Dewsnup
P.S. The pics are of Nahuel, Roni, and Alejo's baptisms, then of Eusebio's with his son, who baptised him, and also Juan. That catches us up to date on the baptisms, other pictures next week
P.S.S Meg and Sarah, say hi to Minion and Sharkbait for me!! Marvin and Brandon, give 'em a hug from me!!
Well for starters this week, it's been better than I thought it would be. My new companion is Elder Soelberg from Ogden Utah. He's awesome and in so many ways like Elder Buxton. We've hit it off quite well. I was gonna attach a picture of him ain this email, but I'm still trying to catch up from so much time of not having a card reader, so it'll probably come next week, hopefully with another baptism picture as well. So, things are moving right along. Elder Soelberg actually started his mission in Oregon, waiting for his visa to come through. So when he got here, he'd already had three months field experience. His Spanish is great, even though he has a Mexican accent, which is which is making it hard for him to understand the Castellano spoken here. But we keep practicing and we're moving forward.
Our studies have actually been moving us more in the direction of connecting the Doctrine of Christ with Love. So this next section should be interesting. We know from the first general epistle of John, chapter 4, that God is Love. As Dad has taught us, that means that the power of the God, or the priesthood, is the power of Love. Therefore, the priesthood is the power of love. Continuing with that thread, we know that all ordinances that are required for the salvation of souls can only be brought to pass by someone who has the proper authority from God to do so, or someone who holds the power of the priesthood (love).
We read in other places in the scriptures that Charity is "the pure love of Christ" and that if a man hath not charity, he is nothing (Moroni 7). And, we also know that the doctrine of Christ, as explained in 2 Nephi 31 and 3 Nephi 11, include the steps of Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentence, Baptism by immersion, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. It is also interesting to note that when Christ came to the Americas, the first thing he did, after inviting all to come unto him, was ordain disciples and give them the power to baptize in His name and explaining how to do so.
So, since we know that the Power of God is Love, which is the priesthood, and that that power is requisite for someone to truly be baptized and receive forgiveness for their sins, we can understand that the doctrine of Christ is also the doctrine of love. The reason that the doctrine is love is found in a few key experiences recounted in the scriptures. We know through the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants that one cannot receive the ordinance of baptism validly without that ordinance being performed by someone who holds the priesthood authority from God, not from a diploma given by man. For instance, in Acts, we read of an instance in which many are baptized, but have not yet received the Holy Ghost. So two of the Apostles go immediately to that city to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them. Later, Simon sees them doing this and offers to pay the Apostles for the right to have such a power bestowed upon him, and is denied and rebuked by Peter. Such a power (the power of love) cannot be bought, nor given out freely, rather bestowed through worthiness and calling from God. We learn further that whoever excercises unrighteous dominion through virtue of the priesthood loses the same (D&C 121). Thus in order for one to hold and use the power of the priesthood, which is the power of love, he must also understand that that same power required he love others.
Now to really relate the doctrine of Christ to love, knowing that ordinances cannot be received but by the priesthood, given by worthiness and calling from God, we can see that love is required to perform these saving ordinances. We can further understand through the commandments that God has given us to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost (2 Nephi 31; 3 Nephi 11; and others) that He and His Son love us so much that they demand we receive these ordinances. They understand and have explained to us that if a man "believeth not in me, and is not baptized, the same shall be damned" (3 Nephi 11:34). Harsh, maybe. But it is the Word of God, which cannot be changed, but "must all be fulfilled." To expound a little, we need to understand that the Greek word for damned literally means stopped. This applies to the eternal condition of the souls who choose, through our divine gift of agency, not to accept the good news of Christ. By choosing to reject that message and by not receiving the ordinance of baptism, such persons are refusing eternal progress in the Celestial Kingdom of God.
There's a whole lot more that I could have included in here that I chose not to because of time and lack of space in the letter, but the who point of it is that without being baptized, even though our Father and Elder Brother love us completely, we cannot enter into Their kingdom. We will be stopped, or damned, never to progress further. We will not live with Them. We will not live with our families. Those wonderful blessings are only possible by following the commandments, and those include Baptism and Confirmation. "It is written" and it cannot be changed. Justice must be fulfilled. Mercy can only be extended to those willing to accept it, in other words, those willing to repent, be baptized, and follow the path Christ has set before us for the remainder of our lives.
