Week 42: Contactos Inspirados!

Buenas Días Familia y Amigos!

This week was a great week! Elder E and I are being really diligent and working hard here in Los Manzanos. It's been kind rough this past week or so because we just haven't been able to find people that are progressing, but I know that if we keep being diligent we will be incredibly blessed. Sometimes we are called to "sow" the seed of faith in the people and other times we are called to "cosechar" (pick up in English I think). Right now were "sowing" a lot in our area and I know it's going to bless the lives of many people in the future. 

Even though we don't have a whole lot of people that are progressing right now, we have had a lot of success in our ward. Within one year, our ward has 28 recent converts and when I got there weren't too many that were coming regularly, very few actually, but yesterday 15 came! And the majority of them were ones that haven't came to church in months! We would have had a few more but a few of them are on vacations right now. It is my goal to get all 28 there, it will be awesome! 

Also, Elder E's first week here we felt that we should knock on this door as we passed by it, so we did, and this guy named Julio answered and before we could even say anything he asked us if we were missionaries, so we said yes and presented ourselves. Then before we could talk more, he invited us to come in and share our message with him. He was very interested as well as his daughter, Nancy, so we began to teach them. Julio works a lot and so Nancy is there by herself most of the time so Elder E and I passed the reference the Hermanas so she could be visited more often. We lost contact with her for a little while, but three weeks ago she started to come to church, and she has come every week and is already in Jacob in the Book of Mormon and is now going to get baptized this Saturday! It was a super inspired contact! I have a testimony that when we are diligent and ask God to guide us to those that need help that He will do it. Its been a blessing to see the "fruits" or results of that contact. There really are so many people that are prepared to receive the restored gospel, we just need to follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost and follow it. 

Anyways, this past week was really great and Elder E and I are excited to work this week and keep seeing the blessings of the obra misional. 

¡Que tengan un buen semana todos!

Elder Potter

The picture with the ladder is of Elder B. and Elder E. We were building a roof on that super weak ladder jaja. 

I hope you all like the pictures. The streets in Lima aren't usually that clear as they are in the picture. They are usually super busy. 

Elder E and Elder B building a roof using a rickety old ladder

Lima

Week 41: 4th of July

Familia y Amigos, 

Happy 4th of July! The 4th of July is a lot different here in Peru, obviously. But it was also a good 4th of July. For the last few 4th and 24th of July's it has always reminded me of Captain Moroni. He's easily one of my favorite, if not my favorite, person in the Book of Mormon. He reminds me of many of my aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas, my Mom and Dad and many other great leaders that I have had. Maybe they aren't all muscley and ripped like Captain Moroni was, but the most important quality of Moroni was that he was always a standard of truth, liberty, and life. In his times, there was also a lot of corruption in the government, but he wasn't scared to stand up for God's standards, even if it meant death. I love Alma 48 that says -if all men were and would be like unto Moroni, the very gates of hell would be shaken forever. As defenders truth and righteousness, we cannot think twice of changing sides. I know that we are on the Lords side. It makes me sad to see America how it is, but there is also much hope, we are the hope, so we need to act like it and believe it. The prophecy of Isaiah has been fulfilled, that in the last days men will confuse good for evil and evil for good. If we establish a standard of righteousness in our homes as did Captain Moroni, the very gates of hell will shake and crumble to the ground. 

Well, have a fantastic week! 

Elder Potter

Week 40: No tengo mucho tiempo..

Familia,

I don't have too much time right now to write a whole lot, so I'll just write a little bit about what I learned this week. 

On my mission I've been studying "Jesus the Christ" and it has really strengthened my testimony about the Atonement and divinity of Christ. This week I read about the betrayal, His unjust trial, His death, His resurrection, and His purpose as our Savior. I can testify that He really is the Savior of the World, that all things were created through and by Him, and that He, willingly, took up the cross and was resurrected to destroy the affects of sin and death so that we can have faith in His name and repent of our sins so we can live with God again. I know that He lives. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Well, that's all I got time for today, but have a great week!

Love, 

Elder Potter

Week 39: El Templo de Trujillo

Hola Familia!

