Monday, June 9, 2014

Elder Scott speaks Portuguese?


This past week was awesome.  We stake conference and the spirit there was very strong.  The area authorities spoke, and then Elder Scott and Elder Ballard gave talks for the Brazilians of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais.  Elder Scott Speaks Portuguese apparently! I had no idea.  The members here told me that he always records his general conference talks in Portuguese before he gives them live at conference and then plays that recording.  What was really cool was the reaction of a recent convert named Jaqueline.  She told us that she had loved it and that she felt the spirit very strongly. Before she had been a member of the church, Jaqueline always liked to study the Apostle Paul and had always had a desire to meet him.  She told us after, ”Today I heard an apostle of God speak.  I know he was called by Him, and I felt as if he spoke directly to me."  Elder Scott spoke about the gift of prayer and the importance of searching for divine direction.  He said something I really like.  "Heavenly Father didn’t send us to earth to weaken us but to strengthen us."  That’s so cool. He really does want to help us, but we have to ask in prayer.

The Saturday night session of conference went well also. The theme was missionary work!  The first talk was given by the 1st counselor in the stake presidency.  He asked 2 questions "What is missionary work?" and "Why do we serve?" Two things to think about.  He quoted the church manual, that says something like this: "Every member was SENT to earth for the work of the salvation of souls."  We have a divine purpose to help others return to the presence of our Heavenly Father!  Few things are more important than that.

We had a cool experience teaching a group of gypsies this week.  We pass by their tents every once in a while but we had never stopped to actually talk to them until now.  Their life style is different than you’d think.  For one thing, they have their own language called "Shibe" It’s not written, just spoken.  They do live in tents...but they enjoy all the normal luxuries of life: running water, electricity, hd tvs, washing machine, fridge, microwave, and even cars.  Apparently the palm reading and fortune telling businesses can bring in some money.  They dress traditionally in full length dresses and still ride horses to the super market.  Oh, and the older gypsies all have golden teeth.  I don’t think any of them really wanted to join the church but they are very nice people and received us very well.

I love you,

Elder Marsh

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