Corona Virus Take Over

March 16, 2020

This week there is not much to tell about. My companion has become pretty sick, leaving us stuck in boarding. Now, the mission wants us to keep contact with anyone to a minimal and stay home if we are sick at all. I'm starting to get a little sick so that is fun too. Anyone remember what the world was like before all this virus nonsense?

We did meet someone who works at the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga. Its the most expensive hotel in Durban, and she attended the temple and LOVED it. She said she had never felt a spirit like that before and wanted to know everything we could teach her. We taught her while sitting outside at Debonairs Pizza.

Other than that, there is not much to say. 

Till next week!

Elder Moser

To Mom:

Man, this week has been rough. My companion is sick...... :L

I have also been thinking a lot about how the church has been brought into our homes and food storage and all that good stuff, and it really strengthens my testimony about a modern day prophet, that is for sure! Sacrament meeting was strange, for it was only two of us and we didn't get permission to have it till the morning of. We cleaned our boarding according to the sacredness of the experience.

I don't know what the plan with this carona virus thing is, but South Africa just declared a state of emergency, and they are revoking all visas from countries with High risk, which includes America. I don't know what is going to happen from here.

Also, I'm drinking straight water lately. I don't feel any difference but I like the challenge :)

Letter From President Lines:

March 13, 2020

Dear Families and Priesthood Leaders of our Missionaries,

We are as concerned here in South Africa, as you may be in your home country, about the spread of the Covid-19 virus.  We are monitoring the situation closely and acting with faith and prudence as our Church leaders have directed.

First, the virus has reached South Africa, but at this time is very small and contained.  There are 8 cases in KwaZulu Natal and just one case in the Free State – the two states where our mission operates. 

Second, as directed by President Nelson, all regular church gatherings are canceled for the foreseeable future.  If there is a baptism scheduled it will be held with a minimum number of people present.  We are working on ways to hold Mission leadership activities using technology.

For now, the proselyting work will go forward, but with precautions.  As directed by the Southeast Africa Area Presidency all Missionaries have been told to follow the standard rules of hand-washing, keeping distance, avoiding handshakes and hugs, etc. We have our young missionary leadership following up weekly to ensure all preventive measures and standard rules are taking place.

Lekker Week

March 9, 2020

This week was awesome. The Online referral program is really saving us. If we didn't have it, I fear we would not have as much to do. We really do see miracles from it. I don't know how many times I have said that, so if you don't know yet, I LOVE it!!!

My skin has become like, 6 shades darker as we have trekked in the sun this week. There has been zero cloud coverage the entire week, but when we verbally express how we " Love the heat" it somehow makes our burdens lighter.

We have been grinding this week. I have been loving the work and trying to talk to people everywhere we go. Even to workers in stores. It feels so good to help people!!! Everyone is scared about the coronavirus, but I think they are all over reacting.

We had a really powerful experience yesterday after church. We had a man from the nearby township invite us to come and share something with him. The area is called Amaote and I have never been there before because all the Indians say it is too dangerous there and that we will be killed. We felt like we should go there anyways, so we took the hour long walk over a dodgy bridge that divides the area, then suddenly we were in a very busy township with everybody staring at these two mlungus walking around. Our guy, S'busiso came to meet us at the Library and then took us to his home. He told us to wait in his room while he gathered the "others" and then came back in with his entire family of like 6 or 7 people, and a bunch of kids. They had questions for us to answer: why are there so many churches and if God answers our prayers. It was perfect for us to teach the restoration and they heard everything we said. The men wanted to learn more about Priesthood authority so they could also baptize their family and bless them. They have righteous desires and a spirit you can feel. I'm super pumped to meet with them more!

I'm not sure if anyone noticed this but the last email I sent in comic sans.... Anybody? No? okay.

Love you all! Have a good week. Only a few seconds till mission is gone:(

-Elder Moser

March 2, 2020

Hey mom! 

I'm doing alright, but I could be better. I'm not getting much done with my companion and he hasn't done much since getting here. It is really hard for me to pull all the weight and it is getting the best of me. I wish it weren't like this haha. I've been studying the scriptures like crazy! It is the only way I can get myself out every day.

