Week #9 - La Union, Chiclayo - December 25, 2019

Hey everyone,

Man, the last few weeks have been so incredibly hard. I know the beginning is always the hardest, and each week gets better. This last week has been a bit easier. I've been easing into everything a lot better. I can practically understand almost everything people say, at least the idea of what they're saying, but I'm definitely missing a lot of words. I have a harder time speaking. which is normal when learning a new language, I'm just happy I can understand a lot better now.

Our area is very small, but the members in the ward are tan fuego. They held an activity called a Noche Blanca at the church, and the week before it, we were extending invitations to our investigators and contacts in the street to come. When the activity occurred, we were a bit disappointed at first. But about an hour in, people just started showing up and there were so many people we ran out of chairs and we were scrambling to find some. Also, for whatever reason, some member dressed up as the Pink Panther and started walking around. I'm not entirely sure what that has to do with Christmas, but it sure was entertaining. At the end, our ward mission leader came out as Papa Noel (Santa Claus) and the bishop gave a message about Jesus. All in all, even though it was very different, we ended up with 6 new families who were interested in listening to our message.

It's insane how much food they give us here. They will give us entire plates of rice (which is extremely filling) then give us more beans, chicken, bread, then ask us repetitively if we want more food. They keep calling me flacito, which means skinny, so I've determined they're trying to get me fat. They think that's a good thing because if you're fat here, it means you're well off. It just kind of sucks that they're trying to make me fat cause I've always been able to pride myself in being lean. But I have a plan to stay skinny; none of the other missionaries think it'll work, but they don't know me. Just watch, I'll come back and still be skinny, that's a promise.

The other day me and my companion went on divisions and I was with the bishop for a family home evening. Since he was hosting and conducting the meeting, he asked that I teach the lesson by myself. I shared a scripture and gave my testimony of it. Afterwards, I was taking to one of the non-members there and getting their information. They were very talkative and I was understanding what they were saying and communicating with them for like 20 minutes. I mean obviously my Spanish wasn't good, but I walked out with my mind blown because that was the first time I had an exchange with someone for more than 2 minutes. 

Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone! I bet all your holidays are probably more festive than mine, but it's all good. I'll send pictures next week. I forgot my camera, but that means you'll get a lot of pictures to see next week so that's cool.

- Elder Dyal

Elder Beazer and Elder Dyal

Week #8 - La Union, Chiclayo - December 16, 2019

Hey everyone. It's been a really long week so I'm probably going to miss some stuff that happened.

But basically the majority of the missionary work I'm doing is ask people on the streets if they want a card for Christmas and hand it to them. We invite them to church and then I do my best to explain stuff until my Spanish runs out. During our lessons, I listen carefully and can usually make out what everyone is talking about, so that's been pretty good. But every so often someone will ask me a question and it just sounds like a ton of mumbling and I just stare at them in confusion. But it's progress, although sometimes it doesn't feel like it.

On Wednesday we had intercambios where we switch companions with another set of missionaries for a day. That was very interesting because I really got along with the companion I had that day. He was pretty cool. It's a shame I was only with him that day cause he really pushed me to talk more and invite people to baptism. It was actually a really stressful day because we had so much to do, so we got permission to stay out an hour later to finish all our appointments. One of the things that happened that day while we were at an apartment complex doing some tracting, was he told me to pick a door to knock on. I felt a strong urge to chose the one directly in front of us. A guy opened the door and let us in and we talked to him for a long time. He had lots of questions and at the end, he agreed to be baptized, and it was the first lesson! So that was cool.

Another cool thing that happened was we did a door contact and I gave him a Book of Mormon. Usually, we don't give BoM's out in a door contact but I felt like I should. As I pondered on that at night after getting home, I felt a very powerful impression that it was the right thing to do. When we returned a few days later his Dad was there and we taught him about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. He was a really sharp guy and believed our message. We gave him a BOM as well and invited them to get baptized. He said he wanted time to meditate before he made a decision but I think he'll really make progress. We go to see him again in a few days.

My companion is a good guy but we are very different. It's been a difficult transition because me and my last companion we were basically the same person. But its all good and I'm sure I'll learn a lot. 

I really can't remember what else happened this week because I'm kinda stressed right now, but I'll write every week.

