O Ye Pollutions

Family and Friends,

The Book of Mormon is chalked full of prophecies of our day and age.. especially of our land (that being America). What has the Lord promised our country? How can we obtain those promises? Look in Mormon and Ether.

Well.. we had 2 baptisms on saturday. Teores and Erwin. 2 future missionaries. Hooray! They are way solid already. I had the chance to baptize Erwin. Water splashed out of the font and everything... still trying to figure that one out. ahah. Such a great experience. We actually met them just over a month ago... the Spirit truly can testify of the truth of all things.. if they are honestly sought for. 

I love this mission. Its easily the best time of my life. 

I have a request for the family.. next time you send a letter.. can you get a micro SD card and fill it with church hymns.. only hymns!! nothing else is allowed. and then put it in the letter. Just like every church hymn would be great. haha. MOTAb versions or whatever. 

Sorry... i dont have a ton to say. I am having Elder Mifflin (he goes home on wednesday) take my SD cards with him and then mail it to mom and dad. there are some great videos and pics on there. hahah. enjoy!! put them on the blog! I love you all. The work is great. I am doing amazing.. and i mean that with my whole heart. Keep being great and working hard in your lives. Obedience truly does bring forth miracles in our lives. I love you again. The Church is true. It is run by the Lord. The Book of Mormon changes lives.

Palangga,

Elder stagg

Picture from Mission Facebook

Line of Defense

Family and Friends,

"For the eternal purpose of the Lord shall roll on.." Think about that. Nothing can stop this work. This is the work of salvation. This is God's kingdom on the earth. We are so lucky to be a part of it. 

So... in our ward and our apartment there is 4 of us. The other 2 missionaries are Elder Agbuya and Elder Mifflin. Elder Mifflin is a former AP and goes home next week.. i have learned SO much from him its awesome. He is the DL and this week we had a lesson about virtue. He talked about a "line of defense".. basically.. you find something that is on your person at all times ie.. wedding ring.. ctr ring.. picture of Christ.. whatever it may be. (mine is my temple recommend). That line of defense is always there... when that bad thought comes in your head.. or you wanna maybe make a bad choice.. look at or grab your line of defense. It can keep you safe in all times. I learned that my temple recommend means more to me than anything else. I can lose my debit card.. credit card.. driver license.. but if my temple recommend is there.. life is good. Cherish it. Be worthy of it. 

This week was good... a little challenging because our area had their fiesta... cock fights, carnival games.. basketball tournaments.. dance contests.. its quite the ordeal. haha. But still a good week. Taught a lot of lessons. Many people are progressing. Our God is a God of miracles.. promise that. 

I spoke in sacrament... about the Book of Mormon. I love that book. I hope you do as well for it is the "most correct of any book on earth.. and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." Quite a promise right? isnt that we are all striving for.. deep down inside... to be closer to God. Those 531 pages of literary beauty surely will help us in that cause. I know its true through the power of the Holy Ghost. If you cant say the same.. i challenge you to start today to find out. 

I love my mission. I love the work. I am so grateful i received the gift of the Holy Ghost. I love Jesus Christ.. and i know He lives. Happy Valentine's Day from the Philippines.. hahah :P

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

Turn and Find the Mark

Family and Friends,

Sacrifice and Obedience brings forth blessings. One without the other... does not work. I had a very rewarding week. Very fast... as in ridiculously fast!! I feel like i just got done emailing and here i am again. The mission is a miracle. Let me be a living visual that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real and that change does exist. Remember... He has suffered for our pains and infirmities... and he knows how to succor each and every one of us.

This week.. one of the highlights.. .i got my Christmas package!!!! YAY :) thanks to all who had a part in that. The candy is already gone! And all of my housemates (cuz there are 4 of us) got some much needed ties and socks! yay. I love the ties... they are good looking for sure. Thanks for the letters as well, i loved them. You are great. 

