Monday, September 26, 2016

"Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you..."

Dear Family and Friends,

What a great week! It has been such a blessing to serve here in this mission among the great people of San Antonio. I continue to find so many blessings in serving here and for the wonderful people that we have been teaching.  It has been a tender mercy to experience the influence of the Spirit in great abundance  I can't express how grateful I am for this gospel and for missionary work.

I would love to share a scripture that I found in my studies in preparation for General conference. It is in 3 Nephi 12:1 "...Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am."

We have such an amazing opportunity to hear from prophets and apostles this coming weekend. We are able to receive divine council and guidance from our Heavenly Father  through His chosen servants. It brings me great peace and comfort to know that we are being lead and guided by our Heavenly Father through His servants in these Latter-Days. I am always spiritually filled as I listen to their council and embrace their teachings. I would invite you to write down questions and concerns that you may have as you prepare for General conference. I know as you watch General conference with a sincere desire to follow our Heavenly Father and to obey His gospel, you will receive answers to your questions and concerns through the power of the Holy Ghost. How exciting it is to hear from a living prophet!

This past week, we have been doing many different less active visits through out both the SA 3rd and Braun Heights wards. We were able to visit with John Slaughter and discussed the importance in staying anchored in the Gospel of Christ. We become anchored as we keep His commandments and follow the example of our Savior. We also had a wonderful lesson with JR Martin where we discussed the importance in making right choices and in following the gospel path. JR was recently baptized but has become busy with work and hasn't been able to come to church as often. We hope to continue visits with him in the future so that he can become more active in the gospel.

On Wednesday, I was able to go on exchanges with our Zone Leaders, Elder Christensen and Elder Jacobs. We had a pretty enjoyable time as we helped each other with the goals that we have made and we all learned a lot. It was fun being able to catch up with Elder Christensen, he being my first trainer when I came into the mission. It turns out that he will be going home this transfer. It is crazy to me how fast time has gone by. Throughout the exchange, I learned a lot about the importance in being unified with our companions and ways in which we can better apply gospel principles to those that we are teaching. It has been a great blessing for me to learn from my leaders and to be strengthened by their council.

Yesterday, we were able to see Stevan at church and he had a very great time. He said that he learned a lot and wants to come back next Sunday to watch General Conference! We are excited to help him in his journey in learning more about the gospel. I feel as he continues keeping his commitments to pray, read from the Book of Mormon and go to church, he will have a stronger ability to keep greater invitations that we extend and eventually be baptized. We are excited to see him progress and grow!

I know that this gospel is true! Our Savior lives and is our rock and our salvation. His church is once again restored upon the earth and is being lead by a living prophet today. How amazing it is to have the fulness of the gospel upon the earth today! I know as we follow our Savior through the trials that we face, we will become stronger and better prepared to return with our families to our Heavenly Father's presence.
Hope you all have a wonderful week!

With love,

Elder Munro

Monday, September 19, 2016

"...there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah..."

Dear Family and Friends,

This has been yet another great and hot week here in San Antonio, Texas. I can't express how thankful I am to be a missionary and to have this opportunity to serve God and His children. It brings me great comfort to live the gospel and to feel of the influence of the Spirit on a daily basis. The Spirit is truly one of the greatest gifts that we can have here on this earth. I would like to share one scripture that I thought was neat in my studies. It is in 2 Nephi 2:8 "8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise."

How truly important it is to help others know of the gospel and to help them feel of the peace and comfort that comes through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We can better help others as we ourselves strengthen our love for our Savior and gain a greater understanding of His Atonement. What a great opportunity we have as members of the church to help others find and follow the path that leads back to our Heavenly Father.

This week was a very spiritual week for me. On Tuesday, we had the opportunity to have our Zone Conference and there were many wonderful insights and teachings shared. One of the themes for the conference was the importance of prayer in receiving revelation. We went through many different practices and role plays on how we can better help our investigators pray and help them in their conversion process. We practiced how we can not only say a prayer at the beginning and the end of a lesson, but to prayer in the middle of the lesson to help those that we teach know of spiritual truths. We also practiced how to help others resolve their concerns about praying and how we can better help them realize that they are praying to their Father in Heaven who desires to hear from them. I always love these Zone conferences because of the spirit that I feel as I learn more skills and strengthen my testimony of the gospel.

We were able to have a great lesson with John who has been investigating the church and we had a wonderful time talking about principles from the restoration as well as Lehi's vision of the tree of life. It was neat to see his desire to learn more and for his knowledge already of gospel principles. We were able to have his
lesson in the Johnson home and it was neat seeing the interaction and the fellowship from the members in sharing their testimonies and love for the gospel. We have been making a big focus in helping him come to church so we hope to see him come this next Sunday. I am excited to see the member support and to see him grow these next few weeks.

