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Monday, October 24, 2011

What's Up?

Dear Family and Friends,

Well the elections are over here in Argentina and the Presidenta won again, Cristina. Oh man I am so glad they are over because there were cars driving around everywhere with huge speakers and "catchy" songs blasting to get votes for their intendents. It's illegal not to vote here so they put posters and signs everywhere and have cars and AIRPLANES go around blasting who you should vote for. They do that because all the people who aren't really informed have to vote anyway so they vote for whoever they hear from the most.... nice huh?

Oh Argentina the land of the turquoise flag I love it! Well three people were baptized this weekend! Woo Hoo. Two of the children of Igor were baptized, Jorge and Maria Alejandra and the mom of Cristina, Lidia Ester! They were all so ready and it was a beautiful baptismal experience. It was funny because at first Cristina(a recent convert of about two months) was nervouse of how her mom would react to the message. She didn't know if she would feel the same power of it the way she did. But, she did. Lidia Ester had a serious of powerful spiritual experiences that led her to believe of the truthfulness of the work! As she was baptized she cried as she "went up straightway out of the water." She was touched by the Spirit which confirmed to her of the covenant of faith she had just made to God our Eternal Father and the Savior Jesus Christ.

We are seeing miracle after miracle here and the field really is white already to harvest (D&C4). There are many more baptisms to come in the coming weeks and lives are being changed. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity and for the chances I am having of being an active agent in the work of the Lord. Have a great week I love and pray for you all!!!

SIncerely,
Elder Passantino

Friday, October 21, 2011

Baptism of Igor!

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been another crazy but satisfying week! We have been working hard and have seen the Lord´s hand in the work. First off I want to start off by telling everyone that if they have written me lately I have probably already written them back but sometimes with the Argentina correo system here I don´t think hardly anyone has received their letters. If this is the case I will try to write you all again but know that I really am grateful for all the support and love! I haven´t forgotten about any of you!

I had the opportunity to perform a baptism this week of a man named Igor. He is a man who has searched his entire life for the truth and had it confirmed to him by God that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is where the truth is found. He had spelled put the 47 churches and congregations he asisted and attended for the past 30 years. From Catholicism to Baptists, from Evangelicals to every Protestant sect and a plethora more. He is a very humble man who has more faith than any man I have ever known. He has a love for God and calls himself a ´´Warrior Christian.´´ He has a love for the Bible and the teachings that it gives.

As we taught this man he immediately had a change in his life. He bore testimony to the fact that if he completed with God, God would complete with him. He did that and was touched to the very core of the things we taught him. When we told him that we didn´t want him to believe us, but to only ask God about it, he had the faith to know that God loved him another to answer him.

You see there is no middle ground in the things that Latter-day Saints believe. It is either true or not. You have to search spiritually and ask the fountain of all wisdom and truth if it is true. He will either say Yes or No. It is so simple that it hurts to meet people who are not even willing to ask or it doesn´t even matter to them. Some people use doubts, prejudice, misunderstanding or misinformation to scare themselves away from even considering that it could be true. Some look to those who have become disaffected from the church, had a bad experience or genuinely hate the Church and it´s teachings. It is basic logic and will change the person into an understanding being if they would do such a simple thing as to ask the person what they believe rather than asking a person who doesn´t like that person. Think about it. If you had someone that didn´t like you for some reason or another would you want someone you didn´t know to ask that person who you were or would you rather them ask you. It´s the same with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you want to know what they believe ask a member, ask the missionaries, and ask God. Go to church websites such as www.mormon.org, or www.lds.org for information. I am bold in my declaration but let me make a promise to those who search for information in the wrong place. They will feel angry, hate, they will not understand and I am a thousand percent sure they will not be edified from what they have read. If it is an honest seeker they will feel the seeds or prejudice and hate that flow through misinformation, fear and a biasis understanding. It has always been the way that the Devil has worked. He promotes fear, not faith. He is the Father of lies and he will lie about everything so that misunderstanding and confusion persist until the end of time.

