I'm on the Lord's Side- April 30, 2014

Here on the mission, it is really surreal to feel the presence of the Lord. Although I am still a little 18 year old muchachito, I love being able to be seen with such power and authority. People don't look at me as Dallin Murphy, the kid who graduated high school less than a year ago, but they look at me as Elder Murphy, missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I feel like I just got here and the time is flying way too fast.

Mom, I understand why you say "dont eat too much carbs!!" but it is a plea to change something that is already set. Forever. The dominicans eat really heavy stuff, and I LOVE IT. But I have eaten rice every day except like 7 or 8 days in the mission, and I am hungry so I eat a lot. Then there is a lot of bread that we buy from COLMADOS which are little stores that sell everyday things but especially food. 5 pesos for a little bread is pretty great, and that is usually my dinner. like 3 or 4 of them. So, I will try and follow your counsel, but dont be suprised if I come home without having eaten much vegetables in my time here. BUT LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE!! I am not losing weight. I am gaining it, but it is ok. I am going to maintain myself lean and handsome for my homecoming. 

But this was a really good week. Elder Salgado finishes the mission next week, so I am going to recieve a different companion. I have been told that possibly I will train, but I dont listen to the rumors because President Douglas is a man to change his mind (for revelation's sake, of course). We have continued finding really prepared people and I really just thank the Lord daily for his love and mercy towards us. We are really unnecessary to him, but he does all that he does because he loves us and wants us to be happy. He works through a bunch of little chomacos as they say in the DR, and he helps us a lot. 

Last night we had a pretty cool lesson, a TESTIMONY that the members are the key in the mission work. We are sharing with a guy named LUIS VASQUEZ. He is really cool and tranquilo and just a prepared son of God to recieve the Gospel of Christ. Last night we went to his house and we talked with the Ward Mission Leader, Edwin Arthur, about baptism. How children dont need to be baptized because, as christ said, in them is eternal life. They are perfect! In Christ we are all saved from the Fall of Adam. So he understood it all, and after a vervent testimony from Edwin, Luis said "So I will do what he did! I will be baptized again" and then we put down a baptismal date for the 14th of june. THen he told us "i wasnt going to talk to you guys anymore... but then I got embarrassed with this nice man here so then i decided to do talk with you." HAHAHA wow what a miracle. 

Jesus Christ lives, and he loves us!! He is the only path back to the Father, and we have got to follow it. He put down the example through baptism, obedience, the organization of His Church, and we just need to do everything we can to be able to do as he did!

Elder Dallin Murphy

ps. I already opened the package THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Dallin Murphy

Luscious Living- April 23, 2014

This week was Semana Santa, which is the week that mainly the Catholic Church celebrates to comemorate Christ for the sacrifice he made. We only have really celebrations on sunday, but it was an awesome time. It means that no one works and no one does anything from friday to sunday, just drink, go on vacation out of the city and listen to music. BUT it was super fun. Although we didnt join in on the fun, we really were able to work well.

They do this thing called Habichuelas con Dulce, which was super good! We ate it in like 6 houses in 3 days HAHA and it was just too much food. I feel like Dad would really love it, so I was asking a lot to be able to learn how to make it. HAHA wow they are such cool people. I love the food here, there is nothing better than a good 2 years where 9 of every 10 days you eat a fat pile of rice. But i have just made it part of my life! I love it.

But this week also was a good progress. We have a couple named Jose and Christy, with whom we have been sharing since my first Sunday here. But they have been progressing slowly and THEY CAME TO CHURCH THIS WEEK!! It was a really cool thing. They really liked it too, the members here welcomed them and they enjoyed everything. Gladis was there too, but Brayanli couldnt come since his dad came and took him to the beach. 

