Legends abound among the desert dwellers that a Healer walked among them and taught His redeeming Gospel. Today, His ambassadors are scattered across the Globe on an urgent rescue mission to gather those who will heed His call and bring hope to those who have forgotten their divine heritage. Among the ambassadors walks the Gentle Giant who is called for two years to serve the good people of Arizona and New Mexico. Schooling & dating can wait. Sports and Music are less a priority. Join Elder J. Sandor Baldwin as he testifies of Christ and as he discovers a fascinating land and people and, in the process, discovers himself.
This past week was awesome. We met with so many member families that it was hard to keep track of all of them in my head. The work here in Snowflake Arizona is progressing quickly. We have received many thank you’s from members around the area. My companion Elder Ragan has been in this area for three months. I am relying on his knowledge until I get acquainted with the area and begin to learn everyone’s names.
I know that with time, it will get better. It helps that many members invite my companion and I out to lunch. Also, they ask us to help them out with service opportunities.
My favorite part about this past week was visiting with a young man we are helping get out of the house and do activities outdoors. He likes to stay indoors and play video games. I completely understand him because I was the same mindset until I came out on my mission. I realized that there are more important things in life than to just sit and waste time in front of the TV. My mission has helped me grow spiritually, mentally and physically. I am glad to be out on a mission at this time. Time flies when you are focused on the work of the Lord.
I look forward to the day when I return with honor, but until then, I must be focused on the work.
I am grateful for all of you! I have received so many notes from many of you that encourage me to keep going. I am grateful for my family. I love you all.
This week was an amazing spiritual experience for me. We visited so many families. We have continued to teach people who are interested in hearing our message. Among them are some whose last names include Baldwin, 😲 😳. It’s Crazy!!! So many Baldwins live up here in Snowflake Arizona, and I don’t even know if I am related to any of them. I will soon find out though.
George Washington Presides over the Federal Constitutional Convention of 1787
The 4th of July was a blast 💥 🎆. I am grateful for the freedoms that we enjoy in our country. Long ago, an early Church leader named Brigham Young taught: “The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men [and women] from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun.”
My companion and I attended a 4th of July Rodeo in Taylor, Arizona! We had permission to go because we were with some friends who are learning about our Church. The Rodeo is an exciting and dangerous place. Sadly, while we were there, we watched a bull rider fall and get trampled. The bull began to dance on the cowboy’s back, but the amazing thing is that all his friends came to his rescue. Hopefully he will be fine. Good friends can save our lives in many different ways—not just at the rodeo, but in other places. Rescues are often spiritual too.
We also saw the Show Low American Flag Calvary come into the arena to begin the rodeo. Those guys can ride fast! It’s crazy in my opinion. Sunday evening, we watched fireworks with the Mulder Family. They have a store where they sell fireworks. Let me tell you that the fireworks they sell are like no other.
During the week, we brought a children’s Book of Mormon to one of the families we are teaching. They seem very interested in taking the missionary lessons. They have 5 kids which is awesome because that means 5 more testimonies can begin to be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
Thanks for all you do for me. I pray for you and hope you will be richly blessed as I continue serving my mission. I love you all and have a blessed week! 💛✌️ 😎
Last but not least, a quick SHOUT OUT to my cousin DIEGO HIDALGO who will be leaving for his mission soon. Diego, I want you to know I love you man. I am so proud of you for making the decision to serve. You will love it, I promise you!
Buena Suerte!
ELDER BALDWIN
p.s. Included in the below link is a classic talk from a more modern prophet named Ezra Taft Benson who was both a spiritual giant and a great patriot.
This week flew by so fast. It’s Monsoon season y’all! Finally, I see rain after being out for 9 months! The mountain breeze feels nice and different. Something I have learned out here on the mission is that when we pray with faith for miracles, we must expect them to happen. It’s amazing to know that God is a God of miracles.
I had a miracle experience recently while shopping at Walmart. I was shopping for groceries and as I arrived at the self-checkout, I heard a nearby voice: “Hey Wait! Let me get that for you.” The voice belonged to a mother of two children. She shared with me that one of her kids is currently serving a mission and she wanted to show appreciation by buying my food for me. I felt strongly that the choice she made was a fulfillment of my faith to see a miracle. I have recently learned that if we want to see miracles, then we must expect them to happen.
