El Evangelio de Jesucristo Se Ha Restaurado- July 8, 2015

Since the beginning of time, after Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, our Loving Heavenly Father began to reveal the way that we could grow and take advantage of the time He has given us. He revealed it to prophets, men called of God, who, by the authority that had been given them BY HIM, would reveal those secrets as many people as could hear their voice. Adam, being the first prophet, was followed by others. But, as we know, many times the words rang hollow to the ears of the wicked, and even though it was true, they did not care. They spit upon them, stoned them, and killed the prophets many times. God, in those moments of rebellion, would take away the great priviledge of having a prophet to guide them so that they could recieve what they had asked for. Just as a loving father must punish his children according to how they act, This Loving Father does the same with His Children. But, out of his pure and merciful love for us, he always brought these great blessings and priviledges back when he saw that they were ready once again.

After the prophets that finalize what we know as the Old Testament, there was another time in which the people showed thier disloyalty to God, and he once again took away these things. Each time that he did it, it was called an apostasy. But as we know, in the meridian of times, one was born to a virgin in Bethlehem. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, began his earthly ministry at the age of 30, being baptized by the Prophet John the Baptist. Truly the words of Moses were true when he said "A prophet shall the Lord your God raiseup unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet,shall be destroyed from among the people." (Acts 3:22-23). He taught the truths of the Gospel that had been revealed to prophets before him, and he explained it in the perfect form of teaching. He organized a church, with apostles and prophets, with pastors and teachers. He did this so that the same word that he spoke would reach to everyone possible. He finished his work in that sense, in which he preached, served, healed the sick and was perfectly obedient, and then took upon himself all of our sins and pains, and even death. Why? So that we wouldnt have to do it alone. He taught that through what he did, he would be able to make us spotless before God. If man lived according to the teachings of Christ, he would recieve that help from him.

His apostles kept in the same work that He was doing, healing the sick, preaching the gospel, and calling people to repentance and baptizing by water and by the spirit. But, as sad as it is, they did the same thing with them. They killed them and the same thing happened, in which God took away the prophets, the apostles, the power which they had  that is named the Priesthood of God, and he stopped talking with his children through inspired men for a time. He did not guide His people for that time because they were not willing to follow. Many wanted to, but they were still not ready. Christ had told the israelites, "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringingforth the fruits thereof." (Matthew 21:43) Amos had prophecied that there would be a hunger and thirst for the word of God, but it would not be able to be found (Amos 8:11-12). But Peter assured that the Second Coming of Christ would not come until the times of the restitution of all things (Actos 3:21). Resitution being a RESTORATION. A bringing back of all that was.

God let the world be stuck in this "rut" for a while, confused spiritually, because the inhabitants of the world had not proven themselves ready for this Restitution. Many churches were created, some with good intentions, some with worldly intentions. God is great! He will not allow his children to be alone in this great confusion, this war of words. He called a prophet. Joseph Smith asked, and was given an answer. God himself and Jesus Christ came and appeared to them, and Christ told him that no church was in the truth, but that he would need to wait for further instructions. God began the restitution. The RESTORATION. Smith was called as a Prophet of God. He was given by the imposition of hands of celestial beings from the times of Christ the Priesthood of God, the power that they had had, but that had been lost. THIS WAS THE ONLY WAY THAT SOMEONE COULD RECIEVE THIS. No one had it, and it had to be recieved by the imposition of hands. With this authority, he recieved the revelation to call 12 apostles, Seventy, teachers, bishops and all the other places that were in the Church of Christ in the primitive times. It was and is the same church. Joseph Smith recieved the same Gospel, the thing that God has given us to be happy here and after the life here on earth. The corrupted doctrines were clarified, the lost doctrines were found.

The Book of Mormon is proof that this happened. It is not written by Joseph Smith, but he was given the power of God to translate it. We are perfectly willing to help people understand this. They, nevertheless, MUST READ THE BOOK TO JUDGE IT. Do not judge a book by its cover. It helps us understand so much more what Christ wants us to know and do.

God does all this because he loves us. OUT OF HIS ETERNAL, PURE, PERFECT LOVE FOR US AS HIS FATHER, HE GIVES US THE SAME TEACHINGS, GOSPEL, CHURCH, AND WORD THAT THE CHILDREN OF ADAM HAD, THE SAME AS THE FRIENDS OF ABRAHAM, AND THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. Why would he give us anything different?

