5 NOV 2018 ~ Week 1: In the Land Down Under

안녕하세요 Mates!!

If you're getting this email, then you know that I survived my first week in Australia! It has been very eventful, well where to begin...

My trainer is Elder Scott. He's 19yrs old from Utah, and has been on the mission for 1 yr & 2 months. Great guy, very knowledgeable of the area, good relations with the members, and also a Korean speaker like me!

Unfortunately, our level is about the same... and we are placed in an area with basically no Koreans. I haven't found any yet. The closest thing is a Sister in our Branch who served her mission in Korea. So a little concerning, but that's' ok. I like challenges anyways. I can't understand the accent anyways so there's my language immersion.

We have 2 potential baptisms coming up, which is great. We have Brodie, a baptismal date at the end of the month. Then I taught Jacob during Sunday School about the Book of Mormon and the Plan of Salvation. Then after the lesson he asked me about baptism. I shared with him my experience, what baptism was, why it's important, and the blessings that come from it. I asked him if this was something he was interested in learning more about and pursuing and he said yes. Later in the meetings I overheard him say that the Gospel just makes sense. So I'm excited to work with him and help him along the path.

Next, I've come to learn a very important lesson of missionary life.... We are poor. We live pretty frugally. Haven't eaten out yet since I've been out. We've have had ghetto lunches of whatever Elder Scott has had in the trunk of the car, like half bag of chips and chocolate... But that was more of a result of bad planning... I've never felt this poor before... So throughout the day I'll end up feeling starved, which isn't the best combination with the terrible feelings of jet lag I've had. I try to keep a good attitude but sometimes I think about it too much, and then we get blessed by someone offering us food and a member feeds us a wonderful meal and I am oh so grateful. Then I'm reminded of Alma 32:37-38.

So this missionary work is a very heart wrenching work. We were visiting one lady, we call her Grandma Jack. An older lady who absolutely loves the Bible. Loves reading pieces from intellectuals regarding the Bible that provide a different perspective and further analyzes the symbolism which she just gets so excited about. The approach I guess the missionaries have been taking in our area is more of being a friend and buddy buddies with the people they visit rather than... I guess being missionaries... who would want that, crazy... anyways, our visit with her was more like us checking up on our grandma as if we were in the area and seeing if she were ok... So no real lesson was prepared... more like did you read the Book of Mormon? No? Ok, cool all good, just get to it if you can.... I'm playing Junior companion and the Greenie and trusting and following my trainer and just following his lead... lets just say that we need to change some things. Anyways, as we were visiting and listening to her absolute love for the Bible I started tearing up a little. Because this was a daughter of our Heavenly Father who was lost. I could see the veil blocking her vision. She had done fantastic by loving the Bible, but was missing the full truth. She loved the intellectual men's words, but oh how she would lose it if she realized that I had the very word of God in my hand. I could see her in a temple session and she would probably die from excitement and absolute joy as she found the full truth. The Bible had given her this much joy, can you imagine how much more joy she would have if she realized what the Book of Mormon was and that Jesus Christ's true church was on the earth?!? She'd probably have a heart attack in front of us and beg for us to do her temple work or to baptize her.

I've been having these "visions" of the families we visit. Non-member like member. These visions are of their potential. When we visit with a broken family that we do service for pretty regularly, when we were with the family together in the kitchen chatting. I have this vision of them in the kitchen but on a Sunday morning getting ready for church and eating breakfast together. The family is no longer broken, but filled with absolute love for each other. Then I snapped out of it when they ask us where the church originated. This is it. This is the moment where we would get the ball rolling to fulfill this vision I've just seen about their potential. I look to my companion waiting to just follow his lead since he's seasoned and I'm think he's thinking the same thing. This family who have never received a lesson before and are about to receive the lesson of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ after several months of receiving gardening service from the missionaries. My companion opens his mouth and merely says that the church started in New York and then moved to Utah. I just sit there, absolutely shocked that this is all he could muster to get out... then before i could save and get something useful out, the moment is gone and the family needs to leave... It was a moment given to us on a golden platter and we did nothing with it.... There seems to be no spirit of urgency to get this message, the greatest message ever known to mankind, out to these people. The missionaries have been content with just making friends and visiting grandma and grandpa checking on them to see how bingo night went or how their grandkids are doing. Well don't get me wrong that's great and i think it's very important, but on the other hand, we're missionaries who are supposed to be bringing people closer to Christ. Additionally I understand every case is different and sometimes thats all we can do is be the grandkids or just offer service. But the other day we tried switching it up and actually asking if we could share a quick message and they were more than willing to listen. I don't want to make the other missionaries seem like their bad missionaries because they put on a good image for the Church and did a lot of service. But if these people are ever gonna reach their potential that God intended for them to achieve, we need to be bold and open our mouths and not be wishy washy. My companion has trouble with this. Rather than using church terms like companion or Apostle, he'll call me his "buddy or friend" when meeting other people, or call the Apostles these "good, cool, nice guys." His reasoning is that people would often get confused and ask what he meant or what those things meant. He got tired of trying to explain... I looked at him and told him, well isn't that the perfect opportunity for a missionary? To quickly and simply explain a lesson, and also to see if the people actually are listening? If they ask what is that, that's great because it shows that they're actually listening and trying to understand. 2nd it's the perfect opportunity to teach a quick overview of the Restoration or about Prophets and Apostles. Boom, easy. I think a lot of these missionaries think that they need a formal setting to teach a lesson where we're in a quiet place, free time and sitting down together. Well, as i look back we don't get very many of those opportunities because the rest of our time is spent getting yelled at by ladies who have to calm her frightened, scared to death daughter down from us merely knocking on the door and standing there, perfectly still.... So we need to take every single small opportunity we can get where people will even let us spit out that we are missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To let those small moments be led by the Spirit and allow these people to feel the special Spirit we carry with us, if we are worthy of it. This is done by having a bit of urgency and fire in your pants to share this message to every single person, the same desire that the Sons of Mosiah had in Mosiah 28:3-4. So it breaks my heart when we get to a door and they say their husband isn't home (because we can't enter a house with just the wife alone) and we say well we'll try again next week. NEXT WEEK!! Is this not the greatest blessing that anyone could possibly receive? Why not a quick scripture or video to watch later? Is this not the same fruit that Lehi desired of his sons to have that was described in Alma 32:42?! I just guess we'll let them wait to have this fruit for another week, they made it this far right? No, we can't wait. These people can't wait. They don't know it yet, but they are so desperately needing the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. We all do. We must share it, or else we'll be held accountable for it later. Can you imagine their response when they realize this incredible gift and find out that you've been keeping it from them this entire time? Can you hear them say "I suffered for days because of the loss of my family, because I thought I would never see them again. But you knew all along that this wasn't the case? You've known me for years but never thought to share this incredible knowledge?"  We need to treat this Gospel like Gold, because it is far greater than that. Please open your mouth.

We are gonna change the atmosphere in this mission. Miracles are gonna take place and our little branch of 30 is gonna be a booming ward. You know why? Because God loves every. Single. One. Of. HIS. CHILDREN. He wants every SINGLE ONE OF US TO COME BACK HOME TO HIM. HE WANTS EVERYONE TO FIND TRUE, PURE JOY THAT MAKES OUR HEART WANT TO BURST OUT OF OUR CHEST. Have you felt this? I have. It is the greatest thing in the world. I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints IS GODS KINGDOM ON EARTH. If you don't know it, then study the Book of Mormon and Heavenly Father will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. Please find out for yourselves, "for ye may" Jacob 3:2. And even all this ye can do if ye will Alma 33:23.

