Pioneer Stock

Elder Beal,
        It pleases me to hear you are faithful to the Lord's commands. Sometimes I am certain it feels like a great sacrifice to obey. At other times we think what is the harm in doing this thing or that? There are basically three levels of obedience. First, we obey to avoid discipline or punishment. Second, we obey in hopes of a reward. Finally, we obey because we love. This type is the greatest.
        The Anti-Lehi-Nephi's are a perfect example of true conversion.  They willingly praised God as they were martyred, rather than disobey. Their astonishing sacrifice reaped astounding blessings as in the midst of carnage and warfare, their murderers became converted to the Lord in greater number than their deaths. This type shows true conversion, when our actions matches our testimony.
       Elder Dabel wrote home recently about the many miracles he and his companion attribute to faithful obedience. Unfortunately, they recently walked in on another set of missionaries who will likely be sent home for their wicked disobedience. He didn't share any details, but it broke his heart. Temptations and storms will come to all. If we have our heart sealed to God, we will withstand them. Living worthy to enter the temple is the goal we all should always strive for.
          This week the only temple we saw was the Washington DC temple. It was magnificent and beautiful. Most importantly, it gives Nauvoo and Malachi a chance to be in a place where the spirit can penetrate to their hearts and witness that this is where they should long to be.
       We spent the first half of the week visiting Lady Liberty, Ellis Island and DC. The second half is on the beach in Virginia City, VA. While we were swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, dozens of dolphins were frolicking by. It was a cool experience even though they were at a distance. I had hoped to spend the next couple of weeks cruising down the eastern shore then visit the southern states, but the heat and humidity is so oppressive,I long for Oregon. Today it is 115 with no end in sight for this heat wave. I'm sure it will turn out to be a blessing for us to alter our plans.
       Today is Pioneer Day, as members of this church we all share in the heritage of our pioneer ancestry whether or not we are direct descendants. You however, are the result of that direct line and great blessings and responsibilities are yours because of it. Take a moment today to ponder those blessings and record your insight in your journal.
Quick family update:
Dad is lonely at home, says he looks like a hippie since I've been away so long and he has had to go without a haircut and is going to buy another motorcycle. I graduated from the Pathway Program and have applied at BYUI online. My application is just pending my ecclesiastical endorsements.
Christian was promoted to Sargent. Sariah flew out to Charleston, NC to spend a week. Camilla is thriving and on-track with her goals. Nauvoo shows your picture to everyone and beams with pride about you and she wants to live on the beach on the East coast, (I accept full blame.) Malachi is striving to become a good young man and still be cool. He is still a mama's boy and I love it!
       We all love you so much! I trust you are getting to know the people in your area, setting personal and companion goals, and considering the multitude of daily tender mercies in your journal. Please share with us about your work in Gijon. (I met a young man from there while at the Statue of Liberty.) Living for missionary Mondays, to hear from you!
Love,
Mom

To My Very Most Favorite Boys/Missionaries/Men,

I'm always so thankful for you guys. Friendship like you have is a rare treasure. Just wanted you all to know I pray for you all the time, love you all the time, and think about how you are and wish good things are happening to you all the time. With fullness in my heart I love you all.

Ubuntu,

Momma Lisa 

I also forwarded a bunch of pictures of Gavin from Lisa to Moroni.

Hey Mom

 Gavin looks crazy skinny, he looks like me! Anyways thank you

for those fotos I'm starting to miss that guy. You guys look like your
having a lot of fun. Has Dad sold his other bike already? This week we
are going to spend our time on being strong, diligent and obedient.
Also we are also focusing on always being ready. I gave a talk
yesterday in church and it was about the priesthood I talked about Dad
the whole time and I realized that he has been there every step of the
way in giving me the priesthood, hey could you send me a copy of my
line of authority thru Email?
On Saturday we had a ward activity, it was a lot of fun and we ate
some really great meat. President and his wife are amazing and they
really keep up the animo! I love you Mom and I will be better at
writing you more description.

 Love you Moroni

Goals, Obedience, & Blessings

Elder Beal,
We have seen so many sites this week, I can't even begin to name them all. Right now we are at the brand new Priesthood Restoration site in Harmony, PA right on the Susquehanna River where Joseph and Oliver received the priesthood and were baptized. This is our final church history site. The rest will just be American History. I really pray that this trip will help solidify the testimony of Nauvoo & Malachi that they will become converted and  when the storms of life come with all their tumultuous rain, they will stand firm in their testimony of the love of God and the Savior's role in their life. The sister who gave us the tour has a sister serving in your mission. Hermana Cheret is her name. She is between you and Vigo. I will send a picture you can show her oh her sister. It is on my big camera not my phone so it will be a few weeks.  When I talk to dad and the older girls they sound like life is going well. I know we are super blessed and are seeing some amazing things. Malachi is only 13 months away from getting the priesthood. I know all the blessings of the gospel are made possible because of the priesthood. I am so grateful your dad has always honored it and is always ready to serve. I am glad you are following in your Savior's footsteps. I love you.

