Abbott and Hansen

Anyone who has trained before knows that the biggest desire of your heart is that the greenie to whom you have been entrusted will capture the vision of the West Mission as well as learn to face his or her fears. This was often accomplished by approaching men in the streets of Chile and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I was training Elder Travis Hansen in the beloved El Llano sector of Ochogavia. It was a hot December day in 1997 and Elder Hansen and I were kneeling down to pray before heading out for the afternoon. With a particular focus on baptizing varones, we asked to find a worthy male to share with and accept the gospel. No sooner had we stepped one foot out the door when my greenie darted towards a “varon” passing by. (I was proud). We quickly engaged a gospel conversation with a man by the name of Claudio Chaparro.

As we began to share the gospel, something familiar seemed to alert Claudio. He stopped us mid-sentence and explained that years ago he had heard this gospel we were sharing and that he already knew it to be true. He, however, had only been seventeen years old at the time, and his parents had forbidden him to join the church. Then, with a look of sudden excitement, he exclaimed, “I guess I don’t have to worry about that anymore, do I?”

Claudio proceeded to invite us over the next evening to meet his wife and two small kids and teach them all together. They both accepted the gospel and were baptized a few days before Christmas. What a present! Claudio changed jobs so he could attend church on Sundays and Elizabeth was called to the Relief Society presidency. Shortly thereafter, Claudio received the Aaronic priesthood and eventually the Melchezidek priesthood. Later I heard they had moved to southern Chile, although I still have not found them. As for Elder Hansen and myself, we were extremely grateful to have been a part of this West Mission miracle.

-Elder Jason Abbott 1997-1999

Cope and Pospisil

Missions are full of miracles, and I think by reflecting on them the Spirit reminds us that our lives can be full of the same miracles if we will just continue to believe and to live the commitment required. My first December in Santiago, I had just been transferred to the area Maipu, into a very affluent neighborhood called Ciudad Satelite. It was the only place I ever served where most everyone had automobiles. We had been taught by President Walker about the importance of leaving a door with love. He taught us that when a missionary leaves a slammed door with sarcasm or resentment or anger in his voice, his response, or his heart, that there is no impact on the person, and that we also are failing the Lord's test to see whether we are worthy to be led to those who are truly prepared. I specifically remember that we were promised that if we would leave a door with love, that those who slammed the door would, for the next two or three days, constantly reflect on the moment, and that they would regret their action and not be able to get the picture of we missionaries out of their minds, so that on the next visit of a missionary, they would be more gentle in their response, until they finally gave a positive response.

So it was in this sector that Elder Pospisil and I worked with our hearts as much as we did with our feet as we went from door to door, looking at each person eternally, and desiring nothing but eternal life for them, and exaltation, and just the small chance to tell them everything the Lord had entrusted to us to share. Well, if the affluent have a reputation for pride, it seemed doubly so in this sector, because the doors were not just closed, they were vehemently closed! Doors weren't just shut, they were slammed hard, people "no estaban ni alli" con nosotros (weren't here or there with us), and personally kicked us off their property, or threatened to call the police, or ripped us up and down, or warned us not to come back, etc. The worse it got, the more we loved them and longed for their salvation, and then it happened. Nothing we did--for we all know that the Lord brings it all to pass--but I think he had finished trying our hearts, and an effectual door was opened. As we got to the next "reja" (gate) and yelled "Halo," a woman came to answer. As long as I live, and even into eternity, I will never forget the look on her face or the moment in time. Time seemed to stop, and after we introduced ourselves she looked at us with the most curious stare, and said "pase." (come in). Once inside, she informed us that she didn't know why she was doing this, beause she never let door to door people or missionaries into her home. That was the first discussion we gave to the Correa family. In a few weeks the family of four was baptized--father, mother, and two teenage daughters. Despite the danger of being evicted from their very prestigious (private) Catholic school, they moved forward with faith. About a year later, just before I came home from my mission, Elder Pospisil and I accompanied this family through the Santiago Temple, where they were sealed together for time and eternity. It was, as president promised, "The Perfect Day."

Elder Mark Cope
March 1996-March 1998

Hartley and Ibarra's Carolita

One Saturday morning in the summer heat of March 1997, Elder Leonard Ibarra and I were finishing up a morning knocking doors on the outer border of our sector of Santa Fe, in the zone of San Miguel. The usual time had already passed for us to head in for lunch, when I said, “Let’s just knock three more doors.” The first two amounted to nothing, but at the very last door we met Carola Santander.

She seemed like a typical 20-year-old Chilean girl, living with her parents and studying. I thought it a bit odd that she had never made any contact with missionaries before, so we taught her the first discussion, and she committed to coming to church that Sunday morning. We agreed to come by the following day to pick her up for church and walk together so that she didn’t feel uncomfortable amongst people she didn’t know.

