Obrando en la Viña: Meet the Mormons

Querida Familia,

Not many people here in Chile have heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I would imagine that it's more or less the same throughout the rest of the world as well. But that being said, just about EVERYONE here in Chile has heard of the Mormons.

What do people think of when they hear the word "Mormon"? That we don't drink tea or coffee? That we worship Joseph Smith? That we have our own Bible? The last two are false, to set the record straight, but many people think many strange things about us members of the church. As missionaries and the church's official representatives, we clear up misconceptions every day and do our very best to help as many people as possible know the truth about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love helping them get to know us and the things that we believe just a little better.

Yesterday, in the best Zone Conference EVER, Presidente Kähnlein surprised us with a trip to the cine; he gave each of us a bag of popcorn and a drink, and we watched Meet the Mormons. The movie was incredible, and the time we spent watching it really started me thinking.

Every day, I walk down the street with a little black name tag that shouts to everyone that I'm a Mormon. All the people I talk with see my name tag. They know that I'm a Mormon. And all the people that I don't talk with also see my name tag. They also know that I'm a Mormon. In all of the interactions that I have with people throughout the day, each of these people are forming opinions about me, and about us as Mormons. Maybe they've already met one. Maybe they already know a little bit about our beliefs. But maybe they haven't. Maybe they don't. How many first impressions are being had--how many first opinions are being formed--based on our conduct as members of the church on a day to day basis?

Maybe everyone in the world will have the chance to watch Meet the Mormons. Maybe all of them will come to know a little better who we are and what we believe--why we do the things we do, and why we are the way we are. But maybe they won't. Maybe they'll only have one little five-second encounter with ME, a Mormon, on which to base their opinion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The restored and perfect gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

What is it exactly that the people are meeting when they come in contact with us on a day-to-day basis? What are they meeting when they Meet the Mormons?

We may not all wear a name tag that alerts everyone around us that we are members of the Church. But we can live our lives in a way that does exactly the same thing. And we can share our beliefs in the way we live our lives, inviting all those with whom we interact to come and see-- to come and experience the incredible, eternal blessings of this beautiful restored gospel. In fact, we promised our Savior when we were baptized that we would do exactly that: that we would wear our own little "name tag" and act as witness of Him in all times and in all things and in all places...Giving everyone around us the opportunity to Meet the Mormons, and to experience the joy that is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

How well are we wearing our name tag?

Is it hidden underneath the five layers of winter clothing that we put on this morning?

Or do we wear it proudly over our heart, showing by the way we live our lives the happiness that this restored gospel brings to us and to our families?

Do we show by the way we live our lives the happiness that that gospel can bring into the lives of all of God´s children?

I am not a movie, but I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As such, I want every day to give those around me the opportunity to Meet the Mormons. I invite each of you this week to ponder and to commit to do something specific in order to share your beliefs with as many people as you possibly can. Share a Book of Mormon. Share a Mormon Message video. Share your testimony. Share the opportunity to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the joy that it brings to your life--and give them the opportunity to make that joy a part of their lives as well.

Let's give everyone around us the chance to Meet the Mormons.

Con Todo Mi Amor,
Hermana Sanford

On a funnier note, I was walking down the street with my companion, and a bunch of kids were playing soccer a few feet away from us. One of the little boys kicked the ball, it almost hit Hermana Lopez, and another one of them yelled, "Watch out! You almost hit the Mormon!"

Other quotes of the week:
"You're just like him. But you're a human, and he's a dog."
Thanks, Hermana Lopez.;)

The attached photo of graffiti is from Los Vilos; I saw it and started laughing so hard I could hardly stop.