August 29, 2016 - from Sam

Wow its been a month already! Pretty crazy.

Well as I said last week I had changes! Im now in "Tierra Nueva" (New Land) also called "Parroquia" (Pah-Roh-Kee-Uh).  I'm now a District Leader and my new companion is Elder Leiva from Chile! He's 18 which is weird that hes the same age as my brother, but hes really super awesome. He just finished his training and now has 3 months in the mission. Hes super humble and easy to get along with and weve become friends pretty quickly. He played semi-professional futbol in Chile. Dude has four hands I swear hes insanse watching him play. 

The new area is great. Its the first area Ive ever had where the ward is super strong and we get a lot of help from them. A big part because theres at least 12 or 13 return missionaries which especially in Central America makes a huge difference.  

I can also now say that the three areas Ive been in in my mission have also been the three most dangerous areas in the mission. All the members joke with me about it when they hear about my previous areas. Pretty similar to Limon as far as gang activity and violence. The gangs ask for money monthly from every store and all the bus drivers. If they dont pay or dont have enough they kill them. Without really blinking an eye. Honestly I dont feel it at all though, everyone respects the missionaries and I loooooovvvvveeee messing around with the drunks laying on the street and making jokes with the gang members. Honestly its whenever you walk past them and ignore them and act scared when they mess with you so ive learned to talk to them and make jokes with them. 

One of them challenged me to an arm wrestling match and I told him if I won he had to come to church on Sunday. So, obviously, I whooped his friggin can and his lil gang bangin self was sittin in the 3rd row pew on church on sunday. Super dope.

We saw really so much success this week. So many miracles and investigators stepping up to the plate and coming through with what they asked them to do. One guy named Jose Maria came up to us one night super drunk. Hes a complete alcoholic. Every night he drinks half of a flask of 36% liqour bottle and then wakes up at 4 in the morning to drink the rest. He asked us to help him and he has a serious desire to get his life back. He is a little nuts, but I can tell you he hasnt drank a sip of alcohol in three days. Pretty incredible for drinking basically a flask of almost moonshine every night.

Although I saw much success in my first mission and was fairly obedient, I can't really describe the difference in my second mission here. Especially this past week. I know why Im here. I know my purpose and the things I have to do for myself while I am here. Im not saying Im this super amazing person or missionary by any means. I just know the change that I have experienced and really the difference in my mentality is night and day. I love this mission and I love serving these people and bringing them to the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Alma 36, Alma the Younger is telling his son Helaman about his experience when the angel came and rebuked him for trying to destroy the church. All his life as a young adult he went around teaching good people about the error in their ways and that there was no Christ and tried to lead them "to their destruction." Then the angel came down and struck him dumb that he could not move for three days. 36:12-13 reads "But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins. Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; ea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God and that I had not kept his holy commandments. Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto great (spiritual) destruction." Then verse 17 reads: And it came to pass that as i was thus racked with torment while i was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world." Verse 20-21: "And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! Yea, I say unto you my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy."

The experience that Alma had is one we can all relate to. I particulary can relate to this. I know the pains of sin. I know the agony it brings. But I have also experienced the joy in forgiveness and the joy in the knowledge that Jesus Christ died for me.  We can all experience that same change of heart if we seek Him. 

Here are some pics of me and Elder Leiva and then the sisters in my district. Also a hugeee ditch where everyone just tosses their trash... guatemala lol

.

​ 

Elder Gurksnis

August 28, 2016 - From Mom

Hola Elder Gurksnis!

How are you??!!! This week was a fast one for me but I have thought about you all week!  I'm hoping your new area is a good one and that you have a good companion.  I'm so anxious to hear all you have been doing!  It is so hard when I have to wait a whole week before I even know where you are!  But I so appreciate your desire to be obedient so I will do my part to support that by being obedient too and not asking for pictures during the week:) Are you healthy?  Eating good? Sleeping better? Feeling strong?

