An Apostolic Visit

Greetings to all who read my weekly emails.

This week has been a "long" one for me- lots of things have happened. But what outshines them all, by far, was the visit of a special witness of Jesus Christ to our mission. This week, there was a unique conference for the entire mission in the Mendoza stake center, with Elder D. Todd Christofferson presiding. It was an inspiring, uplifting, absolutely amazing experience. The highlight of the morning conference for me was when we were all given the opportunity to greet the Apostle with a handshake. Now, I've felt what could be called a penetrating glance before; but nothing compares to the sort of hammer-to-the-stomach feeling of having someone look right into you that I got as I looked into that man's eyes. What a powerful witness of the sacred nature of his calling I received. At the end of the conference, he also left a blessing on all of the missionaries of the mission. It was, without a shadow of a doubt, an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This week I was also transferred out to San Luis. It's very different form Mendoza- the land is hilly, and there is frequently strong wind. it's a good few degrees more reasonable right now in the summer, too.

I forgot my camera, so hopefully I will be able to send pictures next week.

For now, no one has put the picture that they took of the whole mission with Elder Christofferson on the blog yet, so I'll send one they took at the last zone conference we had:

Can you find me?

Using my amazing skills with paint, I obtained a photo of my companion from his last zone picture.

Elder Inca: It is of the highest quality; sadly, his eyes appear to be closed.

This week I read the whole book of Moroni as one of my scripture study projects. A number of things impacted me, and I payed attention to a few verses that I hadn't noticed before; however, I was inclined to ponder the general themes of Moroni chapters 7 and 10 -- that is, faith, hope and charity -- seeing as they where something specifically mentioned by Elder Christofferson as really applicable to all of the people we come in contact with. Moroni explains that anyone who cultivates these three most important Christlike attributes will not only have no problem cultivating others, but that such a person will be on the path to salvation. Elder Christofferson made mention of these attributes especially in relation to less active members who no longer feel the effects of the atonement in their lives- that these essential attributes are the fruits of true repentance, which true repentance can only make us more like our greatest example, which is Jesus Christ.

Let us all try, then, to develop our faith, hope and charity a little more fully this week as we strive to do the things that are always pleasing to our Heavenly Father, even as Christ did, (See John 8:29) that he may never leave us to face the challenges of life alone.

Elder Backstrom

Picture Day!

Guess what day it is...

Picture day!

Good P-day activities

Me on top, then from left to right, Elders Sotelo, Felix and Fernandez; and behind Elder Perkins is lying down.

Here is me and my companion, as well as Elder Kahmann.

And I thought I would include a picture of my top-level exercise machine which helps me be super muscular.

Hermana Rosario's Baptism!

This week there was a baptism in the ward; I wasn't really expecting that the sister would be ready for this Saturday, but she passed her interview and made a lot of really miraculous progress the last week before here baptism. By limits she's in the other elder's area, but our companionship was teaching her because there had been so many special transfers in the other area.

The Sister Rosario Palma and President Luis Tapia, who Baptized and confirmed her.

Left to right: Hno. Alanis, first councilor in the branch presidency; Hna. Rosario; Pres. Tapia; Elders Fernandez, Backstrom, Perkins and Mulestien.

Groupo photos of everyone who came to the baptism (Except for Janet, one of our investigators; she didn't want to be in the picture because she's pregnant. So silly. So she took the photo-) Left to right- Tomas Olivera, Gabriel Alanis, Hno Alanis (his father) Hna Alanis (His mother) Cecilia de Alanis (wife of Gabriel), Hna. Alicia Alegria, Hna. Rosario, Pres.Tapia, Hna. Juana (friend of Hna. Rosario; also investigator) Elders Fernandez and Mulestien, Elias Neiras (Janet is his pareja), Me, elder Perkins.

Goodbye Elder Fernandez!

So we also bought a cake to say goodbye to Elder Fernandez. (Elder Fernandez was Dallin's current companion when he sent this letter and Elder Fernandez went home on the 5th of November)

The Goodbye Cake!

Left to right: Elder Mulestien, Elder Backstrom, Elder Fernandez and Elder Perkins

Elder Backstrom and Elder Fernandez just before Elder Fernandez goes home

So! It was an action packed week. We were busy preparing Hna. Rosario for baptisim. Happily she was able to make that covenant with her Heavenly Father and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost the next day. It was a very spiritual experience and I am very glad that two other investigators were able to attend the baptism to see that life-changing event in the life of this faithful sister.

Also, transfers came, and, surprisingly, I won't be staying here- they're going to wash the area. I'll be headed to San Luis, Ampia ward, with Elder Inca from Peru. It's cool that I'll get to see all three of the provinces in the mission in my first year here.

