Dreams Sometimes Change People's Hearts

Elders N and N. went to Marco's (not a member) home to visit him and his wife who is a less active. Many missionaries had tried to visit them and were unable. The elders fasted and prayed a lot about this family and they actually opened up to them.   Marco had a dream one night where he saw Heavenly Father, who told him he needed “to overcome his pride and be baptized.” The next time the elders went to their home he said he wanted to be baptized; his wife was reactivated two weeks before his baptism.  (5/8/15)

Elder M.and C. They went to give a blessing to a new member who had moved into the ward. They asked if she had references and she said her daughter who is about 30 years old. Unfortunately, the daughter didn’t want anything to do with them.  After they had lunch with her one day, they left and remembered that they had forgotten something and had to return to the home. When they got there, the daughter was outside working; they talked her into listening to them in another visit. When they did she accepted a Book of Mormon and began to read it.  Elder Mogollon had a dream not long after that she was baptized.   He hoped his dream was inspired but didn't know.  When they went to visit her later, they asked her, “What she was going to do now?” She was surprised with the question, having had almost an identical dream the night before.  She told them that she needed “to be baptized.”  They were surprised, but she shared with them that she had seen herself in white and being baptized and saw the elders there as well.   She also saw somebody put their hands over her head. She didn't know what that meant, but it was all part of this experience.   (5/8/15)

Elder C.shared that when he was with Elder G, he had a dream where he saw the he and his companion dressed in white.  He saw many angels directing members to the chapel and turning contenders away.  He saw that Jesus Christ came down.  That was when he woke up with conviction.

Elder G. shared the dream of a 23 year old, Toa, who had a dream where two were dressed in white and one had the face of Elder Garcia.  She was baptized.  He also shared that Veronica (50) cried when she came in Church for a tour when she saw the same image of Jesus Chris that she had seen when someone important to her had died.  She was baptized.

Elder G.shared that a lady he had taught in Tulcan had a dream very similar to Lehi’s dream.

Hermana Rojas shared a story about Elena in Quinchuqui (less active).  She ate at a Salchipapa restaurant.  They introduced themselves to the owner who they had tried to meet before, but who had always avoided them; this time they gave her a huge hug.  She began to cry.  She said she had a dream with her son the night before and that he was going to visit her.  When the missionaries hugged her, she felt her son.  She invited them to teach her and was crying.  They felt the presence of her son and both of their fathers who had also died.

Elder Poma dreamed that he was in the spirit world and saw his (deceased) mom partaking of the sacrament.

Hermanas Espinoza and Carrasco shared that a woman they contacted had an amazing dream which was basically Lehi's dream.  She saw a tree with fruit on the opposite side of a rushing river.  When she contemplated crossing the river, she saw a man in uniform beckoning to her.  He helped her cross to where she was able to eat the most delicious fruit.  She knew nothing of the Book of Mormon so when the sisters shared with her 1 Ne 8, she was amazed to understand the interpretation.

Service Softens Hearts

When Sister Henderson and Narvaez were in Bella Aurora one day, they were walking down the street and saw a lady hauling a large container of food for her pigs. They ran over to help her move the container and because they served her, she wanted them to come in her home and share a message. She has since given them references and is progressing.  (5/8/15)

Pushing to the Limit

When Elder Barros and Elder Zambrano were in Comité del Pueblo, they knocked the entire street and at the very last house far down a hill they met a golden contact.  The mom and two children (Araceli y Catherine y Byron) were baptized.  They are now true converts.  He learned that they need to push to the very last house.  He shared how he came to know that there are people prepared and they only needed to go and find them.  (5/8/15)

Elder Barros also shared that one day he was resting on a curb, after throwing up and feeling miserable.  His companion suggested that they go home, but Elder Barros didn’t want to stop contacting.  As they walked down the street, they met Brother Sanchez, a less-active man who asked if they would help him.  They followed him to the Church where they met his wife.  They taught her and she was later baptized and he was reactivated.   “Even though I was sick, I gave more of myself.  The Lord sometimes tests us to see how much we want to find his children because there are people waiting.” (5/8/15)

Miracles in the Families of Missionaries

Elder B. shared that his "mom had received her patriarchal blessing and is more active in the Church; his sister is coming back to church, and his dad is helping more at home.  His family has been doing much better since he came on his mission."  (5/8/15)

Elder A. shared that when he left for his mission, his family had a lot of debt, but during his mission, somehow, they've been able to pay all of them.  Another miracle is that his sister stayed on her mission.