First of all, Happy Fathers Day! Sounds like you all had a good Sunday. Yesterday was one of the more spiritual Sundays that I have had in my mission. Yesterday was the dedication of the Trujillo, Peru Temple, and it was just amazing. I felt so blessed to be with so many of the faithful saints in Peru, the Spirit that was there was incredible. It is the second temple in Peru and there have been so many people that have waited to be sealed in the temple to their families here, it's such a great blessing. It was a testimony to me that our Heavenly Father is mindful of all of His children and that we are all counted and loved be Him. I know He loves us. President Uchtdorf came with Elder Bednar and talked and dedicated the Temple. They talked in English but had translators. It was great. The Spirit was especially strong when we all sang "El Espíritu de Dios" ("The Spirit of God") at the end. The prophesy of Malaquias has come true, that "the the hearts of the children will turn to their fathers". I feel like in Utah, sadly, we take the temples for granted because there are so many with in 30 to 60 minutes of the house, but it shouldn't be that way. We are blessed to live in a time when the gospel has been restored and when we can be sealed with our families forever. 

Lately we've also been looking for new people to teach because we don't have very many progressing. President Erickson also came this week to our zone for our interviews, we have one every 3 months, and I asked him what I could be doing better and how I could find new people more effectively. To answer my question, he shared with me some scriptures. The first was Alma 31:5 that says something along the lines of "the power of the word of God had a greater affect upon the hearts of the people than the sword or anything else-and Alma thought that it be expedient that he tried the virtue of God.". As we preach the gospel, it will have a greater affect in the hearts of the people than any of their problems or worries. In Doctrine and Covenants 88:78 the Lord counseled his servants to teach with power so that His "grace", or, influence, could be with them. When we teach with the power of God, we influence people for the better and we learn as well, as it explains in Doctrine and Covenants 50:22. And to have that effect, we need to involve the members in the work. To find new people to teach that can progress, we need to involve the members. Every time I have an interview with President Erickson I find many things that I can do to improve the quality of my work. 

I know that as Elder E.  and I start working more with the members we will be able find more people to teach and the area will progress. 

Well, that's what I got for this week. Have a great week! 

Con mucho amor, 

Elder Potter

PS. Good luck with Girls Camp Mom, you are going to do great. 

Also, I bought some handkerchiefs for you guys with the Trujillo Temple on it for all of you guys that I'm going to send.

Trujillo Temple Handkerchief

Week 38: Un Buen Semana! (A Good Week)

Familia y Amigos,

This week has been awesome. My companion, Elder E. and I have been working hard and have been really excited about this next few weeks. We've been working with some really great people that are excited to keep progressing in their lives and that are beginning to understand the importance of the Plan of Salvation and the message of the Restoration in their lives and in the lives of their families. This week I had a good insight about what it means to be a missionary and representative of Jesus Christ. I know that every one has heard a million times that every member is a missionary, but it is true. And it is so important that we realize what that means. It means that we have all been called to share what we know with everyone. We were all called in our baptisms to share with the world what we know. 

Yesterday I spoke in sacrament meeting a little bit about that and about a really great talk that I came across by Elder L. Tom Perry that is called "Traer Almas a Mì" (Brings Souls to Me, in English) in 2009. That talks about how the members of the church have the responsibility to help the full time missionaries and to be a part of the work of salvation. He also addressed the problem that a lot of members have when it comes to missionary work, "Where do I start?". Elder Perry explained that we need to share three things with people. 1) We need to share with the world that Jesus Christ is our Savior. 2) We need to share with the world that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God and that the true church was restored through him. 3)We need to share our testimony of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, that it is the word of God and a testimony that God speaks to all of His children. These are the three things that we have been called to preach and share to all people as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

I'm very grateful for the Church, I know that it is true. I know for a fact that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and that through faith in His atonement, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end we can and will be clean from our sins. CHRIST wants and desires to forgive us. His hand is always stretched out to us, we just need to take it. I know that He organized and established one true church, and its the church that was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. This truly is CHRIST'S church. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that we really do become closer to God every time that we read it. I  know our Heavenly Father continues to speak to His children through revelation personal and through a living day prophet, Thomas Spencer Monson. 

I will always be grateful for the gospel. 

Well, that is it for this week! I hope that you all have a great week! And share the gospel!

Con mucho amor, 

Elder Potter

Elder Potter (interesting apparel)  and Elder E

Elder Potter wearing his Cholo Potter shirt - Cholo means Dude!

