Pictures from Sis. Smoot

One of the sisters in Devin's district sent me these pictures!

District with Sis. Weight

Best artists at the MTC

Bro. Theobald

District with Bro. Theobald

Elder Stagg and Elder Evans

Pictures

beautiful day!

playing some fijian game... it was hilarious. haha

most hilarious picture ever of sister sefeti.. playing that game!

playing that game again

 the bacolod missionaries +elder muir

 the bacolod missionareis + elder Johnson

our entire zone!!! philippines and hong kong missions!

all the filipinos

thats a sheep in his hands.. feed my sheep. haha

elder johnson and i.. hes going to tacloban

GQ-ish

Great Week!

Family and Friends,

What an awesome week! It FLEW by like i cannot even explain. 3 of the districts in our zone left today, they are going to Tacloban and Cebu (both in the Philippines, speaking Cebuano). So the big big thing of this week was Tuesday Night's Devotional, and Saturday. The speaker on Tuesday night was.... Elder Richard G Scott!!!!! Wow. i cannot explain the intense spirit that was in the building from the second he walked in until the second he left. Unbelievable. He spoke on prayer and missionary work. I will tell you some of my favorite points from his address.

1.Prayer is a supernal gift from God. supernal. wow. thats powerful.

2. If you are looking for better prayer or how to receive answers.. read D&C 6,8 & 9.

3. Prayer is directly connected to faith.. we must have faith that he will answer our prayers on his will and his time. Also, we must pray to understand his will more fully... pray to know what he wants for you, AND more importantly... pray for strength to act on his will and promptings. Thats of the utmost important. He gives us our trials for OUR growth and experience.. he knows 100% what is best for us. He has the eternal perspective.

4. Act, ACt, ACT. Its all about action. We are not a people of idleness and time wasting. The Lord expects our efforts.

5. Elder Scott left us missionaries with an apostolic blessing. Which was... wow. awesome. The things he bestowed upon the missionaries were; a. to have peace b.help with the language through the power of the Holy Ghost. c. this will be a rich and rewarding experience. d. i will not be asked to do anything out of my potential and abilities e. the mission will bless the life of our families now and my future family.

 Lastly, and this was one of the more amazing things i have experienced... he finished.. we sang a closing hymn.. then the Sister saying the closing prayer was about 2 feet from the pulpit when Elder Scott stood back up. He said, "I have to make sure you understand this, i have to say this again." he then said something to the effect of... You have been called to succeed.... not fail. The Lord will never abandon me. ever. The mission is here to help me discover my true potential.. its all within my capabilities.

That was amazing. It was like the Lord was at the pulpit speaking to us directly. I bear testimonies that apostles are called of God.

Another amazing part of this week was Saturday. It was both of our teachers' last days as our teachers (they are leaving for internships). It was awesome to hear their testimonies. What was amazing for me was at the end of the night Brother Theobald gave an amazing prayer with our entire district. Although it was in Hiligaynon.. .so i didnt understand as much as i wished... it was still SO spiritual. No lie, i was literally weeping. Out of pure love, joy, peace, happiness. So much so that when i stood up from kneeling i had a wet spot on my pants so it looked like i peed my pants!! hahahaha. super hilarious. He blessed us each by name and i felt God's love so purely. Grateful for him.

I have a couple of challenges for you. Find one christlike attribute this week and study and work on it. pray for help with it. you will be blessed. Also, read Elder Holland's talk called "Lord, I Believe". My favorite by far. He's great. Also remember this... we alone decide how lonely or sad we feel. God is ALWAYS there.. we just choose if you distance ourselves from him or draw unto him.

A couple Hiligaynon phrases to use this week.. "tu-od ka?" thats the equivalent of sarcastically saying are you serious? kind of like saying.. for real?! haha! love that phrase. Another, is "pasencha" which is, sorry. another is "udtatlang" which is saying, just stop. Love this language so much already... and the philippines. Thanks so much for all the letters, love, packages, advice, and prayers.

Pray always. Rely on the Atonement, I know that Christ lives. I know that we must always strive to be closer to him. Do it. You will be blessed.

May are ako sang pagpamatu-od sa ini ebonghelyo. Jesucristo sa kabuhi kag kamatayon para sa aton mga sala.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Elder Muir and I, we traded ties! He's from Australia going to Philippines Tacloban.

