August 22, 2016 "En verdad os digo, aun como yo soy"

Tortillas: 30

This was an amazing week, and I am so grateful for the blessings of the Lord! The definite highlight was on Saturday to participate in the baptism of Mario Gomez.

 In the time that he has been learning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he has change completely. He went from not believing in God, to making covenants to follow Jesus Christ for the rest of his life, and in a great way that is thanks to his amazing family members that have been the best of examples to him. Sadly, I will finally admit, this week my two year full time as a missionary will come to an end, and I will be returning to the United States of America. There are many mixed feelings, but I would say mostly nervousness but also calmness. Nervousness because of the new life that I am begin, but calmness because of the assurity that I have done what the Lord has needed in Guatemala, and as it says in 2 Timothy 4:7

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith"

My wish is to continue fighting the good fight, now and for all eternity. There is no greater blessing than that of being called as a disciple of Jesus Christ, his invitation to follow him is extended to each and every one of us. 

Mejor Milagro:

What has been the greatest miracle that I have seen in all of my time here? The miracle of conversion. In one occasion, President Monson said that we need to develop the ability to see men not as they are, but as they can become. It is magnificent to see how much people can change as they humble themselves before God and allow him to change them. The gospel turns bad people into good, and good people into great, and I see this every single day. The Lord has given me the blessing to see many people change their lives, and to be an instrument in his hands to help them do so, and I am eternally grateful for this blessing. Also, I have seen the marvelous POWER of the Book of Mormon. I know that it sounds too good to be true, but literally any person who takes the time to study this sacred book of scripture and learn from the revelation that come, will be changed. It has the power to convince all men that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that thanks to his atonement we can all be forgiven for our sins. God expects us all to help our fellow man by doing the small things so that they can become the people that God wants them to become. 

Testimony Time:

In the Saviours visit to America, he expounded upon his Gospel, and I am grateful for the insights that we receive in 3 Nefi 27. In this chapter is contained the verse of scripture that has become my personally model, the goal for my life that I know is possible. In 3 Nefi 27:27, it says:

27 And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people,according to the judgment which I shall give unto you,which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.

We all have the potential, as sons and daughters of a God, to become as he is. We must have the vision in mind and work towards it every day, modeling every second of our lives as much as we can after the perfect man that was sent to pay for our sins, even Jesus Christ. In the verse, he makes a very simple invitation to all of humanity of the types of men and woman that we must be, and after his own example he responds very simple "even as I am". Being even as he is is the most difficult task that we will encounter in our lives. Become as him, perfect in all ways. But, he knew that all of us would fall short of the glory of God, and for this reason has proportioned the way that we can become even as he is through the glorious gift of repentance. We must apply this gift every day, because every day we will continue to commit errors and we will see that we fall short of perfection. It will not be in this life that we obtain perfection, but in the next, and all he asks of us is to do our best to become the closest to this perfection. There is not greater joy that comes as we pursue this goal, but it is a path of much sacrifice. He will ask us to give up some of the things that we love most, to lose our lives for his sake, but only as we lose ourselves can we find the real us that we were intended to become, even before the foundation of this world. This invitation is given to all, and as we run into those that are still not on the pathway towards becoming as he is, we can invite them to come and see and participate of the marvelous love of our Heavenly Father. I am grateful for these last two years of inviting and helping people to come unto Christ, and it is amazing to see that as I have done so and worked to forget myself, I myself have come unto him. I know and testify that our Saviour lives and loves us. He knows each one of us in a personally way, and knows what we need. I know that he has proportioned the knowledge necessary to arrive to the celestial kingdom thanks to the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. My joy is complete in him, and I love my Saviour and Heavenly Father with all of my heart. I testify of their divinity, and of the glorious plan that has been put into place, and continue with all of my heart to invite all to come unto Christ. I finish with the word of Moroni, and his invitation in Moroni 10:32

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."

This is the path that we all must take, and I testify of His almight power, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

--

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

August 15, 2016 "él cambió sus corazones"

Lunch with Elder Romero and David

Tortillas: 10


Cada semana es lo mejor en la obra del Señor! This was a crazy week with much to do, but that was great. We made two trips to Xela, each way being about 3 hours so we had time in bus.

 Also, we had stake conference this week which was great. A newly sustained Area 70 came, Elder Moroni Perez, which was great. I have had some interaction with him because before being called he was in the mission presidency, and was assigned to Santa Ana Huista. He is a great man, and I know he was called by the Lord. Also, I had the blessing to do a traditional division this week and went to the area of La Viña with Elder Moreno.