I promise you that I have studied more things against the Church than almost anyone you will know. I never felt good while doing so, it was full us half truths and everything had an answer to which they acted like there wasn´t. I am firm in my conviction that I am a Christian. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love my Father in Heaven more than words and describe. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and rely on His atoning sacrifice every day of my life. I serve them and love them and will worship them until the end. I know these things are true. Here are a few suggestions to those wondering about our faith and who we are. Read the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Look at the organization of the Church and see if it is not the same as Jesus Christ established. Talk to a member of the Church and look at how we try to live our lives (although we are nowhere near perfect, nor profess to be) and ask youself these questions, ´´Is this person a good person, Do they try to live in accordance with certain standards, and do I know any that are trying to live as Jesus Christ would?´´ A sceptic would say they know members of the Church who have messed up, who have done bad things, but I promise if you look hard enough, we are really trying to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ and follow his teachings. It´s hard but I promise if you pray to God and ask him with all the energy of your heart if members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Christians, our Heavenly Father will proudly reply, ´´Yes.´´

As for Igor, he had a series of powerful but simple Spiritual experiences which led him to believe in the truth of the work. He had a stronger conviction that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ and that God still is extending His hand among the children of men through ´´his servants the prophets.´´Amos 3:7 I will end with his own words and testimony as he stood at the pulpit and spoke after his baptism. ´´After attending 47 other churches, although good and having much of the truth, I have found the true Church of Jesus Christ. I know that I am in the right place. God has answered my prayers and sent me two angels to declare his truth unto me. I know that I was baptized with the holy Priesthood of God, and I know that it is true.´´

I love you all have a great week!

Sincerely,
Elder Brian Passantino

Monday, October 10, 2011

Tour de France

Well Hello Fam and Friends,

Its been a week full of some great experiences. First off this week the tour de France randomly passed in front of our Apartment here in my area Luja de Cuyo! We walked outside and there were police officers everywhere. Someone then told us that the Tour de France was in Mendoza and that they were going to pass by so we got to watch a little bit of it! We got some good pictures and it was a good time. I don't know if it was really the "Tour de France" but it was some kind of Bicylce race with people from all over the world. It was funny because at one point there was a large group of racers and my comp yelled, "Go United States!" After he said that one of the racers yelled, "YEAH!" It was great!

I had another cool experience this week during a lesson. We are teaching Cristina's mom (the one who was baptized about a month ago) and it was great. As I related the story of the first vision using the words of Joseph Smith, you could tell something changed in her. As we continued talking she stopped us and said when you told the first vision I felt something, something different. She said it was like something in the room changed. We then talked about the "fruits of the Spirit" Galatas 5:22-23? and how we receive answers through the Spirit. She understood it and it made sense to her. She said that is exactly what she felt, like a still small voice. Later she said that when I was saying it it was if I wasn磘 saying it but that someone else was with power. It was a great experience and a testimony builder of the fact that the Spirit bears taestimony of the truth when it is humbly shared. She went to church and continues to have her testimony strengthened. I am very excited in the work and continue to see God work miracles in the lives of His children. Have a great week!

Sincerely,
Elder Passantino

Monday, October 3, 2011

Great Conference huh?

Dear family and friends,

What a great general conference it was! I was so edified and filled with a renewed desire to work harder, be better, and grow closer to Christ. It is such a blessing to see a living Prophet of God and the 12 Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. I would like to share some of my favorite talks and some thoughts that I had. Elder Scott talked to us about the power and sacred blessing scriptures are in our lives. He said, "there is great power in memorizing scriptures." He also said that, "scriptures can be like friends." I thought that was a little weird at first but then I understood what he meant. There is immense power in the word of God, and great comfort. President Utchdorf talked of how much God really does love each and every one of us and how truly important we are to him. It was a great talk. Elder D. Todd Christofferson spoke of the heavenly gift of repentence and the peace and joy that it brings to the human heart. He spoke of the conditions that the Master has put forth so that we may fully enjoy of His saving grace. Elder Tad R. Callister spoke of the importance of the Book of Mormon. We frequently hear the question. "Why do I need the Book of Mormon if I already have the Bible?" He answered that question and spoke of the importance of the Book of Mormon to declare and complete true doctrine. It is really time to read the Book of Mormon and gain a stronger conviction of Jesus Christ and the Restored Gospel if you haven't already. Elder Oaks spoke of the our belief in Jesus Christ and what we really do believe about him. If we can correctly characterize ourselves as Christians we should be willing to follow His precepts and change ourselves to become more like him.

I am so grateful for the testimony that has come over me through didligent prayer. I know that God our Heavenly Father lives, that Jesus is indeed the Christ the Great Redeemer, and that the true Chruch has been restored in its fulness once again on the earth. Thanks for the prayers and support!

Sincerely,
Elder Passantino