Elder Dyal

Week #7 - La Union, Chiclayo - December 9, 2019

¡Buenos Dias!

So I landed in Peru on Wednesday.

 We spent the whole day in Lima after a good two hours of sleep doing boring visa and identification stuff. I was surprised that I didn't have any sort of culture shock; it's probably because of the other countries like Fiji and Costa Rica I've been to, so I already expected a lot of the weird things that happens. Also, those first couple days I had no idea what anyone was saying. I was wondering if they taught me the same language in the MTC. Now I still don't really know what's happening, but I can follow the conversations and sometimes chime in with my gringo spanish so I'm pretty much fluent now. 

The food is actually really good here, I haven't eaten anything yet that I felt I needed to force down. It's mostly rice and chicken so whatever. I also just now learned that currently I'm locked in the church building so we'll see what happens there.

Anyways, it's interesting because most people stop and listen to our message, probably because we're white. We already brought a family to church on Sunday so that's pretty cool. We've taught multiple lessons and contacts so we're very busy all week. I also have to get better at soccer because that's the only thing anyone plays here. And that kinda sucks because I hate soccer but it's fine.

One lady asked if we were prophets. I felt I should tell that cause I thought it was funny. And everyone here is Catholic, which actually makes it kinda hard because a lot of people are very strong in their beliefs and they'll try to argue with us sometimes. I just hope my Spanish gets better pretty quick because I really want to communicate with people instead of them asking me what I said everytime I speak. I'm sure it'll be ok, but for now the most I do is give out cards with Jesus on it and say: "Podemos darle un tarjeta de Jesucristo por Navidad."

So that's kinda what it's like here, I'm still locked in the church building, probably all day so...

Elder Dyal

 A welcome from President and Sister Balderrama after arriving in Chiclayo with his traveling group from the Provo MTC.

 New missionaries in Chiclayo Peru

 Welcome breakfast at President Balderrama's home

Alex's trainer and new companion, Elder Beazer

Week #6 - Provo, MTC - November 30, 2019

Hi everyone,

So first off, I do have my visa for Peru, so that's good! I  will be going there next Tuesday instead of a reassignment in the states. Also, this week was very strange since it was our last week at the MTC and it was also Thanksgiving weekend. Every single day this week we had a TRC which means we had to teach someone a lesson in Spanish for like 20 minutes. Those honestly have been the best thing for me at the MTC so far. Learning Spanish is very frustrating, but speaking it (at least what I know) is muy bien and sometimes muy divertido.

So Thanksgiving was interesting. We didn't know if we would get a Thanksgiving dinner (it was actually lunch) or not, but they gave us one! We had turkey and pies and all the fixings, real food for once, so that was good! We also had 2 devotionals on Thanksgiving day and did a service project. One of the devotionals stood out because Neil. L Anderson of the 12 apostles came to speak to us. As you could imagine, he spoke about gratitude on Thanksgiving, then proceeded to give one of the most powerful testimonies about the Atonement I've ever heard! One of the things I wrote down that stuck with me was when he said "your ability to lift your arms or move your fingers, or see with your eyes, your very life, this was given to us by God. And because he gives all this to us, we can never repay Him. Never in anything we do can we ever give back to Him what he's given to us!" So many other things I wish I could share with you! It was very good. Then later, the MTC came together to do a service project. We packed meals for the needy and it was pretty fun because I was a runner, which meant I just hauled boxes around for an hour and a half. We also got to call our families which was nice.

I also drank a whole bottle of soy sauce on a dare, which is a terrible idea, but you know, I don't back down on a good dare. So I chugged the whole thing, and needless to say, all of it went straight back up in about 20 minutes. So if I learned anything, it's that I shouldn't drink that much soy sauce again, or anything that you know your body can't handle that much of.

Anyways, a lot of things happen throughout the week but I always have a hard time remembering on P day, so I'm sorry about my short emails. I'm really excited and nervous at the same time about going to Peru, but I know I'll be able to handle it as long as I stay in tune with the spirit and God's will. So next time you'll hear from me will not be my usual P-day in the MTC,, but the week after, probably on a Monday. Adios, amigos!