Long email, if you made it this far thank you. Not bad missionaries here. Its just good, better, best. They are in between good and better. Getting around doing some good. But i want best, and I think Heavenly Father and His Children deserve the best. I love you all, but more importantly Heavenly Father loves you. Have great week.

Elder Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
 
One less door to knock on during our rounds

This dinner with a part member family was a huge blessing
 
One of the many millions of spiders in Australia
 
Sharing some live oysters fresh from the ocean with Frank
Our small branch of 30 after church

29 OCT 2018 ~ Week 10 Leaving MTC: Travel Day! Australia Bound!

Good evening family and friends,

This is Elder Escamilla's mom, Misty. Unfortunately, we will not get an email this week from Elder Escamilla, but instead a special message he expressed with us from his heart during his travels. Today has been a beautiful day. We've had the pleasure of receiving two phone calls from Elder Escamilla during his layover at Salt Lake City Airport and Los Angeles Airport.

He is so excited to get to Australia to share the same joy he feels with the gospel in his life. His commitment to serve a two-year mission is worth the temporary sacrifice to leave from home, our family, West Point, and friends! I could hear the joy in his voice and see his beautiful big smile! His message was loud and clear of his love for Jesus Christ, the gospel, the scriptures, and God children. As you've probably heard, he does have a strong testimony and he says it in Korean too, so please take some time to listen to it even though you may not understand. (attachment) It is beautiful.

He did want me to tell everyone "Thank you for the birthday wishes and cards!" He actually forgot it was his 21st birthday until his district reminded him with a little celebration! 😊

This evening, I received a surprising text message from a total stranger who is a former Bishop from Memphis, TN. He stopped to visit with the missionaries while they were waiting at the Los Angeles Airport and bought a few missionaries hamburgers and had the opportunity to get to know them a little. He did marvel about Elder Escamilla and said he was an awesome and amazing young man, along with his journey at West Point and serving a mission. We were truly thankful he shared a picture and a video with us.

Traveling missionary companions to Australia.


God Be With You Until We Meet Again


Elder Escamilla's testimony in Korean.

22 OCT 2018 ~ Week 9 in MTC: The Final Stretch, Part 2....

반갑습니다!!

Well I FINISHED WEEK 9 OF THE MTC!!! I know what you’re thinking, “shouldn’t you be on a plane right now to the Land Down Under? Shouldn’t we be getting an email after your 2 days of traveling?” Then I would say “those are fantastic questions. Great, high quality questions...” So, here’s the story: It’s Friday, my district and I are gearing up to get on our planes to head out and start harvesting for the Lord. Our zone leaders come into the classroom abruptly, and tell me that they have a phone call for me from the front desk that I need to take now. Well with this abruptness and out of the blue entrance, of course my mind starts wondering and trying to figure out what in the world is going on. I go out of the classroom and answer the phone. I’m told that I need to go to the travel office immediately. So I go down and am told that my Mission President doesn’t want me... kidding, totally kidding President Runia. No but he did decide to have me come next week with 7 other English missionaries so we can arrive during the transfer. For some reason, non-English speaking missionaries going to Australia are all off by a week from transfers while English speakers come in right on transfer date. So instead of traveling alone today, I’ll travel with 7 other missionaries next Monday. So I get an extra week of learning Korean, studying the Book of Mormon, helping the newer Korean speaking missionaries, and do family temple ordinances. I was disappointed at first, but what honestly hurt the most was saying goodbye to my district. It was gonna happen eventually because I’m the only one going to Australia that is Korean speaking. We grew a lot together as a district and they became my family. I saw their high and low points. Watched them grow. Then they saw the same from me. When I was the district leader for the first 3 weeks, Heavenly Father let me see a glimpse of His love for them. Afterwards, that pure Christlike love grew for each and every single member of my district. I know they are gonna change lives. Out of the other districts I’ve seen, I was blessed with one of the most obedient, spiritually sensitive, motivated, hardworking missionaries. Our goal was to go out and do the Lord’s work and help His children come to know that there is a Supreme Creator who is all powerful, all knowing, and ultimately our Heavenly Father. He provided a plan for us to return to Him that is made possible through Jesus Christ. Additionally, through Jesus Christ, we can overcome any weakness or trial, and come out stronger than before. Our goal is to some day reach perfection, but that is only possible through Jesus Christ. We’re not trying to increase numbers or get more money. We’re just trying to help people find true, pure joy. Joy that lasts longer than just in the moment or far greater than just “having fun” or “being happy”. I’ve felt it and I just want others to feel it too. It’s the greatest thing in the world. More powerful than any drug or authority.

So this week, I just wanna share some things that I learned from each member of my district that helped me grow and on my journey to become a more Christlike missionary:
Elder Malaskey: this message is so important that people will pull it out of the garbage (literally) to know of it. Also, you taught me to continually open my mouth. Always be willing and eager to share thoughts and try even if you may fail. To truly be like Nephi in 1 Nephi 4:6
Elder Lucas: I love how he just knew everyone in the MTC. Not from before the mission, but had taken time to truly meet, get to know and connect with as many people as he possibly could. Even if we were running late to something or trying to get somewhere, he would always take the time to build relationships and connect with all.
Elder Madrona: He showed me to not be afraid to let my guard down. Even though we saw this later and he learned this himself at the end. Letting yourself be vulnerable sometimes let’s people see the real you makes your words all the more powerful.
Elder Streeter: You are very easily the next Elder Uchtdorf with all your plane talk and love, but I loved watching you grow and become a great district leader that God qualifies those He calls. I know calls are inspired and I truly felt Gods guidance and love through you. So thank you for acting and speaking by the Spirit.
Elder Johanson: Thank you for being my reminder of quiet time during the last few days. It was a reminder to use that time properly. Even though I wasn’t doing anything wrong and was sharing experience or advice with other missionaries. That was my time to ponder over the days events and prepare for the next day. You were just helping me.
Elder Torres: You’re just a huge teddy bear that always rejected my hugs. I aspired to have the doctrinal knowledge you had in your short 4 years as a member. You were called as a Seminary teacher shortly after you were baptized and you sacrificed your dream to come out on a mission despite not wanting to originally. I look up to you.
Elder Kunde: Thank you for keeping the mood light and making learning 한국말 fun. You showed me that people are always watching even when you think they aren’t. Thank you for thinking a lot of me and helping my self-confidence. Now you can stop looking at me haha.
Sister Johnson: Thanks for showing me what it looks like to truly draw people to you from the light of the Gospel that shines so bright from you. You brighten everyone’s day and everyone enjoys being around you. You know how to take a joke and dish it back.
Sister Wray: You helped me realize how important it is to not only love the people, but also to just love yourself and appreciate yourself every now and then. You helped me see some things about myself that I overlooked.
Elder Bae: I’m so glad you joined us from Korea. You were patient with my lack of Korean and poor Korean. Man you’re so great.
Elder Hwang: You reminded me to just find joy in the journey, beyond always working. One of the most important lessons, because this is a gospel of joy, God gave us the Plan of Happiness. “Men are that they might have joy”.

These missionaries are gonna be incredible and I was so absolutely, beyond belief blessed to have each and every one in my district. That’s what made it so hard to say goodbye to them. They became family and I can’t wait to see them again after the mission and be as the sons of Mosiah and Alma in Alma 17.

