I Love The Work of Salvation!

Weekly questions posed to the elder, responses in his email back...
Q1. Are you folks seeing some of the changes talked about in yesterday's conference? It sounds like the mission has already implemented much of what is changing.

A1. Yes we have been making moves to align with what the brethren have asked..Im sure we'll see alot more changes and adjustments here shortly which will be fantastic.We have also been really seeking to help the members in their missionary work and with this missionary leadership conference got a big huge boost! We are working with ward and stake leaders to ensure that this upcoming Sunday is all about missionary work.

Q2. How are the rest of the L's doing? Hopefully they are progressing and hearts are being changed.

A2. Brother L. is on fire with missionary work! He Talks With Everyone he meets; he calls us everyday with someone new to teach!! Sister L. is starting to progress more and more each day.We are helping her pray so she can have a confirmation of truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

Q3. Are you in need of anything at this time?

A3. I'm doing well.

Q4. Who can we add to our prayer list or continue to pray for each day?

A4. You can pray for L. G. and J. M. L. G. is scheduled to be baptized tomorrow, she was able to come to church again yesterday which is a huge miracle!

AP Elder Nelson (rm) and Elder Gautavai

In this today's email the elder was informed of a convert baptism of an amazing young adult lady in his ward back home over the weekend and the incredible circumstances of her conversion. A testimony of the influence of many faithful latter-day saints who through joyfully living the gospel and sharing their testimony through action impacted the life of this sister. Glory to God!

Hello Family,

This is incredible!! That is such great news to hear of a sister and divine daughter of our Heavenly Father accept the ordinance of baptism in her life and now receive the most important gift she could ever or will ever get in this life...the gift of the holy ghost!! HOORAH! 

Exciting to hear Ry is grown up and off to the next chapter in his life at BYU where he will be strengthened, encouraged, and comforted by the most high God. Everyone seems to be doing well even the legend Mekelee haha; champions pay the price upfront and he seems well on his way to doing just that.

Elder Perez and Elder Gautavai

This week was another busy week as it always seems to be, I would not have it any other way! It's hot and humid, 'Hotlanta' is definitely living up to its reputation. We've been super busy and actively engaged in the work. Working hard mixed with being out in the heat all day equals two extremely exhausted missionaries at days end. Nevertheless we are happier then we have ever been as this is truly a joy beyond measure!

  We Are One - A New Vision For The Work of Salvation
Its been an exciting month for the Fayetteville zone as a whole. With the addition and opening of 7 new areas in our zone, and raising the total number of missionaries to 43, the Lord is blessing not only our zone but the Fayetteville stake beyond comprehension. Currently we have 11 people in our zone who have been baptized with another 6 set to be baptized in the coming days to conclude the month of June. Its significance is not lost as this stake has not seen this kind of month in 3 years with the highest being 9 in April 2013. We credit this surge however to the involvement of our members in the work as our zone also has achieved an all time high of 354 member present lessons which has not happened in this stake ever! 

The Lord is blessing this zone due to the fact that we are building the kind of missionaries and members the Lord can trust with these our brothers and sisters who are praying to Him for help or have questions of Where did I come from? Why am I here? or Where will I go when this life is over? If only we could all see that there are so many people who are ready, right now. Its been interesting to see that with my prayers to the Lord; the one question that I ask without fail, at every minute of the day,.."is to know who it is we have not found yet who is prepared?" The Holy Ghost will lead us to them. Some of those people we need to realize we must continue to love and help understand through the spirit - and that's OK, we'll serve them just the same. They, the prepared or who have questions for which we have the message of the restored gospel to answer, walk amongst us and just don't know where to find it.

Thank you for the support and love you share in my behalf! I gotta run the Lord is hastening His work!

Love Elder Gautavai

To (SHARE) Bring The World His Truth - His Way

Hello Family!

Thank you for the journal paper and camera. I will take more pictures with it as the weather here gets really hot!!

Hastening "The Work of Salvation" Broadcast, Sunday June 23, 2013 4PM Mountain, Marriott Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah

Yes this special "The Work of Salvation" Missionary Work conference broadcast you will not want to miss. We are getting the word out to all of the members here as this is a remarkable opportunity to hear from the living Prophets as to how to do the Lord's work, HIS WAY...the ONLY way to do His work.