Another highlight. So we had our ward conference and the people from our special sacrament area (bariopuey, very far away) came to ward conference in the city! Then... (this is the highlight) we all walked back to Bariopuey. Oh and these are all youth and single adult age... The walk took about an hour and a half hahaha... then it was raining.. it was great.. .i was using a big giant leaf as an umbrella. Yes im in the philippines for sure. hahaha. But really... these kids are so just... strong! They do whatever it takes to experience this gospel. They help us fellowship...! For our special sacrament in Bariopuey.. 3 miracles happened. First... The opening and closing prayer were both given by investigators!! 2nd... one of the talks was by one of our investigators!! it was perfect.. 3rd.. a girl came to special sacrament who we havent even taught yet.. i asked her how her experience was.. her response was this... "happy". 

Hmm.. happiness. Thats an interesting word right? Something we all search for right? Lets see what the Lord has to say... Mormon 2:13-14. Please read that. The Lord will not "suffer them to take happiness in sin"...What do we see all over the scriptures especially the Book of Mormon? That wickedness never was happiness. Ever Ever. Its simple.. the things that create sorrow in our lives.. is our own wickedness. The Lord has shown me very clearly in my life the things that take away my happiness. Now its just a matter of overcoming that problem or weakness or sin or mistake. The Lord gives us weakness so we can learn what really happiness is. I testify that happiness is found only in the knowledge that your actions are in line with Heavenly Father's will and reflect the Savior. NO ONE IS PERFECT... but thats the point of this life... to improve. . grow.. reflect.. change.. become Christ-like. I am so eternally grateful for all of you and what you have done in my life I am so grateful for my Savior. I may not know Him perfectly.. but i know He lives and wants to forgive and help each and everyone of us. 

I know the Book of Mormon teaches us how to live and follow Christ. I know its true. I literally see first hand on a daily basis the power the Book of Mormon has to  change people's lives. It can happen to you.. and you can do it today. 

PS- i might never come home from my mission.. is that allowed?

Palangga,

Elder Stagg

United Til I Die

Family and Friends,

I love my mission. And to be honest.. i hit the point this week where i forgot what home is.. and who you are.. and what its like to not be a missionary. I officially hit it. I cant really remember what its like to be.. not a missionary. I guess this is where my life changes and i become that weird missionary. Great right? personally... i love it. My life is about a million times different than it was on March 27, 2013. Honestly.. that feels like an eternity ago, in the best way possible. And as to how i am personally... life is a joy. Yeah, there is trials.. .but guess what.. we chose that before we came here. I teach these truths daily.... and i know they are true.

This last week i had an investigator who wanted to bash with me.. and wanted to pick doctrine... even read a verse to us implying we preach false prophets. Inside, i laughed. And i just told him simply... "Joseph Smith is a prophet.. i know that by the power of the Holy Ghost". He didn't have a response to that. We never need to bash or debate with other religions or beliefs. We respect all (articles of faith)... all we need to do is invite them to do things that will let them know for themselves. Those things are reading pondering and praying about the Book of Mormon and attending our church services. Thats how it happens. Honest seekers can find truth. Its not all about deep doctrine.. and picking apart the Bible. Its about being honest followers of Christ. In regards to that investigator.. it makes me sad.. because his pride is blocking his ability to learn truths.. but thats okay.. pray and hope. 

Well.. this area is a dream come true. Its hard.. dont get me wrong.. but that area where we have special sacrament is taking off! My first week.. .attendance there was about 6.. yesterday we had 17, 11 of which are investigators. I love it.. i know the Lord is with Elder Renon and I. I know that he is guiding our efforts. I know he hears prayers. I know that all around.. people are being prepared. God is a God of miracles... i know that. Everyday is a miracle through the Atonement. Moroni 10:33 We can improve and be perfected in Christ. I know his grace is real. I testify of it. 

I also know that obedience to God's laws is the key to success. Its simple. Analyze yourself. 

Well... im hungry. And thirsty. So i am gonna go eat some rice and drink some water. hahahahaha. I love you all!!!!!!

Palangga,

Elder Stagg