Home

Well words cannot describe the mix of emotions that are going through me right now, being home these past couple of days I am at times overwhelmed and awed at the many new things that were at one point commonplace to me. 

Saturday the 19th I received a call from my mission president, informing me that he had received a phone call from Elder Utchdorf of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. Elder Utchdorf's instructions were simple, " All missionaries that would have left in June or July of this year were to be sent home" this was caused by the rising contention in the country. Whisperings of war had turned into shouts. 

Initially I was in shock when I heard that news from Presidente Poncio, then it sunk in and I cried. I didn't want to leave this country sooner than I should, I had so many goals for my new area, a new companion, but then in an answer to a heart filled prayer, I was comforted. I sustained just a little over a month ago, ElderUtchdorf as a prophet seer and revelator. I knew this was the Lord's will, my time in that part of his vineyard was over. So Tuesday morning I boarded the plane with peace knowing that I was in accordance with God's will, that I was safe and sound and that I was going HOME.

In Atlanta I had a few moments in the airport alone, since I was the only missionary going to PDX. In the terminal I read the Savoir's words in Matthew 25, where He speaks of 2 powerful parables and teaches profoundly on service to our fellowman.

1st Parable: The ten virgins and their lamps 

 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

I felt the confirmation of the Spirit tell me that I was as one of the wise virgins, I had not left the mission with a lamp half full, and yes the "Bridegroom", or final day, did come unannounced, like a thief in the night. But I was ready, I gave my all to the Lord and was ready to go home, not a day did I give less than my best effort in bringing the power of the Atonement to the lives of the Nicaraguans.

2nd Parable:  ¶ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

I felt once more through the power of The Holy Ghost and through self reflection that I had increased my personal "talents" on the mission I had increased and magnified my office to the max. I felt peace knowing that I did give a offering  worthy of all acceptation.

The last part the Lord instructed  Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Once more I knew that I had served my Master and King. In the Book of Mormon I remembered and proved true the word's For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?

The greatest gift I have received from my mission is that I have known my Master. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Great I AM, I know He did come to earth and did complete an infinite and eternal sacrifice to atone for each and every one of us. He is my Lord, my God, and My King. I love Him and have been honored to labor with Him in His vineyard. His gospel is perfect for us, to have peace and happiness. I testify and know that that gospel was restored to the boy prophet Joseph Smith. All of this I know through God's powerful word found in the Book of Mormon, it is true. Y testifico de estas cosas en el Santo nombre de Jesucristo Amen.

Stay Sweet Elder Morrison

Chambiando en la obra del Señor

This week was really interesting to say the least, I only got 1 day in my area because we had to do a mix of tasks this week, including but not limited to Brazilian embassies, multi zone conferences, being stuck in the house because of rioting, etc etc.

But we baptized!! That was cool, sadly the family was too scared to leave the house so the guy couldn't get confirmed but si Dios quiere he will get confirmed this week. Things are nuts here in Managua truth be told, the president of the country is in Cuba half avoiding getting assassinated, half trying to fight a terminal illness. The citizens are mad and tearing down monuments, burning buses, etc etc.

I personally I am not afraid for my personal well being or the Lord´s work. I know that even though all these things are happening, yet God is in control. He will set things in place based off of these events that will be beneficial in preparing the Saints and citizens here in Nicaragua to receive a temple. And as for the missionaries we have so much protection there is no need for us to worry at all. I have no doubt that we will be able to overcome these hard times and the country will receive a temple.

So please just pray for this country, it is such a wonderful and blessed place and I just want the best for this country, and I hope that the peace comes sooner rather than later.

As for me I am just happy to be here and blessed by every chance I get to preach this amazing gospel and help these amazing people!!

Hope you are all doing well Love you and Have a Wonderful Week!!

Elder Morrison

10, 9, 8, 7...

My first week in Managua, and it was a change. In the North I could get into any house I wanted to get into. Here the first day even the members wouldn't let us in the house. I got into 2 houses the whole entire first day, it was rough. BUT... I have learned that just as to Moses in Egypt, though it appeared to be pretty big, it is not that big. Managua is not that big.

To be frank I was a little shocked at the way things were going here. But I remember Coach Stanley's words in the weight room countless times "If it does not challenge you, it will not change you", I gotta change. One night in particular I was mad, so I knelt down, and offered up a sincere prayer, asking for a change of heart and direction as to what I should do. He has answered, and He has touched my corazoncito. I trust in Him that He is putting in the work from on high.

