-
An English Fast & An Apostolic Visit 🙂
Hello friends and family!! This week has been another great one in the MTC!!! A couple awesome things that happened this week: We know MORE than we think we know!!! On Monday our district decided to have an English fast (where we only spoke Polish ALL day) and although it was so hard it was…
-
We all need… Cierpliwość!!
Cześć!!!!!! Tomorrow marks a month down at the MTC. Thanks for all your love and support- getting emails and Dear Elders throughout the week MAKES MY DAY, so don’t hesitate to send me an email even though I can’t respond until Thursday!! Things I learned at the MTC this week: PATIENCE is KEY!!! This week…
-
Priorities & Blessings (Week 3)
It’s been another FANTASTIC week in the MTC!! Between General conference, devotionals, and TRC lessons, it’s been a blast!!! This weekend was GENERAL CONFERENCE!! BEST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!( twice a year there is a big broadcast from Salt Lake City where the living Prophet of today and his 12 apostles speak to us and it’s called…
-
Teaching in Polish (Week 2)
Dzien Dobry!! It’s been another great week here at the MTC!! I hit my 2 week mark yesterday! 2 weeks down and 7 to go, and it just gets better and better! This week my schedule has evened out and I have almost the same schedule every day which is so nice! My district has…
-
Life at the Missionary Training Center (Week 1)
HELLO friends and family!! This has been the busiest, most intense, funnest week ever, and I’m so excited that I get to be here for the next 8 weeks! Today (Thursday) is finally my P day (aka Preparation day) where I get to respond to and send emails. Since I arrived at the MTC (Missionary…
-
An English Fast & An Apostolic Visit 🙂
Hello friends and family!! This week has been another great one in the MTC!!! A couple awesome things that happened this week: We know MORE than we think we know!!! On Monday our district decided to have an English fast (where we only spoke Polish ALL day) and although it was so hard it was…

Hello friends and family!! This week has been another great one in the MTC!!!
A couple awesome things that happened this week:
We know MORE than we think we know!!!
On Monday our district decided to have an English fast (where we only spoke Polish ALL day) and although it was so hard it was awesome to realize how much Polish we DO KNOW!! I was able to remember almost everything I needed to be able to say, and I had my English to Polish dictionary on hand when I needed to remember a word. It was an awesome testament to me that the Lord WILL make it possible for us to do anything we need to if we do our part first 🙂 I studied SO HARD this week but I know I couldn’t be where I am without the Lord’s help!!!
& AN APOSTOLIC VISIT!!!
This week on Tuesday we had the amazing opportunity to get to hear from an Apostle of the Lord, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The second he walked into the room you could feel the spirit incredibly strong and he gave a great message on PERSPECTIVE!!!
A couple of my favorite points from his message:
-Try to envision what the Lord has planned for you!
-When you are satisfied with where you are, PUSH yourself to what God knows you can become!
Things I’m grateful for this week:
- Soccer- Poland won the soccer game this week!!!! (Picture Above)
- TRC’s- Yesterday we had our 4th TRC(where we teach members who speak Polish) but next week we get to skype real members in Poland and it’s going to be great!!
- MUSIC!!! Our district has created an acapella group we call STARSTRA (In Polish, Elder is Starszy and Sister is Siostra, therefore Siostra+Starszy is Starstra!!!!) and we love singing English and Polish hymns together!! It’s the funnest thing ever 🙂
I’m so grateful for the gospel and for the opportunity to be here!!!Love you all and hope this week is great!!!
Love,
Siostra Baldwin
I love getting mail!!! Please send it to:
Sister Elizabeth Adelaida Baldwin
NOV20 POL-WAR
2005 N 900 E Unit 14
Provo UT 84602 -
We all need… Cierpliwość!!
Cześć!!!!!! Tomorrow marks a month down at the MTC. Thanks for all your love and support- getting emails and Dear Elders throughout the week MAKES MY DAY, so don’t hesitate to send me an email even though I can’t respond until Thursday!! Things I learned at the MTC this week: PATIENCE is KEY!!! This week…
Cześć!!!!!!Tomorrow marks a month down at the MTC. Thanks for all your love and support- getting emails and Dear Elders throughout the week MAKES MY DAY, so don’t hesitate to send me an email even though I can’t respond until Thursday!!
Things I learned at the MTC this week:
PATIENCE is KEY!!!
This week the language started to get a lot harder. Sometimes it feels like I’m not learning Polish fast enough, but I’ve realized I just need to have more patience! I’ve realized that everyone is learning different things-and no one knows everything!!! Some people learn new words really quickly, and others are able to testify really well in Polish. For me, I find strength when I apply a principle to my own life, and know it really well in English. Then it makes it a lot easier to testify in Polish with the words I know.
For example, this week I have really studied patience (Cierpliwość in Polish).
I love Mosiah 23:21-“21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.”
Part of the faith building process is having patience!!! When we have patience, it shows that we trust the Lord enough to wait for whatever He has in store for us. As long as we’re doing our part, He WILL make up the rest!!!
& The Gift of Tongues is REAL
This week I had the coolest experience!! I happened to be sitting next to an Elder during a devotional who had translation headphones on, and I could hear that the translation was in Spanish. After the devotional I started a conversation with him, and we went on to have a pretty lengthy conversation all about the MTC, the mission he was headed to, and where he was from (Mexico!). It was only afterwards that I realized the whole conversation had been in pretty rapid Spanish, and I hadn’t even given it a second thought. It was an awesome testimony to me that the gift of tongues is applicable to every language 🙂
Things I’m so grateful for this week:
- Gorgeous views from the MTC
- The temple
& the most important,
- My Savior, Jesus Christ!!!
I am so grateful for the MTC and for the opportunity I’ve had these past few weeks to come to know my Savior better. I love this gospel, I love Jesus Christ, and I love Polish (even when it’s hard!!! 😉 )
Love you all (Kocham was), and hope this week is the BEST!!!
Siostra Baldwin

