Hello Familia! 👋 This week was a blast. We planned for a baptism on Saturday Feb 19^th, 2022, but we had to reschedule because our investigator hasn’t been able to come to church. He finally came on Sunday Feb 21. What a blessing and a miracle it was to have Jr.– our investigator age 12– chose to finally come to church. I feel that it was meaningful and that he enjoyed it.

 After church some young members asked me to pick oranges off the trees for them. They probably thought that my height was a plus! I was able to pick some sweet juicy oranges that we all enjoyed. I continually remind myself that small moments of service such as this one can bring great joy and can encourage friendships.  I continue to feel at home as I serve in the field and in the Camel Back Spanish area.  Home is where your heart is, and my heart is here!

Our service continues among the members and the community, and I feel wonderful!  Working at the Phoenix Family Services office was a unique experience.  We had the opportunity to deep clean a few rooms for the homeless—a place where they can stay for some time.  As representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have the opportunity to change lives, show our love for our brothers and sisters in this life, and share our message to help them prepare for the present, the future and even life after death.

I have continued reading, studying, and pondering The Book of Mormon in both languages.  I am confident that with time and effort I will become a better instrument in the hands of God to share His restored gospel.  Our lives are full of opportunities to grow in many ways, and I am happy for that.  The mission field is a place of learning and growth.  I enjoy my companionship with Elder Walton and all the other missionaries.  Sharing music, pickle ball, good food, and other activities keeps us spiritually fit and mentally strong. We feel thankful to serve and play together.

I am including a picture of a beautiful mansion I spotted while serving.  I fell in love with this house!  If fills my soul.   Beautiful things bring me great joy.  The Lord has blessed us with many beautiful things,–let’s enjoy them and be happy: “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25)

I am so very grateful to all my Family, Primos, Tias, Uncles, and Grandparents for their continual support with letters, packages, prayers, and for getting me this far ❤.  I look forward to the day when I get to see family again and I have the opportunity to share some cool stories from my mission. Just like Jesus Christ was helping those in need, I am also out here doing the same as He did. I don’t always understand why people don’t want to hear what we have to say, but what matters most are the seeds we plant, and eventually those seeds will sprout into a beautiful flower (Member). I am grateful for my Mom, and for how much she cares for me.  Also, I am grateful that she cares for my dog as much as she cared for me before my mission. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and love for me!! I am doing well ☺😊. I Love you all I look forward to sending out my next email next week.

Hey y’all, Last week, my companions and I had quite an adventure climbing some hills that overlook the desert valley.  We waited for the sun to rise and we were rewarded handsomely! 🌞The warm glow of the sun rising on a cool desert morning is comparable to the feeling I get when serving others. 🏜 I enjoy serving here out on the mission whether that means helping the less fortunate or sharing the Gospel message with those seeking to increase their level of happiness. I truly feel that service brings happiness to everyone around.

In Mosiah 2:17-18, King Benjamin—the servant King—taught: 

“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. Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought ye to labor to serve one another?”

I appreciate the example of leaders who serve others over self. In today’s world, we see so many bad examples of leaders who seek to increase their power and personal fortune while neglecting more important things like service. But real power comes from serving others.

This week, I continued with my Spanish-language assignment. I visited multiple Spanish families and had lessons in Spanish as well. I feel like my Spanish has grown from when I began my mission. I am now more confident in understanding what is being said and I am developing confidence in expressing myself in Spanish.

One story that happened this past week took place during Street Contacting. This guy was carrying a large drink with a large tub of popcorn. He sees me and my comps and asks us: “Hey guys! What do you have for me today?” We said to him: “We have this Book of Mormon.” He then sets down his large drink and tub of popcorn and grabs the Book. We tell him the Book Is in Spanish and we ask him: “Do you speak Spanish?” He answers: “I speak a little.” He gives us back the Book and after searching through his sweatshirt pockets, he pulls out a small bag of what appears to be drugs. As he pulls it out and opens the bag, the contents fall out on to the grass. He then picks up his popcorn and drink and sets them down again away from the search area. Next, he pulls out a lighter and starts using it just above the grass to find those drugs. I was watching him and thought: “What on earth are you doing??? Locating his items, he picks them up, thanks us, and walks away. All we could do was watch him leave, then we grinned and carried on with our street contacting.

