Family and friends!

What a week it has been! Learning and growing to become a better person is well worth it!  We recently had one of the Twelve apostles, Elder Neil L. Andersen, speak to us in person here in the Arizona Scottsdale Mission. It was a mission-wide gathering. All the missionaries from the Mountains and the missionaries in the Valley got together to hear one of God’s chosen apostles.

What he taught was very meaningful to me.  He thought that staying in an area for awhile is good sometimes up to 6-8 months because it will help us get to know the members very well. When you get to know the members well, you develop relationships of trust, and you can serve better because you learn about their real needs. He also taught us that learning the names of all the young men and women we serve is important because we are helping mentor them, and hopefully—through our example– encourage them in the right direction and even to serve a mission.

Recently I heard that we are going to receive the visit of another apostle of the Lord. We do not know who it is though. I hope is President Nelson! Wouldn’t that be a cool story to share? Indeed! I think it would. If he comes this will be my second time to be in close proximity to the Prophet of God!!! So exiting!

The first time I saw the Prophet—President Nelson– was back in November 2018.  He came and spoke at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Sister Wendy Nelson, his wife, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, and Elder Adrian Ochoa, a General authority Seventy and his wife were also present. We traveled from Dallas to San Antonio and attended this meeting with family and cousins. The youth were allowed to sit very close to the podium and my cousin Jared and I were seated on the third row.  When the meeting finished, President Nelson walked next to where we were sitting and literally, he was like two feet away from me! I remember him shaking the hand of a child who was seated in front of us, and I wanted to shake his hand too. What an eventful experience that was for me! I was so excited to see him so close to us!

When I was in the Primary, I used to sing the song “Follow the Prophet”.

“Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet; don’t go astray.

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet; he knows the way.  

My testimony is that by following the Prophet, we too can win spiritual, physical, and mental victories against the adversary.  I know the Lord calls prophets, and when we listen to their words and act upon what they ask us to do, we are blessed.

Elder Walton and I have continued teaching Bro. Gonzalez. Learning the principles of the Gospel is important.  Before anyone can be baptized, we always make sure they understand the first principles and ordinances of the gospel which are: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and Laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  We plan to review them again this week with him. His baptism is planned for April 16 the day before Easter. I think that is a perfect time to be baptized, so family can invite friends and relatives to witness this ordinance and partake of the Spirit of the Lord.

Thanks for all the love and support you all have shown me. If you would like to write any personal emails to me my email, send them to: Joshua.baldwin@missionary.org For letters send them to:

Elder Joshua S. Baldwin

Arizona Scottsdale Mission

6265 N. 82^nd Street

Scottsdale, AZ 85250

THANKS SO MUCH Y’ALL AND HAVE A BLESSED WEEK! 🙌🙏💕