-
Priorities & Blessings (Week 3)
It’s been another FANTASTIC week in the MTC!! Between General conference, devotionals, and TRC lessons, it’s been a blast!!! This weekend was GENERAL CONFERENCE!! BEST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!( twice a year there is a big broadcast from Salt Lake City where the living Prophet of today and his 12 apostles speak to us and it’s called…

It’s been another FANTASTIC week in the MTC!! Between General conference, devotionals, and TRC lessons, it’s been a blast!!!
This weekend was GENERAL CONFERENCE!! BEST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!( twice a year there is a big broadcast from Salt Lake City where the living Prophet of today and his 12 apostles speak to us and it’s called General Conference and it is so good!!!) It was practically the event of the year here! I got to watch it from the MTC in a room with 1800 or so other missionaries. The spiritual high was incredible, and it was so fun to anticipate and hear the announcements from this conference surrounded by missionaries with the same purpose!!
I am so excited for the new programs that were announced!!! The new “Come Follow Me” program is HUGE for countries where it can be very difficult for some members to get to church, and I am so excited to be able to help implement the program once I get to Poland.
Another big highlight was watching the MTC choir at conference!!! I got to see Siostra Sjodin and Siostra Aramaki (two of my fellow Polish sisters!) sing in the MTC choir and it was AMAZING!!!! During the choir parts it was so fun to be with all the missionaries because everyone was watching their missionary friends!! I felt the spirit SO STRONG and it was totally unforgettable!!!
Polish word of the week: żartujesz which basically means “you’re joking!!!!” Feel free to use it anytime someone says something remotely funny or unbelievable- it’s probably the most said word in my district!!!
A cool experience this week:
My goal this last week has been exact obedience. The first week I got here, I struggled to always be out of bed at 6:30 sharp. A few Sundays ago we had testimony meeting and one of our sister training leaders (sister missionary leadership position for the zone) bore her testimony on when she goes to bed at 10:30 exactly (or earlier ) and gets up at 6:30 exactly, it isn’t hard for her to wake up and she doesn’t feel tired. I decided to try it and let me tell you IT WORKS!!!! I haven’t been tired at all since I’ve been exactly obedient to the sleep schedule and everyone around me has been sick lately(sickness travels fast in the MTC) but I haven’t felt sick at all! I’ve been exercising, getting sleep, and staying hydrated and I’ve never felt better. PROOF exact obedience works!!
Not everything is easy at the MTC, and the days can be long! But it is SO WORTH IT!!! I wouldn’t give it up for the world. I love the MTC, I love my district, and I am so grateful for this opportunity I have to serve the Lord.
This week has taught me over and over again that when we make the Lord our #1 priority, EVERYTHING else will fall into place. As we turn outward and focus on others, we will be blessed!! I can testify of that!
-
Teaching in Polish (Week 2)
Dzien Dobry!! It’s been another great week here at the MTC!! I hit my 2 week mark yesterday! 2 weeks down and 7 to go, and it just gets better and better! This week my schedule has evened out and I have almost the same schedule every day which is so nice! My district has…