How was it meeting the Flygare family?  Was it hard to say goodbye?  Did you like the little stuff I sent you?  I have heard they are having trouble getting mail in Guatemala now and packages specifically.  Have you heard anything about that?  There are some delivery companies that apparently take trips to Guatemala and deliver packages to missionaries there.  I'll have to look into that.  But what have you heard about the mail?

Well our week was a busy one.  Abby started school Monday and we left Tuesday for Provo.  We moved Grayson into the dorms Wednesday and got him settled in.  The bad news is we met his roommate.  Honestly, I did not see a more awkward kid on the entire campus.  I thought he had a mental disability at first.  But then he pulled out his 5 Rubik cube trophies (not the kind with 9 panels on each side... these are the crazy hard ones with like 24 panels on each side) and placed them in a position of prominence on his bookshelf.  So the guy is probably crazy smart but sooooo shy and awkward.  I kept talking to him because I was afraid to look over at Grayson's face incase he was freaking out.  Actually Gray handled it really good.  We told him to be sure to be nice and include him, but it was okay to meet lots of other people.  And that is what he is doing.  I think all the fun orientation stuff has been great and he is meeting people.  If nothing else, the strange roommate will be good mission training for difficult companions!  I know he will have great times and difficult times ahead, but for now he seems to be doing great and is happy.

I feel so blessed that you and Grayson get to attend such an incredible university.  Dad was really getting his first good look at the campus and he was blown away.  It has a different feeling than other college campuses.  You really can feel the spirit there and it really is a privilege to go to BYU.

We had our Seminary kick off tonight and we start in the morning.  No more summer sleeping in for me!  I have 2 autistic kids in my class and 1 boy who hates coming to seminary and apparently sneaks out and walks the halls the whole time.  I'm a little nervous for my new class.  I just hope we have the chemistry that I did with my last class.  Here is my reading assignment for you for the next week (starting September 2):  Matt 1-3, Luke 1-3 and John 1.  We basically cover the birth of Christ - meeting John the Baptist.  I would love any insights you can give me!  I'll keep sending you my reading assignments 1 week ahead.

President Platt came up to me tonight and told me how much he loves your letters.  He said he always smiles when he reads them.  He's really proud of you!

Here is my spiritual thought I wanted to share with you.  This comes from a lesson I'm preparing.  Once Paul, on one of his missions, stumbled upon a troubling sight in Athens.  An altar was built and the people were worshiping at the altar.  Inscribed on the base of the altar was, "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD."  It has me thinking about my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior.  How well do I know them?  If you think about an event like a car accident, there are different ways to know about it.  You could read about it and feel bad for those involved.  Or you could actually see the accident take place and see the wreckage.  But it is quite different to be in the speeding car and feel the loss of control and you spin toward the impact.  We can compare that to how well we know Christ.  Do we read about his life and know things about him?  Or maybe we feel the spirit occasionally in our life like an out of town visitor.  But the best knowledge is when we feel and recognize his love and guidance in our life regularly and he has become our closest brother and friend.  I really want to strive for that kind of relationship with Him.  I know its possible but it takes great effort.  My best effort is required to receive the greatest blessings He has in store for me. 

I know you are working on that kind of relationship too.  I know you are putting forth your best personal effort and you will receive some of his choicest blessings that he desires to give you.  Thank you for your example, Sam.  To me and to so many others.  You amaze me and I feel so blessed to be you mom.  You bless my life in countless ways and I love you so very much!

I'm praying very hard for you!  I pray that you listen to the spirit always and stay inspired and safe.  I pray that you feel your savior's love and his arms around you.  I pray that you can feel your family praying for you and our love for you.  And I pray that you are happy knowing that you are doing such an amazing thing!  I love you my son!  Infinity + infinity and even more than that!

mom

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

August 22, 2016 - From Sam

Week three and my final week in the trio with Elder Flygare and Elder Cardenas is in the books! It was a solid three weeks. We had a lot of success and a lot of fun together. Two really great missionaries. Especially Elder Flygare! He´s from my MTC group and is going home tomorrow. 2 years is up. Kinda weird that my group is going haha

The change is over and as expected Ill be heading to a new area! Dont have any more details than that and wont until tomorrow morning. Well get to the office and theyll tell me where and who im going with and jump in a taxi and head out.