I miss the family a lot right now. There are so many things sgoing on back at home that I have a lot to look forward too, but I'm really scarred too. I'm not ready for the real world yet. Just trying to milk my mission experience right now..

Love ya

Miracle Week :)

February 24, 2020

Man, I thought this week was going to be a struggle but then we had some miracles happen. While trying to find a referral, we found the referrals brother instead, who was REALLY struggling. He confided in us and let us share how to keep satan from deceiving us with things that don't matter. That was nice to be a help, we will see him again next week.

We also visited a part member family, the Grandmother of a family in our ward. She visited the temple and felt the spirit so strongly when she saw the mirrors! Really cool.

Then, We walked in the heat of the sun to another referrals house and taught the restoration to him and his roommate. They had many questions and are eager to learn more!

Also got to visit a family of 3, yesterday after church. super cool family and we shared Moroni chapter with them and then shared about the Book of Mormon. The father even said, although he hasn't read the book yet, it seems completely possible and that he felt the spirit as we read from Moroni. The family committed to read it.

Twas a miraculous week.  I am super burnt and extremely tired, but I feel good about our efforts that we put in.

Love you!

-Elder Moser

I actually wondered this week if you miss me and talk about me all the time, so thank you for answering that question. The gae I play with my comp is chess. I'm getting better, and its kinda our bonding time together. He struggles with wanting to work, but I have talked to our zone leaders privately on how I can help him.

Temple Dedication!!!

February 17, 2020

We had a pretty ok week! We managed to talk to a few people who weren't JWs, but talked just as much if not more. In fact, whenever we got out of a good lesson, we would knock the house next door and it would be somebody who just wanted to challenge us. It has gotten old really fast and I have really had to Vent to my leaders. I'm doing okay though.

We have been helping more with the temple this week. I love having a temple close by. We receive maybe 5 referrals every day without even working for it haha, but let me tell ya, it is hard to stay on top of all of it. I don't even know some of the places these people stay in. But we had a youth devotional with Elder Rasband that we were invited to, so we watched the broadcast of that. Sister Rasband told a story of doing baptisms for the dead and having to take her glasses off to be baptized. When she would come out of the water she would see, clear on the screen, "smiling eyes" as if to show her those on the other side of the veil were accepting her proxy baptism. Out of 30, only one didn't have those smiling eyes, which made her heart drop because that person was not ready for it at that moment. It was really touching and super cool. As for Elder rasband, he spoke a lot about this "Vicarious work" That we need to perform. Something that stood out to me was that we do work here on earth for the living and the dead, so that the living AND the dead can have eternal life.

I understand the love that the brethren have for all of us more fully. Elder Rasband said, "well, how does christ love you? How does your heavenly father love you?" And I just really like how individual that love feels. Although it is addressed to everyone, it never feels like a collective love, but an individual one. I sure have felt that from reading the Book of Mormon and Jesus the Christ every day. I feel that relationship getting stronger, and I can feel my Savior's love, even when I feel alone:) But that's just my two bits.

Love you all!

-Elder Moser

New Transfer

2/10/2020

Hello friends and Family!

 We had transfers this last week. I had to say goodbye to my dear friend and companion elder Russell last Thursday. We had to sleep over with the zone leaders with no electricity and a hot room. I got to spend the whole of Thursday wit hthe zone leaders in my old area, Kwamashu.  We did some cool things, including giving a blessing to a sick boy, and teach many families out of the come follow me.  We talked a lot out of nephi chapter 5 And the things we need to do in life to be happy. I realized that day that the Book of Mormon doesn’t MAKE us happy, it TEACHES us HOW to be happy ☺

 We took a taxi at some point while in Kwamashu full of School girls. They all took pictures and videos of us on the taxi. I guess they have never seen 3 mlungus in a township on a taxi before????

