Training!

Hey Y'all,
Very very very interesting week this past week. It has been full of sadness and joy, so here we go.

Funeral: We'll start it off on an interesting note. So on Thursday morning we got a call from one of our ward mission leaders. He tells us that someone in this apartment complex in the ward just died, (most of the people in this apartment complex are older) and that the Latino neighbor of the deceased needs a translator for the funeral. We got over there in a couple of minutes and the funeral started. It was interesting because I was trying to translate the whole time, but translating English to Spanish is harder than you would think. 


The funeral ends, it was very touching, and was not too sad. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we do not believe that sorrow awaits us after this life if we follow the gospel, and she endured to the end. The thing that really got to me and is a reason that we were there is what the Ward Mission Leader said after the funeral. Up until the time of the funeral (because of her lack of English) this women, Juventina, had thought that her best friend had been killed. But while translating, I told her that she had died of natural causes and of a disease. This comforted her more than I can understand. The rest of the day was very interesting, after the funeral.

Training/Train the Trainers: This actually took place before we went over to the funeral. President Nelson called us and wanted to talk to me. I was then called as a Trainer. A Trainer on the mission is someone who helps a new missionary get accustomed to the field, guides them along, and teaches them how to do Missionary Work. I will get my new companion next Wednesday and I didn't know where or who at the time. I also was told that the very next morning, we would be having a training for those called as Trainers, in Idaho Falls. So the next morning, we drive down to Idaho Falls and we get to this meeting. There are four Spanish missionaries coming in this transfer, and the four Spanish trainers are all those I know pretty well. We all came out within 3 months of each other, and we are all very excited. One of the topics that we discussed in this meeting was the first day on the mission for you, and how you can make their first day memorable as well. My first day in Idaho was very interesting. My flight from SLC got me into Idaho Falls at about 12:10 AM. President Nelson was there waiting for me and helped me with my luggage. Next, he dropped me off at the Assistants Apartment. This was apparently a sudden call and I was getting dropped off somewhere for the night. In the morning, they then put me with two other Elder's for studies. These Elders were only together for a day because each of their previous companions had finished their mission and gone home. Then, after studies, they dropped me off at the mission office. There I stayed and sat for about 2 hours before the rest of the missionaries arrived and everything went smooth after that. And then on the next day, my first meal on the mission was eggs. haha. There will be more information coming next week about my new companion and about our new area and everything going on over there. And sadly, no one wanted to go to the only Chick-fil-A in the mission, so I'll have to wait for a different time.

Susan: This past week we had a wonderful lesson with Susan. After starting off with a prayer, she told us that she had read the rest of the pamphlet of the Plan of Salvation. One of the main topics that she was asking about was the three degrees of glory. These degrees of glory are the Celestial, the Terrestrial, and the Telestial. Each of these are better than life on this earth, but the best we can reach for is the Celestial Kingdom. That is the only place where we can live with our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ for eternity. This was also something we discussed the next day as well when we were in the Gospel Principles class. The Scripture Moses 1:39- "For behold, this is my work and my glory -- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."- Explains what God's purpose is. But what is the difference between Eternal Life and Immortality. This is the answer: Because of the Atonement of Christ the bonds of death were loosed, and everyone will be resurrected at the last day to stand before the Judgement bar of God. But Eternal life, is Life with the Eternal Father. John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Eternal Life is the highest degree of joy and happiness, the Celestial Kingdom! The only way that we can go there is by following the first principles and ordinances of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ - Faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, Repentance, Baptism by Immersion by someone holding the Priesthood Authority of God, Laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It was a wonderful thing and It will be sad to no longer be teaching Susan (look below). I want to live in the Celestial Kingdom, even if it may be hard to get there by making the right decisions and having the right desires in this life. 

Transfers: TRANSFERS! Yesterday we got the call about where we will be going. Elder Cruz will be staying here in the Rexburg North Stake, but they are sending in another set of missionaries! Because of the work that is picking up in the stake, they are sending in another pair of Elders into the Rexburg North Stake. For me, I will be Whitewash Training/District Leader, down in Idaho Falls somewhere. It's the Oakland Valley branch, but that just sounds like it's in California, so nobody knows where it is. I have loved being here in Rexburg for these 3 transfers. The members, the leaders, the Investigators, and the Missionaries who have served here are wonderful and it will be great to have a new area, with new people, and new opportunities to find people to teach. My new address should be coming soon, and when I found out where it is, I'll let everyone know so that you can all send me letters if you so wish. And one other thought. Usually missionaries are 19 if they are in the mission for a while, but I found out the other day that when I reach my 10 month mark in the mission, I will still be 18! Haha, fun stuff. Very excited for this next transfer and more information will be coming next week.

Studies: This past week was in the Book of Jacob in the Book of Mormon, and my favorite chapter to study was Jacob 5 believe it or not. One of the cool things about this chapter is the missionary work that is so prevalent. For the first 60 Verses, it is the Master/Lord of the vineyard and his servant working, helping, pruning, the two types of trees in the vineyard (The tame=House of Israel, and the wild=The Gentiles). During this time it talks about grafting branches on the different trees, trying to bring forth good fruit. One of the methods used is the grafting of branches of the tame olive tree to the outer reaches of the vineyard (the scattering of Israel). This goes on, and the whole while, I thought the the Master was Heavenly Father and the servant was Jesus Christ. But then Verse 61 came around.- "Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with out 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." The servant is the Prophet and the parable talks about the dispensations of the Gospel. In this dispensation, the Prophet has called, is calling, and will call servants to work in the Lord's vineyard, based on the commands of Jesus Christ. This is the last days, and we have to labor diligently to help these people.

Pictures: 
Next week, lots of them, no time to sort them out...

Love y'all, see you next week!
Elder Carson Maurice Baker