Strive To Be One, Even As They Are One In Purpose

AP's Elder Gautavai, Elder Steele @ GAM mission home with Bro. Sis. Jensen of Bountiful, Utah Photocred: GAM

Weekly questions for the elder in email from home today. The elder's response follows in his email letter.

Q1. You look great! How are you able to drop the weight? Running, not eating as much/better, all of the above?

A1. All of the above. We try to run 3-4 miles a day a lot of push-ups and sit-ups as well. Not eating as much and took out bread, rice, most dairy. Living off of chicken, talapia and beans.

Q2. The Church magazine photos and article is creating quite the buzz here, are the families in the photos members of the ward/stake in Fayetteville? The pictures are great!!

A2. Yes they are members in the Whitewater Ward, creating quite the buzz down here as well you can feel wards and members taking ownership of the charge to take the gospel to all the world.

Thanks for the update on the L.'s and in particular sister L., I have some thoughts on this situation I will share in my email note.

Q3. How's T. progressing? A great example of preparing yourself spiritually and being an agent ACTING in faith (ask --> find, knock --> opened).

That's funny about noticing Ry's getting stronger/bigger haha…Are you in need of anything at this time?

A3. We gave T. to the YSA sisters, with our schedule being so hectic it was hard to set up a time to teach. Anyway, can I get some American Crew Shampoo and some healthy snacks (cliff protein bars, dried mango's, anything you can think of will do!)

Q4. The L.'s, T., who else can we pray for this week?

A4. Extra faith and prayers for the L. Family, in particular Sister L. and daughter N. They are scheduled to be baptized on Sunday during conference. Missionaries working hard with members to help her and her daughter get to the waters of baptism this week.

To my AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING Family,

Wow! All y'all are doing so well! Ry looks great and seems to be very happy! I'm going to be praying extra hard for him this week that he may have peace of mind and heart with the confidence to move mountains in school and on the field! Sole Badger, every report I hear about you is nothing but amazing..must be because YOU ARE AMAZING! Mighty Teancums are these two (Ry and Mekelee) wouldn't you agree? Praying for both of them and their success this week.

TEANCUM

A great military leader in the days of Captain Moroni who mourned the bloodshed and famine caused by so much war. He slew many great enemies of the Nephites such as Morianton, Amalickiah and Ammoron. Although he was not able to escape with his life after the assasination of Ammoron, that act ended the war. Teancum lived and died bravely, defending his people and their liberty.

(Alma 50 - 62)

It is just incredible!! We live in a time in the history of the world where the gospel has been restored to the earth, God's power (Holy Ghost) and His authority are here to guide us through this mortal sojourn. The answer, the solution was put in place (Atonement) to help us overcome our short comings and sin, feelings of guilt and shame, and turmoil. Because of these things we may receive eternal life and all the Savior asks is to come follow Him, to repent and be baptized into His church -- the only church that He is at the head of, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and then NEVER GIVE UP (endure to the end). Moreover, be to church every week to offer Him a broken heart and contrite spirit to then partake of His holy sacrament to renew our covenant with Him, get to the temple make more sacred covenants and preach and live the gospel! I say, now how easy is that!?!

In my studies of the Doctrine of Christ this week 2 Nephi 31, 3 Nephi 11, 3 Nephi 27 i began to understand with my previous temple visits this incredible principle we call unity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are so unified in one purpose its remarkable.

2 Nephi 31: 10-12, 14-15

10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? 

11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. 

12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

14 But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me. 

15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

In all of these incredible chapters we see the Father testifying of the Son, the Son testifying of the Father, and the Holy Ghost testifying of the Father and the Son. Can you imagine what it would be like if missionaries and members unified like the 3 members of the Godhead and invited everyone to come and be baptized? Can you imagine the support we would have from the Father and the Son and Holy Ghost!?

Excited to hear the prophet address us this week one year after the historic announcement that hastened the rescue here on this earth. We do have a living prophet on the earth who leads and guides us! May we do as Alma who listened to the words of the prophet Abinadi and have the faith to bring about a mighty change in our lives to unify with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and then preach the gospel!