 My new companion is Elder Siebert from….. Well, he is from everywhere. His dad is an ambassador, so he has been to like, most countries. We have been trying to kick start this area. I’m getting a little frustrated with this area as of lately though. Most of the people we talk to are jehovahs witnesses. In fact, we were just in a second hand store and had about a 20 minute discussion with one. Most people here wont even listen to us because they are “already believers.”  I usually love tracting, but now its just making me frustrated.

 So, because of that I needed more motivation. I started to read jesus the Christ and the Book of Mormon in the evening and night. I have felt the spirit so strong and really feel it motivate me to try harder and to be as obedient as possible. I’m looking forward to the days ahead☺

Pray for us y’all.

Have joy!

Elder Moser

My feet are good. I got insoles for them and they have been feeling much better. As for my pants, I looked at them after washing and they are torn in some weird spots, but I should be ok. There is that lady that we moved sewing machines for, I'm sure I could go to her if I need to.

The temple dedication is this sunday! Kinda cool how you know. We are just going to the Kwamashu chapel to watch it. We might watch all 3 sessions because My companion has never seen one before. Some members in our ward, including the bishop, get to attend the actual service. My temple recommend actually expires this month, so I'm so lucky! Coincidence? I think not.

Is this exchange student going to be there when I get home? Yes, I have a fly home date. June 12th. Mark that down on your calendar! 

I actually read a 200 page book on Joseph Smith this last week and there were multiple parts where I just had to set the book down and ponder what I was reading. you bet I felt the spirit! It motivated me immensely and brought me to tears. Many times. What a powerful family he had too. Jesse's dream really makes him like joseph, and I would definitely be Hyrum to him!

Temple x5

February 3, 2020

Really the only thing that happened this week was us going to the temple every day. We went with some of the people we are currently teaching! Every one of them could feel the spirit and the peace that is felt in the temple.

One thing I noticed while going through the open house was the simple beauty of the temple. It is the most magnificent building, but yet, the elegant details don't distract your thoughts from the Saviour and I really appreciate that :)

Enjoy some pictures!

My zone leader gave me a cosmic brownie and a Hershey bar!

I got to see a family from Bloemfontein that I never got to say goodbye to:))

TEMPLE YAY!

Durban Temple Open House

January 28, 2020

Hello mumsy

I have been at the temple almost every day since it has been open. I have really noticed how different and empty I feel when I am not there. The Durban temple is beautiful in the most simple way. We get to be tour guides for the people we teach :) I have got to tour through the temple a few times. One job my companion and I got was we got to go through the temple by ourselves and straighten/ align everything so there was complete order. I felt like I had found my true calling. I moved benches and chairs so you could almost put a ruler up to them and they would all be in a perfect line with each other. We moved vases and lamps into a nice even spot. Everything that could become square, did. It gave me a new perspective on the temple in how much order the Lord expects. I also noticed how the chairs got moved pretty often, so I would have to move them back to place. That is kinda how we are sometimes. We need to line ourselves up every now and then.

We have an investigator ( who is moving to Joburg this week:() Who came with us to the temple today. She has been struggling with if she should be baptised or not, but she made up her mind today because halfway through the tour she asked us if she can be baptized. She said that she felt something she had never felt before in her whole life. I love it. I felt that too, while in the celestial room, I said a prayer, and for the first time in my life, I prayed for nothing but other people. Mostly the other people in the room with me, because many of them were not members. It was a super cool experience.

Love you mum!

Happeh (Happy)

January 20, 2020

I have been SO happy this week, and I think it has been due to us working our tails off. This week has felt really rewarding. It is hotter than ever, but I swear I didn't feel it at all.

First I just want to share a miracle. We were struggling to find transportation for some people we are teaching. They wanted a ride just the first time coming to church so they could find it for future days, because our chapel is hard to find. We couldn't get ahold of anybody to call. We decided to say a prayer for some extra help and we felt we needed to call brother Shane. He said he could give a ride to all the people who needed it and even us. A true hero. So willing. We were able to get one person we are teaching who has a broken foot.

After church on Sunday, we had one of our investigators come with us to Kwamashu to watch a baptism. When we were returning back to Phoenix, I heard her say to one of the ward members, "You will see me next week. I love it here." That made me so happy! She also found some long lost family who are members in our ward! How amazing.

