January 9, 2012

*Julie’s note:  I talked to an Argentine woman this week and told her my son was in Argentina, in a small remote village she’d probably never heard of.  She told me that Pehaujó was famous because of the children’s song!!

Dear Everyone,

Yeah Pehuajò is famous, Mom. There is a big ugly turtle statue here and apparently some famous person wrote a children’s song. People here tried talking about that turtle song to me and said that "the whole world knows about Pehuajò because of the song" and I was thinking the whole time they explained, "Not sure what world you're from but no one where I'm from has heard that song before." But Argentines are like Texans. They think their country (or state in a Texan’s case) IS the world. It's great!

But we must be careful! Pride leads to ignorance. A man the other day tried explaining to us that the Pope is "over there was God was when He lived here on the earth. I forgot what it's called..." Jerusalem? ....Sorry buddy, the Pope lives in the Vatican. So unfortunately, he doesn’t know that he was quite mistaken, then tried to use that as evidence and proof that the Catholic Church is the true church of God. We told him he needs to read the scriptures because they help us learn the will of God and what His gospel is. And that the church established upon that gospel, that bears the name of Christ, is the true church of God (3 Nephi 27). I don't think he's ever touched a Bible. And he wanted nothing to do with the Book of Mormon.

The Lord warns us against being prideful. It leads us to live a lifestyle contrary to that which the Lord desires us to live. I am currently reading in the Book of Mormon in Mormon where the entire Nephite nation is utterly destroyed as a result of their pride, disobedience, and lack of desire to repent and obey the will of God as preached by his servant, Mormon. When we are humble, like Christ, we submit to the will of God, the Father. And when we submit faithfully, the Lord blesses us according to our obedience to His commandments. It's really not rocket science. You just have to read the scriptures! Then you can be happy!

Another thing that people these days have trouble understanding is the justice of God. Several people this week tried to explain to us that God does not judge us because He is a God of love. How could he judge us if He loves us? With such false doctrine pounded into their heads by pastors of other churches, they confuse the concept of sin, punishment, and repentance to the point where they think they can do whatever they want and Jesus will just forgive them. Wrong. God is merciful AND just. He sets the rules, and if we obey, we receive the blessings. If we don't, Satan takes ahold of us and we are miserable. Not a single person can try and tell me that the alcohol addict we have been teaching this week is NOT miserable. But God, in His love, provides the escape though His Son, Jesus Christ.

I love Argentine people. I am quite happy to be sharing the gospel with them here and helping them to progress and feel the love God feels for them. In His love, He has restored His gospel in its fullness. Elder Arias and I have had long talks this week about pride and humility and I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has given me the opportunity to be with a great companion in a great area, working hard to find the people who He has prepared to accept this message. There were 21 people in church on Sunday and this little Branch is steadily growing and becoming stronger as the members step up and fulfill their callings! We are working harder than ever to strengthen them and make sure nothing falls apart.

Thank you all for your support! I will look for some interesting stories this week to tell next week! I love you all :D

Cuìdense!.

-Elder Ryan Garrison