Ready for another great week in the MTC.

Elder Escamilla


New and improved nametag! P.S. it says Elder Escamilla, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in case you weren’t sure


My district saying goodbye to Sister Oh one of our phenomenal Korean and doctrine teachers. She was a perfect Christlike teacher and helped all of us immensely. Brother Oh too, but he was more of the comedic relief haha.


We had a surprise new district of missionaries come in this week which was unusual because they normally come in 3 week cycles, but this time it was after 2 weeks


Filipinos and their selfies and pictures


Always a good day when the 호주 flag is flying


Elder Hwang and I’s nonmember (Dajeong Kim/김디정) that we’ve been teaching for the past 3 weeks. We became really good friends by our last visit and tears were shed.


Gotta get in all-Filipino picture obviously. We got 3 new Filipino missionaries and they still don’t believe that I don’t have any Filipino in me. They think I’m lying. My accent when speaking Tagalog got decent so they are still convinced I’m Filipino. I just keep pointing at the Book of Mormon say that “this is my family history”


Our last picture together as a whole district 


One of our last times singing together as a district. "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" (in Korean)

https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/god-be-with-you-till-we-meet-again?lang=eng

15 OCT 2018 ~ Week 8 in MTC: The Final Stretch 🇦🇺


안녕하세요 제 진국들과 제 가족,

Well this is it. Final week in the MTC, lets go!!

So short story and my Book of Mormon thoughts:

So in the MTC there’s a weird phenomenon where you just run into the same companionships everywhere. Our first 6 weeks we had several sets like this but then they went home because I mean who is at the MTC for 9 weeks? Oh wait yeah that’s me. Anyways, we got a new set that we always run too. It’s a Sister tri-companionship made up of an Hermana from Mexico, one from Mongolia and another Sister from China. Each going to different parts of the U.S. so they are in the MTC for 9 weeks to learn English. We first met them during General Conference when we were in our international seating, because my companion and I are international. We got talking to them to practice our Spanish since Spanish is super fun to speak. So we talk a lot with the Hermana, learn a little Mongolian and some Chinese. Well one day we were leaving the cafeteria and we say our “Hola, come esta” as one does in Spanish. Usually the Hermana is very chippy and happy and excited to be able to speak Spanish. Well this time she seemed very cast down and sad. So I re-ask her. She then goes on to tell us about a distressing email from home that she got and then her struggles with English, and her teacher giving her a rough time about not speaking Spanish and speaking English. This was affecting her and getting to her. So as my companion continued to keep the conversation alive, I felt like I should share a passage from the Book of Mormon. I know there is power that comes from the Book of Mormon when we need support or hope. So I had to look quickly because we had to go and the conversation was gonna end soon. So not knowing what to share I started flipping through my last study area. I was drawn to a passage in Alma 26:27-30. In this passage, Ammon is discussing and glorifying God as a result of their successful mission among the Lamanites who used to love killing his people, but now would give up their lives rather than fight back and break the promise they made with God: to never take anyone’s life again. As a result these people would lay down their lives because of their love for God and their hatred of sin. Ammon talks about how God promised him and his fellow missionaries that if they were patient in their afflictions that they would have success. As a result of their patience, they were the instruments and the means by which these bloodthirsty people would become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, repent, become clean and receive forgiveness from all the killing they had previously done (Alma 24:23-24). So I shared this with this Hermana that her afflictions were learning English, but if she was patient she would receive success. That God wanted her to hear this message and it was specifically talking to her. At this time she was tearing up and the Holy Ghost and love of God was present. We testified that things would get better and with God she could do it. She thanked us and this was exactly what she needed. A couple days later we caught up with her and asked how things were going. Well she told us that an additional affliction she was having at the time was a very aggressive, rude, mean and demanding companion who was making her life miserable. As she told us this, the verse we shared with her couldn’t have been more perfect. Read the scripture we shared and you’ll see. I know that there are no coincidences. Keep in mind all this took place in Spanish. There’s no coincidence I still remember my Spanish from high school about 5-6 years ago. Not perfect, but the Spirit knows perfect Spanish.

I love the perspective that we gain from Alma. First off I just love all of Alma, I’m in Alma 32 now and just in love with Alma. Anyways, when reading Alma 31 you get the prayer of the wicked Zoramites and Alma and his brethren and sons behold all the wickedness, pride, etc. of the Zoramites. Dumb idols (I love that the Book of Mormon calls them dumb), perverting the ways of the Lord and all that good stuff. After we are given a clear depiction of what type of people the Zoramites are, we get Alma’s prayer. He prays for strength to bear with his infirmities, and suffer with patience the afflictions that will come because of the iniquities of the people. He prays for comfort to his souls in Christ, and prays to success. So we get this beautiful prayer that results in him clapping his hands upon his fellow laborers and being filled with the Spirit. After reading this and thinking what a beautiful prayer, I thought why are we getting this prayer? Yes he’s demonstrating we should always pray. Yes it’s good to pray. However, I think he’s praying because he’s buckling up and he knows that this mission in particular is gonna hurt. It’s gonna suck. It’s gonna be difficult. To think that Alma would consider this mission to be hard says a lot. Considering all that he’s previously done and especially after his experience in Ammonihah (Alma 8:8-14; 14). Where the people rejected him at first and cast him out. Then with Amulek, contending with Zeezrom who was the most expert lawyer and in the devices of the devil. Then after finally having much success with the people and finding hope for the city, only to have the most wicked bind them up and put them on a hill to watch a terrible scene take place. The scene being watching all their new friends and family that they just brought to God being cast into a large fire, being burned alive. Woman and children. Then if this wasn’t enough, the wicked would keep them bound up in jail for “many days” x 2 (so probably a couple weeks), to consistently be mocked, ridiculed, questioned, suffering hunger, thirst, being naked and constantly being smacked in the face by all those who came to mock them (people basically lining up). If this Alma, who experienced this on his previous mission, is now praying for strength and comfort before going among the Zoramites knowing that this mission is gonna hurt... Like man, this is the real deal.

I read this and I was just like dang. It reminded me of times at West Point where I too would have the same sick gut feeling, thinking “this is gonna hurt” and “this is gonna suck”. I don’t know what’s to come for these next 22 months in Australia. I may not experience what Alma experienced in the slightest, but I do know it will be my own personal version of it though. I know that the strength and comfort given to these brethren before going amongst the Zoramites is also extended to us if we pray in faith. If we do as Elder Bednar instructed in “Recognizing the Spirit”: Be a good boy, be a good girl. Remember and honor your covenants. Keep the commandments. Press forward and we will be guided in every step. Open our mouths and it will be filled. The scripture is PRESS FORWARD in faith, not stand around and wait in faith. There are times when we need to be like Nephi, in 1 Nephi 4:6 "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which i should do."

Then ultimately how is this made possible? How are our afflictions swallowed up? Alma 31:38 “... he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up up in the joy of Christ.”

Love you,

Elder Escamilla


Yes that’s a tiki piñata. Yes it’s being held up by a hanger. Yes it’s hung on a tree by belts.


Our district with 1 week left in the MTC. It was Sister Johnson’s Birthday so we threw a Luau Birthday thanks to the decorations sent by Elder Streeter’s Mom.



