Gracias a que El Vive

Familia Ensua 

Hey fam, 

I hope everybody had a wonderful Easter and Conference Weekend!

It was a good week for us here in Aimogasta.  No baptisms, but just the opportunity watch conference was a blessing here.  The senior couple in La Rioja lent us their iPad to be able to watch conference in our area.  An investigator also lent us a laptop of his for the weekend to be able to watch it, so miraculously I was able to watch all 5 sessions in English, and my companion in Spanish.  That, my friends, is a miracle.  

I really enjoyed the talks throughout the conference, but especially Sunday morning.  Elder Holland and President Uchtdorf’s talks really hit home this Easter season for me.  The opportunity to remember Christ and his Atonement is always a special experience.  Also what stuck out was the Prophet's talk on temples and the blessings and importance of temple attendance. With the Cordoba Temple being dedicated in a month, I think that was really something that the people of Argentina needed to hear.  And the 3 new temple locations got me pretty excited too!  Although, I am sure not quite as excited as TC and Sister Grant, or Sketch! Really, I got the feeling and I know that those locations were inspired directly from God.

During the week, we had a zone meeting, that focused a lot on the Easter movement, and the "Gracias a que El Vive" video, which is the same as y’alls, just in Spanish. We got special pass along cards, as well as pass along cards for the open house of the temple.  Being in an entirely different province than the temple, we have had a bit more success with the Easter cards.  

Because He Lives

Tonight is the last night in the hotel, tomorrow we go back to the old pension, which is now nearly unrecognizable after the repairs.  They should fix the water pressure and the shower today or tomorrow, and then it’s all done!  The best thing I ate this week was a milanesa sandwich in the capital on Wednesday.  It is starting to get a little cooler down here, so that is good.  I got 2 packages this week, one from y’all and one from Grandpa and Grandmommie.  As well as a letter from the Owens and the Maplehood seminary class.  Something I learned this week, I did a lot of studying in D&C 131 and 132. The covenant of eternal marriage and the promises there.  Some really good stuff.

I am definitely grateful for Jake’s prayers!  He must have said the prayer this morning, because so far, today everything has gone right! I felt the Spirit really strongly during conference, throughout conference, but especially during the song I Know that My Reedemer Lives. 

Sounds like y’all have a great opportunity to talk to the youth and their parents.  I am grateful that I always went to mission prep, and seminary.  Scripture Mastery really help on the mission too.  I wish I had gone out with the missionaries more before though.  Other than that, it was all leaders and my parents that planted the seeds.  Plus having a solid group of friends, which is what they have, seeing as they are that group I had.  

Love you all!  Have a great week!

Elder Mangum

Stake Visitors from March 29th

Drinking Mate (pronounced Mah-teh), an Argentine custom/tradition, in the lobby of the hotel.

Little Miracles & A Birthday

Hey fam,

This was a really good week, I had a lot of fun.  Lots of little miracles as well.  This week we did about 80% repairs on the Chapel/Pension.  We put in new fluorescent lights, a new sink, and now all that is left is fixing the water pressure so that we can shower.  Then we will buy a few things to improve the pension, like plates and spoons!  Basic necessities to live. 

Wednesday we did exchanges with the other missionaries in the district, I was with Elder Aranda from Spain.  We were only together for a few hours, but we had a good time.  We had lunch and visited with a family that got baptized back in December, which was fun to talk about how they got baptized and the missionaries that taught them (one of which was in the MTC with me that I know pretty well.)  Elder Aranda has only been out in the field about 6 months, so I was the lead missionary in everything. We got a couple of references, and had an overall successful day in his area.

Thursday was a day of miracles.  The zone leaders came down from the Capital and did exchanges with us, I was with Elder Agren from Utah.  We tried to visit a few members, but nobody let us in. Finally we went to a house of a member who hasn’t talked to us since last year, came to church two or three times, got baptized in November, and never showed up again.  Miraculously, she let us in, and we had a very nice lesson.  Then, en route to the hotel to end the day, we contacted a family of 7, Familia Sosa, who let us in to their house, gave us cake, and we taught them Lesson 1.  They understood it well, and committed to praying.  We are going to pass by today or tomorrow, they weren’t able to come to church, but they have a ton of potential.  A complete family here where the parents are actually married!  That never happens!