 For them it is a challenging area because it is very small, only about 3 streets, but they continue working hard. A very important aspect in the Lords work is exact obedience, and I know that as servents of the Lord we are obedient with exactness, we will receive great and amazing blessings!

Mejor Milagro:


You know, our Heavenly Father wants us to make and obtain goals. He wants for us to see success, and I have seen that all through out my mission. As missionaries we make daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals, yearly goals, and even more because goals are very important. We had an experience this week as we were arriving towards the end of the week, but set some goals that day so that we could accomplish our weekly goals. They were high, but at a level that we could reach. All throughout the day we saw that as we worked, the Lord prepared the way for us to complete with these goals that we had put by faith and with the Help of the Lord. He put those people prepared in our way, and allowed us to complete with what we desired. All thoughout the day I was marvelled because of how unusual it was to find so many people on a Sunday, which is the most dead day of the week. I know that this is the work of the Lord, and that we are simply insturments in his hands. Oh what a blessing it is to be an insturment for him and how he gives me the blessing to do what he needs!


Testimony Time:


I love so much to study about conversion, and the results that come as God changes us. In the scriptures we find many stories of how people were changed in great ways. In one occasion, the Prophet Alma was teaching about the process of returning to the presence of God, and in Alma 5 he is very clear about conversion and what must happen so that we can come before God in the last day, with clean hands and pure hearts. I really enjoyed what he said in verse 7:


7 Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.


One of the most amazing miracles that I have seen is how the Lord changes hearts. How he has changed my own heart and how he changes that of us all. Many times we find ourselves in this "deep sleep" that Alma talks about. We dont realize that we are missing something in our lives, but we are. It is not until everything hits rock bottom that we come to that realization and we begin to search. It is this search that leads many people to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is the gospel of Jesus Christ that brings light into our lives and releases us from these bands of death. Many times, he cannot change our hearts because simply they are too hard. How can we know if our heart is hard? Well, a key indicator is if we are not willing to submit ourselves to the will of the father. We are not willing to humble ourselves and simply we do not search him in every moment, "always remembering him". When we begin to rely on our own knowledge and forget about the divine help that we need night and day, we are in a bad situation. But, my dear friends, if we are willing this can change. If we are willing to search the will of God, he is willing teach us. If we are willing to humble ourselves and take our weakness before him, he can make those weaknesses into strengthst. We must wish for this change in heart, and if we do not and we do not humble ourselves, he will do it. But, it is much better that we humble ourselves. I know that the love of our Heavenly Father and Saviour are so great, even greater than we can understand. They wish for us to come unto them, and the Saviour always has his arms open to us. That is a center of the Plan of Salvation, that we all can change, and as we wish to change with his help we will see great miracles in our lives. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Trip to Xela, eating Chinese food with some of my favorite people!




--
Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

August 8, 2016 "Veo la maravillosa luz de Dios"

Tortillas: 16 (I think, not really sure)


Este semana fue una semana de mucha felicidad! This was a great week with much done! The best experiences were that we were able to go to the temple as a Zone, and we were able to do much work for the Lord, that is the best! Today we had a Zone activity and went to the Ruins in Zaculeu.

We played some capture the flag there and it was a great time. Los mayas estarían orgullosos. This week I am grateful for my companion, Elder Romero. 

He is a great missionary and I am grateful for his willingness to give the Lord his all. The Lord wants 100 from each and every one of us. That is what this life is all about, doing our best and seeing progress. That progress if we do it in the way the Lord wants will lead us to our celestial home and will allow us to become truly the best. He does not only have work prepared for us right now, but for all eternity. That is what our existence is all about, working and giving our all to bring to pass much good.


Mejor Milagro:


Our mission President gave us the challenge to print a list of all the members in the ward and visit them one by one, each day, activo and menos activo, to invite them to write their testimony in a copy of the Book of Mormon and to give it to one of their friends. One of the familys we visited was that of the Young Womans President. Her husband has actually been less active, but we had an amazing visit and gave them the invitation, which they accepted with much joy. That sunday not only did her husband arrive for the first time in my time here, but they brought their sobrino who they gave the Book of Mormon to. We have begun to teach him, and it is amazing to see the change that has occured. Before they gave him the copy, he had been telling everyone that he was athiest and that did not want anything to do with what people say about God, but this simple gift and testimony has changed everything. He is now preparing to make the sacred covenant of baptism, and has told his family members that he wants to serve a mission and share with others the joy that he has found. It is amazing what miracles can happen with the help of the Lord!


