Dominican Dreams- May 13, 2015

I really felt good talking to the family on Mother's day, it was a real treat! Once again it felt like it came and passed really quickly, but it was a good moment. I hope that all keeps going well like it is now, our family is very blessed.

Mom, for Mother's day I couldnt tell you too straight up one thing I wanted to say. In these last few months I have really been realizing WHY I am here. People ask us why, and it is a good question. It is to help God complete with his plan! His plan that he has given us is called The Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way that we can achieve the lasting happiness on this earth. In the life to come, all the blessings that we recieve will depend on how well we lived the Gospel! Now, I never had missionaries at my door to teach me about the Gospel. Why did God put me in that spot? Who knows? We can ask Him when we are with Him after this life why He put me where He put me. But he gave me 2 people, Blake and Dana, as my parents so that I could know what I know and do what I do. I havent been perfect and I havent really been the best at taking advantage of Mom and Dad's incredible desire to help, but WOW WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT THEM. Dad has been my example, my hero, and my leader. But having Mom in the house almost 24/7 has made me into what I am today. Thanks for everything! I see people that don't have the opportunity that I have had, but it is incredible to know that GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH THE BEST MOM (and DAD as well) IN THE WHOLE WORLD. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

Now, this week was good. I have still been reading in 3 Nephi about the gathering of Israel, and WOW it is incredible how I am a part of this. We need to be righteous because just as easily as we have recieved this opportunity, we can lose it through stiff neckedness and other prideful patterns of our lives. I am so thankful to be a missionary!

Today I recieved the opportunity to pass through Santiago a little, and I saw my 3 families, Vives and Mercedita, Tania (Wandy was working), and Familia Polanco. WOW what a great think that that was. I was able to go with Elder Moses and we were able to see how their testimonies still burn stronger within them. God really has helped them a lot to keep strong, and I am so glad that I recieved the opportunity to work in order to help them and show them this Way. Vives is still going strong, and next month will turn 107!

My birthday was a good day, I was able to go on an exchange with Elder Stanisclaus. He is from Grenada, and it was really cool. We had a few good lessons, and he, even though he has a little bit of problems with spanish, HAS SUCH A STRONG SPIRIT. He loves people, and just tries his best to be the best. He has been a member for 1 year and 4 months and did not have a very pretty past, but now he is so cool. We really felt that the lessons that we taught helped the people so much! One was with a return missionary sister and her non member mother. We were just there to share with the sister, but I decided to involve the mother as well. And I asked her a question, "Hermana, usted cree que si fueran juzgados ahora mismo, usted y su hija estarían en los cielos juntas?" (sister, do you believe that if you were to be judged right now, you and your daughter would be together in heaven?) and she said that she wasnt sure after thinking a little bit. I told her that THAT is our purpose. NOT make her just MORMONA, that doesnt mean much in the end. But we do believe that she must do certain things, and those things are found in Christ's restored church, to be saved WITH HER DAUGHTER. Our goal is to help them be happy FOREVER AS A FAMILY. It was a really powerful moment, and God is just helping us so much.

GOD IS GREAT! THANKS FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES!!

Elder Dallin Murphy

Real Quick- May 6, 2015

I dont have a lot of time, but its been a good week.

Thanks for all you all wrote me! BETHANY IS LEAGUE CHAMP WUT WUTT!!! HAHA that is awesome bethany! Keep it up. Also,  good work COLE. But yeah its all going well here in Conani. We have seen a great progress in Junior and Laura. We had a really powerful lesson on Monday with them, where really we could feel that they WANT to follow Christ. Now it isnt just a gospel conversation for them, it is the possibility to become something new. Junior talked about how much he wants to leave the life he has lived until now and how he has been doing all that he can with that, but we promised him that IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO DO IT 100% WITHOUT CHRIST. And for the first time, he was not talking much. He was just thinking, pondering. We specifically talked about the Law of Chastity and a Baptismal plan, and we felt a real desire that they had to do these things, but are going to talk later.

God is great. We are really seeing that a less active man, Juan Reynoso, is getting exciting. He decided that he wanted to go to church in a shirt and tie and everything, which was new. He had been a counselor to a bishop and everything, but now we are helping him get back on track. We talked a little aboout the unity of a couple in the Gospel and he expressed desires to get better and do things better as a husband and as a member of the church.

I am reading in 3rd Nephi, which is incredible. God is so fair all the time! These people would be so great then God would bless them! Then they went the other way, as did He. I really imagine the experiences that the Nephites had in meeting the same Savior of the world, and WOW it would just be unreal to see what they saw. When he prayed then they cried then he blessed the children and all those unbelievable things happened made me think of his LOVE. LOVE is what he has and is what He uses to help us. Love is everything, and it really made him obedient and diligent. All of what he did sprouted out of his charity, and when we really really really have charity, we wont just help others but we will always obey WITH EXACTNESS and be diligent in the work that God wants us to do.

Thanks for everything! Next time I write, i will be 20!