These last 2 years, I have had to live a life completely focused on this. The truth is that these 2 years have been the happiest of my life. I have been frustrated and  sad, but never have not been happy. I am so happy, and I cannot explain it. I thank God every day for the opportunity he gave me to be who I am and serve in Vila Gonzalez, Hato Mayor, Bella Vista, and Conani. I have seen lives change, I have seen people recieve answers, and I have seen happiness be recieved that cannot be matched. There is only one Gospel of Christ, and there is only one Lord, one faith and one baptism. There is nothing in this world that can give us more happiness than live these things. I know that these things are true. I can say I dont know everything and that I have a lot to learn, but I cannot deny the happiness that I have felt giving this message to all the people that I can. It is a unique and different message. Almost all religion, social group and theologist criticizes what I have written today, but it does not mean that it is not true.

God is great. That is my testimony and we cannot expect anything less from Him.

Elder Dallin Murphy

So Many Things!- July 1, 2015

I feel so good! Wow, so many things have happened this week that I cannot even explain it. We had a wedding! Fior and Ricardo got married on Frieday, which was awesome, and I was so happy. She was SOOOO happy and the relief society president with her husband, the 1st counselor in the branch presidency helped out TOO MUCH with the little celebration that we had. They are such good people here in Conani. She has her date for this saturday and is SO SO SO HAPPY. The branch here has fought with them for ilke 6 years with all these things, and finally things are working out. THey even convinced a sister from the branch to go with them to make a visit on Sunday to a less active sister.

Juan Disla went to church again, and that was great. He is really progressing a lot as well, but we want to involve his daughters a little bit more. We are really trying to help him, and we will see how it goes.

I feel like soon there will be many miracles here in Conani with Yerlin, Robinson, and all the other people we are teaching. Also, the members are starting to get a little bit more organized with a lot of things, and we are just on the verge of exploding with success- I may not be here to see it ,but that is not the most important thing. I truly believe that soon will the work be much more efficient here in Conani, and wow it will be such a great thing.

The other day I was reading the great chapter of Moroni 7. Charity is something great and something that we talk about a lot, but it was able to see that I need to improve a lot in the fact that I sometimes get frustrated and have negative feeling about people that do things that shey shouldnt. But I really feel like there is a betteer weay of going about it, and Charity is when we feel that it is repulsive bring people down and we only see them as they can become. The mission has taught me a lot, but I still have a far ways to go.

Today would have been my last day of my mission if I would have been left without the 2 week extension. But God is so merciful that he has given me these two weeks to have dessert. God is great.

This is the 2nd to last time I will be writing the world as Elder Dallin Murphy, and my testimony is the same as the beginning  about all that I do . God is great, and he wants us to be happy. Lets follow him.

Elder Dallin Murphy

The Fast and the Furious- June 24, 2015

So I feel like it was yesterday that I wrote you! This is unreal, I cannot believe how much is happening. RICARDO AND FIOR ARE GETTING MARRIED ON FRIDAY!! We have worked so much with them, knowing that there are SO MANY BLESSINGS waiting on them, and finally they took the step to get married! On July 4th, she will get married. One of my beloved older sisters told me that I would baptize a family in the 2 weeks that I got extended, and that will not happen, but a family will be completed!! What a miracle. They have taken like 4 years to make this decision. God is great. 

Also, Yerlin is progressing a lot, along with a few new people. A man named Juan Disla came to church for the first time, and also another 26 year old man named Jose Eduardo. People really want what we have, and they may not be prepared RIGHT NOW to take upon themselves what will be requiered of them, but they will do it some day if they really try. NO ONE IS PREDESTINED TO HAVE ANYTHING LESS THAN WHAT THE FATHER HAS. We only impede ourselves.

Today I went to Villa Gonzalez. God is great. I saw Lin and Veri, Nene's Mom and brother. My goodness, they are so cool. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!! They have been so blessed, and talking to them is like talking to my literal family. She says that she has 2 sons on the mission, and 1 started recently and the other, me, is ending in a few weeks. 

I just love the mission. We had a final dinner yesterday with President Douglas as the last group, and he gave us some keys to being an active member forever:

1. READ YOUR SCRIPTURES IN THE MORNING. Your mind is fresh, energetic and is a lot more able to recieve revelation. 

2. PRAY IN THEM MORNING. So simple but imperative for the start of our day. 

3. Always pay a full tithe. Sacrifice promises us so many blessings, and the Lord will test us. When we pass, he will crown us. 

4. Be busy in good things. He said that we cannot waste time like we used to before the mission. 

I will miss the Douglas Family, they have helped us a lot. But, I will see them around. 

Dont worry about me, I am feeling good. 

Elder Dallin Murphy

Firmeza- June 17, 2015

The mission is great! I am so happy. I love the scriptures, the people and all the things that we can learn being in the service of our God. I love to think about the things I have learned from study, from work, and from the people around me, and I know that the mission has changed me more than I have changed anyone else. 

