Email from President Obeso

August 13, 2015

Dear Family of Elder West,

We are pleased to inform that your son has arrived safe and sound and smiling to the Chile Osorno Mission.  It was a pleasure for us to greet your son upon his arrival and feel his desire to serve.  Enclosed is a picture that we took with him shortly after his arrival.  After a short period of orientation regarding mission procedures, customs of the country, etc., we assigned Elder West to work in the city of Coyhaique with Elder Ryan as his companion.  Your son's address during his time in the mission will be:

                                               Elder Jacob West

                                      Casilla 7-0

                                      Osorno, Chile

Sister Obeso and I love our missionaries and are truly happy to have the opportunity to work with Elder West.  We appreciate your willingness to share him with us as he works as a missionary and ambassador for the Lord in Chile.  Sharing the gospel with these deserving children of our Father in Heaven will certainly bring great joy and satisfaction to him, and to you as well.  Thank you so much for helping him get to this point.

Please write him regularly–at least once a week.  Your love, interest, and support will be of great help to him.  Should there be any emergency or if you desire information regarding any urgent situation, please feel free to contact the Missionary Department in Salt Lake City rather than go to the expense of phoning the mission here in Chile.

The missionary work is progressing rapidly here in southern Chile, and I hope that you will share in his exciting mission experience as Elder West writes to you weekly and keeps you informed of his challenges and achievements and experiences.

Sincerely,

President Rodrigo Obeso

Safe Arrival in Osorno, Chile

Yesterday, August 12, we received an email from the Osorno mission office which contained the following scanned copy of a letter from Jacob.  His first area is Coyhaique, Chile.  His trainer is Elder Ryan from Kaysville, Utah.

Fin de semana seis

August 6, 2015

There are two things that are talked about and quoted most here at the CCM, the Gospel and...Nacho Libre.

This week has been, nuts, fun, the same as usual, and as always, filled with growth and an abundance of the Spirit.

We have our flight info! We fly out on Monday, from Mexico City to Santiago, have a 6 hour layover, and then fly to Osorno. We packed today.

Last night I was pretty bummed about Spanish. We are learning subjunctives right now and all of my example sentences I made in class needed correction, and I was tired, and a bit discouraged. That day I prayed for help with Spanish, not for myself, but so I can be an instrument in God's hand in blessing his children. I felt comfort, because I know God will help me, because I'm learning Spanish for others.

I just had an experience. A wife of the second counselor in the CCM presidency was with me, Presidente Tenorio, his wife, and Elders Shobe, Woolley, and Boggs. I was speaking with Presidente Tenorio in my rookie Spanish, jk it’s a'ight, and the second counselor's wife came and heard me. She asked me where I learned my Spanish. I said here in the CCM. She then said this is a miracle. Because I spoke well, and I had the accent and everything. That was a TM to me, because in this moment the Lord showed me how he is helping me, and that I am progressing, even when it doesn't feel that way.

We saw a clip of a devotional at BYU Idaho where Elder Bednar spoke about how we can know if promptings we get are our own or from the Spirit. To this question he said: Quit worrying about it! Press forward, do your best, it works out. As long as we are

1. being a good boy or girl,

2. honoring our covenants,

3. keeping the commandments and

4. doing our best,

our life will be guided to do God's work, He will place you where you need to be, guide you to people and experiences you need to have, and most of the time you will never know it is happening that way. In the culture of our church we feel we need to know exactly why, before we follow a prompting, but we don't.

I have an experience with this. I was in a lesson, and I felt I needed to share a scripture, and I picked up my scriptures, and everyone was staring at me, and I didn't know what I was doing, and I was flipping through the pages, and then I saw Alma. I remembered the 2,000 stripling warriors. I remembered their example of faith. I remembered where it was. And I was able to help our investigator.

Sometimes we have thoughts pop into our mind to do something. And we don't see it as a prompting. Just like I had the thought to share all of this with you. But I recognized it as a prompting later. This also applies to priesthood blessings.

The priesthood is a lot like Thor. Yes, Thor. The hammer represents priesthood power. Being able to pick up the hammer represents worthiness. For blessings, sometimes what is in your mind from study and experiences we've had or are having, or things we've learned, are what we need to say. Those things are there for Heavenly Father to draw from, and He has given you those studies, insights, thoughts, experiences to bless the person you're blessing. Is it me or the Spirit? Quit worrying about it. Again, just be a good boy or girl, strive to honor your covenants, keep the commandments, and do your best, and then what you say and do will be guided.

1 Nephi 4:6 "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."

Also, do your prayers stink? I learned how to remedy this! To improve the quality of our prayers we need to give something to God. Don't only take and ask. In your prayers, focus on others. Talk with God. With our friends we don't take, take, take and ask, ask, ask. We tell them experiences, stories, and funny jokes. Do the same with God. In our prayers ask god what HE would want us to do, or what HE would want us to change. Forget yourself. Ask for what the Spirit gives you to ask for.

