^{Alyssa and her zone, perform a musical number during zone conference (Alyssa on the Piano).}

Hey guys!! I got to speak in church yesterday so my talk is now my email.

~Introduction~

While I was preparing for my mission, I had a conversation with a coworker. As I shared my enthusiasm for serving, this coworker began to question the motives behind missionary work. He didn’t believe it was right to go door-to-door or talk to people on the street about religion. In his own words, he said, “If someone wants to know Jesus Christ, they can bring themselves to Him. You shouldn’t assume they need Jesus.”

I was shocked. This coworker wasn’t anti-Christian or anti-Mormon; in fact, he was born into the church and had been sealed in the temple just weeks before this conversation. But he didn’t feel the need to share the truths, miracles, and blessings that the gospel has brought into his life with others.

And why is that? There are many reasons why we don’t feel the desire to preach the gospel today. Sometimes we don’t want to bother other people, even though our message will save them. Maybe we are shy or quiet, but aren’t we glad that someone wasn’t quiet when they shared the gospel with us? Or perhaps it’s a lack of time or difficult circumstances.

In these cases, I’m reminded of a quote from our Prophet President Russell M. Nelson: “Of course it’s hard. Everything to do with becoming more like the Savior is difficult. . . It takes effort, hard work, hard study, and it never ends. That’s good! It’s good because we are always making progress. . . The Lord loves effort, because effort brings rewards that can’t come without it.”

Each of us knows someone who will not accept the gospel easily. Some of us were those people. But the Lord is not here to force anyone to accept it. He only invites, even the members of the Church. He will not force you to help in His work, but He will always invite you to do so.

So why do we work in God’s work? Why do we want to gather Israel? What are the blessings of missionary work?

I shouldn’t have to explain to you the blessings of missionary work. You know better than I do. You have had your own experiences with missionaries, learning about the Church, and making the decision to join. You know how it changed your lives and your eternities. Now you have the opportunity to do the same thing in someone else’s life.

Matthew 10:32-33 teaches, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

If we want Jesus Christ to be a witness of our works in the last day, we need to be witnesses of Jesus Christ today!

Speaking of the covenants we made on the day of our baptisms, Elder Denelson Silva explained, “When I decided to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, I had accepted the task of not only defending the truth but also proclaiming it.”

We made a promise that we would help our brothers and sisters come to know the Savior and come unto Christ. We can and should be examples of true disciples of Christ, but we must also be proactive in proclaiming the truths of the gospel. In a few cases, the elect find us, but more often than not, we are the ones who have to find them.

Christ taught that we have the duty and privilege of teaching about His atoning power to our own families and friends. There are millions of examples of this that we can use, but I want to focus on just one story found in the New Testament. In Luke 5, we read about the faith that healed the paralytic. Christ was inside a house, praying, teaching, and healing people suffering from all kinds of afflictions when he said, “And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.” (Luke 5: 18-19).

We know that Christ healed this man, but He also tested, built, and strengthened the faith of each person who was there. This man’s friends could have given up when they could not find an easy way into the house. They might not have gone to their friend’s house to get him because they thought the same thing as my colleague, “If he wants to know Jesus Christ, he can take himself to Him.” But no, they were faithful, loving, diligent, and persistent.

This is what our prophet always teaches. “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world. They are undaunted, devoted, and courageous.” Brothers and sisters, everyone knows someone who is afflicted in some way. Many are spiritually paralyzed, and they need our help to come to Jesus Christ. Share what you have—talents, love, time, and your testimony of the restored gospel.

In closing, I would like to read the promise of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which is found in the missionary call: “Our Heavenly Father will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more joy than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children. We place our confidence in you and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective [missionary/member/or disciple].”

I promise that these blessings are real. Your joy will increase as you dedicate yourself to the Lord’s work. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior, and that He has saved us. I know that His true Church on earth is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I testify that all of our Heavenly Father’s children need Jesus Christ and the gospel He has given us. And I leave that testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Tchau Tchauuu

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Ipojuca, Brasil

Hey hey hey!!! Hope everyone is well and loving life. This week had a few hiccups but we back in the game, ready to leave the past behind and get moving on to the future. 

“Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” (Alma 36:24)

Sometimes we mess up, (by sometimes I mean every day) and we all wish we could take some of those mistakes back. There’s pain, hurt feelings, stress, and experiences that could’ve been avoided if we had just been a little wiser up front. But the good news is, God won’t hold those moments of weakness or failure against us. Those experiences helped us to learn so we could be a little wiser the next time around.

Instead of regretting or beating ourselves up over things that we did or people that we were, let’s focus on the positive changes we’ve already made and the ones we are working on. Like Alma, we can decide from this point on that we are going to “labor” with and for the Lord. Will we be perfect? Absolutely not, but that’s ok. God’s plan is perfect and for now, that’s enough.

Week-in-Review:

• House Hunting! It’s impossible to sleep in our current apartment so we are looking for a new one. Unsuccessful so far but that’s ok.

• No Green Dots! Green dots are people we are actively teaching and we unfortunately cut them all this week. 

• Sick Days! My comp got sick so we stayed home Friday and Saturday. It made Sunday pretty hard with no one at church but I got to binge-watch “The Chosen” so it’s kinda a win.

• Marked a Baptism! Everybody pray and fast for Graça, she needs to stay strong.

If you’re currently on a mission, keep being awesome. If you’re not, send me a message during the week, they brighten my day. 

Tchau Tchauuu

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Ipojuca, Brasil

Oiiie!!!

