March 1, 2011-Baptisms, Dogs and Charity, Oh My!

Elder Funk filling the baptismal font

Dear Family and Friends,

I know I already used something similar in another subject line, but it is one that always works.

This week was quite the week.

We'll start with the exciting part.

Elder Funk and I are working in part of Sao Sabastiao called Joao Candigo. It sits out from the rest of the city and is a little more rural and probably more "traditional Brasilian", dirt roads, huge trash piles, etc. So we were out there, doing the Lord's work as usual, and we were leaving one block, going to another. We were coming around a corner and ran...right into 3 dogs that were not very excited to see us enter the area they were trained to guard. Elder Funk was in front and when the first dog jumped, he jumped back (almost into my arms). I promptly started to run, using Elder Funk to push off for a great start. They didn't chase very far, but it was pretty funny...afterwards.

Other exciting news-Sandra was baptized! It was a great baptismal service. This branch has been a branch for 20 years, so the members are trying hard to be involved in the work here, so they can become a ward and receive a chapel. It was great, and I made brownies, which were devoured by the members.

The district is doing well. The whole mission is moving the focus to teaching men and families, so we are trying hard to do our part.

Dad asked what I learned this week. I gave the doctrine yesterday about the role of the Holy Ghost in the conversion process. Today I was reading in PMG chapter 4 about how the Holy Ghost can act with us (see the chart that has a lot of scriptures) and I was trying to think how I could better invite the Holy Ghost to lead my companionship and district. In my Book of Mormon journal, I always start by putting a question, then I open the Book of Mormon and look for the answer in that chapter. This morning I asked my question "How can I better prepare myself to follow the Holy Ghost?" I then opened the Book of Mormon and read Moroni 7. I found what I am lacking-Charity! I'm nothing without it! Especially these days where I have been short of patience with people who try to lecture me on why we don't need prophets, why they need money, etc. It doesn't matter what is happening, I need to have charity.

In reading about faith and hope, they are preparatory parts of charity. Like oxygen and hydrogen for water. But just because you have one or the other, or even both, doesn't give you charity. Mormon said that if you have them, but don't have charity, it doesn't matter one bit that you have them. In thinking about this, I was trying to understand-How can you have faith/hope but not have charity? And the answer was there-you have to be humble and lowly of heart. The great divide that prevents charity is pride....which is my favorite sin. Really, pride is such a "good" feeling sin. Like President Uchtdorf said "Thank God, I am better than you." I'm so great because I'm an American, I'm tall, handsome, skinny, I'm the district leader, I'm intelligent and I can read Isaiah and understand him. I'm so great! But when this happens, it kills the transformation of hope and faith to charity. Using the oxygen and hydrogen to water example, to keep them together, there has to be a bond. In my experience, charity is formed when faith and hope are under pressure and are in a constant level of activity. And here is the fault of my charity. I have lots of charity when I'm by myself, or even with my companion. But, the minute I leave my apartment, my faith/hope and charity element begins to feel the pressure. It's hard to have charity with real people, people who may not like you or what you're doing. But that is the point. Charity is the greatest of all. The things that are of the greatest worth are the hardest to obtain. Charity Never Faileth or, as we say in Brasil, Caridade Nunca Falha.

I have a couple of random things to ask. Could you scan in my baptismal photo? I think it's in my room, on the wall. Also, is the Joseph Smith movie in Portuguese there? If it is, could you send it? Also, really random, is Fano using his Perfect Pushup? Those little wheel things.

I hope my photos can help Jared (he's doing a country report on Brazil). I'll try to take some of more day to day things. Have him send me questions and I'll respond. I hope my present to him will help.

Love,

Elder Barton

p.s. Next week p-day will be Monday, because next week is Carnival, or as I call it-The Great and Abominable Babylon comes calling to Brasil.