Week #42

Hello Everyone Back Home!!!

This week was an interesting week.  I don`t know if people know about it up in the States or not, but Chile is hosting the Copa America this year.  Basically, that is when a big group of the countries from Central and South America get together to see who is the best.  Haha.  It is super funny because they take it REALLY seriously here...and people get mad over just the dumbest things.  They all make fun of each other a lot more than usual. When Chile plays, we have to enter the house early because the Chileans get pretty "rowled up".

This week was good for teaching.  I am starting to get connected with the members better.  This Sunday, it was my first time in my new chapel.  Elder Dueñas and I got to present ourselves to everyone.  There were 60 people in the ward there.  It is a ton smaller than Ducaud, but has its advantages as well.  :)  We are going to the bishop`s house tonight to eat a little bit with him.  

The area that I am serving is an older community.  Most of the people are probably 60 years old.  We are praying for a ton for opportunities to meet new people and to find the people who are ready to receive the gospel in their lives.  :)

This week, I was thinking a lot about obedience.  As missionaries, we have many MANY rules.  I feel like sometimes, as members, we feel that we are obligated to do many things.  Go to church, refrain from buying on Sunday, refrain from some of the things of the world...etc.  In the end, there are many people who feel sorry for themselves because they have "limits" on what they can and can`t do.  Ya know what...in the end, we aren`t obligated to do anything!  We don`t HAVE to do a THING,however, God IS OBLIGATED to bless us always, when we are obedient.  He literally has to do it...he has no option.  So, next time you are faced with a decision of obedience, remember that.  Remember that you have a choice of the outcomes...God does not.  If you can remember that, I promise that you will make the right decision.  :)

I love all of you.  I am so thankful for all of the support that I have received through the years.  I am thankful for all of the guidance that I have received from my leaders and my elders in the church.  i am very grateful for Bishop Stinnett back home and the help he gave me.  I am just so very grateful for the gospel in my life...I don`t know what I would do without it.  :)

Con amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #41 Another Day in Paradise

Hello Everyone Back Home!!

This week has been a really stressful week.  We found out the other day that Elders Dueñas and Hawkins were being kicked out of their house because the contract was ending, so we went to go help them clean and pack and all.  Then, on move day, we found out that they would be moving in with us! haha So we basically spent the day doing all of that kind of stuff.  We now have 6 people in a house for 4 again.  It`s okay..just a little hard to focus at times...during studies to be more exact.  

We had Stake and Zone conference this week....it was really cool to get to listen to new leaders since I`m in a new zone.  It kinda sucked that I didn`t know anybody, but hey...it`s part of being the new guy.  :)  It was all fun though.  For pday this week, we went to the temple.  Like always, it was simply amazing...a great spiritual experience and opportunity for service.  Then we ate at Popeye`s! :D

The work is a little bit slow in the new sector with all of the stuff going on with the Copa America and reunions and things like that, but I figure things will be normal soon.  :)

I just

wanted to share my testimony of leadership positions in life.  Husbands, bishops, sports captains, team captains, whatever leadership position that you can think of.  The point of it isn`t always because you are better, the best, or anything like that, but that it is an opportunity to help you grow personally and to help those below your authority to do the same.  I just want to share my testimony that at times that can be really frustrating and difficult, but if we go to the Lord in prayer and ask him for his guidence, we can`t go wrong.  Always seek the Lord with your might, mind, and soul, and everything will be okay.  :) I testify of it, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Con amor,
Elder Jackson

Week #40 Transfers

Greetings From Santiago, Chile!!

So, I got transferred yesterday.  :(  It was super hard to leave Ducaud.  During my farewell talk on Sunday, I almost cried the whole time...I literally felt like a little baby.  WAAAH!    I feel like I am leaving my family all over again...it`s the same, but different.  I love Ducaud, but it`s a different kind of love...I dare to say a Christlike love. 

It was hard, but the Lord has called me somewhere else...to a sector called Las Industrias!  It is in the community of San Juaquin.  It is known to be richer than San Bernardo where I was. There are more houses than "throw up" houses.   My comp is a grengo from Utah.  His name is Elder Miller.  He has 3 months left in the mission.   President thinks the world of him with reason.   We were in the same zone in Gran Avenida, so we kinda already knew each other.  We live in a house with two other Elders...the house is nicer than in Ducaud, plus there are only 4 in the house.

