Elder Sorenson - April 30, 2018

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I am writing once again because another P-Day is already here. This week we had so many things to do and it was quite crazy. On Saturday, we had a wonderful day, super busy, and exhausting, but it was worth it in the end! For a ward activity, we too a trip to Ibiza (fictitious island) and it was super fun! They asked me to be the pilot because I am the tallest one here and I am white. Haha!  It was so great seeing everyone having a good time and enjoying themselves as a religious family. Right before the activity, our awesome investigator, Dominique, got baptized!

During the activity, I started to think and I realized, or remembered, something so vital in the conversion process. Obviously, one needs to come to know the Gospel and that the Book of Mormon is true. But the other essential part that is truly necessary is the SOCIAL PART. I went from an amazing baptism service, where someone was making a sacred ordinance, to an activity where the same person was laughing and having an amazing time! It is so important for people from outside our religion, to really see that we are pretty normal. Amongst ourselves, we are the most normal people and we seem to forget what we really appear to people outside our religion. Activities with other members and non-members gives us time together to laugh, enjoy one another's company and create memories that don't just include people in a white shirt and tie, saying that our faith is like a mustard seed 24/7.

Obviously, there is a missionary thought to all of this as well! BRING YOUR FRIENDS TO THE ACTIVITIES!  Show/introduce them to the missionaries and let your non-member or less-active friends experience or re-experience the abundance of joy this church can bring and the blessings they will receive, both temporal and spiritual.

I love this church and the love and energy it has. I love the people and I am so grateful for the happiness it has given me throughout my life.  I might not of realized it before my mission, but the blessings have been there all of my life and I am finally spiritually mature enough to recognize them and I will be forever grateful.

Love Always,

Elder Sorenson

Elder Sorenson - April 23, 2018

Hi Everyone!

This week I was able to study Mosiah 2 and it was very interesting. All of the things I learned are so valuable and precious to me. At first, verse 17 in Mosiah 2 states that when I am in the service of my fellow beings, I am only in the service of my God. It is completely true, but there is another thing that is super important. We have to serve with our WHOLE SOUL, without this, it says we would be "unprofitable servants" which means, really, the work we give to others without putting our whole souls into it, goes undone and doesn't help us grow!

Where do I want to go with this? It says in verse 21, that we shouldn't do things according to our own will, or "withhold our whole soul in the service of God". Why? Verse 23. He gave us and granted us this life! We are "indebted unto Him!" We all have a loving Heavenly Father who gave us a life to prepare and progress in this Gospel. He loves each and every one of us. He sent His Son to pay and die for our sins. His Son gave His WHOLE SOUL, His WHOLE LIFE in the service of helping others. As it says in verse 24, "Ye are still indebted until Him, and ARE, and WILL BE, FOREVER AND EVER; therefore, of what have ye to boast?" We are nothing. We are life-long debtors for what the Lord has done and still does for us. I, for one, have lost myself in this work and I have realized, I am just His servant not only for these 2 years, but for the read of my life. I will forever be in debt with my loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I love Them with all of my heart and soul.

I love all of you and this time on the mission is flying by and I do not want it to end. I invite all of you to lose yourself in the Lord's work, give all of your soul and remember to always be humble and remember the Light of Christ in your life.

***I was asked by my President to put together a choir for the District Conference, The song we sang was the Army of Helaman. Below are the lyrics to the song:

We have been born, as Nephi of old,
To goodly parents who love the Lord.
We have been taught, and we understand,
That we must do as the Lord commands.

 

We are as the army of Helaman.

We have been taught in our youth.

And we will be the Lord’s missionaries

To bring the world his truth.

 

We have been saved for these latter days

To build the kingdom in righteous ways.

We hear the words our prophet declares:

“Let each who’s worthy go forth and share.”

 

We are as the army of Helaman.

We have been taught in our youth.

And we will be the Lord’s missionaries

To bring the world his truth.

 

We know his plan, and we will prepare,

Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.

Daily we’ll learn until we are called

To take the gospel to all the world.

 

We are as the army of Helaman.

We have been taught in our youth.

And we will be the Lord’s missionaries

To bring the world his truth.

To bring the world his truth.

I included the words to the song we sang at the District Conference in this week's letter to remind all of us to always, "Bring the world His truth."

Love Always,

Elder Sorenson

 

Elder Sorenson - April 16, 2018

Hi Everyone!

"Learn of me, and listen to my words: walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me. " I hope that all of you have had a great week and have felt the presence of the Lord in your life. I wanted to share with you this week how much peace I have felt walking in the meekness of the Spirit these past 18 1/2 months. We can only have a feeling of peace if we follow His commandments. We will receive peace as a river and our righteousness as the waves of the sea. (1 Nephi 20:18).