Elder Escamilla, Elder Bae, Elder Hwang

 

Don’t mind the too dominant male voice (that may or may not be mine) and enjoy my class’ opening song in 한국말
Nearer, My God, to Thee (Korean)
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-11-0080-nearer-my-god-to-thee?lang=eng

8 OCT 2018 ~ Week 7 in MTC: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

여차대회 어땠습니까?!?! 좋아요?!?!

Well it’s been an eventful week this week. Hwang 장로님 and I got a new companion from Seoul, Korea. His name is Elder Bae (배 장로님). Since he, as you can probably guess, already speaks Korean (Iknow crazy, gift of tongues is real) he’s only at the MTC for 3 weeks since he’ll be serving in the Korea Seoul South mission. So he jumps right in with my group. Which means, yes, I’m on my last couple weeks at the MTC! Tomorrow, we will have exactly 2 weeks left. Times has absolutely flown. Weeks feel like days and days like hours. I wish it would slow down for more time to become like Christ for God and the people of Sydney, Australia. However, I’m excited time is flying because I can’t wait to just talk to people everywhere we go, and share with them that God loves them and there is purpose in this life. So I'm a little torn, but in a good way haha. Then we got 20 new missionaries. All going to Korea or New York.... Yup, I'm still the only Australian.... I'm beginning to think that my mission is a fake mission haha. I'm excited though and still appreciate my hidden gem of a mission (Miss you Pete Fenton). 

So I'll share an experience that Elder Hwang and I had this week. This past week we started our Non-Member TRC. Which means that we started teaching a "non-member" on a regular basis. Yes, in Korean as you can guess. We don't know if she's actually a non-member or not. If she is, then she is a fantastic actor, because she has me sold. Enough to give away my marked up Korean Book of Mormon that was all tabbed up with references and highlighting throughout, because I really wanted her to have a Book of Mormon to read. So just slightly salty if she's actually a member, but totally worth it if she isn't. BoM, D&C, and PoGP combo in Korean anyways so not too worried anymore. Her name is Dajeong Kim (김다정). We taught her 3 times this past week and will be teaching her 4 times (I think, gotta look ahead) this next week. We started from the beginning with getting to know her. Her religious background. Why she's in America, and even at the MTC. We taught her about baptism, the Godhead, and the importance of the Book of Mormon. The first lesson was alright. Not bad, but we went over our 30 minute time by 30 minutes.... So yeah.... Then the next lesson was better, only 15 minutes over time. It's ok though, she kept asking questions. Then our most recent lesson, was over 20 or so minutes... Except this time it was much better. We were getting progressively better at teaching and answering her questions. However this past time was much different. This past time, the Spirit was there that we probably almost could've seen Him. It was so powerful. The words flowed out of my mouth. My understanding improved. Ultimately, we were vessels for the Spirit to touch her heart. We had decided to get Dajeong Kim another Book of Mormon except with her name engraved. We previously told her that we had a gift for her. We brought the gift and she was speechless and very grateful. Our lesson consisted of talking about the importance of Jesus Christ and why we need the Gospel if "I'm already happy". We talked about how life is difficult, challenges and trials will come. When they do, we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ to turn to in order to find refuge and relief. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we turn to in order to know that everything will be alright. That we will see my deceased family again in their healthy and free from physical disabilities. That when we are cast down, depressed or been crossed, we can turn to Jesus Christ who knows everything about being mocked, abused, and betrayed by His friends. The people who once welcomed Him into the city, betray Him and would rather have a criminal to have freedom than Jesus Christ. Who had done no wrong. It is through Jesus Christ that we can turn to to counsel with, because He has suffered for all our weaknesses, sorrows, trials, and imperfections. We testified of Christ. We testified of God's love for every single one of His children. Every single person that has ever lived and will ever live. He loves us so He sent His Son, to provide a path back to live with Him and our families for eternity. I testified of my conversion and decision to be baptized. I testified of how I have come to know that these things are true. We could very well tell she was touched and felt God's love. It was apparent in the atmosphere in the small room. We watched a video. We expounded the Book of Mormon by demonstrating that every question she asked could be answered with the Book of Mormon. We sang "I Need Thee Every Hour" as my companion was inspired to do so. We testified that we were representatives of Jesus Christ. That our words were God's words meant for her. It was powerful. It was sincere. It was.... I can't explain it well enough. I am SO grateful to be a missionary. That I can have many more experiences like this for the next 2 years. To help people know that they are truly sons and daughters of God. Our Korean wasn't perfect, at least mine wasn't. I hardly understand. However, the gift of tongues is speaking by the language of the Spirit. I know these things are true. I am called of God to represent Jesus Christ. To proclaim God's word to all His children. To help them find the truth. I'm so excited to teach Dajeong Kim again tonight and the rest of this week. 

Please listen to our Prophets words. They are true. Following these words, I left the auditorium absolutely astonished and speechless. My chest was swelling as the Holy Ghost testified to me that President Russell M. Nelson is the prophet called of God on the earth today. That Jesus Christ leads our church (listen to his last words and testimony at the end). This is truly God’s kingdom on earth. You can have the same feelings if you sincerely pray before and after watching this: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/10/media/session_4_talk_11/5845645176001?lang=eng

If you don’t know much about the church, who we are or unsure about what we stand for, watch this: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/10/media/session_1_talk_12/5845335557001?lang=eng

For those I didn't send emails to. I'm sorry. Our time is very limited. Please know that I want to, but unable to. Have a great week. Read the Book of Mormon. Pray. Keep God's commandments. Honor your Covenants. Become like Jesus Christ. I know your life will be far greater than you could ever imagine. I love you.

My Naval Academy buddy left for Singapore this morning.

Had to be done!

Found the Assantes! 

New missionaries 

New companion doesn’t know how to frown 

Eating Ramen (라면) like a true Korean

1 OCT 2018 ~ Week 6 in MTC: I Am Nothing Without God

안녕하세요 여러분!!

어떻게 지냅니까? 저는 진짜 좋습니다!! 한국말로 어럽습니다. 하지만, 하나님과 함께 할수 있습니다!! Well we have completed our 6th week at the MTC. Honestly time is flying. For the Koreans there are 3 groups here at a time. Every 3 weeks we get new missionaries and missionaries leave. So you have a baby group, daddy group, then grandpa group. We came in as the babies, and now we are the grandpa group... Can’t believe it. The Korean is coming. Today when I was praying out loud for our companionship during lunch and another Sister who is Korean and grew up listening to it told me she was amazed at how good my Korean was. She also told me that she had a friend who went to Australia, Korean speaking, but came back speaking terrible Korean.... She reassured me that my Korean was much better than his now and realized that she didn’t offer much hope. We just laughed. I know things will work out, I’m not worried. My companion and I’s Korean is about to improve exponentially these next 3 weeks because we will be having an Elder from Korea moving into our room tomorrow and we will probably have tri-companionship. So pray for us. We’ll have 20 new missionaries coming into our Korean branch on Wednesday. 17 Elders. We lost 11... gonna be busy week.

Funny story: During class our teachers were talking about family history. Then I (because of my wits and sense of humor) lift up the Book of Mormon and said "THIS is MY family history." The teachers look at me puzzled and I proceed to explain that I am a Latter-day Lamanite. The ones who the Nephites pray that the Book of Mormon will come to (Mormon 7). I explained I’m Navajo and shared my clans in Navajo. Our 2 teachers both just looked at me (they are originally from Korea) and ask “진짜?!?”(Really?!?) “Yes”, “진짜!!!” “Yes”..... “진짜?!?!?”.... “ummm, still yes”. We go back and forth like this for a couple more minutes as they continue to just look at me in amazement. It was funny, but true. I’m grateful to have that connection to the Book of Mormon.