Sunday arrived, and in typical fashion Elder Ibarra and I split up to go pick up the long list of people who committed to come to church with us. It was a hectic Sunday morning list for me, running from place to place. I left sacrament meeting two or three times to go get more investigators while dropping off others. Sometime at the end of the third block Elder Ibarra leaned over to me and said, “Hey Hartley, what happened to that one girl (Carola)? Was she not home?” My heart immediately sank. It was then that I had realized I had completely forgotten about her. She was written right there on my “agenda”, and thoughts of her waiting on her doorstep waiting for us began haunting me. Had she really been eager to come, or would she have not been there anyways? “Oh, that’s just great!” I thought sarcastically. “The very first time she makes contact with the missionaries and we lie to her about coming to pick her up for church. Who is she going to think we are?”

After church ended, we ran to Carola’s house, not knowing what to say. It was almost one o’clock by then, and I was almost hoping that she wasn’t home. But, of course, that wasn’t the case.

“Nine o’clock, huh?” were the first words that came out of her mouth. “I thought you guys said I could come to church with you, but you never showed up! I was here waiting the whole time!”
Now what do you say to that? Needless to say, apologies were made, and we regained her trust. It turns out that the gospel was exactly what she was looking for, and we taught her the discussions and (this time around) took her to church. Ten days later she was baptized and within two months she was made a stake missionary. She was progressing nicely.

As I neared the end of my mission, I had the distinct impression to talk to Carola about a mission. I asked her what she thought about going on a mission, and she laughed, saying, “Are you kidding? I’m a new member. I’m just learning myself.” By then she had been a baptized for ten months. “Carola,” I said, “I’m not saying you should go, but I think that you’d make a great missionary and maybe it’s something you should consider.”

Six months later Hermana Santander was called to serve in the Chile, Osorno mission. She helped bring many others to the gospel and came home eager to serve in the church. Two years later she met a Chilean returned missionary at institute and was soon married in the Santiago Temple. They now have two children born under the covenant.

In a recent letter she said it best, “Siempre me acuerdo de mi bautismo y del dia que me dejaron plantada!” (I always remember my baptism and the day you left me hanging!”
-Elder Brad Hartley 1996-1998

Momita Peg leg

The Lord manifests His miracles when you cast out all fear and work diligently with all your heart, might, mind and strength.

One of the most meaningful experiences of my mission occurred in November 1997, in the sector of La Legua in the zone of Republica. The majority of my two months in Republica was spent in La Legua, a ghetto of numerous people, daily crime and poverty.

Elder Joshua Bigelow and I had been working with a part-member family around this time that we adored. We were in the process of teaching the non-members while reactivating the members. We always looked forward to the visits and loved these good people. Success was taking place and the family was happy, but there was one person who kept stiff-arming us in every visit - the grandmother. Here was a sweet woman who loved her family and listened intently to our discussions, but for some stubborn reason, refused to commit to baptism.

Over a period of several weeks, we visited the family until we had baptized everyone but Momita, as we called her. Our frustration was mounting and it was almost time to move on. Elder Bigelow was especially vexed because he had never lost someone in the "gran lucha," a last resort effort to help the investigators realize they had felt the spirit and what it was telling them to do. Bigelow was a master of the lucha, except of course when it came to Momita.

Our sector was quite a distance from where we lived and as the hour grew late one night, we were tempted to go in early. We had worked a full day by many standards, our feet were sore and our clothes were smelly. We were justified in calling it a night, and that was my vote. But Elder Bigelow wasn't ready to turn in. He challenged my missionary manhood and said, "Let's go try one more time with Momita." I protested at first thinking of a comfortable bed, then relented, despite my aching size-13 feet.

It was almost midnight when we arrived and being early summer, everyone was still up and about. We visited and soon focused our attention on Momita. As he had before many times, Bigelow started down that familiar line of questioning, but we were getting no where fast. For the first time I really asked myself, "What is keeping this woman from getting baptized?" That's when the spirit taught me a lesson.

At that moment I saw something I had never noticed before. Momita only had one leg and got around with the help of a 2x4 stump piece of wood. Simultaneously in my mind and heart I felt the spirit whisper to me this was what was holding her back. And then a third confirmation came as I noticed Momita's daughter across the room was mouthing something to me and pointing at her foot.

Excitedly I interrupted Bigelow and asked Momita if the one thing holding her back was her prosthetic leg. She was absolutely shocked, but responded it was so. She could not fathom how it would be possible. Then she asked how I knew. As I testified that Heavenly Father loved her and wanted her to follow His example, the spirit filled the room. The invitation for baptism was extended, and finally, gratefully, accepted.

I was transferred in the days leading up to the baptism of Momita, but received permission to return, as Momita insisted she wouldn't get in the water unless I was there. On Nov. 23, 1997, Elder Bigelow and I helped her into the font. With us both supporting her in the warm water, the family shed tears as she was baptized.

