Austin found the apostrophe key

Dear family and friends, 

When a guy says he is not interested. He genuinely is not interested.

We went to Riva Del Garda today for the second time.. The weather was a lot better today so it was quite a bit more beautiful. We also went and saw a waterfall. 

From the black market I got three jars of crunchy peanut butter... I forgot how much I like peanut butter.. It is really good.

Things are relatively normal here in Trento.. Things have slowed down a bit as many investigators have not panned out. 

Wisdom with Effie and Anziano Gridley.. and with our Guest Host (Scot).

Women are always right.

If you are mean you are wrong. (Even if you are a woman).

Never trust a woman.

Don't be lazy or lazy will lazy you.

My now you be.

There is no spoon.

Emanuel's baptism went really good. There were not a ton of people.. but the Holy Ghost was pretty strong. I like those kind of meetings and times.. just because even if it is kind of going crumby the spirit is generally there.

Happy Father's Day Dad and Grandpa's. A fun experience I remember with dad was when we went down to the Utah summer games.. We won lots of events.. In doubles we lost to this one team.. Faced them again in the finals and beat them two times to win the doubles tournament we were in.. Pretty legendary.. I enjoyed those adventures we had.

Happy birthday Sam:) let me know what you get for your birthday and how your party goes etc. 

I liked these verses of a hymn.. It reminded me how with God we are strong.. And without God everything that matters crumbles away.. It is important that you remember God and not forget him.. If you will remember God a little more this week etc.. It will make a difference in your life.. Which is at times hard to see but when you look back with a clear gaze you can tell. Maybe go to church this Sunday or read some of the bible etc.. God knows us.. That isn't the problem.. The problem is when we don't know God.

“God of our fathers known of old,  Lord of our far-flung battle-line,  Beneath whose awful hand we hold.  Dominion over palm and pine,  Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,  Lest we forget, lest we forget!          “The tumult and the shouting dies,          The captains and the kings depart;          Still stands thine ancient sacrifice,          An humble and a contrite heart,          Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,          Lest we forget, lest we forget!         “Far called, our navies melt away,          On dune and head-land sinks the fire;          Lo, all our pomp of yesterday.          Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!          Judge of the nations, spare us yet,          Lest we forget, lest we forget!”             --Hymns, No. 76

Women think they are exceptions but in reality they are the rule.

You mean that if he and I have been dating for over seven years, I am not the exception I am the rule, and he and I are never going to get married.

Absolutely not.

With love, 

Anziano Gridley 

General Conference Highlights

After we have done all we can, having studied it out and determined
how best to solve our problems, then we take our decisions to the
Lord; and if they are right, our bosoms will burn within us and we
will have spiritual confirmation as to what to do.

Robert Browning said, “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp.” Growth
comes as we constantly seek to achieve that which is just beyond our
immediate capacity. One of the noteworthy aspects of the Church
program is that it constantly motivates men to stretch themselves, to
reach a little higher.

Someone has said that success consists not in never falling, but in
rising every time you fall. Get up one more time than you go down,
young people, and you will win. Stay down, and you lose.

Cicero said, “Control thyself.” I had the opportunity in World War II
to bat against the immortal Bob Feller in a servicemen’s game. If you
ever want a lesson in humility, bat against Feller. Bob Feller had a
unique distinction as a sixteen-year-old boy. He could take a 9
1/2-inch, 5-ounce baseball and throw it from 60 feet 6 inches, 105
miles an hour.
      Now that may not impress you, but you go to bat and you’re very
impressed. To those of you who may not understand that velocity, a
9-inch baseball is the size of an aspirin tablet at 60 feet 6 inches,
at 100 miles per hour. I submit to you, it makes a difference which
side of the plate he throws it.
      Bob Feller at age sixteen had a problem. He lacked control. He
was a great athlete. He had tremendous capacity. He was born to
succeed. He knew himself, but he hadn’t disciplined his great talent
of speed, so that it was questionable as to whether he would stick in
the majors.
      But Bob Feller became the great athlete he was because he
listened to wise counsel. He had great coaches, and one of them took
him aside one day and said, “Bob, it really doesn’t matter whether you
throw 105 miles an hour or 95. If you will take a little speed off
your pitch and put the ball where it belongs, you will succeed!
      We call that control in baseball, and you little leaguers know
how important control is to a pitcher. Bob listened and became the
strike-out artist of his era.
      You don’t know Jim Rusick, I think, unless you are related to
him. I played ball with Jim. Jim Rusick was a sixteen-year-old boy on
the Hollywood High School baseball team. He could throw a 9 1/2-inch
baseball 105 miles an hour, but he wouldn’t listen to counsel. He
didn’t learn to control the talent that he had, and Jim has never been
heard of since.
      It’s one thing to be born with ability to succeed; it’s another
thing to harness it and to control it.
      My young brethren, this is the purpose of the gospel of Jesus
Christ, to control that which we have been born with. That is the
purpose of the Church and its programs. We need to learn how to
control that which God has given us.
      Finally, the Savior said, Take all that I have given you,
harness it, discipline it, and then give it to the world. Give
thyself.

