Ixmiquilpan-September 14

Dear Mom, 

I do not know what they do on Independence Day, but I'm sure I'll find out soon! haha, We don't quite know what to expect! I'm sure it will consist of fireworks all night, so we might not sleep very well!! 

This week we got to go to the broadcast of the Re-dedication of the new and improved Mexico City, Mexico Temple. It was super great!! Such a great experience! President Eyring dedicated and Elder Holland and others shared some thoughts. I loved everything that they discoursed, but my favorite was the thought that Elder Holland shared. He talked about the members of the church in the days of the restoration, he told that they were struggling quite a bit. A year after they finished the Kirkland temple, they were driven out of Ohio and the temple fell into the hands of the apostates. When they were in the construction of the new Nauvoo temple, they were driven away as well and the temple was burnt by mobs. When they had arrived in the Salt Lake valley, the Prophet Brigham Young, was commanded of the Lord to build another temple. Elder Holland commented that we can suppose the frustration of some of the members of the church in this time. They probably thought to themselves, when are we going to be driven away from this temple? When some of the members asked, Do you suppose we will finish this temple? He responded, "My answer is, I do not know, and I do not care. . . .  I have never cared but for one thing, and that is, simply to know that I am now right before my Father in Heaven.  If I am this moment, this day, doing the things God requires of my hands, and precisely where my Father in Heaven wants me to be, I care no more about tomorrow than though it never would come.  I do not know where I shall be tomorrow, nor do I know when this temple will be done. . . . This I do know―there should be a temple built here.  I do know it is the duty of this people to commence to build a temple." Wow, such a great lesson we can learn!! Elder Holland mentioned to everyone, that we should not worry too much about the re dedication of the temple, and worry more about our self-rededication. We should rededicate ourselves in our will to obey the commandments of the Lord!!

We have three Families right now that are progressing pretty well. We are super excited to see their progress! They are such great people, but like all of us in this life, they have struggles. Struggles such as, not being married, not having the support of a spouse, working of Sundays, and living far away from the church building. I know that they have struggles, as well as I do but I love the promise that Jesus left with us in John 16:33 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world

I love you tons Mom!!! 

Have a great week!!

Elder Paynter

 Goofy picture day...?

 Ixmiquilpan-September 7

Hey Mom!!

What a nice week you have had!! Sounds like everyone is keeping busy! Im glad to hear it!

This week has been a great week!! In every aspect, but most of all in my studies that I have had! I have been studying a lot about the Book of Mormon. It has become super clear and perfectly known unto me that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. I know it is true and I know that it is critical for our salvation. It is the Word of God. I know that it has changed my life. It changes our lives when we allow the importance of it enter into our hearts and shape us into the type of people that God wants us to be. I have seen the difference in my life as well as the lives of many members, when the Book of Mormon is used as a tool and a guide to lead us to eternal life. There is a difference! I know that all the principles and ordinances that the Book of Mormon teaches helps us discover that difference and to change into true disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Only in the Book of Mormon can you find the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We truly understand the Atonement, the most important principle of this Gospel, through our study of the Book of Mormon. The Bible has been changed so much, that basically the most important part has been cut out and edited. No one can truly understand the importance of the Atonement without reading the Book of Mormon. I know that it is true! I know that it can bless the lives of us as a Family! Don't stop reading the Book of Mormon, Mom!! I love the Gospel and know that only blessings and Eternal Life come through our Savior. I love him and love getting to know him more through my study of the Book of Mormon. My greatest Advice that I can give to Meghan as she is preparing, is to read the Book of Mormon. The greatest advice that I can give to all the kids is to read the Book of Mormon. IT IS TRUE! I know it is! I love it and hope to be able to have the opportunity to study it for every day of the rest of my Life!! I know this church is true! and the We have a loving Heavenly Father that loves everyone of us!! 

I love you Mom and hope that you continue diligently in reading the Book of Mormon constantly with the Family! It has changed our lives, and will keep blessing our lives if we carefully study it everyday!

Have a great week!! Love you , and sorry my letter is short!! Love ya tons!!

Elder Paynter

D&C 84:54-58

D&C 20:1-15

Mormon 8

Some great scriptures!

 

 

Ixmiquilpan-August 31

Hey Mom!

Hows School?? Sorry for starting on such a touchy subject this time of year, but I want to know how its going in your new school! By the way, where did August go? Tomorrow September will begin! Woohoo! This month, Mexico celebrates its independence day, I will try to buy some flags or sombreros or something like that haha! 

Yes, we had Zone conference! It was pretty great! We learned a lot of new principles that we can apply, president taught us how to study more effectively and a lot more important things. The theme of the Conference was Ether 12:27 and how the Lord can make the weak things in our lives strong things. It really was a great topic. The Lord can completely change us, but it requires humility and a true desire. I know that this life is a "test". The Lord gives us weaknesses to help us to have mare challenges. When we have more challenges, it requires a lot more humility and he will help us overcome every obstacle in this life!

That's great to hear about Natalie's mom! I know that the Lord always prepares people to receive his restored gospel, sometimes it requires a little bit of time, but He always is at the head of this work and He knows EXACTLY what he is doing! This week we have contacted a lot, looking for new people to teach, and we haven't had much success, We were rejected quite a bit, hehe. But, yesterday my companion helped me understand a little bit more. When we were teaching Lesson 2 yesterday to some recent converts, My companion shared what The Lord said in the New testament and D&C, that Many are called, but Few are chosen. We are all called to repentance. The Lord extends his arms out to ALL. But few will receive this calling. James Talmage said in Jesus the Christ that those who will live in the Celestial Kingdom will be few. The true disciples of Christ have always been few. 

I'm glad you enjoyed the talk by President Benson. I loved it!! It strengthen my testimony a ton! The Book of Mormon truly is the Keystone of our religion! If we didn't have the Book of Mormon, we would still be lost in apostasy! haha my testimony strengthens every day as I read it! I hope that I can always have a love for reading the Book of Mormon so that I can get out from that condemnation that President Benson speaks of. I hope that all of you continue reading and Loving the Book of Mormon!

I love you tons,  Mom! I already have read that talk (Consecrated Missionary), but I have it printed out so I will make sure to read it again this week!

Love you !! Have a great week!!

Elder Paynter

Valle Del Mezquital Zone Conference

25 August 2015

 

Dedicated to all those young men and women who go where they are sent by the Lord...

Children Go Where I Send Thee...Mormon Style