So an update on my companionship: So this week I learned that without God, I am nothing. Our companionship got really uncomfortable with a lot of tension and to the point where anything I said just worsened the situation or didn’t help. No correction or apology helped. My prayers changed from 'help ME to know what to do,' to just praying for God to 'help the companionship anyway as He saw fit.' Once I reached that point, help came. I reached out for help because I knew I couldn’t do anything. Then, things changed. Other Elders came in and counseled us, put things in a new perspective and inspired us to change. What helped during this was that I changed from wanting to change him to just changing myself. To focusing on charity. Searching the scriptures and Preach My Gospel to teach me the most important Christlike attribute: Charity and Love. I love Elder Holland’s talk: “The First Great Commandment” (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/the-first-great-commandment?lang=eng). Will you please watch it?? If you do, email me and tell me about your experience. Through this talk, I learned that it really comes down to DO YOU LOVE JESUS CHRIST? HEAVENLY FATHER? If you do, then keep His commandments. We shouldn’t have to be motivated by blessings or promises. We should be motivated to serve Him and His children just because we love Him. Right!? If you love Him then just love your companion! (I know that message was meant for me). If you love me, then go to the temple. If you love me, stop drinking coffee. If you love me, listen to my servants the Prophet and Apostles of the Church. If you love me, then stay awake during General Conference. As you do so, since God is a loving Father, He will bless you because that’s just what He does. Are you excited for General Conference? Do you realize that we have Prophets and Apostles called of God will be sharing messages directly from God meant for each and every one of us? Do you treat their words as if they come directly from God? I can’t tell you how excited I am. This will truly be a historic General Conference. If you don’t know what it is. It is a bi-annual conference where the leaders of our church (aka God’s kingdom on earth), speak the words of God to the entire church throughout the world. Yes the words that God would speak to us. So watch it, you can find it here: LDS.org on Saturday and Sunday.

I want to testify that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The Book of Mormon testified of Jesus Christ, all of it. Aaron, a Book of Mormon missionary from around 90-77 B.C., states: “the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory...” (Alma 22:14). Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet from 83 B.C., states: “ I say unto you that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you concerning that which is to come is true and I say you that I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold it is he that comets to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name” (Alma 5:48). Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you understand what all of this is about? While in the MTC, Jesus Christ is becoming more and more real to me. The scriptures become real. I also learned that we should stop looking and admiring the prophets in the scriptures because of their cool stories. Yes marvel and appreciate their accomplishments, but I guarantee that all of them would tell us that we’re missing the mark. It’s not about the story or them. They would probably slap us around a bit and proceed to tell us that it’s about JESUS CHRIST. HE is who we should be looking at and emulating. HE is our SAVIOR. Through Him we can overcome our weaknesses, receive forgiveness of our sins (Alma 7:11-13). HE is the answer. HE is the way. HE is how we achieve eternal happiness. I got slapped around a bit this week because of this. I got caught up marveling the stories and prophets in the Book of Mormon. I didn’t forget Jesus Christ, but I didn’t look for Christlike attributes through these stories or prophets. I didn’t look for Christ in each chapter. HIS name is on my chest for goodness sake. I was missing the mark. So I hope you can learn from my mistake and look for Christ in your scripture study. If you don’t STUDY the scriptures every day, SHAME ON YOU. You know what though? It’s ok, because you can repent and start reading today. There is no better time to start than NOW. So fix yourself and get to studying. God has a message He needs to tell you, but He can’t tell you unless you pray, read and listen. I love you. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints IS the SAME church that Christ established when He was on the earth. It is Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father who we worship and who lead our church. I know this. That’s why I gave up my family, West Point, career, dreams, pursuits, friends, and any personal life for 2 years. Its been the 2nd greatest decision in my life. 2nd to my decision to get baptized. I love you. Have a great week!

Elder Escamilla
Australia Sydney Mission
에스카미야 장로님
호주 선교부


West Point missionaries all over the world (L-R): Elder Frangia - Malaysia (Malay speaking); Elder Escamilla - Sydney Australia (Korean speaking); Elder Holt - Honduras (Spanish speaking); Elder Fuller - Sweden


Sunday temple walk


Birthday celebrations for Elder Streeter






We sent off around 12 missionaries heading to Korea. We knew these guys for 6 weeks and they were great examples and gonna change lives in Korea. These 2 were “제 아들들” or my sons.

24 SEP 2018 ~ Week 5 in MTC: The Church is On Earth Once More!!!

여러분,

Well we hit our halfway mark on Friday. Only one more month and I’ll be in Australia! Crazy stuff, time flies. If only Korean flew faster haha. Kidding it’s actually coming a lot faster than expected. Thanks to God. 하나님과함께할수있습니다!! WITH GOD, WE CAN DO IT!!

So this week has just been a week of Spirit kicks in the gut, chest, tear ducts, everything. First time was Tuesday devotional. I testify that we have prophets and apostles who lead and guide the church in our day. We were blessed to be spoken to by an Apostle of Jesus Christ, Elder Andersen. Every Tuesday and Sunday I go to choir practice, because why sit around and enjoy free time when I can go and be uplifted by music and surprisingly get inspired by the comments and testimony of the choir director who is also an institute teacher. So I actually learn a lot and I always leave inspired. Look into the history behind songs, you never know what they have in store. Additionally my companion (동반자) may or may not like to go to choir. I may or may not get to go on splits with the other missionaries to go to choir.... the world may never know. All I’ll say is that I’m always uplifted going and coming from choir. That’s all I’ll say. 

But anyways back to the story. I was sitting in choir and there were rumors that we were having an Apostle, but I didn’t care. Whoever speaks always does a great job and I always end up inspired. I was sitting in the 2nd row from the bottom in my “international” seating (because the MTC likes to display the color in the front of the choir. I oblige because it’s usually good seating), when I look up as the door opens up and I see Elder Andersen standing there waiting to come into the room. As he later walked into the room and we all stood. The Spirit and love of God filled the room. The Holy Ghost filled the room, testifying to each and every one of us that this man was a man of God. That he was truly an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. My heart and soul was full my chest swelled as the Spirit testified to me and I was filled with the love of God. He testified of the holiness of temples. Do you treat the temples as holy as they truly are? As the HOUSE OF GOD? Do you go to partake of His peace, love and knowledge? Do you keep your covenants? He stated that he has been surprised in the past with those who break their covenants. Surprised that they would ever take these things lightly. But he later realized that he’s gotta be patient and remember that they haven’t had the experiences or knowledge of the Gospel that he has. I’ll just say that truly spoke to me, in addition to all the emails I’ve received. 

After the meeting I was filled with love and joy that we are God’s church on earth. That God loves us enough to continually send prophets to lead His kingdom through them. I sustain and testify that President Russell M. Nelson is the Prophet on the earth today, much like Noah and Moses. He is the only one who holds all the Priesthood keys. Through these keys we hold the authority and power of God to do God’s work on earth. Such as Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, temple marriages and sealings that allow us to be with family and loved ones for eternity, forever after death. The Priesthood we hold as men of the church is the power Jesus Christ used to perform miracles, and the same power used to create the earth and everything within it. If we are faithful, that same Priesthood can be used to perform miracles in our lives. If you need a blessing of comfort or healing, ask the missionaries or your closest priesthood holder. Then don’t be afraid to give a blessing to perform miracles. Have faith in the Priesthood you hold. By you not giving the blessing to perform the miracle, you are basically saying Jesus Christ can’t do this... come on. Have confidence. Most of all have faith. It’s only on your faith and the other persons that miracles can be performed. When giving a blessing, BLESS them don’t just give a prayer. 