Sunday, more miracles.  We had visitors from the stake come!  First time in the 3 years of the area that has happened!  A member of the high council, and a counselor in the Stake Relief Society Presidency came and gave talks.  Also the first time in 4 months that I did not have to speak in sacrament meeting.  We had 19 people at church, including 3 investigators!  Elisa, Emilia Barrionuevo (the wife of the member who got married 2 months ago) and somebody who had come a couple of months ago that just showed up randomly!  Elisa and Emilia should be getting baptized this week, we just need to find an adequate source of water to actually perform the baptism.  We just got permission (as I am writing this email) to baptize in the pool of the hotel during the hours of the siesta (2-6 in the afternoon).  Another miracle!

All in all, a really great week.  As far as birthday celebrations for me today, nothing too crazy.  Just a lunch with a member, and maybe dinner at the restaurant in the hotel.  A pretty laid back day.  I definitely don’t feel 19, I feel like just yesterday was the surprise 18th birthday party at the Hickmans!  I am looking forward to conference this weekend, it should be really good.  Hopefully we find a way to be able to watch it here in Aimogasta.  If we don’t, we will travel to the capital to watch.

The most exciting thing this week was finding the Familia Sosa.  And having visitors from the Stake.  The Stake high councilman said he was going to recommend sending 2 more missionaries here to make us a total of 4 in the area, and to send somebody from the stake or branch on a weekly basis, as well as a few other things.  I think that would be really good!  This coming week, General Conference is what I am looking forward to most!  A song we sang, ¡Mirad Reales Huestes! My favorite story of Jesus, walking on the water, and the experience with Peter there.  Anything to eat on my birthday..a toss up between Uncle Zeb’s and a Whataburger Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich with a Dr.Pepper.  My favorite thing in Argentina, bife de chorizo, a cut of Argentine steak.

Love you all!  Have a fantastic week!  Remember to go into Conference with a specific challenge/question and you will get your answer!

Love,

Elder Michael Mangum

Jesus Walking on the Water - Wherefore Didst Thou Doubt?

Matthew 14:25-33

Prepare to Be Inspired

Finding Answers at General Conference

Pictures!

Hey fam,

The week was pretty good.  Our district meeting in the capital went well, then my companion and I went to the matrimonial missionaries’ house and he took his final English exam.  He passed it, and now he gets a certificate from BYU saying that he can speak English.  Our hard work paid off!  This week, the best food I ate was a milanesa completa.  Fried steak, fried eggs, and french fries.  So while I couldn't be at the rodeo eating fried oreos, I got my fair share of fried food this week.  

Saturday we traveled to a little pueblito outside of Aimogasta to teach an investigator that had already come to church several times.  We had not had money to take the bus to go visit, but the money arrived this week and we were able to go and put a tentative baptismal date.  Either this weekend or the next one, Elisa should be getting baptized.  She is an older woman, about 56, but very humble and eager to learn.  The desire to change is there, and I love to see that.  

Sunday we had an attendance of 13.  An improvement from last week.  Elisa couldn't make it, her daughter was sick, but a less active, Fabian, and his nonmember wife showed up for the first time.  (They are the ones who got married back in February).  That was a pleasant surprise for us, because it was all their decision, we had not visited or seen them in several weeks.  This upcoming week we have exchanges with both the zone leaders and the other missionaries in our district, so it should be an exciting week.

At church this week, I spoke on Lesson 3 in PMG, and the Gospel Principles class was a little on the life of Christ.  Growing up in the church, I think I have taken for granted all of the stories about His life, because the people here know little to nothing.  So we showed some Bible videos, and it went well.  No plans or customs for Easter here that I know of.  We are working on trying to get a laptop, HDMI cable, and television for the chapel on Sunday so that we can watch at least one session of conference.  The most unusual thing that happened this week...that may be a story I save for when I get back.  

Speaking of exciting weeks, sounds like everybody back home was pretty busy!  2 mission calls, the beach, the rodeo, church activities, sounds like a blast!  I am really proud of Ty and Andra, my brothers from other mothers.  Brazil and Czechoslovakia, that is exciting.  Definitely 2 places I was not expecting for either one, but they will both have an amazing time.  

We still wash everything by hand.  Zone meeting is once a month, the rest are all district meetings.  No packages, but I did get your letter in the mail with 2 pictures and experiences from Grandpa.  Hard to believe I got my call over a year ago. Time flies!  Hope everybody is doing well.  Love you all!