Once, Jesus Christ was being followed by a lot of people that he had given food among the 5000 that he fed with a little bit of bread and fish. The people thought that he was just going to be the best friend ever, being able to give them food all the time from the nothing, and began to follow him. He knew their intentions, and even though they werent terrible, they didnt understand what "follow him" meant. He then explained to them that they should not be working for the food that goes bad and that only fills us for just a few moments. He said to work for the bread of life, the food that would make them never hunger again. The people didnt understand that all that much, then he told them that HE WAS THE BREAD OF LIFE, and that we much participate of HIM to be able to be filled forever. The things of this earth are important, but not nearly as important as the things that he was teaching. He spoke a little bit directly and clearly to them, then most in that moment stopped following him. Then he looked at his apostles and asked "Will you leave as well?" and Peter, as usual, spoke, saying, "Who will we go to? You are the one with the words for eternal life". Peter and his fellow disciples probably werent too sure about the directness of the Lord's words, but they had experienced so many things that they knew that what he said was true. We, as followers of Christ, need to search for those strong, spiritual experiences that will guide us to know in a way that GOD has led us up until this point and this is the path we need to follow. Many people in this church and out of it try to follow God but say that no, it is too hard. Or that the life of a Christian is to restricting. God is not one to change his values to our comfort level. He loves us SO MUCH that he does not have plans to make us much bigger and greater than we are right now. We just need to be sure, and the way to do that is by reading, praying, fasting, and looking for those impacting spiritual experiences that will edify us and make us into a firm, well founded disciple of Christ. 

God is great. Ricardo and Fior are doing everything that they can to put down their appointment to get married. Robinson has some work to do with some of the commandments, but is stopping drinking and even payed tithing to the branch president this weekend at church. Yerlin is beginning to speak and act as a member of the church, even though she hasnt been baptized yet. God is working with these people a lot, and we are seeing that they are trying to change. 

Sometimes I ask myself what the whole purpose is as missionaries, but I am figuring it out little by little. We are here to help God do what he wants to do. We are here, helping giving people happiness. Helping them be more and more happy every day.

I love the mission, I hope that it never ends! But thats not true, I am just going to work work work until I faint.

Love you all!

Elder Murphy

1. What a chef I am with my companion! Rice with eggs with TORREJAS!! Those are fried dominican EGGPLANT. 

¡Todo lo que esperaba y MÁS!- June 10, 2015

My goodness the Lord is too good to us! We are seeing miracles left and right and it just makes you realize that this isnt just a way to get people to become part of just another church, but it is HELPING PEOPLE LIVE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, which is "the power of God for the salvation of man"(Romans 1:16). I do believe that this does not only refer to the salvation after the judgement seat, but it talks about the salvation that God gives us, through Christ, from ourselves! Our natural man! We are seeing that so much!

Junior and Laura are going along, JUNIOR CAME TO CHURCH for sacrament meeting! How great! He really felt good, and is thinking a lot about his decision. He is happy and just trying to help his family. But Satan puts into his head that HE ISNT GOOD ENOUGH and a lot of economic problems that he has gone through have all been his fault. But, we just hope that God can touch his heart so that he decides to take God's route.

Junior Ruiz is a brother of Fernando, a less active that we helped to be reactivated lately. He is like an adopted brother, but he is so prepared for the gospel. He has resolved that HE WILL CHANGE. Whatever you think about the people that we think are awful in this life you can think, but they can change. He is an example. He has such a desire to change that he literally felt a physical answer from God to his prayer if this is what he needs to do. We are going to help him, he lives a really unorganized life, and we know that HE WILL DO IT. He is fixing stuff up with his wife, and he needs to marry her too, and we will work with both of them to help their family.

Robinson couldnt go to church, but we still are seeing a great interest. He was called to work on something, then was going to go to church afterwards, but then the guy never came. It was kind of sad, but we are all good. We are talking about the commandments, and even though he has done all sorts of things as well, when i think of these men I think of this quote:

"The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes theslums out of the people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. … Christ changes men, who then change their environment. Theworld would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature"

Ricardo and Fior are getting ready for their wedding at the end of the month. What a miracle!! They are doing well, we just hope to keep them motivated and excited.

We got a reference on wednesday from a sister from the branch named Juan Disla. He is the father of a member who moved to Santiago, and he told her that he had decided that he wanted us to go over. We went over and WOW what a miracle! HE contacted us! What a great miracle that happened, because he is really prepared. We are going to see what happens with im.

Also, Yerlin Abreu came to chruch and LOVED IT once again! We are seeing that she wants to so bad, and the Relief Society is getting on the fellowshiping of her.

WHAT A LIFE WE LIVE AS SERVANTS OF THE LORD.

