Mighty and Marvelous Missionary Matthew: Aspire to Inspire Before we Expire

Sat. Feb 17, 2018

Hello everyone!

Im able to grab some more time to write a little update this week about everything going on and to be able to send some more pictures from here in Curitiba!

This past week was all running around and today we as well were super busy as well this morning as we got ready to send my companion Elder Nydegger back out on splits into the field, he'll go back to help the areas of Bairro Novo and Novo Aurora get up to speed, for now ill be spending some time here working with Elder Silva from a state called Rio Grande do Norte, the other side of the country here in Brazil. This elder is very mature and very diligent and its been great working with him so far. I love the opportunity to be able to meet other missionaires and to work hand in hand with them as well, learning from each and every one different.

As we learn from others each and every day we as well can teach others, and I know that the best way to teach others, and in also doing so help them, is by that of example. I think back to a talk that our late Prophet Thomas S. Monson gave but just a few years ago that focuses on an aspect I would love to take a short minute to share about. "The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone." He quotes a few verses out of the 25th chapter of Matthew that all of us may be able to apply in our lives and that may bless us if we do so diligently:

“Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

This past week i had the opportunity to visit a family that has the head of the home struggling now with age and health issues. A man who is well known here in the community and that was once a college professor, a doctor and scholar, and one who would travel the world and share his knowledge with many and a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ, his age now begining to take his learned mind away, we as missionaries were able to offer unto the family and specifically him a priesthood blessing. As i had the opportunity to do so the words came to my mind of the same hymn that President Monson then quoted in his same talk:

Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad? If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today Because I was willing to share? Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way? When they needed my help was I there?

I felt the love of this dear family and the strength and spirit of the Lord in helping them. I bear a solemn witness that this is his true church, even the church of Christ, and in being so each and every one of us as members of this great reestablished church need to be disciples of Christ. In being disciples of Christ, we each need to try and do our best to follow our Saviors perfect example. Remember: The best way to teach is by example, and the best way to learn is by application. We must be an example first and take what we learn and use it in application. That means when we are served we must apply that service in the lives of others, and as King Benjamin said in his discourse given in the account of Mosiah: "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the serviceof your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

President Monson says also in his discourse and applies perfectly now: "That service to which all of us have been called is the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.As He enlists us to His cause, He invites us to draw close to Him. He speaks to you and to me: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” If we truly listen, we may hear that voice from far away say to us, as it spoke to another, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

I add my testimony with that of President Monsons, King Benjamin, and countless others: This is the true and restored gospel of Jesus Christ and that we may find "Rest" through serving others. I am so grateful for this blessing to serve others day to day here in Brazil. I thank all of those who have had an influence and have served methroughout my life. I hope to be able to always have the blessing of helping others.

Thats all that i have time for this week! Ill leave some photos with you all as well! I hope you all enjoy. Have a great week!

Elder Arscott

Missão Brasil Curitiba Sul

The Pereira's from my first area. I ran into them while on the streets of Curitiba.