Mexico City Temple Rededication

Hello family and Friends. This week I have to inform you wasn't this most fantastic, but it really was a good week. On Monday it was a normal preparation day that was full of cleaning. Afterwards on Tuesday we worked and began to look for more new investigadores as well as those that we have. Right now we're teaching a lot of families. The goal is that we find as many families as we possibly can. We actually have some families that are making good progress as well. On Thursday we had a surprise Zone Conference with President Villarreal who interviewed us as well as taught us about the importance of the Book of Mormon in our proselyting.After the conference on Thursday Friday was work, work , work. On Saturday in preparation for the rededication of the Mexico City Mexico temple there was a cultural event that was held in the Federal District. It was a play with a story of a man and his conversión and an explanation of the Book of Mormon. it also displayed the history of the church in Mexico. It was incredible the cultural event I loved it! As well some of our investigators came to watch it! Then on Sunday we went to Fresnillo to see the three sessions of the rededication of the temple. President Eyring and Elder Holland came as well as the Area Presidency of Mexico. It was really a special event and the spirit was so strong in each sesión. I wish i could tell you all what I learned, but because it was an extensión of the temple we need to keep the sanctity of it. The temple rededication really was the highlight of my week though.

Now for the spiritual thought. So with the rededication of the temple I would like to share with you my testimony of the power and the holiness of these sacred places. The temple is the house of the Lord. I know that in the temple we make sacred covenants and that we should keep ourselves worthy so that we may go as often as possible. As well I know that in the temples that the power to seal a family for time and all eternity can be found there. AS well i know that the temples are the closest places on earth to connect us with our father in heaven and that we truly can feel his presence there. I know that as well it is our responsibility to look for our ancestors so that they too can receive these ordinances.

Elder Perfili

I LOVE YOU ALL

God Be With You Till We Meet Again    

When God is put first

Well how absolutely amazing this week has truly been. First things first Happy Labor Day to all those celebrating. Well brothers and sisters I'm going to begin with the first part of my week. The first part of the week was actually pretty good, but it still was lacking something. We were teaching and as well contacting a lot, but really something was really different. On Thursday this week we had to leave and go to Fresnillo for our monthly Zone Conference. there we were inspired to elevate and vision and faith through the goals that we are putting in our missionary planner. For those of you who are not familiar as Missionaries we work according to goals and we measure our progress to find out how we can better work along side the Lord in his work. The conference had me thinking this weekend and on Saturday it was incredible. For weeks and for a very long time my companion and I have been having an interesting time finding everyone, but on Saturday things turned around. We began the day a Little late, but found a new person to teach after we found another and then another, and then a family called us over to put an appointment with them and a woman as well and someone has a reference for us. It was as if the Lord was literally sending people to us to find. I can not lie no deny that really God was there the entire time helping us to find these his children. Then on Sunday we found another family. Truly the week started off slow, but it changed at the end. As I said in the beginning of my letter, at the starting of the week something was missing. At the end no, why I cant say fully, but I do know that a major part was that my companion and I began to confide more and more in the Spirit to lead and guide us, we began to trust fully in Gods and that he would lead us in our teaching, contacting, and day. This week my faith increased. Why because I don't have to will nor the desire to believe that I am possible of having done so much work, but rather that the Lord is helping me to be a part of it and it Works a lot better when I work a long side him by the direction of his spirit.  

I was just finshing a moment ago saying my testimony grew this week therefore I want to share it with you about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesús Christ. I know that God is our loving and Heavenly Father and that he wants to bless us and does so through his góspel which he sends to us by the words of his Prophets who are men called of God and hold the Priesthood of God as well. I know that as well because of Gods love for his children he sent his son to establish a church with prophets, apostles, teachers, etc, and that when Jesús came he performed the atonement which makes it possible to live here happy and successful in our goal to return to God, I know that the church that Jesús established was lost as well as the Priesthood too, but God once again called a Prophet of God and restored his church through a Young man named Joseph Smith. That he also gave us a way to know if it is true that he restored his church. Its called the BOOK OF MORMON and it testifies of a restoration of the góspel of Jesús Christ. I know as well that God listens to prayers and that if you pray to him with a sincere desire to know he will manifest the truth of it unto you through the Holy Ghost. I know and I know with out any doubt. I share this with you in the name of Jesús Christ, Amen.