Testimony Time:


This week I read the story of Alma the younger, the son of a Prophet here in America ancient that was a very wicked man. He went about trying to destroy the people of God with his buddies, the sons of Mosiah. But, in their way an angel called them to repentance, and I truly enjoy what he said in Mosiah 27:29


29 My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.


There is no better desciption of the amazing blessings of repentace. I testify of this marvelous light of God that comes as we are willing to repent of our sins! Last week I talked about keeping the commandments and the importance of that. But, we all are not perfect and we commit mistakes. Alma was one of the worst sinners know to man! It talked about how he did not just break the commandments, but also the laws of the land! The did the worst of the worst, but he changed and in an instant became one of the most powerful missionaires of history. Many times we allow ourselves to have past mistakes keep us down and not let us progress. It is like trying to run with a backpack full of rocks, we cannot do it very easily! But, we do not need to unnecicarily take around with us those rocks of sin and chains of death and hell, but we can remove than thanks to the glorious atonement of Jesus Christ. My dear friends, I cannot tell you how sweet it is to be taken out of that darkest abyss of sin and mistakes and be returned to the marveious like. We cannot think that it is impossible, but it is possible and it is amazing! That is why I am here to help all come to repentance and enjoy of this marvelous light, because there is nothing greater than this! I invite all to come to see it for themselvse, and if you have already felt it to feel it each day as we truly repent with frequence. I love you all each so much, and my greatest desire is that all can be redeemed by His saving love, even that of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Of this I testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


If there is any that would like to understand more of this glorious gift, and I am welcome to receive your questions.

August 1,2016 "Sé que si guardáis los mandamientos de Dios, seréis salvos"

 

Tortillas: 11

Una semana con muchos sancudos! I am not sure what happened, but this week the heat went up and the number of mosquitos also did! That means that we are applying bug repelant about every 2 hours, which is not a fun experience, but it is better than getting dengue and chikinguña.




We also had a multizone conference this week with more than 50 missionaries, and it was a great experience.








I am grateful for the learning that comes by the spirit and how we can see exactly what we can do to change and become better. I am also grateful for an inspired mission president, President Smith. We saw great advances in our area this week, and especially how the Lords work never stops. I am grateful for every moment that I have to serve my brothers and sisters here, and to see how happy these people are even though many are found in humble circumstances. The interesting thing is that those that have less seem to be happier than those who have more! They see more the blessings that come from God, and they are grateful for everything.





Mejor Milagro:

We had an experience this week after the multizone when we arrive to the house of some people that we had contacted in the street. We had not been able to find them, but when we arrived they gladly let us in. The most interested was the mom, who became very happy as we explained the blessings of the marvelous Book of Mormon. She truly did not understand our purpose being there until we explained the restoration centered in the importance of the Book of Mormon, and that lead her to be willing to take the desicions to progress and follow Christ. She willing accepted all of the commitments, and as we invited her to read she excitedly accepted, saying that she loved to read and was excited to read this amazing book. I am grateful also for the daily miracles as we contact with the Book of Mormon in hand and the difference in reactions that we see in the people we meet.







Testimony Time:


As I continue my reading in the Book of Mormon, I am grateful for the examples of amazing missionaires like a man named Abinadi, who ended up dieing by fire for being willing to preach of Christ. I especially liked one teach that he focussed on in Mosiah 12:33, which says,


33 But now Abinadi said unto them: I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai, saying:


Just like Abinadi, I cannot stress the amazing importance that is exact obedience to the commandments of God. Even those that may seem small an insignificant to us, we must be exactly obedient, because that exact obedience is what brings miracles in our lives. I am grateful for the peace of mind that comes by keeping the commandments, and the closeness we can come to God because of showing our love to him. Just as Jesus Christ teaches, if ye love me, keep my commandments. As we come to truly love God and our Saviour, we come closer to them and progress to eternal life. I cannot stress the importance that is obedience. It is the factor that decides between the true disciples of Christ, and those who simply speak, but their hearts are far from him. As we pray each day for the help and protection to be obedient and keep the commandments in every aspect, we will be greatly blessed. I love my Saviour Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father. My only wish is to serve them as they wish I would, and to be an effective instrument in their hands. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

They are Claudio and Damaris, investigators that I taught for my whole time in Panorama who were never baptised because they could not get divorced, but this week they were married and baptized!