I am grateful to our Heavenly Father for this opportunity to see what the world is truly like. Service is truly the key to lasting happiness. I enjoy serving here on my mission. I truly feel that service brings happiness to everyone around. Thank again for the love and support! I love you all and look forward to writing my next email soon! ❤💙💜

Hi Y’all! This past week was both full of change and celebration. The big change is my transfer to serve in the desert valley for the first time and the responsibility to immerse myself in Spanish work. I am grateful for the calling to speak Spanish because I was raised a Spanish speaker. I look forward to improving my language skills. The celebration happened on Saturday. As a result of the transfers, I could not physically attend the baptism of my friend I had been teaching. However, through the wonders of technology, I was able to remotely attend the baptism service – thanks to Steve Williams, our ward mission leader in Show Low. When you look at the group picture, you will see a very small image of Elder Epperson and me video conferencing into the baptism.

The baptism service was wonderful, and I felt the Spirit so strong as I witnessed how my new friend’s life has changed for the better. I was pleased to see that many members of the Paloma Ward attended and participated in his baptism service. The members of the Paloma Ward are great examples of how to love and support a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ. The talks given on the Holy Ghost and Baptism were excellent. I have been thinking about the covenant (promise with God) that we make at the time of our baptism. One of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon in Mosiah chapter 18: 8-10 explains this covenant.

And it came to pass that [Alma] said unto them: Behold here are the waters of Mormon and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they might be light; yea and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God in all times and in all things, and in all places that yea may be in even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection that ye may have eternal life. Now I say unto you if this be the desire of your hearts, what have ye against being baptized in the name of the lord, as a witness before him that ye may enter into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his spirit more abundantly upon you?

I love this Scripture because I know that baptism is a life-changing event that brings great blessings including a remission of sins. It is a big step in life, but a step I have never regretted. I know for sure that because I was Baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that I can be forgiven of the mistakes I have made in life. 

This week, we visited with a neat member family who own a pizzeria. They served us a humongous pizza that left us all very full and content. Eating a tasty pizza is a lot like feasting upon the words of Christ. “Wherefore, if ye shall press forward feasting upon the words of Christ and endure to the end, behold , thus saith the Father, Ye shall have eternal life.” (2 Nephi 31:20) Christ’s words fill us with faith and hope and we become much happier when we consistently study His words. Scripture study should be our daily feast. We all can partake of Christ’s salvation, love and care. He is always there for us. He is the one who paid the price for all of us so that we can have joy and happiness. Because of Him, we can all start again (the Gospel word is ‘be born again’) and become better and change. I am grateful for the Love and Support that He gives me each day!

My love and prayers go out to each of you. I Love you all. 

TUNE IN NEXT WEEK TO HEAR ABOUT A BIT MORE OF MY MISSION EXPERIENCE HERE IN THE VALLEY OF ARIZONA! ❤💙💜 

BUENE SUERTE MIS AMIGOS!! 😃😄

HEY YALL!! The news of Transfer #2 was just published and much to my surprise, I will be leaving Show Low after a month and heading out of the mountains to the valley area to live in Scottsdale and serve in a Spanish-speaking congregation. Up to this point, I have spoken a lot of English, but I have continued studying Spanish each morning in anticipation of this day when I would need to speak Spanish more often.. I look forward to speaking Spanish and following my mother’s footsteps as she served a Spanish speaking mission in Mexico City a long time ago.

This past week was an interesting week. We have continued to prepare our young friend for his baptism. He has a strong desire to grow his testimony of the Book of Mormon. This young man has changed my life forever and because of him, my testimony of how the Gospel of Jesus Christ can change lives for the better has been strengthened.  I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is true and that the Book of Mormon teaches true principles about how we can grow closer to our families and live with our them in the eternities.