There are 3 types of people

1. Those who make it happen
2. Those who watch it happen
3. Those who wonder what happened

Let's all be the 1st!

Till Next Week, Keep Climbing!! GO COUGARS!

Love Elder Gautavai

Excited For My Brother Rylee Joining the Army of God!

Church Magazine Articles On Hastening The Work - Photos

GAM Elder Perez, Elder Gautavai (both of Bountiful, UT) New Era Oct. 2013
Mission Life Working With Families, Page 25

GAM Elder Perez, Elder Gautavai (both of Bountiful, UT) Ensign Oct. 2013
Hastening The Work of Salvation Page 39

Point The Baptismal Font To The Temple - Deepening Conversion To Christ

Weekly questions for the elder sent in our email this morning. His response in his email follows:

Q1. Not sure if you had a chance to listen to the talks on disc I sent? Just curious to hear your thoughts, particularly on bro. Lee Donaldson of the missionary dept? I love his breakdown of Nephi's experience with the Spirit and then the Angel in trying to understand his father Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. "Look What Do You See?" has great gospel conversion and missionary application and relevance.

A1. Yes i did those were very well done especially Lee Donaldson. My favorite is Elder Giddens, he is a mighty warrior I'm glad I have had the chance to hear him and talk with him. He was the Area Seventy over the GAM and is still in touch with President and loves to hear about the transformation of the GAM.

Q2. How is the L. family doing, does bro. L. have a temple service opportunity to feel and grow in the spirit? How's sister L. progressing? She too is in our thoughts and prayers.

A2. The L.'s are doing well..they go through the challenges of life as we all do..what's fascinating though is because they both stepped or are in the process of stepping into the gospel, the Lord is able to help them in so many more ways then before. Working on getting N. into the temple. J. is expecting a child in November. We are trying to help her see the blessing of having the gift of the Holy Ghost as she goes through this remarkable experience. Darn sweet tea is still in the way!

Q3. Do you need anything at this time?

A3. If you can get me some of the stuff Ry is on that would be great haha (j/k). I'm doing well still dropping weight.

Q4. Who can we help and pray for this week?

A4. Pray for our dear friend T. our maintenance man in Balmoral Elder Steele and I ran into and started sharing the gospel just 30 minutes ago. Through prayerful planning on preparation day we were able to be directed into T's path enabling us to introduce him to the gospel and invite him to come to the Savior.

Shot from ESPN Photocred: Fuji Fua Puefua

WOW!! Those are some pretty unreal pictures of Rylee. It's so exciting to see and hear of the Lord blessing Ry in all he does. If there is one person I know that is exactly obedient it is my brother Ry..patiently waiting on the Lord and working hard. He is blessed as he has stayed firmly attached to the Savior. As these new chapters open up in his life and ours, may we enjoy the moment, look forward with vision of what's important, and always give thanks to the Lord for giving us these opportunities. Look to God and Live! Sole Badger! (Mekelee) Your incredible! I look up to you, keep working hard in school and in football! There is nothing you can't do! Remember our saying no matter what, keep your head up and BE STRONG...MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!

Photocred: GAM

We are gearing up for the final battle in September for the souls of those we love and serve here in the GAM. What we have seen recently is that we can and should press forward with real power. The adversary is no slouch!! If there is anything that he wants it's that these our brothers and sisters don't get into the waters of baptism, let alone get to church! Can you believe that? Moral relativism!? Inside it drives me insane! While we must be aware that the adversary will put up a fight..we must not fear for our leader the Savior will and has overcome him and will crush him. Our goal is to return to the prophet for the 1 year announcement anniversary and give him the precious 44 that our on track this week as well as the 27 that we already have.

