4th Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

Waiting on Our Road to Damascus (click here for video)

The story of Saul who persecuted the church and after seeing Jesus was converted unto Christ and was baptized and went about preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all that would listen to him.

Acts 9:
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Acts 13
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Yesterday I went out with a Father of a Family who got baptized a few years ago. It was great to see his conversion story and how he was able to make changes in his life. The man went and showed me all of his friends that he wants to share this wonderful gift that he has. Not having fear or nothing to share this Gospel with others we went from one friends house to the other as he introduced the missionaries that bring the Gospel into peoples lives.

As I thought about this man he really showed characteristics of being converted. That he found his road to damascus. He has a desire to do good (Mosiah 5:2). Or rebel against the Lord (Alma 23:6-7). Is filled with love (4 Nephi 1:2). And like the sons of Mosiah, Enos, and Alma the younger. Shared the Gospel with others. (Enos 1:26, Mosiah 18:1, Alma 15:12).

I hope that we all too can be on our own personal road to damascus and that we can witness this change in our lives and become new persons. I hope that we all including myself can start to develop our Christ-like attribute and become more like Him.

Begin to share the gift of the Gospel with others. It is the greatest gift that you have and can give to someone here on the Earth. President Howard W. Hunter once said ¨What does the atonement have to do with missionary work? Any time we experience the blessings of the Atonement in our lives, we cannot help but have a concern for the welfare of others... A great indicator of one´s personal conversion is the desire to share the Gospel with others.¨¨

I hope we all can do better and become converted becoming as a little kid. I love you all and hope you have a terrific week!

Love Elder Moss

3rd Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

What a great conference/Easter weekend! Funny how much I loved the talks! I remember just over a year ago when I didn´t even watch a full talk. I tried to but fell asleep in the middle of the talk and never started it again! To now where I watched the talks with focus and about 8 pages of notes.

I loved all of the talks and felt like there was a big impression on families and gaining a better conversion. Something that I just absolutely love is the importance of families in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In a family we can grow together on the pathway of God helping and lifting others to come unto him. And in families we can find happiness that we can´t find in any other place. That reminds me of scriptures I read the other day about how we can find happiness.

In 2 Nephi 5 it talks about many points on how we can find happiness and I love it a ton!

6 Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words.

10 And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses.

12 And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written.

16 And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.

27 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.

First Nephi was with his family and in the family we can find happiness and love where we can be sealed in a temple of God for time and all eternity. Then they kept the commandments. EVERY commandment and were obedient to them, knowing that God would bless them if they kept the commandments. Then they had the scriptures and the Liahonna. (Liahonna can be words of living Prophets). Always reading them and abiding by there precepts. Then at last Nephi built a temple. I loved the talk by President Monson about the temples and how we can feel the spirit there in no other way and how we should always go to the temple to be able to grow spiritually. I know this to be true that we can receive so many blessings by just going to the temple. As a missionary we can´t go to the temple everyday and it makes me realize how much I just want to go to the temple to feel God´s spirit and to help others with there convenios con Dios. Then finally we read that they all lived after the manner of happiness. By doing these things the Nephites were able to live in happiness and receive many blessings. 

During the conference all of the prophets and apostles talked about one of these aspects and how we can better strengthen our testimonies. It was great to hear from general conference and I hope you all had the chance to listen intently and put this practice in your own lives!


With much love
Elder Moss

Apartment/House

Study/Kitchen

Bedroom

2nd Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

This week was a great week! Super happy and am enjoying the cool weather here in San Miguel! The work here has been great and am super busy here. But that is an awesome thing! Conference is this week and it's crazy to think that 6 months ago I came to Costa Rica and saw my first Conference as a missionary! Super excited to watch Conference and learn and grow from all of the talks that are being prepared. I know it's going to be a good one and that each and everyone of us can have answers to all our questions if we listen and pay close attention!

This is the investigator mom that
I was talking about. The older lady that
I love to joke around with

This Wednesday I will be going to the temple so I am even more happy to have the time to go to the temple and feel the spirit so strong! The temple is one of my favorite places on Earth to go and I love being able to spend time there!

This week I have been thinking alot about authority and the priesthood and about dispensations and the plan that God has for us. I was thinking about how great it is to be apart of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And I don't just say that it is great to be apart of a Church that helps out the needy, that has beautiful temples, or has fun activities. What I mean is to be a member of HIS Church. That I have the opportunity to have His Priesthood and that how grateful I am that all Priesthood Keys are here on Earth. God calls men as Prophets that they may lead and guide His Church. The only true church here on the Face of the Earth. I don't mean to say that with pride or arrogance but I know with all of my heart that God calls men on Earth as Prophets. That He is the same today, yesterday, and forever. And that the authority of Him is here on this Earth. 

