10th Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

Many of you know this and some don´t, but a mission is not the easiest thing I have done in my life. Actually it is one of the hardest!

This week has been a little difficult then others but it really has helped me for the better.
I have never loved to read but this week I just had to. I was bothered by so many things that I found that the only way to get my thoughts away and to find peace was listen to church music and read the scriptures.

As I was reading the scriptures this week I found two that I loved and want to share with you! Both are in the Book of Mormon in the book of Alma

1 Now we will return in our record to Amalickiah and those who had fled with him into the wilderness; for, behold, he had taken those who went with him, and went up in the land of Nephi among the Lamanites, and did stir up the Lamanites to anger against the people of Nephi, insomuch that the king of the Lamanites sent a proclamation throughout all his land, among all his people, that they should gather themselves together again to go to battle against the Nephites.
2 And it came to pass that when the proclamation had gone forth among them they were exceedingly afraid; yea, they feared to displease the king, and they also feared to go to battle against the Nephites lest they should lose their lives. And it came to pass that they would not, or the more part of them would not, obey the commandments of the king.
3 And now it came to pass that the king was wroth because of their disobedience; therefore he gave Amalickiah the command of that part of his army which was obedient unto his commands, and commanded him that he should go forth and compel them to arms.
4 Now behold, this was the desire of Amalickiah; for he being a very subtle man to do evil therefore he laid the plan in his heart to dethrone the king of the Lamanites.
5 And now he had got the command of those parts of the Lamanites who were in favor of the king; and he sought to gain favor of those who were not obedient; therefore he went forward to the place which was called Onidah, for thither had all the Lamanites fled; for they discovered the army coming, and, supposing that they were coming to destroy them, therefore they fled to Onidah, to the place of arms.
6 And they had appointed a man to be a king and a leader over them, being fixed in their minds with a determined resolution that they would not be subjected to go against the Nephites.
7 And it came to pass that they had gathered themselves together upon the top of the mount which was called Antipas, in preparation to battle.
8 Now it was not Amalickiah’s intention to give them battle according to the commandments of the king; but behold, it was his intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that he might place himself at their head and dethrone the king and take possession of the kingdom.
9 And behold, it came to pass that he caused his army to pitch their tents in the valley which was near the mount Antipas.
10 And it came to pass that when it was night he sent a secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he should come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak with him.
11 And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the message he durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came to pass that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to come down. And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent again the third time.
12 And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti’s camp; and he sent again the fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down, and that he would bring his guards with him.
13 And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti’s hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army.
14 And it came to pass that Lehonti came down with his men and surrounded the men of Amalickiah, so that before they awoke at the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of Lehonti.
15 And it came to pass that when they saw that they were surrounded, they pled with Amalickiah that he would suffer them to fall in with their brethren, that they might not be destroyed. Now this was the very thing which Amalickiah desired.
16 And it came to pass that he delivered his men, contrary to the commands of the king. Now this was the thing that Amalickiah desired, that he might accomplish his designs in dethroning the king.
17 Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader.
18 And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died.
19 Now, when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed Amalickiah to be their leader and their chief commander.

I love this story because it shows that the hardest battles that we will fight is inside of us. A little evil will try to always creep into our lives and can destroy us so easily. This battle that we have within ourselves we must win. And it is only through the power of God that we will win every battle.

59 For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? And behold, if a wolf enter his flockdoth he not drive him out? Yea, and at the last, if he can, he will destroy him.
60 And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed.

If there is evil within us we need to drive it out just like the shepard drives out the wolves. We have the opportunity to change ourselves and become more like Christ everyday and get rid of the bad that dwells inside of us. This bad or evil can kill us spiritually and WILL kill us spiritually if we let it. But by always obeying the commandments of God we can drive out all the evil in our lives. I was very grateful to learn about this and put it into practice to turn my frown upside down

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

Love,
Elder Moss

Beds in our apt

Elder Ruiz from Guatemala

9th Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

Who is Christ? What did He do for us?