I don't have enough time to add it here or I would, but there is a story in the Gospel Principles book in the chapter on Repentence that shares President Packer's parable on Justice and Mercy. It's a story that I have used several times out here to help people uderstand that principle. There are some who refuse the gift Christ has given us to pay our debts to the Father. But we need to make sure that the knowledge of that gift is shared with everyone.
This is just a part of what I have been learning. There are so many blessings that we know about as Latter-Day Saints. Our other brothers and sisters don't even know what they're missing. That is why we have been charged as a people to dedicate time (as I am, and many others as well) to the spreading of this glorious news. It is a churchwide duty that I did not understand before I got here to the mission field, or even until recently.
I love you all! I can't say it enough, and these words in an electronically simulated message don't do them justice. Please know you are in my prayers and that I am also praying for you to have missionary experiences.
Love,
Elder Matthew Dewsnup
P.S. The pics are of Nahuel, Roni, and Alejo's baptisms, then of Eusebio's with his son, who baptised him, and also Juan. That catches us up to date on the baptisms, other pictures next week
P.S.S Meg and Sarah, say hi to Minion and Sharkbait for me!! Marvin and Brandon, give 'em a hug from me!!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Extra Extra!! Read All About It!!! 8/6/12
Dear Family,
"Baby Born wit' tree heads!!!"... ... ... Ok, so not really. Quick, what's that movie??
Well, I have little time, about 15 minutes to write this letter, but boy do I have some news. I have been assigned to be a trainer. This time, it's a for real greenie, and probably a gringo North American. Things are going to be getting relatively rough here for me. Very few of our investigators have been progressing and for the moment the work is slow. I have received many heavy ideas and responsibilities brought to my attention this last week.
Our mission includes about 8 million people of the world's population. Of those 8 million, there are between 50,000 and 200,000 in my area alone. I and my green new companion tomorrow are the only two people in the entire world who can preach salvation to those fifty to two hundred thousand souls. In the pre-existence, he and I were assigned and prepared to be the ones who would bring the wonderful news and plan of salvation to those thousands upon thousands of souls, who were promised by a loving Heavenly Father that one day they would have the opportunity to hear His marvelous plan for them. In a possible 200,000 people, only we two men, accompanied by the Spirit of God (...we three [men] of orient...), are the only ones who have the authority and power to preach and baptize them. This is heavy... great Scott! (movie anyone?)
I'm sorry about the random references. I am really nervous. I understand that I have the responsibility to help my new companion to become the missionary the Lord wants him to be and I know I haven't even become the missionary God wants me to be yet. This is a heavy burden for me to carry. I wonder a lot now about who he will be, what he'll be like, will we get along (of course we will, but still...), etc.
I know it'll be hard, but I know I can do it with the Lord's help. The biggest thing I need to remember is to treat him as my equal from the first moment. In working together to make all decisions we will be able to develop the unity that we need to really help our area grow and flourish. This is going to be rough, but as Nephi states, "I will go and do the thing which the Lord has commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare the way for them to accomplish the thing which he has commanded them...I know in whom I have put my trust" (1 Nephi 3:7; 2 Nephi 4:19).
I love you all and as I know you pray for me, I pray for you.
¡Que Dios os cuide!
Elder Matthew Dewsnup
"Baby Born wit' tree heads!!!"... ... ... Ok, so not really. Quick, what's that movie??
Well, I have little time, about 15 minutes to write this letter, but boy do I have some news. I have been assigned to be a trainer. This time, it's a for real greenie, and probably a gringo North American. Things are going to be getting relatively rough here for me. Very few of our investigators have been progressing and for the moment the work is slow. I have received many heavy ideas and responsibilities brought to my attention this last week.
Our mission includes about 8 million people of the world's population. Of those 8 million, there are between 50,000 and 200,000 in my area alone. I and my green new companion tomorrow are the only two people in the entire world who can preach salvation to those fifty to two hundred thousand souls. In the pre-existence, he and I were assigned and prepared to be the ones who would bring the wonderful news and plan of salvation to those thousands upon thousands of souls, who were promised by a loving Heavenly Father that one day they would have the opportunity to hear His marvelous plan for them. In a possible 200,000 people, only we two men, accompanied by the Spirit of God (...we three [men] of orient...), are the only ones who have the authority and power to preach and baptize them. This is heavy... great Scott! (movie anyone?)