With the heartache from leaving, it made me think about some scriptures in Doctrine and Covenants 76:5-10 If you are too lazy to read it, basically, it says that Heavenly Father delights when we serve him in righteousness.  It LITERALLY BRINGS HIM JOY!  Wow, what a thought.  Can you imagine the face of God, smiling because YOU are doing what he wants you to do?  It`s really a pretty amazing picture to me at least.  It continues to say that he that doith this will receive knowledge of the gospel that has now been heard, seen, or spoken yet...even all of the mysteries of God...WHAT A PROMISE!  We will know EVERYTHING!  All we have to do is what the Lord has shown us and commanded us to do.

In these trying times, this gives me much comfort in my purpose.  That not only it is what I`m doing on my mission, but that this is what CHRIST NEEDS ME TO DO TO HELP HIM WITH THIS ETERNAL WORK.  That sure does make me feel special.  This is what gives me the hope and the knowledge that there are miracles waiting for me here, just like there were in Ducaud.  It gives me the desire to excite myself, and "GO TO WORK"  I simply want to invite each of you to ponder on these scriptures and to think what is in your life that Christ needs you to do.   Promise him you`ll do it, and do it.  It`s that easy.  It is simply a matter of making up your mind to serve him righteously, and following through.  I testify to you that when you do this, you will feel comfort in your life.  You will feel peace about what you are doing...and if you don`t, you will know what you need to do to realize this promised blessing. 

Con amor,

Week #39 Service

Hello Everyone,

This has been an interesting week.  The sector is starting to flourish again after essentially dropping everyone...it is really cool to see it grow in this manner.  Don´t get me wrong.  I don´t mean to say that I am a great missionary or something like that, but it is amazing to see the work of the Lord right before your eyes.  It is amazing to see the Kingdom of Heaven growing on the Earth and to see people grow in their desires to serve the Lord first hand. There really is no feeling like it. It makes all of the sweat, anxiety, pain, emotional toll, and potential heartache go away...IMMEDIATELY!  You see the smile on these people´s face when you begin to share with them, and you instantly feel the Savior at your side holding you up...pleading with you to just keep going...that everything is going to be okay.  It´s in that moment...that you REALLY begin to understand the Savior´s love for you personally.  How amazing.  :)

I have come to realize that these feelings come more often when you are in the middle of an act of service.  Random service out of your love for the people.  It doesn´t matter if it is a member that you love..or someone you met on the street who is just using you because they know you´ll do their dirty work.  In the end, both ways lead you to the Lord.  It´s interesting how that happens...why is that?  

Mosiah 2:17 "Behold, I tell ye these things that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

James 2:17 "Even so faith,if it hath not works,is dead,being alone."   

The scriptures have made it very clear that service is essential in our faith.  The very rock of the gospel of christ,faith, depends on it.  If we are not showing the love of Christ, through our works, we have no faith.  I find this quote to be very interesting, "...we must be careful, as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant... But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said "were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not." (3 Ne. 9:20; italics added.)"

--Ezra Taft Benson

Following this quote, service shouldn´t be something that we occasionally try to give.  It shouldn´t be a part of us trying to be more godlike...it should be a part of our very person!  We should see it merely as helping another child of God to understand the love that he has for them and that he has sent us to give that testimony.  Now, that doesn´t just have to be for missionaries.  As many of you already know, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints focuses many times on service...and many times we, as members, see it as a hassle.  Cleaning the church is a hassle.  Helping another youth with homework...hassle.  Helping another member move...is a hassle.  Helping another member with their kids...another famous hassle.  Going out with the missionaries or home teaching...BIG HASSLES.  I´m going to be a little up front, if you have ever felt this way,  you need to work on this part of your progression.  There are very few people that I know (and probably in the world) who don´t feel this way...that have progressed to the point that service is a part of their person.  I as well have much room to improve in this aspect, but I want to invite you to LOOK FOR SERVICE.  The more service that you do, the more service you will want to give.  You will reach the point that every time you have free time, you are looking for someone to help...and you won´t even know it..you will be truly "baptized with fire in the Holy Ghost."  I testify to you this day, that this lifestyle will bring you more joy than any other thing that you could possibly do in this life.  This isn´t church doctrine, but personally, I believe that this is why Christ never cried out or begged for mercy during the process of the Atonement, because he had found everlasting joy in the act of service.  I testify that this level of consecration is possible, obtainable, and closer than you think...you just have to want it.  I leave you this message, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.    