But yesterday we had a really cool lesson with Marcia and Alex (if you remember them, they came to church). They are super cool and i love talking with them. We talked about Mosiah 2, about the blessing that come with obedience. a while ago we talked with Alex alone and he was without work and just frustrated with God because he was praying and not recieving. He needed work to do so many things. So we told him that if he begins to take seriously what we teach, the blessings will come.  He began to read his Book of Mormon every day in the morning and pray every day. Within like 2 weeks he had a job. He wasnt even searching for one and he got called. Its not the best job in the world, but its a job. We talked about that yesterday and he recognized that really he is doing it to improve then asked if he could start to read from the beginning. WELL YEAH!! He is married with another woman, which is hard, since divorce is EXPENSIVE HERE. But, he wants to do it. They just really progress a lot. 

Other great things happened, but I dont have 10 hours to explain it. I am so glad all is well over there. Brandon, youre a best. Now that you are like 40, HAHA just kidding 27?? I dont know. But te quiero muchisimo porque eres tan mansito y tranquilo, me entiendes y legalmente te voy a hablar en espanol para que retengamos el idioma de los cielos. No puedo explicar el amor que tengo, pero ya tu sabes, estoy aqui hasta el fin contigo. 

HAHA that was a good dominican message, so it may not make much sense in real spanish, but brandon will get it, 

LOVE YOU ALL

Elder Murphy

 

Pupusas with Elder Ramirez

 

Wow- April 9, 2014

It was just too great of a weekend. We had more people in church than I had ever had, AND it was general conference. 9 INVESTIGATORS CAME and 3 LESS ACTIVES TOO. Wow. I was just so thrilled, I can't thank the Lord enough. First a sister named Dolores came with her son Carlos, who we have been teaching for a little while. Then also a couple named Nelky and Manuela, who have a baptismal date for the 24th of May. They are really cool, and Nelky doesnt know how to read so it was good for him to hear and watch conference. Then Gladis and Brayanli came! They are progressing very well, they are really excited. Then also a girl came with them that came last week too, Yanni. Also GEOVANNY CAPELLAN and his wife Biandy came. Geovany has a baptismal date for 24 of May as well. They all came and they said they enjoyed it! A less active mother with 2 adult sons came, Angelita and her sons  Javier and Chi-chi.

General conference was really awesome. I loved all of the talks, but I loved some of them more than others. (also I watched it in Spanish, which was not as good for me, but people came so it is ok.) The one that I loved more than anything was Dallin H. Oaks on the priesthood. But also the talk given by Robert B Hales was awesome. When he said ¨We should be so obedient that if God were to present us to people, he would say ´this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased´¨ that really opened my eyes. Really I need to be like that. God doesn't look at sin with even the littlest bit of acceptance, so we have got to focus on that. I liked the talk on Gratitude also, President Uchtdorf always is awesome. David A Bednar talking about how BURDENS ARE NECESSARY to be able to progress in life. To move forward we need that. I love it. The Atonement of Christ is here so that every one of us takes advantage of it, but we need to , as Benjamin said, become as a little child, meek humble and willing to submit to the will of the father. 

This week was a great week too. We are seeing good progression on all sides, the Lord is really blessing us. We have a LOT of people with baptismal dates, and they all are reading and trying to get to church. It will happen. But on Friday we were there just working it up and no one was home. So, we went walking down to a house that we usually had visited, when I suddenly decided to turn and take a different route. Elder Salgado asked why, and I told him that maybe there was someone over there. Then we turned once again and I saw a man standing outside of his upstairs apartment. I said to Elder Salgado ¨háblele¨ then he did. Turns out that this man, Junior, and his wife, Morena, were taking the lessons from missionaries in the South stake like 2 years ago and almost got baptized, then moved. They want to start the lessons again. I was thinking WOW IS THIS REAL LIFE?? That was just an awesome thing. They are going to be a success. I am hoping that they really pull through this time and are able to make this covenant with the Lord. 

But yeah, its an awesome thing out here that's happening. I cant explain how gracious the Lord has been with us. I am really happy, I am enjoying it all. 

Good work on all the good old missionary work out there, the Lord needs EVERY MEMBER AS A MISSIONARY. I can testify to that.  