  Elder Morley (from New Zealand) and I!

 Elder Robson, he's half filipino going to Cebu Philippines!

 She's my friend.

More Pictures

Provo Temple

really mother nature?!? really?!

 district 45-a

donuts in my pocket.

Week #3- Time Flies

Family and Friends,

This letter will be a little shorter than the others.. sorry about that! This last week has been great. Again, the days all seem the same, but thats okay. The days are getting faster and I leave in 21 days!! Can't explain how exciting that is. Our district has been progressing so much in the language and spiritually. I've had so many uplifting experiences its amazing. 

We had an extremely good devotional by Elder Lund a former general authority about receiving revelation. Main points are this; you must be doing things to allow you to the feel the spirit. Another thing he talked about, and he had some HILARIOUS stories about this one, is deciphering between revelation and "hormonal revelation".... i will just let you think that through on your own. Another important thing that impressed me is that we must realize that we cannot think we know more than God.. it sounds like a duh! statement but i think we are all guilty of it. We want things to happen at a certain time or whatnot. Its not just, "thy will be done" but also.. thy time. Remember that in times of confusion, strife, and sorrow.

To any of you with someone in your life who you so dearly want to feel the power of the gospel, remember this. Love & concern breeds the desire to be better and draw more unto Christ. Find charity and the pure love of Christ and then try to extend that help to them.

Elder Evans and I gave a lesson during our district meeting about Baptism. It is such an important ordinance to help all receive it. It is the springboard to all other covenants, promises, and blessings. Read Mosiah 4:11-12. Just do it.

The Lord is hastening his work. AND, if you want to be a part of that... you can. Facebook, twitter, instagram.. use them for good! if not, you are wasting your sweet time. Many of you know how strongly i feel about that. The feelings are still the same. Develop your testimony and focus on the most important work that there is... the teaching of the gospel in your own homes. Never forget that. You have been entrusted with a child of God.

When all else fails in your life.. turn to the Lord. I testify that he is our advocate with the Father. He is the ONLY way to eternal life. We are bound forever without him. Plead the desires of your heart unto him and let him lighten your load. I know the atonement is real... God lives and loves all his children. Never EVER let yourself think that because someone has rejected the gospel before that they will again. Just open your mouth.. and the Lord will fill it. Thats a promise in the scriptures (cant think of the verse right now haha. whoops).

PS- letters and dearelder.com letters are better because i only see emails once a week! but ALL is appreciated. Oh! another funny note on that.. there are like 5 samoans and poly's in our zone and they are in our residence floor. they are loud and hilarious. their favorite thing to do is throw cold water on people in the showers... with that being said! When i get cookies, snacks, brownies, etc... i give them some, and i havent ever had water thrown on me in the shower. I dont think thats a coincidence. So consider the cookies and sweets you send as an investment to me having enjoyable showers! haha... its the little things that keep you going at the MTC.

Nagapabakod sang mga panimalay ang ebonghelyo ni JesuCristo. (The gospel of Jesus Christ strengthens families)

Oh a cool phrase to say maayo kaayo.. means very good. i say that about 100 times a day.

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Bored

 Elder Evans ALWAYS walks around with his backpack open! hahahha

 language study

to really appreciate this picture you need to understand how big the crowds are on sundays at the temple for our temple walk

Elder Jace Wade (high school teammate/ great friend) and I! he goes to argentina!

elder johnson and I- hes a stud

 Elder Jaden Beckstrand and I (highschool friend)

 some elders/sisters in my zone... we enjoy ourselves. haha

 finding the philippines! hahha

classic MTC pic

Running Into Friends

Our friend, Greg Nelson, from Folsom was on the Provo temple grounds yesterday and ran into Devin! It was so fun to have this picture pop up in my text messages!