Elder Murphy

What a Week!- April 29, 2014

Wow, it has been a pretty solid week. We have seen some great progress in a lot of people and we are really happy to be with the Lord here in Conani, and I love it here. I want him to bless us not for us, but for the people. So, we just have got to WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK and OBEY OBEY OBEY. So I will talk really quick about a few people that have helped us.

Papi Payano was considered a less active but now is considered active! The way that we count it is by callings, most of the the time, and this weekend he was called as 1st counselor in the Sunday School Presidency! He is really really excited to be here. Yesterday he went out with us for 3 hours so that we could go visit a few of his friends and so that we could go with him to other less actives' house. What a great thing! He is great.

Junior and Laura are a family that we have been teaching. He has not been able to take his family to church still because he is working a lot on sundays, but when he has time (and he always intends to every sunday), he will come to church! WITH THE FAM! We put a baptismal date down with them this week and we hope to go on friday to visit them with the Branch President and talk about what is needed to reach and complete with the goal of the baptismal date.

Ricardo and Fior are still moving along, we are just hoping that sooner than later they get the things they need to get married so that Fior can get baptized and Ricardo can be an active member of the church once again like before.

Junior is a less active kid that is 22 and told us this week that he wants to serve a mission! He is going to get better about doing things, and he went with us to make visits on sunday for 3 hours and it was really awesome to see how excited he is to get back! He is on his way.

I dont know if you remember Gabriela and Henry from Bella Vista? THEY ARE GOING TO GET MARRIED!! WOO WOO!! How great is that?? And the other day Elder Mendez called me and told me that they want me to be the best man! How fun is that. I love seeing that the Lord helps people when they help themselves!

It is so great to work here in the Lord's vineyard. I LOVE IT! I really have felt good and am still learning a lot every day! It is crazy to think that SOON I will be there but its reality and it only makes me want to work more and more and more.

GOD IS GREAT! I hope that you all are reading scriptures and loving life. It has been really really hot here lately. But, that is all good because its more fun that way. Also we painted a barber shop and it turned out pretty good! We painted it and BAM BAM BAM it wasnt turning out too good. So, i thought that because there were a lot of imperfections, we decided to use the AUSTIN MURPHY PAINTING tecnique. We decided to make those splatter things on the walls and now people come in and say to the member who we helped "who did this? this is so cool!" AHHAHA also we went to golf today and DAD-- GUESS WHO GOT A CHIP IN!! I DID! from 39 feet, i counted my steps just to tell you. I went with Elder Fagersten (a senior couple missionary), my companion, Elder Orrellana and Elder Stanisclaus. It was really fun. I didn't win, but it was good to be back on the green.

 LOVE YOU ALL!!

Elder Dallin Murphy

Adventure is out there!- April 22, 2015

Wow! What a change to the stake back home. I am really excited for that new stake presidency, I am sure they will be great. Until coming on the mission and getting to know the rolesof these people did I realize HOW big their responsibility is and how much they are needed. 

Also, Wow! Cora Faye Giullian! What a great name for my new favorite niece. There is nothing better than that, seeing that the Lord is allowing great families to take care of his precious children. I am really thankful for families here in the mission. I was able to give a few trainings this week in the district meeting about HOW we can build up the kingdom of God! And, according to Paul, it is through the perfecting of the saints. We need to build up this kingdom, and the best way to do it is that. And the Lord has revealed unto us 2 ways that that is done in HIS plan. First, through the families. they are the best place in the whole entire world that we can teach the principles and doctrines of this Gospel! It is the most impacting teaching because everything starts in the HOME. Second, is through the leaders of the church. Through the organization of this great and marvelous church. Prophets, apostles, bishops, seventy, teachers, and everything else in between has been given to us to perfect HIS saints! We, as missionaries, must concentrate on that. FAMILIES AND LEADERS. That is what we need to find. Families to help and leaders that can help us. In that, we will be able to make this work go so much faster. Satan is also accelerating his work!! We need to keep ourselves way in front of him. 

We had district conference this weekend and it was a great experience. I loved what Sister Douglas talked about. She spoke about being the Lords hands. With that, we are able to do what he used to do! That is the promise we make to Him as disciples. We need to do what he did, act how he did, and love people how he loves them. 

This is so awesome. I love this work and I am happy to be here in La Vega. IT HAS BEEN REALLY HOT LATELY and its not too fun with that, but that is just the work that must be done. 

Love you all, and I hope that you all keep feasting upon the words of Christ. 

Elder Dallin Murphy

Elder Moses!!- April 15, 2015

Elder Moses is great. He knows a lot of spanish! Seeing that his mom is Mexican, he has a background with the language. But he still has to learn some things! But he didnt go to Bingham, he went to Copper Hills. But he really is so excited and has great strength when he teaches. You can see it in his eyes, the desire is there. Hopefully I can help him enough to be able to form him into a great missionary and servant of the Lord. 

