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
February 3, 2026
Leaving for the field. Today's the day I leave for New Mexico. To be honest I never thought I would reach this day. But as I sit here at 3:30 am waiting for a bus that should have been here an hour ago, I want nothing more than to jump on that stupid bus. They had us wake up at 2:30 am just to tell us the bus will get here at 5. You know how much sleep I'm missing right now? Too muchāthat's how much. I'm gonna get in the field and just be a zombie out there. Oh well I guess I don't need sleep to teach the gospel. Even though they gave us the most garbage time to leave, I'm still happy to go. It's been nice here. But I really just want to start doing somthing other than learning. I know I don't feel ready to teach others, but I don't think I ever will feel ready, so the only way is to do. Anyway I don't know if any of this makes any sense and I'm not gonna check if it does. If this email is stupid it's not my fault, it's 4 am. 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
Norm and Charlotte Johnson, SLC Temple Square
November 10, 2025
Earlier in the week I had three people from the Netherlands come into the Tabernacle. They had a lot of questions about everything. We talked about Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel, the history of the Book of Mormon, life after death, the Pioneers, Brigham Young, Temple marriage and the other things that go on in the Temple. They were extremely interested in everything. They each wanted a Book of Mormon and all the pamphlets. When I told them that we had them in Dutch they got even more excited. I went to the cabinet where the information was kept and had only 2 Books of Mormons and one incomplete set of pamphlets in Dutch. I had them read Moroni's promise in Moroni 3 thru 5 and she read it in Dutch and looked amazed and very excited. When they saw the pamphlets one of the men said, "I have seen this on my grandmother's kitchen table. Two of your young men came to her house and gave it to her." It was so great to hear that they had also seen the Missionaries in their area. They were planning to go to the Museum and I had a couple of hours left on my shift at the Tabernacle so I told them that if they would come back by after they saw the Museum, I would get the rest of the information for them (in Dutch) from the Conference Center and have it at the Tabernacle when they returned. I got the information that I had promised them and was kind of excited to get it to them so I went to the Museum to find them and give it to them. I went through all of the Museums but could not find them. Then I went to Family Search and looked on every floor but could not find them. I hurried back to the Tabernacle to see if they had returned. They were not there either. By that time it was about 2:30 pm and our shift at the Tabernacle ended at 3:00 pm. I was feeling kind of disappointed and was afraid they had lost interest or run out of time and left Temple Square and I had not been able to get them the information that I had promised. They had been gone a few hours and had not returned. I continued to watch until about 2:50 pm and still had not seen them. I really felt bad and said a quick prayer that they were still around and would come back before I left. At about 2:55 pm they were still not there and the senior couple that was coming to take our place had arrived so I took them aside and explained the situation so if the people came back they could get the information to them. Just as I was finishing my explanation, they walked into the Tabernacle. I immediately took the information to them and talked for a moment about their visit to the museum and the things that they felt. They loved what they saw and especially the video of the First Vision. They were very excited and asked if they could take a picture with me. As they got ready to leave one man turned to me and said, "you have changed our lives". I was so happy that they had come. I know it wasn't me but the Holy Ghost that had helped them feel and understand what they had seen and heard. I hope you enjoy hearing about our experiences. We will send you more later. Elder and Sister Johnson
Elder Hermann Lang, Manchester New Hampshire
January 26, 2026
Bonsoir toute le monde !,I felt like writing an email finally so here we are! (When was the last time I sent one out?) This has been a wild week. Before I go into it though, I can update y'all on where I am. I'm in Burlington Vermont currently which is the tippy top near Montreal Canada haha. My current comp is Elder Fernandez and he's great. A very nice break because I've been training for what felt like forever (I have 4 kids lol). He's been out same time as me... It's chill though, training new missionaries is lit. It just can get tiring after 4 of 'em hah. Crazy I'll be done in a few transfers but I don't think much about it (yet lol). Anyways this week was full of fun stuff. Ran 102Ā° fever for the first half of it... Both of us... And I fractured my ankle on Friday night lol. (Gotta keep the yearly traditions going!) ifykyk. But anyways, the work here is a little slow, but there's this one lady I've been able to start teaching (speaks French so yes, just me). She is AWESOME. Her name is BĆ©nĆ©rice....gonna get her baptized... There's other French speaking Africans too that I'm working with and they're all promising. Spiritual thought: uhhhhh lemme think... I know this is the restored gospel and that the message it brings changes lives. I know one of the ways into people's hearts is through service (love). I know the Book of Mormon has power... I wouldn't speak 4 languages fluently if it weren't for it. And to finish, I can invite you guys to rejoice (like it says in the scriptures) with me because spiritually, I was lost and now I am being made whole thanks to the mission and the experiences so far and I've been able to make it so for others as well and it adds to the joy. As Jesus said "blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" I am being filled!! And it's great š We'll see if I write another email.... Otherwise I'll for sure write a last one before I finish the mish... Till then Loves! Would love to hear back from yall! Bon nuit https://photos.app.goo.gl/xwrpqzfrrNubxjNU9 The flicsšāļø E. Lang
Elder Max Lewis, Arizona Tucson
February 10, 2026