July 25, 2017 "tal como un niño se somete a su padre"

Tortillas: 16


This week was a bit crazy! We worked hard in our area, but we also went to a village called Pueblo Viejo with some Elders that are about 2.5 hours away from us in the middle of no where! There is literally nothing, unlike the villages in our areas with are close to the city, but it was an amazing experience.



That pizza survived a 2.5 hour bus ride on a crazy dirt road, then when we arrived the power went out, so we ate it cold. Was it worth it? For sure!





The Elder Sanchez is branch president there of a small branch of about 30, but these people are amazing.



Some of the poorest people I have met, but the richest in joy and in the spirit. It was great to see a new type of work in a small village. We also saw this week how the Lord lead us to more families that need what we bring, and to see the progress of these people as they read the Book of Mormon. We find many people who simply reject because what we bring is something different, but as those who are willing to open their hearts and as Christ says, those that have ears to hear, hear, they can come to receive great blessings from more of the Word of God.


Mejor Milagro:


There is a place in our area that we almost have no investigators simply because it is a bit far away for people to come to church, but we went one day this week by the guidance of the spirit to San Lorenzo. As we arrived, the visits we had planned were not home, so we decided to begin searching for more people to teach. At one house we called out and a woman walked out. We introduced ourselves and how as missionaries we had been sent to this house at this moment by Jesus Christ himself to being something for their family, and we offered to pass which she accepted with joy. We began to talk with her and her children and the first question we asked was "Jesus Christ send us here because your family needs us, but we do not know why. What do you need that he has sent us here to do?" In that moment, she completely opened up. She explained that she and her family had been passing very serious difficulties, and have distanced themselves from God because they have no church to go to, because of corruption of the small churches in the villages. She told us that they have felt in much need to come closer to God, but have not known how. When we testified and shared with her the blessing of what we bring and what it entails, she lit up completely. She accepted what we brought with great joy, and we are excited this week to return with the whole family. Not just that, but a councelor in the stake presidency lives mas o menos close to them, and their children are exactly the same in gender and age! God has been prepareing this family.


Testimony time:


I have enjoyed what I have learned by the spirit as I have studied the Book of Mormon. I especially enjoyed in Mosiah 3:19, which says,



19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child,submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.


As I read this verse and what King Benjamin taught in the rest of the chapter, I realized that the only way that we can become as a child and become perfect one day as God expects, we must know the manner that God has put in place, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is literally the way that we need to take to do what it explains in this verse, put off the natural man and become perfect in Christ. When Christ was in the earth, he taught his Gospel in its perfect and complete form, but sadly with his death and the death of the apostles, the fulness of the Gospel of lost. In our days we see that there are many people that wish to follow Christ and be the people that he wishes, but simply cannot because of the confusion that has come because of the creation of so many churches. There are so many good people that are blinded because of this sad occurrence, and we see them every day. It is the most amazing blessing as a missionary to search for the people that truly want to follow Christ, not a church nor a pastor or leader, but Jesus Christ himself. The Restored Gospel is for all people, and that is what we bring. We all look for this forgiveness from God for our sins. We all want to be the people that God expects of us, but in the world we life in it is impossible unless we know exactly how, and that is what Jesus Christ himself taught. I love my Saviour so much, and I am so grateful that he came down and gave his life for me. I am so grateful that he redeemed for my sins, and yours, and all of ours. I know that the gospel has been Restored through Joseph Smith in our days without a doubt. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and as we study its words we learn the will of God for us and how to become clean every day. Of this I testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.




Map of Huehue that is in Parque Central.



Tortillas!!!



Elder Foster from Salt Lake and Elder Moreno from Mexico, they came for divisions!

July 18, 2016 "para que trabajemos diligentemente con todo nuestro empeño en la viña"

Tortillas: 21

La obra del Señor siga avanzando aquí en Huehuetenango! This week were changes, but neither my companion nor I had changes, but we still had to make the tiring journey to Xela to help out. That day was very tiring, but we saw that God gave us the strength that we did not have! This week has been interesting with the fair here continuing, but we still found many things to do. It is interesting to see how many of the appointments that we set with people fall, but we still find new people and people to teach. That is a down side of the Guatemala people, they are not very puntual in time jaja! I am so grateful that every day we are lead to those that are in most help. Sadly, there are always many that are not read to receive the gospel and to receive the blessing in their lives, but I know that as we do all we can the Lord is please with our work, and truly every day we see that it is not our work, but his. 

