Using the Atonement (Sent March 23)

Dear Family,

  Well, a fun week happened this week. The best part is Brother Doçi. We meet with him everyday. I say brother but he isn't baptized yet. In fact he is going to be baptized this week! In every lesson we have he pretty much already knows the answers to all the questions, he is probably the most prepared person I've ever taught. (I know I say that a lot, but it really is true). 

  We are trying to be the most obedient possible. It is really fun to do. The more obedient you are the more blessings we recieve. We realized that we might get less blessings when we don't have to obey the white handbook when we go home...so we'll take advantage of all that we can right now. I know it's 5:52 and I can only write for a few more minutes. 

  I know that the atonement of jesus Christ touches our lives each day. I studied about it and I found that the atonement comes into play not to prevent mistakes, but to repair them. Each day we may ask, "How have I felt the atonement today?" Asking such a question sometimes seems broad or vague, but I've found ways to make it practical i.e. "How did I feel the spirit today?" Because each time we feel the spirit it is God telling us that we are clean; and cleanliness comes through the atonemnet. Also, the Holy Ghost is a taste of eternal life, and what is eternal life, "to know thee the only true God and Jesus Chirst whom thou hast sent." Another simple question we can ask is, "How was I given strenght today to overcome something I usually coulnd't overcome?" Now, if you ask such questions and nothing comes to mind, jsut start asking yourself "If the savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?" Thank you mom for the primary songs. I know that as you do this, by evaluating yourself that you will have the experience that moroni described: "Yea, ^acome unto Christ, and be ^bperfected in him, and^cdeny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and ^dlove God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be ^eperfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."

oul. I know that we can become perfect. Well it's 5:59, and I must obey. Til next week.

Elder Bangerter

"Here and Now" (Sent March 16)

Dear Family,

   Well over a year ago, I entered the MTC and I was introduced to my first companion, Elder Jacob Watson. Then, last June, I was blessed to be his companion up in Kosovo. Finally, this last week I was able to go on an exchange with my same, great companion. He is now serving as a Zone Leader in the Durres Zone and he came up to my area on Friday and Saturday. It was really great to think of all the times that we've had together, the memories and the investigators we both share. While on our exchange we were also given the opportunity to have a special 'Public Relations' training, provided by the Frankfurt Office (the center of the church in Europe). Now, if nobody likes to do role-plays, then they would've hated to do what we had to do. They prepped us on how to do television interviews by doing role-plays with a camera rolling...maybe something I'll implement in our next companionship study. It was neat to notice how simple it is to present the church. All in all, we learned that if you answer like the Savior, then you'll be just fine. I hope that this training doesn't somehow suddenly flood us with tons of TV stations, asking for what we believe...but we'll see. (Just check your news page everyday:) I sometimes remember some of our families mission companions: Elder Romney(?), Elder Irion, Elder Nistler, Elder Nixon, all of dad's Portuguese companions, and all of Seth's AF companions. I then reflect on my own companions: Elders Watson, Outsen, Linderman, Penrod, and Fowles. I have been blessed with great companions. From each one I've learned something...don't ask me what right now, but I'll tell you in a few years. Each time we meet each other I think about what Alma said:

" ...Therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord;yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God."

( Now, I don't know if I'd call us all 'men' yet, but I feel that someday we'll get there.)

   The biggest blessing of the week came on exchange with Elder Cameron Price, who was in my district back in Prishtina. While contacting we met a man named Leonard. He immediately told us that he'd met with missionaries years ago in Durres, but had recently moved to Tirana, and hadn't had any contact with the church. Well, seeing as our new goal is to meet with people everyday, we set up an appointment for that night and went over every night until Sunday. Leonard accepted a baptismal date for March 28th and hopefully his son will be accepting tonight as well. This contact was a miracle.