Dzien Dobry!!
It’s been another great week here at the MTC!! I hit my 2 week mark yesterday! 2 weeks down and 7 to go, and it just gets better and better!
This week my schedule has evened out and I have almost the same schedule every day which is so nice!
My district has continued to learn a ton of Polish. Every day we have language class and several times a week, we get 2 hr time blocks to study the language. Every other day or so we teach mini 5-10 min practice lessons. It’s AMAZING to think that just a 2 weeks ago, most of my district was learning how to say hello in polish (cześć!) and now we can say fun things like “Co wiesz na temat nauczania Jezusa Chrystusa?” (“What do you know on the subject of Christ’s teachings?”) I have seen the Lord’s hand in my life every day as I have read the scriptures and studied this beautiful language.
Yesterday (Wednesday), we had our first TRC, where you get to teach 2 twenty minute lessons in a row to someone who speaks your mission language. It was SO FUN and went really well!! Siostra Sjodin and I went over our lesson several times beforehand, and it totally paid off. We couldn’t understand every single thing the person we were teaching told us (they are only allowed to speak Polish) BUT it was amazing to realize how much we could understand!!
Well, that’s all for this week!
I’m so grateful for this opportunity I have to be at the MTC and to prepare to serve the people of Poland. Thank you for all the love and support!!
-
Life at the Missionary Training Center (Week 1)
HELLO friends and family!! This has been the busiest, most intense, funnest week ever, and I’m so excited that I get to be here for the next 8 weeks! Today (Thursday) is finally my P day (aka Preparation day) where I get to respond to and send emails. Since I arrived at the MTC (Missionary…


HELLO friends and family!! This has been the busiest, most intense, funnest week ever, and I’m so excited that I get to be here for the next 8 weeks! Today (Thursday) is finally my P day (aka Preparation day) where I get to respond to and send emails. Since I arrived at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) on Wednesday of last week, I had to wait a week and a day to email. Sit down and grab a snack, because this is going to be a long email!!! 🙂
I flew out of Dallas on Wednesday morning and was picked up at the airport by my sweet Aunt Jana. We went out for breakfast and then she dropped me off at the MTC here in Provo, Utah. I was able to check in a little bit earlier than my scheduled time, so I got the opportunity to meet several other new missionaries arriving that Wednesday.
At check in I got my missionary tag and I got my schedule for the next 9 weeks that I’ll be here in the MTC, and right afterwards I got to meet my companion and leave my bags in my residency and head straight into my first class. In the first class, they start off by speaking to you only in your mission language, but luckily I could understand most of it (shoutout to Wojciech for being the best Polish teacher ever!!!). In that first class, we learned how to introduce ourselves in Polish and we got to meet our district. A district is the group of missionaries that you learn your language with, have class with, and basically become best friends with while you’re at the MTC. My district has 8 Elders and 3 Sisters besides me, so we’re a pretty decent size district. We found out over 550 missionaries entered the Provo MTC on Wednesday, the biggest group of missionaries to arrive all year. Since missionaries arrive weekly, it’s pretty cool to be surrounded by so many new missionaries.
I LOVE my companion!! Her name is Siostra Sjodin and she’s from SWEDEN!! She’s so sweet and funny, and we get along really well. She is fluent in both Swedish and English, so not only have I learned a ton of Polish this week, but I’ve been able to pick up some Swedish too. She is an amazing singer (more on that later) and is one of the most spiritual people I’ve ever met! 🙂
My non-P day days at the MTC consist of meals in the cafeteria, 4-6 hours of class, personal study time, companionship study time, and exercise time. The food here is pretty good, but it’s nothing like homemade food!!
On Saturday morning for exercise time the Elders in our Zone (a zone is group of several districts) played the Russian zone. Our zone has the Polish, Bulgarian, Czech, Slovak, Finnish, Swedish districts, along with several more, so it was the funniest game to watch. More than 50 Elders were on the field at a time chasing one soccer ball!! At the end of the game we tied, so Church on Sunday was amazing! We go to church with our zone, and since we have 13 languages in our zone we get to have Sacrament meeting in English (although the talks are given in your mission language). We had 2 Czech missionaries speak on Sunday, and since Polish and Czech are similar, I could understand a lot of what was said.
I saved the best for last!! This year in General conference there’s going to be an MTC choir, and so missionaries here at the MTC who wanted to got to fill out surveys to be considered for the choir. Over 1300 missionaries filled out surveys for 200 or so available spots, and I wasn’t chosen, BUT my companion Siostra Sjodin was!!!! I couldn’t be more excited for her and I can’t wait for general conference!!!
-

