We all need to be Missionaries

Hey everyone!! So this week a lot of things happened bun unfortunately I don't have a lot of time to write about it all.

Monday we went to a family home evening at Sabrina's and Daniel's house. These are amazing members who help the missionaries in everything. They are awesome! We went there with 4 investigators, Talita ( who was baptized yesterday) her mom, Elza, and her sister, Danielle. We also had Chrystyan there. We have Chrystyan marked with a date for this Saturday and Elza and Danielle for this Sunday. We were able to integrate the investigators and helped them all out. I can't tell you how much working with the members helps.

The people can see that there are NORMAL people living the gospel and not just weird missionaries!  MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH, PLEASE HELP THE MISSIONARIES!!! Give referrals! Have the courage to share your testimony of the restored church. We need to stop being selfish about keeping these blessings to ourselves. This is exaltation and we need to share these blessings so that everyone have the blessings of an eternal family.

D&C 18:11-18

11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

 12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.

 13 And how great is his joy in

the soul that repenteth!

 14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.

 15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

 17 Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and mysalvation.

 18 Ask the Father in my name in faith, believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.

The Lord has called each of us. President Ezra Taft Benson said:

“We are commanded by God to take this gospel to all the world. That is the cause that must unite us today. Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction. Only the gospel will unite men of all races and nationalities in peace. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family”

We need to help others come unto Christ! There are millions of people on the other side of the veil who are waiting anxiously for their  descendants to receive the message of the restored gospel. Many of you know missionaries in the field. Ask them what the best way to work in a mission is. They will all say member referrals. You have nothing to lose. If you think that you will lose your friendship you are wrong! Have the courage to do what is right. Help your brother. These people need our help. In Alma 29 Alma it talks about how our, and everyone's, fathers are waiting for these ordinances.

 8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that heseeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.

 9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

 10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.

 11 Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them out of bondage.

 12 Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers; and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage.

 13 Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them; yea, and that same God hath called me by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people, and hath given me much success, in the which my joy is full.

 

 

Everyone needs this. We have to help people get to the temple. It is so  important. The captivity of their fathers are those who are in the spirit prison waiting to get out of the spiritual torment. We need to love God in all things, For this is the great and first commandment. As we learned in the last conference that we must realize which way we need to face. Where is our trust? We have work to do! There are signs of the second coming in every country. He is coming and he will come in all of his glory. I love my Lord and the way I am showing my love in serving him. Bringing back my brothers and sister to him that way we can become sons and  daughters of the most high God. I love this work and I know that it is important. I love this gospel. Only the Book of Mormon and the Bible together can help us understand our purposes in an eternal prospective. Read the Book of Mormon, ponder in your hearts the message that it contains, and share your happiness with others. Jesus Is the Christ and he needs our help in this great work.

I love you all and hope that you have a great week!!! 

Love,

Elder Stilson

Another Great Week!

Hey everyone! Sorry but this email is going to have to be cut short because of the little time that I have.  This week we had another baptism. So Dhyemerson has a cousin who is basically his sister because his mom takes care of her. She went to Dhyemersons baptism and he said that she, Talissa, needed to be baptized. He asked us if we could teach her and then she asked if she could be baptized. Cátia, Dhyemersons mom, said that she would be responsible to take her to church every Sunday so this week Talissa was baptized and we are working to baptize the rest of their amazing family. We have another baptism this week and possibly three more the next week. We are working super hard and are really excited about these people who are ready to be baptized. We are running like crazy and I love it! We wake up at 6 to do crossfit and other workouts at the church, study, eat and go to work. We are excited about all the progress here. I can't wait to see what is going to happen these next few weeks. Study of the week was Mormon 9: 1-14

1 And now, I speak also concerning those who do not believe in Christ.

 2 Behold, will ye believe in the day of your visitation—behold, when the Lord shall come, yea, even that great day when the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, yea, in that great day when ye shall be brought to stand before the Lamb of God—then will ye say that there is no God?

 3 Then will ye longer deny the Christ, or can ye behold the Lamb of God? Do ye suppose that ye shall dwell with him under a consciousness of your guilt? Do ye suppose that ye could be happy to dwell with that holy Being, when your souls are racked with a consciousness of guilt that ye have ever abused his laws?

 4 Behold, I say unto you that ye would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God, under a consciousness of your filthiness before him, than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell.

 5 For behold, when ye shall be brought to see your nakedness before God, and also the glory of God, and the holiness of Jesus Christ, it will kindle a flame of unquenchable fire upon you.

 6 O then ye unbelieving, turn ye unto the Lord; cry mightily unto the Father in the name of Jesus, that perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day.

 7 And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues;

 8 Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them.

 9 For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?

 10 And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.

 11 But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.

 12 Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man.

 13 And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death.

 14 And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still.

Here Mormon tell us that God is the same yesterday today and forever. I know that this is the restored church and we can be happy here and in the world to come but it all depends on what we do to listen to the spirit of God after praying and asking God if these things are true.

