WHAT WOULD PROPHETS SAY ABOUT HONDURAS?

"All things denote there is a God."  (Alma 30:44)  Honduras is such a beautiful country.  Its startling greenery; its cool, clear waters that flow down its many rivers; the beauty of its people.  All these things, and any more, prove to us that there is a God.  This week we have noticed that there are also many things that point to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  (For those reading this blog that may not know, the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, written upon plates of gold by prophets who lived on the American Continent.  If you want to know more, ask the missionaries!)  If the ancient American prophets were to roam the streets of San Pedro Sula today, what would they see, and what would they write?

(The Holy Stand of the "God is Good" Church)

"For they had a place built up in the center of the synagogue, a place for standing, which was high above the head....  Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which, being interpreted is the holy stand.  Now from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God."  (Alma 31: 13, 20-21)

(Empty prison cells that now sits rusting away in San Pedro Sula)

"And it came to pass that [they] did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for [they] did have many wives and concubines... and they did build many prisons."  (Ether 10:5-6)

(Daily newspaper.  13 out of the last 14 days have been headlined with murder)

"The whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed." (Mormon 8:8)

"And they were lost in the wilderness many days, yet they were diligent, and found ... a land which was covered... with ruins of buildings of every kind." (Mosiah 8:8)

"One limpera, one limpera." (5 cents)

"And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the poor and the meek, and the humble." (Helaman 6:39)  "Perhaps thou shalt say: the man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just.  But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.  For behold, are we not all beggars?  Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have... I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor."  (Mosiah 4:17-19, 26)  The city of San Pedro Sula is literally full of sick, crippled and impoverished men, women and children.  It breaks our hearts on a daily basis.  

(Tatiana and Melvin Rapalo)

"And they cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou has spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." (Mosiah 5:2) We had this exact experience with this wonderful father as he set his baptismal date for February 23, 2013.

(Elder Garcia, Elder Cannon, Elder Rangel and Elder Mackay)

"And it came to pass that... he waxed old, and he saw that he must very soon go the way of all the earth." (Mosiah 1:9)  LaRae and the Elders threw me a surprise party, with 100 pink balloon, streamers everywhere and a birthday cake, and a wonderful rendition of "Happy Birthday to you" sung in English.

"And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ." (Moroni 10:18)  The Valladares family has adopted us as their own and provided us with a delicious dinner, their love and these - very unexpected - running shoes.  "And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy... and impart [not] of your substance... your prayer is vain, and it availeth you nothing." (Alma 34:28)

Each day we awaken with the goal of doing our best to help the Lord in His work.  We live in perilous times and in a perilous place, but we have learned that the Lord keeps His promises.  He said, "I will go before your face.  I will be on your right hand, and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."  (D&C 84:88)  We are so grateful to be missionaries.