The next 3 weeks will be super busy for Elder Steele and I as well as President.  We will be heading back to the temple for mission council next Thursday as well as touring the mission conducting a adapting to missionary life training for each zone -- a new training from the church. Also next week we will begin transfer planning. The week after we will have transfer meeting, can you believe October is already here!?  I have my eye out for Elder Bernard (from Herriman, Utah). I will give him a big hug and warm welcome to the south. The week following transfers, Elder David Evans of the Quorum of the Seventy will be conducting a mission tour here in the GAM. He is the head Seventy for missionary work so it will be very exciting. During his tour we will hold Zone Training meetings as well as a Fireside for all investigators, recent converts, and members. As a mission we have really pushed to have the work of salvation unified amongst missionaries, zone's with each stake in the following ways:

1. Have all recent converts at the temple to do baptisms for the dead in the afternoon, 
2. All investigators will receive rides from members to the temple and missionaries will give them a tour around the temple grounds, 
3. Followed by a Fireside in the church building behind the temple!

INCREDIBLE!! It gets even better!! The following week we will have one of the living prophets; a prophet, seer, and revalator Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles here in the GAM to address us!

May I close by leaving the Savior's peace and a blessing with each of you my family...may the Lord bless you in all your righteous desires and keep you in his care. I know my Redeemer lives! oh what joy this sentence gives...May the whole world know it and live by that knowledge is my prayer.

I love you all!!

GO COUGARS!!

Elder Gautavai

The Value of Living Prophets For Our Day -- They Know The Way!

Doctrine & Covenants 1:38

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

Love General Conference, Can't Wait for the opportunity to hear His voice and feel His Love through the Holy Ghost!

Find Out More About The Established Pattern of The Church of Jesus Christ

To Walk On Water, You Have To Get Out of The Boat

Weekly questions from home. The elder responds in his email:

Q1. Are you in need of anything at this time?

A1. Nope.

Q2. Have you received Uncle Pati's letter/email? Aunty G is resending it.

A2. I did receive it, thanks. I'll write the 'commander of the army' in Sandy :)

Q3. Did you receive the box (w/white dress shirts for elder Perez and Moodie, Royal BYU shirt for you, and gospel talks on DVD)?

A3. I did thank you. They were very thankful and very touched.

Q4. How did your talk assignment go in Stake conference? Was it on Sunday or Saturday? Did the Pres and sister Harding, missionaries, zones attend? We thought about you all week/weekend.

A4. I'll answer in my letter (below).

Q5. Who can we pray for this week in our personal and family prayers?

A5. J.L., the Elders seem to be making progress with her. Additionally, we have added 2 sets of sister' companionship's in the Whitewater ward so we have 6 missionaries for this very divine woman.

Peter, trusting in the Lord, said "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto
thee on the water." And Jesus said, "Come," as He ALWAYS says to his disciples.

Wow so true! GOTTA GET YOUR FEET WET, GOTTA CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN, GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN! This principle of stepping outside of our comfort zone and relying on the Savior is incredible. Let me share with you an experience that just happened in the Whitewater Ward demonstrating this.

Elder Perez and Elder Moodie Fayetteville Zone Leaders Photocred: GAM

B. a recent convert was a disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witness, who for 25 years did not feel worthy to pray and talk with God. The past 25 years she said "I hated waking up in the morning." During this long period of time, "I prayed that I would not wake up in the morning." Everyday so terrified of a life filled with guilt and shame, she never went outside, EVER. One day she felt a prompting to go outside to work in her flowerbed. When she did, Elder Perez & Elder Moodie (Fayetteville zone leaders) who earlier that morning prayerfully planned out their day and with great faith went out on the rescue stepping outside their comfort zone after noticing B. started a conversation. This inspired meeting was 4 weeks ago. During this first contact the Elders quickly invited her to come to the Savior and be baptized by the Authority that has been restored to the Earth. 2 weeks ago B. was baptized. Her sins and burdens she carried for the last 25 years were removed from her. She literally feels that she is a daughter of God. B. rejoices and has a completely different outlook on life now that she is a member of the church and can partake of the Sacrament at church, something she looks forward to each week. "I'm stronger this week..to do what I wasn't strong enough to do last week..and the last 25 years." THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN TELL ME THE GOSPEL IS NOT TRUE, THIS IS HIS CHURCH! B. went and did baptisms for the dead at the Atlanta temple with the Fayetteville Zone this last week. WE CANT AFFORD TO MISS PEOPLE LIKE B.!!! IT'S NOT AN OPTION! People will not likely change unless they are INVITED to do so...that is why we are here upon this earth and blessed with the Gospel, to INVITE people to Come Unto the Savior. Think of it this way...If the Savior stood in front of you, what would he tell you? I would imagine it would go something like this...."Go and talk to that person or this person and first, let them know that you represent me; second, let them know of my love for them; third, invite them to follow me and be baptized so that I can help them!"