Read the Book of Mormon.  I know that it is true and that it is proof that God still lives and shows his Love to the world. Don't lose faith by not reading the scriptures and by not praying. God lives and loves his children. I know this because I asked and he answered my prayer! He loves each of us. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Elder Stilson

God's Love

 

Hey Everyone,

These past 2 week I have learned a lot of things. This week we had the baptism of Dhyemerson. This kid is so awesome!!! We went to his house almost every day this week and asked him about what he's been learning. We  asked him if he was drinking coffee and he said no. Then his little friend, Daniel, said "No he hasn't been drinking because I tried to give him some and he said that a prophet said that it's against Gods will!" Because of what Dhyemerson said, Daniel stopped drink coffee and has been teaching his family that they can't drink coffee and has been explaining exactly why. It is amazing what they have been doing!! His baptism yesterday was Awesome! His Grandma bore her testimony and told him how proud she was of him. The primary even presented a hymn to him. It was really special for him and his family. His family is coming back to church and they are being blessed in so many ways. When we were in sacrament meeting I sat behind their family and watched and thought about an experience I had last Sunday. Knowing that the love of God is bigger than we can even imagine. It was an amazing blessing just being able to see them all together knowing that this is really what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is really about! Seeing them sitting as a family partaking of God's love! God has given us so many things that we need in our lives.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was also had the opportunity to give a baptismal interview with the young man named Wesley. Wesley's interview was great. The spirit helped me in so many ways to know exactly what I needed to say to help him understand Gods love for him. As we talked, he had committed a few sins a little while ago and wasn't sure if God would ever forgive him for his sins. While we talked I was able to share some scriptures that I had found and the experiences that I had knowing that Gods Love is greater than anything we can imagine. He has the faith of Peter knowing that these things are true without having to see. That after he begins to let his faith grow he will have experiences to know that God gave his Only Begotten Son so that all men may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. I now know what God's love Truly is. God's love is sending his beloved son to suffer for our sins so that each and every one of us may return to live with him in the unit of an eternal family! I know that my Savior lives and that his arms are stretched out wide to embrace us as we repent. The only picture that comes to my mind when I think of standing before my maker is him smiling , arms open, and in a whisper saying "Welcome home my son!" This is the true love of God. Which is shown through his Son Jesus Christ. I know that this gospel is true!! Lets learn more about how we can love our Heavenly Father back. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Elder Stilson

Elder Paez fell asleep before he got all the way in bed!!

Happy 2015

 

Hey everyone, this week was a little slow. With it being the New Year here in Brasil everyone is  doing something. People were either at the beach or at home with their families celebrating. Last Sunday we had a less active family go to church who have not been baptized. So after church we went their home with a member and we were able to teach the family. It was really good and their youngest son, Dhymerson (Jemerson) really wants to be baptized. He is studying super hard is reading the Book of Mormon. He is an awesome little kid! The mom also hasn't been baptized but they aren't married so we are working with them to do the things  they need to do to be baptized. I am super excited for this family. Unfortunately we they didn't go to church yesterday so we will have to check on them this week. We have another investigator who really isn't progressing which is really disappointing. We are doing everything that we can but he is very dependent on his addictions so it's getting very hard for him. We are praying and fasting for him  and we will keep doing everything that we can to try to help him and his son. 

 

Sabrina and her family haven't been home this week but they were planning on going to Church but we didn't see them either so we will continue to work with them and hopefully they will come this week. We will just keep working with these investigators and hopefully we will find some new people to teach so that we will have a busy week.

 

This week I have been really studying the Book of Mormon. Today I was reading about the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi who were under the king Lamoni The

and king Lamoni's father when Ammon Omner, Himni and Aaron visited the land of Ishmael. The Anit-Nephi-Lehites were a people of little understanding of God and who were people who absolutely hated the Nephites. It wasn't until Ammon went in and SERVED the people and helped them understand what their purpose was in life that they were able to change and become 100% converted to the Lord. This people decided after their conversion that it was better that they die than to pick up their weapons of war and fight against

any people. They buried their weapons of war deep in earth and covenanted with their Lord that they would not pick up the weapons of rebellion again. When the Lamanites came to destroy them they prayed to their God and did not do resist being slain by their enemies. They would have rather died than have sinned. This made me think a lot about my life. How many times do we repent and burry out weapons of war but when temptation comes again we unbury them and commit sin. We need to be as the Anti-Nephi-Lehites and rather be humiliated, spit upon, and whatever other thing that Satan

tries to use against us, EVEN DEATH, than to sin after repentance. We can decide to do this today with this 2015 to be 100% converted unto the Lord. God loves us and wants to bless us and I know that he will if we keep his commandments.

I love you all and hope to hear from you guys next week.

 

Feliz Ano Novo!!!!