11 months

Well it has been another month and I cannot believe that as well i finished another transfer here in the misión. Right now I’m still here in Rio Grande with Elder Paniagua and I’ll be finishing his training. In the District though we did have transfers Elder Lezana left and is now in San Luis Potosi. Elder Tito is still out district leader, but he is also training a new Elder now. Now for a recap of the week. On Monday we just contacted people. On Tuesday we had a few lessons, but we are working really hard on finding new people. Wednesday we had a lesson that was alright, and we then left for Fresnillo to stay the night with the Zone Leaders before we left the following day to a conference in Zacatecas. On Thursday we went to Zacatecas and had a conference with the misión doctor on our health and learned the 10 commandments on health. While I was there we learned a lot of things that we have to do as missionaries to keep ourselves healthy and so that we truly can serve with all our heart might mind and strength. As well I sent a photo, but I was able to see my companion from the MTC, Elder Jones, and we took a photo. On Saturday and Sunday was the Stake Confine here, but we didn’t go to the Stake Center instead they transmitted it from Fresnillo to Rio Grande.

After having our conference on Health I had been thinking a Little bit on how we can keep ourselves spiritually healthy. Thinking about it I thought about what the apostle Elder Bednard told us. Elder Bednard say that if we want a way to stay strong members of the church that every day we should read from the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is another testament of Jesús Christ and testifies of his life, misión and appearance in the American continent. As well the Book of Mormon is the fullness of the góspel. The Word fullness really does mean COMPLETE; WHOLE; EVERYTHING. The Book of Mormon contains it all, the answers that we need and the Gospel of Jesús Christ that is necessary to our salvation. I know that as well this book testifies of a restauration and that God has placed his church here again with the priesthood that Christ posed and as well that it is led by prophets. How do I know these things, just by Reading the Book of Mormon I have come to know and by praying as well. I invite all of you who have read and especially those who haven’t to read the Book and once you’ve finished to pray and ask God with all energy of heart and I know he will tell you it is true.

I LOVE YOU ALL

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Elder Perfili  

This is from last week 8/24

Hey my beloved brothers and sisters, well where do I begin because this week really was special. So I can’t lie to you all the first few days of the week were rough my head was running all over the place in the misión and other things that stressed me out, but I know that God and Jesús Christ have helped me and they are still helping me. This week was kind of difficult in finding new people to teach. We have been contacting more as well as looking for references, but it seemed like every house we went to we couldn’t find anyone. However we didn’t let this affect us at al because we continued the search to find those who are ready. As one thing I have been focusing on is my study and I cannot go without my study for one day or I just feel different. I believe for sure though that the spirit has been able to be in our lessons because this entire week I felt so powerful and sure of what I was saying and the spirit was testifying. The best part of the week though was to see the investigators in church we had almost all of our investigators there in church on Sunday and some with their family members that we have never taught! That as well was super amazing after working the best that we could we still saw a great result at the end of the week.

Throughout this entire week I was thinking a lot, about a range of subjects, but it was one thing at the end of each day I knew I needed more and more and, I am working harder to do so, is the spirit. As I say the week was difficult in finding people, but at the end of each day I still felt a warmth and a calm spirit telling me that everything was all right. Day after day working and finding minimum results and I was still feeling good, how is that possible? We know that the spirit is the consoler and the person that our heavenly father has given us to lead us and guide us, even more to comfort us. The spirit is who helps us as missionaries and children of God carry out the work of salvation through his whispering and warnings. The spirit is essential in missionary work, but even more so in our lives because without it we don’t have this heaven sent gift, one that is truly divine and the closet gift we can receive as members of the church of Jesús Christ of Latter Day Saints to experiment the eternities. I love the spirit, but even more to making the sacrifices necessary and being diligent even tough to search for his presence. I know that the Holy Ghost will guide us if we listen and especially confirm to us at the end of a long day that it’s alright and tomorrow well try harder

Elder Perfili

Adventures in Rio Grande

Well my beloved brothers and sisters I hope that all is well with you as you are reading this email. The week as usual went by at a lighting speed rate, because once again I’m here writing you all. A quick recap of the week, Tuesday; we had a lesson with the family that came to church last week and it was awesome i am positive that they are going to progress. Wednesday to Thursday: Working and a lot of contacting, Friday a zone conference with Presidente Villarreal and the assistants. Saturday and Sunday slow days, but a lot of good progress with my companion. Right now the weather is pretty hot, but they are days with a light breeze and clouds. The sky here is absolutely beautiful because it is so clear during the day. My companion as I’m sure i have told you speaks English so we have the opportunity sometimes to contact people in English as well as practice because he says i need to. On Friday we spoke with our misión president and he explained a ton of information about our misión and the productivity that we have.