Man! We are just being very blessed. There are a lot of less actives that just Need to be helped a little bit more and this branch will be a lot better in no time! I feel great seeing people progress. One, who isnamed Papi Payano, or we call him that. He has gone to church 4 weeks in a row and just loves it! He used to be a strong leader in the church, and we just hope that soon he will have a calling. President Roso, the branch president said that he would take care of that soon. Others like Franndy, Junior, Reynaldo and others are on the way. A lot of them are young single adults, and just need a little push to get excited. 

I have been reading A LOT of heleman, and I love in chapter 3 where he says that we can LAY HAND UPON THE WORD or something like that. I love how it focuses on the importance of reading and HOW we can be carried by the Word to be on the right hand of God. That is why Satan works so hard so that we do not read the scriptures! It is just incredible how God allows us to have these tools... we just need to take advantage. 

Sorry, this letter isnt that long, the keyboard kind of stinks. LOVE YOU ALL!! The Gospel is true, and this is the Lord's work. GOD IS GREAT. 

Love, 

Elder Murphy

1. TODAY we went to clean a peluqueria or barber shop and it was pretty fun doing the dominican style cleaning. 

YES!!!- April 8, 2015

GRAHAM BLAKE LEININGER!! WHAT A HANDSOME NAME!! WOW I AM NOW UNCLE OF 2! WOOO Wow that makes me so happy! I hope that they are happy as well, I love you a lot Graham and I will meet you one day! I love you Alyse and Tommy as well, you are both the best parents of my 2 nephews ever! Thanks for everything!

I got a son today! Elder John Moses, from South Jordan, Utah, is just going to be a great companion. I am excited to work with him and teach him what I know. He already knows a good amount of spanish, so he is pretty ready, and has a REALLY strong testimony. I see that he has come from a background that has prepared him, spiritually and emotionally, to be a great defender of the gospel. I love seeing how God prepares these young men to become His very same soldiers.

A TEMPLE IN HAITI!! I called Elder Simonis after the session to congradulate him, and in his always happy and humble voice he just said it was a great blessing. I am so happy! The saints in Haiti are amazing and they have been working hard for this. The 2nd temple in the Carribean, which is awesome, but WOW what great news.

I loved loved loved conference! It gave me so much hope for the rest of my mission and how I can help Conani. I loved Elder Dallin H Oaks's talk and also Elder Kevin Pearsons talk. WOW I loved how he said 2 times "WE MUST READ THE BOOK OF MORMON EVERY DAY, EVERY DAY, EVERY DAY!" BETHANY AND COLE what have I been telling you! It is so great. Also, Elders Ballard and Nelsons talks were great as well. We have been focusing a lot on the sabbath day, and WOW the blessings are so great and we just want people to recieve those blessings as well. They talked a lot about the family, and marriage. I liked President Boyd K Packers talk as well.

This easter was really special. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and HE LIVES!! What greater news is there?! He lives and loves us! He has given us the opportunity to come to this life and be redeemed, only if we repent and follow His gospel! And that is why we are here. To outgrow ourselves. HE gave us that opportunity. HE did it all. WE are nothing without him and we are just so lucky to be part of this gospel.

I love everything about this mission. God is great and He is sending angels to minister unto men. These are glorious times, and we must get ready.

Love you all!!

Elder Dallin Murphy

I am going to have another son!- April 1, 2015

I was called on Monday night by our Mission President and he asked me if I would be willing to train again! I am so willing! I am going to have another "son" as they say in the mission, and it will be in this next week! Just like Camille and Alyse ARE STILL WAITING to have their sweet children, maybe we will all get ours on the same day! But I am really happy. Elder Bartholomew is great, and it is a bummer that I will not be able to work much more with him, but the Lord has big expectations for him and more assignments for him to grow and become a great servant of the Lord.

This week was great! We had 9 less actives in church! WOW the Lord is just doing His thing and I love seeing how He is helping us so much. This is a pick me up that we have really needed for Conani, and we are seeing great progress. Payano, Reynaldo, and others continue to show their faith! We had a less active named Junior, who is like 22, come and after church the Branch President went and told him and Payano to go and visit a few less actives that didnt show up to church! AND THEY WENT. How great is that? That is just amazing. The Lord has these people that just need a little bit of an emotional push and then He keeps helping them out.

There is a family, Ricardo and Fior, that is really excited as well. Ricardo Moya is a return missionary, but he is not married to Fior. She is really great and REALLY wants to get baptized, and he is just waiting for someone to pay him back in this week or the next in order to get married and for her to get baptized! They come to church every week and shes just waiting little by little to do this.

The Lord is great. I have been reading a lot of the Teachings of the Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, and he said something really important. He said that there are 4 keys to the missionary work. 1. Always seek the guide of the Spirit. 2. Be Humble. 3. LOVE EVERYONE. and 4. WORK HARD! I love it! it is too true. With those 4 things, all will go well. I love this work and I love all that happens in this work. The Church is true and the Lord is helping us edify his kingdom.

Love you all!

Elder Dallin Murphy

1. I said goodbye to Elder Herrera. He goes home next week and he came to La Vega to say goodbye to some people. He is so cool!