Zone conference, baby shower & stone granary

 On Friday, August 19th was the Zone Conference for the North and Central Zones. Currently, there are 27 elders and 25 sisters + 3 senior couples in these 2 zones. The conference went from 10AM-4PM with a break for a catered lunch. Our Zone Conference is held in the Porto North Stake Center which is a beautiful building an hour from our apartment in Vila Real.

Our humble mission president Barcellos collecting the trash

Sister Barcellos teaching about the widow of Nain (Luke 7) based on the article by Keith J. Wilson “In Times of Discouragement, Remember the Widow of Nain”.

We ate dinner with E/S Brian & Jennifer Bremner while the missionaries that rode with us had interviews with President Barcellos.

A baby shower was held for Bruna Andrade and interestingly men were invited to attend.

Sister Adriana Barros has a very creative talent.

We recently learned that these coffin looking structures are actually a traditional elevated granary “espigueiro” made of stone, raised on legs topped with stone disks to keep the rodents out. They are used for storing corn

New house to include a stone granary.

English class on Tuesday, August 16th

                                                    We visited Maria’s on her10th birthday.

                             SCRIPTURE POWER

What is our manner of happiness? 

C.S. Lewis said: “Human history.. is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” (“Mere Christianity”)

Nephi writes that after the death of Lehi, Laman and Lemuel once again become angry with him and “they did seek to take away my life.” (2 Ne. 5:2) At this point Nephi and “those who believed in the warnings and revelations of God” flee into the wilderness. This is the beginning of the Lamanites and Nephites. 

The Lamanites were “cut off from the presence of the Lord” (2 Ne. 5:20, see also Alma 9:14) as prophesied 30 years earlier (1 Ne. 2:21)  While the Nephites “lived after the manner of happiness” (2 Ne. 5:27)

Nephi describes at least seven (7) things that contributed to their happiness:

1.) “believed in..God” (2 Ne. 5:6)

2,) “we did observe to keep the..commandments of the Lord in all things” (2 Ne. 5:10)

3.) “brought the records” [scripture study] (2 Ne. 5:12) “my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them” (2 Ne. 4:15)

4.) “I did teach my people to..work” (2 Ne. 5:15)

5.) “did build a temple” (2 Ne. 5:16)

6.) “did cause my people to be industrious” (2 Ne. 5:17)

7.) “did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers over the land of my people” (2 Ne. 5:26) 

The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 255-56.)

What should be included in our family mission statement to ensure we live “after the manner of happiness”?