12th Week - Coronado, Coronado Ward

Familia ~

I know I am bad at expressing my feelings and thoughts but I want to take time out to write one last email regarding my mission. 

I am looking back on all of the experiences I have had. From walking down a hot dusty road in the afternoon just praying that someone will let me into their house to being able to see people I have come to love make covenants with our Father in Heaven. 

My mission all started out before I even entered my mission papers. I have always had a desire to serve the Lord and be a missionary. Before the mission the reasons for wanting to go were more about me more than anything. I wanted to learn new experiences and gain a testimony for myself about this Gospel that I love. I always saw it in others that they knew the Church is True. But I wanted to know 100% for myself. I knew the mission would give me the opportunity to have this conviction in my heart. With missionary preparations I was able to grow my testimony little by little like it talks in Alma 32 about how the seed grows little by little.

The next step was to enter into the MTC. Looking back the MTC was a great place to learn and grow spiritually. Even though it was hard on me I grew as a person and was able to receive many strong answers to my prayers that I will never forget.

My first area was San Roque in Guanacaste! I will always love that place forever! It was a culture shock to get there and I had many challenges learning the language and missionary life. But it helped me in the future and I was able to overcome all challenges that were placed in front of me through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. From this area I will always remember walking up a dirt street with huge dust storms blowing dirt into my face and finishing the day burnt and dirty. I will always remember how amazing the people are here. They are literally "Pura Vida"! They love life and have little worries. I was able to serve and spend 6 months of my life with the Guanacastecos 

My second area was San Miguel. I was put in the city which was another culture shock for me. I had to pay attention when I crossed the street so that a bus wouldn't hit me. I also had to be a little careful where I was walking because it was a little dangerous too. The ward here was great! A strong ward that I loved to work with them. That's where I learned how to better work with members, I also bettered my Spanish a lot here since I served and lived with 3 Latinos. I was able to spend about 7 and 1/2 months here. I was able to start to become a better instrument in the Lord's hand and I could feel more and more that I was working for Him. That I would be in His place saying and doing what He himself would say and do. I was able to witness many lives change. I was sad to leave here as I didn't think I would leave when I did. But I knew there was something waiting for me in my next area.

My third area was a big trial of my Faith. I was assigned to Pococi Ward in a city called Guapiles. I got there excited and ready to work. I kept up the good attitude but things just didn't go the way I hoped at first. I had two of my favorite companions here who will be good friends for the rest of my life. They helped me enjoy being here and going through these trials. I learned here that scripture study will save your spiritual life. I cannot express how much the scriptures helped me during this period of time. Although I thought I was going to be in this area for a short time I was there for 7 and 1/2 months. I honestly came to love this area and now it is one of my preferred. I love the people I was able to teach here and I am so glad to finally see the fruits of the labor at the end of all the work. I learned like it says in Ether 12:6 "that you receive no witness until after the trial of your Faith". God left me in this area until I came to love it and my transfer there was my absolute favorite and I didn't want to leave.

My last area was for a very short time. It was less than 3 months. I am grateful to be able to finish here in Coronado. It has helped me learn the principle of enduring to the end. I was put with companions who were new in the mission and it was a blast to see them learn and grow and be able to teach them the little I know of missionary work. It was for sure the hardest area I worked in but I am happy to say I tried my best and gave it my all. We were blessed to see people make covenants and grow closer to Christ.

It has been two of the hardest years of my life, it has been two of the most rewarding years of my life also. I will never regret serving a mission. After all I am eternally grateful for this opportunity to serve my fellow beings here in Costa Rica. I learned a great lesson the other day in my studies. I came across a quote about our real intent. Like I said before, I wanted to come on my mission to gain a testimony. I gained it little by little and I continue growing it. But I would like to share the real reason why I am here serving this amazing people in this beautiful country!

"Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that all people have numerous opportunities to give the gift of service to their fellowmen and that their motives in serving are all-important: “Numerous scriptures teach that our Heavenly Father knows our thoughts and the intents of our heart. (SeeD&C 6:16; Mosiah 24:12; Alma 18:32.) The prophet [Mormon] taught that if our works are to be credited for good, they must be done for the right reasons. …

“… Scriptures make clear that in order to purify our service in the Church and to our fellowmen, it is necessary to consider not only how we serve, but also why we serve.

“People serve one another for different reasons, and some reasons are better than others. … We should all strive to serve for the reasons that are highest and best. “… By way of illustration, and without pretending to be exhaustive, I will suggest six reasons. I will discuss these in ascending order from the lesser to the greater reasons for service.