Jeffrey Holland, president of Brigham Young University, while working
on his Ph.D. at a prominent eastern American university, got to know
well one of the reference librarians who had helped him with some
research.
      One day he said, “Ilene, I need to know how many books we have
in the University Library which claim to have been delivered by an
angel.”
      As you can imagine, the librarian gave him a peculiar look and
said, “I don’t know of any books that have been delivered by angels.
Swords maybe, or chariots, but I don’t know of any books.”
      “Well, just run a check for me would you? It may take a little
doing, but I really would like to know.”
      The librarian dutifully did some checking of the nine million
books in the library. For several days she had nothing to report, but
then one day she smilingly said, “Mr. Holland, I have a book for you.
I found one book which, it is claimed, was delivered by an angel,” and
she held up a paperback copy of the Book of Mormon. “I’m told you can
get them for a dollar. My goodness,” she continued, “an angel’s book
for a dollar! You would think angels would charge more, but then
again,” she said, “where would they spend it?” (See Pat Holland,
President’s Welcome Assembly, Brigham Young University, 9 Sept. 1986).
      Think of it--one book has been delivered by an angel, and it
teaches of your eternal salvation. And each of you owns a true copy!

A stake president recently told me that a respected member who had
held Church leadership positions was enticed by some business friends
to try the cocaine drug “crack.” The men were depressed. Their company
was failing, and they succumbed to the evil enticement of illegal
drugs.
      He wasted $18,000 buying “crack,” lost his job, underwent a
personality change, and finally was hospitalized. Through it all, his
wife stayed by him. She found a job, and they began the struggle of
putting his life back together. His Church friends helped him get
another job.
      His mind is seriously affected. He is still somewhat dependent
on some drugs. The hope and prayer of his family is that he will be
able to hold on to the lifeline.

It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that
determines how your life’s story will develop.

But I am so grateful for her. For 66 years we have walked together,
hand in hand, with love and encouragement, with appreciation and
respect. It cannot be very long before one of us will step through the
veil. I hope the other will follow soon. I just would not know how to
get along without her, even on the other side, and I would hope that
she would not know how to get along without me.

A wise man explained, “When the satisfaction or the security of
another person becomes as significant to one as one’s own satisfaction
and security then the state of love exists.”

            A bell is no bell till you ring it,
            A song is no song till you sing it,
            And love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay,
            Love isn’t love till you give it away.

Loving service anonymously given may be unknown to man--but the gift
and the giver are known to God. Of this truth I testify, in the name
of Jesus Christ, amen.

Far Far Away.. The Misty Mountains Call. For Frodo.. And For Narnia.

Mom there is no more salad dressing.
Ohhh I find that hard to believe.

Today for P day we went out to the misty mountains of Trento did a hike... we all did not bring jackets.. there was no sun while we were hiking and there was lots of wind high up in the mountains.. When we started to come back down.. the sun came out. It is really nice and pretty up here.. I might as well be in Middle Earth. The bus got canceled and did not come.. so we are stuck up in a cool restaurant that is kind of like a ranch restaurant place.

Our investigator who was supposed to be baptized last weekend is not going to be baptized in this moment. He lost his phone making it hard to meet with him.. and when we fix an appointment with him.. he is not reliable at coming to the appointment. He still wants to be baptized.. but he is whiffing out at this point a bit.. So hopefully that happens sometime soon.

Anziano Gailees family came to Trento with him and Anziano Gailee.. We went out to lunch and got some gelato.. it was pretty dang nice and good.. Anziano Gailee burned a coin into Anziano Binghams skin, for 20 seconds, for a 35 euro cord. He has a huge part of the flesh of his arm gone. He is definitely going to have a scar.. especially because he wont treat it properly because he does not want to spend money on the things he would need to get to take care of it... irony.... Anziano Gailees mom saw his arm and Anziano Gailee told her what happened.. and she started freaking out.
Little brothers.. do not be instigating or instigated on your missions...