Elder Mangum

Zone Meeting

Hey fam,

Another hot week here in Aimogasta!  We are supposed to be entering fall here, but it is as hot as ever.  A solid week overall, on Tuesday the family who stormed out of church a week ago called us because the father was sick and needed a blessing,  so we thought we were making progress with them.  Then Thursday he called the stake president because he had a question about when Stake Conference was, but he didn't like the way the Stake President answered the phone, so he threw another fit.  No, they did not come to church Sunday, and they didn’t attend us when we visited them with a member Sunday after church.  Everybody’s got their agency!

The full week in the hotel was great, showers and breakfasts, so life is good.  Friday we had a zone meeting with all the missionaries in La Rioja.  There are 3 greenies fresh out of the MTC this transfer in the zone.  I am actually the 4th oldest missionary in the zone in terms of experience, so that gives you an idea of how young the zone is.  I have also been in La Rioja longer than anybody else in the zone.  It was actually kind of funny during the meeting, because the Zone Leader asked a question and said "we’ll start with the people with the most experience here..Elder Mangum, what do you think?" Kind of took me by surprise, but it is true!  After the meeting, 8 of us went to that same restaurant with the Tanners to eat lunch, another Pollo Napolitano for me.  Friday was a really good day.

Sunday at church, we had a grand total of 9 people show up.  Definitely a drop from the 20 or so we had been having the past couple of weeks. Also, 5 of them were under the age of 13. I spoke on Faith during Sacrament Meeting.  Definitely a very different sacrament meeting where the majority are primary children listening. Sundays like these make the whole week hard.  All that work, and so few results. But the results will come, no doubts about that.

In church we sang the song  "Firmes creced enla fe" (hymn 166 in the Spanish hymnbook, I am having a mental block and can't translate the song into English.  It’s the one "shall the youth of zion falter...No!".) No exchanges this week.  Answered prayers..does it count that BYU got into the tournament?  Just kidding, yeah there were, with the zone meeting, there were some doubts that it would go as well as it did.  But all went smoothly.  What type of toast do I eat?  Well it’s the one where you have bread, that has been put in the toaster...as far as jelly, they have peach at the hotel, so another small blessing!

Glad to hear that everybody had a great week, and now it is spring break! Deep Fried Oreos!  Hey when y’all go to the rodeo this week, be sure to win me a Ford King Ranch truck or some type of Ford so that I can have something to drive when I get back home :)  

Have fun!  Hope everybody has a fantastic week!  

Love you all!

Elder Mangum

Staying in Aimogasta

Hey fam,

This week was a good one, and a quick one.  It was the last week of the transfer, and on Saturday we got the phone call...that both me and my companion are staying together here in Aimogasta for another 6 weeks.  I was not surprised, but definitely grateful, because that means I get to enjoy the month in the hotel!  I definitely enjoy the real showers and breakfast in the mornings, first time in months that I have been able to have that.  Although an Argentine breakfast is basically just toast and juice...no bacon and eggs and waffles like at hotels back home.  But it is definitely a step up from nothing, so I can't complain!  

Church yesterday was...interesting. We did have 20 people show up, so that was good, but then the real fun started. My comp gave the first talk, and started off the talk by saying how yesterday we got the call for transfers and that he is sorry to say that  he "is going...to stay here for another transfer to finish" his mission.  A family in the back got up and left when he said that, and the Dad told me as they left that they would not be coming back until this missionary left.  It has been an ongoing drama with this family and my comp this whole past transfer.  But we'll go visit the family and try and figure stuff out.  Sometimes its hard being a missionary, but hey, people have their agency to choose.   

On the bright side this week, we found a family that lives on the same street as the church, really it's 2 families, so we will see how that progresses.  I am hoping to have a bit more success these next 2 months here in Aimogasta, its been too long in between baptisms for my liking.  But we are having a solid attendance of about 20 nearly every week now, so the talk is to find a bigger place to move into in order to have sacrament meeting.  So the work is moving forward!

Sounds like y'all had a really good week!  And wow, HP doesn't play, they really go all out with their activities.  Man, I would love to eat a jalapeno, they don’t have spicy food here. I haven’t had chili since the USA. Should have gone with the peach cobbler Mom...haha but it sounds like it was a blast!  

Answers to your questions - The best hotel food...yesterday in the morning they did have a small pastry with cream in the middle that was pretty good.  During church I spoke on the baptismal covenant, and the "Why" we come to church.  Because until these people understand the basics, how am I supposed to get up there and talk about the more complicated stuff.  No spirits or devils lately, but we did talk to a drunk guy that wanted to Bible bash with us the other day.  But it wasn't very fun, because he was drunk, and didn't know the Bible.  Not a good combination for somebody who wants to talk religion.  Scriptures I have been focusing on – 1 Nephi 3:7, always a good one.  Also, Hebrews 5:4.