Sister S. received a nice letter from her Mom in which she expressed forgiveness and was beginning to recognize her errors.  Sister S was praying for her and feeling more forgiveness in her heart.

Elder R. said that when he left for his mission his family didn't attend Church.  After he had been on his mission for one year, his parents looked up the missionaries and they are now active, sharing testimony and even have callings now.

Elder M said that during his mission, his mom had grown A LOT in her confidence in teaching and that she is now becoming a great teacher.  This was quite a miracle because she had been very quiet before.  He also said his family was more united and that they got a great tax refund for the first time in many years.

Elder N. said that his mom had read the Book of Mormon all the way through for the 1st time since he came on a mission

Elder E. said that his uncle who had been very worldly, was now receiving the missionary discussions.

Sister Sm. said her little sister who struggles with depression was now going on a mini mission to be on a bandwagon, playing trombone in Nauvoo.

Sister B. said that her brother who hadn't chosen to serve a mission, now wants to.

Elder R. shared that his family had told him that they can really feel the effect of his mission; they're more united, having more success, doing well in sports, grades, debate, etc.  They're happier.

Hermana W. said that her brother and sister in law were now communicating again with the family.

Hermana E. said that her step siblings were now active in the Church, a sister in-law was baptized and a brother decided to serve a mission.

Hermana S. said that her family got active.  The missionaries found her sister who was in Mexico.  Her parents are now having FHE and being missionaries.  When she left, no one was active. Her family members in Mexico were now listening to the missionaries and her Parents went back to the Temple. 

Elder C. said that his Dad had a huge debt.  While on mission, he had no merchandise for the store so he closed his store on Sundays.  Everything changed.  Now his living room is filled up again with merchandise.

Hermana Z.  said that her sister who hadn't wanted anything to do with the Church, has now gone through the Temple and is going to be sealed to her husband.  Her aunt and husband who had been involved in drugs got baptized while on her mission and are also going to be sealed.

Elder P. said that his family has improved economically

Elder O. said that his family was more soft, upbeat and attentive.

Elder C. said that his father who had been less active before is now fully active and paying a full tithing

Elder L. said that during his mission his sister has overcome anorexia.

Sister C. shared a true miracle.  She fasted to see her family on Christmas and miraculously was able to see them by skype. She had been disowned by her family prior to her mission and now they were telling her that she looked "radiant."  The mentioned that they were willing to go to Church and even listen to the missionaries.

Sister L. mentioned that her Mom had been somewhat less active and was now the Stake R.S. President.

Sister C. said that her two sisters used to fight and now their relationship was much better.  The less active sister was now active.

Elder G. shared who his Aunt who had been less active got sealed this year.  His father's brother and another aunt are also coming back to Church

Elder S. shared how during his mission, his father was able to get a good job, and his less active uncle came back to Church

Elder Y. was pleased to share that his family is out of debt and that his 22 year-old sister had changed, was helping people, had a calling and was sharing the gospel.

Hermana M. said that her brother who had been wrongfully accused of something has now been vindicated and is doing great.

Elder S. said that his parents who had been hospitalized for different things before his mission are now doing well.

Elder Q. had been the financial provider for his family before his mission and worried about his Mom, but he was pleased to share that because of his mission, his mom was doing much better.

Elder K. said that his sister had deep depression and was now doing much better.  His mom went back to school and got a great job as a lawyer.

Elder V. shared that his younger brother was on the road to inactivity, but decided to change his life and bore a super spiritual testimony.

Elder N. shared that one week after he got his call, his sister who couldn't get pregnant, got pregnant!  