This week we are doing alot more finding..with the sister missionaries coming into the Whitewater ward we decided to give them alot of the solid investigators to get them off on the right foot and teaching here in the area. Since we know the area well we decided to do the finding work. It's neat because we don't have the areas split. It's a free-for-all which has made it really exciting and fun to be able to just go after it finding great joy in bringing others unto Christ. This next week we are preparing for Zone Training meetings where we want to help our missionaries climb the mountain becoming certified within 3 weeks. We want everyone in our zone certified to the standards that president and the brethren have asked us to to be at. So we are praying for a way to help those in our zone get caught up and feel the power behind the certification program.

We had the priviledge to attend the reception and ring ceremony of Kandis and Stephan Atrice. This proved to be a wonderful opportunity to talk to members of other faiths and members of the church alike about the restoration of the gospel. It was so neat to see them (Kandis and Stephan) enter into the highest ordinance and covenant one can receive in this life (Temple marriage) now continuing in the work of enduring to the end as they seek to to help build up the kingdom through family life and in being Christlike examples. Speaking of building the kingdom, brother Love (recent convert) who has caught the vision of TALKING WITH EVERYONE was there as an invited guest as well. It was cool to see him ask everyone if they wanted to come to church with him and if they have read the Book of Mormon? It's so neat to see the change in him and the peace the gospel has brought into his life and how he just wants to share it in his words, "If this brings us so much joy, WHY should we keep it a secret from everyone else?" This is the attitude we all must have in sharing the gospel with everyone, in every conversation with others -- there is always an opportunity to share the gospel!

Thank you for your diligence and support in prayer and in faith. The Lord is our master and we are His servants in this great work. The only intelligent thing to do is to follow him. I am continuing to pray for your success and happiness.

Love Elder Gautavai

On Wisconsin!

Checking in with the Elder Gautavai (the elder's cousin) in Wisconsin. Elder Richard Gautavai entered the mission field in January of 2012.

Good Morning!

That is a pretty good pic of Elder Gautavai down in Georgia! It looks like he's having a wonderful time w/the people in Georgia!

I'm not sure if we're going to be able to view "The Work of Salvation," but I know that we're supposed to be viewing the New Mission President Seminar on Sunday, so I'm thinking it may be the same thing, but I'm not sure. It's pretty crazy how fast President Jones and Sister Jones will be gone. Just like that the mission is going to have a completely different mission president, it's pretty crazy!

We were privileged this week to hear from Elder Dallin H. Oaks from the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, Elder L. Whitney Clayton, Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, Elder Funk, and Elder Jack Ward at an all-mission conference we had this past Saturday in Neenah, WI! It was a wonderful meeting, and a very packed meeting as well, there were so many missionaries that were there. As guided by the spirit we were able to listen to President Jones, Sister Jones, and each general authority bear testimony on Gospel principles that they felt impressed to speak on. It was interesting how each of them focused on something so specific, and they all have such unique personalities, that no matter what happened, every one would have a chance to benefit from the messages. Elder Oaks was very bold, President Jones is very methodical, Elder Nielsen was very enthusiastic, and Elder Clayton was very spiritual. It was awesome to listen to each of their messages, and be able to just pull out one thing from each that could lift the Parkway area!

Other than that we're still just doing the usual! I've been more focused lately on aligning my will with the will of God, and keeping his commandments with more exactness to help me do that. I have found a great sense of peace as I've really turned to the Lord in prayer, and asking for his mercy. I know he will give it to each of you as you seek his will, and follow his commandments.

Love you guys!

Elder Gautavai

See That You Serve Him With All Your Heart! Might! Mind! Strength!

Morning Gospel Companion Study - Mission Home

Bountiful's Elder Javier Perez, Elder Camree Gautavai, President John R. Harding

Jesus Will Not Forsake Us, Weary Not

Q1. Do you need anything at this time?
A1. Yes my camera is not working the lens on it just shows black so when I take pictures its just black.

Q2. Who can we add to our daily prayer list or continue to pray for?  Prayer is the real deal!

A2. Prayer is indeed the real deal. If you could keep in your prayers D. R. and her family as well as L. G. that they may continue to progress through diligent study of the Book of Mormon.

Hoorah for Israel!!! Thank you for your many prayers in behalf of the L. Family. Late last night N. and one of his daughters Nh. 9 years of age were baptized and confirmed members of the Lord's church and received the most important gift in this life, that is the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

(photos courtesy of the Harding family)

It has been incredible this week to see the hand of the Lord in our lives and the lives of our investigators including the L. family dealing with challenging trials. Thanks to the ward and the the Savior we were able to help them see and feel the gospel principle and His promise to all of seeking for the kingdom of God and His righteousness first, and all these things will then be added upon us.  

