Book of Mormon Stories

Hello everyone! I hope that you all had a good week where ever you are. We had a good week here. 

We learned a lot and have seen some progress in some of our investigators and in the area. So on Tuesday, we started the week off by having interchanges with the assistants. I was here in Aquiles Serdan with Elder Hammer who was actually here before I was. That was a good day. We actually found 3 new investigators who are from Oaxaca. The father, Mario is pretty funny. He talks really fast, At times I couldn't understand him very well. We also have had a few more lessons with the Baleon Family this week. They are doing good, we've challenged the father to be baptized and he told us that he was going to pray about it.

Wednesday was a normal day, had some lessons. On Thursday we had a super interesting la comida [meal]. So the member we ate with is an archaeologist. We started asking him some questions because we saw some books that he had about the Maya and other archeologyish stuff. So he started telling us that he has done a bunch of research on the Maya and other Tribes of Mexico and showed us some books that he collaborated on that compare the Book of Mormon to the record that there is of ancient civilizations in the Americas. Then he told us about a stone that was found with Mayan on one side and Reformed Egyptian on the other. Then he told us that he has it and showed it to us! It was pretty rad. Later in the week, we ate with them again and he showed us a short movie he helped make about the location of the Book of Mormon. It was pretty cool too. He and his friend who's an archaeology professor made it. They went to a bunch of different ruins and talked about the characteristics that the land of the BoM would have to have. It was a good conversation, he knows a ton. He also told us that Cholula is a pyramid from the Jaredites.

Friday was pretty good. We had a few lessons and it was rainy day. Its gotten a little cooler here. Its also been raining a bit. Also Friday we had a "Fireside Chat" with President Christensen where we can invite investigators, less actives, or who ever to come talk about a gospel topic. This time it was the Book of Mormon. He also talked about some indigionous writings in the mission that have been found as well, in Cholula and Tlaxcala. He showed us a drawing from Cholula with 8 ships that came from a different land and then compared it with the Jaredites about how they came with 8 ships as well. I also learned that it says that the Jaredites filled a boat wih fish because there were only 7 brothers. He also talked about the God that the Cholula people talk about that came down, and taught them. The history also says that this god taught them to keep records on gold plates. Pretty cool stuff.

The Zone Leader's desk

Honestly I learned a ton about how the Book of Mormon coincides with the history here, but in the end the reason I know the Book of Mormon is true is because I prayed about it and received an answer. The President also talked about that, how its always interesting to look at the intellectual side of things, but in the end we need to receive our own testimony from God, not from men or history.

Friday and Saturday were pretty normal. We did find our that one of the less actives we teach, Tomas had a ton of kids. We asked him how many and he told us that if he told us we wouldn't believe him. He then told us he has 36 children from 3 wives and 85 grandchildren. I said "Wow", then he said "No Wow, I worked hard for that!" It was pretty funny, and he´s super old.

The Mexican Patriarch

Well, once again I hope that you all have a good productive week and stay out of trouble!

-Elder Hartvigsen

Another week in Paradise

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. When I write all of you, I always realize that its really warm here. I hope you all enjoyed the snow! 

We had a good week here in our area. Not a super super good week, but a good one none the less. 

This one was really interested!

So we started out on Tuesday with exchanges with our new District Leader Elder Boxberger and Elder Espinoza. I went with Elder Boxberger to the area of Forjadores. It`s always kind of strange going back to an old area but we had a good day. They have a really good investigator that we taught the Plan of Salvation and taught a few other Members. That night we went to the Ward Correlation Meeting so we saw a bunch of ward leaders and I was very surprised to see that some of them even remembered my name in spite of how difficult it is and that I was only in that ward for three weeks! So it was really good to see some people that I worked with. I also realized that it`s almost been 6 months since I was in that area! Time goes by way too fast!

On Wednesday we went to the District meetings of Elder Boxberger and Estes which was good. District meetings are always fun and I always learn something new. On Wednesday we had a lesson with Hector, a investigator that we have. He is a great guy, he always reads what we leave him, and he has a testimony of everything we`ve taught, but he won`t come to church of accept a baptismal date because his 90 year old parents that he lives with are Catholic and told him that he can`t change his religion. He`s a great guy, and we have faith that the Lord will help him find to the way.