Elder Dallin Blake Murphy

p.s. I am almost 19! It feels like the other day I went to I HOP with my friends, but that was a quick year. This whole mission is passing by WAYYYY too fast, I am enjoying it a lot but I am almost 9 months done... dang

 PUPUSAS!!!!!!!! With elder vasquez

 

 

 

 

WHAT A WEEK- April 2, 2014

Wow it was basically one of the best weeks of my mission.

But in church we were having so much hope that people were coming. First, this couple named Alex and Marcia came! They are a really nice, but humble couple that we have been working with for a good while. I hope that they keep coming, it was a testimony meeting where many kids went up with their parents and everything so they were wondering about that but it was good, they seemed like they will be going back. Then Gladys and Brianly came!!!! We were so excited. I cannot explain how happy I was!! They said that they really liked it and they are going to go back. This week we have been passing out invitations for General Conference and it was just so wonderful. (For those who want to watch that don't know what that is, its on saturday and sunday on LDS.org). But people are really excited about it  and have plans to go. We were so happy with that day. But we had been fasting and we had no food in the house and no one had invited us to eat in their house, then DIGNA FROM VILLA GONZALEZ CALLED. She said ¨Elder Murphy! We are going to bring you and the other missionaries out there some MORO."   WHAT A BLESSING and then another family in the ward called us and said that we could go, so we ate there then we went back to the chapel and Digna was there with President Steven and his wife Ana with a bunch of food. It was so great  to catch up with the good old friends of my first area. All day Elder Salgado was saying ¨dont worry, the lord will provide¨ and I shouldnt have doubted because HE ALWAYS DOES. 

Remember Del Fin Montaz? We had a lesson with him and Randelfin, his son, yesterday. It was the most spiritual lesson of my life. We read Moroni 8 with them and it was just so amazing. After reading 1 verse (verse 8) he was saying he had received his answer to his questions about baptism. Then we read it all and I said ¨look, you need to know if this is true because if it is, then the church that we represent is the only one that has the authority to baptize and we know that it is NECESSARY for salvation¨. then Elder Salgado talked about receiving an answer and then I said ¨you guys are going to ask here and now. Randelfin, I want to you ask the Lord with all the faith you have in your heart to know if the Book of Mormon is true. Then after you say ¨in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen¨ we are going to sit there and listen. Ok?¨ so we kneeled down together and he gave a really awesome faith-filled prayer. Then he finished and we knelt in silence for 3 or 4 minutes. I was pleading that the Lord could just give them the answer that me and millions before me and after had received. Then Del Fin said ¨Lord, please remove these obstacles from my path so that I can do this. I know that this is what I need, help my family too so that they can get do these things as well¨ The spirit was so strong. All of the fruits of the spirit described in Galatians 5:22 and 23 were felt in that moment. I have never felt so at peace. He thanked us so much, nearly crying, and said that we have done a great work with him and his family. He wants his wife to be more open about it, but we assured him that with time the Lord would permit it. Those are the moments that preach to me that THIS IS THE WORK OF SALVATION THAT THE LORD WANTS US TO DO. This is why I have told people here and at home to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. he that does is will receive the answer. he that doesn't, will be in this state of LIMBO, without knowing for sure what is right. 

I can testify that this is not the work of a man. Joseph Smith was inspired of God as a prophet so that he would begin this great and marvelous work. People say that the Devil wrote that book and began this church. Those who say that don't know me and don't know what this work is all about. One cannot be saved in ignorance. I know that this is what EVERYONE NEEDS. That is why I give people Book of Mormons. That is why I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why I am here. Because it doesn't matter who you are or where you are from, this is what you need. And whoever says no it is not, definitely hasn't tried it out still. 

I love you all, I pray for you every day. If I have one thing to say to all that are at home, mormons or no, is read the book of mormon with faith in Christ and I can promise you UNTIL I DIE that you will come closer to him. You all need that book. I say these things as a friend and brother to you all. Thanks for everything you all have done for me, I am never going to regret this time I have had as  a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ.

Elder Dallin Murphy

Hato Mayor Traslado Numero 2- March 26, 2014

I am still here in Hato Mayor with Elder Salgado one more transfer. I am here to help him finish his mission strong then we will see what the Lord has in store for me after that. I am too excited to see what the Lord has in store for the two servants he has here, I know he will really bless us according to our desires and our obedience to his commandments.