How do you like your new area?
What is your companions name?
Have you bought a new pair of shoes yet?
Sunglasses?
Why do I hear country music in your hat video?
Are you obeying the rules of the mission?
I love you!!!!
Love,
Mom

Hey Mom, 
This week has been very good! I've enjoyed Gijón a lot, it's a lot different than Fuerteventura, there's actually trees here, it's a big city and it's going to take a while to figure it out, but I think it just comes with time. My companion is Elder Lords, a wrestler from Boise Idaho, and his family lives on a Ranch he's really obedient and loves to serve. I have learned a lot from already and we have had a some really amazing talks about our goals and how we want to be 4/4 obedient Missionary's, and to become best friends. We had a Zone Conference last Friday and we were asked to do a 20-30 minute discussion about unity. Even though we had only been together for 5 days. We planned prayerful and we both taught with complete unity through the power of the Holy Ghost. I still haven't bought some new shoes but I might get some next week I didn't get sunglasses either. Look this up and you can check out the new clothes for missionaries https://missionary.lds.org/clothing/elder/dress/coats?lang=eng. Anyways it's been pretty hot up here and it hasn't rained once, so I'm pretty sure that the lord is helping me because he knows that my shoes are all messed up and he's blessing me with rays of sunshine and not with drops of water. My week was very good and the time is running, I'm almost at ten months. The card that I sent you is how we are trying to be 4/4 missionary's the ones with the * are what we are focusing on everyday. Im trying my best to be obedient mom. I was just kidding with the video. I love you and I miss and I am doing really good. 
Love Moroni

Goodbye Islands... Hello Gijon!

Elder Beal,

I have so much to share and so little time!! 

   Dad's last 4 day motorcycle ride went perfectly as planned.  He took videos on his new camera that he got for Father's Day.  I think it is kind of like yours. They are still working on compiling one video. 

Nauvoo, Malachi, & I are on a crazy cross-country road trip. I wanted to see the grand babies, Malachi the Smithsonian, and Nauvoo wanted to drive. She is a great chauffeur, I like relaxing and she likes driving really fast. I will share a few pictures of our trip in a separate email from my phone. We are having a great time!   Sariah and Camilla stayed home with dad.  They are all busy working. 

   I am reading along with Gospel Doctrine class in Alma right now and every chapter reminds me of you and the labor of love that every missionary offers.  Alma the younger, Ammon, and their companions are the perfect examples of great missionaries.  They serve out of love, make great sacrifices to serve, meet people where they are in gospel knowledge and add upon it, humble, willing to do hard things, and rejoice in sharing the love of God. 

   Christian has been having the missionaries over the last several weeks each Sunday evening and they came tonight while we are here. One of the Elders reminded Nauvoo and I of you, just his personality while he taught.  It was wonderful to hear Christian share his testimony that he knows without doubt that the church is true.  Each of us in this life struggle with something, Satan uses those struggles to tell us we aren't good enough.  We must find ways to help people understand and believe that we are good enough to be loved by God and reap the blessings that come from obedience to His commands.  His ward seems really great, I do hope he will find himself walking back into those doors again soon. I am really impressed with his maturity and especially how he doesn't hold grudges. He is also really good on the guitar.  The babies are so sweet!  I just can't get enough of them!!  Their little voices are music to my ears. 

   It is great that you can wear hats and sunglasses now.  I bet you look smashing!  I am happy to hear you are writing in your journal.  My journal writing ebbs and flows.  I am always grateful when I go back and read something from the past that I had since forgotten and it is just what I need to be reminded of at that time.  They are almost like your very own set of scriptures.  Do you stand in need of anything?  

   On our way to Christian's we drove through New Mexico.  We were only 25 minutes south of Rick.  It was so tempting to swing by his place.  It was way too late at night though so we remained obedient to the rules of the mission.  He will be home in three months and then I will send you a picture of him.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE your emails, pictures, and videos. I will end this so I can send you a few from my phone right now.  Keep up the good work!  

Love,

Mom

Hey Momma,
Your week looked awesome! I miss Christian I haven't seen him in forever. The nephews look so cute and Darren's naked body was really funny. Guess what??  I got transferred again, I'm going to Gijon, I'm in the train right now. I'm actually almost there, and it's so green. Fuerteventura is like a desert and this place looks like a mountainous Amazon. It's awesome. And it's raining and I got holes in the bottom of my shoes so I might have to get some new ones soon. But it's alright, I don't mind washing my socks a lot. Anyways my week has been awesome and I have been loving my mission I'm just glad the I have time until I have to leave. I mean I'm missing home but I don't mind waiting. Thanks mom for everything and for all the fotos of Christian and the kids.