I am grateful beyond all measure that we didn't go in early that night. I am grateful Bigelow challenged my missionary manhood, otherwise I would have missed out on one of the most marvelous experiences of my mission. Momita might not have been baptized, because later she told me I was the only one she would have let baptize her. This experience taught me that miracles happen, that the Lord's grace is sufficient for us after all that we can do. I also realized the Lord has prepared certain people out there just for us to connect with and help through the mists of darkness to the Iron Rod. If we are not living up to gospel standards, those opportunities will be missed and we will be held accountable for them later. May we always stand ready, despite the fatigue of life, and not miss those special experiences, is my testimony. Amen.

Ninja Turtles

The Ninja Turtle account, as I remember it, is as follows:

In the month of July 1997 the Republica Zone was starting to come into its own. The previous month Republica was the only zone where every companionship had ten baptisms and we wanted to make sure we did at least that every month. By the end of the last week of July Avenida Matta had 7, Parque O'Higgins 5, Republica 9, and Yarur 5. There were a total of fourteen baptisms needed for all of us to have ten each and we felt the Lord wanted us to work towards that goal.

Avenida Matta, Republica, and Yarur were able to secure their part by Sunday afternoon and there was only Parque O'Higgins left. Parque O'Higgins was three short. Hma. Suarez and Hma. Monzon were companions in this ward and were full of faith. I had served with Hma. Suarez in a previous zone and had always been impressed with her light and unwavering faith.

Close to sunset on Sunday the 30th, we gathered as a zone to discuss any potential baptisms there might be for Hma. Suarez. We soon realized that there were no immediate possibilities in Hma. Suarez's teaching pool. Hma. Suarez pulled me aside and told me that she felt it was very important that she continue looking for those the Lord had prepared for her as she felt impressed that they were waiting to be found. We knelt down as a zone and prayed that we might be guided by the Spirit to find those who had been prepared to enter in the waters of baptism.

We then quickly left to the streets walking together towards Av. Libertador Bernando O'Higgins. Once closer to more people walking in the streets, we broke up speaking to any one we felt like speaking to. I had a distinct feeling to start walking across the east bound side of the street to the large median. Once on the median, I began walking west bound for no more than twenty yards when I noticed a large metal door opening into the ground underneath the park that was the median of the Avenue. I thought I heard voices down in the hole and was very confused as to what was going on. I called down into the opening when three faces showed themselves and asked if there was any thing they could do. I told them that we had been looking for someone to teach to about Jesus and they immediately invited us to go down.

I recall there being a ladder that allowed us to lower ourselves into the opening and when we realized that it was not a large space, only three of us went down while the other five of the zone waited in the park. The three people lighted a lantern and we could see that they were living there. They told us that is was the storage for equipment to maintain the park. They had recently came from the south and had no where to live and had discovered the opening a few weeks before. We introduced ourselves and they immediately knew who we were. They said that they had met with and received discussions from missionaries where they were living in the south. We told them of the church that was nearby and told them that they were invited any time to come and see it. I asked if they felt like walking with us to the church so that we could show it to them and teach them in better light. They agreed and climbed out of the ground opening and proceeded to walk with us to the church.

On our way back I remember looking at Suarez as she just gave me that familiar smile of confidence that she was doing what she had been called to do. When we arrived at the church, we gave them a tour and saw that there were a number of meetings going on. We found a room that was not being used and continued on with our teaching. We soon realized that they were very familiar with The Book of Mormon, the story of Joseph Smith, and Word of Wisdom. They also told us that they had gone to church several times and probably would have joined if it wasn't for the difficult situation they were in.

While teaching, my bishop popped his head in the door and asked to speak to me. I went into the hallway as he asked me who these people were and where they were from. I quickly told him the story and he asked if he could speak to the head of the household by himself. The bishop pulled him in his office to introduce himself and wanted to talk to him about the importance of tithing. The bishop came out of his office and asked me if I thought it would be a good idea to baptize the family now. I of course was praying for that but wanted to let things happen as the Lord wanted. We spoke to the family and told them that since the bishop and various other church leaders were at the church, we could have a baptismal service for them right away.

They didn't hesitate for a second! We interviewed them and found them worthy to be baptized. They changed into white clothing we had at the church and had a beautiful service where almost every axillary attended the baptism! The service was beautiful and one of the most organized and spiritual meetings I had ever had on my mission.

After the baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost, our little family asked to pay their tithing before they left to their hole in the ground. I found them an envelope and slip and showed them how to fill it out. Our bishop thanked them for being so faithful and they continued to come to church every Sunday until they moved.

Hma. Suarez and the entire zone of Republica saw that the Lord does want his servants to accomplish what they commit to do. We learned that the Lord will provide a way to find what He has required if we are humble enough to listen to His guidance.

Every one got their ten that month but that wasn't the point....was it?