Before you read any further check out the pics... The ward had a ¨going away party¨ of sorts for me and Elder Flygare. They made us signs and mine said ¨Good luck in your new area Elder Gorksnees¨.... I guess three weeks isnt enough time to learn a name like Gurksnis for Latinos especially hahaha I was dying when I saw it.

Dont have a lot of time this week.  But Laura and Hillary are two investigators weve been teaching.  About a week and a half ago I saw their husband bringing down a bunch of cement blocks. I felt a strong feeling to offer to help. After I saw how much he had left I felt as if I might regret it, but two hours and a little bit of booty sweat later I was happy that we were in their house teaching their family. Laura and Hillary have been at church two weeks in a row and will be baptised shortly after i leave! 

Jose was another miracle who was just a 16 year old kid we contacted in the street. He and his dad now come to church every sunday and leave at 630 in the morning so that his disabled dad can have an hour and a half to walk there. Jose bought a suit on his own a week later when really they have absolutely nothing. Dirt poor. His dad cut his long hair and shaved his two year long beard. All on their own. 

Ive been blessed to see so many miracles in three short weeks. I cant wait to see the miracles in my next area.

My scripture for the week is John 6:67-69

Jesus preaches to the multitude of the sacrifice He will soon make. Those that will ëat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood will have eternal life¨. Many followers did not understand and found offense to this and left Him. Then Jesus turns to His apostles and says 67:Then said Jesus unto the twelve, will you also go away 68:Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life 69:And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

As this world continually becomes worse and worse, I am sure that God is saddened by the turning away of many of His chlidren. I ask you when you feel temptation to be as Peter. ¨Lord where else would we go? Though hast the words of Eternal Life.¨

I love you all! Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Gorksnees

August 21, 2016 - From Mom

Hi baby!  Oh this was a long week!  No pictures and so it felt longer:)  (Well I did get to see one picture of you and Flygare holding up posters from Sister de Leon.. so fun!) I'm sure that means you're incredibly busy which makes me so happy!  I can't believe how many lessons  you taught last week!  How are your investigators going?  I have a few quick questions I'll get out of the way...

1. How are you feeling?  Any anxiety still? Do you know how much we all love you and think about you constantly?

2. How are you sleeping and eating?

3. Do you get fed meals in this area? 

4. Do you know about your changes yet? Where are you going? Do you know who your comp will be?

Tomorrow you will get to see Brother and Sister Flygare!  I have some things for you that she is delivering!  Take a close look at the back of the tie... special surprise:)  I so wish I was able to fit in her suitcase and come give you a giant hug.  But I know it's not our time yet.  You have a very important calling you are fulfilling now.  Your faithful service will make our reunion even greater when the time comes.  And you'll be able to know you did your best and gave it all to the Lord.

Tonight Dad gave G and A father's blessings for the start of school.  Abby starts tomorrow and on Tuesday we bring Grayson to BYU.  I can't believe he is going!  Its going to be so quiet around here... I don't even want to think about it! He has his mission papers all filled out and will wait until he gets to BYU to have his final interviews with his Bishop and SP.  The plan is to have his papers turned in by early September.  We will actually know in a few weeks where Gray will be going!!  He doesn't seem hesitant at all.  He is ready to move forward.  I'm sure he gains a lot of confidence watching you first.  He knows what blessings a mission can bring so I think he feels good about it.  You're a great example to him.  He has seen you deal with incredibly hard things but you chose the right anyway.  That is pretty powerful.  I really appreciate you being such a great example to your brother and sister.  They really look up to you and want to be like you. A mother couldn't ask for anything greater from her oldest child!

Jeter didn't do very well when we were in Colorado!  I think he was really stressed without us here.  He had diarrhea all over upstairs... twice.  And we gave a key to the house to Taylor so she would have a place to get away from it all when she needed to.  So she saw the poop and cleaned it up... twice!!! Going beyond the call of duty for sure!  I feel bad we only brought her back a t-shirt... 