As I begin to prepare to leave the mountains of Arizona, I want to thank all the Members here who have showed me how to become a better person in life. I am grateful for each one of you back home in Texas and in other places. You all are the reason I am out here on a mission serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am excited to live in the Valley and excited for the Spanish work I will be doing down there. In the Bible there is a Scripture found in the Old Testament in Joshua 24:15 that talks about the daily choices we make to serve the right God. I am motivated by Joshua’s words, which I have thought about often in my life (after all the prophet Joshua shares my name! 😊):

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, Choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the Gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the God’s of the Amorites in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, WE will serve the Lord.”

 I love this scripture because it invites us all to search for the right God and once we have found Him, to serve Him with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. And here I am in Arizona for two years striving to do exactly that. I have a favorite line from the Star Wars movies when Yoda says to Luke: “Try Not. Do or do not. There is no try.” And I am doing my best whether serving in the mountains or in the valley, or speaking English or Spanish.

I LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE THIS WEEK IS A BLAST!!! Send me emails and I will write back on p-days. 

My email is Joshua.Baldwin@missionary.org 

BUENE SUERTE ESTA SEMANA!! ❤💙💜

Hola a todos! This week has been an awesome week with one big surprise. Our mode of transportation is changing! With all the missionaries leaving our mission and a reallocation of resources, we traded in our beautiful Toyota Tundra for bicycles. 😊 I don’t feel like we can travel quite the range we did with our truck, but now Elder Epperson and have a chance to improve our physical conditioning. After all, we are still in the mountains and the terrain can be challenging.  

As we have continued to meet with and share Gospel messages with our young investigator. This past Wednesday, we taught him that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as administered by Christ in the Holy Land, had been restored once again to the earth after a long apostasy (or falling away). The Apostle Paul foretold this event: “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day (the 2^nd Coming of Jesus Christ) will not come unless the falling away comes first.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

I am also grateful for my internal assurance that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. The Book of Mormon truly came from God through Joseph Smith. I have learned out here on my mission that many people are struggling because of this virus that has been going around for about a year and a half. I know that if we have faith in God the father and his son Jesus Christ that he will protect us and guide us throughout this difficult time.

As we neared the end of our discussion with our young friend, we began to talk about Baptism and the Sacred ordinance it is. I shared what it was like on that day when I was Baptized and was given the gift of the Holy Ghost. As we invited this young man to be baptized, I could feel the spirit strong in the room. We have scheduled his baptism date in a couple of weeks. ITS OFFICIAL!!!!!!

We also went to visit a lady who loves missionaries. She was super kind and caring towards us. She even invited us inside but because of Mission rules (no isolated visits with women when there is not another man present), we were not allowed to go in. I am so grateful for the amazing people in this Show Low area. I am grateful for the Williams family who willingly receives my mission packages for me and gives me a call to come pick them up. 

I’m also excited about my cousin Alonzo who was sealed to his wife this past weekend in the Mesa Arizona Temple. The Gospel has the power to join families together and keep them together forever even after we die.

This is the last week before transfers which will occur on Feb 2nd. Thank you all for your love and Support! The Christmas Cards are amazing. I have them all up on the kitchen wall of my apartment. Thanks again and Buene Suerte esta Semana!!! Adios mis Amigos!❤😀❤

Elder Baldwin

Hey Y’all! This week, I reflected on the pathway that people travel to learn the Gospel. The conversion process doesn’t happen in a day. It typically takes weeks, or months, or years, and even a lifetime.

In the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 28:30 we read: “For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.”