Leaving Liberia

Today I was staring at food and I was very hungry when a lady caught me staring she invited me and my companion to eat. It was just a great miracle and was very blessed. But after talking to her I said that I can give her the best thing I know in this world and that is the greatest gift. That gift is the knowledge that Christ lives. That he suffered and atoned for each one of us. That through revelation God calls Prophets and that we have a living Prophet here on Earth today. That the authority and Priesthood of God is here on Earth and that The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored. This is the greatest gift anyone can offer here on Earth. To share this amazing Gospel and help others come to Christ.

I Love being able to share this everyday and to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I love you all so much and hope you have a good conference week and are spiritually recharged!

Love Elder Moss

I was trying to weigh myself but the scale
was broken.

1st Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

The time has come. I´ve been changed from San Roque in Guanacaste to San Miguel in San Jose, about 40 mins from mission office. It was a little sad because of all the great times I had in the 6 months in San Roque but I know that the Lord has plans for me here.

Elder Moss

My new area is great! It´s a little cold but I am out of the dry heat! I think It´s just cold to me because I am used to the heat! But I get lots of food from members and a ward that is awesome! My new companion is Elder Luna. He is from El Salvador and was companions with Elder Branham two changes ago. Pretty crazy! 

This week was a weird one because we had changes and also a devotional with Elder Maynes and Elder Duncan from the seventy. Learned a lot from them especially the importance of the Atonement and Plan of Salvation. 

Pic from a member.

The atonement is something I think I will never truly understand how powerful it really is. Not in this life at least. Jesus came down on this Earth to complete the atonement by suffering for each and every one of our sins. He is our loving older brother that has done so much for us and has given us a celestial gift that we can use throughout our entire lifetime. We are the ones who have the ability to use this gift and open it up or disregard it. Personally for me I want to use this gift. Especially because it is so powerful. 

Sorry I ran out of time trying to get the new computer to work but I love you all and hope that we can all use the gift of the atonement! 

Love Elder Moss

Costa Rica San Jose Mission

24th Week Liberia - Guanacaste Province

Experiences from Costa Rica!

Things that I have left out on my other letters that are just cool things about my area!

Every year there are fiestas here which are like a rodeo and state fair mixed together. So its a pretty big thing here in Liberia. But everyday during the fiestas there were hundreds of horses walking around the street and drunk guys riding them. Super funny to watch because these horses do like a dance walk and don't walk normal so it looks like they are just dancing in place. But one night I was walking down the street and a bunch of guys were riding horses drinking and one of the horses started going crazy because of a car and the drunk guy fell off the horse. Scarrry moment but funny after everything was okay and he got back on the horse and rode away into the Costa Rican sunset.

Another thing about my area is this season is suppppperr windy. It's also dry so you can just imagine all of the dust that gets blown everywhere. Well there is one street  in our area that is just perfect to have a huge cloud of dust get blown into your face no matter what. Not one of my favorite things but life goes on right! Well sometimes I try hiding behind my companions back so I don't get a bunch of dirt in my face. But I have to get really low because he isn't the biggest and it just reminds me of Happy Feet when the Penguins are walking through the blizzard. Except its just super hot instead of cold!

This week went great with the baptism of the daughter of the family. It was a little crazy that day but at the end of the day I was super happy and was able to take a break to think about how great of a day it actually was! 

It's super busy and I just wish I had more time to be able to do absolutely everything but at the end of the day I just don't have the time to be able to go talk to everyone that I want to. But hey that's a good thing. Sometimes

One of my favorite missionary scriptures is 

4 Missionaries that live in same apartment.

Doctrine and Convenios 4. 

1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance,patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility,diligence.
7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

It was great to here that awesome story from back home about the devotional! It just reminds me about this scripture and how the field is white already to harvest! A marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men is right now. I have seen this here in Costa Rica and heard about it from back home. Every member is a missionary and has a responsibility to share this wonderful message with the world. We have the knowledge that others don't have that will bring peace, love, and happiness. We have the restored Gospel that we can share and help one of our brothers or sisters return to the presence of God. We all can feel this joy from sharing this Gospel and I invite each one of you to be an example and share the light with others. I love you all and can't wait to hear about all of your experiences!

Love Elder Moss

23rd Week Liberia - Guanacaste Province

Family ~

This week we had a zone conference with Elder Alonson. Was pretty great, got to learn from a Seventy and how I can better myself and better my area. So we went to San Jose and stayed the night there and came back the next day so we lost some time on the bus but that's okay.

Where we eat lunch with the other Elders 

Everyday I get to represent Jesus Christ as I get to teach others about the restored Gospel. How great is that? I can't express how wonderful it is to be able to be here in Costa Rica serving and helping the Ticos learn about the restored Gospel. I have been able to see how much God loves us here and how really He will bless us if we follow His commandments. He blesses us infinitely and we constantly will be blessed and need His blessing like King Benjamin said in Mosiah. I Love you all and hope that we can all get on our knees everyday to talk with our Heavenly Father who loves us like no other. We don't understand absolutely everything but we can show our Faith in Him and do everything He asks. 