We also have been teaching Stevan who has shown desire to be baptized and to learn more about the church. On Sunday, we had a great lesson about strengthening our faith and the wonderful blessings that we receive as we go to church. His work schedule has been crazy so he has been having a difficult time coming to church. Luckily he has been getting Sunday's off so we hope that he can start coming to church on a consistent basis. We are excited to help him feel of the blessings of the gospel and the peace that it will bring to him in his life as he faces trials and challenges.

We weren't able to meet with Reyes this week because of his busy schedule but we hope to get in contact with him soon and to see him progressing in the gospel.

The District has been doing great! It is Elder Williams and I, Sister Redd and Sister Gillespie who cover the Alamo 2nd YSA ward, and Sister Nate and Sister Judd who cover Helotes and Sonoma Ranch where I previously served. It has been neat following up with Helotes and Sonoma ranch on a few investigators that I once taught and are progressing. This upcoming week for district meeting we will be focusing on the Importance in conversion through reading the Book of Mormon and attending church. As we help our investigators live these basic gospel habits, they will be able to become truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I still have a lot to learn but I am grateful for this opportunity to serve.

At church this past Sunday, Elder Williams and I were able to sing 'Nearer My God to Thee' in sacrament meeting. It was a neat experience to feel of the power of music and for its ability to invite the Spirit in great measures. I love music and its ability to invite the spirit into our lives and for its ability to draw us closer to our Savior.  D&C 25:12 "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."

Thank you for the prayers! I truly feel of your love everyday. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Munro

Monday, September 12, 2016

"...search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil;"

Dear Family and Friends,

What a great week! It has been a wonderful start to the transfer and it is such a blessing to be working here in the Braun Heights and San Antonio 3rd Wards. I am so very thankful for the chance to work alongside my companion, Elder Williams. I have learned a lot already from his teaching skills and his ability to testify with the spirit.

The members here in this area have a great desire to do missionary work and to help other come unto Christ. Their support has been a great help thus far. It is truly amazing to be a missionary.

I would like to share a scripture that I read this morning that I thought was pretty neat. It is in Moroni 7:19 "Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ."  I know as we search diligently for truth and light, we will know and understand good from evil and be able to choose the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will become better disciples of Jesus Christ as we live the gospel and keep the covenants that we have made with Him.

Throughout this past week, we have been able to meet with many of the recent converts that they have had over the past few months. It has been such a blessing for me to see so many wonderful people coming into the fold of God through repentance and baptism. It is so neat to see people changing their lives and coming closer to our Savior through diligent prayer and scripture study as well as through Sunday worship. It brings me great joy to see others living the gospel and hungering for knowledge and a desire to embrace it. We met with the Mutter family a few times this past week and discussed the importance in attending church and how we can strengthen our understanding of God's love for us. We also met with Brother and Sister Karagich and had a more in depth lesson of the plan of salvation focusing on the blessings of going to the temple and receiving the fullness of the blessings of the gospel. It will be amazing to see them preparing for temple marriage and for their progress in the gospel.

Recently, we received a referral from our Zone Leaders this past week and we had a wonderful lesson with him. Reyes Villegas was taught a few times by them and came to church multiple times. He even accepted an invitation to be baptized. When we visited him this past week, we talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon and the Bible in how they support and clarify each other. We also talked about how the Holy Ghost can help us receive answers to our sincere questions. It will be exciting to visit with him in the future and to see his interest in
the gospel grow.

We also had the chance to visit with Yliana Gamez's family and read from the Book of Mormon with them. Yliana recently was baptized so their family has had an interest in the church and we are striving to help them feel of the blessings of the gospel for themselves. We read from 1 Nephi 1 and talked about the tender mercies that we have felt and found in our lives. It is truly a blessing to see so many examples of the lLord's hand in our lives. He desires so much for us to know that He is there and is our Lord and Savior.

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to have our Stake Conference and many of us were spiritually edified and filled. Many of the talks were about the importance of the temple and our need to attend often to partake of the peace and comfort through worshiping our Heavenly Father. I would like to invite you to visit the temple as often as you can to partake of the immeasurable blessings that he desires to give you. It truly is such a tender mercy to have temples where we can draw closer to our Savior and feel of heavens light. What a blessing it is to help those on the other side partake of the joys of the gospel and to feel of the redeeming power of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Lord, our Savior lives. He is the head of this church and will always be by our side. He is the Only Begotten Son of our Father in Heaven and is our Redeemer who has saved us from sin and death. I know as we look to Him we will feel of his peace and light and triumph over our difficulties and struggles. He will always carry us and lead us to our heavenly home.