This week I've studied a lot of things, but something that particularly stood out to me was in Alma chapter 32, before he begins talking about faith and is talking about humility. Alma extols the blessings for those who are truly penitent, or, he says, those who are baptized without stiffness of heart, having to be made to know of the truth. the passage reminded me of the hna. Rosario (who everyone calls Meche. I don't know why.) who was very receptive during the teaching process, regardless of the many many doubts that she had, that we had to help her overcome; She was willing to do the things that we asked her to do to help her get an answer to her prayers.

Anyways, have a good week all,

El. Backstrom

More changes in El. Backstrom's area

Today is the 27th of October.

Well, Elder Freeman left yesterday, so now we are in a trio with Elder Perkins until this afternoon when we will have a new Elder arrive. So many special transfers. It is quite... stressful, to be entirely honest. Ah well. What can be done.

This week we had very high temperatures; I'm not sure exactly what they were, but it was unpleasantly hot and difficult to sleep- so we were all grateful for the cooling rainfall that we had last night that dropped the overnight temperatures to reasonable levels.

This week we had interviews with president, which only happen once every three months- so that was very good. Had I mentioned that on November eighth Elder Christofferson is going to be visiting in this area, and will give a special training to the missionaries? It is a very exciting opportunity.

A funny thing happened today; the church accidentally sent me an email with the subject line "Active Shooter Training Enrollment Notification" that informed me that as a member of church staff the church security department now requested that I complete the  "Surviving and Active Shooter Incident Training" which was a little bit of a shock to me, but I suppose that it is fine to take a lot of precautions. So I clicked on the link it gave me, and it asked me for my LDS account, which I gave, but then it told me that I didn't have authorization for that training module. So, I suppose it must have been an accident, especially seeing as no one else received any notification. Weird.

This week in my personal studies I finished reading all of Jesus the Christ, which I was about halfway through... So, that was a lot of pages. James E. Talmage's book is very intelligent, although quite opinionated, and I cannot say that I agree with ALL of his views. Still, it was informative and enlightening, and gave me that opportunity to ponder more deeply many of Christ's parables, his analysis of which comprises one of my favorite parts of the entire book.

I also continued in several reading projects I have in the scriptures, and read some of the first chapters of Alma again, and particularly enjoyed Amulek's rebuttal of Zeezrom (Alma chapter 11) and my favorite verse was the forty-fourth, which reads as follows:

 44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

Anyways, I hope you all have enjoyable weeks, Elder Backstrom

Short and Sweet

I was considering today splitting up my emails and doing personal emails only. then I decided not to in order to keep this as a log of things that happened to me each week of my mission.

This week Elder Fernandez was quite sick a few of the days. He is lactose intolerant but loves yogurt; so, he got himself way backed up and then took a hard laxative so we were in the apartment for a couple days.

There is a new elder in the pension, Elder Perkins. He has four weeks in the field and is being trained by Elder Freeman. Yeah. lots of changes. Not a lot of time.

There is an investigator in the area of the other elders who has a baptismal date for the 25th of this month.

We made an asado last Monday. I think I mentioned that already in my last email, but regardless I mention it again because it was great.

The spiritual thought I have for today is from the book of Ether; As I was studying this chapter, preparing to leave it with a less-active member, it impressed me that Ether is concerned immediately for the salvation of others after his own prayer is answered. I brought to my mind that many times, although we may not hear a voice as Ether did, our answers to prayers may come in the form of feelings we might not expect, for example, love towards others, or a desire to go about doing good.

Anyways, have a good week,

Elder Backstrom

El. Backstrom saves the goal and other news!

Well folks at home this will be another edition of Elder Backstrom's weekly letter. Still exciting, or are they loosing a bit of novelty already? That's right! always exciting! Yeah!

Well today I have pictures.

You see the three elders in this photo? they've all been special transferred out of here. I alone remain in San Martin.

Here is my new companion Elder Fernandez. I'm not sure if I sent this photo before so I'm sending it now.

It rained and it doesn't usually rain so I took a photo.

I got a much needed haircut and I am very much more attractive and less messy now. it is very good.

Here is a picture of the time that I did math and found out all the days of all the transfers for the rest of my mission. My mother wanted it and I don't know if anyone else but there it is.

Last p-day we were playing football and I made an AWESOME dive and successfully saved the goal and have a trashed hand to prove it (Ha it was actually not bad at all)

Coins from Argentina! I have collected all of the kinds.

Here is a picture of Elder Freeman flossing. I am sending it because he is one of the new elders in the pench but this is the only photo I have taken and have not taken a group photo yet... so. that's why.

So, today I am writing in the afternoon because we had to go to Mendoza this morning. then, for lunch we did an asado which is kind of similar to a barbeque but involves smoking the meat for a long time over hot coals. It is super extra delicious.

The spiritual note that I considered sharing today is from the Doctrine and Covenants. I was having a bad morning, then I read this scripture and it really impacted me a great deal:

Doctrine and Covenants 84-

60 Verily, verily, I say unto you who now hear my words, which are my voice, blessed are ye inasmuch as you receive these things;

 61 For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.

Anyhow, have a good week everyone!

