Well, I guess I should probably write my family....

Dear Family,

 

Shoutout to Grandma Dial for caving and getting a puppy! Can't wait to see Bobby when I get back.

Ok. We had a good week. First, we heard that Elder Shane M. Bowen is coming to the mission. I am richly blessed as a missionary. When I came out, Elder Paul Pieper came out, a few months ago we met with Elder Rasband, and now we get a third GA! I am stoked. We always learn so much from the Lord's chosen servants about what we need to do better as missionaries. The Whole did a survey about obedience, PMG application, and all that jazz so that Elder Bowen knows what to focus on while he is here.

Romeris, our investigator set for the 4th of August, texted us and told us that she talked with one of her old friends and they tried to instill a lot of her old concerns and doubts. I had an AWESOME lesson on Facebook with her about it. Then yesterday, we met with her. We answered every single one of her questions about several topics directly from the bible. (Thank you topical guide.) She knows it now. She believes it. On Facebook the other day, she asked me, "Why is it that as soon as I get things straight, I get all confused again?" I had to think for a while to anser that question. But luckily the Spirit came to the rescue, and I said, "If this really is the true Gospel upon the earth, don't you think Satan would do all that he could to stop you from getting to it?" That opened up her eyes. She said that it made lots of sense now. She is reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. She is going to be living the commandments. I am so excited. If I leave this area, I will be able to see her be baptized! We haven't baptized here since April so that will be a huge blessing!

 

That is pretty much the highlight of my week. I am also out of time. Can't wait to talk to ya next week!

 

Love,

 

Elder Michael Dial

D & C 59:11

Family,

 

DULCE CAME TO CHURCH!! She has told us for like the past 5 or 6 weeks that she would come, but finally came. It truly is a miracle. We thought that she had lost interest, but she told us some things that we didn't really want to hear. Her family does not like her meeting with us. They won't tell her that she can't but they are trying to do everything to discourage it. When they see us calling her on the phone, they take her phone. When we knock on the door, they lie and say she isn't there.

But she came to church. She came in a very strapless dress but hey, that's ok for your first time. We had an AWESOME Gospel principles class with her. First, she had heard things that after you join the church, then the Mormons "really teach you what they believe." Then they divulge their "true doctrine." But then Cesar Sanchez, a Recent convert, totally destroyed that theory. He said that the only thing that changed was him. He bore testimony of how he had made a 180 degree change. It was awesome. Then she brought up her family concerns. The members, not us, the members, helped her realize that we have to please God before family. She loved church. She told us that she felt the spirit. She said that she liked it too much haha. It is a testimony to me of church and how it can influence people! A prayer or two her way couldn't hurt either. Pray that her family will stop being buttheads!!!!

We found a cool investigator. His name is Juan Francisco. He is Dominican (YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!) This is how he was found. A couple members were looking for some less-actives, saw him on the street, then just started talking. They said it's not every day you see two gringos that speak spanish walking down the street! They just decided to talk to him. They opened their mouths. He wanted a large print Bible. We ordered one, and gave him a large-print triple combination in the meantime. We taught him the Restoration and read 3 Nefi 11 with him. He loved it. We set a date with him for the 8 of September. So STOKED!!!

We reset a date with Romeris. She is set for the 4 of August. We just gotta teach her some commandments, then she has to live them, get interviewed, and get dunked. It is gonna be awesome.

We had interviews with President Anderson this week. He is awesome. He was serious in the interview when he needed to be, but then as soon as we left the room, he was joking around and having a good time. He is awesome.

Well there are miracles happening here in Valley Forge. It is awesome. The Gospel is true. Of that there is no doubt. I love this work. I am a month away from my year mark. Scary stuff man. Love ya all

-Elder Mike Dial

One does not simply Hie to Kolob!

Dear Family,

It was a great week this week. We worked our TAILS off. And it paid off as well. We got 11 new investigators this week! We have really been blessed in our finding efforts. We make sure that we are talking to everyone, making sure that we give everyone a chance to hear the gospel. We have been praying and fasting specifically to find the elect, and let me tell you, the promise made in 2 Nephi 32:9, ..."pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul." It is a true promise. The Lord is consecrating our performance that we might be a tool in His hands to bring forth His mighty purposes.