Something that I have always been puzzled about and wanted to know more about it the Atonement of Jesús Christ. The only begotten son of God. Who came to the Earth to complete a misión and to fulfill God´s purpose. I can´t imagine what he really went through for us. To come and atone for every one of our sins. EVERYONEs that includes mine, yours, and every man whether he be King or man stuck in prison. Christ came here and went through pains and affliciones suffering for every one of our sins. Giving a gift that we can forever use. An eternal gift. 

How great does that sound? An eternal gift that will give us Eternal Life. I will forever be grateful for what He did for me. I don´t think I will truly understand how and what kind of pain he went through for me but I know that He did it. He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane sweating drops of blood. Then was betrayed by one of His apostles and was crucified. He was resurrected a perfect being and we have this gift and resurrection. 

As I try to understand and apply the atonement daily I cannot express the love I have for Christ for what He did for us. That we can have this eternal gift. There are lots of scriptures about atonement but one of my favorites is in Alma 7

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

We all are or have been in a prison of sins. That´s just a true fact for being man. Christ suffered for us and gave us a key to open up this prison and become free of sin. All we have to is take the key open the door and walk outside. It is simple and we all can have it through the steps of repentance.

I bear testimony that I know Christ lives. That he suffered for everyone of us and that we have this gift of eternal life. I am so very grateful for all that I have been given and for this love. In the name of Jesús Christ, Amen

Love, Elder Moss

8th Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

It was great to see you all yesterday and to be able to talk with the entire Moss family! What a blessing to have technology in our lives like Skype that we could talk from Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Arizona, and Utah!

Skype with Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, AZ and UT.

Yesterday was Mothers day and I want to share a story about mothers and how great mothers and grandmothers are in our lives! Especially mine!
In the Book of Mormon there is a story about 2,000 stripling warriors. Who were brave and had a great Faith in God whom obeyed all the commandments with exactness. These young warriors were taught by their mothers.

1. Two thousand stripling warriors, young men of power and might

Responded to the battle cry; O who will stand and fight?

Behold, our God is with us! We serve at His command.

They did not fear to give their lives but boldly took a stand.

Baptisms in our ward.

2. This willing band of brothers were by their mothers taught

To trust in God continually, be true in deed and thought.

For God would then protect them; their faith He would reward.

They did not doubt their mothers knew; they trusted in the Lord.

3. With Helaman, their leader, this valiant brotherhood

United in exceeding faith, and fearlessly they stood.

With no desire for bloodshed but wanting to be free,

They fought for life and liberty, for God and family

4. Two thousand stripling warriors, courageous for their cause,

Went forth as with the strength of God, and not one soul was lost.

Their faith had made them mighty; their strength was multiplied.

They fought with power beyond their own, for God was on their side.

Alma 56

46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

I am so grateful for a mom who taught me how to be a great man. That she taught me to keep on the iron rod and always obey the covenants I made with God. She set an example to me to follow through with the things I´ve started and how to give the love of service to others. From staying up all night with me as a baby, teaching me how to tie my shoes, taking me to soccer practice, keeping up with the headache I gave her as a teenager, and supporting me as I leave on a mission to serve God and His children. Moms make this world beautiful and have love and I am so very grateful for having the best mom ever!

I love you all so much!

Happy Mothers day! (Yesterday)

Elder Moss

Cooking corn at a members house

Bus ride with comp Elder Luna and Clay White's cousin
Elder Shoemaker

Cooking pot pie for some investigators

Pot Pie

7th Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

Another week has flown by and I do not know what happened with the time! It feels as if just an hour ago I was writing you all again!

It´s funny how quickly a place becomes my home. When I started here in Costa Rica it was hard to adjust and become accustomed too. Then I adjusted to the apartment I was in and soon found it to be my home that I felt homesick when I wasn´t staying the night there. I lived there for more than 6 months then had changes that moved me to San Miguel where the house is a lot smaller, dirtier, and nothing like the first area. It took me awhile to adjust to it but now I call it home. It isn´t the biggest or the prettiest but it´s where the spirit dwells and where I can go to for safety and where I learn many things. One thing that has helped me so much is the members and the church in every area. That is something that will never change! In every part of the world are loving Latter-Day Saints who are so welcoming and the church becomes a home.