Also, something I've learned is to say hi and talk to as many people as possible. The more I do this, the more God is able to help His children feel His love, and His life, through me.

I love my mission with everything I have. I know I am a representative of Jesus Christ. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is true. I know God has a plan for all of us, for you. He loves YOU. He hears YOUR prayers. He is guiding YOUR life. He is looking out for YOU. God works on an individual level. I know that is true.

God be with you till we meet again,

Elder West

PS.  Pics of me, Elder Boggs, with Presidente Tenorio and his wife [above]. And my companion’s hand covered in mosquito bites [below]. It's a legit problem here. They especially like my companion.

 

From a previous short email last week about Jacob's daily schedule at the CCM:

Our day goes like this. Breakfast. Hour of personal study. Language class. Missionary fundamentals. Lunch. Computer lab language. Personal language study. Exercise time. Daily planning. Dinner. Then another language class. Then a progressing investigator. Then more class. Then bed.

Also from last week:

It also rained and hailed, so we tested out our Chile rain gear.

La Gran Epidemia del CCM

"La Gran Epidemia del CCM" translates to "The Grand epidemic of the CCM."

There's been like ebola or something around here. 30 percent of the MTC came down with it. It involves violent diarrhea, vomiting, and a super high fever. All of my district got it except me and Elder Brogdon #immune. On Monday, before 4 pm, my companion went to the bathroom 30 TIMES. Dead serious. And that whole night he was blowing chunks hardcore.

                                  I've seen things.

But anyways, we're all better and we had lots of opportunities for blessings so it was a good experience.

The director of all 15 MTCs came, and he gave a great talk on the change a mission gives you. Like when you lose yourself in helping others change and care more about others. He showed before and after pics from his missionaries when he was a mission president. It was insane. I've been praying for more selfless desires. When we lose our lives in the service of others, we find our own. I already feel a change, I feel happier as I've applied this. Heavenly Father has been answering my prayers to be more concerned about others, and to be selfless. To forget myself. And to turn to Him in gratitude when I'm down, sick, or anything. I've found bliss in this. 

I'm so grateful that the Lord has helped me develop my talent of singing. It's been such a blessing. I'm singing in a quartet now with Elder Ballard, and two other Elders not in our district. Elder Brendon Boren from Lone Peak Chamber choir, and Elder Peterson from Pleasant Grove. We're singing “Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy” in Spanish. I love it. 

In TRC the other day, we taught a lady from "the outside world." Haha. They bring people in for us to teach. She's LDS. Before the lesson we said a prayer for guidance and went for it. The Spirit totally took over. We were guided to testify, that through the Book of Mormon, she can receive answers on how to help her less active or non-member son. That lesson was a Tender Mercy. We're doing missionary work in Mexico too. 

Next week we pack up our stuff to weigh it, find out our flight info on Tuesday, and enjoy our last week here. We leave August 11. Depending on our flight times, I MIGHT, big might, be able to call home at the airport between connecting flights. 

I'll have a better letter for next week. I didn't take notes for what to write about for this week. I love you all. 

2 Nephi 9: 50-52

Until next time,

Elder West.

PS the pics are of my mission, and of all of the guys here from Lone Peak, except Riley Whimpey. He just barely got here.

Missionaries from Lone Peak High School at the CCM

Pointing out home and the Chile Osorno mission on the map at the CCM

  

Letter to the family (but we are sharing this one also):

I've had more experiences with specific prayers, please use them when you are trying to get answers to your own prayers. The work and I know it. 

One thing I love about my mission is it is so easy to love the Gospel so much more, and especially to love the scriptures. And feel close to the spirit. I'm always bummed when our hour of personal study is over. Spanish is coming along, God helps with that. The elder Holland talk you gave me has helped with that so much. I just have to work, trust, and it comes. There are some low times on the mission, like it's hard, discouraging, and you just want to sit and have a break for a few minutes. But it is an endurance race. Everyone on their missions runs for the same amount of time. I've always had a sprinter mentality. But I'm learning to "run the race set before me with patience." 

I've grown so much. I've learned so much. I've learned things from my companion. For example, I've learned how to get ready in the mornings so much faster, to be more chill, to study more in depth, talk to "talkers" so they don't dominate the conversation, and about how to just be more assertive and openly honest with my feelings about things to others, and not fear how they will take it. I love the Lord. He has helped me learn so much. My patriarchal blessing has also been a massive help to me. I read it when I have low times in my mission, and it splashes perspective all over me. Perspective always brings happiness. And that is why this gospel is a gospel of happiness, because it is a gospel of perspective. 

One thing that has brought me so much joy, is when I meet someone, I think "How can I help change this person’s life?" And then the answers come. Sometimes I feel I need to compliment them, or just be a friend to them, or share something with them. Immersing myself in others is a huge blessing. 