Elder Dyal

 Elder Dyal and his companion, Elder Kempler

 Elder Dyal's MTC District

 Elder Dyal's MTC District

 Thanksgiving Lunch at the MTC

 Service Project on Thanksgiving

 Elder Dyal with his 2nd MTC teacher, Hermano Lyon

Elder Dyal with an MTC buddy

Week #5 - Provo, MTC - November 23, 2019

Hi everyone,

So I only have a little over a week left in the MTC and I couldn't be happier that I'm close to leaving. I don't hate the MTC but I'm just anxious to get out of this environment and start teaching people and use the Spanish I've been learning. I know the MTC Spanish is only the beginning and I will REALLY start learning Spanish in Peru and I'm excited! I haven't heard if my visa has come in yet which is kind of frustrating, but they told us they are getting our travel plans ready so I should hear about it soon. I will either be heading to Peru or temporarily reassigned in the states. It'll be ok either way. I'll only be reassigned for probably one transfer and I'm ok with that.

So my companion went to the high school in southern California that had the school shooting last week. His sister was in school when it happened. He was really shocked and had to take a day for counseling since he knew one of the guys who was shot. Crazy how stuff just keep happening after you leave for your mission. Time doesn't stand still and bad stuff still happens. He's better now though.

So this week, our MTC teacher was promoted so we got a new teacher. So that was pretty different. We had gotten use to his method so now just trying to readjust to a new style. But both of them are equally as good so esta bien. My Spanish is definitely getting better all the time. I can understand almost everything in the TRC practice teachings. I can't speak quite as well as I would like but I'm ready to learn so much more once I'm in the field. 

Hope you get the chance to watch The Christ Child nativity movie. We watched it in devotional a week ago and it was very powerful. It's released now so it may be in the gospel library or online on the church website. On Thanksgiving this week, we were told that a general authority is coming, but they didn't tell us who, so I'm excited to see who it will be. When President Uchtdorf came a few weeks ago, his devotional was so good and the spirit so strong that I'm anxious to feel that again. And I don't know if I'll be eating turkey this year or not, but I'll definitely be wearing the turkey hat that Grandma sent me! haha! It's crazy to think that Christmas is approaching because it doesn't even feel like it at all around here. I'm excited to see what they do for Christmas in Peru. I'll be arriving just in time to find out!

Anyway, if you couldn't tell I'm so ready to get out there and do some good. The MTC is fun but there's so much one can learn here, and I just think I will learn so much more when I'm out there! I'll send another email next week and hopefully send more pictures. I have a picture of my district I need to get a hold of and I'll probably take a ton more since it's my last week.

Elder Dyal  

With his MTC teacher that just left, Hermano Shumway

Turkey hat from Grandma

Goofing off with filters

Week #4 - Provo, MTC - November 16, 2019

Hey everyone,

This week has been sort of interesting. Still up early every day and learning lots of Spanish. But then on Tuesday, I got sick so I missed class. Don't know if it was the food or just exhausted, but everything was out of whack! Missing class one day didn't hinder my Spanish at all though. 

Also this week, my district had a service project. We were working with one of the janitors named Christian. We got to know him pretty well. He was very friendly and was from Peru, so my companion and I instantly got along well with him. I think he mostly liked us because he knew we were going to Peru on our mission. He liked talking to us about it. The next day, our teaching assignment got messed up, so we were told to to to a new room to teach a different person. We walked in and it was Christian the janitor! He spoke some pretty fast Spanish but I could understand about 60% of what was said. We were able to teach the whole lesson in pretty decent Spanish. It's amazing how I've only been here 3 weeks and I already know so much!

For devotional this week, they showed us the church's new Nativity video that is about to be released to the public next week. It's called "The Christ Child" and it was so good. The best nativity movie I've seen so far. It comes out next weekend and I strongly recommend looking it up and watching it.

The spirit here is incredibly strong. Even when I do something pretty stupid and look back on it, the spirit still comes back to me. Since being ordained a missionary, there truly is a difference and I feel it. I know that what I'm doing here is the work of the Lord. I can't wait until I leave for Peru, I'll continue to update you guys and I'll be sure to take more pictures.  I've been slacking on that. None this week, sorry! 