On a different subject, we’ve had many great lessons mostly with members because almost everyone here in Snowflake is a member – either active or less active. We are working with the less active members to help them remember their covenants with the Lord and return to the covenant path. The challenge is many of these less-active members do not want to come back to Church activity and fellowship, which is sad for me. When an investigator says: “Please don’t come back,” it makes me feel disappointed. This Gospel is the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life. I want those feelings for other people too. What can you do? The best thing to do is to share with them as much of the Gospel as possible and hopefully one day they will decide to come back. Many blessings can come to those who choose to come back into the church. The Church provides protection and a good foundation for what is good.
I finally hit 9 months on my mission. My mom says that—metaphorically speaking—I was just reborn as a missionary. I was born as a missionary when I was called, and now I am reborn. It’s amazing to feel that I am getting older in the mission minute-by-minute. I feel every new month as a missionary is a rebirth in a sense. I feel I can start over each new month to become a better missionary than I am right now. It takes time to grow spiritually and mentally. That is why we have our Savior Jesus Christ to help us out. In John chapter 3, the Savior discusses this idea of rebirth with Nicodemus:
“[Nicodemus] came to Jesus and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
We have been working with a family—a mom and dad with four children—who decided to buy Sunday clothing so they can attend Church. I think that’s amazing! The father loves the Church and wants his kids to take the missionary lessons. I feel this family will be progressing quickly to the point where they will be a new member family and will begin their journey on the covenant path. The children love missionaries and are always excited when we come to visit them. The excitement of the children made me realize that this is how we should feel when Jesus Christ comes again to reign and rule over the Earth again.
Thanks to all of you for being great family members and friends who follow me and walk with me as I have been out on my mission. I love you all and am looking forward to the next few months.
This week was awesome! My testimony of the Plan of Salvation, the Gospel, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has continued to develop. I have learned so much while I have been out here, and I continue to grow in different areas. For the longest time, I have been the quiet person in the companionship, but I recently decided I want to speak up more and share my beliefs about Jesus Christ. I am very grateful for the knowledge I have gained so far and the growth I have experienced.
Our mission is gaining momentum and will continue to do so. More and more people want to get closer to Jesus Christ through us. We are His hands. We do His work so He can change us for the better. I really love the saying: “We leave our families for two years so others can be with their families for eternity.” That is so true!
My companion’s birthday—Elder Ragan—was Monday, June 21st. He said it was a great birthday. We played pickleball, sang happy birthday to him, and celebrated him in the cultural hall at the church. To make him feel special, we came into the room two-by-two singing and celebrating.
This P-day was very exciting!. We went fishing and I caught a trout! Never thought I would be fishing during our preparation day, but I am grateful for the moments we have of relaxation and enjoyment that make our missions awesome, cool, and very unique. There are some Mission experiences you can’t get anywhere else.
This week’s scripture is 3rd Nephi 5:13:
“Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.”
It is true; we do declare the word of the Lord so others can have eternal life.
Thank you all for your love, support, and care. Love ya’ll ❤️ ✌️ 😎 🙏
I have to say Snowflake Arizona is the place to be this time of year. It’s like 75-80 degrees! Beautiful weather in my opinion.
This was a long week. The work is going great here in Snowflake. I had the chance to meet so many good people including a Baldwin clan! What are the chances of this happening? 🤔 it’s crazy to think there are Baldwin families up in Snowflake.
I am grateful for the opportunity to understand a bit more about my mission and the role of a missionary each day. I attended three different wards this Sunday. It was awesome to feel the spirit so strongly three different times and I even gave a prayer in the Snowflake 6th Ward to start the meeting off.
I am grateful for my new Companion Elder Ragan. He is a beast 💪 of a missionary. I have learned from him that numbers don’t matter on a mission, it’s the people who continue to have a desire to grow closer to God the Father through His son Jesus Christ. I invite all to reach out to your friends and ask if any service can be done for them because I know that through service friendships can be made.
Finding out I would be heading up to the mountains to a town called Snowflake made me a bit sad. Needless to say, this week was an emotional one. I like this area of Camelback, and I am going to miss it. I had wonderful experiences and I am grateful for all of them. I met great people and made many friends as well.
The mountains are a special place. I cannot explain how grateful I am to be back up in the mountains where the weather is cooler. I feel blessed I can be away from the heat of the valley of Arizona for some time.
In Mosiah 2:17, King Benjamin teaches: “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” This scripture means a great deal to me because I know that when we as members of the Church are serving others, we are serving God.
This was an eventful week. To start off, we visited members to find out how they were doing. As a missionary, one of our responsibilities is to involve the members in the work. By doing so it’s so much easier to find and bring those who are looking for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to His Church. Member involvement is a big part of our work.