Elder Mora opening his mission call.
Going to Monterrey Mexico Oeste!

The Gospel is here for everyone. It is to make bad men good and good men better. Everyday we can apply the atonement in our lives and become better people. I know that Christ lives and that he suffered for everyone of us. That Heavenly Father loves us and that He is a God of miracles. I am so very grateful for this opportunity to be a missionary and to be able to learn and grow here on Earth. 

Love you all

Elder Moss 

22nd Week Liberia - Guanacaste Province

Family ~

It has been a great week working for the Lord! We had an opportunity to do a service Project here and it was to dig out 5 poles that were in concrete and then dig a trench. The concrete poles were very difficult because we had to break apart the concrete and then take out the poles. Not only that but the ground is super hard here. It hasn't rained in forever and is super hot so it is just dry as can be. So I got to work eager as can be! Started with the first pole. It took an entire hour and by the time I was done I had blisters ripping from my hands. I still had 4 more to do but the pain in my hands was starting to bother me. I didn't have any protection for my hands or gloves of some sort. I had forgotten work gloves at home that would protect my hands. Feeling a little disappointed in myself I got back to work and finished the job. When I finished my hands were just ugly. They were nice and soft before because all I have been doing is using them for scriptures but after I worked with a shovel and pick for four hours they grew blisters and tears in them. I then thought "How can I relate this to the Gospel?" Then came to conclusión.  

I left the house in the morning without any protection. I didn't bring the gloves to protect my hands. I knew that I would have to dig holes and use tools that would hurt my hands. But I just left the house without them. I then got to work and suffered from not thinking and getting the gloves for my hands. Everyday we all leave the house and have the devil attack us. We have to leave the house to get to work and do things. But will we leave the house without the protection of God? We all have a promise to if we keep the commandments of God we will be protected from worldly temptation. We have the scriptures and prayer that are going to help us put on the "armor of God" everyday. We can choose to use these tools to keep as spiritually close to God everyday. Or forget about them and get hurt and not be protected from worldly temptation.  In Ephesians 6:11 it says, "Put on the whole armour‍ of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Everyday in the world there is a battle. A battle against the devil and temptation. But God has given us armor to protect us from the enemy.  In Mosiah 2:41 it says, "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy‍ state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed‍ in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful‍ to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

1st of 3 Zone Conferences with Elder Alonso

I know that if we keep the commandments of God that we will be blessed. That we really can be protected through the power of God and that we can be happy through the Gospel of Jesús Christ. I have a testimony of how powerful scripture study and prayer can help when temptation comes. That really praying and reading can be a solution to many problems that we have. I am so very grateful for this opportunity to serve God and His children and to have this opportunity to come here to Earth to learn and grow. I know this all to be true and say these things in the name of Jesús Christ, Amen.

Elder Moss

P.S.  Funny story. Sometimes my tie slaps my companion in the face. He is the perfect height and it is super windy so my tie is always flapping around. I get a REALLY Good laugh when that happens ha ha!

21st Week Liberia - Guanacaste Province

Family ~

What a great week! I've been learning so much and loving it here!

First is the baptism of E and his wife L from the wedding last week!  They are such great people and are so strong! It has been such a blessing to be able to teach them and help them through every difficult time. This week was great at church to see the two families that got baptized while I was here in Liberia together. Made me so happy especially with the saying "Missionary: Someone who leaves their family for a short period of time so that other families can be together for time and all eternity". Makes all the challenges, pain, sweat, tears, and a little blood disappear from the joy.

E & L Baptism

2 Families Baptized and their referral

Something that I have been trying to do better this week is work on my studies and find the love for the scriptures. And wow has it changed my life I took this scripture and applied it in my life.

"And now, O my son (Elder Moss), behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." Alma 36:3

Scriptures are powerful and we can learn so much from them. they give us strength when we are down, help us understand our purpose in life, and give us a better understanding of God's plan for us.

A man told me the other day that he knows everything and doesn't have to learn anymore. That is false because men can't be saved in ignorance. We have to learn every day and will gain even more knowledge everyday as we study the scriptures. No matter how many times we have read them.

2 Nephi 28:30
"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."

I have been able to gain such a great knowledge these last few days during my studies as I have been working harder to be able to understand the scriptures. It really is a wonderful gift that we have and my mind has been opened to much more! I love reading and having the scriptures to learn from and I invite all of you to take the time out and read scriptures. They help us in our life in all things. These things I know are true and I bear testimony of them in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,
Elder Moss

Funny Moment this week..... the other day a member called us because she had a snake in her house so we went to go find it. Well I talked in English to the other gringo when we move a pile of junk to start screaming and run away to act like we found the snake. So we did and everyone ran and my companion ran all the way to the kitchen and it was super funny! Never ended up finding the snake.