Other than getting the kids ready for school, I've been busy getting ready for seminary which starts in a week.  I have Abby in my class!  I'm excited about it but I'm not sure she is.  I keep kidding her about the embarrassing stories I'm going to tell about her and how I'll always call on her to answer the hard questions.  I'm excited to be teaching the New Testament!  This calling is extremely difficult and takes a big commitment (I guess you know all about that!) but it has been so great for me personally.  I love studying the scriptures in depth and my testimony has grown so much.  

Here is my spiritual thought for the day... I was reading my scriptures and a thought came to me.  Do we pray and read our scriptures in order to check it off our list of things we are supposed to do?  Or do we read and pray in order to develop a relationship with our Savior and become more like him?  We often think the answer to any of life's problems is to pray and read our scriptures... the primary answer.  But those things are most valuable if there is sincere effort behind them to grow closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior.  That is the goal... not to just do it for the sake of doing it (although there is value in establishing a habit of doing it).  Think about where you are on the spectrum of checking it off your list to developing a meaningful relationship with the Savior.  Are you becoming more dependent on Him and more willing to trust His will for you?  

I love you so much, Sam!  You are on my mind often throughout the day.  I wonder what you are doing right at that moment.  It helps me to remember that we are under the same moon.  When you look up at the moon at night, know that I am looking at it too and thinking of you... saying a prayer for you.  I love you infinity plus infinity!  

I hope you have the greatest week!  All my love, my son! xoxoxox

mom

p.s. Pictures are of Abby this morning (first day of school), Grayson mission picture and the four of us in Colorado missing you!

August 15, 2016 - From Sam

Wow what a week. We had quite a succesful week and it went by fast and was great! 

Ill start with a couple funny things. Elder Cardenas is super skinny and he wants to get big. I gave him a few excersises he could do. The next day he was bugging the crap out of me and Elder Flygare. We got back that night and he asked what he can eat to get bigger. I told him my secret is... grapes... he went out and bought literally five pounds of grapes and he just pounds them down every night hahahaha I constantly laugh while watching him eat grapes but he has no idea why hahah

So this week was succesful because we taught 41 lessons in one week which was the most in the mission this week! We worked super hard and it felt great. We had 9 investigators in sacrament meeting and are teaching FIVE different families right now who ALL have super awesome potential and are progressing. Truly incredible. I am sad that changes are next week and theres a very small chance Ill be here to watch them progress. But theyre all pretty amazing. 

One mother in particular has been an investigator for quite a while now. We were teaching her this week and I felt inspired to tell her the conversion story of my dad. He took a long time to commit to baptism because he felt he needed to know every single thing about the gospel before he was baptised. There was apparently even a picture of him in the mission home and under his picture it said ¨Baptise this man and go home two months early¨. Haha! Then a senior missionary couple started teaching him and the elderly man told him although hed been a bishop and had held multiple different callings, he was still learning something knew every day about the gospel. He was then baptised soon after. I told her that story and she committed to baptism. Pretty special. 

My scripture I wanted to share this week was Alma 5:60 ¨And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you and if you will hearken unto His voice he will bring you into His fold, and ye are His sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you...¨ I love this scripture. Although at times in our lives we may feel far from our Heavenly Father, he is always calling out to us with open arms. He is our shepherd and we are His sheep. The bible says ¨what shepherd having 100 sheep would not leave the ninety and nine to find the one that is lost.¨ If you are lost, he is searching for you. Ive experienced this in my own life many a time. Especially in this last year or so. He loves you and will always be ready to accept you back into His fold if you seek after Him. 

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!

Elder Gurksnis

August 14, 2016 - From Mom

Hi sweetie!  How was Week 2?! I hope you are doing great!  It is my prayer every day that you are not too homesick and you are digging into the work.  I hope you are aware of how amazing this is... what you have done.  I was reading a Missionary Mom facebook post about a young man that came home after only a few weeks on his mission.  He came home with a strong testimony but slowly began to drift farther and farther away from the gospel. I know how much opposition you faced and how easy it would have been for you to have given up and moved on.  I read about  the heartache the mother feels at her son's path.  And I feel for her and all the others that added their comments and shared that they had similar experiences.  I guess it just reminds me of how special you are.  I loved Elder Flygare's letter last week (I forwarded it to you).  I loved how you gained a contact by serving somenone... just like Ammon. I was so proud of you when I read his letter!  Flygare said he was excited about his last 3 weeks because he was going to be with the "best missionary."  What a great young man and how he looks up to you.  