This past week we went to visit the Ramos family. They own a store called Desert Discounts. I have to say that these people put in a lot of work! I have never seen such good people who besides working hard every day, set time aside for the Lord. When we set time aside for the Lord, we receive blessings upon blessings of happiness, and joy.
Pedro, a young man in the Camelback Branch, took my companion and I out to lunch to Panera Bread. Man ohh man! The food was good but slightly on the expensive side. That shows to me that members are looking out for missionaries by helping them. We are grateful for the love and care we receive in this area.
Every Sunday my companion plays the piano at church. As missionaries we serve in different capacities. Sharing our talents unites us with others and blesses our lives. There is this kid named Eli at church and he is such a cool kid! He looks up to me and each Sunday he says: “Can I have your name tag? I want to be a Missionary!” Isn’t that just so cool! This kid wants to be a missionary just like me. It makes me realize how important it is to be a good example. Every time I walk into Primary—the children’s organization of the church—he runs right over to sit next to me. I can just picture Jesus Christ doing that to all of us— just running over to sit next to us. The Savior loves us with pure love.
I appreciate the cards and notes I have received. You guys are the best. Now that I am on my 8th month in the mission, I am starting to figure out how to do missionary work the best way. What’s awesome is that we are now having more people interested in hearing the messages we have to share. Of course, there are those who don’t have time for us, but we continue with faith putting the Lord first.
“If all men had been, and were, and would ever be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of Hell would have been shaken forever”. Let us all try to be like Moroni. I encourage and invite each of you to reach out to the Missionaries in your area and go on visits with them. Trust me, if we work together on this, the very powers of Hell will indeed be Shaken forever. TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK!!
Thanks for the love and support y’all! I love all the updates in the letters I receive. Continue sending me letters! Farewell and may God be with you all until next week 🙏 ❤️ ✌️ 😎
This week was amazing! We had the chance to visit the Mesa Arizona Temple. It was a great experience. The session was spiritually uplifting, and I want to return as soon as I can! As I arrived at the Temple, I felt a strong feeling come over me telling me that this was the place to be at that time. Indeed, the Temple holds all the Riches of Faith you can receive in this lifetime.
As I kept pondering about my visit to the temple the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 89:18-21 came to mind:
And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
Although this scripture is found in the revelation of the Word of Wisdom, and the blessings and promises mentioned are directly the result of our obedience to these instructions, it became clear to me that these blessings can be ours as we attend the temple also.
I invite you to visit the temple often and harvest the Riches of your Faith.
Always remember that we are not here forever. Eventually we must return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. To do so, we must obey his commandments and stay on the straight and narrow path. In my studies this past week I read Mosiah 2:41:
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
This scripture talks about the Riches of Faith we can receive if we endure to the end:
Happiness
Blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual
Dwell with God at the end of our lives in a state of never-ending Happiness.
We have been teaching a young man named Daniel. He is a great young man!. He is about 20-years old. We taught him the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ and The Plan of Salvation, and it seems to me he wants to move forward with his lessons. He also came to church on May 15, 2022. I feel like he enjoyed the meeting and felt the Spirit strongly.
Sometimes I wonder if the Lord is happy with my service, and this week I had a moment in which I felt confident that the Lord is happy with my best. The feeling came as I ordered a Chick-fil-A sandwich meal. Much to my surprise, my order included an extra order of fries. As I received the order, I felt gratitude and joy and, in my mind, I exclaimed: “What a marvelous blessing from the Lord!” That day I needed a lift. And although it might seem silly, it was then that I felt the Lord was watching over me. At that moment, I felt He is truly happy with my part, and it was a good reminder that answers to our questions can come when we least expect them. Let’s remember that our best is what the Lord wants.
Thanks for all the love, support and prayers for me. I am doing well and healthy. I am about to come up on my 8th month in the field! Isn’t that just crazy! Last I remember, I was at the MTC singing Called To Serve in the main meeting room with 60 other Elders at the MTC (Missionary Training Center).
I love you all and hope you enjoy these pictures! Buena Suerte esta semana!✌❤😎
This week was awesome! We had a Baptism on Saturday. Our young friend finally got Baptized. This marks my second Baptism in the Mission. We could not have had this special occasion without the help of the Holy Ghost, because He is the one who converts the soul to become more like Jesus Christ. The process of conversion doesn’t happen right away. It takes time. This is one of the reasons we teach 5 or more lessons and encourage individuals to pray and ask God in the name of Jesus Christ if Baptism is the right thing to do and if it’s something they really want.