Until next time, this super hard working missionary says goodbye,

Elder West

2 Nephi 32: 3-5

PS I haven't gained weight, and I've never eaten more healthy in my life. #goals

And I snagged some parrot pics. And I'm now district leader. 

Parrot in the trees

Parrots on the grass

Another angle of the wall surrounding the CCM

What the view is outside of that wall

I Love My Mission

Hey my people,

Every night my companion and I have a mosquito hunting ritual. We have two fly swatters that we hang on the wall, like a coat of arms. Let's just say we don't get mosquito bites anymore. #professionals

There was a moth in our classroom the size of my palm. HUGE. 

There was also a cockroach two-thirds the size of my pointer finger, just its body. It had big antennas too. 

While we were walking to our class, two parrots were flying down the road, they must not be used to seeing any 6'4” Mexicans because it almost hit me in the head. I had to duck. All of the parrots here are bright green. 

Funny story. We were watching the old Mormon movie called "Legacy," and in it there is a clip of governor Boggs signing the Mormon extermination order, and he was saying how all Mormons need to be driven out and if necessary, killed. Elder Ballard leans over to Elder Boggs and says "Elder Boggs, when you see him in heaven tell him he's stupid." Then Elder Boggs says with a condescending chuckle "He's not going to Heaven." That was hilarious. 

Another funny moment with Elder Boggs. Here at the CCM they serve grapes the size of ping pong balls. They're huge! Someone said something about puffy bunny, and before I know what has happened, Elder Boggs has a plate full of grapes and he's stuffing them into his mouth. Word spreads around the cafeteria, which is what we didn't want. Pretty quickly, all eyes are on Elder Boggs. He fits 17 into his mouth. My back was turned because I was grossed out, and it was funny to see the expressions other people had. Mostly disgust and horror. Anyway, he hits 17, my back is turned, and then I hear him explode. The grapes poured out of his mouth, along with a waterfall of spit, and I could hear them pounding onto his plate. The moment that happened, everyone in the cafeteria went "OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" in unison. Just like in the movies, it was great. And then another elder tried to match him. He only got 16 before he exploded because the grapes were flirting with his uvula in the back of his throat. Great times.

I've also had some spiritual times this week. I testify that 2 Nephi 25:23 is true. It is by grace we are saved after all we can do. This also applies in our daily lives. When we do all we can to fix problems, overcome bad habits, get a good score on that test, learn Spanish, live on our own for the first time, follow through with promptings from the spirit that scare us, etc. I testify after we do all we can, that is when the grace of God saves us. When we do our best, God makes up the rest.

This week Presidente Tenorio taught us about specific prayers. From Genesis 24. Lay out the terms for God to answer our prayers, be specific when asking for blessings and how you'd like to be answered, and then watch him work miracles. If it's a legitimate need, then Heavenly Father will answer. I've tried it and I know it works.

I love you all. 

Elder West

Another View from the CCM (missionary training center)

Some cool-looking local currency 

Email just to the family, but we will share it:

Hey! Will you please make a cool binder out of my emails, so I can see them all when I get home? Thanks!

I've dreamed about you all twice.

Please tell Sam Nelson I love and miss him. Please thank Matt and Sherry Forsyth for their kind letter.

I've been craving the Oregon coast and scorching orange Utah sunsets. We don't have either here in Mexico. -smiley face.

I love the hymn "Brightly Beams our Father’s Mercy." Mom, I remember you singing me to sleep with that one when I was a kid, along with a bunch of other hymns that are tender to me. That was the first beginning to my testimony. Thanks. I also love the hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour" in Spanish more than I do in English. The translation is just the best.

I love you all. Choose the right. I pray for you every night, often individually. I pray for what the Spirit gives me to pray for about each one of you. I love you.

Second Week at the CCM

Hey! Some thoughts for you.

I remember a returned missionary saying that a great lure the world gives us is the idea of finding yourself. He said the best way to do that is to serve others, and learn about yourself through serving a mission. It's true. Serving a mission is the most hipster thing I've ever done. I'm living in Mexico City, learning Spanish, and teaching people about Jesus Christ. It's amazing. It's hard. And I'm finding myself. Haha, an analogy for you.

I've been made an usher for the CCM devotionals and meetings because I have a winning smile and great personality. Haha. I actually don't know why, but it's a calling. And it's a coveted one. So I’m blessed.

At our most recent meeting president Tenorio spoke. He told us about his first times getting kidnapped and robbed in Mexico City and how he was protected because he kept the law of tithing.

There is a prison close to the CCM so we hear police sirens 24 hours a day. No joke.