Elder Dyal 

Week #3 - Provo, MTC - November 9, 2019

Hi Everyone,

There isn't too much to report from this week. We're just learning Spanish everyday and learning Preach my Gospel in depth. I'm not going to lie, it's extremely hard learning a new language but I feel I'm understanding more and more everyday but it's still difficult for me to speak cohesively. Despite the fact that it's hard, I'm still having a fun time out here. I'm trying to prepare myself the best I can so I don't have too much of a culture shock, but even so I know it's inevitable. 

On Tuesday I sang in the missionary choir for the devotional. Like ten minutes before the devotional started, we were informed that Elder Uchtdorf was coming to speak to us. Everyone got really excited. When he walked into the room, everyone stood up as a sign of respect, and the spirit filled the room.  He gave a really good talk about how to be a successful missionary. His main focus was that if we want to be successful on our mission, we should focus on the things that we have control over, like our thoughts, feelings and actions. He also told us that a missionary's influence extends far beyond what we see or even know. He told many interesting stories that I wish I had time to write out here. But I took several pages of notes in my notebook. Even after he left, the spirit continued through the day. That was really cool because Elder Uchtdorf is one of my favorite speakers. 

So I'm doing good. I hope I'll be able to say more next week but until then, PLEASE email me! Those letters really make my day!

Elder Dyal

Week #2 - Provo MTC - November 2, 2019

Hi everybody,

Well here I am officially into my second week of the mission. The MTC has been interesting so far. It's just routine now so there's nothing too interesting going on in the day. We try to make it as fun as we can though, especially since learning Spanish can be discouraging and frustrating sometimes, although we are learning a lot every day. It seems like we're in a constant state of exhaustion. But it's funny watching my whole district attempting to stay awake in class. Everyone's eyes are fluttery and everyone is trying to act awake and normal. I will say though, it's infinitely less funny when it's me and I'm feeling like passing out.

I'm happy that we have workout time everyday because that's what I always forward to. The gym isn't the greatest, and it's always very crowded. My favorite is playing basketball and showing everyone up! Then I'll either go running on the track or workout my arms, chest, back, and legs depending on the day. 

Halloween wasn't really Halloween here. Except that my companion, Elder Kempler, dressed up as Harry Potter. I thought it was funny that he came prepared to the MTC with a costume. He was the only person dressed up so we got our fair share of funny looks in our direction the whole day. I thought it would be funny to dress up as Hagid but I decided against it because we were planning to teach somebody that day. I had a pillow that I was going to put under my shirt and a beard I made out of black construction paper, but then decided against it. We taught the discussions in English and it went pretty well, but when we tried it in Spanish, it wasn't so good. We have a long way to go!

The spirit is very strong here at the MTC. It's very nice to have it constantly around. I feel the spirit in class especially. It helps me really keep my focus on what I'm learning. I've already had a lot  of mental and spiritual growth, and I have also grown a lot in the language. 

I really appreciate any emails that you can send me. I really look forward to them every day. I can read them anytime of the week and then I can respond on Saturdays. I've gotten a few care packages too that have made my day! Thanks for your prayers. I can feel them in my life every day.

Elder Dyal

Elder Kempler was Harry Potter for Halloween

 Candid picture of Elder Dyal in class

 Another candid picture studying in bed

 Hands got beat up from boxing during exercise time

Studying to be a missionary is tiring!

Week #1 - Provo MTC - October 26, 2019

Hey Everyone,

Hola! So I wasn't nervous at all on the plane ride to Utah, but when I started pulling up to the MTC, I became really anxious. But after 3 days, it's been pretty cool. All the people are really nice. I'm very glad I'm in Provo and not Mexico City. Nothing very grand has happened yet. The food is not good though. Whoever told me that it was good beforehand was lying. But yeah, I'm liking it so far. Everyone says the first week is really slow, and then all the sudden you're out of the MTC, but we'll see. I got my companion the first day, Elder Kempler, and we're both going to Chiclayo, Peru and speaking Spanish, so that's pretty comforting to know.