The Priesthood has been restored in these latter-days through the Prophet Joseph Smith. For our Sunday night movie, we watched the Joseph Smith movie... I left the movie just astonished and dumbfounded. Yes I’ve seen this movie before. However, watching it this time took me back to when I first watched the movie over 7 years ago. I was meeting with missionaries and they invited me to the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center. We ended up watching this film while we were there. It was at this time that I first felt the Spirit testify to me that Joseph Smith was a prophet and I first gained a testimony of him. I invite you to go to this link: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/topics/joseph-smith?lang=eng

It’s a short 5-6 minute video depicting Joseph Smith’s First Vision. The vision where he literally saw God, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Before you watch it, offer a simple prayer to God, desiring to learn if this event actually happened. Watch it, and listen to the feelings in your heart and chest. The tingles you may feel flow through your body. Pay attention to it while you watch it. Those good feelings you have, is the Holy Ghost testifying to you that it is TRUE. Then pray again to know where to go from there. God will answer you. I promise you. You have to listen very carefully, because it’s a very soft, quiet voice. 

After watching the movie, I said I left speechless and astonished. How could a man, that went through all that Joseph Smith went through, continued to stay firm in his belief for a Book... a book that he may have made up?? You know why he endured all that? Why he endured the criticism, persecution, mocking, tar and feathering, time in jail for fake accusations, being driven from state to state? You wanna know why? BECAUSE HE DIDN’T MAKE IT UP. BECAUSE IT’S TRUE. BECAUSE HE ACTUALLY SAW GOD THE FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST IN PERSON. (https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-03-08-testimony-of-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng) Face to face. He spoke with them. They told him that none of the churches were fully true. They didn’t have the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they were missing portions of it. Think about why there are so many churches who interpret the Bible differently. Why wouldn’t you want more scripture to provide further guidance and clarity on what God’s plan for us is? That is what the Book of Mormon does. 

We came back to the room and I just dropped. Filled with so much gratitude and joy for my knowledge of this Gospel. Do you realize that through Jesus Christ you can be forgiven and made right of all your wrongs? While I dropped, I just lost it. Everything, like not just tears (unfortunately), but I couldn’t help it because that’s how grateful I am for this knowledge. It’s true. Please, please, please understand how great this Gospel is. I wish I could go to each and every one of you and bear testimony to you in person. This is what life’s about. The 2nd link I included is Elder Holland’s testimony about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. It is with the same intensity and pure testimony that I KNOW these things are true. With every fiber of my being it’s true. If you have this knowledge, then you shouldn’t be wanting to scream it on the roofs and share it with every single person you meet. I know I do, and you can bet your butts that I will speak to every single person I come across in Sydney, Australia. It is because it’s THAT important of a message and it is THAT TRUE. Have faith, if they reject you now. Know that eventually all will confess that Jesus is the Christ —> Mosiah 27:31

You may wonder why these emails are so long, and if I really have a lot of time. The answer is no. I don’t have any time. I honestly need to be preparing the lesson we are about to teach in Korean, but I’m spending this time testifying to you because this is my calling. I have been called to testify that Jesus is the Christ and that His church is restored on earth again and it’s found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (예수 그리스도후기성). I am a representative of Jesus Christ. I am an extension of the 12 Apostles, a lower case “a” apostle. I know these things are true, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Escamilla

Alma 16:16, 17:13-14 Great is the work. The scriptures can also be found here: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng

We found Elder White’s brother!.... Elder White! This guys brother was in Elder Frangia and I’s class our Plebe year at West Point. 

All the West Point missionaries

All the Service Academy missionaries. West Point, Navy and Air Force.

Pray for us 

Really need that Gift of Tongues

17 SEP 2018 ~ Week 4 in MTC: What is Love?

So it’s the end of another P-Day at the MTC. We went to the temple this morning, and can I just say I love the temple. Consistent scripture study & prayer coupled with temple attendance, WHOO!! That’s some high quality Spiritual Growth. That’s where the money is, or the Spirit... Study the scriptures, have questions, then go to the temple to receive answers. I couldn’t think of any better system, except the Plan of Happiness of course. In all seriousness though, my temple experience today was one of the best I’ve had before. For those who know the previous New York New York North Mission President, President Smith, I ran into him at the temple.

Funny short story:
Every Wednesday a new batch of missionaries come into the MTC. Not always new Korean speakers, but Elders and Sisters going everywhere in the world. So it’s dinner time, we have new missionaries circulating and experiencing their first meal at the MTC. I’m just standing in line, minding my own business, switching between studying the Book of Mormon (몰몬경) and Korean. When all of a sudden, I hear someone talking to me from behind saying “Comos da! Comos da!” Yes... Tagalog... I turn around and see these fresh new missionaries, with wide smiles because they get to practice the Tagalog they just learned on day 1. Of course by this time, I had learned a decent amount of Tagalog to play the part of being Filipino and started talking back to start a conversation. They look at each other and say “oh... we haven’t learned that much yet...” So we continue the conversation in English, which was a little hard because I speak very little English, but I manage to hold up the conversation. We find out they’re both from Utah, and I tell them in my best native, American accent (not Native American, but native... American) that “I’m from AZ and Native American, and that the Filipino that they want to practice Tagalog is over there.” Pretty sure they freaked out inside their heads and are probably a little hesitant to speak Tagalog openly from now on. Then I still get asked every devotional, if I need headset translation for the meeting. I just respond with my “international” accent that “I speak English very good”. Then proceed to take my comfortable and spacious floor seating for the international missionaries (선교사들). So all is well!

I want to apologize for being maybe a little too open about my experiences in the MTC. I know for some, the image of the missionary should be perfect and that we are perfect disciples of Jesus Christ. I mean we are representatives of Jesus Christ and wear His name on our chest 24/7. I feel like, for the most part, I’m a pretty open book. I have no problem sharing my challenges and thoughts. At West Point, it was “you’re wrong. Fix this. You’re stupid. Move on, because we have work to do and no time to cry about it.” I grew used to this after being told a couple times that I’m useless, or a waste of taxpayers money, or should out-process (leave) from West Point. So I’m a little hardened and used to this. I’ve tried handling stuff this way a couple times and it hasn’t worked... So to those who told me that dealing with high school graduates would be my biggest challenge... in 2 years you have permission to tell me “I told you so”. Or feel free to email me that. However, as I’ve expressed my challenges I’ve received emails that have helped me and inspired me on what to do, which I’m so grateful for. Additionally, I think it shows that we as missionaries struggle too. Yes, we are called to represent Jesus Christ and proclaim His gospel, but we are human too. Isn’t that what this church is? A hospital for those struggling? Don’t we all struggle and have challenges? We as missionaries go out to gather patients for this hospital, showing them that even though we struggle. We rely on the Gospel and Atonement of Jesus Christ to grow, become better and overcome our challenges. And you can too! That imperfect people can go out, with proper and constant application of the Atonement can go out and be representatives of Jesus Christ. Giving hope that other people can also become better people through the Gospel. Additionally, if God can perform His most important work in the history of mankind, the gathering of Israel or bringing to pass the eternal life of men, through a bunch of imperfect 18, 19, 20, and 21 year olds. Think of what He can do through you. Not all missionaries are like my companion and I. I’ve seen a ton of tremendous missionaries who just emanate the Spirit of Christ. So don’t worry. Also know that there is hope for you.