MTC Week #2

Family and Friends,

 I appreciate so much all the prayers, letters, packages, thoughts, etc. Its funny because there isn't much to tell you in regards to day to day activities. Its study, breakfast, study, study, lunch, study, teach, study, dinner, study, gym, teach, study, sleep. Repeat. That's how the MTC is. haha. Cannot complain though because i have learned so much that will help me deliver the message of this gospel more effectively. Conference weekend was awesome. Watched and took notes on every talk. I literally took i think 25 pages of notes. I developed a little blister on my thumb from all the writing. hahaha. One really awesome thing was for last night's devotional the BYU acapella group Vocal Point came and performed/ bore testimony. Truly increased my testimony of the power of music. Use it always. Had a chance to personally meet President and Sister Nally (MTC President), and they remembered me from meeting me while i was dating their granddaughter. Sister Nally expressed how she prayed for me by name often.. it was so amazing to hear that. They expressed how proud they are of me, it was awesome. They are so loving and caring for all missionaries. Elder Evans and I have grown closer this week as has our entire district. It feels like we are family. I had the opportunity to give one of the Sisters a blessing for sickness this past week and it felt like she was really a sister of mine. The bonds at the MTC are intense and i am truly grateful for them. It feels like i have been here for AGES, but not in a bad way.. The days feel like weeks, and the weeks feel like days. It is the weirdest thing to explain but thats how it is. haha. I wish i could just copy and paste all my notes into this email so that you could see the profound concepts we learn everyday... but i will focus on a couple of them.

First. Obedience. It was talked about so much in conference.. and for a reason. Obedience is how we are truly converted. Strive to be more obedient and your life will be blessed. Do not pick and choose the commandments you wish to keep.

Second. Faith. Faith is not enough... sorry if that sounds harsh but its true. We must act on our faith to truly use it. Action on faith creates evidence of our faith which creates a pure knowledge.

Third. Conversion. Conversion is an ongoing process in our lives. No one is completely converted. Another thing about that.. testimony in our lives is NOT enough. Testimony will not create a lasting effect on our lives. Conversion comes through always being true to what we know. What we know will ALWAYS trump what we don't know. Exercise faith and reap the fruits of your action.

Fourth and Final. Turn out. We watched a talk that Elder Bednar gave at the MTC a couple years ago.. his focus was on the character of Christ. For lack of better phrasing... he threw it down hard in that talk. haha. He was so straightforward and concise. I learned that we are all much much too selfish. To truly be converted and follow the character of Christ we must resist the natural man. The natural man consists of turning inward and being selfish during hard times. Christ NEVER turned inward. Even when he was being betrayed, spat upon, tempted, ridiculed.. he turned outward to help those who were disrespecting him. Something amazing and profound i learned a few different times this week is to always always always seek others before ourselves. We must pray to find ways to help those around us and to be better disciples of Christ. Even when we pray for revelation, pray that the revelation will be able to bless someone around us. All of our purpose, not just mine, is to invite all to come unto Christ. Turn to God, and invite others to do the same. During Bednar's talk there was a part i loved.. he said something to the extent of, " i hear missionaries who say i feel like i am working hard, why am i not seeing the results? whining, complaining, murmuring." He stopped, stared into the audience and said, "STOP WORRYING ABOUT YOURSELF. its NOT your agenda. get over yourself. stop worshiping yourself. You need to get your motives out of the way so that the Lord can work through you in his own way." it was powerful and struck me deep. With that being said... we ALL have room to improve. Pray for others and put the lord's will first. I am pushing for this with all my desires and capacities.

Pray always. Study Dilligently. Not for ourselves, but for the eternal salvation of those who are not as spiritually fortunate as us.

Christ lives.. i have had it testified to me so strongly. Recognize that everything we do, we must rely on Christ. I know this gospel is the true way to happiness. by living its principles we can be edified and uplifted to help those around us. I know our Heavenly Father loves us.. all of us. He knows our divine potential and i challenge you all to pray for knowledge of his love and plan for you. Stay strong and be an example of the believers. Ps. there are too many cute girls here, it doesnt seem right ... Dyokslang, (just kidding) but really. hah!

Palangga (love),

Elder Stagg

Halong!

P.S.

a couple other things! elder evans and i went all day saturday without speaking english.. that was rough. haha. but good!

Also (phe and jay will love this one) we play basketball every gym time and elder evans and i are undefeated in 2v2 #hoopdreams haha! the language is getting sooooo much better! its a hilarious language! Love to you all!

 District 45-A at conference!

 President and Sister Nally, Elder Evans and I.

 Doing what i do best.

Sister sefeti is hilarious. She always makes new friends and this is her being best friends with all the islanders and taking their picture at the temple. She even snatched up some random toddler at the temple and was playing games with him. haha!