I thought of a couple of verses that gave me comfort, D&C 84:88 and Moses 6:32-34. I realized what I already knew, that He is there.

Teaching in Managua is a treat, they are intelligent here, so lessons are more difficult, which I LOVE. I love trying to just simplify complex things so that they cannot possibly deny what we are saying. Likewise, the members put in work, I just gotta get their trust and motivate them along.

My companion is so cool, I love that guy to death. He is going to be a great leader in the mission!

Likewise, we had leader council this week. WE BROKE THE RECORD AS A MISSION! Finally most of us ZLs have been leaders for over a year now, and we have been planning to do this forever, and we did it! Sadly it was the last council I will have with some great friends of mine like Elder Rush, Ward, Wilkes and Mower. They gave some powerful last testimonies in the council. Next council will be strange without them.

Love you all
Love, Elder Morrison

Managua

Well this week were the changes, they came a week late due to the political distress, but all that seems to be calming down, which is wonderful. With the changes I was carried on over to Managua, the capitol. What a place. Very big and noisy with a lot of people. I am going to miss my beloved city Matagalpa very much. I love that place with all my heart.

Change is a scary thing at times, not gonna lie, I hadn't realized how at ease and relaxed I was in the environment in Matagalpa. That place was just perfect for me. However, with the change comes growth, so obviously I am going to grow, it may be somewhat uncomfortable but I will be able to grow if I can just "not shrink", if I can just square my shoulders and get to work my last 11 weeks. It will be a blast!!

Today I had Little Ceasers pizza for lunch, who can't tell that it´s not gonna be a good time? I am super pumped to be here in Managua though, I have heard all of my mission of how the members in Managua are just the best and that you can have a lot of success here, so I am thrilled to be here and throw some fire!!

I realize how my days are numbered here in Nicaragua, just 11 weeks and I am home. I wish to make every second of these remaining days and go ham for the Lord this last little bit so that I may be able to give Him an offering worthy of all acceptation before the God I have grown to know and love so deeply.

I am super pumped to be with my new Comp Elder Goncalves, he is from Brazil and I feel like the guy is my long lost brother, he is so cool. I am pumped to work my tail off and learn a lot from him. He is starting his mission and I am finishing, but all new missionaries come with such a new way of looking at things that can really help us out in the Lord´s work. I am pumped to be with him!

Love you all Love Elder Morrison

Pray for Nicaragua

This was a wild week here in the NIC. A government reform in the social security system brought some heavy resistance including looting, arson, rioting, etc. So please pray for Nicaragua. Here in Matagalpa though things are calm and the situation in general has been deescalating, so that is good news. None of the missionaries have been harmed in any way here, the Lord is protecting us, our amazing Presidente Poncio is a wise and inspired man and has taken effective measures to ensure the safety of the missionaries, he calls us his hijitos.

It was a week of highs and lows. Wednesday we committed a family of 4 to be baptized on Friday, right after that lesson I got a phone call from the AP's that they were coming to help us out in the interviews in the Zone, because we had quite a few to do for this weekend. So Wednesday was a thrilling day because with those 4 it meant we had 6 baptisms lined up for Friday afternoon.

Thursday came and the AP's rolled up and we got a lot of interviews done, sadly that is when in the capitol things got a little rowdy.  So Friday morning happens and the family of 4 let us know that the father of one of the daughters that was going to get baptized came trying to get away from the capitol. He is a member of a different denomination and drunk when we got there and he had already convinced them all not to get baptized. Which was a heart breaker to say the least. We have hope though that the family will be baptized soon, just once that guy has left.

Normally baptisms are done on Saturday, however my companion and I received some good revelation that we should baptize on Friday. So on Friday we baptized a brother and his sister, the baptismal service was really special, it was one of the better services I have had in the mission.

Saturday we were not allowed to leave the house from the escalating government resistance, so we played a couple of games of monopoly. But luckily Elder Smith and I had gotten the idea to not baptize on Saturday, which was apparently not going to happen. Revelation from on high baby!!

Other than that life is good, I am safe and sound, bored as all get out being locked up in the house, but luckily we are four normal gringos that keep each other entertained!