Those learning about the Church must follow a progression path that requires learning about important Gospel topics, demonstrating faithfulness, and ultimately making covenants (promises with God) in order to receive the richest blessings. As Missionaries, we are required to teach a minimum of five lessons and the individual has to attend Sacrament meeting at least three times as a condition to be baptized and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thus far, we have taught two of five lessons to our young friend. Lesson 1: The Restoration. Lesson 2: The Plan of Salvation.  Lesson 3: The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Lesson 4: The Commandments. Lesson 5: Laws and ordinances. All these lessons have different Ideas that prepare individuals to grow closer to Jesus Christ. It is truly a step-by-step journey that culminates in great blessings for those who are faithful.

It Is amazing to see how the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives forever. I have a testimony that there is a True and Living God. That the Church of Jesus Christ is His Church. I know that the Book of Mormon is a divinely inspired record. It was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith through the power and authority of God. I know that this Gospel brings joy into our lives and that we can live with our families forever even after we die. This thought or plan brings me great happiness, which is why it is called the ‘Plan of Happiness.’ Blessings are in store for those who make good choices in life and obey God’s Commands. I love this Church and the peace it brings me and my family. John 14:15 says ” If ye Love me [then] Keep My Commandments.” This quote from the Bible reminds us that if we truly love God then we must keep His commandments so we can live with our families and with our Heavenly Father again.

Thank you all for the Love, Cards and support this year so far!  Yo¡¡Quiero mucho a todos!!  Adios y Buena Suerte esta semana mis Amigos!! ❤😀😁

Hello everyone, This week has gone by so fast! Many things happened this week. To start off I went on exchanges with a zone leader in my area. His name is Elder Christiansen. This Elder is a bomb elder. He taught me so much such as working with other companions and being patient. Not all Elders are patient out in the field. Some Elders have been sent home because of how close they are to their friends and family. My whole life I have always wanted to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The opportunity finally came for me to serve. Many Members have said multiple times thank you for choosing to come out to serve.

We had an experience this week teaching our young friend I mentioned last week. There are no words to explain how much excitement I had teaching this guy. This young man has had a hard life and I feel the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will help him come to an understanding that there truly is a God and that He truly loves all His children on Earth. We have another lesson with this guy this week!! So exciting!!! Embracing the Gospel is truly like crossing a bridge that leads to a better life!

Members are Amazing!!!! ❤💙💜 The Paloma Ward Mission leader is going to start inviting some youth and other members to our lessons. I am so very grateful for the Members that open up their homes to Missionaries like us. So far The Arizona Scottsdale Mission is the best mission in the world in my opinion!:)

Thanks for all the love and support these last few months. Please pray for our investigators here in Show Low Arizona that they may continue to have an open heart and a desire to want more than what they have now. Becoming a member of the Church by being baptized is a great blessing! Thanks again my friends and family. Talk to you guys soon!! ❤😀😁

Hola Familia, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! This week was tough but awesome! As missionaries, we sometimes come up with creative terms to describe situations that happen frequently on a mission but less so in non-missionary life. Our word of the week is ‘internigator,’ which means a person who is so set on their existing, internal beliefs that they don’t want to accept anything new. We went to visit an internigator who felt that the Book of Mormon did not come from God. Nothing we said or shared could convince him otherwise. Sometimes, our words fall on deaf ears; and in this case, we did not feel like our time was being well spent. As missionaries, we choose how we spend our precious time and after testifying of Gospel truths and sharing related scriptures, we allow the recipient the opportunity to accept or reject what we have to share. Sometimes people are not ready to hear our words, and perhaps more time will help them become more ready. So we decided to drop this ‘internigator’ and focus our time elsewhere. Having done so, we felt a little bad because we weren’t sure who we could teach next. Going from something to nothing is difficult so we had faith that we had made the right decision.

The next day, we were pleasantly surprised that three new investigators attended Church. It was amazing to see these people choose to come and receive more light in their lives! One of the Investigators that came felt so strongly about Testimony Meeting (on the first Sunday of each month, the members take turns voluntarily bearing their testimonies instead of a typical Sunday meeting with assigned speakers) that he asked: “Where can I get a Book of Mormon?” Naturally, we were able to help him, and I gained a greater appreciation into my purpose for being here in Arizona. To meet people like this—who just want a little more than what they have—is a remarkable feeling. I know the Gospel as fully contained in the Book of Mormon has the answers to life’s important questions – Where did I come from? What is my life’s purpose? And what is my end destination?