Love you guys, glad to hear that all is going well!

Elder Mangum

"Will We Be Willing?"

Pollo Napolitano

Hey fam,

This week was really good.  We found a couple of new people, and just had an all around good time.  Wednesday was a lot of fun, we had district meeting in La Rioja Capital, and then went to lunch with the senior couple, the Tanners.  They blew a ton of money, the best meal I have had in Argentina.  I had pollo napolitano.  It was chicken covered in ham, cheese, salsa, and it was delicious.   I only ate half, so the other half ended up being my lunch of Thursday as well.  After lunch with the Tanners, we went to their apartment where my companion took a practice English exam.  The mission has a program, where missionaries who do not speak English can take a test and receive a certificate from BYU saying that they know how to speak English, it is pretty cool.  So my comp worked on that, and I talked with Elder Tanner in English for a couple of hours, which was more difficult than you might think.  I kept throwing in Spanish words and phrases.  

Long Bus Rides to La Rioja Capital

On Friday we had the opportunity to go on exchanges with the zone leaders in La Rioja and have interviews with the mission president. I was with Elder Villar from Peru, we taught a couple of really good lessons during the day (and got to have another great lunch from one of the members in their ward) and then the interviews with President rolled around.  That was a really neat experience.  He asked how I was doing, and then we got right to talking about the area, and the changes necessary in order to improve it.  It was really cool, because he asked what I thought would be best, how certain people would do in the branch as leaders.  Then to end that subject, he told me that I will be in Aimogasta to "make history" or "to literally be a part of history."  The way Spanish works when somebody is talking, it could very well have been either of the two.  But I get the feeling he kind of meant both.  So I may end up being in this area for a long, long time.  We talked about a couple of other subjects, such as calling and election and the missionary library.  We ended, he gave me a hug, then grabbed me by the shoulder and said "Elder.  You have this attribute about you, you take the things of the church very seriously and have your mind focused on the sacred things, and your eyes focused on the temple for yourself and for your branch members.  You will be a great leader very soon."  That was also pretty sweet to hear.

Sunday we had 21 people show up, including the branch president of the branch that we are actually apart of.  We had been bugging him for weeks to come, and he finally came.  We gave a youth the priesthood and ordained him a teacher, so that was definite progress.  Things are picking up here in Aimogasta.  We also got permission from President to move into a hotel for the month of March while they fix up our pension, so that will be really good. Finally, a real shower!  And breakfast everyday...have not had that in quite a while!  It will be a great month.

Sounds like y’all had a great week.  I am pumped that BYU beat the Zags, it’s about time.  Sounds like changes are going on back home, or are about to happen.  Fun times.  It is sad that basketball season is over, but I have no doubt that Jake learned a ton. A song I sang this week...Onward Christian Soldiers, the normal one from the hymnbook, not the same version as the one in the video :).  Favorite Star Wars Jedi has to be Obi Wan.  I love the Owens, they always make my month when I get their letters and hear their stories.  Glad to hear that everybody is doing well.

Love you all, and (late) Happy Go Texan Day!

Elder Mangum

Zone Conference

Hey fam (and everybody else in the Maplehood!)

It is great to hear from you!  The week was really good, highlights include exchanges with the other members of the district on Wednesday and the Zone Conference on Friday.  

Wednesday we went in to La Rioja Capital and did intercambios with La Quebrada. I was with Elder Southwick from Utah in the morning (he has about 16 months in the mission) and Elder Golding from Idaho in the afternoon (he has the same amount of time as me.)  We had to do exchanges like that because President was asking reports from the district leaders a week early, and we had not done any intercambios yet.  2 birds with one stone.  Or in this case, 2 exchanges in 1 day.  It was a lot of fun.  Every time we go and do exchanges with these Elders, it pours down rain.  Elder Southwick and I got completely soaked in the morning, running in the rain from appointment to appointment.  We managed to get some trash bags to throw our backpacks in so our scriptures wouldn't get ruined.  Good times, and what is funny is that the only times it has ever rained in my 3 months here, is when we go and do exchanges.  For lunch the 4 of us Elders got back together, and each of us ate an entire chicken.  Yes, you read that right, an entire chicken each.  We were hungry.  In the afternoon I was with Elder Golding, and we had a great time, talking about the MTC and Dr. Pepper.  We were not in the same district in the MTC, so we did not know each other until we got to Argentina, but it was sweet to swap MTC stories and mission stories with somebody who has been out the same amount of time as I have.