Speaking of Flygare, his mom will be there next Tuesday to pick him up and she has several things for you.  I sent them to her and she is bringing them down.  I figured it was the fastest and most affordable way to get them to you.  She was nice enough to offer to bring them:)  She promised to get a picture of you for me.  

I'll be writing you from Denver tomorrow.  We got here last night.  We had a good week.  We drove to Moab (the scenic route because Grayson made us go to a lake that we actually couldn't get to and it added only 4 hours to our 12 hour drive) : / From there we went into Colorado heading towards Denver.

We have had a good time but we all miss you so much!  Its just not the same without you.  We have scouted out some great places for you to fish when you get home!  We also took some great hikes with just beautiful views.  I'm sure its similar to what you did/saw in Utah.  Just gorgeous country here. We took a 1 mile hike (doesn't sound so bad, right?) that goes straight up a mountain.  It was pretty challenging but then you get to the top and there is a lake with a waterfall that is just amazing.  It's called Hanging Lake.  The water was just crystal clear. One of the prettiest things I've ever scene.  We already decided we will take you there when you go back to BYU after your mission. I've attached a picture:)

 Tomorrow we are taking grandpa Tom out for his 75th birthday that is later this month.  AND dad volunteered me to got to one of Gayle's rehersals for a local community play that she is in... should be awesome...Nothing sounds more exciting than a senior citizen community play. Hmmm... But as Grayson said at dinner tonight, "sometimes you have to do something you don't want to because its for family."  Dad and I just started cracking up because that came from Grayson's mouth!  Can you believe that Gray leaves for college next Tuesday?!! It's hard for me to wrap my head around it.  Two of my boys leaving home within a couple of weeks. Ugh. But it is so exciting for him. 

I read something from President Uchtdorf this week that reminds me of you.  He said, " The Lord knows you.  He knows your heart and is pleased with your sacrifice. He smiles upon you each day.  He will uphold you and prepare the way for you.  He will send His angels before you.  You will feel their presence. And with the help of heaven, your talents will be multiplied. I promise you that as you lift those around you, the Lord God, the Creator of the universe, will lift you up.  If you will only believe and incline your heart to our Beloved Father, He will place within you a peace that surpasses understanding.  He will give you joy.  May you always remember this."

This is my prayer for you.  That you truly know this and feel this.  I said a prayer for you yesterday when we were at a quiet lake and I just prayed that you would feel the love of your family and the love of your Heavenly Father at that moment.  I am so incredibly happy for you, proud of you... and I love you so very much.  I love you my son.  Have a wonderful week!  I'll be waiting to chat with you online.  

xoxoxo

mom

p.s. Hopefully you can open the two videos I sent you!

August 8, 2016 - From Sam

Welp! Im back. Crazy to be back after being away from Guatemala for over one year. First let me just say I´m doing great! I love being back in the mission. It´s really an incredible feeling.  My spanish is all coming back and I already feel almost back to my normal mission self.

President Crapo thankfully put me in a trio with two zone leaders Elder Flygare, who is my buddy from the MTC who is going home in two weeks, and his companion Elder Cardenas.  Our area is called ¨Quatro de Febrero¨ which is the name of the main colony we work in.  We have seen so many amazing things already.

The first couple days were some of the hardest days ever to be honest. I was a little homesick, but the anxiety I had from doing a complete 180 of my daily life was insane. I´ve never had anxiety before or stress like that and it was almost unbearable. The mission is already so different from normal life, plus a lot of the things I remembered about the mission had changed. The way we work and the weekly routine. Not drastically but it was just another thing that was different and made it more difficult. I definitely thought at one point that there was just no way that I could do this.