We also got to do some service for a lady in our ward who needed 8 big industrial sewing machines moved out of her house. Those things were flippin heavy, but not too heavy for two Idaho boys. It was the hottest day of the week and we sweated a lot, but it felt good to do some physical labor.

This area is tough, but very rewarding. It helps me to see God's hand in the really small tender mercies, and it also helps me see God soften the hearts of the people here.

Love you all! Have a good week!:)

-Elder Moser

I get to help with the temple twice these next two weeks:) I know that they will probably just have us there to answer questions in the tent at the back. We will be there for about 10 hours. I hope my feet can handle it. I have been getting multiple blisters on my toes. It really hurts but we still out here doing the most!

We had a good week. My attitude was happy from the early morning till the end of the day every night except for the one where I didn't sleep. That was no fun.

Love ya mum!

Forget About Yourself

Bradley sent us an original song! 1/15/2020


And if you're having the worst type of day
Better days will come
There's something that gives the courage to change
So try it and push on:

And forget about yourself!
Forget about yourelf.
When you're alone and you need help
Go and serve someone else.

If you're really trying to listen
The Holy Ghost can speak to you
Someone out there is needing
What only you can do.
So forget about yourelf.
Forget a bout yourself!
When you're alone and you need help
Go and serve someone else.

Forget about yourself.
Forget about yourelf!
When you're alone and you need help
Go and serve someone else.
Go and love someone else.
Go and love someone else.
Go and love someone else.

Khakhulu Food

January 15, 2020

With all the exercise we do, somebody pointed out to me that I am getting bigger...

Well on that note, we are having a lot of food still. We got dinner 3 times yesterday that we just put it in containers for the fridge. On my birthday, Wednesday, we even had a member teach us how to make curry. I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to cook it though because we don't cook here XD. I'll have to save it for when I am home.

Also, thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! The big 21!

We put in some good work recently. Let me share a few stories.

The first one we had with a man named Harri. Whenever we see him he isn't wearing a shirt and he always tells us he took it off because of the heat. A few days before seeing him, we dropped by to remind him of his commitment to read the Book of Mormon. When we saw him again, he had read and he even remembered. We had a good discussion and some of the concerns he brought up led into 2 Nephi 2. We read a bit with him and then committed him to read 1 chapter every day until the next time we see him again.

The next cool thing that happened this week was with the Govender and Pillay family. They stay right next door to a member that we visit. We decided to go and talk to them one day and they invited us to share something with them. The man of the home is a pastor, but just part time which makes things easier. We shared the first Book of Mormon video with them as an introduction and asked them inspired questions. The spirit led the discussion and all of us felt it. The pastor, Nathaniel, asked us if the Book of Mormon talked of the gift of tongues like the Bible, so we left them with Moroni 10 to read. Then they fed us a TON of food. The ushe (usual), ya know.

This week was really good. Wish my fingers had the strength to type everything up. Love Ya'll! have a great week :)

-Elder Moser

Hey mom! My birthday was much better than last years, that is for sure. My companion woke me up with a firecracker so I was woken up with a jolt haha. Good fun though. The day didn't have much to it, we just visited some people and then at night the RS president's family taught me how to make a proper curry.

I keep ripping my pants haha. They fit a little too tight now, I hope that isn't a problem....

I miss my siblings. Jess is telling me all the hype things he is doing. I also called Nathan on Monday. Oh, btw, I have my real P-day today because we had zone conference on Monday.

We have visited up on a lot of the people we visited last week. Kogie is going to come with us to church this Sunday. There is a baptism we want her to attend. There have been a lot of people here that when they talk about their church, they first mention how big the building is. Then, when I ask what they look forward to most in church, they say the people and things that they shouldn't be going to church for. We talk about Sacrament a lot. 

Crazy you saw K8. I have been communicating with her recently so I wonder if it is a coincidence you saw each other. I still really like her and hope she is around when I get home.

Love you mummy:)