10 Nov 10 - 17 Nov 10

1:42 PM

So here's the latest news from the Utah, Salt Lake City Mission. Next week we don't really get a P-Day and we don't really get Thanksgiving. It's the same day! So if you don't hear from me for two weeks, that'll be because everyone is with their families NOT doing family history work for us to use the library. Our mission is so efficient. So far we've cut out all fun and strictly focused on numbers. It's all about baptizing out here. Then, because P-Day ends at 6 on Thanksgiving, we have to go out and try to find investigators who are home who want to be bothered and wish them a happy thanksgiving! If we wish an investigator a happy thanksgiving, we get 1 point! If we get a referral from a member (if we so chose to stop by one), we get 3 points! Whoever gets the most points get a prize of... a training to become a better missionary from our mission president!!! YAY!!!

So, if you haven't picked up on the HEAVY sarcasm yet. I'm mad. 10 April 2011 will be the most happiest day of my life thus far. I know we're not supposed to talk about the negativity in our mission, but I'm going to explode and/or do something stupid. Things are just wrong here. Our mission has a goal of 2500 baptisms this year and we're going to miss the mark by a couple hundred or so. The good (worse) news is that next year we're going for a goal of 3000 baptisms!!! If someone isn't ready for baptism, drop them and find somebody new. The Lord will give us numbers. He doesn't care about conversion as long as someone is baptized. No matter what we're told out here, they can say it's for their salvation all they want, it's really all about baptizing people.

I want to cry. The way we do things is all wrong. I NEVER came out on a mission to baptize people. Baptism was the farthest thing from my mind. I came out on a mission because it's what Heavenly Father told me to do and I want to do what Heavenly Father wants me to do. I just want to bring people closer to God. If I spent my ENTIRE mission reactivating people, I would be the happiest missionary ever because that's one more person who won't be condemned because of what they know. Remember what Doctrine and Covenants 18: 15-16 says;

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!


16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

No where in there does it mention the word baptism. If in bringing a soul unto God has baptism in the process then good for that soul. I'm just tired of all the politics.

And speaking of politics, I really wish I won't be called to any position of leadership including trainer. I don't want to be anything more than a senior companion. I've got enough to deal with already without having to lie through my teeth about mission things.

Sorry for the depressing letter everyone but Elder Garcia is not a happy camper right now. All work and no play turns Elder Garcia into Elder Grumpy.

Later
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Mark 9: 23