Love,

Elder Dallin Murphy

1. Papi Payano and his grandson! He wanted us to see the size of that book haha he is really cool!

¡Conanísimo!- June 3, 2015

Wow, what a week. So Sunday was a little bit tough because it was Mothers' day, but it was great. First of all, THAT IS SO CRAZY THAT BETHANY WENT TO PROM!! WOW! She is growing up so fast! My little girl! haha but really that is so fun.

But yeah, this Sunday I also learned of Elder L. Tom Perry's passing. It was tough to hear, but incredible to think of how much people can sacrifice for the truth and that THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT. In these last day, as he has always talked, we cannot forget about the basics. The Family and the Lord. We must love these 2 things more than anything else! Obey and complete with all responsablility that God has given us.

Robinson couldnt go to church this week because he went out with his siblings to buy a gift for their Mother, but he is really excited. He reads always, he is praying, and he is stopping the drinking and smoking and all the things that he is just FEELING that are wrong. He doesnt need us to tell him, because we told him and he didnt believe us. But he says that HE FEELS BETTER. He is happier. God is helping him! This is the greatest thing that there is, seeing someone be touched by the Atonement of Christ. There is nothing better! He accepted the date forJuly 4th to try and get baptized, which is a good goal. He feels that he can do it. We also challenged him to read the Book of Mormon every day, and he said "I think that I can finish it pretty fast reading like 3 chapters a day right?" ¿CÓMO? HAHA it was really cool. He is getting so ready.

Ricardo and Fior also put the date to be married before July 4th so that she can get baptized on that day. They have been a little stubborn with a few things, but they are finally making decisions. It is incredible to see the way that God does things! We just need to be bold and direct, always following the Spirit. There is nothings else that we can do!

I also have been focusing a lot on something that is really interesting. Alma talks about in 2 different parts in Alma about the simplicity of the path, the EASINESS! But only if we LOOK UPON CHRIST!!

"19 Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it mightlive. And many did look and live. 20 But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were sohardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it wouldheal them.
 21 O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would yerather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?
 22 If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come toredeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring topass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.
 23 And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith.And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light,through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen." (Alma 33:19 to 23)
Also in Alma 37:38 to 46, but the message is finished by the final words of Alma to his son, Heleman. "46 O my son, do not let us be slothfulbecause of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; evenso it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever." IF WE WANT TO WE CAN! What a great promise we have! If we want to do it, we can. When Peter wanted to walk on the water, he did! He just needed to keep his eyes on Christ. When he looked at the winds and the waves, he sunk. But looking on to Christ, all things will be easy unto us.
The Gospel of Christ is incredible. I love the mission and I cannot wait to see the progress in these people, if they keep going forward. I feel so happy! ITS THE BEST!!
Elder Dallin Murphy

1. IN THE CONANI RAIN!

Oh La Vega, La Vega- May 27, 2015

All is moving forward. It never really stops moving we just need to always keep ourselves moving with the work. This Sunday was the first Sunday that Conani, in its history, had Sacrament Meeting as the 1st hour (it was always the 3rd), but we had a pretty good turn out. We were pretty happy when a lot of people came, even though a lot of times people used to come at 10 or 10:30 to just make it to the Sacrament Meeting. We had a few investigators come to church. Sadly, Robinson Payano, one investigator of ours, came but found the doors closed because the Sacrament was being passed. There are windows on the door, and he tried to open it, but the member at the door told him to wait. Thinking that is was some confidencial meeting, he decided to leave. It kind of broke our hearts when we heard that, but he understood really well when we explained it to him so we are fine with that. But, he is progressing really well.

One thing that Robinson doesn't really understand is the whole stand of our church on Alcohol, tabacco, coffee, and tattoos and ear rings for men. But, he is accepting the things that he needs to for the doctrine and we see that he has great potencial to progress. He even said that he is going to keep going to church, now that he understands what happened.

We are seeing how the Lord works. One of the leaders of this Branch, who had moved in not too long ago, moved back to his old branch for work reasons. It is kind of sad because the Branch had plenty of plans to do great things, because of his great experience and knowledge. But maybe it is like Zion's Camp, in the times of Joseph Smith, were God just wanted His men to learn a lesson and grow. Sometimes things do not make 100% sense to us. Sometimes we feel inspired to do somethings, and it doesnt turn out how we think. BUT GOD KNOWS IT ALL and those who doubt are the ones who will be left behind.

My feelings are mixed as i think about how fast time is moving by! I feel really thankful for EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS HERE ON THE MISSION, it is just hard to think that the mission isnt forever. As human beings, we can only see the present, and I love it all here and now. I just hope that God gives me the chance to help these people in the best way that HE KNOWS that I can.

GOD IS GREAT. There is no greater testimony that I can give. I know that I have said it so many times but maybe, some day, I will be able to really understand what I say when I say it. God is great.

Elder Dallin Murphy