Hola a todos!
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!
Elder Baldwin
Mothers are Important
-

HOLA A TODOS! What a week it has been! Am I right? A lot of changes happened this week in this part of the vineyard.
Change #1: To begin with, this week I hit my 7th month in the mission field! Isn’t that Crazy? I have been out for 7 months already and I have been able to see and experience much. I have sweet memories of people, places, and situations that remind me of what I am about and who I am becoming.

Change #2: On transfer day, Tuesday April 26th, I saw my companion, Elder Walton leave for his new assigned area. We spent 3 months together seeking out people to teach, visiting those who called upon us to receive a blessing, praying with those whom we visit regularly and who feed us, and discovering new places during our P-Day (preparation day). I enjoyed his leadership as a District Leader, and his friendship. As I saw him leaving I became a bit sad. 😥 I didn’t know that these two transfers would teach me so much about love and how to care for someone else. Thank you “Compa”!

Change #3: I was also excited to receive a new companion. His name is Elder McBride and he has been out in the mission field for 20 months. I am impressed with the language skills he has gained while serving out here. A mission can do a lot for one person. It’s Crazy!!! I am grateful for the chance to have a companion who has been out here 14 months longer than I have. He comes with a lot of experience and because of it I have already learned so much from him!
Change #4: With this new transfer I may get to drive now because I know the area. I will enjoy this very much.
Change #5: One thing I have learned while out here is to become a hard worker. My perception of hard work has definitely changed! Hard workers earn joy and happiness and that is what I have today because of the choice I made to serve a Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I like to call it the BEST TWO YEARS because it is true, these are the best two years of my life! My life continues to change everyday as I serve. I am grateful to my sister Elizabeth, who served her mission in Poland, for her example of hard work. She just recently achieved a high ranking status at BYU Provo Utah, where she was picked to be on the BYU EMT (Emergency Medical Team). Isn’t that so cool? At least I think it is. She works very hard and is achieving her dreams. She continues to save lives—as a lifeguard in her youth, and now as an EMT. She is one of my heroes! Just like my older sister, I am also saving lives here in the mission, spiritually speaking.
It’s so much easier to make the right choices when you are doing good for other people, so I invite you to do good for other people and find joy and happiness. Change your lives for good, change your heart, change your perspective, and turn to the Lord. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I love you all and please please please send me emails, letters, stickers you name it! 💗 love you all and hope this week is a blast!
STAY SAFE OUT THERE FRIENDS AND FAMILY!✌
“The Only Constant in Life is Change”
-

Hello y’all! From the dusty, desert streets of Scottsdale, Arizona!
This past week was our last week before missionary transfers—#5!
To finish off this past transfer, I gave my first talk in Spanish in the Camelback Spanish Branch. I was quite stressed about it because it required much more preparation than talks I had given before. I was surprised that my speaking assignment was a minimum of 10 minutes. I took 12. I practiced it in Spanish, and it seems to me that the talk went very well. A few members came up to me afterwards and thanked me for my efforts and the message. All the members here are super kind and sweet to us. I have felt at home ever since I started serving here. My assigned topic was: “Member/Missionary Team Work,” which is the best work there is! I spoke about how members can assist missionaries in the work of the Lord.