Con amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #38 Sometimes things are not as they appear!!!

Hey everyone. I hope that it was a great week in the states.  It sure was here.  This week, I just want to account a story to you guys about an experience I had.  

Esta semana fue lleno de contactos. El hecho, encontramos una villa en nuestro sector que antes pensabamos que no podriamos entrar...los misioneros siempre han dicho que no podriamos, entonces no pasabamos. Este semana, Elder Peterson y yo estuvemos en divisiones y ibamos a contactar el mismo parte que usualmente contactamos. Yo tenìa sentimientos que debiamos pasar por esa villa a ver si podriamos entrar. Llegamos al portòn y empezamos a esperar por un auto a entrar o salir. Despues como 5 minutos, un hombre volvio y no dijo, "Quieren entrar? (Empezò a mostrarnos las llaves)" Entonces entramos con el hombre. Le damos gracia y el entrò su casa. Empezamos a contactar. De los siete casas que contactamos, recibimos cuatro citas, tres personas que nos dijieron que podamos pasar un otra dia, y una persona que no queria nada. Salimos de alla superanimado. Fue supergenial a encontrar que reàlmente, no debemos escuchar que dicen otos misioneros y que debemos seguir el Espiritu. Como dice en las escrituras, " Ninguna cosa es imposìble para Dios"


This week was normal in that it was full of a ton of contacts.  We found a villa in our sector that we thought that we couldn`t enter...the missionaries before me had always said that we couldn`t enter the community, so we never passed by.  One day this week, I went on divisions with Elder Peterson.  He came to our sector. We left the house after dropping off his stuff for the night, and headed out to do contacts in the neighborhood that we are assigned to.  I stopped while we were walking...I had strong feelings that we should pass by the villa that everyone says that we can`t enter.  We arrived at the front gate. (It`s a gated community.)  After noting that there are no signs that prohibit missionaries, we thought, "We`ll just wait until a car comes out or something."  After five minutes or so, a man showed up on the other side of the street to enter the villa.  He looked at us and yelled "Do you want in?" (He showed us his keys)  We crossed the street and entered with the man.  We started trying to talk to the man, but he clearly didn`t want anything to do with us, so we gave him our card and offered service if he ever wanted it.  He entered into his house.  Then we started to contact houses.  Of the seven houses that we contacted, we set four lessons, three people told us to come back by another day so that we could get to know them and gave us a time that they`d be there, and one person didn`t want anything from us.  At the end, we left the villa super excited.  It was really cool to realize and to see that, YOU SHOULDN`T LISTEN TO WHAT OTHER MISSIONARIES SAY, BUT THAT YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THE PROMPTINGS OF THE HOLY GHOST ALWAYS.  It`s like it says in Mark 1:37 "For with God, nothing shall be impossible."

I leave with each of you my testimony that I know these things are true.  There are many things that we perceive to be impossible, but I declare unto you....if they are the will of the Lord, THEY WILL HAPPEN.  This work,is the work of the Lord...a work of MIRACLES...a work of Service...a Divine work.  Never forget that.  I pray that this would help somebody out there to have more faith in the Lord, and help them to seek and follow His will in their life.  

Con Amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #37 May 13, 2015 Afflictions

Hello Everyone~~

This week seemed to go by super fast.  At the beginning of this adventure I didn`t like contacting people.  I was nervous and felt uncomfortable.   Now, that has developed into a normal part of my life.  Sometimes we think that contacting is the worst part of missionary work...that it is the most unsuccessful, but I thought about something during my studies this week.  Really, the message that contacting sends, is very powerful.  Even if the person rejects us, spits at us, cusses at us, and talks to us like we aren`t even human beings....there is still a message being delivered to them.  The message is this......  "Even though you may not want to accept it, the Savior is thinking about you and is reaching out his arms to receive you into his fold.  The Savior has sent his servants to bring you back to him.  Why?  Because he loves you unconditionally."  I thought about that....and I just said "Wow."  It had never occurred to me the message that is sent with the smallest of things.  I couldn`t help but to just sit there for a few minutes in wonder of how truly amazing our Heavenly Father is.  :)    


This week, we helped a family with some counciling because they are having some problems dealing with the personal afflictions.  I thought about them a lot this week.  I dedicated a good deal of my study time to searching for something in my reading that could help them cope with their problems better.  Right then, I came upon this.

