I know it for myself.

It´s interesting how much I´ve learned about the importance of doing things from the heart lately. There have been so many experiences with people who don´t do things for the right reasons, and its been something we´ve been fighting against a lot. There´s a member (we´ll call him Carlos for privacy´s sake) who is in the middle of getting divorced. He´s well off and has a successful business, but he´s not happy and he´s not completing with the commandments. We talked to him about things and got to the core of it. He never received a testimony. He is convinced that missionaries are sent from God, he was baptized, and he completed with his responsibilities for a time, but he never prayed and asked God with sincerity of heart if it was all true.

You can´t live that way.

So we explained how he was a "miembro de cascaron", or in other words that he wasn´t doing things from the heart. Something that must be understood, and something we´ve been explaining to all the investigators and members (active and inactive), is that you need to honestly humble yourself before God, trust Him more than you trust yourself, and ask Him if it´s all true. You have to be willing to sacrifice ANYTHING that may be necessary to follow whatever the answer is. It doesn´t just apply to the truth of the church, but to all things. Is tithing really a commandment? Will my family truly be protected if I keep the sabbath day holy? Does living the law of chastity really lead to true and lasting love and happiness? How important is it to share the gospel with others?

People who don`t know need to get down on their knees and plead for revelation that can only come from above. That´s what we told this member. That´s what we told an investigator who was considering dropping everything because he´s not sure if its worth it to live the commandments. That´s what we told the members when we gave talks in church this week. And why is this so important?

"When true doctrine is really understood, attitude and behavior changes" - Boyd K. Packer

There is only one reason why people don`t live up to what they can be...the way God sees them and what their infinite potential really is. And all of this, everything I teach here is true and the only really way to find true happiness and salvation. The message I teach is the most important message people will ever hear.

I know it for myself.

So that was my week. This week is zone conference, and I´ll be leading the practices. I think you have an idea of what I´ll be focusing on.

Love you!
Elder Lund

they look like brains

Here I am, still in Providencia with Elder Novoa, and we´re all set for another transfer of hard work. The members asked President to let us stay, and as it turns out we were the only companionship of ZLs that didn`t have transfers. We´re working a lot to change the mentality of the ward. They´re all willing to come with us to appointments and help bring people to church, but our problem is that its been rather difficult to find investigators. We need people to teach before the members can help us with them, so we´ve been working a lot on that and helping the members understand that they can help search for people to teach, and that it´s actually their responsibility. They think we´re awesome. I just hope the results and miracles come soon. They did a good job helping out Angel, after all, and Angel is awesome.

Tuesday and Wednesday were leadership conference. I`m the second oldest ZL now, but I still learn a lot and have a great time every time we go to these conferences. Actually, do you know why Preach My Gospel was created? It was created to strengthen missionaries, not investigators. It was to change the system, so that the missionary is converted, and then is able to help other people be converted, whereas beforehand the lessons jumped right to the investigator since they were pre-written. Everything has to come from the heart now. It´s fantastic, and that´s the way it should be.

There´s a tasty fruit here that´s called pitaya (or something like that). They´re like cactus bulbs, and you have to peel them carefuly or it burns the skin. Once opened though they´re tasty, even though they look like brains. It´s interesting how many fruits they have here that aren´t in the states, huh? Of course, all the apples here are imported, but still.

Saturday we´ll be eating American style Mexican food with a Canadian, Brother Parry, who just got married to a girl from Sinaloa a month and a half ago. He´s a cool guy. Well I gottsa run! I´ve got all engines running at full speed, trying to make the most of what time I have left. Take care of the family. I´m praying for you all, and for your missionary opportunities. Thank you for helping the work.

Love you!
Elder Lund

HAPPY MOTHERS DAYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I´ll be sending more pictures than words today, if thats okay. It was fantastic to talk to you. I love you all so much and miss you. And I have no idea how I failed to mention it because I was thinking it but HAPPY MOTHERS DAYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You´ve done such a great job. I mean honestly, there aren´t words to describe it. All set for the home stretch!! Here´s some pictures from Angel´s baptism, and some other stuff around town. I´ll send my photo of a picture of me that Elder Flores drew two months ago as well.

Love you!
Elder Lund

Also (and you should put this on the site) I recommend the song "I´m Not Alright" by Sanctus Real. It has nothing to do with my current life, but perhaps it could cheer someone up.

Take care :)