March Mission Leadership Meeting (Elder Hartvigsen is fourth from far right)

Thursday we had weekly planning (always super fun), and a good amount of lessons. We found a less active family we hadn't met that haven`t attended in about 4 years. We had a really good lesson with them. We had our monthly meeting with all of the Zone Leaders, Sister Training Leaders, Assistants, Secretaries and President Christensen. That meeting is the best. Hermana Christensen made us breakfast, we had our meeting with President where we talked about the challenges that we have in the mission and how we`re going to improve and work to overcome them. Then Hermana Christensen and the Secretaries cooked us Hamburgers! We ate very well that day temporally and spiritually!

On Saturday we had a few lessons and in the evening did divisions with Elders Quorum Pres. Javier and Jose and had some really good lessons. We found a partial member family that we havent seen in a while and had a really good lesson. The husband, Hno. Baleon got really into the lesson and accepted baptism. We are excited to work with him and help him progress. Sunday was a good day as well. It seemed like the whole ward had changes in thier callings. They released and called about 20 people. We now have a new Mission Leader who just married and moved into the ward a month ago. I actaully met him in my first area in Tlaxcala, so thats pretty cool. He`s excited and we`re excited to work with him even if his schedule is super busy.

Well, everybody have a good week and stay out of trouble!

-Elder Hartvigsen

It's Already March

Wow, I feel like I just said its already February. Time just keeps on going. 

Anyways we had a good week here in Aquiles. We actually had a bunch of lessons, a lot were with members but we also had a good amount with Investigators. We do have to find more investigators though, we are lacking in that secion. We had a pretty normal week though.

Elder Hartvigsen in Puebla

So on Wednesday we went to the district meetings of Elder Estes and Boxberger, we usually split up and go to them both since they are both in the same chapel. After that we had exchanges with Elder Estes and Elder Giraldo from Colombia. I went with Elder Giraldo to our area and we had a really good day. We had a bunch of lessons and found a good new investigator that recently lost her husband.

Throughout the week we visited a lot of people and worked with a lot of members. We`ve been seeing a lot of progress with some less actives and people who have been suspended which has been great to see. Thanks to the new stake president he really got them all progressing. Also on Saturday we had an activity with the ward where we all gathered together in a members home and then split up to find and visit less actives that live here in the unidad. It didn't have as great as a turn out as last week but it was a really spiritual experience for those that did come.

Food adventures

Today we went to the center of Puebla and kind of wandered around. I ate a corn dog that was wrapped in bacon which probably had about 5000 calories haha. Its cool to go to the center and kind of look around. There is a bunch of different types of shops and touristy places as well. They sell a ton of Talevera [Mexican pottery] there too. Its also fun to see all of the white tourists wandering around.

With other Missionaries at recent Cambios (transfers)

Well, sorry for the short email, but it felt like a really kind of ordinary week. I can`t remember anything that sticks out to me right now. Well, everyone have a good week!

-Elder Hartvigsen

Note from his Mom. In response to an observation that the temperature in Puebla is averaging 70 degrees, even through January, February and now March. "I do enjoy the weather; the sun can be pretty unforgiving though." 

A Good First Week

Hello everyone, I hope that you are all enjoying the end of February. I can`t believe that its almost March. 

So we had a good week here. My new companion is named Elder Carrillo, he`s from Cancun Mexico, has about 16 months or so and is a great Elder! We've been working hard and are planning to work even harder this week. So changes were good. Elder Arias got sent to Tlaxcala in the zone with all of the branches that are really far away. He actually told me that wanted to go there so he`s happy. His companion is a really good elder too. We had a fair amount of changes in the zone too. Also they combined two districts, so we had three last change, but now we have two. Ours is the way it was, but the other is huge! It has 12 missionaries in it. Its a big district, and our new District Leader Elder Boxberger has a lot of work to keep up with all of the Hermanas and Elders. Oh, also our zone is mostly Hermanas. We have 12 sister missionaries and 8 Elders. Sometimes it feels like the relief society zone haha. We have a good zone though. Its kind of funny, the zone of Elder Arias right now is only Elders because its the places that are farther out where Hermanas wouldn't be as safe.