1. Some may serve for hope of earthly reward. …
2. Another reason for service— … to obtain good companionship. …
3. Some may serve out of fear of punishment. …
4. Other persons may serve out of a sense of duty or out of loyalty to friends or family or traditions. …
5. One such higher reason for service is the hope of an eternal reward. …
6. … The highest reason of all. … Charity. …

“… It is not enough to serve God with all of our might and strength. He who looks into our hearts and knows our minds demands more than this. In order to stand blameless before God at the last day, we must also serve him with all our heart and mind. Service with all of our heart and mind is a high challenge for all of us. Such service must be free of selfish ambition. It must be motivated only by the pure love of Christ"


I didn't serve a perfect mission. I wasn't the best missionary. I didn't baptize thousands of people. But I tried to serve with all my heart, mind, might, and strength. I now understand the atonement of Jesus Christ just a little more. I want to serve Him, because I love Him and His children. I want to serve Him for the rest of my life with Charity, the pure love of Christ. Through my service here in Costa Rica I have learned how to serve others with Charity.

I would like to finish with my testimony that I know that God lives. He is real and He loves us. Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Redeemer. He came to save us and show us the way back to our Father in Heaven. Through His atonement we can overcome anything that comes in our way. I know that this is Christ's Church here on Earth. He guides it through Prophet and Apostles. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true Prophet, seer and revelator. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I love the scriptures so much and I know that they are the word of God. I know that through covenants we can take steps to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. Families can be together forever! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

LOVE YOU ALL

Elder Moss
Costa Rica San Jose East Mission 2014 2016

The house my companion and me help to build.

Last sunday with members from Coronado. The one on the right served in Peru and the one on the left will be going to Mexico this month

Muerto!

24th Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

Changes this week and my companion goes home! He finished his mission and will go back to Guatemala! I don't know who will be my new companion until Wednesday morning!  I will be training a new companion and still District Leader.  I have no idea what to think right now and feel the stress as the responsibility of training a new missionary comes my way.  I've asked Jacob for some ideas and they have helped.

Obedience to the Ten Commandments

Miracles still happen ....... I received an email with a pic of a family that got baptized from the West Mission.  It said thank you so much for your testimony and planting the seed with this family.  I love that this family will gain more blessings than they can comprehend.

I don't have a lot of time but hope you have a great week and I love you all!!!!

Love Elder Moss

P.S.  Thank you for the much needed shoes, I was tired of water coming in from the bottom holes.

23rd Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

Elder ?, Ruiz, Sub & Moss

One thing that I've learned alot on the mission and have had the chance to practice is to recognize the whisperings of the spirit. It's something that is hard to be able to be "in-tune" to the spirit and follow the still small voice.

An amazing experience this week happened Saturday. We went on divisiones with members in the ward and I went with a brother to a mountain area. As we came back we passed by a woman and I said hello to her but kept walking. I felt as if I needed to talk to her but ignored it and kept walking. I felt it again but thought no she is too far away now. Then the third time I knew that I had to talk to her. So I turned around and saw that she was about 75 meters away. So I started running and caught up to her. I had no idea what to say so I just introduced myself and said I felt as if I had to talk to her. And when I said that she started crying. I explained to her that God has a plan for her and that He loves her. As tears fell from her face I felt the spirit so strong. I knew that God knows her personally and wants the best for her.

Watch this great video - The Joseph Millett Story

God has a plan for each and everyone of us. We just need to listen to the whisperings of the spirit and obey them. Through scriptures we can know what we need to do to follow the example of Jesus Christ.

I  love you all so much and hope you have a great week!

Elder Moss

BYUI Dance Show with Investigator

22nd Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

One year ago I was set apart as a Full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I never knew what I was getting into. I only knew that I had my bags packed ready to go to Costa Rica. To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to his children here. To help others come unto Christ. This past year I have gained a stronger testimony of His true church. I have understood Gospel principles better and grown spiritually and emotionally. I´ve met people who have changed the prospective of my life forever. These moments I would never trade for anything. I am honored to have this privilege to be a missionary for Christ's church here on Earth. That I have the opportunity to help others live with their family for eternity. 

Although I am sad that I only have one year left to be a full-time missionary I am excited to see what Heavenly Father has planned for me in this next year that comes. I can not wait to see the miracles and the Gospel blessing the lives of others. Especially the atonement.  Through the atonement we have the chance to change and become more like Christ. That we can repent and become better people. I am so very grateful for the atonement in my life. I have been able to use it, live it, and love it and see it change the lives of others here in Costa Rica.

But in all I learned that Christ lives. He atoned for each one of us. That through Him we can have eternal life and live with our families forever. The atonement is REAL. Christ lives. Now we have to find Him and follow His example.

https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/collection/easter-videos/because-he-lives

I love you all and hope you have a great week filled with spiritual experiences!!

Elder Moss

P.S. I loved the  hump day surprise and I showed it to others at the district meeting and everyone loved it!!

Guess what day it is?

21st Week San Miguel, San Jose

Richard - our super hero

Family ~

We started this week with a multizona with President Duncan of the seventy! It was awesome to hear and to listen to him be guided by the spirit to help us become better missionaries.

We had a busy week with lots of work here in San Miguel! We had the baptism of Richard. About two months ago we met him at the bus stop and I started asking him about his costume he had and we started talking about the Gospel. He is a great guy who dresses up as a super hero and goes out at night to help others. (It is part of some organization). He was baptized this last week and it was a baptism I will never forget and loved to see the change in him. Then to see him go to church with his white shirt and tie the day after was great! To see a bigger hero, which is a man who has the priesthood and the power of God.

