September 25th, 2018

Yo

Hey Friends and Family!

We are having a Baptism today. It is cool to have a Baptism on a p-day. They are a members kids who have not been to church in some time... until we got them with the wars boundary changes a while back. Manny and Kelly. I will probably send pictures. They are funny kids. I loved teaching them, simply because of how funny they are. I wish I could remember some of their quotes. But anyways, they are getting Baptized! It has been a while since I have seen the baptism of people I got to teach, but it will be good! They asked me to confirm them on Sunday too.

The time is flying again. It is almost October already! I remember last October, I was in Henderson with my trainer. Crazy right? Transfers are next week as well! I have a hunch at what is going to happen. But... We shall see.

We saw the ghetto bird every single day this week. The police have been busy! For the sake of not worrying my parents, I won't tell you about the stuff that has been happening, but suffice it to say... Las Vegas is exciting. The more I serve here, the more I realize how I can't see myself serving anywhere else. I can't imagine being anywhere less exciting or more crazy and fun than Las Vegas. We meet sooo many crazy and cool people. It's a blast!

We tracted a bit this week. We don't always tract, but when we do... it is fun. We found an apartment complex that we didn't see on the map! Missionaries had not been there for a while so we tracted out literally 2/3s of the place in about 2 hours. It was so much fun!

It is finally cooling down out here. We are in the mid to upper 90s. It feels nice!

I recently did something that I have never really done that changed my perspective greatly. My companion and I had a rough day this or last week, and instead of dwelling on everything bad, I made an effort to point out and think about all of the blessings we had. It worked. My day was actually pretty good. I would recommend this practice to everyone. Once I made a conscious effort to think of the blessings in my life, then I realized that the day wasn't that bad at all. Y'all should try it.

I don't know why... but I decided to sleep on the floor this week. I am on day 3 or 4 of just... sleeping on the floor. It has actually helped me sleep throughout the night oddly enough.

So I don't have a lot of pictures again...

But the two that I do have includes a stop sign with some weird weed growing all the way through it. And the other picture is something my companion did at a subway we stopped at for dinner. This is how you know if comps have been together for a bit, when they appeal to their companions humor type.

Man I wish I had more to say this week. I am going on exchanges again this week I think. I will be going with Elder Neve in their area. They have half the strip in their area, so that will be cool (not that we can go there, but it is bound to be more ghetto than my current area). Elder Neve and I have been in the same district since my 2nd area. So we already get along and know each other. This will be fun!

General Conference is coming up soon isn't it? In a week or two? I'm excited! It will be good!

Here is a scripture that I believe I'd pertinent to this upcoming General Conference

Jacob 4

10 Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.

Our Heavenly Father is way smarter than we are... so trust in Him, and His will, and His timing! He has a Plan for all of us.

Hope y'all have a good week!

-Elder Moore

September 18th, 2018

Da Gospel

Hello

Every is getting faster and faster. It is pretty weird how fast the days are going by. It is all blurry, but in a good way. In about a week, we are having a Baptism. It has been a while since I got to see the Baptism of people that I taught. I have had the privilege to teach many people, but I've been transferred out before they actually get in the font. Of course, it is for them and the Lord, but It has been a while since I got to witness one. Months actually. But... next week we will have one.

I have been going to bed early. Because I am very tired. 

We got a car ride from someone yesterday who just wanted to show one of their friends a ghetto part of Vegas. So they came to our area haha!

I have the best mission ever. People always say that, but I met a guy on the street who gave me a peace sign, and gave me the crazy eye the other day. I met a guy yesterday who wanted us to walk out in the street with him and give "communion to a homeless man". Some of the homeless people out here we see regularly. They are pretty chill, but like to be left alone mostly. They mainly collect cans to get money for at recycling places. Since Las Vegas floods in certain times of the year (monsoon season) there are flood-ways and stuff. Homeless people live down there. It's cooler down there so they sometimes will set up tents or tarps and sleep there at night. The only problem is if it floods. Sometimes there stuff gets washed out. 

