Week 69 (03/16/20) "Coronavirus Pandemic” !!! 

Hey Family!

How’s everyone doing?  Hope that this email will find you well, safe, and healthy. Why are we afraid of the unknown? What about it scares us? Maybe more the fact that we feel unprepared? As you know, our beloved Prophet, has advised us that we are no longer permitted to be gathered in large groups, such as church, and church functions, for our protection, because of this virus. I pray that you might all pray that the best doctors and scientist in the world might be blessed with the knowledge to find a cure.

We were instructed by our Mission President to stay calm, and avoid making much contact with people, and be especially careful with people of an older age, as their immune system isn’t as strong as ours. So, my thoughts are to encourage you all to wash your hands OFTEN! Don’t just throw some water on them, use lots of hand sanitizer, stock your homes with good nonperishable food, and pray A LOT!!! 

How might this affect our baptisms, church attendance and proselyting time? Baptisms need to be in SMALL numbers, like the missionaries, someone baptizing, and other men with priesthood to confirm them on the spot. How might it affect our church attendance? We’re not permitted to be gathered in large groups, so we will probably stay home, and study together, and maybe have someone come to our home and bless the sacrament for us.

Side note - I asked President if maybe he could give us sisters the priesthood and we could bless it ourselves, LOL!!! He laughed and said don’t worry. What we know is that maybe not every week we will have the chance to partake of the sacrament but probably at least once a month. Which I’m hoping it won’t be months but just maybe 1 or 2. He also had said that maybe we can go to the home of someone we are teaching and watch a film with them about the church. Proselyting will remain the same, for now, but just use caution with contact. And also, we will not have no more district council until further notice.

I loved what president Santos also said that lessons will be different, they should and will be more spiritual. As I wrote this a few days ago, a few things have changed. We are now allowed to have district council.

How was everyone’s Sunday? For me it was spiritual. Yesterday morning, we went to our ward mission leaders home, and he blessed the sacrament for us. I do have a great appreciation for the sacrament.  Yesterday when I took it, it’s almost as if I had another outlook on it, and I was brought to tears.

I was so grateful that we have men who are worthy to bless the sacrament. Something so simple but what a privilege it is. I hope that those who have the Priesthood understand what a great privilege they have. So, to those, thank you. 

Later that evening, the other sisters helped a lady prepare for baptism, and it was also very special, and different. Just us missionaries, the bishop, the ward mission leader, and the president of RS and the lady’s son.  VERY few people, and then afterwards she was confirmed.

Afterwards we taught a man, whose religious background is Messianic.  It’s a Japanese based religion, who’s more like into good vibes, help your neighbor, cherish the beauty in the world, etc. He spoke to us as if we were his past ancestors, and he had a message for them.  He said a prayer in Japanese, it was very interesting. We basically taught him that God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are different, and we aren’t Gods yet, He thinks we are Gods, and his religious leader is the same level as Jesus. He respected us, and we respected him, but we’ll see what happens when we return next week.

I think that pretty much sums up my week. Nothing crazy happened or ridiculously funny. No splits or exchanges this week, but maybe next week. We will have to see what happens.

Here are some thoughts I had when I was reading 1 Nephi, chapter 17 & 18.  How would it be if the Lord commanded you to build a ship? Would you ask Him, Are you crazy!  Were in the freaking middle of nowhere, I don’t see a Lowe's or Home Depot nearby, yeah I’m good, thanks God, or say the following?

“Whither shall I go that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me? Let’s try to remember that they couldn’t just asked “Siri, how do I build a ship?” Okay, searching.... I found one way, ask the Lord!!! That’s exactly what Nephi did, and we know HOW much he was blessed for his obedience, and not just him but his family. Also, they recognized their blessings which is something else I admired. 

I LOVE this chapter in the Book of Mormon, and always find it so interesting how many times not just in this chapter but the entire BOM, how the Lord is so persistent on us keeping the commandments. Why do you think that is? 

My question is this week for you to reflect, why do we have commandments?

Love you all, and hope you have a fantastic week!

Com Amor,

Sister Pierce