I'm sorry about the random references. I am really nervous. I understand that I have the responsibility to help my new companion to become the missionary the Lord wants him to be and I know I haven't even become the missionary God wants me to be yet. This is a heavy burden for me to carry. I wonder a lot now about who he will be, what he'll be like, will we get along (of course we will, but still...), etc.
I know it'll be hard, but I know I can do it with the Lord's help. The biggest thing I need to remember is to treat him as my equal from the first moment. In working together to make all decisions we will be able to develop the unity that we need to really help our area grow and flourish. This is going to be rough, but as Nephi states, "I will go and do the thing which the Lord has commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare the way for them to accomplish the thing which he has commanded them...I know in whom I have put my trust" (1 Nephi 3:7; 2 Nephi 4:19).
I love you all and as I know you pray for me, I pray for you.
¡Que Dios os cuide!
Elder Matthew Dewsnup
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Moving on Down the Line 7/30/12
My Dearest Family,
The Peanut Butter is almost gone. Probably enough now for only two sandwiches. I guess some things just never change... ;)
Ok, Mom mentioned some things in her email to me that are making me look like o.O I think I heard that Minion is Megan and Marvin's Junior, so does that make Sharkbait Sarah and Brandon's? Sincerely, confused Uncle Dweebus.
And in the Argentine news, or at least the news that pertains to...me...the work progresses. I can't remember what I've been sharing with you all about Belén (different one than from Lopez Camelo), but things progressed there a whole truck load. Last Sunday, she told us that she didn't want to get baptized but that she wanted to keep talking with us about the church. On Wednesday we had an appointment with her again. At first it seemed like everything was going wrong. We got there and there wasn't any other man there, which means that we can't enter the house, and it was too cold to have a lesson outside. So rather than just say, "oh, we'll just come back tomorrow," we went a block and a half away and asked a Brother if he could come with us briefly. He agreed and we returned. Then just as we were about to start the appointment, the power went out, and Belén had to go buy candles. We waited and lit the candles when she returned, then started a half hour late. But the wait was well worth it. We had I think the most spiritual lesson that I have been in in my mission. We focussed so much on teaching by the Spirit and shared several scriptures. We also left room for several pauses to let the Spirit testify of what we were teaching. It was amazing!! She felt in the lesson that she needed and wanted to get baptized, to the point that she actually said it outloud to us. Later I asked her where she felt that impression came from, and she replied that she knew it came from God. Then when we finished the lesson, she said the prayer, kneeling for the first time, and specifically asked if she should be baptized and if this was the true church. The Spirit was so strong in that moment that she started crying. I was close to that point, as were Elder Buxton, the brother with us, and her grandmother (who has refused to accept any invitation on our part other than listen when we teach). It was just such an amazing experience with the Spirit and has reinforced my testimony so much. For now she has let some other fears creep back in, but we keep reminding her of that experience and encouraging her. We hope that she will enter the waters of Baptism this weekend.
In sadder news, one of the investigators we were teaching, Carmen, had a heart attack last Tuesday and passed away. It was a really rough moment, especially for Clara, Mirta and Yeni. When we found out, we shared the scripture in Alma 30 that talks about the spirits of the just and how as part of the Plan of Salvation she still has the opportunity to continue learning there and have the work done for her in the Temple. They were comforted by that, and still are very interested in continuing to listen. It was an experience that I don't hope to have again soon, but it was a spiritually eye-opening testimony to me again of the beauty of the Gospel and what we enjoy as members of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Juan was confirmed a member yesterday and has agreed to accompany us to certain visits this week, so we are now hoping to help him prepare to enter the temple and serve his own mission. He doesn't understand as much, but as he begins this path, now armed with the constant guidance of the Holy Ghost, he will begin to learn more quickly and readily. I think it will also help him greatly to teach with us.
We are still having difficulties contacting Ana and Guillermo again, and that is because they live in one of those gated communities. You need to have documents to get in unless they come get you at the gate, and they haven't answered our calls for the last two weeks. But we're working on it.