  The past couple of weeks were a little slow. Often in these times could cause one to be non-motivated, or wonder why success is not coming. However, those times of trial and difficulty are just the tests to see ''if you will do all things whatsover the Lord has commanded you". Imagine, some had to wonder in the wilderness for 40 years, wondering what would happen to them and their families. Others waited for the Messiah, only to miss him by not paying close attention. How many of us are excited to move on to the next thing, without giving our full effort upon our current responsibility? How many Sadducees would have been converted if they had just softened their hearts and listened to the 'here and now'. I like to think to myself what President Monson said, "An ordinary man finds an excuse, an extraordinary man finds a way." (thanks Lauren for the notes on the bathroom mirrors). When we begin to think that there is no way, no change, we deny the power of the Atonement. An excuse is neglecting one's responsibility by giving in to weakness. We often are left waiting and waiting for something to happen; someone to talk to, a phone call, the end of a semester, or the end of a meeting. Whether it be big or small, the key is to remember the 'here and now'. 

  About 3 months ago I received an email from a high school friend that included a video of the savior. In the video Elder Eyring mentions that when we have hard days, that we need only remember Him, and that the day will get better. Since watching that video, there have been moments on my mission where I was tired, but I thought to myself "remember Him" and then I was somehow given the strength to move forward--I was really given a desire to act 'here and now'. As a missionary, I've been able to act in the here and now by saying hello to every single person on the street, imagining them being baptized and reminding myself that they are my brothers and sisters. I am reminded of how important the 'here and now' is when I see someone else struggling--a missionary, a member, or one not yet baptized--it is important because if the 'here and now' is overlooked, then so is their concern, and so is your opportunity to help them. I was able to see this happen a few times this week.

  Last night, for example, we had a lesson plan to teach about the priesthood to Asllan that had recently been called to be our 2nd counselor in the Elders Quroum. As we walked in we could tell that his member-wife had a cough. We then noticed that he was slightly sick as well. On top of all this he was stressed with one of his jobs projects. Imagine, if we had been 'over-there and tomorrow' then we would've missed this service opportunity. We turned our priesthood lesson into a 'here and now' lesson by offering to teach them about priesthood blessings. This newly ordained Elder was then administered to by us two missionaries. Afterwards, he himself gave his own wife a blessing. We know that we felt the spirit, so that means that they felt it a lot stronger. They left us with bigger smiles on their faces, and we left feeling accomplished. Truly, ''in the ordinances, the power of godliness is made manifest." I know that if we serve 'here and now' that we will recieve blesisngs 'here and now'. This letter is a testimony to that; as I type I realized that I could've' blogged' to you the events of my week, however, by taking time to reflect on the past week and find what I've learned, I was able to write something that was from my heart, not my fingertips. 

  'Each day holds the possibility of a miracle' says a sign in our mission office, just outside the door of where I'm sitting. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve in Tirana's first ward. Andrew, I empathize with you, cause we'll be moving mission offices this week to a new location in Tirana--out with the old and in with the new! But, I'll take a bit of my own medicine and enjoy the' here and now' of  ''përballë postës. nr. 22'. So family, especially Mom and Dad and anyone that's moving around, you know what to do. In fact you all taught me to slow down and 'Enjoy it.'

  Read your scriptures, Joseph Fielding Smith said we should read the Doctrine and Covenants daily, it's our book. Pray every night, even if you are really tired. Wake up early (I've gotten good at that). 

  I love you all so much,

Elder Lincoln Bangerter

MISSION OFFICE CHAGED

You can now send letters to Lincoln at

Adriatic South Mission
P.O. Box 2984
Bulevardi "Gjergj Fishta"
Qendra "ALPAS", Shkalla NR. 5,
Apartamenti NR.14
Tirana 00355, Albania

Konferenca e Kunjt, Trajnimet, dhe Dëshmi (Sent March 9)

Dear Family,

  Wow, it was a wonderful week. This week marked the one year anniversary of the first stake in Albania. Likewise, we held stake conference. The missionaries attended the Saturday morning leadership session, Saturday night adult session, and the Sunday general session. It was good because we all travelled with the members to each meeting. Thankfully, because you sent me a recorder for Christians, I was able to record the talks of both President and Sister Weidmann, and the Stake Presidency. Our amazing stake president is President Medlir Mema. He was just a teenager when the Haymonds served here. But now is the Joseph Smith of Albania. I say that because is so powerful in his teaching; he is bold, and he has to be, because he is leading a group of young saints. He is raising the bar here in Albania. I was grateful to record his talk because he will be a legend here. (I also recorded the new patriarchs as well...and he really looks like a patriarch). 

