April 18, 2014

Dear Family,

I cant believe we are half way through April....and that Im so happy. Me and my companion have been working hard with the missionaries in our zone so that we can see results this coming week. The Peru Lima North mission has been baptizing the most out of the South America Northwest Area. If we compare our numbers from last year till right now we have baptized 100 baptisms more than last year. Our president is really happy for the progress that we are having. We as zone leaders are looking for ways to help the zone be more effective and bring more souls unto Christ. Im so grateful that this week I have had the opportunity to serve my fellow companions in the war against evil. I know that what we are doing is real and will take us to be happy and have peace.

Today I have a lot of time to write to you guys so I will use my time wisely and try to update you more on how Im doing. This week various things have happened. My companion had a work visit with an Assistant and that was interesting. Also we have a family that is planning to get baptized on the 30th of April and their names are Liliana and Estela. They are awesome sisters and daughters of God. We have also found a mother who has separated from her husband because he cheated her with another. She is really living in fear and doubt. She is 23 years and has a daughter. I'm excited to able to teach her this week. Me and my companion are good and we are half way through the change. Time really goes flying by, its ridiculous but you find great joy and happiness while serving others.

We are excited to be able to work with missionaries from all over the World. That is something that keeps impressing me. We have missionaries from Honduras, Mexico, USA (Washington, Utah, California), Ecuador, and Peru. So many different tribes coming for one purpose to adore and praise the Almighty God, the Eternal Father and his beloved son Jesus Christ. This week I have worked with the majority of the missionaries and have come to see that they truly serve because they want to help others see Light which the savior gives.

Today, I would like to talk about some Doctrine about this world we live. When Adam and Eve were sent here on this earth. They were cut off from the presence of their God. They came to this dark and dreary world how it says in the Temple. The question is Why is it called dark and dreary?....Well compared to where we lived before the world was it is a really dark world. It says in Doctrine and Covenants 84....
49 And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth underdarkness and under the bondage of sin.
50 And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me.
51 For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin.
52 And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me.

The Savior explains it really well in this scripture and now that we know that in the world that we live is not a good place. Our God has put specific things so that we might find light and understanding. We are all bonded to sin unless we are cleansed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He has also given us his Church in these latter days, and also through his missionaries. These are ways how we may have light and hope in this life. He has placed these things so that we may be free from all darkness and have understanding in this world.

Their is a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 88 which talks about this light.

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descendedbelow all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;

11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;

These two versus have a lot of understanding and gives me to know that through this light my eyes will be enlightened if I seek after this light. I know that the savior and his everlasting atonement gives us the opportunity and hope necessary to come out of this changing world. I know that through his church he brings forward light and truth to all men. Yesterday I had the opportunity to give a talk about how our covenants and ordinances is a liahona for our lives in these last days. Just as Nephi had one to go to the New World, we in our day have a way to measure how much light and understanding we have. I know that this is true and the more covenants we make the more light we have.

I want to bare my testimony that I know that this is true and I know that the Savior lives, loves us, and will always be their to help us. I know that he has resurrected from the dead and that the spirit has confirmed unto me that he did the atonement for the love he had for us. When the savior was here on earth he had the choice to do the Atonement or not to do it. He choose the bitter cup and liberated us from death and any tribulation we may have here on earth. I truly have gotten to love my savior in the mission and try to feel just a little of what he has felt. I love him and my father in heaven. We might not remember his face but he surely remembers ours. I love you guys and keep praying for us to have strength and through our faith we will bring souls unto him. I can feel the spirit swell up in my body that testifies to me that what Im typing is true.

I will write to you guys next week. Love you guys...always representing our family name with honor. Love you guys.

Elder Parra