Elder N.  said that his less active brother didn't serve a mission and is now active and studying at BYUI.  His mom is more spiritually oriented and his cousin is investigating the Church.

Sister N. said that her sister and brother in law who had been less active, are now doing much better.  Her sister is now a counselor in the primary presidency.

Elder P. was pleased to see that his less active mom's heart had softened and that her letters have improved.  He also said that his brother was writing more.

Sister E. was thrilled to know that her parents' marriage was getting better and that her mom's headaches were going away.

Sister I. could see how her brother Ricky's illness had helped soften her dad's heart.  He actually mentioned God, and read some of the BOM, something that had never happened.

Elder P. said that his sister was now attending Church

Elder B. shared that his dad stopped drinking while he was a missionary and was much more responsible

Elder G.  mentioned that his brother had graduated, bought a farm, all after returning from his mission.  Her sister who had been told that she couldn't have children was now pregnant.

Elder G. said his dad got married to his live in after five years of living together.  They are doing well financially.

Hermana H. mentioned that her brother who suffered from depression after his mission was doing better and closer to the family.

Hermana H. said that her non-member Dad went to see "Meet the Mormons" and her Dad cried when he saw the part about missionaries.

Hermana M. said that her Mom had hit a spiritual plateau and had a hard time going to Church.  Now she was doing things to bring about that change.

Sister P. said her Mom now had a calling in the Young Womens' organization.

Sister P. mentioned that her sister was the target of the rape in the Concepcion Chile Mission, but was transferred just a couple weeks earlier.

Sister T.  said that her brother who didn't want to serve a mission, is now wanting to go to the Temple, reading his scriptures

Hermana M. said that her mom, who struggled with vertigo, and had a very hard time when she left, was doing much better.

The Power of Prayer

Elder Folsom and Suarez. He had a very wonderful experience with prayer with Elder Suarez. They were out in a field after an appointment fell through and prayed sincerely to find somebody to teach. Out of nowhere it seemed, a young man about 17 years old fell and twisted his ankle right in front of them. They were able to help him and right behind came his father. They were wonderful investigators.  He learned the power of praying to find new investigators. (5/8/15)

Elder Gebs shared that when he was in the MTC, Elder Daniel Johnson encouraged the missioanries to ask some simple questions in prayer, i.e., “Do you exist?” “Do you love me?”  “Do you know who I am?”  “Do you know everything about me?”  He put that suggestion to the test and when he asked those questions that night, he felt a feeling of peace he hadn’t felt before or since.

Elder Del Aguila shared that he prayed that the first person they saw in a white shirt would isten to them.  It happened.

Fasting definitely works in Missionary Work

Hermana Carrasco and Ettinger. They were fasting for their investigators and were surprised when they went to Stake Conference and saw one of their investigators, who worked on Sundays, there. She had quit her job so that she could go to church. That was a miracle they experienced because of fasting. She is now planning to be baptized. 

Elders Trevor Nielsen and Michael Nielson went to Marco's (not a member) home to visit him and his wife who is a less active. Many missionaries had tried to visit them but had been unable to connect with them. The elders fasted and prayed a lot about this family and they miraculously opened up to them. Marco had a dream one night where he saw Heavenly Father, who told him he needed “to overcome his pride and be baptized.” The next time the elders went to their home he said he wanted to be baptized; his wife was reactivated two weeks before his baptism.

Angels do Exist

Hermana Espinoza said that when she was in Otavalo with Hna Pacheco, they went to cross a busy road; she stopped when she felt a tug on her sweater.  In the moment she looked back to see what tugged her, a car sped by.  Had she stepped into the road, she would have been hit.

Hermana Sanchez shared that when she and her companion were walking on a dark street, a man ran after them with a knife.  She heard a voice that said, “Walk faster” and then “run!”  A taxi driver pulled up from nowhere.  They jumped in.  She felt shielded and believed it was her grandfather.

Elder Ordonez.said that he had taught someone in a scary home.  After leaving, as they passed a market, he felt evil and saw a shadow from behind.  He also felt a surprising sense of peace and heard the name, “John.”  His companion shared the exact same story.