Speaking of Spanish I've learned more here in 3 days than 2 years of school, so if that tells you anything about the education system... But I'm not really able to construct sentences although I can understand most of what they say. I'm in a room with 4 guys and we call the dorm "The Hood", mostly because I'm from Detroit and my companion is from LA. We came up with hand signals which are basically from the primary song Book of Mormon Stories, so as you can tell, we're real thugs! The other two guys in the dorm have beanie hats so we are calling ourselves "the beanie gang". I didn't have a beanie hat and was about to buy one from the store, but then I got a package that day and inside it was a beanie hat! What??? It was a perfect gift! Thanks Grandma! We also have three hermanas in our district. Anyways, I'm having a good time but the past three days really have felt like a month!

I did hear a story about  this cat that walks around the campus all the time. And a few months ago some guys gave the cat the priesthood by putting their hands on it's head, but then they were kicked out and sent home for that. A stupid reason to go home. A little bit funny, but not cool!

I'm hoping I don't have a problem keeping my focus and not letting things distract me, so I hope it's not too much to ask for you guys to pray for me about that. 

I'll write again next Saturday.

Alex

Elder Dyal with his MTC roommates

L to R - Elders Dyal, Palmer, Christensen, Kempler

With Elder Kempler in their dorm room

At the Provo MTC on P-day

It snowed in Provo!

So Happy to Have Family in Utah!

October 23, 2019 -- Alex's Aunt Erin, Uncle Spencer and cousin Marshall were able to pick him up at the Salt Lake City airport after he left Detroit that morning. They were able to take him to lunch at In and Out Burger, made a quick stop to his great-grandparents gravesite, and walked around the Provo temple before dropping him off at the MTC. Thank you for taking such good care of him, Erin and Spencer!

Saying Goodbye... It's Bitter-Sweet!

OCTOBER 23, 2019 -- Saying goodbye to Alex at the Detroit Airport. We are sad but so proud of him!

Who is Elder Alexander Dyal?

In the summer of 2000, our family moved from our native homeland of central Texas to the very unknown area of southeast Michigan. It was a wild adventure for our family, and one that we thought would be brief. Just over a year later, Alexander Williams Dyal was born, and now 18 years later, we are still here in Michigan! Alex has lived his entire life in Canton, Michigan. As the third child of four, he may have had middle child syndrome, but countered that with his determination, sense of humor, compassion, faithfulness, loyalty, keen mind and leadership skills. In June 2019, he graduated from Canton Preparatory High School, a charter school that focuses on preparing students for college. But rather than going to college right away, he elected to serve the Lord on a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this, he follows the example of his father, who served in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1991-1993), and his older brother Spencer, who served in Quito, Ecuador (2014-2016). (Check out Spencer's missionary blog here => http://elderdyal.blogspot.com) His younger brother, Logan, also plans to follow in his footsteps when he turns 18 years old in a few years.

Alex has prepared to serve a mission his entire life. He was baptized when he was eight years old in the church. As a teenager, he participated in a pioneer trek reenactment with the youth in our stake, and he attended several EFY Conferences (Especially For Youth) in both Tiffin, Ohio and Palmyra, New York. He also spent three weeks in Suva, Fiji for HEFY (Humanitarian Experience For Youth) helping residents in a remote village to build much needed neighborhood bathrooms. Alex spent four years in early morning seminary (beginning at 5:45 am) studying the gospel and doctrine of the Lord's church before going to high school every single morning, and he also enrolled in several Spanish classes in high school that would unknowingly be the foundation for his knowledge of this language. Alex has not always had everything easy, but his ability to deal with and handle challenges and still come out spiritually on top has been his best preparation for service to the Lord.

On June 18, 2019, Alex opened his mission call which stated that he was called to serve in the Peru Chiclayo Mission. He would study first at the Mexico City MTC (Missionary Training Center), learning how to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Spanish language. He was a little stunned at first since he never expected to serve in South America. And was nervous about being expected to learn another language. But after it sunk in, his faith helped him know it was the area the Lord wanted him to serve, teach and love the people.

He left on October 23, 2019, and will return on November 9, 2021. But there were challenges... With only a few days before he was to leave, he still didn't have his Peru visa or passport (since it was sent to obtain his visa), so the church adjusted his schedule to train at the Provo, Utah MTC instead of the one in Mexico City. He used the opportunity, however, to see an uncle and aunt (and young cousin) as they were willing to pick him up at the Salt Lake City airport and drop him off at the Provo MTC.

