18 Nov 2013

Hey Mom!
Your email today was one of the best that I've received so far in the mission. It is always wonderful to hear from you but especially today because of the great experience you had. I know without a doubt that your example and your testimony will change her life and help her to know the truth. I remember several experiences when I was able to bear my testimony and I cried because the Spirit was so strong. Never forget these experiences because they are priceless. These testimonies that the Spirit bears to our souls are truly "pearls of great price". I'm thankful for your wonderful example for me and for our family. Your testimony strengthens me and I know that just as the 2000 stripling warriors, (alma 56:48) I do not doubt that my mother knows it. .....
Were you 19 when you met the sister missionaries and got baptized? How long did it take for you to get baptized? Do you remember the Sister's names? Are you still in contact with either one of them? Where did you meet the Sisters at? Was it on campus? Do you have a picture of your baptism? What day were you baptized? All of this is very important and I'd like to know how it was for you and what happened and everything. I'm serving with 4 sister missionaries in my Zone and I want to help them. Almost 34 years ago, before I was even born, 2 sister missionaries that I've never met changed your life which in affect, completely changed my life.
I'm doing great and we're trying to help this family come back to church. The dad is active and is a returned missionary but the wife is less active and has hurt feelings about some things that happened at church. She has a great testimony and she even went to the temple last month but we're trying to help her come back to church. I'm happy, healthy and hungry. We're gonna make home made pizzas for lunch. I will take pictures. I hope you're doing well and enjoying this holiday season. Christmas doesnt seem like Christmas without snow and family. I'll be talking with you in a month and a week. It'll be great! I love you mom and pray for you often. I hope you're doing great and I cant wait to talk to you soon.

11 Nov 2013

Hey Mom!
Tomorrow is the transfer and I'm staying in Mutuá! I'm excited to stay and continue working here. I'm also staying with Elder Quiroga (my companion from Argentina). We're working well together and this transfer will be even better. Usually the transfer is every 6 weeks but this one will be only 5 weeks because they wont have the transfer as the same week as Christmas. Its gonna fly by really quickly but I'm excited. I love the scripture that you shared from Moroni. I love the Book of Mormon. This week made 1 year and 6 months in Brasil. Crazy how fast its gone by. Elder Cerda (my first companion) and Elder Caleb Ganoe (my second companion) are both going home this week. I'm feeling really old now!

.....

I'm doing well and healthy. I'm trying to pass sun block more often through out the day to help not be so red. I'm learning a lot and thinking a lot about my future. This month we're gonna have a special conference with Elder Gavarret from the 1st quorum of the 70. He is the same guy that wrote the talk about the king that lost the battle because of the poorly placed horse shoe. Its gonna be really great.

Yesterday at church was great because we had 6 investigators at church and also it was the Primary Presentation. I love the Primary Songs and the wonderful spirit that they bring when we sing them. I got emotional when we stood as a ward and sang "Families Can Be Together Forever". It is a wonderful thing to know that our families can be together forever. We just need to do our part. We can do it! We can do hard things!

We did a service project at a sisters home. Its just her and her 17 yeard old son and her niece that live there. We took down the jungle of weeds and trash and cleaned up the big back yard. We're gonna go back next Saturday morning to continue the work. It was a great experience. Truly, she needs our help.

I thought of you a lot yesterday when we visited a woman that was baptized a year ago in the church. She is very active but its been 3 weeks since shes been to church. She has a young daughter that is 8 years old, a son that is 21 that has depression and doesnt work and another son who is 26 and very sucessful but unfortunately lives in São Paulo (6 or 7 hours away by car). She does everything by herself. Takes care of her family and does everything! Her washing machine broke 6 months ago and has been cleaning her clother and her 2 kids that live with her by hand for 6 months. She works so hard and she cried when we visited her yesterday because shes just exhausted. I have only met her 3 or 4 times but I love her and want to serve her. We helped her organize her house a little bit yesterday and we left truly feeling the Spirit of God accompany us.

I love you mom and am thankful for your prayers and help. I really hope you're doing ok. I know the Lord is taking care of you and keeping you safe. We had a FHE last night and the message that a member gave was about missionary work and he asked us to think about at least 1 person that is either less active or not a member of the church that we really really love. Think. What would you be willing to give up for that 1 person understand the truth? How happy would you be and how imense would be your joy to know that that 1 person is firm and strong in the church with a testimony? ................... Every chair filled. We are all going home. I love you mom and am excited to hear from you already! Have a great week and live with this desire deep in your heart. Never lose sight of who you are and where you're going.

from 4 Nov 2013

Hey Mom!
The temple looks amazing! I cant wait to see it in person. It hit me right now that in 6 months, I'll be home. Thats crazy. I'm doing well though. We're working hard and I'm learning a lot about myself and the world and who I wanna be and how I wanna live my life in the Lord's guidlines and commandments. Its so important to read the scriptures and pray every single day. In the mission, I'm building habits that will help me to be a good man, father, husband, priesthood holder and etc. I've got a lot more work to do but I'm happy that the Lord can see my love for Him and my desire to bless the lives of His children.