Also, we are consistently woken up at 5am, every morning, with fireworks. Apparently, every day here is a holiday for a different Catholic saint. So they celebrate with fireworks. At 5am. Haha 

I found out my companion, Elder Boggs, is a direct descendent of governor Boggs, the one that gave the Mormon extermination order. Freaky, cool, and it makes me happy to know that "we got em!"

Another thought: so many people here are talkers. The world has enough "talkers" but it needs more listeners. I choose to be a listener.

I blessed the sacrament in my branch on Sunday.

Another thought: I know people say that missions are like a tithing of our life, but they never mention the blessing associated with tithing in that same message. I know I'll be blessed because I'm paying a tithing for my life. Check out the blessings, in Malachi I think.

I testify of the power of examples. Our district has major focus problems, but we are improving. Anyway, I was basically the only one who would diligently study during language, personal, and additional study time. Later, we had a district meeting on focusing, and so many Elders used me as an example of what we should be doing. Be an example. People see you.

In my studies for our "investigators", who are really our teachers, but it's legit role playing. Anyway, in my personal study for their needs, I receive answers to my own prayers and questions. I know when we serve others we will be blessed with help. Here are scriptures that are really good: Doctrine & Covenants 88:63; 112:10; and 90:24. Please check them out. I know they are true.

I remember my first day here, standing in the lobby, and trying not to cry because I felt the Spirit so strong on this campus.

Elder Boggs and I had a great lesson with our investigator named Arletti. I wrote in my journal right after "We just had a lesson with Arletti. I testified that God hears and listens to her prayers. The Spirit was so strong. She was crying and I was too. Elder Boggs committed her to baptism. In only 3 weeks we'll be in Chile helping real people come unto Christ. Even though our Spanish is far from perfect, it doesn't matter. The Spirit is the only teacher in the room. We don't need Spanish to teach, just the Spirit. I know the gift of tongues is real, I feel it every time we teach. This church is real. God works miracles. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Then last night we taught people they bring in from the city. And it was horrible. I didn't understand anything and the Spirit wasn't there. That was the most discouraged I’ve been on my mission. Then this morning I was prompted to study about Peter and when he tried walking on water. I wrote in my journal "I just read Matthew 14: 22 through 33. I'm sinking. I must take Christ's hand. I need to keep my eyes on Jesus Christ, so my faith fail not. I know I am in the arms of my Savior. He will help me. He loves me. I felt his voice tell me: "you are in my arms." He loves me. He will help me. This has been the strongest spiritual experience of my mission so far. I'm just a boy from Utah, in Mexico City, but He knows me and my struggles. He loves me. He wants me to know that, He will help me. I've been sinking into the waves, I've cried out for fear, and He immediately extends His hand, I just need to take it. I need more faith in Jesus Christ. My testimony needs to be so strong. I love my Savior."

I testify that God loves and knows YOU. Take the Saviors hand, it's extended to you.

With love,

Elder West

Elder West & Elder East (yes, there is an Elder East there also)

Jacob's district leaders, Elders Brogdon & Ballard

View of the surrounding city from the CCM

View of Mexico City from the bus

Jacob's room at the CCM

Very tall security walls surround the CCM, and there are security cameras.  The missionaries are safe there.

Jacob's "First Legit Letter"

Hola familia y amigos! 

We've been learning Spanish so fast! I was worried about it before my mission but not anymore. The gift of tongues is real! We’ve taught four 30 minute lessons in Spanish to an investigator. When we go to teach, we can speak Spanish, and when we leave the room, we can't speak it as well. After the first few days we were praying and bearing testimony in Spanish. Now it's instinctual! 

The first few days here were emotional and mental death. Seriously so hard! But I said a kneeling prayer the first moment I had alone and then tried to serve my companion and it all went well. The air here is so dirty, so it made my cough super bad. I had a fever of 102.6 and was hacking over everyone, but I went to the doctor and got some meds so now I'm good.

My companion's name is Elder Boggs from Merced, CA. Praying to love someone works. Heavenly Father has helped me be patient and love him. He has a great laugh, it sounds like a chipmunk, except a little bit deeper. It gets our district rolling!

My district is made up of 8 elders, all going to Chile, Osorno. They are all way cool extroverted guys! For everyone going to serve a mission, shatter any preconceptions you have. It is not even close to what you think it is. But you'll love it. And it's a blessing. And it's hard at times, but don’t worry because Heavenly Father helps you. 

You know if you're in Mexico if...

You are always hearing police sirens, mosquitoes are seriously everywhere, you have a dope view of the city on the mountain at night and there are lights everywhere, you eat mystery food that somehow grows on you, the mountain city has San Francisco streets, there are parrots on the campus!!!, it rains every afternoon with MASSIVE lightning and thunder, your Spanish teacher says the explosions we hear almost every night are either fireworks or gunshots, when Mexicans say “purpose” like the guy on Walter Mitty says “porpoise" and when the air here makes LA air look clean!

I love you all so much!