  On Saturday night, while Elder Linderman was translating for all the non-Albanian speakers, he was asked again to translate for Sunday morning while I was invited to play the piano for stake conference. It's funny how things work, our bus was late to stake conference but I was still able to sit up there for the whole meeting. After one special musical number by an Albanian Choir, the Stake President stood up and wept a tear because "He had just heart a real Mormon-Albanian choir", it is so neat to see the beginnings of a stake in this part of the world. I know that he is called of God. He and President Weidmann work hand in hand to help this work go forward. Everyday there is something new going on. This week, the worldwide/church-wide initiative was launched for Easter, and THIS TIME it is in Albanian...just a little miracle.

  Previous to all of these meetings, we had even more training this week. 

  First, on Tuesday we sat down at presidents house and discussed our training for the next day. We discussed and found out what we wanted to focus on: Being Bold through 'How to Begin Teaching'. This is an overarching problem in the mission, we struggle having second lessons. The next two days were spent training the missionaries on this new vision

 On Wednesday, we gave a training to all the Zone Leaders and STLs, and on Thursday they presented it to their Zones and Districts. It contained for keys to having an investigator be converted, and what they must feel.

   1. They must feel the unique power of the message.

   2. They must feel the unique power and authority of the missionary

   3. The missionary must bear strong, personal testimony and experiences 

             -We emphasized teaching then testifying, and then testifying and teaching

    We emphasized this by inviting them to commit to baptism in the first lesson, and then having daily lessons with the investigator. We are excited to see what comes of it.

   Now, I know that for many of you this sounds likes business...but it is the Lords business. I thought I'd give you a taste of what we really think about all the time...and I'm sure, for a few of you, it brings back memories.

  Well, due to all the trainings and travelings we weren't able to teach a whole ton of lessons, but we still were able to go finding! Sometimes Elder Linderman and I think, "Well, we are good missionaries, how come we can't teach more lessons together!" I really love teaching with him. Truly, he testifies and teaches SO clearly, that I often think, "He must be reading PMG or something."

  Today we went down to Berat (like driving down to Beaver) to deliver some chairs for the growing branch down there, it opened at the beginning of the year and it already had 19 people at church! Afterwards we played in the mud banks on the river, pretty fun actually.

  I love testifying. President Weidamnn noted that when we hear someone teach we kinda zone out until they start a story or start testifying. Last night, while were teaching some returning members, I was able to testify using a personal story of how I learned that the chruch was true while I was on Heritage Tours. I felt the spirit in the lesson as much as I have at any time during my mission. The thing is, when you share your testimony, you learn more than the others. Oftentimes you've had experiences in life that are so great, but you don't realize how great they are until you share it with others. No, we don't go around flaunting our spiritual moments at others. On the contrary, we strengthen others by giving our own personal testimony of what we know works in our lives. I challenge you to be more consious about sharing personal experiences. Dont just teach, make your teaching memorable by making it personal. There are novels and novels written, commentating the Bible, but yet the strongest testimony of the Bible is the Bible itself. I mean, personal accounts are better than 2nd hand accounts, and there are only a handful of personal accounts in the world: Scriptures, conference talks, journals, and testimonies. 

  I love you all and have a wonderful week! Till next time, farwell from the Adriatic!

  Love, Elder Bangerter

Double Uncle and the Word of Wisdom...with a Side of Service, please? (Sent March 2)

Dear Family, 

   I'm and uncle! (thud) I'm an uncle! (thud) I don't think every mission gets to claim that they became a double uncle, let alone TWICE in their mission. By the time I get home we could start our own preschool...but that wouldn't be good for Sister Johnson's preschool across the street, so I would advise against it. I love you family. I pray for Ellie and Caleb every night...and for Lauren and Caityn (and really for all of you, but you'll have your turn to get mentioned in the letter, by the way, happy birthday Seth!)