Some of the ideas I shared include:
- We need everyone to help!
- We can’t do this on our own.
- Members are a key element in the processes of conversion and retention.
- Members and Missionaries make a powerful team.
- Members/Missionaries (together) can reach out, give service, invite and share.
- The Spirit speaks to us in many instances.
- Feeling overwhelmed is natural but remember what Elder Uchtdorf said: “The Lord has never required expert, flawless missionary efforts. Instead, “The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.” I also quoted President Thomas S. Monson: “Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him”
I know that if we work together, the Lord can work with us to bring many more souls unto Jesus Christ. I encourage each one of you to reach out to the missionaries in your area and go on visits together. I know we can make this happen. I have a strong Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it can change lives. I know that President Nelson is a true prophet of God. I know The Book of Mormon is true and testifies about how we can find peace and happiness through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As a missionary, I want to better myself and become even a greater disciple of Jesus Christ.

We have also continued teaching and our young friend says he is ready for the next big step! HE IS READY TO BE BAPTIZED; MAY 7TH IS HIS SET DATE!!! We have also continued talking to Jr’s mother. And she wants him to get baptized on the same day as his friend. Isn’t that just so exciting!! This week we will be working on preparing for those baptisms.
I am so grateful for the time I have spent on the mission so far. I have learned many different things. This week my mom taught me to make Green Mexican Salsa! Also, my companions have been great teachers to me. For example, my last companion helped me expand my understanding on how to communicate with members more effectively.



It has now become my turn to lead this area! It’s kind of nerve racking! All the work we have put in has to continue on to reach out to those who are interested in learning about Jesus Christ. I am grateful again for the service and love you all have provided for me. You are all in my prayers 🙏❤. Thanks for being Awesome! and have a good Week!

Love you all and Buene Suerte!
(Good luck)
Elder Baldwin
Tasty Green Salsa & My 12-Minute Spanish Talk 🌶
-

This past week was a long week. We have continued teaching those who are seeking to learn more about the Gospel. Our young friends are always excited for our next visit. That’s how we should feel about Jesus Christ when He comes again.
This world is in turmoil right now and it needs all the love and support it can get. Easter Sunday brings that love. We had a wonderful Easter here in the Camelback Spanish Branch. Everyone who attended was so happy to get back together and celebrate. The joy I feel when I am around the members of the Branch is immeasurable. Some of the children ran up to my companion and me and were like ” Oh!! The Elders Are Here!” That made me feel very welcomed. I can truly see that I have made a big difference in the lives of these members of the branch, and they have made a difference in mine. I honestly feel at home.

I have continued to learn a lot while I have been out here. Patience has been on my list all this week. Daily situations demand patience. Not easy, but necessary. Some experiences cannot be readily shared but I am grateful that we have President Smith to help us navigate our mission.
As we celebrate THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST, let us remember that it is because of Him that we can find peace and joy in this life. I really like the scripture (John 11:25.) “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” This scripture promises that death is not the end. It encourages me to become a better person and teach those who would like to be taught the same principle I am learning.

Thanks to all of you for the love, care and support! I would not be out here with out the encouragement I received and will continue to receive! I LOVE AND CARE FOR YOU ALL! ❤💙💜
BUENE SUERTE!
ELDER BALDWIN
EASTER THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL!
-
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!

My cousin – Jared and I walking into the Conference at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas 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. 82nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
THANKS SO MUCH Y’ALL AND HAVE A BLESSED WEEK! 🙌🙏💕


