Gathering Israel: Updates from Our Missionaries
Enjoy the latest from our Orem Hillcrest Stake full-time missionaries serving around the world. Fresh updates appear as we hear from them.
Elder Tyler Moore New Mexico Farmington
April 13, 2026
Not gonna lie, this last week has been a tough week. It seems that most people forgot how to open doors this week. One lady even accidentally locked the door on us and walked away! So the next lesson we gonna teach is how to open a door. Even the people who do remember how to open doors say it is too windy and come back later. I don't blame them for this cause the wind gets absolutely crazy all the way up to 60 mph winds with dirt flying in your face as you are walking, but still. The other thing that happened was we had a baptism happening last Sunday and I was so excited for it cause they're just the coolest people ever and I thought they were totally prepared, but I underestimated the power of my greatest enemy. Coffee. For those who don't know, members of the church aren't allowed to drink coffee, and its never been a problem for me (cause it tastes like a pile of cat turds) but for this family they LOVE coffee. We thought that we had gotten them dedicated to not drinking anymore, but it was just too delicious to them. We're gonna keep trying and they will come around. Navajo culture: something cool about out here is that there are people out here called a medicine man. What they do is basically heal people in their traditional ways and lead the ceremonies. They are really interesting people, and I swear they know something the rest of us don't know. One time, one of the people we were teaching got in an accident and people were trying to find where he was and a medicine man predicted exactly where he was. And another time we were teaching one of the medicine men and he told us that if you jab a fire stick (the stick you use to tend to the fire) then it would make the wind dissappear. The crazy thing was he demonstrated it, jabbed the fire stick at the wind then after a few seconds the wind disappeared. So I don't know what he knows, but somehow it worked so I don't know. Maybe he's a wizard. Elder Moore
Sister Gracyn Decker Nevada Las Vegas West
January 27, 2026
Hey everyone! I literally hit one year today, WHICH IS CRAZY! ALOT has happened... We had transfers and I'm FIRST TRANSFER TRAINING! Her name is Sister Tugaga, and she's from New Zealand! She's awesome, and is loving it here! UPDATES: ā¢ OUR FRIEND PARNIA GOT BAPTIZED YESTERDAY. She has been taught since the Summer, and has been waitinggg for this day. It went so well. The ward really pulled through, and we had a full room! She shared her testimony at the end, and it was so pure. I'm so happy for her! ā¢ I stayed in my area for another transfer, which I was happy about! Definitely was sad to see Sis Latu go, but she's in the zone right next to me, so I'll see her around! ā¢ I'm still an STL, which has been fun, but also super stressful. š We got a lot of new sisters this past transfer, which means each STL companionship is over 5 companionships. So we have like 2 exchanges a week, WHICH IS CRAZYYY! ā¢ We had a Zone Conference for the youth in the valley, and it was awesome! We had a huge turnout. Me and another sister got to teach a station on priesthood authority, which I was a little nervous about. But it went great. The youth in Vegas are SO AWESOME!! ā¢ We street contacted a guy named Jay the other day, and he is so cool! We had a church tour and he loved it! He had so many great questions. He said he's been looking for a church community. ā¢ A few transfers ago, when I was in Summerlin. We would go over and read to a lady named Kathy who had Parkinsonās disease. Sadly, she past away a few weeks ago, but me and my old companion ,Sister Mal, got to go to her memorial. It was so sweet. And it was so good to see her husband David again! I think those are my biggest updates! The mission is going so well! Can't believe I come home in July. š± LOVE YOU ALL! ā¤ļø Sister Decker https://photos.app.goo.gl/JpyWx518Ue9GnuWE6
Elder Enoch Ellis Wisconsin Milwaukee
October 20, 2025