I remember one night in High School when I was just having a rough time. I don´t really remember what it was but I do remember that my uncle took me on a car ride. He drove me around telling me a story of when he was young and an experience he had as a youth. He soon came to a stop and pulled the car over and I looked up to see we were in the parking lot of the church. I never will forget that moment and what I felt as I saw the church. The church is a place of refuge just like the home. It´s where we can always go to when we have problems. And where we should always go to renew our covenants with our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful to be a member of HIS church. Where no matter where I go in the world I can find devout Saints and a church building to call my home.

I am so grateful for all of the experiences I´ve had and for the wonderful family who has helped me become who I´ve become. Not only my family but also my church family!

I love you all and will see your faces in less than a week!

Elder Moss

Photos courtesy of Lore Benavente.
Thank you

6th Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

Well today starts the first day of rainy season! As we left to go write it started pouring and coming down super hard! We were waiting under a bus stop for the rain to go when all of a sudden I see a flash and a hear a huge crack! It was a lightning bolt and I sincerely felt it in my body ha ha but it was like 30 yards away! Definitely a great moment in my life! Right when we got to Internet Cafe the power went out and I walked in and everyone looked at me. I stopped walking and just stared because for a moment I thought it was my fault that all the computers stopped working ha ha

It's going great here in San Miguel and I can't wait to see how everything goes these next few months. The other week we were walking down the street when we decided to talk to a family. It ends up that part of the family are members and have been inactive for a little over a year and they have twins who still haven't been baptized! It was a great miracle because the mother was in time of trouble and whenever life just doesn't go right the missionaries show up at her door!

 

The twins are super funny and asked me to baptize them this week! It was great to see the family come back to church and be able to have the joy of the Gospel in there life!

One of my favorite pictures is when Jesus was ministering to the little children. In the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi 17 it talks about this picture.

21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
22 And when he had done this he wept again;
23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.
25 And the multitude did see and hear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children.

I love this story because it just shows how much love Christ has for everyone of God's children here. He went one by one and blessed and prayed for the Children and wept for them. This is one of my favorite parts of the ministry of Jesus Christ among the Nephites.

I also love the analogy of how we should be born again and become as little children. They are so pure and innocent and so willing to do the Will of the Father. Children are such a great example to me and I love being able to hear prayers of children because they just make my day!

I love you all

Elder Moss

5th Week San Miguel, San Jose

Family ~

FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS!!!!!!!!! A LA MEJOR MAMA EN TODO EL MUNDO!!!!!!

This week has been an awesome week! I´ve met some great people here and the work has been going super well! Loving it more and more everyday!  

San Jose Nightline.

This week I tried to focus on serving others and it was amazing how it changed my week! From cleaning a house to washing a car to building a wall! I´ve never had so much fun doing chores! But it was great and I really felt the love for each person/family that I was able to serve! I was able to apply the scripture Mosiah 2:17 and really see how it was to serve others/the Lord.

Miracles from this week were amazing but I want to tell you about one of them. Elder Ruiz and I. (new Elder that lives in my little cottage). We went out to go talk to some people and try to contact someone. Well we went and we talked to a man and gave him a card. We didn´t talk long because he had to go pick up his kid from school so we went our ways then about 10 minutes later a car was honking at me and waving so I went to go see what happened and it was that same man. He chased us down and said that he was grateful for the opportunity to meet us because he has problems with his family and marriage and he doesn´t know what to do. And it ends up that we gave him a card that said ¨How can I have a happy marriage?¨ and it was a great miracle to see how the Lord works so that people can be able to hear the message of the restoration that brings peace and happiness into their lives!

Nightlife with Elder Moss

I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a missionary and to serve others and be a messenger of truth. I know that if we serve others we will find a deeper love. A love of Christ for them. That we can be changed by service and that there are still Miracles here on Earth. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week full of service!

Love Elder Moss

PS Jacob ~ Have some regrets because you broke your knee on your mission. 

(To our family this was hilarious and most definitely Jeremy humor.  Jacob would sign his emails home "No Regrets" every single week.  We just found out that he has to have surgery on his knee and the injury could have formed from the Turkey Bowl - Football Game while on his mission.)

(Jacob's response - What an idiot!!)

Thank you YW for the pillowcase.

Can´t see it to well but a kid put a Honda sign on these bikes. Thought it was super funny because everyone here has honda civics

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