Week 61- Saludos Familia

Hi Family,

To start, Saturday we received transfers. Elder Eleuterio and I are staying together here, and I´m happy, he thought he was going, but I felt we might be together a little bit longer. Elder De la Rosa, who was also working here in Sabana Grande, is finishing his mission, so is Hermana Pancake who was in my District, they both did a great job keeping strong until the end.  I´ll miss them both, it was a privilege to serve with them this transfer.

This week is called the semana Santa, Holy week. I believe this is a practice among the Catholic church and is still practiced very strongly here. The last Semana Santa I was in the MTC so I didn´t experience too much. I´ve heard it gets a little crazy sometimes but we´ll be careful.

I´ve been reading in the Book of Mormon this week in Alma, about Captain Moroni and the wars. I found it interesting that both sides used stratagem and sometimes trickery and the Lamanites always outnumbered the Nephites. But the majority of the time the Nephites came out victorious. Sides had intelligent leaders, Amalickiah was brilliant and through intrigue became King of the Lamanites, Moroni prepared and fortified his cities to compensate for the lack of strength. The difference between the two sides, and the two men, really is just one, Their purpose. Amalickiah and the Lamanites fought for power and earthly conquest. Captain Moroni and his Pueblo fought in defense of their families, their Country, and their God. There is one battle, in which the Lamanites were fighting ferociously and many of the Nephites were being slain and they were afraid, but Moroni began to remind them of their purpose, to defend their families and their faith. After Moroni had spoken, there is a verse that says "they began to stand with power¨, and in the end, they won. In the end, the Lamanites had the greater numbers and perhaps greater physical strength, but the men of Moroni had something much greater, that is the desire to fight to defend their loved ones and their God.

I am very grateful for the Book of Mormon, I know it is the word of God. I know that we have the greatest purpose in this life, I am thankful for the inspired scriptures and a prophet who helps us remember the importance of studying and learning from the Book of Mormon. I am grateful to be here doing the work of my Father in Heaven, helping others to receive all that our Heavenly Father has in store for them.

I love you all, hope you have a great week and enjoy easter. I hope your all reading the Book of Mormon, if you're not, start reading, and I invite you to share it with others.

Pasen buenas a todos,

Love,

Elder Call

The picture is our Zone.