The mission

Dear Everyone,

I have been doing a lot of reflecting on the mission so far and I have come to a few conclusions that I'd like to share.
 The Gospel of Jesus Christ has in fact been restored by living prophets in our day. It is tangible, it is real. We can put the commandments and the promises to the test via prayer and looking for the results of living righteously. I promise it works.
 Joseph Smith has been quoted as saying, in response to a question about how we differ from other churches, "We differ in our mode of baptism, and in the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and all other differences are encompassed therein." That is the truth. That is why we, the missionaries, are focused on baptism. The Gift of the Holy Ghost is what inspires revelation. It is by revelation that the Book of Mormon came forth and by revelation that the truth was restored to the earth. It is by gifts of the Holy Ghost that we each gain our several talents and abilities in the gospel; by the Holy Ghost we preach; by the power of the Holy Ghost is our authority as the true church confirmed to the hearts of all those who will hear it; finally, by the power of the Holy Ghost every individual has to become converted in their own heart.
 Not everyone is ready when you want them to be. Sometimes you want so badly for an investigator to accept the gospel, and you feel attached to that investigator. You can be the best teacher in the world, but no matter how well you teach they will not accept it from you at that time. I believe The Master said it best when He counselled, "Cast not thy pearls before swine" because no matter how nicely wrapped the pearls are or how well presented, the swine in their current state will not understand the value thereof. However that is definitely not to say "once a swine, always a swine." I have now baptized two women who had been taught for years by good missionaries, but they weren't ready then.
 I have been around for 20 years (as of the 23 of this month). God has been around from Alpha to Omega. He's got more experience. I should listen. So should we all.
 We usually get put with companions that will teach us something. For me I get companions that have a couple things about them that really try me, and force me to grow. Rarely is it that your companion is perfect and you simply learn by sitting back and watching.
 Our Father in Heaven knows who is pure in heart and whether or not you're wasting your time teaching someone. Ask His advice on what to teach and when.
 Without the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit we "Shall Not [it's a commandment] teach".
 Thomas Paine once said, "That which we obtain too cheaply we esteem too lightly." That's a great insight as to the purpose of opposition in all things.
 Do good continually, and great will be your reward.
I love the Gospel. I know that it is true. In my last couple minutes I want to bear my testimony in spanish. I don't have a spanish keyboard but I'll make do.

Yo se que el evangelio de Jesucristo a sido restaurado en estos dias, los ultimos dias antes de su segunda venida al mundo. Estoy bien agradecido al tener la oportunidad de servir aca en la mision de Illinois Chicago, y se que mi presidente de la mision es un hombre muy inspirado para todos aquellos que estan en este mision. Es imposible decir que lo que yo he echo es hacer un sacrificio. Mejor dicho, estos dos anos no son sacrificios pero placeres y oportunidades para mas crecimiento y mas conocimiento que he encontrado en mi vida anteriormente. Agradezco a mi Senor y Redentor por su sacrificio, expiacion, y resureccion. Es por eso que estoy aqui, predicando su evangelio. Amo a mis padres, mi familia, y mi projimo. Para todos aquellos que leen esto les quiero dejar saber que yo se que vive mi senor y que la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los ultimos dias es la iglesia correcta en el mundo.

Les amo, mis hermanos

Elder Verde