Friday was the conference, and that was really enlightening.  My comp and I got to get up in front of everybody (about 40 missionaries) and teach the Area President and his wife about the Book of Mormon and invite them to read and pray about it, everybody said we did a good job.  My comp just got up and started walking up to the stand when they asked for a volunteer companionship, so I had to follow!  But we did well.  A big focus of the conference was the Book of Mormon, and the important role that it should play in each of our lives.  In section 84 it talks about the "new covenant of the Book of Mormon" and Elder Gonzolez expanded a little on that, saying how important it is that we read it on a daily basis.  Also, he promised us that if our converts and investigators get started in the habit early of reading the Book of Mormon, they are almost certain to stay active in the church.  It was a really good conference.

On Sunday I talked about the role of the parents, using as an emphasis various examples from the Book of Mormon, such as the Army of Helaman, Alma talking to his sons, and Nephi declaring in the very first verse of the book that he was born of goodly parents.  I started off the talk by paraphrasing (and translating) the country song "Watching You" by Rodney Atkins.  It was a great way to grab everybody's attention to start, and to show how crucial the role and example of the parents are to their children, and how we never know when they are watching.

My favorite part of the week was definitely the conference, very uplifting.  Although the funnest part was the afternoon with Golding.  I saw a bunch of missionaries from the MTC at the conference, I think there were 5 of us there from the 17 that came on the airplane together.  We did eat pretty good this week, empanadas at the conference and chicken on Wednesday, no complaints there.  As far as things I need, I will never say no to socks or ties, and winter clothing would definitely be of use in the coming months.  A couple of sweaters and a pair of gloves, if they are not already en route.  The carnival holiday here this week..not a fan, it kept me up all night.  I probably got about 20 hours of sleep in the past week of so. My favorite color is definitely still Blue!  The kid in the picture  from a couple weeks ago is 10, he is not the deacon who passes the sacrament.

That is an awesome story about Brother Owens, I especially enjoyed the part at the bus stop. I laughed out loud and got various looks from the other people in the internet cafe. Sounds like you all had an awesome, and very busy, week.  Always great to hear about all of y’alls experiences, and congrats to Jake for scoring in the game and Hayley for rocking it in her theatre competition!  

Love you all, and hope you have another fantastic week!  Happy Birthday to Uncle Matt!

Elder Mangum

An Apostle's Testimony of 

The Book of Mormon

Exchanges

Hey fam,

This week was good.  Crazy that we are already almost in March, time is flying.  During the week the zone leaders came and we did exchanges, I was with an Elder from Utah, so it was nice to speak English for a few hours.  During the week we found a couple of new people who seemed to express interest, but we will see how they progress.  This week we had 7 people show up, 5 if you don't include the missionaries, a big drop from the past couple of weeks.  It doesn't make much sense to me, we visit everybody every week, and some weeks lots come, and others nobody comes.  

Wednesday we went to the city La Rioja to practice the medley we are going to sing in the conference this upcoming Friday.  It is 3 or 4 primary songs all put together, ending with We are as the Army of Helaman in English.  It has potential, but we will see how it goes.    Sunday I taught the Gospel Principles lesson on "Jesus Christ, our Chosen Leader and Savior."  Talked a little about the premortal life and how we all had a testimony of the plan of salvation before we chose to came here, and how we chose Christ before the foundation of the world to be our Savior.  It went fairly well, and I ended by showing the Mormon Message "He Lives" with various apostles testifying of Christ.  In sacrament I gave a talk on the principle of service, and how when we serve those around us, we are serving God.  I read some of the hymn A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief. I also read those verses at the end of Matthew 25, great minds think alike! It went really well, the Spirit was definitely strong. 

No pool (font) yet, we have not received the money to buy it.  The best part of the week...once again I would have to say Monday reading the emails.  I am sunburned 24/7 here, but I think my skin is adjusting.  No interesting new people.  My favorite drink..there is an apple flavored soda, that tastes like a mix between apple beer and cream soda that is really good.  We drink quite a bit of that.  We can buy a 3.5 liter container for 17 pesos (about 2 bucks) so I figure that is a pretty good deal.  Man I miss smoothies!

Glad to hear everybody is doing well, and that y’all are enjoying life!  I love hearing about what everybody does during the week.

Love you all!