Mosiah 24:10-15 

10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.

11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them,that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.

12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him;and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and  that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, theLord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

I feel that many times, especially when things get hard, we cry to Heavenly Father for help...and what happens? Nothing.  Then we begin to have voices in our head or outward influences tell us that praying isn`t going to do anything, so we should stop.  Verse 12 contains the key to that. "but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts."  THAT`S THE KEY!!!  When we pray to Heavenly Father for help, we aren`t merely asking him to relieve us of our burdens...if you do that, I promise that it will be ineffective. We must "POUR OUT OUR HEARTS!"  Only then, will we see prayers answered.  Only then, will we see miracles, healing, and love.  Through these answered prayers, we are commanded to stand as witnesses of these things!  Of the wonders of God.  That he has the power to deliver his servants from heartache and pain.  And when we complete these things, we will be delivered from our troubles. 

I testify to each and every one of you of the healing power of the Father and of His son Jesus Christ.  Through our faith in them, through our diligent service and keeping of the commandments, through sharing this incomprehensible love with the world, we will be healed.  We will feel whole.  We will feel an unconditional love for this gospel.  Of this I testify to you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

Con Amor,

Elder Jackson

Week #36 Faith

Greetings from Santiago!!!!

The sector is doing really well.  We are changing a lot of things.  In the beginning of this change, we had a ton of people to teach...like twenty, but we realized that the people that we have been teaching really were not progressing.  So we had to make the most difficult decision and stop teaching several people...until we had about three people remaining.  

In the beginning, this was really hard for me personally.  I have been here for almost five months working with these people, building relationships with them, seeing them grow.   But somewhere along the line they hit a wall....and stopped progressing.  President Cook said in his letter to us a few weeks ago that when we leave people that aren`t progressing, we are acting on our faith in the Lord and his timing.    We have to realize that this is HIS TIME...and not ours.  I always think about my conversion story.  From the beginning, it took about six year until my baptism.  I had three baptism dates, but I wasn`t really ready until my last date.  The Lord hadn't quite prepared me to the point that I needed to be.   I know that it is the same for these people.

As missionaries, we want them to act on these things immediately.  But, we have to realize that this isn`t our time, it is the Lord`s.  In his time, he will gather them for his kingdom...when they`re ready...when they`re prepared.  Then we will see miracles happen in their lives like I have seen miracles in mine.

I`ve hit another milestone on my mission.  I`ve gotten to the point that I don`t dream about people or thing back home.  I dream about the people here.  The people in my dreams are the people that we are teaching.  I think that is just about a sure sign that I am immersed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I don`t have a message really for this week, but I want all of you to think about these things.  Think about your faith....where are you?  Are you depending in yourself?  Your own plans?   Your own strength?  I promise you...that if you do this...you will fall.  You will realize, at some point in your life, that you NEED something more...someone better to help you.  This person is the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is ALWAYS here to help us.

(Luke 18: 8-14)

If the Savior visited a church meeting and heard the person say the opening prayer like this, "Thank you Lord that we are not like the other churches...that we follow thy commandments closer.  I have fasted twice this week. I shared the gospel with 3 people this week.  Thank you for my success in the gospel."

Then he hears another person pray like this, "Lord, I`m sorry for where I have failed you.  I drank this week.  I cussed at work.  I had angry thoughts in the car driving to work in traffic this week.  I`m sorry for being disobedient.  Please help me to be better and forgive me for my shortcomings."

Can you see the difference?  Instead of hiding from our difficulties and problems, if we will trust in the Lord and his promise to us...to help us be better, YOU WILL SUCCEED.  You will understand life better, and you will be received into the Kingdom of God in the Last Day.

I invite all of you to think hard about this...about which person you are.  If there is something that you need to change..do it.  Don`t wait.  Put your faith in the Lord, and be happy.  I give my testimony that I know that these things are true.  That faith is the cornerstone of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  That if we practice faith then all of us will understand better who our Heavenly Father is.  And, when we understand who He is, we will in turn understand ourselves more, and our purpose here on this earth.  Thank you all for your continued prayers!!

Con amor,

Elder Jackson