We haven't been able to meet with Romeris for a while. Satan is working with her. But that's ok. We can help out. We are meeting with her on Wednesday to set a new baptismal date with her and to help her know for sure that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God. Sending a couple prayers her way would be awesome. She really wants to know the truth, but she has to open herself up to feel it. She has made AMAZING steps, and is almost there. She is at the steepest part of the mountain, but once she gets to the top, it will all be worth it.

Dulce told us for sure that she would be at church. She said, "Yeah, we don't have anything planned..." Well apparently going and touring Eastern State Penitentiary in downtown Philly was an appropriate way to worship the Lord. Sending a few prayers her way would work wonders as well. We think that her boyfriend Juan might be what is keeping her from coming to church. We need to know what we need to do to help them both realize that the Sabbath day is a Holy Day. It isn't just another day.

Mom and Dad, thanks for helping me realize what the Sabbath really is. It took not letting us watch certain movies, listen to certain music, not wearing certain clothes, and a ton of other things, but I understand know how much it has influenced my life. It isn't about keeping the white shirt and tie on. It is about respecting and worshiping the Lord. We worship Him best by keeping His commandments, and living the way that He would want us to live.

Well there is that rant. We continue to find and teach. The baptizing part will come very soon. I know it. I love you all so much! This work is true. Through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind can be saved. Not just Mormons. Not just Christians, all mankind. We are the vessels in which people can come unto Christ and exercise his infinite Atonement. I have a huge testimony of that. Love you. Over and Out..

Meeting the new President and Sister Anderson!

I am writing today because Pres. and Sis. Anderson did a mission tour yesterday. We drove down to Philly to meet them. They are way cool. From Hyrum Utah (had no idea where that is, but it is in Cache Valley) He told us about himself. He loves to hunt (Sister Anderson too. She took down a moose), fly, ski, water ski, and all that good stuff. He is a really cool guy. I am excited to be able to get to know him over the next year.

We had some way good experiences finding yesterday. We were just able to talk with a ton of people and find people that were interested in hearing the message. We were walking down a street, then saw a house with Christmas lights and a broom on the porch. Sure tell-tale signs that a Hispanic lives there. They didn't have the occasional Car Seats on the porch though. So we go up, knock on the door, and the lady opens it and two of her kids come running out. She looked at us in a certain way that I knew right off the bat that she would be interested in the Gospel. I asked her if she knew anyone who would be interested in a message about the family. She said that she was. (whoo!!) Her name is Maggie. Way Hispanic. We had an awesome conversation with her and are meeting with her family this week. We have been hoping and praying to find a family. Who knows? This may be it. We are SOOO gonna baptize them. Get excited Valley Forge 2nd Ward.

Have no idea why I didn't find this before. I was flippin around the Book of Mormon, and came to Alma 12. In the last couple verses, Alma explains about Adam and Eve, he explains PERFECTLY how justice and mercy work, and what we need to do to become clean. It is AWESOME. The penalty for sin is spiritual death. The more we sin, the more we are separated from our Heavenly Father. Done. That's it. But, those who gain a remission of their sins through the blood and Atonement of Jesus Christ are cleansed. It says that we must 1. Gain and retain that remission of sins and 2. Soften our hearts. I though it was interesting that only gaining that remission of sins wasn't enough! But that's what the scriptures say. Then in verse 37 he says that we know these things, so let's do them! Christ wants us to use His Atonement, and laments when someone with the knowledge of it won't humble themselves to do it.... It is way interesting because I didn't necessarily learn any new doctrine, but the Spirit really illuminated me and I was taught a lot. Neat stuff goin on in Personal Study.

Well, that's pretty much all I got. Our investigators are kind of struggling keeping commitments, so we are gonna lay the hammer about commitments. How can someone be ready to keep baptismal covenants if they can't keep a commitment to read in the Book of Mormon, pray, or come to church? It's gonna be an AWESOME week. Get excited.

-Elder Dial

P.S. Remember James Seaman? He took piano lessons from Jackie? Yeah. He is doing summer sales out here and comes to the VF 2nd ward. Pretty crazy. I have met like 3 people I know and like 5 people who know people that I know in this ward. Crazy stuff bro.