Thank you for the support and prayers! Hope you all have a wonderful week.

With love,

Elder Munro

Monday, September 5, 2016

"...the Lord God hath given us a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love."

New Mailing Address:  8711 Bowens Crossing, #13306, San Antonio, TX 78250

Dear Friends and Family,

Today is Transfers! It turns out that I will be heading to my new area in the Braun Heights and San Antonio 3rd Wards. I also got a call from President Polley and am assigned to be the new District Leader for the area. I am thankful and excited for this new opportunity to help and serve among the missionaries in our District and to labor among the members and people of the Braun Heights and San Antonio 3rd Wards. My new companion will be Elder Williams. It's pretty neat to because we know each other pretty well when we served near each other when I was in Helotes. I can't wait to be able to see many miracles in the work and to grow and strengthen my faith in the Lord and in His Gospel. The future is bright!

I love the scripture in 2 Nephi 26:30: "...the Lord God hath given us a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing..." I love this scripture because as we help those around us with their needs and concerns, we are reaching out in love and showing our support for those who are going through trials and tough times. I know as we pray for the gift of charity, we will have a greater capacity to love those who we socialize with and come in contact. As we love as Christ loves, we will see all of Gods children as who they truly are and who they can become.

Our last District meeting for the transfer went very well! We were able to have Elder and Sister Gubler from the YSA wards come and give us a few trainings and teachings. They discussed the importance of the spirit in conversion. The spirit is the greatest teacher and as we teach and are guided by the Spirit, we will more fully help those around us develop faith in Christ unto repentance. Sister Scott gave a great training on strengthening our foundations upon the gospel and in making it a part of who we are. I know as we make the gospel a part of who we are, we will better overcome the trials that we face in life. We will be better prepared to be guided by the Spirit and develop an unshakable testimony of the gospel.

We had some great lessons this week. We had the chance in visiting with Brother and Sister Falcon and discussed the importance in feeding ourselves spiritually and the basics in which we can fortify and strengthen our families. I know as we do the basic gospel habits such as reading from the scriptures and praying as a family, our families will be more unified and protected. We will strengthen and increase our love for each other and prepare for eternal families in the future. The home truly is the greatest refuge from the temptations of the world as we help each other live gospel principles.

We also had a great lesson with the Jon family where we talked about the same things but building upon our foundation on Christ and His gospel. As part of our lesson, we used a great scripture in Helaman 5:12: "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which we are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is our ultimate and sure foundation where we can always look to for support and guidance. He will always be by our side through the toughest and hardest trials. I know as we go to Him in prayer, we can feel of the peace and comfort that comes through His infinite Atonement.

Saturday night we had a wonderful lesson with the Padron family and we showed a video about the importance in keeping the commandments and in praying daily to our Father in Heaven. The commandments are given to us like a road map to show us what to do and where to go so that we can have happiness here in this life and to receive eternal joy in the world to come. Prayer is such a powerful tool and is a blessing to know that miracles come through the prayer of faith. Prayer links our will with our Heavenly Father and helps us draw nearer to Him and gives us a greater ability to see the blessings that He desires to give us. Even a prayer in our hearts throughout the day gives us added strength and a constant connection with our Heavenly Father. It is a great tender mercy for me to see that Bro. Padron's family is doing better from the trials that they were experiencing and the light of the gospel entering their lives. The gospel makes all of the difference!

Yesterday we were able to see the Hill family at church again and they had a very great time. It has been neat to see them grow in their testimonies and desires to learn more about the gospel. I know as Tristan and Landon are baptized in the near future, they will strengthen their parents as well and they will become more unified as a family. I hope to stay in contact and see how they will progress. It has been awesome working with them!

Attending church yesterday was very powerful as I partook of the sacrament and remembered the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a great blessing every week to renew our covenants and to be spiritually rejuvenated for the coming week. I testify that our Redeemer, Jesus Christ lives. His Atonement covers all of our shortcomings and our mistakes. We can always look to our Savior for peace and solace. He will always be there. He will always love us. I know that we are being led today by a living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. We can be comforted to know that as we follow his council and the direction we receive from the Apostles and general authorities, we will never be led astray. This Gospel is amazing! How truly blessed we are to have it in its fulness here upon the Earth.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Munro