An Apostle Visits our Mission
-

This week was quite interesting. We had General Conference, we met a lady in the laundromat, and we found our apartment door wide open.
General Conference: This past weekend we enjoyed listening to the General authorities of the church. It was awesome. For me, the general theme was: “Continue to preach the Gospel.” I really liked President Nelson’s talks: “Preaching the Gospel of Peace, The Power of Spiritual Momentum, and Now is the Time. In his Sunday morning talk, President Nelson focused on encouraging the youth to serve missions because the mission field is a learning ground.
The talk from Elder Dallin Oaks was also very interesting as he spoke about the family and the stance of the church on marriage: “we affirm that the family proclamation, founded on irrevocable doctrine, defines the kind of family relationships where the most important part of our eternal development can occur.” I find great comfort in knowing that this doctrine will never change.
These talks taught me a lot. What did you learn from General Conference?
Lady at the laundromat: We began talking to her and she asked us about our teaching. We shared with her the Book of Mormon and she rejected it immediately. I find that many people will flatly say: “The Book of Mormon is all a lie” without haven’t ever read it. I wish people would take the challenge to read it, as I have done it and ask God if it’s true. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Moroni, a prophet from The Book of Mormon invited all to read, ponder and pray.
“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (The Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:3-5)
The invitation is for all of us. You too can find out as you read, ponder and pray if the book is true.

Finding our apartment door wide open: Upon returning from one of our regular days, we found the door of our apartment wide open. My first thought was to check if anything was missing. Luckily everything was there. I was concerned mainly about our bikes because they were just right there leaning against the wall. I was also worried because one of the Sister’s bikes was stolen recently. I feel the Lord protected our place, and I am grateful for that.
The mission has taught me to work with others and it has shown me that not everyone you meet will want to talk to you. A mission is a tough time, but in the long run blessings will be given to you and your friends, and family for serving. Also, the mission has taught me how important the family is. I feel I love my family a lot more. Being away from the family for 6 months has given me a different appreciation for all my family members. I am planning to spend more time with family when I return home. I am looking forward to enjoying family relationships more. I know I am going to be a different person. I am planning on spending my time engaging more on activities.
We have continued teaching our young friends and are still working with Jr to get him baptized. His mom works all week so it makes it difficult for us to set a baptism date for him. He does sound like he is interested though.
I love being a missionary. The lessons learned out here are valuable. I am grateful for what I have learned. Thanks for all you guys do and continue to do your best.
Choose the right! There is peace in righteous doing.
Choose the right! There’s safety for the soul.
Choose the right in all labors you’re pursuing;
Let God and heaven be your goal.
(Choose the Right. LDS hymn #239)
Buena suerte amigos.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson is my Mom’s favorite Apostle! 🕶 Mission Possible 🕶
-
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. (The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 31:20)

Hello family and friends,
This week was a very great experience in the mission. Although It’s been hard being out here away from family and friends, I have been able to find many reasons to feel happy. It’s been a wild ride these past 6 months learning and growing and meeting new people. I have learned so much! It takes a brave young soul to decide to go and step away from his/her family for two full years and decide to serve. Because I have been out here, I have seen numerous blessings for my family and friends.
I would like to share with you some of the things I am learning:
📜 Talking to people more openly
📜 Asking for help when needed
📜 Experiencing the joy of serving others around me
📜 Making good friends for a lifetime
📜 Understanding that not everyone will want to listen to you
📜 Knowing that missionaries are truly Christ-like people
📜 Gaining comfort with being on my own for long periods of time
📜 Speaking Spanish more regularly
📜 Knowing that God loves me and that He works on His own timing and not mine
📜 I HAVE THE BEST PARENTS IN THE WHOLE WORLD, WHO GOT ME TO THIS SWEET POINT IN MY LIFE


Many great things happened this week. We have continued to teach our 9 yr old friend. We had scheduled his baptism on April 2nd not realizing that General Conference was that weekend, so we pushed it back a week. We have planned his baptism for April 9th. So exciting! The lesson we taught him this past week was on Temples, and obtaining a Temple Recommend (permission card that Church members use to access the Temple and its accompanying blessings. The card is given to those who demonstrate their faithfulness and commit to honoring their covenants with God). He asked us: “How can I get one of those?” We sadly told him he has to wait until he turns 12 years old, but I’m sure he will continue preparing for that special day. We also have continued to try to teach other people, but they worked all week long and it’s been hard. This week we plan to involve more members of the branch to help with these families.
WHO IS LOOKING FORWARD TO GENERAL CONFERENCE WEEKEND???? because I sure am! Come join me in watching the Prophet of our day speak about how you can find peace and happiness in this HARSH world we live in!
I am grateful for the Mission experience I have been able to have, and the friends I have made. 6 months is a big step in this stage of my life. I sometimes wonder what would have been like, if I had not chosen to serve a mission. I am grateful for the positive impact my parents and family have had on me. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THESE NEXT 6 MONTHS! And the joy and happiness they will bring to me, my friends, and my family!
Thanks again for all the love and support ❤ I love you all and wish a blessing of protection as I am out here serving at this time.
P.S. GENERAL Conference Here we Come!! 🥳🎉🎊
BUENA SUERTE!!