You should rewatch and learn from this amazing talk by Pres Uchtdorf. I've read this talk maybe 3 times here in the mission and I absolutely love it! Its called "Waiting on the Road to Damascus" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/waiting-on-the-road-to-damascus
THe whole talk is amazing but what made me remember it was when you talked about being an example and teaching to gospel through our good behavior and habits. THere is a quote from some man that Pres Uchtdorf quotes in his talk that says “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.” I absolutely love this and I'm sure you do too.

There is a sister in my ward right now that is brazilian but she has lived in the USA in Idaho with her family for several years. Her husband and children and Americans but they all speak english and portuguese. Shes great and I will tell her to add you and me on facebook so that you can meet her and have a little contact with someone that lives where I'm serving.

The point that you brought up about how the church is old and not new is a point that we use when we teach people about the gospel and the Restoration. The church wasnt created by Joseph Smith. It is a continuation from the church that Jesus Christ reformed when He was on the earth. From the begining of time until now, the Lord calls prophets to lead and guide His church and to bless the lives of our Heavenly Father's children through the power of the Priesthood. Without a doubt, this is Christ's church.

I love you mom and really hope that you're doing well and that you're happy. ....... I know that the Lord is protecting you and keeping you safe until I get home. I love you so much and am thankful for your constant prayers and support. I cant wait to hear from you!

Jared

from 28 Oct 2013

Thats very very sad to hear about Rita Jones. Its been a long time since I've talked to Janny but they have a wonderful family. 

Anton,  I cant wait to talk to him about the church when I get home. Please tell him I said hi and that he can email me.

Thats crazy that Johnathan already got married! Are they living in Indiana and going to BSU or what? 

I'm not sure if I know Brother Owens but I'll be excited to meet many of the people in the stake when I get home. Theres a lot of stuff that I didnt know before the mission that now I can help and apply. I'll be pleased to meet him. 

Yesterday we had a baptism for a young man that is 25 years old. He became interested in the church when he heard about the family history work and work for our ancestors in the temple. His baptism was great and we're excited to continue teaching him and hopefully meet his parents so that they can learn about the church also. 

There is a man in our ward that his wife is a member but he isnt. He's already known about the church for almost 20 years but hasnt been baptized yet. Hes already been to church many many times and has been taught by many missionary companionships. Hes a good guy! Hes probly about 80 years old and has a little bit of a problem hearing but we taught them and had lunch with them this week. We dont know exactly what hes missing to be baptized but he said something really interesting. He asked, "Why would I baptize myself in a church that I'm not important to any of the people?" I believe that this old man just needs to feel like he belongs in the Lords only true church and that we truly want him there. Its incredible what small visits can do to help people. We underestimate the power and value of a visit for an investigator, less active member or even an active member of the church. When we love these people and visit them with a message inspired by a prophet of God or from the Savior himself, we carry the Spirit with us and He will touch these peoples hearts. THey need our help and we can and will be instruments and angels in the Lord's hands to bless the lives and heal the broken heart of a child of God. I know this is true and that if we pray for opportunities and then ACT on this promptings we will rescue souls and bring families unto Christ. 

I love you, Mom and am thankful for your help and prayers. I hope to hear from you soon!