I return from the heart of the jungle once again to make a slight communication before plunging back into the deep. Things have been good since I've last sent an email. I've been transferred away from the Madison YSA on special assignment. In Appleton, Wisconsin there is a decent population of refugees from eastern Africa. The countries of Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and others. These people speak many languages, but a common tongue among them is Swahili. A year and half ago, an elder decided to learn the language so they could teach the people here. Since then 1 elder has been called from the MTC speaking Swahili. for a long time, it was just elders assigned to work the area who all learned the language in the field. Many of them didn't try very hard after the first few. The elder who was called here from the MTC had a trainer for one transfer and he didn't do much, so when transfers came around President Bailey wanted to make a change. This is where I come in. For 4 weeks now I've been back in the Appleton stake finishing (really starting) the training of the first Swahili missionary in the history of the mission. I am to example what it is to be a diligent obedient missionary. I'm also serving as the district leader. That is an amazing thing all on its own. Transfers are next Wednesday. We will get 2 more Swahili speaking missionaries from the MTC and I will train one, and my current companion will train the other. I think of it as being Helaman with my band of stripling young men. We will likely live together and do lots of cross training. The language is going well for me. God has blessed me so much in these weeks. I can teach and understand pretty well. My companion is better than me, as he's had the MTC and an entire transfer of doing 3 hours of language study per day (while his first trainer slept). He is devoted and faithful and amazing. Not many could be called to be in his situation. He may only have 2 areas his whole mission and maybe only 3 companions. He is amazing. In this district I've been reunited with old friends, and it's amazing to be back in a stake where I served for 6 months. I know all of the stake leadership and many members and still have great relationships with the members on the other side of Lake Winnabego. I got to see them at a stake event last week, that may have been the highlight of my life. The people we teach come from humble backgrounds and a Jesus-based culture. They love anything to do with the Lord Jesus Christ, so they love the Book of Mormon. Many of them also have little support or friends in the area due to the language barrier, so welcoming them into a community is a very attractive offer. We're making moves in the ward to call someone to help these good people get signed into englishconnect and BYU pathway. This will change the lives of these soon to be saints. Existing, there are 3-4 active Swahili speaking members, and each week we have a growing number at church. We will have the foundations of a branch laid before I go home. I'm bent on it. This missionary work is truly frontierism. Doing things that have never been done before in a way that is led by the spirit. I know this is God's work and he has prepared a way. The progress in these weeks is nothing short of miraculous. It's amazing what God can do with will hearts and able hands. I will come home fluent, so I'll need to make some friends I can practice with when I get there. Exciting things have been happening and they will only continue for the next 4 1/2 months. I estimate I'll send 2 more emails during this time. I will try to be better, but I am content with the mass communication so far. If you'd like personal communication, please email me! I love you all. āElder Ellis
Elder Hermann Lang New Hampshire Manchester
April 7, 2026
Salut toute le monde! Got transfer news and I am leaving Burlington VT! Gonna be in Manchester New Hampshire now. https://photos.app.goo.gl/xwrpqzfrrNubxjNU9 Gonna be with one of my previous companions again and I am excited....he is legendary My time in Burlington was epic and i got to work with my French and spanish speaking brodas and sistas up here it was fun It is also the beginning of my second to last transfer now which is wild... so Manchester is where I'll be finishing my mission...no way they send me to yet another area for my last transfer but who knows Something to share from the past bit is the importance of genuine connections and relationships I became particularly good friends with a Brazilian family up here definitely mostly because I am the only one around here that can speak to them but also I did have the opportunities which I took to really get to know them and share experiences and stories and some of the most powerful spiritual feelings I have felt were thanks to them....mostly the Grandma of the family who has the least english and the hardest portuguese to understand but by now Im finally used to it plus i had to figure it out because she casually drops spiritual