This past week was pretty great, especially this past weekend. A lot of what happened was from Friday on in the week, but the days before that were great as well, just not the most important things to try and fit into this email. This is the last full week before transfers, so by next Monday I'll know what is going to happen to me. These past 5 weeks have gone by really fast, and it has been great serving with Elder South. Send in your guesses of what will happen and by next Monday when I'm able to see, I'll tell everyone who was right (kinda like guessing for a mission call opening). Hopefully reading these emails helps to invite the spirit, and because of the spirit and the love of God, y'all will be able to have a wonderful week!
The Meeting: So last Friday morning, I went to a special meeting that our Mission President set up. It started at 9 and it included the Assistants, the Zone Leaders, the Sister Training Leaders, and the District Leaders. The meeting started off with the stating of the purpose of the meeting and some opening remarks from President Nelson. Ever since the splitting of the missions, there was a big boost in finding and teaching in the mission, but that has recently plateaued. This meeting was to spur something more. President Nelson started by teaching of the Gathering of Israel, and of the purpose we have in these latter days in bringing our brothers and sisters to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah. Then the majority of the meeting was watching clips from a Talk by Elder Neil L. Anderson from the 2017 Mission Presidents' Training Seminar on finding. It was pretty inspiring and the spirit was there, and we started to implement these things immediately. We met someone just that night. He is 16 years old and his name is Nick. We found him while trying some Hispanic homes and he opened the door. He is interested in learning about the Gospel and seeing the blessings in his life, and this all happened at 8:55, 5 minutes before we had to retire for the night. The Miracles just followed, and it is amazing to see the spirit and the urgency to share the gospel coming to me and to others as well.
Leo: Leo was another miracle. The day after the meeting, which was on Friday, we were out in the Osgood area as normal and we were having no success, when we got the idea to try the other set up apartments to see if anyone was home. We only found one, and his name was Leo! He is about 25 and is here alone in the United States away from his family in Peru. He is looking for truth and he said that he would come to church on Sunday, and then he Did. He drove 30 minutes to church, got there just in time for the sacrament, and then drove back to start work. During the meeting he asked tons of questions about the church and the sacrament. My companion, in answering his questions, taught about the sacrament and the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He said something about the sacrament after he was explained what it was. "So it's like getting to start over and receive help to do better each week". He is very amazing, and it will be so exciting to see him be taught in the upcoming weeks.
The Temple: Two major things happened in the Idaho Falls Temple this past week. One was today. We took one of our four temple trips for the year and went through the Idaho Falls Temple. It is absolutely beautiful there, and the murals and the spirit that was felt there was enough to push me through for a few months. The other huge thing that happened was with the Olivas. Last Friday night we met at the temple and did baptisms for the dead with the Olivas. Afterwards we went out to Dinner with them. Both of them had an amazing experience and knew that it was the House of the Lord. The told us about he difference that they felt during the open house and during their time in the temple after it was dedicated. They said that they could feel the spirit when they first went through, but that they could feel it so much stronger when they went in for baptisms for the dead! The temple is amazing, and it is a place where we strengthen our Faith in Christ and strive to more fully keep the commandments, and where we share those blessings with all that we can.
Sharing Time: This past Sunday was a first for me. After meeting with a primary presidency a few weeks ago, they asked us to come and teach a sharing time. Primary is where all of the kids ages 3-12 go and sing and learn the principles of the Gospel. Our lesson was on Honesty. It was fun and cool to see how primary works now that I am older, and how I remember some of the sharing times from back in my day. It was hard for me, since I have mostly taught older people on my mission, to bring it down, and it was a little rocky in some places... but the class was good and hopefully the kids learned something about honesty. The primary has a sweet, pure spirit in it because of the faith of these small children, and it is cool to see them get excited to sing and to learn.
Studies: In this past week, one of the major things that stood out to me from my studies was the last words of the prophet Ether in the Book of Mormon, which shows the Humility and Faith that I am working for in my life.
34 Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen.
I love all of you, and sadly I forgot my camera at home this week, but next week there will be pictures.
Love y'all,
Elder Baker
Enjoyed your letter so much.
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