I went on exchanges with my district leader Elder Draper this week. He is from Logan Utah. For breakfast we ate bacon and I found some bratwursts in the fridge. So... I fried them in bacon grease. It was... not as good as it sounds. But it was still good, because Bratwursts Are Divine.

I found another shut down house. It got boarded up. Squatters are a real problem here. 

We saw a lot of cops this week. We were talking to this woman at a weekly place and the ghetto bird circled overhead (it was getting dark mind you) and it shined it's light on us while we talked with her, and it scared her off. It was pretty funny. However, usually if the ghetto bird is right overhead, something bad is happening nearby. Plus we had talked to this lady before and were just checking up and setting a return appointment and stuff too.

I'm sorry that I don't have many pictures again. I have been busy... doing missionary work. Actually speaking of pictures, a lady showed up to church. One of her friends recommended she investigate the church, so she showed up on Sunday. She was... dressed like a Vegas girl, let's just say that. But in order to prove to her friend that she went to church, she took a selfie with us. So, technically I got my picture taken, but I don't have it.

We have been busy running around all over the place. Many lessons. The wards have been giving us people to go visit, so that is nice. Plenty of work to be done. 

I am still reading the Book of Mormon every day. I am in Alma. And not just Alma, but I am in the war chapters. I read recently about Captain Moroni and how he was fortifying the Land against the oncoming Lamanite armies. I think one of my favorite parts was....

Alma 49

3 Behold, I said that the city of Ammonihah had been rebuilt. I say unto you, yea, that it was in part rebuilt; and because the Lamanites had destroyed it once because of the iniquity of the people, they supposed that it would again become an easy prey for them.

4 But behold, how great was their disappointment; for behold, the Nephites had dug up a ridge of earth round about them, which was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones and their arrows at them that they might take effect, neither could they come upon them save it was by their place of entrance.

There is a certain comparison we can make here. Just replace Lamanites with Satan. We all have something that may have been a weakness in our past. Or perhaps there is something we need to work on now. Maybe it is something we need to repent of, are repenting of, or have repented of. Satan knows our weaknesses, he is watching us and waiting to find out what they are so he can work on them and get us to sin. But imagine now through repentance and making some good sturdy plans, that whatever that weakness is, Satan shows up and gets defeated. I think in a similar way to the city of Ammonihah, that we should fortify our weakest parts. Fortify our weakest cities. Make it so when those temptations come they get wrecked because we have fortified ourselves against the adversary. Most of us know what we have to work on... So fortify yourselves. Read your scriptures, say your prayers, go to church, serve your neighbors, keep the commandments... Fortify yourselves. Imagine Satan on that day when he goes about doing his mischief and he shows up to tempt but you are prepared. How great will be his disappointment because he can have no hold on us.

I know that if we fortify ourselves against the adversary, we will be unbeatable.

Talk to y'all next week

-Elder Moore

September 11, 2018

This week was good.

We are working on getting a baptism set up in the next few weeks. We had a few people finally come to church, so that was cool. We went to a ward council and we had a high councilman tell the Bishop that we should be in more meetings with them and that we should have more input with the ward. That was cool, because we have been trying to work with the wards better.

It has been cooling down. Which is nice. It makes it easier to move around.

We had interviews with our mission President. It was good. He becomes more friendly the more you get to know him. He is also very funny. He swears I get taller every time I talk to him.

In my morning personal study I was studying chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel under the Christlike attribute of Patience. One of the Scriptures it suggests to study is Alma 17:10-11, 26:27. And then it follows up with Alma 26, the whole chapter. It is about the Sons of Mosiah. They were missionaries who were called to go preach to the Lamanites. Well, we learn they they were having a hard time. A really hard time. They got beaten up, kicked out, spit upon, tied up, and all of that stuff. After that they left and were sad that they were not able to get through to the Lamanites. Well, then the Lord comforts them and tells them to "Bear with patience thine afflictions." And that He will give unto them success. Are we "afflicted"? What is holding us back? What is something that is causing us grief? I thought it was interesting that the Lord told them that they basically just need to keep pushing through and simply bear their afflictions with patience because they will have success. I relate easily to that with a missionary mindset (although I have yet to be beaten or spit upon or thrown in jail, but you know, they are missionaries, so I relate at least a little to their situation) but all of us have our own personal trials and difficulties. President Monson said it best.

“Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required.”

—President Thomas S. Monson

So basically don't give up and remember that faith in the Lord also means faith in His timing. Bear with patience thine afflictions and He will give you success.

Nothing super crazy or wacky actually happened this week. Well, anything I could tell you that was crazy or wacky I've already mentioned in previous emails. Cops are busy around here, let's just put it that way.

My companions back bike tube got 5 holes in it. That was kind of a bummer. But we got it fixed already.

This coming week we have exchanges. That will be fun. One Elder in my district who I will be exchanging with is Elder Neve. He is from St. George and he is a bro. He was also trained by Alec Pope, who is from St. Anthony foe those of you who don't know him. My district leader is Elder Draper from... Logan Utah I think. He is the youngest of 8 kids.

On Sunday we went hunting for a person we are teaching. He said he would come to church, so we arrived at his home with a member about 45 minutes before church started for our second ward. He didn't answer the door, but all of his naighbors were outside and apparently wondering what we were doing because... this guy is old and recently lost his wife so he has been going through a rough time. All his neighbors have been taking care of him basically. But anyways, they said he should be home but if he wasn't that he should be down the street at the 7-eleven getting drinks.... on a Sunday we drove down to 7-eleven to find this guy. And then he wasn't there either so we hope he is still alive. I have never had someone stopped teaching, or dropped, because they have passed away. But... hopefully he just fell asleep and didn't hear the doorbell. That was kind of an adventure.

I mentioned that we had interviews with our president.... on the way back the members giving us a ride went through the Burger King drive through and then that night another set of members brought us Raising Canes Chicken Fingers for dinner. So much fast fooooood.

Well that is all for now I guess

Love y'all

-Elder Moore

September 4th, 2018

I had to resend this email

My other email didn't send or it is taking forever to send...

So here it is again...

Dear Friends and Family

Well it has only been about... 5 days instead of 7. Stuff has happened though, so here we go.

We had dinner with an older couple who have a pet parrot. He would yell stuff at us while we ate food. He would call out to his owners and he would yell "hurry, hurry, hurry!" It was pretty funny.

My companion set a goal to find a family to teach last week because we had been having a slower week. And then...We found a part member family. The mom had been baptized when she was a teenager and she has 5 kids who she asked if they want to be baptized. So...We are going to teach them this Friday. That was pretty sweet...The Lord provides.

We were in some of the sketchy ghetto parts of our area and we saw some cereal cats. I took a picture of them. Ghetto cats.

I also took a picture of a boarded up and bar-wired trailer home. At night. In the sketchy part of our area. It was...spooky.  I liked the picture enough to add it though. It gives an idea of certain parts of the area at night. Fun stuff.

I wish I had more to say. We had some amazing lessons with people and they committed to come to church...and then never made it. Even though we provide rides and they have no reason not to go, sometimes people just choose not to act. It can be frustrating, especially here in low-income Vegas. Commitment is a tough concept around here.

My family sent me a care package so I also added a picture of me posing in front of it.

Oh another thing I learned is that someone tried to impersonate me on Facebook. It made me chuckle.  There can only be one of me after all. Yeah, my email exploded with Facebook notifications of people's comments on the post about the impersonation. So...I know about it and already changed up some stuff. So...no worries.

I know this email was more...laid back. Not that this is a bad thing. I am tired. Missionary work is tiring.

I read this scripture from Alma. It is in chapter 29. Alma boasts of the Lord and reflects on his success as a Missionary, but then a few times he acknowledges the success of his fellow missionaries.

