To say that it was an edifiying week full of the Spirit is an understatement. We had a really wonderful Zone conference on Wednesday with Pres. and Sis. Fortunato and the assistants. Pres. Fortunato is really inspiring and the focus of the conference was diligence and conversion. He taught us that diligence is doing your very best today and then tomorrow doing even better. None of us are perfect and always have something to improve so we always need to humbly follow, improve and repent and one day we will become like Christ. What a great blessing to have the opportunity in this life to repent and change. It was a great meeting. Also, Sis. Fortunato showed the picture you sent so the whole Zone of Contagem knows what you guys look like.
We were only able to attend Conference on Sunday so I watched Priesthood and the two general sessions on Sunday. What a blessing to have these men and women leading the Church. I noticed a theme of conversion and becoming saints of God. Pres. Monson's address about seeing people as they can be not as they are was terrific and I am going to apply that idea as we teach and testify out here in Brazil. Elder Christofferson's talk about manning up and finishing the work we have to do was great also - I am going to be more diligent in my studies and exercises in the morning. Elder Holland was especially moving this conference - he always is, but this time around it was thrilling to hear him, even in Portuguese! The question of whether or not we truly love the Savior is one we always need to ask. Elder Sloan and I have been enjoying singing that hymn sung solo by the member of the choir - what a voice! It was sweeter than butter and richer than chocolate! Wow! As always, conference was just what I needed to hear and I felt a great spirit during the sessions. Please send the Ensign as soon as you get it!
Funny story - Elder Scott pre-recorded his address in Portuguese but he talked a bit longer in English than he recorded in Portuguese so for the last 3 minutes of the talk, all the Brazilians could hear was him speaking in English. It was a good talk though, so thats the good news.
Geralda will be baptized this Sunday and is very exciting. What a blessing it is to be a missionary. I am honestly so grateful and happy to be here. The news about the age limit is very exciting! I know that missions are powerful things and I have felt myself change and improve greatly in the short time I have been out. I am so grateful for this knowledge that we have of the Truth. Pres. Ezra Taft Benson said that the Gospel is the only thing that can bring peace, happiness and salvation to humanity. How blessed we are to have it in our lives and to be able to deepen our understanding of it everyday. I know that only through Christ we can be happy. So if the journey seems long and the path rugged and steep, just remember to take His hand and with Him enter into His rest.
I love you all and I know that the gospel is the only way to happiness.
Elder Jacob
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