Hello everyone! This week was a great week. We went out with a ton of members, and had quite a bit of lessons that were all really solid. We had 9 people pull up to church, a six-month high for me. It was nice. 2 of those new people that came to church want to be baptized, it was so awesome. Garrett: One of those is a guy named Garrett, Amazon boy. We met him two Fridays ago. We were out knocking, and he drove up to us while working for Amazon, and he said, "What does it take to be a Mormon?" We taught him a little, but didn't get his name. He didn't come to church that week, but it was whatever. Then, on the next Monday we are teaching this Muslim dude for an hour. We walk out of the lesson and see an Amazon truck, and we were like, no shot. It was Amazon boy! He was delivering packages and vaping away, haha. We got his name, and he asked us to share a message. We set up a church tour for last Thursday. We had a goated hilarious 90-year-old member with us at the lesson and Garrett the Amazon boy asked so many good questions. He came to church on Sunday and he walked us out into the hall after sacrament meeting and said what do I need to stop doing to be baptized. He is elect. He has a couple Word of Wisdom issues, but he can do it. It is amazing how God put us in his path multiple times throughout the last couple weeks. Kluver Boys: The 3 Kluver boys baptism is this Saturday and they are hilarious. Alexander, Colton, and Wade. It will be awesome. They know the plan of salvation so well, and it was so cool to hear what they said after their interview when we asked them separately why they want to be baptized. The spirit was definitely there. One of the twins said, "". And then when he was gone, the other twin came into the room, and we asked him and he said, "because Jesus Christ wants me to do it". Honestly, incredible answers for the two young boys. It is sad their father who they call Dad has transitioned into a "girl". It doesn't make sense to me, but I know that God still loves him. God is merciful, but he is also just. He has laws. The boys' dad has probably had a rough life, I don't know, but Christ's arms are always open and extended towards us, and he knows that, so there is hope. There was a traveling missionary with us that day and he testified powerfully to the boys of their eternal identity. That they were sons of God before this life and they always will be. A car: The traveling missionary was with us on Saturday and Sunday. He had a car and I think that was the best part. We were able to do so much more work. He was a great example, and both me and Zuidhof learned a lot from him. The biggest thing I learned was the confirmation that I need to lock in. I feel that I am a good missionary, and work hard, but the last couple weeks of talking with family and getting promptings from the spirit, I knew I could be better. I am still far from perfect and it will take 1% improvement each day, but I am committed to being all in. Zone Conference: I conducted the music in zone conference! The pianist told me after... "Dont worry, that was a hard song." I didn't know what he was talking aboutāI thought I did great, haha. What president said in zone conference was exactly what has been on my mind the last couple weeks. They showed me the ways I can improve. It all starts with the little things, even the things that seem insignificant. Testimony: I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know he is the Son of God. I know that he suffered, died, and was resurrected. He is central to God's plan. The Book of Mormon is true. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. The Holy Ghost will witness to us and can show us the truth of all things. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and Dallin H. Oaks is our prophet today. A quote in PMG and The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion. I have seen that true in my life and in many others. Even though being a missionary is hard, I am grateful for it. Really, this life is hard, but we can find so much peace and joy through Christ. Love you all! āElder Lewis
Elder Tyler Birchall, Ecuador Quito
February 9, 2026
Hello! Good evening to you wherever you might be. No huge news to report this week. Our friends didn't come to church, but a complete stranger did. He was apparently in teaching a long time ago, and finally decided to see what it is about. Unfortunately for us, he lives in somebody else's area. Good luck with that, I hope they baptize him. My comp still doesn't speak English. He was never going to learn in a week, but I felt like reminding you. It's genuinely such a blessing having a companion with the language to communicate what we are trying to say. Listening to this Elder speak and trying to comunicate feels like exactly what I need in the mission right now. Yesterday, we were contacted by about 5 different people. Only four of them were super drunk. The other, once again, lives in someone else's area. The others seemed like they'd be real cool people sober. We'll see if they even remember us. I've heard plenty of stories like that before. If it be God's will that we help them in this moment, it will be done. We have a few other interesting people in teaching, but not many. The one who really is progressing we visited yesterday. She asked us, "I really like your church, but is it necessary to... join? I like the congregations, but I don't know if I'm willing to commit to something like that." She later, after we invited her to pray for herself to know what to do, asked "have you both received answers like those you're promising me." This made me pause, but I answered "yes", and shared a little. Sometimes I forget that our testimonies as missionaries are more than the ability to tell someone that God loves us. We also have to fight to know these things. A scripture that explains this in a way I would like to emphasize is Mosiah 3:19: "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." Born as children, humble and submissive, we grow to become enemies of God. Unless we are born again, become children again in Christ, we cannot return to Him. Every real testimony and change is fought for and earned, given to us by God. Even the smallest seed of faith needs to be defended. Remember this gift, and don't deny it. You have something important to share. Have an excellent week. Go read Moroni 10:4-5. Take a peek if you'd like https://photos.app.goo.gl/kXHHHr1DAM4t7H4cA With love, Elder Birchall
Elder Jason Moore, Philippines Urdaneta
February 8, 2026
Dinakdakan (tradisional Ilicano dish with pig face and its brain choped up mixed together and cookedš ) I was okey... almost threw up tho š the texture was funky Hello hello! So the last few weeks my phone has been kinda cooked so it only works for so long and it takes forever to charge so sometimes I just to get to use my phone for a day. š I couldn't even write my white letter to my mission prez. Sister Marilyn Locaberte got baptized!! š„³š„³ Chill little baptism, she was super ready. I've been so happy to have been able to teach her. We extended a baptismal date to Sister Ashley Joy! She was super shy to go to church at first, but she's really interested so I'm praying. š Found this family, the Deograshus family, and I was so excited they were so curious and really open! But a brother is going back to Saudi and they banned the Book of Mormon there. š”š” Maybe at another time, but we gave the most spiritual send off we could. Got a new companion, Elder PeƱeflorida. He's chill and I'm staying in my area again. Spiritual stuffā D&C 121: 45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. 46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. Just do that, amen. 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