Wednesday night I prayed so hard. I just prayed that my head could clear and I could focus again on what I came back to finish and what I am to accomplish as a missionary. I prayed that I could leave all of my personal problems and focus on the people that I was suppose to be serving.  It was difficult, but then I read in the Book of Mormon Alma 7:11-12 ¨And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind. And this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people... That he may know according to the flesh how to succor (comfort) his people according to their infirmities.¨ 

Although those first 2 or 3 days I felt as if no one could really understand what I was going through, it was then that I realized, again, that the Savior always knows our pains and afflictions. He understands them better than we ourselves understand them. I woke up Thursday morning and all the anxiety and stress was gone. I felt totally back to normal and accustomed to the mission again.  I was honestly maybe the most thankful that I have ever been in my life, that God answered my prayer. 

There´s honestly so much I want to share with you all.  But my time is limited so I´ll end with one last spiritual thought.  I read this week as well in Mosiah 15.  Verses 7-8 prophecy of the Atonement and Crucifixion of Christ. It says, ¨Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up by the will of the Father... and thus God breaketh the bands of death...¨  

Jesus Christ did not want to suffer the pain that he suffered.  He asked His Father to ¨let this cup pass from me¨.  But he says ´nevertheless not my will, but thine be done´. One thing that I feel I can be proud of in these past few years is always trying to do what the Lord wants me to do. I knew how difficult it would be to come back but I know doing what I want to do isn´t how I become closer to my Heavenly Father, but by doing His will for me.  

I love Him with all my heart. And I know this year will be tough at times, but I know 100% that this is where I´m suppose to be. I can´t wait to continue to see the miracles that will happen in this next year.  I know this church is true with every ounce of my being. I know I am on the Lord´s errand doing His work.  I love you all with all my heart! Talk to you next week!

Love Elder Gurksnis

Some quick family pics before Elder Gurksnis headed out.

Letter from Elder Flygare

These will be the best three weeks that I will have in the mission!  Well we are in a trio again BUT with one of the best missionaries that I know! First look at the picture that I sent and see if you guys remember where you have seen this person!  Well his name is Elder Gurksnis... and he came back to the mission! He's from my group! I was so excited when president told me that he was going to be my companion! President told me that he was going to be my companion 2 seconds before I saw Elder Gurksnis. We were in a meeting with the leaders of the mission and he told me outside and then I walk inside the chapel and Elder Gurksnis was right there! I can't tell you guys how happy I am to have him as my companion!I hope that I can be a good example for him in these last two weeks so we can have success and so he can be excited for this next year to teach everyone that he finds and to baptize a ton of people!

> Also, this Sunday we were able to have 5 investigators in sacrament meeting! And out of these five people, one of them was someone that we taught just the day before.  The story of how we found her was that we were talking to someone on the street and we noticed that a man was passing by us carrying cement blocks, so after we talked to the person on the street, Elder Gurksnis asked if he would like us to help him with the blocks, and he told that we could help him, so we went to where he had all of the blocks and we had to take the blocks to his house which was like 80 steps of stairs to go down to his house because he lives in a ravine. So we helped him move 100 blocks that were bigger than the normal sized blocks and he and his wife then gave us lunch for free for helping them! So we then taught them and the wife told us that she was going to come to church with us so she came with us! The husband had to work so he didn't come.
> Well also this week I have been reading in Alma, and in this week I was reading in Alma 48 and it really impacted me what I read! Because this chapter is talking about one of my favorite leaders in the Book of Mormon and it's talking about Moroni!Alma 48:11-13 & 1711 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.
> In these three verses it talks about he is a man! A man of God! It says the word man 7 times in these 3 verses! and its really important that each of us, man or women can become like him. and why should we become like him? well in verse 17 tells us why,17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
>
> If we are men and women of God like he was, we will see more miracles in our lives and we will see that we won't sin as much. We need to be converted unto the Lord like Moroni and we get a conversion through scripture study, prayers, fasting, and our family home evenings. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior.  I know that he showed us the perfect example that we need to follow.
> Elder Flygare