November 26, 2012

Dear family and everyone else who reads this,

This week was full once again of trials. Satan is subtle and astute and is working hard to stop the progress of the work of the Lord.

My companion and I have had our fair share of trials, the Gutierrez family is having its fair share of trials, and zone is as well having its fair share of trials. My companion and I are doing everything possible to lift the zone up and get things moving efficiently. We had another meeting with the district leaders to talk about our progress and necessary changes that must be made if we hope the Lord will continue to bless us. Obedience is key if we hope to have the Lord on our side. As well as many other things we have talked about to make sure that no time is wasted. We are checking up constantly and hoping that the zone can be an example for the whole mission and that the missionaries can really come to understand more profoundly their purpose as representatives of Jesus Christ.

The Gutierrez family is struggling because the desires of one are not as strong as the desires of the other and that worries Elsa, our investigator, because she does not want marital problems based on her decision to follow Christ. She does not feel strong enough to go forward with a commitment so important if her husband is not willing to make such commitment with her. We have tried to help her act with faith and confide in the Lord's infinite power and perfect plan but unfortunately this week she decided to be acted upon by the will of Satan and did not go to church. It was very hard for my companion and me.

Regardless, we continue working hard and the blessings of the Lord come. Gladis, an investigator of ours, the sister-in-law of Gabriela who we recently baptized, showed up to church this week and the members helped her with her little baby girl and talked to her and she had a good time. Now all we have to do is help her get married to her husband. In my area most families are formed before marital vows are made. And then the poor children get left with broken families because the low-commitment societal values lead to separation of the parents. And if not, they just never bother to get married because of some superstition that if they do, suddenly they'll split up a year later and get stuck with legal problems concerning the divorce process.

So this week my companion and I have a lot of plans to work super hard and make sure that more people go to church! Please pray for us and for our investigators! Especially the Gutierrez family so they can move forward with faith and not doubt.

I know that the Gospel and Jesus Christ is the only thing that can save our families. I know that He lives and invites all of us to follow His perfect example. We must become like Him. We must follow His commandments. And if we do so, our Heavenly Father will bless us infinitely beyond our comprehension. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Of this I bear testimony.

Thank you all for writing.

Love,

Elder Garrison