Chow chow,

Elder Backstrom

"Listen Together" D&C 1:1

Wow! so this week, It was general conference. For me, that's got to be the best weekend of the year (ha, and it happens twice every year. What about that.) It is an inspiring and motivating opportunity to receive training and strength, as well as revelatory warnings from seers and revelators who it has been given from God to know through revelation the words they must convey to us. I was particularly impacted by many of the messages, Including Jorg Kelbingat's discourse on spiritual confidence, and also many of the messages that focused on building testimony (President Uchtdorf's and Tad R. Callister's to name a few.) There was also a remarkable talk in the priesthood session given by President Uchtdorf about introspection and how to take a moment to evaluate ourselves in the gospel. I really enjoyed that one and found it helped me to apply the rest of the messages from the conference better to myself.

Ha! If I keep linking in talks I might as well direct you all to the whole stream of the entire conference! But, in all seriousness, I would encourage everyone to watch or listen or read the messages from conference again. There was an abundance of powerful talks on a wide variety of topics. Remeber that "the greatest blessings of general conference come to us after the conference is over" (Robert D Hales, General conference: strengthening faith and testimony). As we re-study and apply what we have been taught we will gain additional light and understanding about the messages; we will have our testimonies strenghtened and we will begin to see the blessings promised by the prophets fullfiled in our lives and applied to our personal circumstances. Remember that the inspired speakers in the general conference have the right to revelation that will guide us and protect us from things that we do not know may be coming. Like a watchman on a tower they can see the enemy approaching long before they reach us and tell us to prepare ourselves adequately. I was particularly impresed by the large number of talks dedicated to strengthening our testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the reality of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I would move to suggest that in coming times our testimonies of these precious, important and fundemental doctrines will be tested to the breaking point. We will be "backed up to the wall of faith, and there [we] must make [our] stand." (Ezra Taft Benson, The Book of Mormon is the Word of God) 

So this week, that's that. I Had a wonderful experience with general conference, and hope that as many of you as possible willl be able to share the joy that comes from listening to and studying the words of living prophets as well. Also, Conference is a unque opportunity to be able to practice foreign languages; I would encourage all of you who know a different language to use this as a chance to brush up on your language skills by listening to a talk or two in that other language. (Mostly this is for those people who speak french but I'm also looking at you mom, Thai is on there too)

Okay, everyone have a great week,

"I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel..." (Jeremiah 31:9)

El. Backstrom

Alfajors and other notable news (it's always about food with Dallin)

It's another Monday!

Look at that. Weeks leap by like nothing and I'm not sure if it pleases me.

We had a special conference this week in the stake centre, which is in Mendoza, in which a member of the area seventy came and divided the Maipu stake into the Maipu stake and San Martin district. that means that the five congregations which are close to San Martin: San martin 1, San martin 2, Rividavia, Tres porteñas, and Palmira, are all now branches that are below the jurisdiction of the mission. the goal is to have the district be able to become it's own stake in the next few years! It's very good because it means that basicaly all the distances are shorter now, and that the general leaders will be local instead of from Mendoza, so able to be more involved. The previous bishop of San martin 2 was ordained to be the District President, one of his former councilors in the bishopric is his first councilor, and the former branch president of Rividavia is his second councilor. Good stuff.

(Also Elias and Janet came to the meeting, which was a happy surprise, because to get to the stake centre the bus left from the chapel at half past eight, which is even earlier than church normally starts. So that was a great alegría para nosotros -- translates as "joy for us")

Hm. other things?

This an alfajor. Being eaten. to make all of you jealous that you do not have access to fun Argentine sweets. but unfortunately it also makes me jealous, because I already ate it about a week ago and now I want another one.

Ah yes, there were transfers.

Left to Right: El. Backstrom, El. Ortez, El. Leguiza and El. Trelease

Anyway! I didn't take tons of pictures this week, but that's  Elder Leguiza there behind Elder Trelease. He's a mini-missionary, which means that he's just a normal youth who's here helping us out while we have an odd number of missionaries fro a transfer. He has his mission call to leave on December 12th for Uruguay Montevideo. He's real radical.

In my studies this week I concentrated on preach my gospel and doing some of the personal study activities from the study suggestions sections after the chapters. It was quite different from how I normally study and forced me to make a little bit more use of my study journal, which I realized I had been forgetting to use. Keeping a study journal is very helpful for remembering things that you've learned in the past, as well as forcing yourself to concrete your thoughts in writing allowing you to ponder the scriptures more clearly.

Anyhow, please all have a good week. And find out if there is anywhere I can obtain alfajors in Canada. Jokes. don't actually do that. I would die horribly fat.

El. Backstrom

(note from the editor mother: if any of you are dying to try an alfajor after all of Dallin's ranting about them; they can be purchased @ Tienda Latina which is located at the corner of 99 street and Argyll road next to The Brick)