Love Elder Morrison

Cuatro Cheles

This week brought a delightful change to the house of the missionaries in Matagalpa. An elder got sick in Puerto Cabezas and was sent home, so emergency changes happened and now in the house we are four United State citizens, aka it has been a good time with a lot of BBQing, guitar playing, free style rapping roasts, alter egos coming out as motivational speeches, and wrestling moves taught. It has been a lot of fun.

As for Elder Smith and I, we are quite enthusiastic about this upcoming week, it should be a good time. We will see if I, at the end of the week, am changed out in transfers. Or if I am here to stay in Matagalpa. In total I have a long time here, and it has been wonderful.

We were guided a couple of weeks ago to a really awesome family, they are so kind and sincere with us. The other day the mother of the family stopped us on the street and introduced us to her friend and told her friend to go to church, adding onto her invitation she said ¨We went last Sunday and that is where we are going to stay.¨ Those moments and comments just make the work so worth it.

Truthfully it has been a bit of a trial lately, frustrating to give everything you got and feel you have come up short. But when you truly consider it all in the grand scheme of things, those moments of success lacking are big fat blessings that the Lord has given you. They are times where you truly learn who you are. The Lord truly does bless us and watch over us.

Elder D Todd Christofferson said once, "In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer. He will sustain you as you work and watch. In His own time and way He will stretch forth his hand to you, saying, “Here am I.”"

He is there, He does listen and He is in charge. We are blessed to be able to know Him. The power of the covenants we make within the church is truly the power of godliness, they allow us to have heaven´s aid whenever we need it. They provide us the perspective necessary to endure and the power sufficient to save us.

Personally I am excited to enter into the gauntlet of my last 12 weeks in the mission. I am really excited for what is to come following the mission as well. ¨Have your head in the stars but keep your feet firmly planted on the ground¨

Love you all
Love Elder Morrison

TEMPLES!!

Funny story, so after a quite incredible general conference where our new beloved Prophet Russell M. Nelson, stepped in and hit the ground running! And it was awesome. Including the many changes made one was of particular importance in Nicaragua, a temple was announced in Managua Nicaragua, likewise in Salta Argentina, where my dad served his mission! The news was amazing here!

Unfortunately I was not present to hear the announcement live. I was in a taxi traveling to a small community outside of the city to interview some people for baptism. During the ride I received phone calls from two missionaries telling me that they announced the Temple. I told them to call me Thomas, but I will not believe it til I see it. 

And I saw it when I arrived to the small chapel in the community and I cried out of joy. Knowing that figuratively I have helped lay one brick out of millions here to get a temple, I feel very happy to know that there will be a temple in Nicaragua.

There were many embraces and tears shared in the chapels all around the country. People literally jumped for joy when they heard that there would be a House of The Lord put in their country. Personally I was bummed to have missed the big moment but the joy was felt the same.

Likewise, two new apostles were announced and ordained, only a week and a half ago I did meet Elder Gong, one of those two new apostles. I was happy to sustain him.

The interviews Sunday afternoon turned into a quite exciting trip. After closing the baptism we grabbed one of the last buses out to Matagalpa, but the bus was so full I was hanging out the door with my companion, when a rope from the bus grabbed his missionary plaque and flipped it off his shirt. Quickly he jumped off the bus while it was in motion, I grabbed a 20 cord bill from my wallet and gave it to the chauffeur, and jumped off as well. Unfortunately I jumped off facing backward and was almost unable to keep the momentum from making me fall over backward, luckily I switched into free safety Elder Morrison, and was able to back pedal out of it smoothly. We quickly recovered the plaque. But that being the last bus meant we were stuck in the middle of nowhere. So ssshhhhh, don´t tell anyone but we had to hitch hike home in time to assist in the baptism and confirmation for another companionship in Matagalpa. Luckily the culture in Nicaragua is that hitch hiking is normal and safe. Truthfully Nicaragua is a safe place, even the drunk people are super friendly.

Just living the dream in Nicaragua!

Today as a Zone we had a BBQ, and I treated the whole Zone to classic American Hamburgers. Most of the Latino missionaries complimented me saying it was better than McDonald´s which is about as close as it gets for them here. A couple of weeks ago we decided to buy a grill and I have been making some mean meats lately, steak, chicken, burgers you name it. We have been grubbing here in Matagalpa.

Love you all

Love Elder Morrison