Elder Cedeno. shared that in Cotacachi, a sector he was opening, they knocked on the door of a woman who had recently listened to three tall “gringos” who had left pamphlets and a BOM, marking 3 Ne. 11.  She was very desirous to have them return.  The cool part of this story is that he was opening the area and no missionaries had been in that area, much less three tall gringos.  She was baptized soon thereafter.

Elder Burleson was walking with his companion when he saw a ragged homeless man, which made him feel nervous.  He was most surprised to hear this vagabond call him by name.  He and his companion were even more amazed when this stranger answered his question of how he knew his name.  He responded, “Two angels in white had just spoken with me and told me to listen to Elder Burleson and that they would teach him what he needed to do to be baptized like Jesus Christ.”

Elder Smith shared an experience of when he and his companion Elder Chavez were going home at night and were worried to see a group of scary looking people ahead on the same road they needed to pass.  As they were contemplating how they would pass by these people, a taxi pulled up out of the blue and asked if they wanted a ride.  The driver wasn't deterred by their lack of money.  After driving past the danger, they told the driver that he could let them out.  To their surprise, the unknown driver said, “That’s not where you live; you live up there,” as he pointed ahead.  The driver took them directly home and then refused their offer to get money out of their apartment.

Elder Kerby and Pinta taught a young unmarried woman the first lesson.  They knew she would need to get married first but decided to wait until the next lesson to break that news to her.  When they met up with her for the second time, she told them that she had met some sister missionaries who had clearly explained that she would need to be married to be baptized.  The unusual part of this story is that there are not sisters anywhere near where she met them.  They asked her if she was certain they were LDS, and she pointed to their plaques and confirmed that they were wearing the same plaques.

In Inaquito, the Hermanas met a woman who recounted an unforgettable experience when her child was very sick.  Three men knocked on her door and asked if she needed anything.  She told them about her child.  They accepted her offer to come in and asked her for oil, and blessed her child.  When she went back to the kitchen to put the oil back, they left.  She ran outside and said “They completely disappeared.”  Her child recovered completely and she hadn't thought about that story until the sisters knocked on her door.

Elder Burchfield and S. were held up by a big black guy who was drunk and wild who said, “If you weren't wearing a plaque, I’d shoot you.”  He forced him to trade watches.  Elder Burchfield heard a voice in his head that said, “Move to the right,” Stand your ground,” etc.  They were protected.

Angels do Exist #3

Elder Blas shared that his convert Isabelle said that when she was 14 years old and was in an Evangelist Church, she fainted and fell, but felt someone catch her and heard a voice that "down the road, the Lord had a work for her."  She was baptized.

Elder Luque had to go to an investigator’s apartment in the mountains.  They finished at 9:30 p.m. and there were no busses and taxis were too expensive.  A car pulled up in front of the home and offered to give them a ride.  At first they didn’t want to get in because it wasn’t yellow.  It turned out that the man was a Christian and he shared that he had felt the Lord tell him to stop because he needed to take them home.

Elder Suarez shared:  y bueno le cuento la experiencia que tuve cuando estaba con Elder Cárcamo enseñando en casa de unos menos activos mientras mi compañero estaba hablando de repente el gato de la familia De La Torre Tuqueres comenzó a molestar en la cocina y se paró en el refrigerador cuando de momento se quedó mirando fijamente en la parte de atrás donde estábamos sentado con mi compañero y era la escalera de la casa cuando mire solo estaba alumbrado hasta la mitad de la escalera y se sintió como que si alguien estaba allí... tiempo después el gato seguía molestando y después se pasó en la parte de abajo de la mesa del comedor y cuando mi compañero para ese entonces Elder Cárcamo estaba hablando sobre los niños pequeños que no necesitan ser bautizados yo agache mi cabeza para poder coger mi tacho para tomar agua y cuando alzo la cabeza veo que un niño estaba sentado en la meza del comedor mirando a mi compañero mientras el hablaba y se pudo sentir un ambiente diferente en el cual se podía saber que era un angelito que estaba presente en esa lección...