PRESSING FORWARD!
-

I am finally out of my Teen years! I have waited so long for this to happen!! I had a great birthday thanks to all of you who wished me a happy birthday. Thank you for the cards, the gifts, the food, the cake and all your love. My mom told me this would be a special birthday for many reasons, and she was right! Having a birthday in the mission field is different, but great! I enjoyed the day thoroughly!!!!!!


This week I was able to ride my bike more and I enjoy that. I had my bike shipped from home and I feel great. Also, this week we had a lesson with our young 9-year-old friend. This kid is promising. He is super excited to continue learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the joy and happiness it brings.
My thoughts about death and the resurrection have continued to linger in my mind, and I am grateful to know that after we die, we go to the spirit world where we wait until it is time to be judged according to our desires and service here on Earth. Our family members that have passed on are there in the Spirit world learning about the gospel and waiting for us to join them. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:18-19). Missionary work is organized in the Spirit world. Everyone is learning about faith, love, covenants, baptism and more. This knowledge brings great joy into my life.

I am grateful for each one of you and for the knowledge that I am loved while being out here during this difficult time in our world today. The world is an interesting place! I had some experiences this past week while we were out riding our bikes that show what I am trying to say.
🚗 A car drives up to the apartment complex where we were at, and a guy rolls down his window and asks my companion and I if we have any candy. I said, “no we don’t.” Then I thought about the CTR rings, and I thought that it would have been hilarious 🤣😆 to give him a ring as candy! (CTR rings are commonly worn in our religious culture as a reminder to ‘Choose The Right.’)
🚙 Another guy gets out of the car and walks up to us and starts saying, “man, I love you guys. I don’t believe what you are teaching is true, but I call you guys my “brothas” in the gospel. Then he says “Hey, that name tag you guys are wearing does not mean a thing! Take it off.” I am there watching him and he continues to say “they are brainwashing you guys.” He continues talking to us and points to me and says “I’m older than you and you’re older than him.” In my mind I think: “Wow! this Dude got it right.” He then talks about the Book of John and I ask, “you mean the Book Of Mormon?” and he says “no, the Book of John”. He gets super close to my face and I think “OK, please God make this fast. If he punches me make it quick.” Luckily he did not. Five seconds later he says “ugh” and walks off into the distance of the apartment buildings. Truly, this experience tested my ability to stay calm in an unpredictable situation, but I was reminded that Heavenly Father watches out for us.
My foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ is firm. I now know for sure that this Church is true, that the prophet is truly a prophet of God, and that he is our friend here on earth. I encourage and invite all the family to take time out of your day to read at least a chapter or two out of The Book of Mormon, and you will feel the joy and happiness it brings into your lives. I LOVE ❤ YOU ALL! and THANK YOU again for the BIRTHDAY CARDS, LOVE, and SUPPORT!
P.s A big shout out to my Mom And Dad for all they have done for me and the love and support I have received from them! ❤💙💜
BUENE SUERTE ESTA SEMANA!!!

My 1ST BIRTHDAY in the Mission Field!
-
“LIFE is good when you find happiness in all things.” – Elder Baldwin

What’s up y’all!
This week has been a great week. This is the end of my 3rd Transfer! I am literally coming up on 6 months of my mission. It’s surprising to see how fast time flies when you are in the work of the Lord for the right reason. During this week we visited and taught a few people. We had the two boys we are teaching, and their families came to Church again this past Sunday. It was a blessing to see them and their families learning about the Restored Gospel. Isn’t it wonderful to invite friends to come and partake of the Sacrament each Sunday? I am grateful to have that opportunity. We had exchanges this week and as usual, we had interesting experiences. So, we are riding our bikes and a guy sees us and yells: “LDS GANG!!! YEA!!!!” I started to laugh. 😅 It made my day hearing him say that.