Richard's Baptism

Saturday and Sunday we did divisiones to invite alot of people to church. Sunday morning we woke up early and made breakfast for the members who went out and visited with us! We made french toast and hot chocolate! Then Brother Diaz and I went to a place a little far away to bring two families to church. We got there at about 8 in the morning and left their houses at about 8:15. They were two families with just the moms there. (The dads were working in construction in Guanacaste). As I saw these two families walk together for about an hour to get to church with 8 children in total it really made me realize the sacrifice we need to do to obey the commandments of God. Christ sacrificed His life for us and He asks for very little in return. It was a beautiful morning as we walked to church. Especially to teach these kids the sacrifice that we need to do to be able to assist church and obey Gods commandments.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here in Costa Rica and live the things that I've lived and be here to serve God and His children! I am very blessed to have this Gospel in my life and to be able to have this opportunity!

I love you so much and hope you have a great week!

Love Elder Moss

Elders of Israel - setting up the wedding

Gabriel & Geizel Wedding Day

Gabriel & Geizel Baptism Day

20th Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

This week we had a wonderful opportunity to go to a BYU Idaho dance show with our investigators. It was great and had beautiful messages about the family and the Gospel. Our investigators loved it and were able to see the importance of the Gospel and families.

Something that I loved about it was the simple truths that they talked about. Such as principles of family, eternal marriage, prayer, love, and service. Each one of the principles we can grow our own testimony and help others do the same.

God established families since the creation. They are here to help us grow and support one another to return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. Without them we wont be able to receive the highest degree of glory, or exaltation. They are essential and we need to create a celestial family here on the Earth.

Building Families (Click "Building Families" to see the video)

"Whether your children are grown or still growing, opportunities to teach them truth will never run out. That fact is brought to life in this sweet and simple story of a dad doing his best to set an example of service, love, and prayer for his young boys. It is a perfect reminder that true success comes to parents who don’t let distractions—no matter how worthwhile—get in the way of living basic gospel principles and teaching their children to do the same."

I have been blessed with the opportunity to have this Gospel in my life. To have a family that has taught me and helped me on the path. That I can be a representative of Jesus Christ and represent His church here in Costa Rica.

I hope we all can find our own testimonies in the simple truths!

LOVE YOU

Elder Moss

1st Week of the MTC

Family-

Elder Moss

The stay here at the MTC is amazing! I can't express how much it has changed me in just little over a week! The first few days were tough and I had lots to do especially with being assigned District Leader on the second day! But I know the Lord won't put anything in front of me that I can't do! As I've come to know my whole District I have learned to love each and everyone of them for their own strengths and weaknesses. Their testimonies are strong in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I love that about them. I will try and send pictures if it works! But its amazing here! Missions change your life and I strongly encourage everyone to go including Senior Companions. (Grandma and Grandpa ha ha) but being here has definitely humbled me! The second day here we taught a lesson in Spanish.... in Spanish... I could barely say Hi in Spanish but now I can talk about a topic for more than 30 minutes! The gift of tongues is amazing! There is no other way that missionaries can learn their language than through the Spirit. Sometimes I catch myself thinking and writing in Spanish when I don't mean to. It truly is a miracle! I don't have much time but I wish I did because I have to catch a bus in 15 mins but I just want to share a short message about my love for my Savior

 In Spanish there are two different words for "to know". They are saber and conocer. Saber is used as a "Do you know 2 x 2 = 4?". Conocer is used in the Spanish language as a relationship. So " I know my family loves me" as I've defined these words I want you all to think to yourself. Do you saber or conocer God? Do you know of him or do you have a personal relationship with him? This past week I have been personally trying to Conocer God and grow our relationship through faith, prayer, repentance, scripture study, serving others and much more! I challenge each and everyone of you to get on you knees and pray to Heavenly Father that you will better your relationship with him. That you may be able to be "converted". To be converted your Faith will not waiver and you will always know that God is your Eternal Father and you will live with him again someday.

Sorry I didn't have too much time to write but I love you all!

-Elder Moss

P.S. as District Leader one of my jobs is to hand out the mail. It is probably one of the hardest jobs to do because all of the Elders stand there waiting in anticipation but don't get mail while some others do! If someone you love is out in the mission field write them to tell them how much you love them and know that they are doing great things through the Lord!

Elder Abernathy - night before he left.

Elder Abernathy

First Day of MTC

They let me write for a few minutes today!  It's been well and very tiring today! I am learning lots and tired and overwhelmed! I was fed well and I met my companion who is this Asian guy. Haven't really gotten to know him much. I am sorry for not having much time to spend with you. But they just told me to stop so I am going to share this quote real quick!

“There is no growth in the comfort zone; there is no comfort in the growth zone.”

We all need to get out of our comfort zone to grow and I am definitely out of my comfort zone!

I LOVE YOU MOM

Elder Moss

SLC Temple 8/19

Provo Temple Park - saying goodbyes. 8/20