Seis Meses

My Dear Family,

This week was amazing. I had a lot of special experiences which I can't wait for you to read all about below.

Something I wanted to talk about here is the power of persuasion. The persuasion I am talking about is not what we usually think. We usually believe it to be convincing someone to do or believe something. I am talking about the persuasion that Jesus Christ had. The definition is someone who uses no demeaning words or behavior, does not manipulate others, appeals to the best in everyone, and respects the dignity and agency of all humankind — men, women, boys, and girls.

So I never thought about this point until last Friday when Elder Schwendiman asked us to pick a point that is explained in the article called "Unrighteous Dominion." The article talks about centering your priorities on the right things. Anyway I read an article about the difference between persuasion and manipulation and it was super awesome. The basic difference between manipulation and persuasion is honesty and dishonesty. Someone who manipulates someone else uses unfairness to get someone to conform to their way, whereas someone who persuades gives them a choice.

I know that when we are fair and treat everyone with kindness and with honesty, everyone is benefited. Rather than the manipulator receiving the benefits and leaving others with nothing. I have felt the spirit as I care and love the people I meet, and I know that everyone can feel that spirit as well when the follow Jesus Christ example. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Saturday 08/12/2017

A few of the missionaries went to squaw peak today. It was super beautiful. The way that the sun shone on the city was majestic. The beauty of it just added to my testimony that this world truly was created for us. It was also very peaceful as we spent time together and talked about the things going on in our lives.

The view from Squaw Peak

Sunday 08/13/2017

We went to the devotional today and it was really good. M. Russell Ballard spoke to us. He talked a lot about being completely focused on missionary work. One of the things that he said was, "You can be a 100% missionary as you check in on your knees with Heavenly Father." He also talked a lot about keeping your heart completely locked. He said, "the devil and his angels purpose has been the same from the beginning and that is to destroy our testimonies. One of the ways that the devil has power of you is when you do not lock your hearts away on your mission." So that was really good.

Monday 08/14/2017

Elder Buckway went on an exchange with elder Arndt and I. It was super good, especially at companionship study. We talked about baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. I learned a lot.

I had a really good talk with some elders at dinner in the cafeteria. I asked them where they were going and they said the Philippines. They then asked me where I was going, so I said the referral center. They then asked how long I had been here so I told them. One of them said “what advice do you have to give to us?” I was surprised. Most missionaries don’t ask that question. This was just the second missionary that had asked me for advice.

So I told the missionaries what came to my head and to my heart and this is what I said: “Be open to change. Do not think that your way of doing things is the only way or the best way.” A little bit later I had another point pop into my head, so I told them, “Learn what it means to be a missionary. If you learn what that means, you will be a lot happier. I know that because I have found a lot more happiness as I have learned what it means to be a missionary and applied it to my life.”

At exchange review with Elder Buckway he asked me what I learned today and so I said "You don't know how much you have learned until you teach it to someone else." He then wrote that down in his journal, and put a mark by it which means to reflect on what it means. So that was good.

Tuesday 08/15/2017

Elder Arndt, Elder Schwendiman, and I were able to talk with Josefine. She is really into family history work right now and wants to do baptisms for the names that she has found. So I am super happy about that.

We found out that Fernanda got baptized. We haven't really been in contact with her, so I was happy that the zone leaders in Colombia got in touch with Elder Withers and Elder Jacobson.

Elder Anderson came and spoke at the devotional tonight. Some of the things that he said were "If we pray in faith and do our part, God will do his part." Something else special that He said was "Pray for miracles and then expect miracles." I really liked that last one because we don't really expect miracles, but if we act on the things that we ask for we can receive miracles.

The missionaries on Squaw Peak

Wednesday 08/16/2017

We talked with Anya today. She is doing really good. She contacted the missionaries and is hopefully meeting with them this upcoming week. We talked with her about baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then we set up a date for September twenty-second to set a baptismal date, because she does not feel ready to set one now. We then ended by asking her to read Mosiah 18.

Thursday 08/17/2017

I saw Elder (Jake) Weenig today. It was super cool. I hardly recognized Him because the last time I saw him was years ago. So he is really tall now. But we had a good talk.

I heard who my new companion is going to be. Starting Sunday night (when the new missionaries come to our mission), I will be companions with Elder Meldrum. When I heard this I had an overwhelming sense of peace, like this is what is supposed to happen. I have been on a few exchanges with Elder Meldrum and he is really diligent and really caring. He has a love for everyone, and I think that this will be a great thing for the both of us.

Friday 08/18/2017

I went to the Provo Mission tour today. It was really cool. We got to hear from Elder Duncan of the seventy. He talked a lot about ways that we can be better as a missionary. Something that I really liked that he said was to tell everyone you come in contact with that you are a representative of Jesus Christ. He also said the the name on the bottom of your name tag is more important than the one on the top. That really stuck out to me and I am definitely going to start telling people on chat that I am a representative of Jesus Christ.

I hope that you all can have a good rest of your week.

Love,

Elder Stevenson