Well I would just like to keep it short with my testimony about the restoration of the góspel of Jesus Christ. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that because he loves us he gives us the góspel of Jesús Christ to bless our families. As well that he loves us so much that he gives us the góspel through Prophets men of God that he has called and that he has given his power and authority to do so. These men preach of Jesús Christ and the importance he has in our lives. As well God loves us that he sent his son to atone for the sins of mankind and show us the way back through the church and ordinances that he established while he was here. I know that as well after the death of Christ and his apostles we lost this church, but that we as well have once again received evidence of a loving Heavenly Father who called Joseph Smith as a prophet and commanded him to write the Book of Mormon so that it could be a witness of the Restoration of the Gospel and the Church of Jesús Christ so that we may have the truthfulness of God and his góspel on the earth again. I know these things and invite every single one of you who doesn’t know or does stop ask God if he has restored all truth to the earth and he will tell you through the Holy Ghost.

I know because I have asked and I cannot deny it for that I share this message and testify that it is true.

I LOVE YOU ALL
Elder Perfili 

 Zone conference 

Importance of listening

¡HOLA A TODOS! Well to begin with the events of this week, I have to tell you once again it has been pretty beautiful to be here in the misión. I love my companion and the work well it’s not easy, but I know that it will continue to grow and get better the harder we work, but the more we involve the Lord as well. This week the weather has been pretty crazy with rain and then a ton of heat. Also the Catholic Church here has an event going on for 9 days that includes a festival and every half hour or hour the shot of a canon. My companion and I have continued to look for families to teach the góspel, and were having progress Little by Little. As well we have begun to involve the members more and we are really working to get them involved. I can promise you when I say this that the members are key in missionary work and without them it really is difficult. Friday we had a Zone Conference and received news that we will be able to watch the rededication of the Temple here in Mexico. I’m pretty excited to be able to see that. As well on Sunday we had one of the families that we are teaching come to church, they arrived a Little late, but they stayed for the entire service as well. Some days in the misión really are good, but others are amazing and I know that they will continue to get a little better every day.

This week I was able to continue to think and learn and grow as well. I studied a lot this week about the importance of listening. As a missionary one of our most important attributes to develop is the ability to listen to others. I think every time about how Christ listened to the questions and doubts of his apostles and his followers and because he had listened he was able to give them the answer and comfort that they stood of need in that moment. As we look at the Master Teachers example we see a clear visión of one of the best ways we can help others, by listening. As we listen to our Friends, family, co-workers, or people in the Street we can be led and guided by the spirit to tell share the góspel with them and to let the spirit touch their hearts. After we can then invite them to learn more and really discover for themselves the Restored Gospel of Jesús Christ. I know just as Elder Holland has promised that if we listen with our hearts we will be given by the spirit what to say and use the góspel to clear their doubts. I also know that if you are looking for someone to listen to that we have a Father in Heaven who will always listen to you and answer your prayers as you continue to speak with him. Of this I know and share with you all.

I LOVE YOU ALL

"We'll Both be Underneath the Same Moon"  

"God Be With You Till We Meet Again"

Elder Perfili

the life of a missionary

Well brothers and sisters another month down it crazy that the time goes so fast faster than I thought it would. The week went by super-fast to so there isn’t a ton of news, I know how boring, but I will tell you what happened. So this week we continued to look for new investigators and little by little we have been finding them. It has been absolutely awesome here in Rio Grande with Elder Paniagua as well because he is a lot more prepared than I was when I arrived to the mission. He and I this week have been working a lot on contacting and teaching as many as possible. It’s not always the result we want, but it’s not what we want it’s what the Lord wants and knows is best. This week we also had exchanges, and Elder Lezana and I had another day together to serve. The weather is pretty hot to be honest, and it looks like it’ll continue for a while. 

Well now it’s a part that I long for during the week to give a small message and testimony of the gospel. So this week as I was pondering in the streets with my companion my mind constantly reflected on the Christ like attribute of "Charity and Love". I began to think as well about the Savior and the love that he possess for us. In the 7th Chapter of Moroni in verses 43-48 I love changing the word charity for the word atonement. The scripture takes a whole new meaning when you read it. As I did that this week I thought about how we as children of God really are nothing without charity, because it is necessary to have the atonement of Christ in our lives or we really can do nothing. More than that though I thought of how I can possess this love. I then reflected on the scripture in 2Nefi2:30 when Lehi says that he only desires the eternal welfare of their souls (god’s children). I then realized that as we work in the Lords Vineyard this is the love that we should poses for our brothers and sisters who don’t know yet. I strive to have this love because I know that it is the only way to fully serve our Heavenly Father and show him in return that we really do poses the gift of charity (the atonement) in our lives.

I LOVE YOU ALL

"Well Both Be Underneath the same Moon"

"God Be With You Till We Meet Again"

Elder Perfili

Last weeks baptism