I love being a missionary. I love putting on the nametag on my chest that bears the name of Jesus Christ (예수 그리스도). I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (예수 그리스도 후기 성도교회) is God’s Church on earth. The very church established by Jesus Christ when He was on the earth. Restored by a prophet named Joseph Smith. He literally saw God the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ after a simple act of faith to pray to find and know the truth from the main source, our Heavenly Father (하나님 아버지). We aren’t just some church that teaches and talks about God and Jesus Christ. We are THE church of Jesus Christ. We hold the power and authority to do God’s work, called the Priesthood. The same power that was used to create this world and everything within it. We baptize and confer the gift of the Holy Ghost by the authority given from God.

저는 예수 그리스도의 대표자입니다. 우리는 예수 그리스도에 대 해 가르칩니다. 저는 예수 그리스도의 복음을 통 해, 가족이 영원할 수 있다는 것을 알고 있습니다. 몰몬경에 대 해 기도한다면, 우리는 하나님의 사랑과 응답을 받게습니다. 예수 그리스도의 복음을 통 해, 저는 해복됩니다.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.” - Moroni 7:48




It was Sister Urbano’s birthday (the Filipino sister in the center) and apparently birthdays are a huge deal in the Philippines, and she kept telling us that she’s expecting a huge surprise.... so we came up with a scavenger hunt to send her on around the MTC with everyone in our district being at different stations with letters written to her. Then all of us meeting at where the Filipino flag was raised on the MTC campus. However, they took down all the flags early so we had to make our own Filipino flag (you can see it taped to the pole. Hwang 장로님 and I made a last minute Filipino flag with markers and scripture markers.) She was very happy and in tears by the end of the scavenger hunt, so mission accomplished!




Our (우리의) zone with the new missionaries (선교사들) after the older 선교사들 left.

10 SEP 2018 ~ Week 3 in MTC: The Book of Mormon is TRUE

Family & Friends,

Well, I made it another week in the MTC. Kind of a quick email, short on time. Went to the temple this morning. Can I just say how great the temple is?? It's FANTASTIC. If you haven't gone in a while, then GO. If you just went, then GO AGAIN.

So an update with the companion, as I'm sure many of you are wondering. We kind of mellowed out this week. Didn't get on each other's nerves or anything, but didn't talk that much either. Then all of sudden last night, after a busy Sunday, something clicked in him. Usually before going to bed or waking up, I'm having to remind to do companion prayer since he never wants to. However, I was just gonna go to bed and shut the lights off and do my personal prayer before going to bed, when right before I turn off the lights he says, "Prayer?".... I'm like "What???" This was the first time this had ever happened. Then after we prayed, he wanted to just talk. Normally we go to bed, but he just wanted to talk and get to know me. I asked him where this was coming from. He said that he had noticed how hard everyone else was working and we really only have 2 years to do this. "I can't just go for a passing grade like I usually do. I'd like to go for that 100%. So I'm gonna start making a little more effort to be better and make things work. I'm not gonna start making my bed like you or anything, but I'll be a little better and more focused." I was about to started yelling Hallelujah after hearing this. I had been trying a little harder to love Elder Hwang. Find more good things than bad things. Be more patient. Then just praying for a softening of his heart and my heart. Then he had this change of heart that came out of nowhere. I was blown away. Miracles happen. So things have been going much smoother and we're working on finding a balance between work and play.

So normally, district leader callings last for 3 weeks since we're here fro 9 weeks and they'd like to rotate the positions. Well it's week 3.... We got to our Zone Council meeting on Sunday with the Zone leaders, district leaders and the Branch Presidency. They released everyone except me and the Zone leaders... They want us to stay in our position for an extra week. So I get to be district leader for another week! However... our Branch President had gotten a little too far with planning ahead for the next District leader that he accidentally went ahead and extended the calling. Forgetting that he wanted me to be district leader for another week.... So, I ended up getting released. However, he told me not get to relaxed and that they still had big plans for me... So I'm not saying anything's for certain, but... They wanted to extend my calling for an extra week and ended up also extending the Zone Leader's calling for another week... Which would perfectly align for when I would get released as District leader and the Zone leaders would get released.... So.... I'm guessing that Elder Hwang and I will be called as the next Zone leaders for the Korean Branch... Not certain, but that's what it sounded like according to our Branch President... We'll see. You'll have to stay tuned for next week.

This week my testimony of the Book of Mormon increased exponentially. I love the Book of Mormon. It's true. I love it. If you haven't read it. DO IT. I promise if you read it sincerely and curious if it is actually true, then pray to God asking if it is true. YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ANSWER. Give it a shot. Please. This book is the keystone of our religion. We love the Bible, but if the Book of Mormon is true (which also supports the Bible, and works hand in hand with the Bible), Joseph Smith was a prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ's church. If it isn't true, then I will have given everything up for no reason and wasted these 2 years. If it isn't true, then Joseph Smith died for some false cause. If it isn't true then Joseph Smith really didn't see God the Father and Jesus Christ in person. If it isn't true then everything the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands for is a joke. That's how important this book is. So read it. This book testifies that Jesus IS the Christ. That God loves all His children. That God has restored Christ's original church from when He was on the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. If it's true, then our current prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, really is a prophet called of God. If it's true, then these next 2 years I'm sharing the MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND to the people of Australia. This is no joke or child's play. It's TRUE. My testimony comes because the Holy Ghost has testified it to me to my heart. My knowledge came line upon line, chapter upon chapter, here a little, there a little. "A man would grow closer to God by reading and abiding by its (Book of Mormon's) precepts". I invite you to read it. Go to lds.org and just try it. Read a couple chapters with an honest curiosity if it's true. Then pray to God, sincerely ask if it is true. I promise God will answer you in your heart whether or not it is true. I gave up everything for my love of God and my knowledge that this book is true. See why I gave everything up for this book, read it. Please.

I love you all, and know that God's kingdom is on the earth. The battle between good and evil is already won. It's just a matter of us enduring to the end. Have a good week!

"I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you, concerning that which is to come, is true; and I say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name." - Alma 5:48


They were doing a picture of all the Filipino's in the Zone, so I figured I should be in there as well. (For obvious reasons)


My "son". One our current Zone Leaders, Elder Gonzalez from the Philippines.


My district of 11, plus our teacher, Sister Oh (the one with the white nametag).


Our whole Korean Zone. All the Missionaries learning Korean. A group just left this morning for either Korea or New York. Most everyone is going to Korea. Yes, I'm the only one going to Australia.