Really, though, there hasn't been a moment during this mission where I haven't felt peace. Obviously, I have felt discouragement, sadness, and sometimes anger for reasons like the investigators not fulfilling their commitment, a non-supporting ward, or maybe even disobedience of other missionaries. But there is a very well-known song that helps me through it. "I get knocked down, but I get up again! You're never gonna bring me down!"

The reason I sing this verse is because it is 100% true! We need to be positive and pick ourselves up every single day. Every single hardship is for a reason and really, they are placed in our lives to grow and learn from them. I love this Gospel. I love, love, love, love, love, it! The Book of Mormon is the most perfect book here on earth. Russell M. Nelson is the Prophet of God and helps us feel the peace and love of our Savior in our own lives. The key ingredient to find peace in the world is faith. "Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world."

So please have faith and find peace but always remember that there is PEACE IN CHRIST.  He gives us hope when hope is gone. He gives us strength when we can't go on. He gives us shelter in the storms of life. When there's no peace on earth, there is peace in Christ.

Love Always,

Elder Sorenson

When there is nobody to teach in the morning, there is always the Ecuadorian Ronald McDonald to teach while waiting for our Papi-pollo!!

My companion is Mexican, so that means taco nights once a week!

Outlook of the majority of Loja, the climb (subida - I forgot how to say that in English) killed me, but the pictures were worth it!



Outlook of the majority of Loja, the climb killed me, but the pictures were worth it!

Outlook of the majority of Loja, the climb killed me, but the pictures were worth it!

Outlook of the majority of Loja, the climb killed me, but the pictures were worth it!

Elder Sorenson - April 9, 2018

Hi Everyone!

I know in this mission I am able to witness miracles every single day if I am obedient and working hard. What has been hard for me to realize is that the miracles don’t just come to me, but also to my entire family. (D&C 118:3 - Let the residue continue to preach from that hour, and if they will do this in all lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility, and long-suffering, I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families; and an effectual door shall be opened for them, from henceforth.)

I was able to witness (via Skype) the biggest miracle of all on Saturday. One of my best friends and biggest role models got baptized and I was able to Skype to watch the service! Even though I might been 2,000+ miles, I sure could feel the Holy Ghost (D&C 50: 13-14, 17-22) and I know that the heavens were celebrating big time! I know this is the true church, and really to be baptized, is the best decision a person can ever make! I also can’t express how much gratitude I have for those who have played a role in Eric’s life and the help you provided him in his conversion. 

I am doing great in this amazing city of Loja! We have a few investigators who are amazing and they are progressing in the gospel beautifully! There is a young women named Dominique and she is going to be baptized on the 21st of April! We are all so excited for her and it is just so amazing to see the progress of people when they get to know the church even more. The story of this investigator is super cool. She was invited to church and she went by herself but didn’t like it that much because everything was super new to her. She wasn’t planning on going back but the same friend invited her to the Mexican Night and she LOVED it! From then on, she became more committed to reading and attending church. The first visit, we left her with a Book of Mormon. We came back 2 days later and she has read all of 1st Nephi. We went back a few days later and she was done reading 2nd Nephi! Every single visit we have, she surprises us more and more. She reads every day, comes to church and this past week, she told us that she knows that the Book of Mormon is true and that Russell M. Neilsen is the Prophet on the earth! She was able to attend conference and witnessed the amazing Solemn Assembly that took place. I have been shocked by how much change she has done to be closer to her Heavenly Father and also the decision she has made to be baptized. This field is white and ready to harvest! 

I love all of you and just want you to know that MIRACLES EXIST AND THEY WILL NEVER STOP EXISTING! I love you Eric and I am so proud of the decision you made! 

Love Always, 

Elder Sorenson 

2 Nephi 31: 9, 17 

Elder Sorenson - April 2, 2018

Hi Everyone! 

 

What an wonderful week it has been with an absolutely spiritual general conference. I learned so much, especially about the power of revelation and living prophets. 

 

Here, in South America, they celebrated week long holiday called, “Holy Week” so there wasn’t really anyone to teach during the week but my companion and I seemed to be able to find our investigators for a quick minute and were able to chat with them! 

 

I am so excited for what the next few months have in store for me. The calls/transfer calls were made and I am staying here in Loja, in the cold climate! I love it here and although the people may be a lot harder to teach, I have learned and grown in so many ways. Especially of who I want to be like or what I want to do as a member when I get back! 

 

I hope that everyone was able to watch at least a part of General Conference and were edified by it. I know this church is true and I sustain the true and living prophet, President Russell M. Nielsen, as a sear and revelator. 

 

I love this restored gospel and the knowledge I have that families can be together forever! 

 

I LOVE YOU! 

 

Elder Sorenson 

 

Jacob 1:19

Read it. Live it. Love it.