bars all the time Anyways my time here in Burlington was definitely meant for those relationships which i did get with other newer Congolese members that only speak French and a couple people from Burundi that only speak Swahili and helping them to progress further in the gospel and I count it a blessing Anyways since I had no time being taken up by lessons and friends/investigators( we didn't really have any lol) it gave time to really pay attention to them and it was the best so I am sad to leave them but oh well theyll move on But basically all you gotta do is genuinely care and you will see the miracles/blessings/experiences/spirit pour in Loves Would love to hear back from yall Elder Lang
Elder Jackson Sanders Finland Helsinki
May 12, 2026
Morriesta Kaikille! First off HAPPY MOTHERS DAY ā¤ļøāš©¹ā¤ļøāš©¹što my amazing mom and Grandma and all the other motherly figures to me in my life! According the GOAT Jeffery R Holland, the love our mothers share with us is the closest thing to the love that Christ has for us. hit and run On Wednesday while walking towards a tram stop on the very outskirts of town, coming back from a lesson, we heard yelling and arguing and saw this drunk man begin to punch and push this guy onto the floor. The drunk man continues to punch this other man while he is down and obviously not punching back. We are about 300 ft away. My instinct is to run to go help but Wallin stops me and says, does he have a gun? That scared me enough to look back and not go help the guy on the ground. Thankfully, about 30 seconds later, the drunk guy gets in the car and drives off. The people behind us on the sidewalk call the police and go help out the dude on the ground. I guess drunk men dont hit very hard cus he just had a bloody nose and was just overall surprised. He was just a passerby and supposedly bumped into the drunk mans wife. But yeah crazy story I didn't know Finnish people could ever be that mean š¤Æš¤Æ This week was a great week! S/O Stoddard for arriving here in the promised land S/O American Ranch S/O CICI!!! happy birthday to my wonderful sister! ššš„³š she's the best! Her sassy comments were very much missed this week. S/O this random parkour guy we found who is changing his name to Valo S/O koulu esitys, I am not sad that was the last one we have. Only 4 kids showed up S/O Isaks daughter Tilda drawing me a picture š S/O chill new Tamp quad S/O Elder bell and strong breaking records in Lohja S/O Makkara S/O gospel pics and lock screens and quotes- send me your favorite one šš Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/heb/12?lang=eng&id=p11#p11 I love this scripture so much. Almost never are our trials and rough days fun or joyous at all. The lord promises us that if we are righteous through those times then we will receive peace. I don't know what that will look like in your life but I know that i have seen the peaceable fruit come from my rough days. Rakastan teitƤ paljon ja rukoilen puolestanne Veli Sanders PHOTOS: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOU_FPFL8IiTv4KoP8fl4hmWygHf8BVGUiOamRR-ngH1zPp2230AIkZyDxKsL_EtA?pli=1&key=dlpuSG9CVmxrSENZZDM4RFB3MEtQdURnYnY1d1dB
Elder Max Lewis Arizona Tucson
May 19, 2026
Time has been flying. The mission tour with Elder Soares and some other guys was really good. It was amazing to see their testimonies of Jesus Christ. As he was walking out, he called us the tall guys. Sergio baptized his wife a couple weeks ago! Such a legend and they fed us dinner one night. His son Mateo still reminds me of my nephew Jaden. Both some of the funniest kids I know. We are teaching Skip and he is such a beast. Old bald dude š“š¼ with glasses. Came to church the last two weeks and is so cool. Also teaching Ralph. Older guy, says he was 6'9" but he is now my height. He is a smelly guy with smelly breath, but he came to church this Sunday and said he wants to join our church! The Ralphinator I was able to watch my grandma Gigi's funeral thanks to Jeff and Jake calling me in. Definitely a lot of emotions yesterday, but the amount of peace I have felt as I have thought about her and where she is, is indescribable. The gospel has to be true. I know it. Jesus Christ is real. I have been having great studies recently in the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel. Nephi strived to keep the commandments and was faithful and diligent in his service to God. He had a good mindset and tried his best. He was just trying to have a good time. On Sunday, we were headed to church and got a call from President Woodfield. My comp Elder Dye had to leave that day to the mission home. He is the new assistant. I wanted to do another transfer with him so bad. One of the coolest and most normal guy I know. Genuine dude that you want to be around. It was sad to say bye. This next transfer I will be with Elder Bascom and Matthews. They are both so awesome and I am excited. I love you all! āļøElder Lewis