                    🇪🇸 Élder Moroni S. Beal 🇪🇸

                              Madrid,  España 

                                Fuerteventura 

                                          

Moroni~Get new shoes! If you don't you'll put holes in your socks! I'll have dad put some money on your account. I love you!

Imperfect People in a Perfect Gospel

My Favorito Missionary,

          It makes me so happy to hear you are hosting activities in your ward and people are bringing friends.  I am most happy to hear that your ward family welcomes them as they are.  It sounds like they are amazing and know how to look upon the heart of a person and see their potential.  This world would be a better place if we all practiced that a little bit more.  I also thought of that part of your blessing a few times since you have been out. Specifically, when France and Belgium were attacked and most recently with Brexit. Each time my quick moment of concern is immediately washed away and I know that the promises given in your blessing remain in force. I have no worries or fears about you out serving.  I know many blessings will flow into your life from now unto eternity because of your mission.

         President and Sister Wright were guest speakers for spiritual hour one day this past week at girls camp.  The theme of the week was the Game of Life, and the theme for their day was Go Fish as in Fishers of Men.  Anyway they are always such amazing people and when they testify, it is so powerful. They spoke about their missions.  He shared a few stories of people who he shared the gospel with 30 years ago that now have children serving missions. Of course, he had no idea as a young missionary the ripple effect his service would have.  Well one of the converts from his mission had a daughter turn in her papers to serve her mission while the Wright's were serving as mission President. He said to his wife "Wouldn't it be crazy if she was called to serve in our mission?"   He doesn't know which apostle made the assignment for her, but by a miracle of inspiration she was called to serve in their mission.  Isn't that amazing? The Lord knows all things, he sets us in places and peoples lives at precise moments to assist in His perfect plan.

          I am learning to trust Him more fully and completely than ever before.  It can be difficult for me to let go and let somebody else be in charge, but I know He loves me and has a plan for me so why wouldn't I want Him to be in charge?  I am learning that I am WAY more happier because I am replacing my fear with faith.  

         Sorin turned 4 on the 2nd, Malachi, Nauvoo, and I are going to take a road trip and visit them for a couple of days later this week.  Tomorrow is Independence Day and Malachi, Nauvoo, and I are going to go with Gpa & Gma to blow glass. I will take pictures for next weeks letter. 

         Are you keeping a journal?  I hope that you will take the time to frequently write in it, especially the tender mercies of the Lord.  Read Elder Eyring's talk if you need a refresher, it is really good. 

         What is transportation like on the islands? I assume you walk most places that are near you, what about further out?

         Are things still well with your companionship? Do you seek ways to serve each other?  When Alma the younger was serving in Ammonihah, they treated him very poorly and he left.  As he was on his way to the next city, an angel of the Lord (the same one that visited him when he was young and struck dumb) told him to go back.  He returned through a new gate where he met his new missionary companion, Amulek.  At the end of Alma 15 we read that Alma ministered unto Amulek.  You see they taught in cities where people did flock unto them to be baptized and also they preached in cities where they witnessed tragic events, filled with much sorrow and unimaginable heartache during that 6 month period of time.  Anyway my point is I love that he ministered to his companion.  I am going to try and be more aware of my role in that this week. That is my goal.  

       I am glad you did well on your goals last week.  Did you end up winning?

       I will send a couple of pictures from my phone in a separate email.

I love you forever and always,

Mom

   Hey y'all,

this week was really hard but for a good reason, I think that the most spiritual part of my week was yesterday when Nelido stood up and bore his testimony about the Book of Mormon. He is still trying to quit smoking but, besides that he is ready for baptism. We have a lot of other people preparing for baptism too, one of them is homosexual and it will be hard to teach him the law of chastity. But we have treated him like any other person that is struggling with this commandment. It is really easy for him to feel the spirit, and he knows that the church is true, he just doesn't have that much self-esteem because he's a little big and knows that what he does is wicked and I think that he doesn't want to be like that, he wants to feel and be normal. Anyways besides a couple of things everything is really good, and the work is good and hard which makes me happy because I'm not bored, I love it here.

 

I need to work on my writing in my journal it's been awhile but I'll start tonight. 

On Fuerteventura we only have GuaGuas (Bus's) and taxis. But in the peninsula there is also the Metro and the Train, and in Tenerife they have the Tranvia  which is an above and below ground metro pretty much, it was awesome to use it when I was there. My companion, Elder Morris, and I are are good. He's taught me a lot and that's why I think that the work here is so good. Today we went to Gran Tarajal and did an island tour it was awesome, it was really nice to relax and to not have to worry about anything for a day. Everything is good and I'm loving my mission. I love you mom and I  really liked the photos. Moroni

                    🇪🇸 Élder Moroni S. Beal 🇪🇸

                              Madrid,  España 

                                Fuerteventura 

ps. We are now allowed to wear hats!