14 But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi.
15 Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!

I was thinking about that, and we should honestly be happy and grateful for other people's success. We should not envy people or hold grudges.  That does nobody any good. We should be happy that they are happy and having success in whatever they pursue.  Especially in missionary work.  Sometimes missionaries get down because they do not have as much success as others or something.  Well...We are all doing the same work. We are all on the same team. It is not a competition. It is about bringing our Brothers and Sisters home. Even if it is just one soul:

Doctrine and Covenants section 18
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Moore

August 30th, 2018

ONE MORE ROUND

Dear Friends and Family

I have been out on the mission for a year. A year ago today I went to the Missionary Training Center in Provo. Time Flies. Earlier this week it hit me that I was out for a year and I was reflecting. I was on my bike, heading back home after the days work. I was nearly driven to tears over the fact that...I was about halfway.  So much has happened. I am not the same person I was a year ago. At least, I hope so. The ironic thing is that the whole time this thought ran through my head, I started to go down a hill on my bike.  The Lord has good timing.

This week we had some cool things happen. We have had a lot of service opportunities. I helped a tired man clean up his home of beer cans and cigarette ashes. I helped a less active member move some furniture around. My companion and Id id the dishes for the members who fed us.

We read part of the introduction to the Book of Mormon with the tired older man. He lot his wife some time ago and it is very challenging to him. We cleaned up his home and started to read with him. The spirit testified quickly, and he committed to start reading on his own. He asked for direction and peace. The introduction explains clearly that the Book of Mormon "...puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come."

Why wouldn't you read this book?

We also took a single mother and her two unbaptized children on a church tour. She is a member but had not been to church in a long time because of work, but we worked out a way with some members to take care of her kids at Church. The spirit was strong especially as we showed them the chapel. They will finally come to church, and make important steps to baptism.

On Tuesday we had a mission tour. We had Elder Robbins and Elder Bangetter tour the mission. It was great! I learned a lot about receiving revelation and the power of prayer. It all starts with a question, and then we study, ponder, and pray. God will answer us. I wish everyone could meet with general authorities. They are true and great servants of the Lord. The spirit strives so strong with them, and it shows in their testimonies. I was inspired and given much direction. We sometimes forget that it was the general authorities of old that wrote what we call the Scriptures. The Bible, the Book of Mormon, they are full of the words of angels, prophets, and "general authorities" who testified of the Plan of Salvation, the Gospel, and most importantly, Jesus Christ.

Oh in case you could not tell, p-day was on Thursday this week.

I was studying the other day, as missionaries do, and I was writing stuff down into my journal, and this led me to a different sort of view of commandments and living the gospel standards. With commandments such as chastity and the Word of Wisdom especially, living the Gospel takes a good amount of discipline and self control. It isn't' always easy, especially if we are used to old habits or something.  But blessings come from living the commandments. And with the right amount of self-control, self-mastery, and discipline, living the standards brings a certain self confidence that alcohol, drugs, or reckless use of procreative powers ever will.  It leads us to claim mastery of ourselves.  DaVinci once said "You will never have a greater or lesser dominion than that over yourself.  The height of man's success is gauged by his self-mastery, the depth of his failure by his self-abandonment...and this law is the expression of eternal justice."

So...conquer yourself.  It is the greatest conquest anyone can ever really achieve.  If you can conquer yourself, you can conquer everything.  Of course, Christ never turned to himself, but always did the will of the Father in Heaven. In due course, if we lose ourselves in selfless service to others, we have likewise conquered our own selfishness.

Anyways, that is some stuff I studied. It is pretty neat.

I guess I'll leave with my testimony and some pictures.

Well....
I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I Know that He is alive today. I Know that He suffered and died for me, even as rebellious and proud as I am. I Know that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration. I Know that the Book of Mormon is True. Those people lived. Their words are True. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Gospel that will bring us home to a Heavenly Father who loves us very much. I Know that God has a Plan for me. I know that we will be bless if we Keep His Commandments. I Know that God is our Father in Heaven. I Know that my Redeemer lives.

Well, here is another year in the Lord's service.

-Elder Moore

PS
These pictures are ones I took this week. A member brought us a giant pizza. We couldn't fit it in our fridge. The moon was yellow. Also, a sick quote by Brigham Young.