22 Oct 2013 from Elder Knotts in Brazil

Hey Mom!
I hope you had a great week. Our week was awesome and we truly saw miracles. Of course I remember Br Clark. I talked to him briefly when we went to the temple.... He told me that he still speaks Portuguese but its amazing to hear that he served in Madureira. I am anxious to speak with him in Portuguese after the mission. Thank you for the pictures of the (Indianapolis) Temple. I'm excited to see the progress and am thankful that we will have a temple so close to home. Thats nice that you got to hear from Jason Solomon. Do you know if his brother Johnathan (he also served in Brazil) got married yet? Hes a great guy. The scripture that you shared from D and C (D&C 58:26-28) is a popular one here in the mission. It motivates us as missionaries to push ourselves and to always do more. That we should be obedient to God not just because "we have to" but also because we love Him. Before you make any decision, think "why am I" or "why should I do this?" If you discover a reason that is motivated by love and desire to serve God, then you should do it. God will bless us and guide us in our righteous desires. The Lord said in verse 28 "For the power is in them". We are capable. We can do it. The Lord has given us the free agency to choose between liberty and eternal life, and captivity and death. It is our choice. I read this week and am pondering on the last testimony of Moroni in the Book of Mormon. Chapter 10 verses 32 and 33. Prayerfully read and search for spiritual inspiration in this testimony of a prophet of God. I know that the Lord will speak to your mind and to your heart the things that you must know and do to serve Him and to "deny yourself of all ungodliness". I know that His grace is sufficient. I love our Heavenly Father. Mom, I hope and pray that you are well and happy. .....

14 Oct 2013

Hey Mom! 
I got your letter the day before my birthday! Thank you so much. It was really great to hear from you. The emails that I send and recieve here in the mission are important and I will save them all after the mission but the letters that you send me are of a much greater worth. I'm doing well. .... I dont really need anything.... I'm doing great with my companion. I'm teaching him a little english and hes teaching me a little spanish. Its interesting how close spanish and Portuguese are. My week went pretty well but we did a lot of traveling. We spent alot of time on the bus going to Rio (the city) because we had a lot of meetings this week. This past Sunday was StakeConference and we got to go on Saturday night also. It was amazing. Last month I participated in the Stake Conference in Madureira (my last area/zone) and Elder Gavarret that wrote that talk you sent me was there. (see link below) I got to meet him and he particpated in the ordinance of this man that we gave the Melchezidek Priesthood. I stood in the cirlce with him and it was great. I will see him again later this month, But this past weekend we had an area 70 that went to our stake conference and also a general authority 70, Elder Steven E Snow. It was great and I loved his talks. He spoke about rescuing the less actives and strengthing the members and working with the missionaries of course. I got to meet and talk briefly with Elder Snow. I also met his translator, Paul Grahl which is a professional translator and works for the church, He translated one of the talks into portuguese last week in General Conference. Hes such a great guy and I talked to him a little about my interest in translating and improving my portuguese skills. I'm gonna get his email and keep in contact with him. He is a very kind man and it was a pleasure to meet him. I enjoyed the pictures of the missionary in Africa. Must be interesting to be serving there. I'm extremely grateful that I'm here in Brazil and in particular, Rio de Janeiro. These 2 years will shape the rest of my life and lead me into life eternal with our family. We've had some difficulties with some of the missionaries in our zone but we're working hard to help them. I'm not any different than they are but I pray that Heavenly Father will guide me that I may help and bless them. Truly, this is the desire of my heart. I dont have much time left unfortunately and now we need to go and work but I love you so much. I'm thankful for your prayers and your support. I will talk to you soon!
Love, Elder Knotts

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/10/prepared-against-the-day-of-battle?lang=eng

7 Oct 2013

Hey Mom!
It was great to read some of your thoughts about General Conference. I wrote down tons of stuff and am excited to relisten and to read the talks. I absolutely love General Conference. So many great talks but I was especially touched by President Eyrings talk and Pres Uchtdorfs and finally the last talk by President Monson. I feel overwelmed and humbled by the Spirit and the things that I've learned. I will write more another time more of my thoughts and feelings about the conference. I got to watch most of the sessions in English.
My area is cool. Its a little more rural but thats not a problem at all. Its been nice to meet all of my new missionaries tha I'm serving with. They're all really great. I will hopefully send some fotos next week. Never seems like I have enough time. Theres always so much to do. This next sunday is Stake Conference and it will have a Area 70 and also a 1st quorum 70. I'm really excited. Tomorrow is our mission counsel. I cut my hair today. I'm gonna be really bald. Its awful.... but it could be worse and luckily I dont have worse problems in my life. I got a discount on my haircut because of my birthday tomorrow! I'm gonna put Conference talks on my USB drive so that I can listen to them at home. I'm so thankful that we have a living prophet. One thing that really stuck out to me was what Pres Monson said in his last talk. He said that we must pray to the Lord with all of the energy of our hearts and that we must listen to Him also. I fervently prayed and thanked the Lord. As Pres Monson said about the story of that old man, "Heavenly Father has been so good to me." I felt the Spirit really strong several times in the Conference and my heart was full of gratitude for the Saviors blessings and mercy. I love you mom and pray and hope that you're doing well. I hope to hear from you soon!
Elder Jared Knotts

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/10?lang=eng