Sorry Ive been on a Portuguese run for these last couple of weeks. Its kind of funny to realize all the really random words I can remember in portuguese... me and my companion Elder Mauricio, have been making Silvio Santos jokes nonstop [please ask if you dont know what it means - preferably to a brazilian]
Its been a really incredible week, but its also been a little rough personally.
Cho decided to move his baptismal date to the 5th of June, so well be having a baptismal service in 2 weeks!! Its sooooo exciting! That guy is so prepared I cant even describe - hes reading, praying, and hes super excited about the baptism. We showed him the font and his baptismal clothes yesterday, and he was just beaming with excitement. Hes one of those special spirits who truly hearkened to the voice of the good shepherd - and he knows His voice, for he is His.
We had been praying so that Cho would be able to come to Church, and Heavenly Father made the way - because it is His will. And the rain came and it was the most beautiful rain I have ever seen. It poured, and oh, how it poured upon the heads of the saints here in Matsuyama!
We were able to spend the last part of Church with Cho, taught the last couple of commandments and reviewed the baptismal interview questions with him - it was weird because it was all so perfect; what we planned became reality as we were able to align to the will of the Lord in a such an unreal way. Now that I look back, it was the arm of the Lord through revelation guiding us.
During sacrament meeting I was also asked to give a talk - on the spot. I was supposed to give a talk next week but the brother that was supposed to do it yesterday didnt come. Well, they figure missionaries can do it... oh well....
But it became a remarkable experience for me. I had no script, no plans, nothing that I particularly wanted to talk about. However, as I sought revelation, it became clear to me what I should teach, and what scriptures I should use. As I pondered upon the things the Spirit taught me, I sought the reassurance of the Holy Ghost and I felt at peace, with an unusual sense of confidence and faith that it would be good.
I honestly have to say, it was one of the strongest spiritual experiences I have ever had. My heart burned the entire unplanned 20 minutes I was up there. The Spirit I felt was so overwhelming afterwards that my body was as if it was left without energy, without strength, as I sat back and pondered over the preceding 20 minutes. The Spirit of the Lord had worked in a peculiar way and I myself (perhaps beyond anyone else) was in wonder at how powerful a talk it became. It was a special time to testify of the Great Plan of Salvation and the Atonement of the Savior, and I am grateful to be able to have had this wonderful experience.
But in retrospect, it also became a very difficult week as I battled against fatigue and the temptations of the adversary. Especially as it approaches time to come home, I have been battling out thoughts of home, and of worldly things. My fatigue has added up to the point where I cant sometimes focus spiritually, and it has become increasingly difficult to have an edge. However, as I reflect upon this, remembering my many, many weakness, I remember how much the Savior suffered. He was tempted and tried above the ability of any other child of God. He suffered above all others. He tasted the bitter cup so that we wouldnt have to. And so, if I, in my own faitgue, in my own weakness, am not alone. I dont have to succumb for He is my strength. He is my Savior, Rock, and my Redeemer. As Nephi declare, "Why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one may have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?"
It is hard. But it is not impossible. And I learned from this experience that no matter where I am, I can always find strength and comfort in the Savior - whatever the challenge may be.
I love each and every one of you. I am eternally grateful for so many of the sacrifices that many of you made so that I could be here and help move this great work. And especially grateful for the sacrifice of my best friend, my advocate with the Father, who stands ready at all times to assist and comfort us - so why shouldnt we do so for Him, and help to lift the burden of those around us? I hope that throughout the rest of this week, we can be better at "putting off the natural man" and learn to walk more and more, closer and closer, to His footsteps, for they will lead us to a great and happier tomorrow - a truly free tomorrow - in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Love,
Elder Mourao
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Called to serve the Lord as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hiroshima, Japan
Map of Japan (for a complete map of where he's been, look at the bottom of this page)
Elder Victor M.S. Mourao
Called to serve the Lord as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hiroshima, Japan
Hiroshima, Japan
Map of Japan (for a complete map of where he's been, look at the bottom of this page)
Our Elder's address:
Elder Victor Mourao
Japan Hiroshima Mission
Tottori-ken Yonago-shi
Nishifukubara 3-6-27
Mezon Pineru 201
683-0805
JAPAN
Japan Hiroshima Mission
Tottori-ken Yonago-shi
Nishifukubara 3-6-27
Mezon Pineru 201
683-0805
JAPAN
You can write him an email at
Victor's time
Hiroshima |
Elder Mourao's favorite scripture: Alma 32:42
"And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst."
Thanks for reading Victor's blog!
Mission pictures
Where Victor's been!
Dramatic Growth
"Under the inspiration of the Lord and the courageous action of Joseph Smith, the first Latter-day Saint missionaries ever to serve beyond North America brought the restored gospel to the British Isles in 1837. Heading that first group of elders was Heber C. Kimball, who set a great example for all newly called missionaries. Humbled by the responsibility and fully aware of his limitations, he poured out his heart in prayer."
'O, Lord,' he cried, 'I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I go to preach in that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and piety; the nursery of religion; and to a people whose intelligence is proverbial!'
"But rising from his knees and accepting his duty, he said, 'The moment I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I needed' (Life of Heber C. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1945, p. 104). Surely God responded to the faith of that young elder, because Brother Kimball and his companions were endowed, 'with every qualification' they needed."
-Jeffrey R. Holland
'O, Lord,' he cried, 'I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I go to preach in that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and piety; the nursery of religion; and to a people whose intelligence is proverbial!'
"But rising from his knees and accepting his duty, he said, 'The moment I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I needed' (Life of Heber C. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1945, p. 104). Surely God responded to the faith of that young elder, because Brother Kimball and his companions were endowed, 'with every qualification' they needed."
-Jeffrey R. Holland