On Sunday, our new convert received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It’s such a cool experience to see someone so young choose to follow Jesus. Teaching Damion was special to me. While teaching him the Plan of Salvation, he always was very enthusiastic and loved learning. At the end of every lesson. he would ask “Can I get baptized now?”
His baptism was a special occasion for sure! His Grandmother was teary-eyed as she enjoyed watching her grandson making covenants with God. Also, I think she enjoyed the feelings of peace and love that the Holy Ghost brought as the ordinance was performed. Right before his baptism he said: “When am I getting baptized? Can I get baptized today?” And after his baptism, he said: “I feel happy I got baptized.”
As children of our Heavenly Father, we have privileges. One such blessing is the opportunity to bless and receive blessings through the priesthood. My companion and I had the opportunity to give Damion a blessing so he could be successful in school. I could see that he and his Grandmorther were very happy.
My desire for Damion is for him to be happy and to prepare himself to go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints one day. To do so, he has to stay committed to going to church every Sunday. He has told me multiple times: “I want to be a missionary just like you Elder Baldwin.” I feel he is a promising child for the future of the Church.
Both of us are children of God. We help each other grow and learn a bit more each day. As a missionary, I am mentoring many who are younger than me and I encourage them to go on missions as well.
Learning about the Savior in my youth was a great blessing. One important principle I learned back when I was in Primary was to come unto Jesus Christ by following the prophet here on earth. The Primary song “Follow the prophet” teaches us that all of us can follow the prophet and come unto the Savior by reading and studying our scriptures each day and praying. One of my favorite scriptures is Alma 37: 36-37:
“Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.”
This is such a powerful scripture because it talks about the power of prayer. We all need blessings in our lives and to receive these blessings, we must pray for them. Before I came out to serve, I prayed to the Lord often to be blessed and to have a good experience. He has answered my prayers and I have loved every experience in mission so far. I can say that choosing to come out on a mission has blessed my life forever.
This week we had a mission tour by Elder Alonzo of the Quorum of the Seventy. It was a blast!! He encouraged us to stay on the path and to continue our missions. I felt like I connected with what he shared very well, and I enjoyed the strong spirit of the meeting.
We also saw the Eclipse (Blood Moon). It was super cool and amazing to see how the moon can change colors! The moon was red, which I really don’t see too often. Did any of you get to see the Eclipse?
Thanks for all the support and kindness that has been given to me. I am grateful for each one of you too. Love you all and have a great Spiritual Week!
This week went very well. Happy Mother’s Day Week!
My Mother is the light of my life. I am where I am because of her love and encouragement! She has taught me what it means to put God first in my life. I love you Mami!!!
Words of Wisdom about Motherhood:
“Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling…it is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.” Elder Neil L. Anderson
“Few of us will reach our potential without the nurturing of both the mother who bore us and the mothers who bear with us.” Sheri Dew
“What Mothers do is an essential element of Christ’s work.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of Motherhood.” Elder M. Russell Ballard
“There is no limit to what a woman with a Mother’s heart can accomplish.” Julie B. Beck
I don’t know where I would be without the knowledge that families are forever. This goal begins with the Mother who brings children into this world and teaches them right from wrong, to always put God first, and to serve those in need. Mothers are the most important part of a family. They are the ones who nurture and help the family grow into becoming the family Heavenly Father wants them to be.
We are preparing this week for a baptism. This will be the first baptism I will attend in person on my mission! Zoom is not the same! 😊 What an experience it will be to see the joy of this young friend to experience what it’s like to have the Holy Ghost with him always. In 3rd Nephi 11:33 it says “And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.” This scripture is so true! If we want to return to our Heavenly Father, then we must take the first step which is to get baptized.
I encourage and invite each of you to reach out to the missionaries where you live and take lessons from them because what we teach is something so cool and so powerful that it will change your life forever!
I like the quote by Marcus Aurelius: “What we do now echoes in eternity.” Now is the time, my friends, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and the joy it brings into our lives. Share the good news that Jesus is the Christ!
Thanks for everything that has been done for me while I have been out here serving! I love all of you and hope this week is a blast! STAY SAFE OUT THERE MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY! Buena Suerte tambien! ❤
May the good Lord bless you all! ✌🙏✨❤ Until next week!
A Desert Sojourn by Elder J. Sandor Baldwin 