Matthew 6:33

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Blessings started to flow into their lives as a result of diligent study of the Book of Mormon and earnest, sincere prayer. It was a very humbling experience to see Nh. who was at one time unsure about being baptized change, lighting up and jump at the opportunity to be baptized with her father. What made it even more incredible is the great ward attendance at their baptism as the members of the ward came out in full support to celebrate this new beginning in all their lives and to show love for the L.'s. 

I have felt like Alma did in the 23 chapter of Mosiah verse 10:

Mosiah 23:10
10 Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his truth.

Weary Not

If the way be full of trial, weary not;
If it's one of sore denial weary not;

If it now be one of weeping,

There will come a joyous greeting,

When the harvest we are reaping, weary not

CHORUS

Do not weary by the way

Whatever be thy lot

There awaits a brighter day

To all, to all who weary, weary not

If the way be one of sorrow, weary not;
Happiness will be the morrow, weary not;

Here we suffer tribulation,

Here we must endure temptation,

But there'll come a great salvation, weary not;

If misfortunes overtake us, weary not;
Jesus will never forsake us, weary not;

He will leave us never, never,

From His love there's naught can sever,

Glory to the Lamb forever, weary not

(“If the Way be Full of Trial, Weary Not,” Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909), no. 158)

President Harding and I both performed a baptism and confirmation which made it a really neat experience for us both. I never thought I would be put in this situation with such a valiant leader as he; I am just very thankful the Lord saw fit to place him in my life to encourage me to Weary Not, NEVER GIVE UP!

Love Elder Gautavai

The Gift of The Holy Ghost - Sanctifies and Keeps The Atonement Active In Us

Hello Family,

It's great to be be able to write y'all once again on P-day. We had such a great week filled with miracles and uplifting experiences that have helped my companion and I to really feel the Savior's love and His peace in our lives. Yesterday, we were able to have a baptism of a returning member/part member family. B. A. was baptized and confirmed yesterday evening surrounded by her immediate and ward families.

It was such a neat experience to see a young girl like her glow and be so excited about taking that first step enabling her to be together with her family eternally. She asked me to perform the confirmation.

Through daily scripture study, pondering, fervent prayer, much fasting, faith, President Harding's teaching and example, and the spirit, I have grown so much in knowledge of the gospel on the mission. I have learned to more fully realize the importance of the Holy Ghost and in particular the Gift of the Holy Ghost in our lives and the unmistakeable connection to our repentance and the Savior's atonement at baptism and more so beyond thus helping us endure to the end. The scriptures teach us that we are saved by the Grace of Jesus Christ, no question. The Savior through His atonement, and death and resurrection enable us to be cleansed from our sins and to be rescued from both physical and more importantly spiritual death. Spiritual death is brought on by sin. Baptism is the entry way to the Kingdom as well as accessing the fullness of the Savior's atonement where we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. While the Savior makes it possible to be cleansed from sin through His suffering and atonement, it is the Holy Ghost that does the actual "cleansing," the scriptures refer to it as sanctification by the Holy Ghost. After all we can do to repent of our mistakes, the Savior's atonement kick's in and we can be sanctified, or cleansed by the Holy Ghost. What a blessing it is as part of the Godhead and plan of salvation that we can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost if we are worthy to let us know the atonement is active in our lives after baptism.

• 2 Nephi 31:17 “For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.”

• Alma 5:54 “they have been brought into this church, having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”

• Alma 13:12 “Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence.”

• 3 Nephi 27:20 “Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.”

This isn’t just a Book of Mormon doctrine. The apostle Paul referred to it multiple times as well in the New Testament:

“That the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:16) 

“But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Perhaps my favorite one does come from the Book of Mormon, however: “And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ” (Moroni 6:4).

With this knowledge I believe the most important ordinance performed this night was, as in all baptisms, the confirmation. Confirming B.'s baptism with its accompanying first covenant allows B. to have the greatest and most important blessing we can have in this life, the gift of the Holy Ghost. Again this will help her (and us) endure to the end. 

So many great miracles are happening here in the mission field providing further evidence of the divinity of this work. The Lord doesn't ask us to labor by ourselves; or to do it by any other way than His way. As the prophet Isaiah wrote: the Lord's thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways our ways..as the heavens are higher than the earth so to are His ways higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts.

I bare testimony to y'all that this is the Lord's work and that He is at the head of this missionary army making the glorious climb up the mountain; where we are in a fierce battle against the Lord's enemy even the adversary, making the adversary our enemy as well. Consequently, there is only one intelligent thing to do; follow our captain and our leader and rescue those who are searching for the answers that come through the Restoration of the Gospel!

Have A Great Week!

Love, Elder Gautavai