So now we have someone to teach who accepts that God directed the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. I am excited for this new teaching opportunity! We look forward to our discussions with this man later this week to share who God is and how much He cares about His children here on earth.

As a side note, New Years was a bit tough for me though because at all other time in my life, I have celebrated with family parties up past midnight. Of course, mission rules are different. My president required all missionaries in the mission to be in their apartments by 7:00p. We would have like to go party with all the other missionaries. To everything, there is a reason and in this case we were required to do this because of Safety Measures. I don’t always understand the dangers around, but I appreciate the rules put in place designed to keep us safe.

I am looking forward to this week because we have lessons set up and things we want to accomplish. Thanks for tuning in and will send another email next Monday. Thanks for the love and support you all have shown me so far throughout my mission. I love you all ❤ and wish you all the best start to this new year. 

Good luck to the start of this year!! ❤💙💜 and party hard mis amigos!! 🥳🎉

ELDER BALDWIN

Hello Family! This week was a very different, but great week for me.  When I thought about serving in Arizona, I expected the desert heat most of the time. Little did I know I would be in the mountains of Northern Arizona during Christmas time. ❄ ⛄ My dream of a White Christmas came true!

This is the first time I have been away from home during Christmas time, and it helped me realize how much I love home, family and traditions. Calling home for Christmas warmed my heart! During my call I was able to participate in a family tradition that I love “The Christmas Train”. 🚂 This tradition has been practiced in the Baldwin family for over 50 years and my Grandpa Richard has been the train engineer most of all those years, but this year my father was the engineer. On Christmas morning, the Choo-Choo train runs early in the morning picking up each member of the family in their rooms and guiding them to the Christmas tree. To be able to join the train, you must wear a hat—it can be any hat– silly hat, funny hat, cute hat, or out of this world hat! This special tradition has unified my family throughout the years and continues to be a strong sticky glue and a highlight of our family Christmas celebrations.

I am grateful that as missionaries we can learn about different family traditions as we serve and visit members and non-members alike. This Christmas we had dinners with various families, and I learned what wonderful and tasty food they eat to celebrate the season. I am grateful for their generosity and love for the missionaries, the Savior, and the Gospel. My companion and I received gifts that made our season away from home meaningful: acceptance, love, and many carefully thought-out items. Thank you!

An important day of missionary life is preparation day or better known as P-Day. In this day we take care of all our personal needs such as shopping, cleaning our quarters, writing emails and letters, doing laundry, and something I totally love is enjoying relaxing moments with my fellow missionaries.  This week I was playing volleyball with my Mission Zone, and I got smacked in the face with the ball because I wasn’t paying much attention. This incident got me thinking about how important it is we pay attention in life.  Being a missionary has helped me realize how important time is and how important paying attention is because I will be here only for two years, and it can go by fast.

Above is a picture of my first days as a missionary. In order to be able to pay attention more fully to my new responsibilities, I relocated to the home of my Uncle Dana and Aunt Victoria where I was offered a quiet space to do my online missionary training. I want to thank them for opening their home to me and helping me with this transition because it allowed me to focus, pay attention, and give myself to missionary work. The lessons I am learning and will learn along the way will be very important as I continue to learn and grow.

In 2019 Sister Becky Craven shared a powerful message during General Conference titled “Careful versus Casual” in which she discusses how being careful or casual can make a difference in our lives.  I invite you to read it! Every day I read the scriptures, I feel edified in doing so. I also feel the Lord is fulfilling his promise when He says: “For it shall be given unto you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say” D&C 100:6.  I have felt the Lord helping me in sharing the gospel, serving, and practicing a new language.  Paying attention to the scriptures has helped me realize the answers to our questions are there and all we must do is ask and look for the answer.  In 2nd Nephi 26:27 it says:

“Hath He commanded any that they should not partake of His salvation? Behold I say unto you nay; but He hath given it free for all men; and He hath commanded His people that they should persuade all men to repentance.”