3 SEP 2018 ~ Week 2 in MTC: "Salvation is Not a Cheap Experience"

Hello! How's it going!? (In Korean)

So our 2nd week in the MTC has passed and I'm still loving life! So story time:

First off, my whole life I have been blessed with the gift of confusing people on my race... In Israel, I almost walked onto the Dome of the Rock during call to prayer because they thought I was Arab. In Morocco everyone kept saying "Ni hao" to me thinking I was Chinese. After saying "no...", they would ask Japanese? no... Korean? no.... I've been asked what island I'm from and I would just reply with "Arizona!" Well here in the MTC, people see me, my nametag, look back at me and are confused. Then when the people are confused, literally every Filipino will come up and say "Oh he's Filipino!" (except in Tagalog). Since I don't speak Tagalog, it turns into an awkward staring contest as the Filipino waits for me to respond back in Tagalog, and I just stand there thinking ".... I don't speak very much Korean, but I'm like 51% sure that wasn't Korean...." So my gift continues as I have been able to confuse the Filipinos into thinking that I'm one of them.... My last name doesn't help because Filipinos have hispanic last names too...

So with this in mind, there are many missionaries here from all over the world. A ton of Filipinos (literally every Filipino comes up to me and asks if I'm Filipino, or stares at me waiting for me to greet them in Tagalog as I walk past them), Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Polynesian, Europeans, etc. During Sunday & Tuesday Devotional time, they try to place all international missionaries on the ground floor closest to the speaker so they can get a better experience and usually so they can provide them with translation headsets since all the talks are given in English. I know crazy. So during meal times on Tuesday and Sunday, the MTC has assigned a man to wait by the door as missionaries leave the cafeteria and give out flyers to the international missionaries so they know where to sit for the Devotional. Well you would think that a good approach would be, "Hey Elder/Sister, where are you from?" Simple right? Well apparently it's too much to ask, and apparently he is the master at knowing the difference between missionaries from the States and those from abroad... I would beg to differ. So my companion is full Korean from Chicago, and thus looks Korean. Mind-blowing I know. Then there's me with my wonderful gift. I bet you can guess already what happens every Tuesday and Sunday. Yes, we get "racially profiled"??? I don't know if that's the right word, a little harsh but that's what happens. This man comes up to us and gives us these flyers and tells us, "Make sure you sing in your Native language!"....... So in addition to learning Korean, I've added Tagalog to my studies so I can play the part. Plus side, we get front row seating for devotionals and impress a lot of people because of "how good your English is!" after we tell them we speak English as they try to give us headsets that interpret the speaker's words to our "Native language"....

For those curious about how my companionship is going... Well we agreed to disagree... I finally sat him down after an argument, pulled him into our room after he left because he didn't want to be in the same room as me. Sat him down, told him we're gonna be adults and talk this out. To this point, we had been disagreeing on how the rules were being kept. I argued that we should be obedient and should keep the rules to a tee, since "obedience brings blessings, and exact obedience brings miracles". He argued that they don't need to be kept exactly to a tee... So you can see our disagreement. It started off with arguing about the little things that were bugging each of us. For me, it was during class or during meetings when the Spirit is being felt, testimonies being shared, and while everyone completely in tune with the moment he would be sitting with feet on another chair or desk playing around with his pen and everything completely going over his head. I didn't want him to be like me, make bed, workout, be very regimented. I just want him to be in tune and act in accordance to the name that is on his chest, "Jesus Christ" and take these things seriously opposed to walking around trying to have fun as if it were a college dorm when we had free time to prepared for the next day, study the scriptures or language. There is plenty to be done. His argument was that I was uptight all the time, kind of "kill joy" whenever he made jokes, and trying to make him into me. I was basically inviting him to grow up and take things seriously, and he was telling me to chill.

Prior to this argument, I had prayed to know what to do because we had 2 other conversations like this, we weren't working together, he always hangs around the other Elders when we should be together, taking off without me even though we're supposed to be together since we're companions, and just annoying each other by are very different perspectives. The Spirit had whispered to go to the scriptures. So I went to where I had left off in my personal studies, Alma 4. In this chapter, the people of the church were beginning to wax proud because of their excessive wealth, turn away the sick, needy and afflicted, persecute those who didn't join them, and create a bad image of the church for those who were not a part of the church. This caused problems to Alma who was the high priest at the time, as well as the teachers, priests and elders of the church who were being persecuted by these wicked members of the church. Being saddened, Alma decides to give up his position as the chief judge of the Nephite nation to go around the nation and begin stirring up the people in remembrance of their duty to the church. The only way he would be able to to do this would be by "bearing down in pure testimony against them". So being inspired by that, opposed to just letting our companionship go down the drain, I did such.

At the end the argument, I just bore testimony to him of how much this gospel means to me. I apologized for being so critical and tough on him, but I told him that the reason why I was such and didn't take the rules and this mission lightly because of how IMPORTANT this work is. We're no longer dealing with our own personal lives any more. We're dealing with people's eternal salvation. Whether we are able to effectively invite and help others come to Christ is dependent on our preparations NOW in the MTC. I said you're no longer Alex Hwang, you're now a representative of Jesus Christ. This Gospel has brought me so so so much joy and happiness in my life. So much so that I gave up everything for these next 2 years. My spot at West Point, where there is a possibility I might not get back in. My family, I only get to call them 4 times for the entire 2 years. My personal desires and pursuits. Everything. So I apologized for being rough, but I said that I gave up everything to be here. I'm here because I love God more than anything. He gave me everything, so the least I could do is to give up these next 2 years. I told him I was rough on him because he is going to New York and could very well end up at West Point. My brothers and sisters are there and if he could share this wonderful message with them and the next time I see them they weren't only just my brothers and sisters in the military but also in the Lord... How great would my joy be. I told him this gospel means everything to me, and it's no longer about us anymore.

I asked, what is God's mission? Why are we here? He complained that we had already been over this and didn't answer because he was pouting, so I said "Thank you, yes you're right. It's to invite others to come to Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.(He didn't respond) Yes! you're right again! God's mission is: 'For behold, this is MY work and MY glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.'" (Moses 1:39). During my bearing testimony and asking these questions, it was only me talking. So I said, "I'm sorry for being rough, but I have a reason. I know we don't get along. Our personalities don't match. But let's at least get along in the Lord when we teach and study. I invite you to take these things more seriously. You're stuck with me for 2 months." Then that was it. We ended that, and moved on from our previous arguments. I bore my testimony and feelings with all my heart and almost all the vigor I could give. I can't say we love each other or are best buddies. It still hasn't clicked in his head, but he knows why I'm so serious about everything and knows my purpose for being here. I told him this is the last time I would talk to him about this since any more times will just go in one ear and out the other. I've relaxed a little, but after listening to Elder Holland's "Missions Are Forever" talk last night, I'm fired up again... This is not only God's work, but this is MY work now. I'm committed; I'm enlisted to this great and noble cause.

I testify that the full Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Priesthood of God has been restored upon the earth. It's found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through Joseph Smith, God restored the Gospel and gave us the Book of Mormon. I am forever grateful for this. This is the greatest cause I could possibly be a part of and I am joyful and humbled to be wearing the name of Jesus Christ on my chest. This is my testimony. Jesus is the Christ. God is our Heavenly Father. Through the Atonement we can be forgiven of our mistakes and sins, and move on from them and leave stronger. I love this work and I love my Heavenly Father. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

"... they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding, and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God... they had given themselves to much prayer and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God." - Alma 17:2-3


Australia Sydney Mission


My buddy Elder Frangia from West Point going to Malaysia, speaking Malay


Another West Pointer, Elder Holt, going to Honduras speaking.... Spanish




All the “Filipinos” in my district


The view from our classroom


My part of the lesson as we teach to a Korean member about the Book of Mormon and Prophets.


My nametag. 예수 그리스도 = Jesus Christ