Elder Michael Mangum

He Lives

A Wedding

Buen día mi querido familia,

This week was a good one, my comp and I are getting into a nice routine and time is starting to fly by.  Tuesday we spent all day disassembling the "baptismal font" which was not really ours, and belongs to a member of the stake presidency that now wants his swimming pool back.  It took the whole day to take it apart and clean it out, we ended up soaked in sweat after hours and hours of working on it, but we did it.  Wednesday we went to La Rioja capital to have a zone meeting.  We talked a lot about the vision for the zone and the mission this transfer, and the 3 things necessary to have progressing investigators. The same 3 things that were necessary for the Liahona to function, Faith, Diligence, and Attention. Then we went to downtown and spent the whole afternoon searching for a new portable pool for baptisms, which we did find, and have planned to buy this next Wednesday when we go again to the capital. 

Friday we had a wedding!  A member got married with a nonmember girl, who has expressed interest in getting baptized, and have come to church before.  They did not come on Sunday, but she has already had all the lessons from the missionaries and knows the doctrine, just needs to apply it to her life (just like the members here).  It was neat to be there at the ceremony, although all it consists of is signing a piece of paper. No exchanging of rings or anything.  

The Wedding

Sunday was really good.  We had 18 people show up, once again a very high number for this branch here.  2 nonmembers who are investigating, so we should have baptisms at the end of the month if they keep coming to church.  I gave a talk on the Plan of Salvation, with an emphasis on how death is not the end, and in reality it is a very small but necessary step in the journey.  It was a good meeting, and hopefully we can maintain attendance around 20 and not drop back down.  We visit all the members here multiple times a week, it is hard for me to understand why they do not make the decision to come.

Glad to hear that everybody is doing well!  That is great that Hayley had the opportunity to give a talk on Temples, they really are a very special place.  They do celebrate Valentines here in Argentina, however as missionaries I do not believe we will be big participants in the celebrations.  Church was all Plan ofSalvation.  Nothing too crazy this week, we do have a conference coming up with the missionaries in Catamarca and La Rioja (2 whole provinces) with WalterF. Gonzalez of the 70, on the 20th of February.  Everything I ate was normal, and all the people do here is sleep. Very rare to see kids playing out in the street (it does not help with the heat we have here).  School is nothing like ours, they go for 4 or 5 hours and that is it.  They can choose whether to go in the morning, the afternoon, or at night.  Very different.  Best part of the week..today!  Writing the family and friends, hearing how everybody is doing!

Love you all!

Elder Mangum

Sacrifice bring blessings!

Hey Fam, 

Happy Groundhog Day! Life in Aimogasta is going well, my companion and I get along really well, we are having a blast. The week was great, we visited all the members that I knew where they lived, and found a couple more members that I had never met. A week of working hard, ended with a record 23 people in Sacrament Meeting. Hard work and sacrifices pay off! We had 3 investigators come, which was awesome. Everybody seemed to bring a less active friend or a nonmember, and the "chapel" was literally full! 

Unlike the last fast and testimony meeting, we actually lasted the full hour! 4 or 5 members got up to share their testimony, as well as us 2 missionaries. I testified with a focus on the plan of salvation and the Atonement. We covered doctrine from all 5 of the missionary lessons, and afterwards multiple members came up saying this was the most powerful church meeting that they had been a part of. They said they very literally felt the presence of the Spirit there with us. Definitely a good week! I listened to a talk this week that Elder Holland gave in the MTC about a decade ago, talking about Missionary Work and the Atonement. Not sure if you all will be able to find it, it’s about 45 minutes long, but extremely powerful. Talked about the importance of focusing on the Atonement in every lesson that we teach, and how when we testify about Christ and his role as the Savior and Redeemer of the world, we invoke the powers of Heaven in a very literal way. It was an awesome talk.

We sang O, God the Eternal Father as our sacrament hymn. The funniest thing was playing games in an FHE with a less active family and a bunch of little kids from their neighborhood. It is as dry as Death Valley here, very little rain. No, I did not eat anything sweet this week. My comp is cool, he is a convert, got baptized when he was 15 and his family kicked him out of the house. After a little while they accepted him back, but then he gave up a position in the government in Peru to come on the mission, and they disowned him. But about halfway through the mission they sent an email saying they want to be baptized, so it’s all good. Another testimony that sacrifices brings blessings! 

Love you guys, hope that everybody is doing well! 
Elder Mangum

Missionary Work and the Atonement

Henry B. Eyring and Jeffrey R Holland

Text taken from Elder Holland's original talk to Missionaries at the MTC in 2000
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2001/03/missionary-work-and-the-atonement?lang=eng