Our district loves being odd.

MTC Week #1

Family & Friends,

First off thanks for the emails, letters, packages and prayers. They are very appreciated. If I don't handwrite you back a letter, dont be offended. Just realize that there is about no time in the day to write. P-day is Mondays! SO a couple quick things, it has been hilarious seeing about 7 or 8 missionaries who i outfitted for their missions at Mr. Mac. I'm like a suit celebrity. Kidding, but its kinda true. My companion's name is Elder Evans from Moapa Valley in Nevada. Real Small town so he has a small town mindset. He does redneck activities but isn't a redneck. its intersting. We get along pretty well .. its easy because we are both pretty easy going. We have taught two lessons to "investigators" already in Hiligaynon. Its crazy how quickly but also slowly the language is coming. Its a very unique language but honestly makes more sense than English. I have seen 4 or 5 people i know from high school so thats always an exciting thing. Whoever said that i wouldn't get a good meal or a hot shower because it was too busy... was WAY wrong. I eat better here than i ever have and the food is usually pretty good actually. The showers are always hot. Life is good in that regard. The sheets and blankets are somewhat like sandpaper, thank goodness i brought my own sheets and another elder who left today gave me his blanket. Bonds form quickly at the MTC. My district and I are already very close. There is Sister Sefeti from Fiji, Sister Mullins from West Valley, Sister Smoot from American Fork, Sister Nielsen from Mesa, Arizona, and of course my companion Elder Evans. I was made district leader on thursday (I had a 50/50 chance being that there is only my companion and i as elders in our district haha.) but still know its an assignment from the Lord and am grateful for it. It already has taught me alot about being a better example and trying to exemplify our savior with love. I already feel like i have been here forever... in a good way though. Our teacher is Sister Weight, she got back from Bacolod about 2 years ago. She teaches us tons and is very patient with us.

 I know Jay and Phe wanted me to not be spiritual in my first letter and tell it how it really is.... BUT spiritual is ALL it is. haha. There is so much time to study, learn, and be taught by amazing leaders. President and Sister Nally (MTC President) are great, they always invite the spirit so well. Easter Sunday yesterday was like none other. An amzing day to remember the Atonement and realize how important Christ is in our lives, especially as missionaries. We had a special sacrament meeting where the sacrament was passed to over 3,000 missionaries at one time. That was great. Bishop and Sister Causse (presiding bishop of the church) came and spoke to us. A couple things i want to share from Bishop Causse's remarks. We as missionaries are holding the salvation of people in our hands, what a powerful reminder to always be striving to progress. Another thing he taught that i loved was that, NOTHING is more important than preparing our testimony of our Savior. Not just me, but for everyone. It is the savior and his infinite atonement that encompasses the gospel. Love is a gift, a gift we receive from God. Bishop Causse quote Victor Hugo (author of Les Miserables, the book) who said, "love is celestial respiration of the air of paradise.Oh, side note. The singing during the devotionals is amazing. SO SO powerful. I can't explain it. Gets me everytime. haha. If you want a super solid testimony of the savior and atonement go read Bruce R McConkie's conference talk from April 1985 entitled ""The Purifying power of gethsemane." its amazing. just read it.

The MTC is honestly way fun. Yeah there are hard times.. and yeah you get down. But through the spirit we can all be made better by the Atonement. I will bear part of my testimony in hiligaynon so you know what im working with here.haha!

Kabalo ako nga ang Libro ni Mormon ano ang pulong sang Diyos. Kabalo ako nga buhi si JesuCristo, kag propeta si Joseph Smith. Kabalo ako nga matuod ang simbahan ni Jesucristo sang mga Santos sa Ulihing mga adlaw. Sa ngalan ni Jesucristo amen.

Yeah so its really interesting. Lots of long words but it will come with time! I'll leave you with a quote from President Uchtdorf that he gave at the MTC about 10 years ago.--- "Geographically divided but spiritually united." Keep that especially in mind once i'm in Bacolod. Hope all is well.

Palannga,

Elder Stagg

MTC District

Elder Lee (serving in Hong Kong) and Devin

Elder Stagg and his district

Called to Serve

Devin has been called to serve in the Philippines Bacolod Mission, he will be speaking Hiligaynon. March 27, 2013 Devin entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT.  

Some pictures of his departure day!