Elder Tyler Birchall Ecuador Quito
May 25, 2026
Hello! Hope you're all well. The week has been enlightening and I hope yours has been too! Jorge got baptized, Julio did it, Fernando was there, JosĆ© is the new ward pianist, a few other things happened, it was a great. Jorge just yelled at us from across the park one day, which is usually a drunk guy thing to do, but the guy was sober and got baptized without a hiccup. A little bit of a shock there. He's mentioned that he hiked a mountain with missionaries a really long time ago, which leaves us a little confused as to his backstory. We will be asking and I might give an update. He has bore his testimony several times, searched the scripture references from the pamphlets we gave him, never missed church from the day we found him, and was baptized by the other craziest miracle baptism I've ever seen. This is my comp's last transfer in the mission. I am incredibly blessed to be his comp and hope you all can pray that this last week ends with a bang for us. There are so many lose ends that could at any moment turn into an incredible miracle, and we are doing all we can to make it so. We're working hard, and I recently learned that all that means nothing if your efforts don't hold spiritual weight. It is not enough to journal, we need to recognize and give thanks to God for the day He gave us. We can't just read the Book of Mormon, we need to study it. We can't just recommend or show the gospel, we need to preach and declare it, repentance and baptism on faith in Jesus Christ. Jacob 1 "7 Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest... "2 Nefi 2:23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." This work is real. I have seen it. I hope I can live up to the promise of the calling. I love you all. Have a good week. https://photos.app.goo.gl/kXHHHr1DAM4t7H4cA āElder Birchall
Elder Jason Moore Philippines Urdaneta
April 12, 2026
God was tossing out miracles like candy this week, so many cool things happened! š„ Sister Prinsess got baptized! Bro Roger! This amazing man went to church 5 times before we were even able to teach him. All his kids and his wife are members. So one day the missionaries invited him to church and he was like, "sure, I'll give it a look". Came to church but was so busy that none was able to teach him but he just kept coming! š¤Æ We were finally able to teach him. During the first lesson he asked "Who is Joseph Smith?" And "What's not allowed in your church?" Taught him the Restoration and Word of Wisdom. He wasn't too thrilled about the "no drinking" part, but then promptly asked, "So when can I get baptized?" !?!?! š¤Æ The next day we taught about eternal families and the temple in which he responded with, "Well, I guess I really am dropping alcohol". Complete fire weekend. So much Spirit! š„š„š„ Sister Jackilyn! She passed her baptismal interview and will be going in the water on the 17th!!š„³š„³ She already has an amazing testimony of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father! She was prohibited from being baptized by her parents when she was 16ish (when she first started being taught and so for the next 6 years, searched around some other churchs to figure out where she needed to go. Then eventually she came back and told us "there is something different here". God is so good! š Had to say goodbye to Sister Cayabyab. She's getting surgery on her eyes which she really needs, but she's going to be gone for like 2 months so I'll probably be gone by the time she gets back. ā¹ļø But hopefully when she gets back, she'll be able to continue with the missionaries and then she'll be able to read the Book of Mormon! Prayer list (please pray for). -Sister Nattlie (14 years old ). A rapist climbed into her room, while her parents were out of the house. plz plz plz! Pray for her! -Bro Dexter and Bro Cayabyab (pronouced kai-yab-yab). š They need some help to stop smoking. -Spiritual thought One of my favorite stories is about the brother of Jared. Maybe I connect with him a bit because when I was younger, I was known as "Joey's brother" for a while š¤£ but I love how incredibly humble and faithful he was even in some of the most rough environments. Ether 3 3 Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock. 4 And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea. 5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men. It brings back a song about him by the Nashville Tribute Band (I think it is called). But it says "You're not alone in your darkest night, bring him your stones, he'll give you light." https://photos.app.goo.gl/zMBu1tc4XNVJ8yER9 Elder Moore