20th Week Liberia - Guanacaste Province

Family ~

Wedding

I can't express in words how wonderful this week was! The couple we have been teaching just got married and it was so amazing to see them work together on the pathway of God. Every lesson we have with them is super spiritual! They have a baby that loves me and always follows me around. (It's funny because the baby looks more gringo than me).

The wedding was great and all went well. I made the cake with supplies that Sister Wilkinson gave me so that was great! I felt so smart because I used strawberry Tang as food coloring and it worked out well!

I love the kids just staring in amazement. (Dad)

Then Sunday night the family went over to a members house and watched a movie with them called "Joseph Smith-The Prophet of the Restoration". My companion and I didn't set this up so it was great to see them do it for themselves and we came in when the movie just ended. The Spirit was so strong and so much love. I can't describe the moment but it was a great one. One I will never forget. 

Elder Moss and the cake.

The Miracle of Tithing.

A commandment in the Church of Jesus-Christ is Tithing. Tithing is a law to where you give the Lord 10% of what you receive back. It is a small sacrifice but the Lord blesses you if you obey the laws. 

This week we taught one of our investigators the law of Tithing. This investigator has been without a job for 4 months and has been searching for one this entire time we've been teaching him. He has been under super hard times with his family. His house isn't in the best shape. It's got the 4 walls. Tin roof. One bed. A small electric stove. And a mini fridge. All of this is in the same room with not alot of room to walk. But this doesn't bring down his Faith. 

This Sunday he payed his tithing for the first time. (Still not a member of the Church) It wasn't the biggest amount of Tithing but it was the sacrifice for the Lord that counts. The following day he received a call for a job. He now works a full-time job that still lets him go to church.

How wonderful of a Father in Heaven we have. That
knows and will bless us if we follow His Commandments. In Malachi 3:10 it says,

"10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of 
heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough 
to receive it."

My favorite part of this scripture is prove me now and in Spanish it says "probadme ahora". The Lord is saying try me. Pay your tithing, follow my commandments and I will open up the windows of Heaven and pour you out blessings. I have such a strong testimony of this and I know without a doubt that we have a loving Heavenly Father that wants us to obey Him and He will bless us. I testify that this is the True Church here on Earth and that through our convenios here on the Earth we can make it back to our loving Heavenly Father.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Moss

Elder Moss & Tistoj with wedding couple

Signing the license.

Cutting the wedding cake.

Iguana visiting us at church.

19th Week Liberia - Guanacaste Province

Footprints in the Sand

I dreamed I was walking along the beach
with the Lord..

Across the sky flashed scenes from my life..
For each scene, I noticed two sets of

footprints in the sand,
one belonging to me, and the other to the Lord..

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life
there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me 

and I questioned the Lord about it:

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

you'd walk with me all the way.

But I have noticed that during the most 

troublesome times in my life 

there is only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why 

when I need you most you would leave me."

The Lord replied:

"My precious child, I love you and would

never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering,

when you see only one set of footprints, it was then

that I carried you."

This is a quote that Elder Moss (Parker) sent me awhile ago that I thought about alot this week. While we were in a lesson with a family one of the uncles came in and started talking to us. The problem is that he was drunk and really sad. He is a member of the church but went inactive after his dad and brother died. Then this week a baby that was 6 months old died in his family. He came to us asking why God let people suffer. Why he allowed a baby so young to die and not live a life. He then started crying. and as tears streamed down his face he asked me "When I need God the most, where is He?"

My home - sunset over Liberia

That question struck me. I know that God is here and that He will help us in every situation or challenge in our lives. This man felt as if God had abandoned him during his difficult times of his life. But what he didn't understand is that God is always here for us. He loves us and wants the best for each and everyone of us. When we put our trust in God, He will deliver us! (Alma 36:27) God puts challenges in our lives to help us learn and grow. (2 Nephi 2:2). God is always here for us and will bless us when we do what He asks. (Mosiah 2:20-24). 

This man forgot about that. He forgot to put his trust in God and actually know that God has a plan for us. That we can live together forever with our families for time and all eternity. That there is a plan of happiness and we will be able to live with our Heavenly Father again. I am so very grateful for the scriptures that we have to be able to learn and grow our Faith. Also for the Plan of Salvation for the knowledge that I can be sealed to family for eternity. I know that Christ lives and he is our Savior and that God 

is our Father in Heaven that loves us with all of His heart. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love, 

Finally got his birthday packages - happy parents

Elder Moss

I got all the missionaries in Liberia addicted to skittles because I always had them haha so this was funny that you sent them