Después de unos días volvimos a casa de esa familia y preguntamos de una manera sencilla en la cual no sea incómoda para la familia y la Hna. Maria Estela nos dijo que ella tenía un hijo fallecido y que cuando ella estaba triste lo veía y conversaba con ella y que le daba fortaleza en sus tiempos tristes y de dificultades y eso para mí fue algo muy bonito el poder saber que ese pequeñito que vi en ese día de la lección fue un ángel del Señor..

y esa es mi experiencia que tuve en Otavalo..

Sister Hemsley wrote, “Before I left on my mission, my dad gave me a blessing where he used his priesthood to call down the powers of heaven and have angels to protect me while I was away. I always took that blessing very literally and knew there were always angels with me.

Once, in my first area in Riobamba, I was tracting with my companion, Hermana Lopez. We had gone all the way to the end of this path in a very rural area, knocking doors without a lot of success. We finally got to the last house at the end of this dirt path, and we were rejected again, so we turned around and started heading back the way we came. We hadn't gone too far when we were attacked by a group of dogs. I remember they came from nowhere.

There were five of them, all a decent size, running and barking with their teeth born. We both screamed and had just enough time to lower our backpacks to defend our legs. Hermana Lopez and I stood back to back when with the dogs at our legs when I screamed "Father, Help Us!" Immediately, out of nowhere, two teenagers came running up from behind a hill with rocks of glory. They threw the rocks at the dogs and they immediately dispersed. Trying to catch our breaths, we said thank you, and being kind of shaken, we hurried away from that area. It wasn't till later that I realized that those children really did seem like they appeared out of the blue. Whether from above, or from the earth, that boy and girl were a fulfillment of my father's blessing that day.”

Sisters Gomez and Davila were in Atacames and walking on a dark path to their apartment when they were attacked by a couple of men.  One of them knocked Sister Davila to the ground and was about to assault her when someone came from nowhere and scared them away.  When they looked to thank him, he was gone.  Sister Gomez believed that it was her deceased brother.

Angels do Exist #2

Elder Castillo said that in Chile he was on the street at 10:00 p.m. when a scary drunk man assaulted them and pulled out a gun.  Then all of a sudden he got scared by something.  He put his gun away and took off running.  They were ALONE in the street.

Elder Martinez shared at at eight years old when his mom was going through the Temple for the first time he woke up early and saw a woman in his door way dressed in white with a little white book.  When he described her to his mom, she said it sounded like her mother. 

Sister Furhriman (the wife of the Temple President) shared a beautiful experience.  When their daughter was on a mission in Lima Peru, her Mission President gave her and her companion a name of a less active or a reference.  One name stood out and she wanted to visit them.  When she and her companion arrived at the door, the husband opened the door and invited them in and told them that they had been waiting for them.  They asked why, and he said, “Because I had a dream and I saw your face and was told that you would come with an important message.  She asked when he had received the dream and it happened right when she received her mission call.

This was a mortal angel!!  Elder Gallego and Elder Leifer were working all day and night and praying constantly for guidance.  They were cold and hungry, when a man called them from across the street.  When they met, he told them that he was a member and offered them hot bizcochos (pastry).  That was a real miracle to them.

Elder Del Aguila said that an investigator shared a story about how she attended a baptism and when a new convert was bearing testimony, she saw an angel dressed in white on either side.  She was later baptized and is very active.

Elder Ashby was contacting with Elder Valentine.  A lady answered and said that three gringos had just been at her home days before.  They asked if it was for real since no missionaries had been there in that area.  

Elder Mauro Garcia said that in Peru in his training, he contacted around 100 people in one day and didn’t teach anyone.  He was discouraged when he heard a voice say, “Stop.”  He stopped on a corner when he heard, “Elder!”  A lady came up and wanted her niece and nephew to be baptized and they were.

Hermana Henderson shared that when she was in Peguche, they were visiting investigators.  A scary man lived in the same building.  He was drugged and angry.  One time when they were walking, they saw pure evil in him, but felt accompanied.  When she shared this with Hermana Urbina, she felt a hand on her back and KNEW it was her grandfather.