Elder E. and Elder Potter at an African Peruvian Museum

Interesting... at the museum

At the museum

Elder Potter in the museum there were tunnels - kind of creepy

Stain glass at the museum

Week 37: Soy un Papa (I'm a Dad)

Familia Mio,

This week has been really good for me and a super crazy week! This change I'm training my first kid missionary right out of the CCM. His name is Elder E from Puebla Mexico. He was baptized about 7 years ago but was inactive for about 4. He's a great missionary that's ready to work and excited to be here on the mission. He's willing to learn from those around him and that is going to help him progress a lot. I'm super excited to be able be his trainer. We've had some great experiences this week. I'll talk a little bit more about him next week. 

Right now were focusing on 2 investigators in specific. Luz P. and Yuriko L. Luz is Yulisa's mom and has been coming to church by herself lately and we are going to prepare her for the 20th, I'm super excited for her to be baptized and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. 

Yuriko is our other investigator and she is so awesome. Elder Niño and I met her at church two Sundays ago. She was a reference from some really great members and they brought her to church. She is a very humble lady. She is about 30 years old and single mother with her 5 year old son, Ian. About 4 months ago Ian was diagnosed with cancer and lately it's really been advancing. She loves and trusts that God can help her. She is great. But she couldn't come to church yesterday because she was in the hospital with Ian because the sickness is getting really bad. She has super strong desires to follow CHRIST because she knows that she will be blessed. It is hard to teach her because she is not home a lot, but I know she is going to make the gospel a priority in her life. 

This week I was really impressed by Jacob 6:9-10 and Alma 41:14 that explains that in the resurrection we will be restored to how we were in this life. If we were wicked, we will be restored to wickedness. If we were super happy, well be restored to that same state. These scriptures explain what is going to happen to the wicked, that they if they die in their sins, they will be restored to sin and will be tormented to them. So, if being tormented is the end result of that, and if they're going to be restored to their same state, it means that they are already being tormented by their sins! Satan sure does a good job at disguising sin for freedom and temporal delights as spiritual happiness. But we as members of the church know that sin doesn't bring true happiness, because "wickedness never was happiness".  It made me remember Doctrine and Covenants 84:49 that says "the  whole world groans under the bondage of sin" (todo el mundo gime bajo la servidumbre del pecado, not sure what it is exactly in English.) And its true. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we have the privilege to announce the good news of the restored gospel, that we DON'T NEED TO BE IN BONDAGE. We know how to be free and happy in this life. We need to let others know too. Sounds like you've had some good opportunities this week to help others know the restored gospel, like at the BBQ and planning for camp. Keep up the good work! 

Well, that is about all I got for this week! Fue una semana excelente! Estoy animado  por esta semana y espero que tengan un buen día y excelente semana también!  (It was a great week! I am encouraged by this week and hope you have a good day and great week also!)

Love, 

Elder Potter

San Juan de Lurigancho Zone

Fish heads anyone?

Elder B,  Elder N, Elder Potter

Elder Potter and new comp??

Week 36: CAMBIOS! (Change)

Familia Mio,

This upcoming week is going to be super crazy! I don't have a ton of time today, but I will next week. So, this week was really great! And super crazy. Saturday night Yulisa was baptized and was confirmed on Sunday. Its always a super great experience to witness someone making covenants and promises with our Heavenly Father and watching them become clean through baptism by "water and by fire". I love my mission and truly feel blessed to be here, it's great! Also, that's sweet that a lot of the guys are waiting for calls! And Alexis, that's so awesome! 

This week something that caught my eye was something that was said in conference by Bonnie L Oscarson, she said "if it's the Lords plan, it should be our plan!". And it's true! God has created a wonderful plan for all of us and He hopes that we all choose to obey His commandments so that we can return to live with Him again. Always make the Lord's plan your plan before you make your own plans. If you choose to obey Him first before anyone else, you will be blessed. I can promise you that. 

Also, changes are tomorrow! This change with Elder Niño has flown by super fast! We've had a ton of success and have found a few people that were getting ready for June. I'm super excited to see what is going to come with the change. Every time we have "changes" in our lives it really actually means "progress", but only if you take advantage of it. I guess change is actually the "code word" for "progress". It is going to be interesting. There are a few missionaries in our zone that are dying this change and a lot that are going to leave because they've been her forever. I have feeling I'm probably going to train or something like that this change. Should be pretty sweet! 

Well, sorry for the super short email this week, I'll write more next week....but here are some pictures for y'all! Espero que las disfrutan! (I hope you enjoy them!)

Con mucho amor, 

Elder Potter

Elder Potter and someones puppy

Elder Potter in his soccer garb- last p-day was their mission soccer tournament

Yulisa's wedding

Yulisa's baptism