This week was really good! We finally marked some people for baptism!! Unfortunately, they didn’t come to church and aren’t exactly showing much interest today but progress is progress. Just wanted to share a quick scripture then y’all can get back to watching the Olympics.

“And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.” Moroni 9:6

I know that sounds pretty strong but let me explain. Mormon and Moroni were living in a time where everyone (friends, neighbors, enemies, etc) was against or insensitive to the things of God. It would’ve been so easy for both Mormon and Moroni to give up, live their religion in private, and never risk sharing the gospel. But God doesn’t want us to live our religion quietly, we’re meant to share blessings not keep them secret.

Even if things turn out like they did with Mormon and Moroni, where no matter how hard they tried nobody listened or wanted their message, things will get better. It took generations for the message that Moroni taught to reach anybody and today, his testimony and promise is what has converted millions of hearts and lives for Jesus Christ. You may never see a baptism but your diligent labors and efforts will bear fruits in time.

Tchau Tchauuu

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Ipojuca, Brasil

Well, I actually have very little to tell this week. It was just the usual: work hard, get rejected, work harder. Overall, the week just felt standard and I’m not sure what to write.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of ordinances lately. As a missionary, it’s something we teach a lot. But I’ve been pondering more about what they represent. In everyday life, we use the phase “going through the motions” when we are doing the actions automatically and our hearts or efforts aren’t really there. Obviously, going through the motions of school, work, or any other commitment is better than not showing up at all, BUT, the gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t designed to be lived “through the motions.”

Sometimes when talking about the ordinances, we talk about just the doing. Being baptized, partaking of the sacrament, going to the temple, and everything else. But what about the changes these things are doing in our lives? The gospel moves and the gospel makes, it can help us get through life with a purpose and joy, it’s not something to get through. 

The routines of church membership become burdensome when we forget to look at them as the blessings they are. The sacrament is just bread and water if we forget for what purpose we’re taking it. Baptism is just a bath if the change of heart isn’t real. The temple is just a place if we don’t understand or comprehend the magnitude of the blessings it offers. Nobody wants to lose sight of what’s important so what do we need to do to renew our spiritual sensitivity to these sacred ordinances?

I believe it’s honest earnest prayers. I believe it’s profound scripture study. I believe it’s selfless service and generous love. It’s not easy, there are going to be days when it is just a repeating habit, but when we try and see everything and everyone as what God intends for them to be, we can have continuous spiritual experiences that will help increase our joy and strengthen our weaknesses.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” (3 Nephi 27:21-22)

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Ipojuca, Brasil

Got a little math for ya, if 

Alyssa + July 9, 2023 = Sister Grace

Then,

Sister Grace + July 9, 2024 = Old

That’s right folks! This last week I hit the infamous year mark and honestly, it’s brought a lot of unexpected emotions. Mostly just the feeling that I’m close to losing something I’ll never get back and that I’ve just started to discover. But enough of that talk, let’s look at what the last had in store for me.

• Sister Grace

• Comps: 8 (from the following countries)

• Areas: 6

• Brazil x2, USA x2, Bolivia, Guatemala, Peru, Honduras

Countries people have thought I’m from: 

• Australia

• Argentina

• various states in the south of Brazil

• Japan

• England 

• Norway

• Mexico

• Venezuela

• Italy

• and the most common of them all: Germany

Cool things I’ve done:

• been on the radio

• taught English class

• played piano in sacrament meetings, zone conferences, and baptisms 

• made balloon animals to get street contacts 

• ridden a mechanical bull

• killed scorpions (real scorpions) in my house

• learned Portuguese 

• Helped people come closer to Christ 

I started this week feeling very confident and excited for the next 6 months and I still am but this weekend was pretty rough which just goes to show ya, you’re never exempt or past receiving trials but you’re also never exempt or beyond the help of Jesus Christ.

“… Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you;… a shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you,… yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ.” (Alma 5:37-38)

I’ve made it this far on the mission and I’m still called to serve so there’s no backing down or giving up. We all gotta keep going so that when He calls, we’re ready to answer.

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Ipojuca, Brasil

It’s been a minute since I’ve written this but I got transferred! I left my Jardim América in the very capable hands of Sister Quispe and met up with the powerful Sister Flores to open an area called Ipojuca! It’s my first branch and it’s been pretty great so far. The missionaries who got transferred out left a list of people ready for baptism and we baptized one of them yesterday.

Paulo, our friend who was baptized, is very cool. We were looking for his house the first night and I saw in his profile that he’d already been to church a few times (aka a very good thing), to my surprise, however, when we found the house, the man who opened the door only had one leg. Brasil in general, but specifically Barsilian sidewalks, were not made wheelchair friendly. But nothing stops Paulo, be it cobblestone streets or unsupportive family members, he was decided, determined, and baptized. 

Yesterday night at the church they held a missionary night where they talked about how the Branch could be doing better at sharing the gospel. There are about 15-20 active members and they want to become a ward so bad. We sure have our work cut out for us but I was filled with so much fire coming out of that meeting that we’re gonna baptize a whole ward out here.

Here’s the scripture of the week that was found in the Come, Follow Me studies.

Alma 21:12-17: “… And they did preach the word unto many, and few believed on the words which they taught. Nevertheless,… they went forth again to declare the word,… and they went forth whithersoever they were led by the Spirit of the Lord, preaching the word of God… and it came to pass that the Lord began to bless them, insomuch that they brought many to the knowledge of the truth.”

I like these verses because even though sometimes I feel completely lost out here and nobody wants to hear our message, I just have to keep going and things will work out. They always have. Amém.

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Ipojuca, Brasil