Thomas S Monson is a prophet of God. Yo lo Se

Well, this week was a way better week.  We had a baptism, a lot of smiling, and i am happy. 

Well I am going to first start out telling you guys that today the Pope of the Catholic church came to Guayaquil. You guys would not believe how many people are just so excited for today. The question that we have heard a lot is "what do we think of the Pope"?  Its so funny to here the opinions of the people. Some like his coming and other not so much. What they did is they made the entire day a no work day, other than that they shut off all the roads of the entire city. Posters, TV, programs, so many things for a man.  I have wondered if the Prophet were to come to Ecuador if the people would show him the same respect, would they do the same preparations. I don't think so. 

Thomas S Monson is a prophet of God. Yo lo Se (I know it).

1.2 million people assisted the coming of the Pope.  So many people looking for spiritual renewal and a feeling in their heart. They search and they search in a place or in better words they search in a person who can not satisfy their needs. So many people waiting for a look for what I have to teach the world. Sadly not everyone wants to accept it. But not everyone accepted Christ and not everyone will live with God.

This week I found something cool out from the scriptures. Helaman chapter 3 verse 29 and 30.

29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—

30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.

This explains that the word of God, more specific would be the Book of Mormon with the Bible, is something of which we need to hold fast to. Cling to it. Because we are in something in Spanish is called abismo de miseria (abyss of misery). We are not safe in a place that isn't with our Heavenly Father. Like it says in that scripture that the word of God is the guide.  If we cling to it then it will lead us back to God. If not then the amismo de miseria will take us down in darkness. But I love what it says in verse 30. It says that if we hold to the word and then we will be led back to the right hand of God to rest and be exalted. But the last phrase is my favorite, something along the lines of "to never leave again". We left once, we will never leave again if we find our way back to him that is why He has sent us living prophets and apostles and the priesthood and revelation, because our father loves us and he wants us to return home to Him.  We are always our own problem or desafio (challenge).

We are the problem, so we need to shed off the natural man and be receptive like a little kid. That's when we can return to God.

Well our baptismo was awesome. Not many people showed up, but it was powerful.  The man who was baptized is called Miguel. One day before his baptism he got super sick. I was afraid he would back out. But he repeated that he made a decision and he will complete. He completed. He was so sick that he had to leave church after his confirmation because he was in so much pain. But he told me something. He said that the pain was strong, but his desire to complete with God was even stronger.  His love was stronger than the pain. I think that applies in everything. I think he learned to understand more about the atonement. The pain for Christ was strong but his desire to complete the will of the father and his love for us was a lot stronger than the pain. That is why he won. And we will win if we come unto Christ.

Mom I love you so much. Time is flying by and soon we will be together. 

Elder Luke