Elder Keniston Turk Texas McAllen
December 25, 2025
Merry Christmas everyone! Sorry I haven't written in a really long time. Small recap: I left Rockport back in May, it was a great time. I spent the summer on a border town called Hidalgoāit was an even a better time. Now I'm in a town called Kingsville. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and feels the same spirit I feel. That of hope and love as we remember the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. "He cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam." I testify of the Saviour and His mission here on earth. To redeem all mankind and suffer our pains so that we may once again return to live with our Father in Heaven. He broke the bands of death and the fullness of his Gospel is once again on the earth. He is the gift from our God that all mankind can freely partake of. "And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen." ~Ether 12 https://photos.app.goo.gl/1GcNvj5bswD2XiRb6 Ā”Feliz Navidad a todos! Perdon por no haber escrito en mucho tiempo. Un pequeƱo resumen: me fui de Rockport en mayo y fue un gran tiempo. PasĆ© el verano en Hidalgo y fue aĆŗn mejor. Ahora estoy en el pueblo de Kingsville. Espero que todos tengan una gran Navidad y sientan el mismo espĆritu que yo siento. Ese de esperanza y amor mientras recordamos el nacimiento de nuestro Salvador Jesucristo. "Y viene al mundo para salvar a todos los hombres, si estos escuchan su voz; porque he aquĆ, Ć©l sufre los dolores de todos los hombres, sĆ, los dolores de toda criatura viviente, tanto hombres como mujeres y niƱos, que pertenecen a la familia de AdĆ”n" Testifico del Salvador y de Su misiĆ³n aquĆ en la tierra. Redimir a toda la humanidad y sufrir nuestros dolores para que podamos regresar a vivir con nuestro Padre Celestial. RompiĆ³ las cadenas de la muerte y la plenitud de su Evangelio estĆ” una vez mĆ”s en la tierra. Ćl es el regalo de nuestro Dios del que toda la humanidad puede recibir libremente. "Y ahora quisiera exhortaros a buscar a este JesĆŗs de quien han escrito los profetas y apĆ³stoles, a fin de que la gracia de Dios el Padre, y tambiĆ©n del SeƱor Jesucristo, y del EspĆritu Santo, que da testimonio de ellos, estĆ© y permanezca en vosotros para siempre jamĆ”s. AmĆ©n." ~Ćter 12 https://photos.app.goo.gl/1GcNvj5bswD2XiRb6
Elder Ethan Leavitt Singapore
November 1, 2025
Iāve been a missionary for almost four months and in Malaysia for a little over two months! Here's a bulleted list of events and some stats from a month in Sibu Jaya, which is a small town in the middle of the Malaysian jungle. It seems like everyone in town knows us as the giant American young men who ride bicycles all over town. A majority of the town is Muslim and it is against the law to teach Muslims. Itās kind of challenge to figure out who we can teach and who we cannot. Ā· Iāve been to two funerals deep in the jungle at 3:00 a.m. and even dedicated the grave in one of them Ā· The local culture sacrifices chickens at funerals. I wasnāt prepared for that. Itās happened at both church funerals. Ā· Every time we go to zone conference or on transfers we fly on airplanes. Ā· Been fed so much great food by members of the Church Ā· Times I've seen or had the opportunity to use toilet paper: three Ā· Number of times I've been called "Elder Ribbit" because my last name is hard to pronounce: every time anyone tries to say Elder Leavitt Ā· Stickers and fist bumps given out to kids: a lot, but not enough Ā· Times daily people shout "Hey bro" in a Malaysian accent to the white guys on bikes: 6 Ā· Times people have laughed at me for speaking Malay: 11 I am growing to love and admire the people here deeply. Very few have very much, but they don't hesitate to share what they do have. I have seen how those who know of God's love and who Jesus Christ is, are the happiest people I've met. I have learned that its the small everyday things that really are able to bring us closer to God and Christ. When we make a consistent effort to grow closer to Them and put our trust in Them, we can see that God really can bring great changes in our lives through simple means. ā Elder Ethan Leavitt