D+C 123:12-13

"For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties and denominations...who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it--Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things [out] of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven--these should then be attended to with great earnestness."

Sunday, February 15, 2015

1-26-15

Holy cow, so it´s been awhile since I´ve written!    It´s been pretty crazy in Lascano! Elder Rosales and I and trying to help the branch presidency function, and the missionary work. We are seeing such miracles!  Elmer helped me bless the sacrament- he´s such a stud. Hahaha He has a deep catholic backround, so he was sure to throw in some "Father, son and Holy Ghost" cross actions with his hands, and he would look up to heaven every once and awile, but he did such a good job! I love that guy so much!

So, the mission is changing a few things. The area presidency here in Uruguay felt inspired to make some changes, and they´re calling it, the New initiative. Every week, the only things that we are reporting to our leaders is the Total church attendance, and baptisms. The past couple years in Uruguay, we´ve been baptizing A TON! But we having been retaining these baptisms. So we have a LOT of Less actives. This New Initiative is to Work with the Menos Activos, and Members, to increase church attendance, and find people to teach Through the members\less actives and recent converts. At first, I didn´t know what to think!  But now, I have SUCH A STRONG TESTIMONY that the work is hastening, and this is the way to do it. The members are the new missionaries, and the Missionaries are only the guides and teachers.   I heard a scripture the other day in Doctrine and Covenants, 101:55, and it says that in the last days, the Lord will gather THE REST of his servants, the old, the young, the children, and the parents to bring to pass the work. That means the members! It hit me hard! The work is hastening, and gone are the days that missionaries are finding, tracting, and baptizing. It´s up to the members to find, fellowship, share, and prepare non members to hear the missionaries. We still are finding by our own efforts, but it´s part of the hastening of the work, and I know this New Initiative is going to work!   It´s inspired!
We are really trying to make that transition in the mission, and with the members, and I know it´ll take time. But it´s the way to do the work!

And we have found a few families to teach!    Artigas and Gabriela, and their son Sergio, want  to be baptized! But, they have to get married first. In Montevideo, it takes a little bit of time to get married, but in Lascano, we found out, that it doesn´t take as long! We are figuring out the arrangements so that they can do it, but they are so willing!   I´m so excited for them!  Also, Artigas´s sister, Blanca, and her daughter Ana are ALSO  listening to the charlas, and want to be baptized! It is so cool to see the simple faith that they have, they know that the family is important, and that baptism will help them be more united as a family here, and in the next life. I love them so much- We´ll keep you posted!  We also have found, through Camila and Lucas, (STUDS!) Romina and Antonela. They both want to get baptized, but their dad won´t let them!   AHHHH!   But I feel really calm. They are going to talk to their parents today, and then we´ll see what happens! Keep them in your prayers, they need the happiness that the gospel brings!

The church is true! I know that God lives, and loves us! The coming of the Savior is so close, and we need to be ready. I´m so humbled and grateful to be apart of the preparation of the second coming, and the millennium. It´s true!

I love you all, have an awesome week!

Elder Carroll

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