Mejor Milagro:

A month ago we found a man who was positive, but was not ready to hear the message we bring. He lives in an area that we commonly pass by, and we see him much in the street. One day when we were on divisions, my companion decided to search for this man and ended up teaching him. This week we had an appointment with him, and to our surprise when we arrived he had read the entire pamphlet that we had left him, and he had many questions. As we answered, he understood very well the importance of what we brought, and had a complete change in heart about accepting us and coming to know of the truth of the restoration for himself. He was very willing to accept the commitments that we invite him, and we were surprised when he accepted the baptismal invitation as he received an answer by a specific date. I know that in many different ways, God prepares his children. Many times those we talk to are not ready to receive the Gospel, but that does not mean that they will never be ready. As we give follow up we can see how they are prepared in the future. 

Testimony Time:

This week I enjoyed reading the parable of the Olive Tree in Jacob 5, but one verse in especially that I like was verse 61, which says:

61 Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.

Since the beginning of time, the work and the glory of God is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. That is his biggest focus, that we have the chance to return to his presence and obtain our maximum potential. This is the focus of his work, and he is the person most focussed on seeing that it comes to pass. As we have seen, throughout all history the children of God have been rebelish and have not wanted to follow his councels, but he continues to love each and every one of us. I am so grateful for the amazing blessing to work together with him, with all of my might, to see the way of preparing his children to obtain this maximum felicidad. I know that he loves each and every one of us on this earth, and he knows us personally. Even if we are not remembering him, he is remembering us. Each day he sends blessings from the heavens, and most of them we do not even recognize. It is so key and so important that we come to know our Saviour Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father, because as it says John 17:3 that this is Eternal life to come to know them. As I have come to know Them in a personal way, I have come to trust in Their plan. I have come to see more clearly what They wish for me. It is so very important that we can study the Work of God, found especially in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon, to come to know our Heavenly Father and Saviour, and to see this marvelous work and wonder that has come forth. I testify that there is no greater objective than Eternal Life and that of know our Heavenly Father and Saviour, and as we do we will have our eyes opened to what a glorious life we live. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

-- 

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

July 11, 2016 "aquel que está edificado sobre la roca, la recibe con gozo"

Tortillas: 17


¡Una semana con muchos desfiles! This week started the fair here in Huehuetenango, so it has been a bit crazy with lots of parades every day and not many people in their houses. 

They do it here where all of the schools and all of the grades participate in the parades. Maybe fun for parents, but not much for missionaires. This week we also went to Xela for a Consejo. It was great to see many of my old companions, and to learn much needed things from President Smith. 

The sad part is that this week there are changes, and many missionaries are going home...

 But, the good news is that I will get to stay with Elder Romero! That makes me very happy. We saw this week that even though many went to be in the parties, we were able to find many people to teach and serve, and bring to pass many good in the Lords work.


Mejor Milagro:


Right now we are teaching a man that is old. He actually met the first missionaries that arrived here to Huehue, and went to church a couple of times butt never was interested in know more let alone accept the gospel. In the small time we have been teaching him, the key to his progress is his reading in The Book of Mormon. He has read about 150 pages. This week as we went with him, we asked him how it has been going. He told us about the things that impacted him that he learned, but the most special was what he told us about how one day after he read, he prayed. As he prayed he said that he felt the presence of God very strongly, and that the spirit testified to him without a doubt that the Book is true! This lead to him also sacrificing to come to church for the first time, where he told us that once again he felt the spirit very strongly and enjoyed it very much. Throughout the whole meeting he was taking notes and probably wrote 5 pages of notes! I testify of the power of the Book of Mormon, and the key that it is to our conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This experience was a testimony to me that if we are simply willing to open the Book of Mormon and come to know for ourselves, God is there to answer.


Testimony Time:


I have been meditating much about the world that we are in and the many false doctrines that exist. I know that the Book of Mormon is the key to us being able to see clearly the lies of the devil. I enjoy very much what Nefi taught in 2 Nefi 28:28



28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.