We are excited about having another missionary in our family. I couldn't be prouder of Alex in his decision to serve a mission. I will miss him, but I wouldn't want him to be anywhere else right now! We would like to share his journey with you! I will be posting his weekly letters, experiences and photos on this blog each week. Come back often (bookmark this page!) to watch his progress over the next few years.

Alex gave an amazing farewell talk in church on 10/20/19. The topic was "Why I Decided to Serve a Mission."
READ IT HERE BELOW =>

“Before I was technically called last summer, I was still a missionary. We all can be missionaries every single day. This is one of the most important works we can do. As Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 28: 19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Jesus commanded his disciples to spread the message of the gospel in his name, and to bring others towards him to feel the joy that comes from the spirit of God. Since I've been called I've felt so much joy and I've felt the spirit so strongly that it changed the way I perceived others around me. I'm a relatively reserved guy and I don't like people. Like at all. And throughout my life I've been frustrated about what other people are doing around me and I never stopped to think for a second that most people in life are like the lost sheep, and they just need us to show them love and kindness. Now I genuinely believe most people are good. I try to see people as Christ does, as he is the perfect example for us. And Christ sees everyone as a Child of God, and I've only felt a fraction of God's love towards me through the spirit and through this church. Since I've felt this, I'm yearning for the children of God all around me to feel it as well, and now I have a chance to fulfill that sacred responsibility.

           

Recently, I was in Ohio where Elder Bednar held a sort of youth Q and A at a local church building. One of the questions asked was from a young man who said he was leaving on his mission in a month, and wanted to know how he could fully prepare for a mission. Elder Bednar said to not worry, because there is no possible way you can one-hundred percent prepare mentally and spiritually, for this calling. It is an overwhelming responsibility. But by continually increasing your testimony, reading preach my gospel and the scriptures, and with faith you will adjust quickly to the missionary life. This isn't to say don't prepare for a mission. But rather don't let feelings of worry overtake you and continue enduring and growing spiritually so you can be ready to do the work at the best of your ability. This is true for everyone that we must go forward in faith and keep the commandments to receive the blessings of the lord.

I have a few select things I've done to prepare that I'll talk about today, and they're not quite as complex as you would think. Besides what Elder Bednar advised, there are numerous ways to prepare but I'll talk about the ones I personally focused on the most.

Way before I was called last summer, I was preparing, and one of the biggest motivations for me serving a mission was the example set by my older brother Spencer. He went to Quito, Ecuador which is in fact suspiciously close to my mission. But he was a great example to me and I've seen how missionary work changes people through him. Ever since he sacrificed two years of his life in the service of the lord, I told myself I was going to do the same thing even though it can be incredibly difficult. The blessings outweigh the sacrifices I'm making and I hope I can be even more converted to the gospel when I return. Since I've been called, I like to look for examples found in the scriptures of complete faith in the lord when making sacrifices. Lehi's faith in the lord when he and his family were commanded to leave Jerusalem. Abinadi's faith in the teachings of God when he was preaching to King Noah and the false priests. And even Joseph Smith and all the afflictions he experienced in his efforts to restore the gospel and his continual faith to keep enduring. Now I know two years of my life is no where near the sacrifices so many people before me made in service of the lord. But it's still a big thing to ask of, and it's important to prepare for this life changing experience and looking to examples is a great start.

But looking towards others as an example will only get us so far, we have to put forth our own faith by studying the scriptures everyday, prayer, and do everything with the influence of the spirit. President Russell M. Nelson stressed this importance when he said: “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” This is true, as I've learned for myself recently, when we are preparing to serve a mission. The adversary is making huge efforts to attempt to sway our minds away from things that are good, especially when we are making decisions such as serving a mission. He will feed us lies and doubtful feelings. Specifically for me, I haven't quite decided what school I'm going to, and I've been feeling a lot of worry about what I'm going to do when I get home from my mission. I remember President Nelson's words and I have to continually read the scriptures, pray, and try to live my life in a more holy manner in order to avoid these feelings of worry. This brings me back to faith. Faith is the most important aspect as I've been preparing to serve my mission. I have faith that if I do the things the lord has asked of me, then I will have no reason to worry while I'm on my mission, and after because I know I'm doing the right thing.