Every morning is started with a beeping alarm, and then a prayer. I wish I would've started this habit earlier in my life. As a teenager, I never really understood the power of prayer. However, I find myself more and more just wanting to pray; when we eat, leave the house, before a lesson, after a lesson, and really anytime we don't know what to do. 

  One night this week, we prayed and both felt prompted to go to a certain neighborhood to knock doors. As we walked over we passed a family that was moving into their new apartment. "Well, its not everyday that someone is moving in. I don't think I've done this since I was back in Utah!" I thought, as we decided to help them move in. They were so appreciative, and a job that would've taken them probably 3 hours, was done in about 45 minutes. I felt so relieved to just serve people. Service changes the night to day. We gave them our card and we hope to make a return visit this week.

  I've learned a few thinks about service. My new favorite quote comes from Elder Bednar, I switched around some of the phrasing so that It'd sound better when it was in quote form (that means that if you copy and paste it into Google, it probably wont work):\

 "As a prerequisite to heartfelt and authentic service [remember] the importance of experiencing in our personal lives the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ"

So often we want to give authentic service, we don't want to look like a face, or like a person selling something on the street. Many missionaries and members for that matter are afraid to share because they don't know if they have ''the right motives''. But, thankfully Elder Bednar gives us a simple answer to that hard and so-often asked question of "how can I be more genuine?". He states that in order to serve like that, you must experience personally the blessings of the atonement. So ask yourself, have you felt the atonement work today in your life? Have you felt stronger today because you thought of the savior? Have you tapped into his power today? Each night in our mission, our president has asked us to share how the atonement has blessed us that day, during our nightly planning session. The trick is, that when you start seeing the Lords hand in your life each day, you suddenly have substance to share with those around you. No longer do you say, "This book can help you do this...or that" but rather, "Today, I read this verse and I learned this awesome lesson." or "Growing up, I learned this from my parents when we met each Monday night together" As we personalize the gospel, people will say, "I want what you have." We read time and time again in the scriptures about someone who uses the atonement, repents, and then shares it with everyone he knows (just remember the awesome story of the boys in Elder Bednars latest talk).

  During one lesson this week, we walked in and they said, "I'm sorry, I smoked." A straight out confession from someone we've been working with a long while. Then they talked about economic problems, hassling landlords, and slow/little/no work. At the end of it all, they looked at us with wanting eyes. Our prepared lesson was out the window as we tried to think about what to say. We said a prayer. We read a simple scripture. As we read I thought. I thought, "I really wish they could hear Elder Holland shout hope into their faces, cause that always works for me! But, they can't. All they get is a less than excited translation over the internet." But then I thought more, "Wait, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, I have been called by Elder Holland, Elder Oaks, or one of them to be here. I'm called to preach their words. And, I know their language. I can have the same effect on them that the apostles have on me." So, we testified. We told them to hold on, don't give up, and keep on trying, cause God will pull you through. As tears filled their eyes, I realized that the power of the holy ghost had come upon them. I was at that moment grateful for my calling and the special power and authority to teach. We left them a little higher then we found them.

  Days get long, and they are tiring, but it is all worth it. 

  Friday hit and we were SO tired and we didn't know why. We thought and thought as we planned out our next week. Then it hit us. The word of wisdom. No, we don't drink bad tea or anything like that....but our consummation of fruits is less than, well...appetizing. We, realizing our need for repentance bought a couple bags of fruit for lunch, had a tropical meal, and felt GREAT! I know this sounds like a typical missionary, but I now have a testimony that eating right makes you feel right. Mom always told me that. She knew that if I was grumpy it was because didn't have enough of the right food inside. 

 So, pray, serve, and keep the word of wisdom. 

  Thank you for all your wonderful letters. I hope your lives are full of blessings. Dad does a great job telling me how perfect our family is. 