We had a zone conference with Elder Zivic and it was a really good experience. He talked a lot about our purpose and his wife talked a lot about faith. But what struck me most was what President Douglas said. He talked about VISION. WHAT IS OUR VISION? It is an interesting thing. He said our vision should be chapels filled with people in white waiting to be baptized and busses filled with people going to the temple in Santo Domingo to be sealed for time and all eternity. But how can we get that vision to be real? He said first we need goals. Then plans. Then we just need to straight up work as hard as our bodies will allow us. Then we need to be accountable and check up on the goals every once in a while. 

The Lord wants us to apply what we learn, so Elder Salgado and I have been doing that. We have the vision: A BRANCH IN OUR AREA. Really our area has a small percentage of the members of our ward, so we think that the mission work would progress more in this way. We have to start reactivating a few people, we have to baptize a few, then we have to see if it is what the Lord wants of Hato Mayor right now. But its possible and we are really working to be able to achieve this grand vision we have. 

But we have a few investigators that are showing good signs of progress. One of them is a single mom and her son, Gladis and Brayanli. (its pronounced Brian Lee, who was a good bud of mine out there forever ago at NHS). They are reading and really showing that they want to know if these things are true. We talked on monday about Faith and Repentance as the first 2 principles in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We talked about the peace and happiness that can come through the process of repentance. Then she asked ¨Do you guys just always have that peace and comfort? Because it really seems that you are just happy and freee from worry and just loving life.¨ And then Elder Salgado answered that we try and apply what we preach, and if we want others to live these things we have to live them ourselves. She needs a little bit of help going to church, but the Lord will help us help her.

There are a lot of others, but I don't have the time or space to explain all the good times that we are having here in Hato Mayor. We are seeing little signs of the Lords mercy every day in our lives. It is the Work of Salvation. 

Thanks for all of your prayers. I loved reading all of your emails.

Elder Dallin Blake Murphy

 Trying on wigs at the store.

Tuesday is Pday today!!- March 18, 2014

So today I am writing because tomorrow we have a zone conference with Elder Civic of the Seventy!! WOO! That guy is super cool. So for those who thought that they would write me today or tomorrow, sorry about that. I forgot to mention in last week!! But hey, look at  the blessings... YOU GET TO HEAR FROM ME 2 TIMES IN A WEEK.

But this week was stake conference here in the Santiago East stake. It was pretty cool. The saturday night session was A member of the stake presidency, then a nice lady from the stake, then President Douglas, then the Temple President President Almonte, then Sister Civic and then Elder Civic. That was awesome! Something awesome that said the first speaker was that parents are too often worried more about  helping their kids survive (food, water, light, medication) and they forget too often about whats most important! TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. That is the most important duty of a parent. Spiritually feed them. Then the sister said that the mission work is Keeping your covenants and helping others make and keep covenants with the Lord as well. That was an awesome thing to hear. 

 Then on sunday it was The stake president, then Sister Douglas , the President Douglas, then Sister Almonte, then President Almonte, then  Sister Civic, then Elder Civic. IT WAS A PACKED SESSION! But yeah it was so cool. One funny thing that the stake president said was he said that on his mission he was there with his companion one time when 2 men came up and said "hey! We want to fight you guys with only the bible" talking about bible bashing. Then the stake president said "ok!!" and hit the guy in the face with his bible HAHAHAHAH then the guy got mad and the stake president said "why would you  use the hold Word of God to cause contention?? that is the opposite of the use it has. we are here to share and invite people to learn more. Nothing more."  That was an awesome thing that he said.  Before the mission people tried to argue and I was there LETS GO but now  I am here and I hate when people want to argue. I know my bible, I can do it, but it is just a fat waste of time. There are missionaries who waste their study time trying to prepare to argue with different specific religions, but I just feel like the Devil is winning in that one. 3 Nephi 11 talks about how contention is not of God, but of the Devil. And I am not here to help the work of Satan progress.