This scripture talks about missionary work and the importance we—all of us—have to serve and teach those whom may have never heard of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the time the Lord has given me to come out and serve the people of Arizona. Thanks again for the love and support I have received and continue to receive. I miss you! Good Luck and talk soon! ❤😀😁

Our Mission Vehicle

Hey y’all, what a crazy week it has been!! Lots of things have happened. We had our second zone conference with all the White Mountain Missionaries. Man, that was a great experience. There have been many changes in our mission. We had about 50 missionaries who were here temporarily and have now been reassigned to their original foreign mission. Many of our friendships have been uprooted within the last couple of weeks as many of our missionaries are in new areas. I was looking forward to spending Christmas in Vernon but now I’m in Show Low. The Lord is in charge, and I will make new friends here. This is my first Christmas away from home. We have many traditions such as gathering as an extended family on Christmas Eve and reading the Christmas Story in Luke 2 and caroling and eating Baldwin traditional treats like Church Windows (chocolate / marshmallow / coconut cookies), toffee, and milky way bread. I will be home again but for now I am enjoying Christmas in the mountains of Northern Arizona. Zone Conference helped us focus on the importance of Christmas and how our service here and now can make a big impact in the lives of those around us.

This first week of the new transfers brought some unique experiences. Upon arriving in Show Low and meeting my new companion Elder Epperson, I was contacted by a man who was infatuated with my Facebook page. He says he is deeply religious and he wanted to talk about everything with me except for the Gospel message which I am ready to share. His great interest in us is evidenced by his many phone calls and texts.  I wish I had all the time in the world for everyone, but I’m here to share the birth, and life, and ministry of Jesus Christ. Hopefully, this man will become more receptive to our message at some point; in the meantime, I’ll go where the Lord directs me. And there’s no better time to be on a mission than during the Christmas season.

Throughout my mission, I have already seen many miracles. Today on my first Preparation Day in Show Low, I was at Walmart looking for some sharpies and a nice gentleman in his 30’s ask me: “are you looking for sharpies?” And I told him: “Yes I am looking for some.” All of the sudden he goes searching in his wallet and pulls out a $20 bill; at which point, I wanted to say to him: “Sir there is no need for you to give me this.” But before I could convince him otherwise, he had already walked off farther into Walmart and disappeared. WHAT A BLESSING THAT WAS! I am so grateful for the good people of Arizona who show their love towards the missionaries. This blessing may seem small, but there are plenty of them every week and they add up. The Lord looks out for his missionaries!

I testify that Jesus – the same who was born in a humble manger in Bethlehem – is the Savior of the world.  At this Christmas season, I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate His birth and to honor the faithfulness of many of those around Him. He is the true miracle of Christmas!

This time of the year is the time for all of us to look for those who may not have family to be around this christmas.

 In 2nd Nephi 26:3 it says: “And after the Messiah shall come there shall be signs given unto my people of his birth, and also of his death and resurrection; and great and terrible shall that day be unto the wicked, for they shall perish; and they perish because they cast out the prophets, and the saints, and stone them, and slay them; wherefore the cry of the blood of the saints shall ascend up to God from the ground against them.” 

This Scripture talks about the sign of Christ’s Birth. It is because of him that we celebrate Christmas. This is a special time of year where we open up our love and kindness towards others. I invite each of you this Christmas to find someone who may be spending Christmas alone because of the covid conditions we are in at this time. I also invite you all this Christmas Day to reach out to your friends and family to ask if they need any service.

Thank you all for the blessings and prayers 🙏 I pray for you all each day that you all can find peace and love.

I love you all and Wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅🎄❤

WITH MUCH LOVE AND GRATITUDE,

ELDER BALDWIN