  I love you all!

         your son and brother and uncle, 

                                                        Elder Bangerter

A trip to Macedonia...and back again. (Sent Feb 23)

Dear Family,

  It has been a wonderful week. I feel like I literally fulfilled the scripture in Acts 16:10 "immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them." As I was writing to you last, we were in a hustle and bustle to leave to Kosovo and eventually to Macedonia. Our mission has 3 countries, and 2 languages. Due to this, it is imperative that we have our passports handy. However, as fate would have it, finding one's passport is always the hardest part! I felt like dad, who I think has had too many instances of passport searching. In this case, Elder Linderman had misplaced his. We had NO time to look for it. We said a prayer and went to work. We did all the office work needed, packed up the car, drove to our apartment and THEN started looking for the passport. We were so grateful when we received a call from the other Elders saying they had found the passport. We hit our knees in gratitude. We knew it was the will of the Lord that we would go on this 4 day exchange out of the country, but we didn't know how it would happen. I know that because we put our trust in the Lord, he provided. 

 We spent Monday night and Tuesday in Prishtina. Ah! I love Prishtina. The smell, the streets, the food, the members...all of it reminded me of when I was being trained. The mere fact that Elder Linderman was my companion during this whole time was just the cream on top. Just contacting on the boulevard was so great! To add to all the greatness, it was Kosovo's Independence day! The streets were packed with people! The best part however was that we were able to meet with both Ismet and Hazir. Since the purpose of our visit was an exchange and not a run down memory lane, I taught Hazir with one missionary, and Elder Linderman taught Ismet. The best part about the lessons was to see their smiling faces and now know that I could understand them! We committed Hazir to come to church....and he did yesterday! It was so great to work with the Zone Leaders up there. 

  We left Tuesday at 5 for Skopje, Macedonia. It was dark when we crossed the border, but we could see a large, lit-up cross a few miles down the road, situated on top of a large hill. Skopje is full of religion. They are very orthodox and very muslim. We arrived at the senior couples home to Dominos Pizza awaiting us...very rare. Wednesday morning I woke up at 2 to take Elder Barber to the airport, as he was ending his mission. All the signs were in Cyrillic. It was great to learn how to say hello, how are you, and 'can we talk?'. I kinda understood what Jake's mission must've been like. My name went from Elder Bangerter to Старшина бенѓедер. We were able to go to one point where the people spoke Macedonian and Albanian. While on the exchange we set many goals. The highlights came through prayer. During one nightly planning session, we prayed for a bench lesson (they have no building to meet in), and to meet with a specific member. During the day we were blessed with 3 bench lessons and to meet with that member. The Elder said, "Wow, it's never been that easy before!" Well, prayer really does work. Then at the end of the night we had about 10 minutes left and I asked, "Lets pray that we can get someones number." Now you see, I could've said, "Let's get a number" But instead, we prayed. After the prayer, and 4 people, we stopped a young Albanian and got his contact information.

We arrived at home pretty tired and went back to our own area to work. None of our investigators came to church, but we are really going to try hard to meet with Kujtim, Dhimi, and the Doni family this week. Please pray for them.

Last night we were able to hold a FHE with our ward mission leader (so that he'd know how to do it tonight) I showed them the Bula-bula game that we always played and they loved it! They said, "We're gonna play this tomorrow night too!" So, watch out what traditions you start, cause you never know who or where it's gonna be picked up by someone else!

I am so grateful for the book of Mormon. Truly, reading it each day sanctifies us. It really does. I can't imagine a day going by in my life without reading from it. I know that I love to read novels and get lost in the story. Each day you want to go back and find out what happens next. This is how the book of Mormon is to me. The best part is, this book is real and has eternal significance. It shocks me that I understood it when I was a little kid, and that the same verses have deeper meaning this time around. I love talking about you to everyone I meet. I love saying, Well, my parents taught me this... or My family does this... I'll be excited to tell everyone this week about the two new angels from heaven. I hope that you--no matter where you are--can make someones day brighter. President Packer noted this about President Monson (paraphrasing) "President Monson has the largest personal ministry I've ever seen. He does so much that is not open to the public eye; he visits the sick, he blesses, he goes to hospitals, he comforts; in both person and through letters." I hope that we all can increase our little bubble of our personal ministry, that which only we and the Lord and those we serve can see. It is not a formal call, but is the most important, and we write about it every day in our journals. I remember what Dad taught me, "The only thing that matters in this life is how we treat people.