 

Elder Stilson

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

Hey everyone, this week was awesome. I gotta talk to the best people in the world!! I got to talk to Hermana Stilson! I am surprised at the change that has happened with her. I love you to death sis and I am excited to hear from you every week. It was great talking to my siblings and parents, Grandma and Grandpa and Nan and Bomp!!!! I love you all so much and thanks everyone for all of the amazing support that I receive from you all!! Hermana Stilson, you are such an amazing example to me! Thank you for all that you do and for the beautiful light that comes from your spirit.  Even if the smile was a little chubby;) hahaha I LOVE YOU SIS!!! This is a Hermana de Poder!!!

 

This week was a little slow because of people traveling or doing other things like drinking. So we had to go to members homes and luckily we have a few investigators who we are teaching in members homes so we were able to teach a little and get some things done. We are really excited for the people who we have getting ready for baptism. Ones name is Oseias. Oseias is the brother of a member in our ward. He has some problems in his life that he wants to change and he knows that it is only through our Savior that he can do this. He has a true desire to change and we are going to help him

with whatever we can. He is reading the Book of Mormon and is understanding what he needs to do. This week we gave him the book of Enos to read. This book tells about a man who had heard all of the words that his father had taught him and he knew that he could not be saved unless he changed his life and repented of his sins. He prayed nonstop for one day and when the night came he did not cease to send his voice into heaven. His repentance was real. He knew that this is what he needed to do before he died and NOW is the time for men to repent. I love this chapter that explains exactly what we need to do and the peace and comfort that comes after repentance. I know the blessings of repentance and hope that after the mission I can still stay a firm disciple of Jesus Christ. I love the saying which says "Be slow to sin but quick to repent!" As we use this in our lives we are blessed. I love you all and can't wait to talk to you next week. Enos Chapter 1:1-12



1 BEHOLD, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—
2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.
3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.
4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.
5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.
7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?
8 And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.
9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.
10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads.
11 And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.
12 And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith.
Love,
Elder Stilson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas.... ALREADY?!

Hey everyone! Sorry I don't have much time but I hope you are all doing good. I was transferred back to the city of Cariacica! I am going to the same Chapel that I was the first time that I passed here 6 months ago. It was really cool going to Church and seeing everyone there. I am in the area of Itacibá. I am really liking it. I still don't like the morros but we have found a lot of people that we can work with. I'll tell you guys more about them next week. I am with Elder Nascimento from Fortaleza here in Brasil. He is a good guy and works hard. He has a super strong testimony of the Gospel. Everything is going good. We are helping Sabrina and Viviane who went to church this week and who want to be baptized. They are awesome!! I really hope that their whole family can be baptized. There are more than 15 people in the family and I know that if the whole family goes and is firm they will all go to the temple. Sabrina also has a huge potential to go on a mission as well. Then we have Cristian and Oseias! Oseias is a brother of a member who is ready to turn his life around. I am really excited to work with him. He really wants to have a true conversion. His son is a really good kid. I am excited to talk to my mom on Thursday but it doesn't seem like its Christmas. I am not very home sick and its going by so fast. I feel like I barely have time to breath!!! I love the mission and I love you all!!! The Book is Blue and the Church is true. I challenge you to share your testimony of the Book of Mormon with someone this week. Take them to church. Give a Book of Mormon. God Lives and this is the proof of His love.

Love you all!
Elder Stilson

PS I get home March 18th at 1 in the afternoon! Ready or not here we go!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Well this week was amazing! We had so many things that happened, First off three of our investigators that we have been working with, Gabriel, Laysla, and Lislia, for the last 5 weeks were finally baptized!!! These 3 were referrals from members. It was an amazing experience being able to see them baptized and the members baptize them. It was awesome! It truly is going to be a "White Christmas" Here in sunny Brasil!!!! Unfortunately I won't be able to participate with the other people who we have been working with. They should be baptized here in a few weeks and I am super excited for them!! The investigators that we have met in Linhares are awesome can't wait to hear when they are able to go to the temple. Gabriel has been HOOKED with indexing with the member who gave us the referral!! Rikelmy and Gabriel asked us after the Priesthood meeting what indexing was and if we could show them how it works. We went over to their house on Tuesday and taught them about it and they have already done about 100 records. They are both young men and are loving the help that they are giving to the Lord when they do these things.
 

Then Laysla and Lislia were baptized and it was way cool but we had a bit of an adventure. Gilvano wanted to sing a song with Elder Torres and I and Elder Gonçalves... So we have it planned and when it was Gilvanos turn to do a solo. He started dancing and singing and who knows what.... Oh my gosh... THERE GOES THE SPIRIT! It was funny... Inappropriate for the moment but funny. But it all worked out and we were able to get the spirit back until I opened up the door to the baptismal font and smashed my finger and yelled "Aaaiiii!!!!!" Yeah a lot of people laughed.... Haha oh well. I tried to hold it in and act like nothing happened unfortunately I was
a little louder than I realized.

But other than that there were just a whole lot of blessings that the Lord gave us this week!!! It was a great week. Can't wait to tell you all about the adventures that I have next week. Thanks to everyone for the presents and the money! Rachel and Chad, last Monday I was able to get some good ol Brazilian BBQ!! Thanks for everything that ya'll do for me.

Love you all to the moon and back!!!!

 

Elder Stilson