Another important part of preparing to serve a mission is reading the scriptures everyday to try to gain a thorough knowledge of the doctrines and principles of the gospel. There is power in the scriptures, it can help anyone who is struggling so they can feel Christ's love. The scriptures teaches powerful truths about the gospel. It's important to know the doctrines and principles when you're preparing for a mission because it makes it that much easier when you're out doing the work. When an investigator has a sincere question, you may know the answer and teach them with love and with the spirit. There is a reason all the prophets and apostles tell us to read the scriptures everyday, and it's to help us when we may be struggling, and for us to feel the spirit to comfort and guide us. Having the spirit all the time when preparing and while serving as a missionary and living your everyday life is essential, and a great way of feeling the spirit is like I said before: read the scriptures everyday, everyday, everyday.

Prayer is another way to feel the spirit, and to communicate with our Heavenly Father. Much like living our everyday lives, prayer is essential when preparing for a mission. It is a very special time in our day that we may take for granted because we are physically speaking to God. I've made a goal to pray at least three times a day, and I'm sure I'll be doing more than that while I'm serving. There is no such thing as praying too much especially when we are struggling. When we are struggling, or need an answer, or are preparing for a mission, Jesus gave this divine counsel to the Nephites that sticks with me. “And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you. Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.” This is huge. Prayer is a thing that not only I have done to help prep myself to serve, but it's something I've done in many cases and it's something I know I'll continue to do the rest of my life. Like Jesus said, if we pray sincerely in our hearts in his name, we will receive the answer, the comfort, or the guidance we are looking for.

Now spiritual things are definitely the most important preparation, but I've found other things leading up to my mission that are helpful as well. There is obviously personal worthiness. This means I have to live my life in a way that is worthy for me to receive the spirit while I'm on my mission. Keeping the word of wisdom, the law of chastity, or anything else that might hinder my ability to succeed while I'm serving. This is something I've had to do my whole life in order to prepare, and I must uphold to these principles in the future to continue to succeed in my future callings and responsibilities. Luckily if we fail in one of these aspects, we have resources to bring us back such as repentance. But when we repent we have to strive to never make that mistake again and that means we have to put in the work. Which leads me to my next way to prepare.

           

Hard work is another extremely important aspect that we all must learn in this life at some point. It's extremely helpful to learn this lesson before you go on a mission because the mission, well there's no other way to say it, it's a lot of hard work. I've tried to show this principle in school, at work, and any other opportunity I have. About a year ago, I took a trip to Fiji with a church affiliated group where we did humanitarian work for people in a village. For two consecutive weeks straight, we built bathrooms from the ground up with the resources we had, and I'll tell you now it was not an easy task. Each day we would get up around six, have personal scripture study time, eat breakfast, then take a forty-five minute drive out to village where we would build the bathrooms for six to seven hours before we return back to our living quarters. And the hot Fijian weather wasn't exactly a paradise on this trip. But despite the struggles, I really enjoyed the humanitarian work even though it was really hard at times, and it was a great taste of preparation for my mission and it taught me to work hard.

The last method I'll be talking about today is financial preparation, everyone's favorite topic. President Boyd K. Packer said this about missionary financial preparation in August 1983: “I speak to that young man who doesn't have any idea how to finance a mission. I do not know either. But I do know this: if you have faith and determine that you will go, there will be a way. Opportunities will come to you as manna from heaven. Do not let that deter you from your duty.” What I personally did, was for the last two and a half years I've been working at multiple different jobs in order to receive the proper finance to serve my mission. No matter how much I didn't want to walk in the door to work (I know a lot of you know that feeling), I did it anyways because serving a mission was important for me to prepare to do. And as President Packer said, if we have faith and determination to serve, the lord will give us opportunities to be able to provide.

I would like to close today by bearing my testimony that I know without a doubt that this is the true church of Jesus Christ, and that he sacrificed himself selflessly for our salvation. I have felt the power of the Atonement personally and I know we can repent of our sins and feel the everlasting love of Jesus Christ when we do. I also bear my testimony that I know what I'm doing is right and it will lead to further blessings as long as I go forward in faith, just like the rest of us can know, no matter what we're doing when we live righteously. I know President Nelson is a prophet of God and he is truly inspired to lead the church as well as the apostles and other general authorities and local leaders. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”