Every week in the mission has its own special experiences. This week back home my family attended the funeral services for my dear Uncle Gene. He was special to me. He supported me in my Boy Scout journey by helping me fulfill the requirements to earn merit badges. He shared with me his love for trains, he taught me how to refinish wood, and he was a great example of determination. He experienced many hardships while serving our country in the Navy, and he was one of the few who traveled to the North Pole in a submarine. I love Uncle Gene and will miss him.
As I expressed my condolences to my Tia Elia, I felt impressed to share the scriptures found in The Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 40. In this chapter, the prophet Alma wrote about “Christ bringing to pass the resurrection of all men—The righteous dead go to paradise and the wicked to outer darkness to await the day of their resurrection—All things will be restored to their proper and perfect frame in the Resurrection.” I am grateful for this knowledge and the hope that brings to my soul. To know that death is not the end, brings me peace. I will see my Uncle again one day thanks to Jesus Christ our Savior.


As I shared my love with my Auntie Elia I quoted the following “there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works” (Alma 40:21). I was able to bear my testimony that I know this is true and that Uncle at this time is in good company with my Abuelito Salva and Grandma Betty who passed away a few years ago and Achilles—my cousins’ dog, whom I loved so much. I reminded my Tia Elia that now Uncle is free of physical pain.

I am grateful for the Fowlks family, for giving me the opportunity to share my love. 🙏❤. My thoughts and prayers go out to them at his time. It is of most importance to always know that we are not here on this earth forever. We are sent here to learn and grow and complete a purpose which is to become more like God the Father and his son Jesus Christ.
I wish I were there to support the family, but this is not the time. I am about to hit my 6 months mark this March 27th. Can y’all believe that! I remember just barely getting off the plane to meet my Mission President and his wife. I am grateful for the time I have had to be out here. This experience is shaping me into the person I would like to become. Life in the mission is hard but the friends you meet and people you talk to help you grow and achieve greater things in life. Thanks for being the best and continue to do so. I love you all and talk to you soon 💛

Striving without Shrinking
-

Hola a todos!!!!! This week was awesome because I had an up-close-and-personal encounter with Heavenly Father’s and Jesus Christ’s creations. Yesterday on P-Day (Preparation Day), we went to the Phoenix Zoo, which is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. It was amazing to see all the awe-inspiring animals our Father and Christ have made. One of my favorites was the Bobcat. It’s mind-blowing to me to see how each animal has its own personality. I enjoyed my visit tremendously and left the zoo feeling grateful for this opportunity to enjoy myself.


We have continued teaching a few kids. Last week we taught The Plan of Salvation lesson to a small family too. As I finished talking about the three kingdoms of glory, I asked Damion, the kid we are teaching the following: “So is Baptism something you want to work towards?” He said “YES” with great excitement! In my whole entire life, so far, I have never seen such an excited child want to have the blessings and be baptized to become a follower of Jesus Christ. Every time we share with him the principles of the gospel, he explains to us that he loves Church, and that he learns a lot as well. I am so happy for him because he is having the opportunity to enjoy the company of the Holy Ghost constantly as he continues to learn how to pray, read the scriptures and obey the commandments.


We are all in many ways just like Him, we are children of our Heavenly Father learning about prayer, scriptures, commandments, and all His creations. The Mission is a great experience to have because it gives you the opportunity to remember who you are and share this knowledge. Also, the mission field is a place where you learn how to steer clear of negative things, feelings, thoughts and actions as you focus on serving and sharing the pearl of great price: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46). I invite you to CHOOSE to come out and SERVE those who have not had a chance to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am grateful for and pray for each one of you! It’s so good to get letters from family members and emails as well. It brings me great joy to know that there truly is a loving Heavenly Father and that He has given us the blessing to return to Him through the merits of Christ our Lord. Thanks for the love and support ❤
BUENE SUERTE MI FAMILIA!

Finding Joy in God’s Creations