But I am here to help the work of God progress here in Hato  Mayor! Daily I am walking, getting tanner and thinking "wow! I am actually here. I am actually a missionary and I am in the Dominican republic, speaking fluent spanish just living the life. there is nothing better than this" then the next day it is the same. It feels like yesterday I was too worried about things that now seem like nothing. Although it was fun, THERE IS NO GREATER JOY THAN WHEN YOU SEE THE DESIRE IN THE EYES OF SOMEONE TO CHANGE AND COME CLOSER TO CHRIST. There is nothing better. I told one of my companions once that the life I lived before the mission has been lived, and I dont want to return back to that. I want to get back home as a changed servant of the Lord, I want to be better and stronger. I want to be able to say that I was a missionary and I gave it all I had, 150% of what I had. The Lord doesnt respect more than our obedience, diligence, humility and faith. Thats what I am trying to do. 

That is awesome to see that Mom and Dad could have enjoyed the magical last moments of my fathers young life. Youre a big boy now dad! HAHA but seriously, that is just crazy. I feel like it was just yesterday and I was thinking about how Dad was going to have a sweet party at 50... that was before the age change HAHA!! But I love you dad, and Mom!! Youre awesome!

I also did something that would make Dad so proud. I participated in what Dad loves most after the gospel.. PUPUSAS. I would send you pictures but I cant find the chord at the moment. BUT SERIOUSLY DAD I LEARNED HOW TO MAKE IT AND YOU ARE GOING TO JUST LOVE IT WHEN I GET BACK. I am going to teach you all how to cook all that I know now, it is so fun. 

But hey, I hope all is well.  I hope Bethany is good, shes pretty busy.  I pray for you all on the daily, and I hope you are all reading your scriptures!!

Have a good week,  I will email on next wednesday! (p.s. it is like 99%  for sure I am going to be with Elder Salgado another transfer. He is finishing and President Douglas  told me that my responsibility is to help him finish well. SO THATS WHAT I WILL DO!)

Love you all, GOODNESS I LOVE YOU ALL haha oh austin.

Elder Murphy

Happy Birthday Dad!- March 12, 2014

Dad, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. You're 50 years old my big man!! HAHA wow youre almost old! But I love dad because really he is just a straight up example. The way he lives such a moderate, humble life, keeping the most important things first. He was my bishop in my growing years, and I woulnt have had it any other way! It amazes me how great of a guy he is, and if I can be like him one day I will be pretty content. AND i love him for his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on hot dog buns. 

Wow, that is really hard to hear about Julie... She was one of my favorite people ever, seriously. First of all, she GAVE us Murphy, the greatest dog in the whole entire world. She always was so happy and willing to talk to me about whatever I was doing in life. She let me hold her baby that one day, I remember, when her baby, Gavin, was blessed . I sat there and sat there and sat there, ate some good tacos and had a great conversation with her. I really owe her a lot, and I will never be able to forget her. My prayers are with you Lanny and Barbara, you raised her to be a wonderful woman and daughter of God. They'll all be together again, with Joel and Julie. 

But this week was pretty good. Although ZERO people came to church that we have been teaching, the only thing we do is keep working like there is not tomorrow. And when tomorrow comes, we do it once again. I had an exchange with Elder Morales, one of our Zone Leaders, and it was a pretty good time. 

I feel like that week was just too fast, I am not sure what to tell you guys.  We are just working and I really cannot explain how happy I am. The mission will be the greatest thing I ever do, and I will never regret one minute. I really can testify of the things I teach, in the spanish I have learned until now, and it is an honor and a priviledge to carry 2 names on my plaque. First the name of Jesus Christ, who I represent and who I love and who I try to follow in every breath I take. The second is the Murphy name. Although dominicans only know of Eddie Murphy and laugh because he is black and I am white, I work to make my mom, dad, grandparents, siblings and all other family members proud of Elder Dallin Murphy.

Love you all, 

Elder Daliln Murphy

1. This is our district, Elder Mendoza, Salgado, Vasquez, and Murphy