We are looking forward to the 2nd stake conference of Albania in the coming weeks. We just had a transfer. I love meeting with President and seeing the revelation come through feelings and thoughts. It is amazing how large doors of destiny hang on hinges of small decisions. Already, I've seen the effects of our little decisions. You all too can see and feel the effects of your decisions, it all comes with time, (but it gets a lot easier if you write it down in your journal)

Paci nje jave te mbare dhe plot me lumturine dhe lindjet! Gezuar ditet te mevonshme, te cilet jane nje kohe per ne, qe te bejme punen e zotit. Babai, Mamai, ju do te jeni presidentet te misionit te bukur dhe te suksesshem! Ju dua te gjitheve!

Me shume dashuri,

Elder Bejngeder

Connections, Kisha, and Testimony (Sent Feb 16)

Dear Family,

  It really has been an incredible week. First of all, I am really grateful for my companion Elder Linderman, he is such an amazing missionary. We have really been able to see miracles this week. The First highlight I'd like to mention is one that deals with the Toska family. The first day I got to Tirana, I saw this longtime member family and it felt like I had a connection to them. So throughout the weeks, I've been trying to get to know them better and I discovered a few things. 

  First, their son has glasses and likes to play the piano. He's 8 years old and reminds me of me. Second, I found out that I visited them on my VERY FIRST day in the country, almost a year ago. When we went for a visit I recognized the house and it reminded me of that overwhelming, awesome first day. However, the third connection really hit me. Vellai (Brother) Toska was baptized in 1994? in Tirana's 1st ward. I then asked him, "Did you know the Haymond couple?" His eyes got big and said, "Yes, they were at my baptism, and he was the Branch President!" I couldn't believe it. My whole mission I've tried to find a connection to Grandma and Grandpa Haymond, but every time I've sought one, there's been none to be found. He started talking about how wonderful and great the Haymonds are. That day, he was 21?, single, and a brand new member. Now, he is sealed in the temple, has 2 children born in the covenant, and served as the Branch President for 9 years, and now he is the Elders quorum President. I don't know if the Haymonds realize that, but I know that they would love to hear about the fruits of their labors

  I love little connections, I think we all do. Most of us inherit it from Grandma Bangerter, who finds out that everyone is ''cousin''. I am grateful that Heavenly Father cared enough about my little desire to reach out and help us find each other. Furthermore, we visited this family because we prayed about seeking a referral and ended up having a spiritual lesson and it looks like they will find a friend to bring to church this week.
  Meanwhile, those two older men that we met last week have accepted to be baptized. Kujtim is so amazing. In our last lesson, he couldn't let his back touch his chair, nor his toes the floor, because he was so excited about the doctrine we were teaching. They both came to church yesterday. Dhimi loved looking at the hymn book; he has a young grandson that is sick, and I caught him finding comfort in the words of "Dashuri ne Shtepi" (Love at Home).

  Well, we are leaving in a half hour for Kosovo and Macedonia. We will be conducting exchanges and sending off returning missionaries until Friday! 

  I am so grateful to have the opportunity to bear testimony. Once, while tracting this week, we were feeling tired. So we said a prayer. Afterwards I said, "Elder Linderman, lets tract like Brigham and Wilford!" He responded, "Ok Brigham!" We then went door to door, being bold, not overbearing. And bearing witness of the Book of Mormon and how we were representatives of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the name I bear. We may not have gotten into any homes, but the spirit was present and we touched some lives. I know that this is the work of the Lord. I know that god calls all of us into positions of influence over other people. I know that we can be the answers to other people's prayer. Please never give up. If you ever have problem, consult with God and consult with your companion....it works. President Monson says, "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." May we all run out, and serve those around us. That is the key to happiness. 

 Love,

        Elder Bangerter of Lagjja e pare e Tiranes