New companions - Elder Carrillo and Elder Hartvigsen

So we had a good amount of lessons this week. We`ve been working a lot with members which has been good. My knowledge of the area has been put to the test for sure as well. I only have four weeks here, but we`re doing all right. The Unidad where it's all apartment buildings that look the same is still a little tough sometimes but we eventually get to where we are going. So on Wednesday we ran into a investigator family again, I might have mentioned them. They are the Wisser family. We decided to pass by to see if they were there, and we had one of the most spiritual lessons of my mission. We really only taught one principal; God is our loving Heavenly Father, but it was super powerful. Jasmine, the mother asked us what she was feeling and why she felt like crying. And when we asked when we could come back they asked us if we could come back the next night. We had the next lesson of Friday and it was the same. They are super prepared. It reminds me of Doctrine and Covenants 50:18-23. We need to teach, and people need to receive the teaching by the spirit, and when that happens everyone is edified. We have another lesson tonight and we are excited for that.

We also had a meeting with President Christensen, and the Stake President, Pres. Quintero. It was a good meeting, but I felt a little pressure because my companion didn't know anything about the zone. I did fine though. We honestly have the best stake president in the mission though. He came and spoke in our ward last week, and was super direct because a lot of people came late. He basically said, "If you come late to sacrament meeting, its because you really don`t have a testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ." It was pretty good. He also interviewed all of the suspended people in the ward, which was great because we've been working with a few and now they have a goal to work toward.

Today we also had to opportunity to see Meet the Mormons! Its really good! They are actually going to release it in theaters here for 2 weeks because it did really well in the US. We`re pretty stoked for that. I do want to see it in English to hear the real voices, but it was good to hear the real voice of the Costa Rican kick boxer. Sometimes I realized I know another language and its kind of weird.

Well, until next week,

-Elder Hartvigsen

Tiempo de los cambios otra vez

Hello everyone. 

Wow, I can´t believe that we have transfers again tomorrow. It feel like I just got here to the area with Elder Arias. I don´t have changes, but Elder Arias does. There are also a lot of people in our zone that have changes, I think about 9 of the 20 that are here. So tomorrow I´ll have a new companion and there will be a lot of new people in the zone. It´ll be fun!

"I know that he loveth his children." 1 Nephi 11:17

So we actually had a pretty normal week. We were both healthy, and didn't have a ton of stuff to do that took us away from the area. So we had the chance to teach a bunch of members, less actives and the few investigators that we have. It really is a good area, and there are a ton of people that live here because a big part of the area are apartments. There is a ton of potential here, and we´re planning on working hard to find a bunch of new investigators. The ward is also pretty big here with a bunch of Ex-missionaries that live here. We really have all we need to work well, we just need to make the time and work!

So on Thursday we also had another special zone conference with President Christensen. Like the last one and every meeting with President it was great! We talked about a few things that are changing in the mission and we talked about how to work well with members. So the President showed us a method that he would use that is acually really great. We basically teach a principal and then talk with the member about their family. We make a list with them, and then help them receive revelation through the Holy Ghost to know who on the list needs the gospel. Its really great and we felt the spirit really strongly.

I also gave my first Zone Meeting with Elder Arias after we had the zone conference. It was really good, and pretty easy. It is basically just a district meeting that you give with your companion and with more people present. The rest of the week was pretty normal like I said. Its pretty fun to be a zone leader with the transfers, because we get to know all of the transfers in the zone. We have been scrambling a bit though, because I need to learn where all of the members and investigators live before Elder Arias goes tomorrow. Wow, the four weeks I´ve been here have gone really fast. Time just seems to keep speeding up.

Well, I hope you all have a good week, Also, I´m sorry I´m not sending any pictures, my camera fell and isn´t working right now. I hope you all enjoyed your Valentines day! I hung out with my comp all day, but it was good! Bye!