I was the first speaker in the Sunday general session of the Georgia Fayetteville Stake Conference. The conference was broadcast to the 5 other buildings here in the Fayetteville stake. It was a neat experience for me as I feel so much love for President Parker, Brother Griffiths (High Councilman over missionary work), and the saints here. What was really cool is that I had a whole week at the temple to prepare spiritually. When Sunday rolled around I found I had so many great things to share yet I didn't know what of these was needing to be shared most...all I knew was that I had been EXACTLY OBEDIENT. I went up with just my scriptures to speak and all of a sudden the Lord put into my mouth (D&C 33:8) what was the most important message to get across to the people.  It was a powerful stake conference the theme of each meeting was the "Hastening of the Work." 

A little interesting perspective on the Fayetteville Zone. When I arrived here a-year-and-a-half ago...this was the zone that nobody wanted to go to. Fayetteville and surrounding communities has a high concentration of affluence, many whom are set in their ways. Let me just testify to you that this is flat-out COUNTERFEIT thinking employed by Satan and those who would follow him! He wants the members and the missionaries to think that the work of salvation is impossible or simply too hard here! Rather than take that view, we must rely on what the Lord has said! The Lord said in the Doctrine and Covenants (section 4), "THE FIELD IS WHITE ALREADY TO HARVEST." In the Lord's vineyard, there are no terrible or give-up-on areas. Fayetteville is now the highest performing zone in our mission with nearly 60 missionaries. They are hoping to finish off the month with 35 baptisms. A year ago it would have been out of the question to think that they could achieve more than 6 in one month?! The Lord is Hastening his WORK!!!

 

How Faith Correlates With Works

Let me close with an invitation to contact the full-time missionaries and ask them if they have any investigators that can be taught in our home and volunteer to bring an investigator to church if they go to our ward..I promise that if you will do this the powers of heaven will be brought down even more abundantly in your lives..great missionaries make more opportunities than they find. GOTTA GET YOUR FEET WET RIGHT?!

This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is His church. There is no other church that He is at the head of. Keep Climbing! We are all enlisted 'til the conflict is o'er Happy are We!

Love, Elder Gautavai

Open Your Mouth - Invite All To Come Unto Christ

Sound The War Cry!

Greetings from down South!

I continue to find joy in laboring here in this part of the Lord's vineyard. He is absolutely hastening His work, we can either get on board or be caught in the wave!

This week was another busy week as they all seem to be that way. We picked up two Temple Square sisters who will be serving here in the GAM the next two transfers. We love the Temple Square sisters! Each of them have brought a huge boost to our already growing army. Thursday we attended the temple as a mission leadership group. There we sought answers to 5 simple questions that we believe will help us crack-the-code on bringing thousands of families to the waters of baptism.

1. How do we achieve 30 blessings and 5 new investigator families each day?

2. How do we plan and set up 35 lessons each day 20 lessons with members present in members homes each week?

3. How do we get the Ward Council to save the 3rd and 4th pews in Sacrament meeting for investigator families? (research from the Church says this is the best spot!) And to have members pick up investigators and bring them to church? 

