¡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

Just gotta work faster than the time flies- May 20, 2015

WOW That was a fast week! I hope that it isn't like that in the next few weeks because I am loving the mission SO MUCH! We are really trying to find people and help people, but some people just cannot be found and do not want to be helped! But the Lord always ALWAYS provides for those who work hard and obey to carry on his work. We are seeing people FEEL the spirit, WANT to do the things and almost do it but then Satan convinces them that their current lives are better than the one in the Gospel of Christ. I am reading that same thing in Mormon, where he is trying so hard but the men are just off the tracks. He knows that ALL THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IS TO LIVE THE GOSPEL!! But then they just DON'T DO IT. They even recognize that they aren't doing good but they don't do the things that they NEED to do in order to have success! Mormon said:

 "16 For behold, the Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to strive with their fathers; and they are without Christ and God in the world; and they are driven about as chaff before the wind.

 17 They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father.

 18 But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves,without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they.

 19 And behold, the Lord hath reserved their blessings..."

Now, it is not the same extent. I just sometimes feel like there are people that know what they need to do and if they don't do what they need to do now, the Lord will reserve the blessings. There are SO many blessings of peace, happiness, love, and hope that await us, and that is what all of us look for! But some just don't want it for now. But, the Lord is always willing to receive them in the time that they repent. We all receive the same invitation:

 "33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you."

This gospel is incredible. We have a sister named Yerlin that is working with us that is great! We found her on a bus to Santiago like 4 weeks ago and she says that since she has been sharing with us, she has changed SO MANY THINGS. She stopped going out so much, she stopped drinking and everything. She came to church and she says that she is for sure going to return. There are others that are progressing a lot, and God is really revealing that he can do ALL THINGS in His work! He blesses us too much. 

I have never been happier. I love this work and I feel like I am just starting! Thanks for all you do!

Elder Dallin Murphy

1. VIVES AND MERCEDITA!!

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