-Elder Hartvigsen

D&C 63:47

Hello everyone,

I hope you are all well. We had a pretty good week, but not a very productive one. So I`m pretty sure I told you that I was a little sick on [last] Monday, and I got worse after. I was pretty sick for a good amount of the week. We really didn't do a whole ton this week for that, and we also had a meeting on Friday.

No pictures this week; Elder Hartvigsen dropped his camera.

So after I was feeling a little better, Friday we had a meeting with President Christensen and all of the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders in the mission. It was an amazing meeting. We arrived in the morning and Sister Christensen made breakfast which was very tasty. Later we had our meeting with President Christensen and everyone and it was great. I always learn a bunch from the meetings with President, from either him, the other missionaries or more importantly the Spirit. After that we ate la Comida (Hawaiian Haystacks, go figure) and desert and then went back to the area. It was pretty awesome day, and good to see old missionary buddys and meet new Elders and Hermanas.

Sunday was a good day, I got the know the ward a lot better. I`m starting to settle into the area and get to know it which is really good. Its also good because we are going to have changes next week, and its very possible that Elder Arias could have changes. We`ll find out this week who in the zone has changes.

So today we organized a zone activity. We watched the movie Ephraim`s Rescue and ate Pizza. It was pretty good and the movie was great. Whenever I learn about the Pioneers I always feel like such a wimp! They suffered so much it`s unreal.

Well, I hope that you all have a good week. This one should be good. I`m feeling back to normal and we plan to work really hard in the area while we have time. See you all!

-Elder Hartvigsen

[D&C 63:47 "He that is faithful and endureth shall overcome the world."] 

Wow, February!

Hello everyone, I hope that you all had a good Superbowl Sunday and didn't eat too much. When we got home last night our neighbors where downstairs watching the Superbowl, it was pretty hard to walk away but I did it haha! 

This week was a good week, the only thing is that I´m pretty sick today, but I´m improving which is good. I should be back to normal in a few days. Its the worst to be sick in the mission. Also we didn't end up going to Mexico, we received a message at 3 AM from the doctor that Elder Espinoza was going to visit wasn't going to be in Mexico City, so I might go next week with him. Probably a good thing because I was pretty sick this morning.

View of Puebla

So we had a good week. We had more time than we've had to work in the area which was great and we found a couple of new investigators. On Wednesday we also had exchanges with one of the other District Leaders in our Zone, Elder Estes and his companion Elder Garcia. It was great, I always love to get to know new areas and see how other Elders like to work. We were in the ward Manatiales and we did a lot of walking! In our area here everything is more or less close together and a lot of times we´ll take the bus to get to the other side. But we walked all day, I think Elder Estes´ iPod thing said we walked 7 miles. Also they have an investigator type guy that works in a butcher-shop and they had bought the best bacon I've had in Mexico. That is one thing I do like about being a leader and going to other peoples areas to do exchanges is that we get to eat their food!

Thursday we didn't do a whole lot. For exchanges as leaders we have to stay and watch the weekly planning session of the other elders and that takes a while. After that we returned to our area, ate, did our weekly planning, went to the Ward Correlation Meeting where we present our weekly plans to the Ward Mission Leader and then we had to go to Forjadores to do a baptismal interview.

Friday we took all morning to go back to the Hospital to get the results of the test they did on Elder Arias, and we have to go back this week for them to do another (smaller) exam. Saturday we worked in the area and started to work on our monthly forms. So here in this mission, every month we have to do these forms where we put all of the investigators, less actives and recent converts we are teaching and other things. So every ward has its own form that the missionaries do, and as Zone Leaders its our responsibility to compile all of the wards together to send the form to the stake and the mission offices. Its honestly a headache, but I´m grateful that I've had some experience with Excel before the mission.

On Sunday we had church in our own chapel! Aquiles Serdan had been attending in a different chapel because they were remodeling ours, but we went back this sunday. Its a really nice chapel! Also a lot of people attended chruch, I´m not really used to that many people coming from Resurgimiento where only about 60 or 70 people attend. The bishop said there was about 200 people that attended.

Yup, that was our week. It was honestly a pretty good one. Well, everyone enjoy your start of February. I still can´t believe that it´s already February. Adiós!

-Elder Hartvigsen