A quick snapshot of the week: Tuesday was Elder Lopez's
birthday and we spent the day at the doctor's office because I had a problem.
I'm fine though. Andres came to church
yesterday! It has been incredible to see how he has changed over this past
month. The Narro Family is progressing very well, they came to church again
yesterday and their daughter is preparing to be baptized this Saturday. Today
was my last Pday and we played basketball and soccer... Yankees vs. Latinos. We
killed them in basketball... and we also won in soccer. It was fun. Not that
anyone was keeping score anyway.
Just so you all know, this will be the last time that I
write home as a full-time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Next week is transfers and they
don't let those of us who are going home write home because we have some
meetings that we need to go to and such. I would like to take this time to
thank each and every one of you for your love and support over these past 2
years. I still can't believe that 2 years have really already gone by. It
really hasn't hit me yet that this is it. I know that everyone says it, but
these really have been the best 2 years. Since it's the last time I'm writing, I
would like to share my testimony.
I know that God the Father lives. I know that He has a plan
for each and every one of us. I know that He knows us all individually and
personally. He hears and answers our prayers, maybe not always as we want Him
to, but He does answer.
Jesus Christ lives. He made it possible for us to be
cleansed and purified through His atoning blood, sacrificed himself on the
cross and on the third day rose again, thus conquering both physical and
spiritual death and making it possible for all of us to do so as well. As we
sincerely repent and turn to Him He will guide us by the hand and help us
overcome every trial and every temptation.
The Book of Mormon is the word of God just as the Holy
Bible. As we study the scriptures daily we will receive the spiritual strength
to keep pushing forward.
Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. He
was a prophet called of God. Through him the Lord was able to restore the
Priesthood keys and establish the Church of Jesus Christ once again on the
earth. Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's prophet on the earth today. He holds the
same Priesthood authority that was held by Abraham and Moses.
The most important things that we can do to progress in this
life are: read the scriptures daily, pray daily, attend church weekly, hold
family home evening weekly, attend the temple as often as possible, and obey
all commandments, even when we don't understand all the reasons as to why we
should obey them. The Gospel of Jesus Christ isn't always the easiest way or
the easiest choice, but it is the best way and the best choice. I testify that
if we follow the principles of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift
of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, we will be found worthy to return
and live with our Father one day.
It's hard for me to believe that my missionary service is
coming to a close so quickly. It has been the biggest privilege in the world to
wear a badge on my chest that states that I am an official representative of
the Church and of the Savior himself. I will be eternally grateful to my Father
in Heaven for this grand opportunity and privilege.
12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am
weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boastof my God, for in
his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have
wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
13 Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?
16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.
35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.
36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.
37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of everypeople, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.
13 Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?
16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.
35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.
36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.
37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of everypeople, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.
(Alma 26:12-13, 16, 27-30, 35-37)
I love you all. See you soon. Come to my Homecoming on August
9 at 9:00 am.
Much love,
Elder John William Garrett
La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte
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