We're also trying to improve our ways to find new investigators, because we're struggling with that. We've discussed several methods we can use and have decided on a few of them, so I hope that those produce more fruit this week.
Well, I have just been told that the internet café where we are writing from is closing in 5 minutes, so I'm going to have to close here for the week. Know that I love you all and think about you often. I pray for you and am looking forward to the experiences that I will hear about you next week.
With Love,
Elder Dewsnup
P.S. The photos attached are of Maria Saldaña's baptism, Victoria's baptism, Me with Elders Black, Buxton, and Jorquera, and Nahuel's baptism!
The Peanut Butter is almost gone. Probably enough now for only two sandwiches. I guess some things just never change... ;)
Ok, Mom mentioned some things in her email to me that are making me look like o.O I think I heard that Minion is Megan and Marvin's Junior, so does that make Sharkbait Sarah and Brandon's? Sincerely, confused Uncle Dweebus.
And in the Argentine news, or at least the news that pertains to...me...the work progresses. I can't remember what I've been sharing with you all about Belén (different one than from Lopez Camelo), but things progressed there a whole truck load. Last Sunday, she told us that she didn't want to get baptized but that she wanted to keep talking with us about the church. On Wednesday we had an appointment with her again. At first it seemed like everything was going wrong. We got there and there wasn't any other man there, which means that we can't enter the house, and it was too cold to have a lesson outside. So rather than just say, "oh, we'll just come back tomorrow," we went a block and a half away and asked a Brother if he could come with us briefly. He agreed and we returned. Then just as we were about to start the appointment, the power went out, and Belén had to go buy candles. We waited and lit the candles when she returned, then started a half hour late. But the wait was well worth it. We had I think the most spiritual lesson that I have been in in my mission. We focussed so much on teaching by the Spirit and shared several scriptures. We also left room for several pauses to let the Spirit testify of what we were teaching. It was amazing!! She felt in the lesson that she needed and wanted to get baptized, to the point that she actually said it outloud to us. Later I asked her where she felt that impression came from, and she replied that she knew it came from God. Then when we finished the lesson, she said the prayer, kneeling for the first time, and specifically asked if she should be baptized and if this was the true church. The Spirit was so strong in that moment that she started crying. I was close to that point, as were Elder Buxton, the brother with us, and her grandmother (who has refused to accept any invitation on our part other than listen when we teach). It was just such an amazing experience with the Spirit and has reinforced my testimony so much. For now she has let some other fears creep back in, but we keep reminding her of that experience and encouraging her. We hope that she will enter the waters of Baptism this weekend.
In sadder news, one of the investigators we were teaching, Carmen, had a heart attack last Tuesday and passed away. It was a really rough moment, especially for Clara, Mirta and Yeni. When we found out, we shared the scripture in Alma 30 that talks about the spirits of the just and how as part of the Plan of Salvation she still has the opportunity to continue learning there and have the work done for her in the Temple. They were comforted by that, and still are very interested in continuing to listen. It was an experience that I don't hope to have again soon, but it was a spiritually eye-opening testimony to me again of the beauty of the Gospel and what we enjoy as members of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Juan was confirmed a member yesterday and has agreed to accompany us to certain visits this week, so we are now hoping to help him prepare to enter the temple and serve his own mission. He doesn't understand as much, but as he begins this path, now armed with the constant guidance of the Holy Ghost, he will begin to learn more quickly and readily. I think it will also help him greatly to teach with us.
We are still having difficulties contacting Ana and Guillermo again, and that is because they live in one of those gated communities. You need to have documents to get in unless they come get you at the gate, and they haven't answered our calls for the last two weeks. But we're working on it.
We're also trying to improve our ways to find new investigators, because we're struggling with that. We've discussed several methods we can use and have decided on a few of them, so I hope that those produce more fruit this week.
Well, I have just been told that the internet café where we are writing from is closing in 5 minutes, so I'm going to have to close here for the week. Know that I love you all and think about you often. I pray for you and am looking forward to the experiences that I will hear about you next week.
With Love,
Elder Dewsnup
P.S. The photos attached are of Maria Saldaña's baptism, Victoria's baptism, Me with Elders Black, Buxton, and Jorquera, and Nahuel's baptism!
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