Hola a todos,

This last Monday was a very big day in the Arizona Scottsdale Mission. History was made with my mission officially being dissolved! And the missionaries were officially reassigned to either the Arizona Phoenix Mission or a newly created mountain mission called the Arizona Flagstaff Mission. It covers all the mountain areas of Arizona. And since I am currently serving in Payson, which is the gateway to the mountains, then naturally I have been officially reassigned to the Arizona Flagstaff Mission.  Our mission boundaries are truly God’s country! We cover the Valleys and Bradshaw Mountain ranges to the west in Prescott, all the way past Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon to the north, through the White Mountains to the east extending into the enchanted lands of New Mexico, and all the way south to the foothills of the mountains and forests with Payson being the farthest city to the south. No more desert heat for me.

It has been tough making this change as I lose official contact with the saints in the Phoenix areas as well as most of my former missionary companions who remain in the valley. I enjoyed serving in the desert valley and the opportunity to teach the Gospel in my mother’s Spanish language in some of the many Hispanic congregations there. I’m not certain if I’ll be serving in a Spanish-speaking congregation again but I’ll go where the Lord wants me to go.

The mountain weather is beautiful especially in the summertime and the scenery and hikes and farms are spectacular! But more importantly, I have grown to love the people here and I enjoy living and serving among them. My companions and I recently explored some magnificent caves in Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Many of this week’s pictures are from there.

In Preach My Gospel on page 125 it talks about knowledge. It says as we study the scriptures and words of the living prophets our knowledge of this Gospel will grow and so will our testimonies. Giving special attention to scripture passages will help us understand the scriptures a bit better. Studying includes what may seem a peculiar phrase: ‘Begging With a prayer,’ which simply means that as we pray, we Invite the spirit into our study. 

The mountains and canyonlands of Arizona echo the voices of the ancient ones who lived here long ago. And somewhere not too distant in the Americas dwelt our spiritual ancestors who sailed from the Holy Land in 600 B.C. and who kept a record now known as the Book of Mormon. There is a remarkable passage in which Lehi the Father of four sons–Lamen, Lemuel, Nephi and Sam–counsels and blesses his family. He dies soon thereafter and Nephi his youngest takes his place as the prophet and begins his ministry by placing his trust in the Lord. In 2 Nephi 4: 15-16, he shares:

“And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. 

Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.”

My studies have taught me the importance of learning about the Savior. Every time I read from the Book of Mormon, I feel a sense of satisfaction and joy come into my being.  Then my day is so much better than it would have been otherwise. As I get nearer to the end of my mission, I think back on what I have accomplished and it has been significant. I haven’t had very many baptisms but like it states in the scriptures the Lord loves effort. It’s been a great time meeting new people, getting accustomed to changes and studying for fun. I am truly grateful for the support and love I have received while I have been out serving. Thank you all for have done for me and what you continue to do. ✌️ ❤️ 

Elder Baldwin