At this moment we must make the desicion, are we going to follow the truth or the lie? If we have chosen to follow the truth, we must do the search to find out for ourselves what is the truth. The center of all truth lies in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which at one point was lost when Jesus Christ and his apostles were killed, but has been restored to the earth through a modern day Prophet, Joseph Smith. We must all come to a security of the truth of the restoration, and the Book of Mormon is the key to know. But, as Nefi advises, we must watch out and make sure that our foundation is centered in the rock, o sea Jesus Christ. If he is our center, not anything else such as money, worldly sins or desires, possesions, ambitions, or even a religion in itself, we can come to know of the truth because as the truth is presented to us we will recognize it by the power of the Holy Spirit. But, if our foundated in something else, when the truth comes, fear will enter into our hearts that we will lose our foundation, that which is not in Jesus Christ. I testfy that Christ came down from his thrown above as the great Jehova to show us a perfect life and to atone for our sins. I testify that he tought his gospel, but sadly that gospel was not able to continue in it fullness. I testify that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is the true church of Jesus Christ himself directed by him. The Book of Mormon is true, and as we read it every single day we will be protected from the lies of Satan that are so common in our world. God loves each and every one of us and wants us to return to his presence, as families. In the Sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

--

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

July 4, 2016 "escuchan las palabras de los profetas y no los destruyen"

Tortillas: 12 (¡Twev!)

Una semana con menos lluvia y mas sol, que bendición! Well, there was much more sun and less rain, but right now the rain is coming down very hard! This week has been amazing as we have begun to work in areas that have not really been reached by other missionaries. Not that they are super far, just a bit hidden, and thanks to some planning we have begun to work there and find many new people to teach! But, this has lead to quite a bit of walking, but it is great to return home every night so very tired. This week we also had the chance to do divisions twice, once I was with Elder Hatch and the other I was with Elder Moreno. It is great to work with and learn from great missionaries. 

Mejor Milagro:


One day we decided to try a short cut that supposodly would bring us to a part of our area faster. Basically, it took us through the middle of the jungle, and we got lost.

 But, as we were lost we ended up arriving to the back yard of a house. They were crushing up corn to feed the chickens, a mother and her daughter, so we offered to help. We had met the daughter a while earlier because we had actually knocked their door, but the family did not accept us. We did this simple act of service (Which was surprisingly tiring) and were able to get to know them and gain their trust. They were very happy for our help, because we were able to do quickly what would have taken them a long time. We had to leave for an appointment, but we asked if we could stop by later that night to share a message with the entire family, and they accepted! As we arrived that night we met the son of the woman and her other daughter. She has 2 other sons who are in United States, and her ex husband who also went about 11 years ago. This has been very hard for her and her family, and has basically disintegrated their entire family. We did not know where we were going, but the Lord knew exactly, and he lead us to this family who in any other way would not have accepted us. As we were able to share but a bit of our message, they are very receptive and want to learn for themselves how this can bless them. I know that God knows each and every one of us personally and all of our challenges.


Testimony Time:


In the Book of Mormon, we read of many of the consequences of those that are not willing to follow the commandments of God. What I like about this scriptures, is it talks about the blessings for the righteous that follow Gods chosen servants, found in 2 Nefi 28:8


8 But behold, the righteous that hearken unto the words of the prophets, and destroy them not, but look forward unto Christ with steadfastness for the signs which are given, notwithstanding all persecution—behold, they are they which shall not perish.


What a glorious blessing that our God has always and will always communicate to us through his chosen servants, the prophets. That is one of the most amazing things that I can share with people every day, is that God has not stopped to reveal his word, but continues to guide us in our modern world through modern day Prophets. Many do not believe, truthfully most and not willing to believe, but I testify to all that we can know of the truth of this for our selves thanks to the fruit that God brought to light through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon: Another testament of Jesus Christ. I testify that it is the word of God, that he revealed anciently to the habitants of America. I testify that through these chosen servants, we can "look forward unto Christ with steadfastness" and we can know exactly what God wishes for us in our days. It saddens me so much that so many people are not willing to know of this for themselves, because what an amazing blessing it is for us as individuals and as families. I testify that Thomas S Monson is a prophet of God, and no matter what amount of persecution I could receive I testify. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, called to restore the Church of Jesus Christ, the same that he established when he was on this earth. Through that restoration, we have all of the knowledge necessary for our salvation and to be able to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father, and as families.


I invite all to come to know for themselves, and of this I testify in every moment, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


--

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

Celebrating the 4th of July!

Elder Worthen is a great addition to the mission, he takes great care of the missionaries housing.

Friend we met on the streets, he makes life pretty fun when we see him!