Hola,
Another week has passed me by it seems. This week was pretty good, although things are starting to get that kind of crazy look to them that can only mean one thing: a party. I don't know if you remember from last year, but September 15th, and not May 5th, is the big patriotic holiday here in Mexico. (Seriously, nothing happened May 5th. It was actually a very calm day.) For the last couple of weeks everyone has been getting ready. Here that means putting up a flag and lighting off fireworks. They love their fireworks here. They're always looking for a reason to use them, and if they don't find one they use them anyways. The big day is tomorrow, so we have to be inside at 6. If it's anything like last year, it will be hard to sleep. They used so many fireworks last year that it sounded like a warzone. And now I'm in the capital of Mexico. I imagine it's a bit crazier here. I guess we'll see tomorrow.
Other than that, things are more or less the same here. The obvious news is the temple rededication. As always, it was beautiful. On Saturday they had the cultural activity, which was a play about the church in Mexico. It was nice, but a lot smaller than some that they have done for other temples. In part it's because it's only been about 7 years since the last rededication of the temple, and the last time they did a huge production. Still, it was a nice production. It was narrated from the view point of a man who learned about the church in 1974. He and his wife had a son who died when he was 9 years old. In the end the only reminder that they had of him was a small gold coin that he always carried around with him. Short time after this, his wife met the missionaries, and in the end they were baptized and sealed in the Mesa Arizona temple, which was the closest temple at the time. While this is happening, he shares the story of the church in Mexico, starting with the occurances of the Book of Mormon, then moving on to the events of this dispensation. He talked about all of the things that lead up to the translation of the Book of Mormon to Spanish, and the growth of the church here, all of which lead up to the construction of the temple in Mexico City. In the end, the couple decides to donate the gold coin to the funds to construct the temple, because they've developed the faith necessary to make that sacrifice. As far as the rededication goes, it was also beautiful. We could only go to one of the three sessions, but the one that we could go to was good. President Eyring and Elder Holland came, as well as the area presidency. I particularly enjoyed the talk by Elder Holland. He surprised me by starting and ending his talk in Spanish. He spoke about the importance of the importance of the coming of Elijah as predicted in Malachi. In particular he talked about the version given by Moroni when he appeared to Joseph Smith. He talked about the fact that Elijah came meant that all priesthood ordinances, not just sealings, can take place. Basically, without that athority, none of them would be relevant in heaven. He said that that makes it one of the most important days in all of human history, not just in our dispensation. This is the time when God is completeing all his promises. Without the authority restored by Elijah, almost all of the people born in the earth would have absolutely no chance at salvation. He also talked about another difference in the version of Moroni, where he says the promise of the children unto the fathers will be planted in their hearts. He said that this refers to the premortal life, in which we promised our ancestors that we would do all in our power to give them their chance at salvation. Part of the reason we build temples is to complete with this very promise. When he said that, it really struck me. It made me think a lot about the reason we put so much emphasis in family history work, in missionary work, and in temple work. All of it has at its roots this promise that we made to those we loved in a time long past. It made me want to do all I can to move these works along, to be a better missionary. I feel that there are people that I promised to find, waiting for me here, and I want to help them.
Other than that, things are about the same. We haven't found too many new investigators, but we're working hard. We did find a new couple, but I don't think too much will come from them right now. When we knocked, they let us in, but while we talked with the husband, the wife layed in her bed watching a very old movie telling the story of Juan Diego and the Virgen of Guadalupe. It was kind of akward, but in the end they said we could come back if we wanted too, but they didn't want to make an appointment. We'll probably go back one more time just to see what happens. But that's about it for new here.
It sounds like things are pretty hectic for you guys. (Did you see what I did there?) I hope things calm down soon. Congratulate Matt for me.
That's about it for me. I love you, and I'll write you next week.
Love,
Elder Samuel Long
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