4. How do we invite and maintain 4 baptismal dates each day?

5. How do we baptize 2 people a companionship each month, yet make plans to baptize weekly?

As we went through the temple and our leadership council meeting we sought answers to those questions and collectively declared war on the adversary to get the members involved to hold the 254 baptismal dates this month. As a leadership team for the month of September we set a goal for 101 this month.  It's really quite amazing that goals reflect the desires of our hearts. Some may say it's too high. However, we have come to know as a famous writer once said "the problem with most people is not that they aim too high and fail to reach it their target, but that they aim too low and reach it." This is the Lord's work and therefore there is no need to put limits on what He can do so long as we are righteous. The scriptures assure us when we are righteous we may then access the powers of heaven whereby we can do all things that the Lord commands!

We are all enlisted till the conflict is o'er! Happy are We! Keep Climbing!

Love, Elder Camree Taualai Ieleiwae Gautavai

Hope of Israel - Rising Generation

Good News That We Bring!

Releasing The Power of The Gift of The Holy Ghost in Your Life

Weekly questions posed in our email letter to the elder this morning. His response in his email:

Q1. How did the climb for August end up?  Did y'all reach your goal of 70?

A1. We ended up for the month of August with 56 baptisms. We had a couple of families postpone Saturday morning. 56 is our all-time high now in the mission. Last August (2012) we had 18. Through Miracle week we accomplished our goal to prove to the Lord that we are worthy of even more miracles.

Q2. That is an amazing surge and increase in missionaries (love it)..did that cause you some longer days getting things in place?

A2. Yes. With the large influx in our mission we had to open up 24 new areas and find 50 trainers. In addition to the increase we didn't have anyone leave last week. Our days our longer now but that doesn't bother me at all as President Harding says we are 24/7 for the Lord...No greater time to do it! It was incredible to see the army of missionaries in the airport! A lot of heads were turning!

Q3. Do you need anything at this time?

A3. Umm, not at the moment.

Greetings from the South!

It has been a great week for the GAM as we finished off Miracle week very strong and on a positive note. As you are aware we didn't have Preparation day yesterday. instead we held our, "Laboring for the Lord day of proselyting." Holidays are great opportunities to meet families at home so with the adjustment of P-day and with our army of 235 strong, we marched out onto the battlefield in search and rescue of those families who have been prepared to receive the blessings that flow from the restored gospel.

As we were traveling throughout the mission yesterday I was amazed to hear of and see miracles happening everywhere, missionaries talking with people at library parking lots, in parks, grocery stores, hundreds and hundreds of missionaries representatives of Jesus Christ bringing the Savior's love and blessing to the people here and inviting them as the Savior would to follow Him and be baptized.  

President & Sister Harding and the Assistants (Elder Steele, Elder Gautavai) Photocred: GAM

Transfer Meeting Photocred: GAM

Transfer meeting this last week was packed! There were in attendance 174 missionaries as we introduced the "Fab 50" into our army signaling and encouraging each to hasten even quicker the work here in the GAM. With this influx in missionaries, Elder Steele and I have done a lot of traveling around the mission picking up necessities for apartments and delivering them to the areas. One night we cleaned out 4 Walmarts stock of Airbeds. Seeing the look on peoples faces wondering what in the world we were doing with so many airbeds was priceless.  

This week we are heading to the Atlanta Temple for mission council with the Zone Leaders & Sister Training Leaders. The following week we will conduct our monthly Zone Training Meeting week at the Temple! The Georgia Fayetteville Stake Conference is coming up on the 15th of September. I received a call from the Stake President's Executive Secretary who extended an invitation to talk on the Hastening of the Work in the Sunday morning general session. This should be interesting!!!

As we continue to move forward in our lives may we always remember to return and give thanks to our Heavenly Father for all that he has provided for us. We are who we are today because of either the influence of the gift of the Holy Ghost in our lives, or the lack of influence that it has played in our lives. May we never forget the glorious message we share is that the Savior has restored His Church and authority to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. There is NO OTHER WAY!

Love, Elder Gautavai

Georgia Atlanta Mission Area