In the gospel there are quite a few opposite paradoxes... For example.. Man is nothing.. yet God spends all his time bringing about the eternal life of man.. hence man is worth something... Funny things and ideas like that. I think sometimes people find one of these.. and without investigating it properly.. they come to their own conclusion.. and use that as an excuse to forget about a lot of other ideas and principles etc. When we don't see things as the full picture.. and we take something and warp it and try to make it look bad.. it may end up looking weird. I promise you the gospel makes sense and that it all adds up and works.. if you are claiming something is not right.. maybe one of these.. I would invite you to check it out again.. ignorance is not really an excuse..
Ignorance is expensive; in fact, it is the most expensive commodity we know anything about.

Certainly we make many mistakes through ignorance. If it is a violation of a commandment of God which we have never received and thus do not know, then the Lord does not hold us guilty of the sin. “… to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17.) And in Paul’s words, “… where no law is, there is no transgression.” (Rom. 4:15.) But even though we may not be guilty of the sin because of our ignorance, neither can we receive the blessing, which is predicated on obedience, without rendering obedience to that law. Therefore, we are denied the blessing through our ignorance. If it is a traffic law we have violated through ignorance, the penalty assessed us is exactly the same as if we had known. Also, if we stick a finger in an electric light socket, we will receive the same shock, irrespective of our knowledge of electricity. I repeat, ignorance is expensive. Particularly is this true since the Lord has decreed, “It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.” (D&C 131:6.) For surely no man is truly enlightened unless he knows the Lord.


Kevin I am going to give you about five seconds to take your junk off my scrabble board.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.

With Love,
Anziano Gridley

Catch Me If You Can

Must have fallen right off your neck.

Emanuel should be getting baptized for the other Anziani this weekend.. Kelly lost his phone on Saturday.. So we had to move back his baptism until next Friday.. 

We have two new legit investigators.. Both have bap dates for July.. 

• Thomas is an African that lives in a nearby city.. He is getting his documents done.. He is about 25 and basically is a missionary like us.. But freelance... A really spiritual guy that we have big hope for.

• Effie is an African also about 25.. He wants to be baptized.. He is really honest and a good guy.. He prays before he goes to a new church.. He has short African dread hair.. Pretty legit.

There is a new convert here that told Anziano Santiago and me how he did a seven day dry fast.. Seven days without food or water.. Two days before the fast he ate and drank a lot.. Then the day before started his fast.. Hence a dry fast (more of an 8 day fast).. He told us this as friends.. Not as boasting.. Later he was teaching Steven with us and brought up how most Christians are not exactly true Christians.. He then asked redundantly how many Christians can fast seven days.. He then kept on talking.. Not pointing out that he himself had done this. Anziano Santiago brought up the idea of us fasting from using our emails since we can't fast like that.. Which sounds funny.. But in theory it makes sense.. So if I don't email anyone for several months you now know why.. I am either killed by the mafia or I am doing an email fast.

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

5 ¶And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

I would invite you to change something in your life.. Or do a kind act for others.. But don't boast about it.. Do it for the right reasons.

Trento has been extremely hot.. I am told it is one of the three hottest cities in Italy... The mountains trap the heat. We brought home from the church an air conditioner and a fan.. These with the fan Anziano Santiago bought have worked miracles for our well being here in Italy.. Today we went to Verona to visit Anziano Santiagos trainer who is holidaying in Italy with his family.. They took us out to lunch.. Went and saw some sights with us,, and gave us some American food.. It was really nice.. As they say.. It is all about who you know.. And Anziano Santiago has got the connections.. We might start going to a gym for our exercise time/free time.. Could you try to send me pictures of my physical papers when you can so we can go.. Thank ya.

We must pay a price for everything we get, whether of a temporal or spiritual nature, and we generally get about what we pay for. If, for instance, I should purchase a suit of clothes, in order to get the best material, the best style, and the proper fit, I must pay a higher price than if I am satisfied with a suit made of shoddy material and poor workmanship. Likewise if I desire to purchase a home, an automobile, or whatever it may be. If I seek intellectual values, I must pay the price by study, research, by devoted effort and ofttimes sacrifice.

Two little mice fell into a bucket of creme.. One mouse gave up quickly and drowned.. The other mouse kicked and fought in that bucket of creme.. Until that creme turned into butter and it crawled its way out..Gentlemen as of this moment.. I am that second mouse.

With love, 

Anziano Gridley 

Help me leave behind some reason to be missed.. Leave out all the rest.

Dear family and friends,

Are you here to kill me?

 If I were trying to kill you.. You would already be dead. 

If I were trying to kill you, you would be dead. 

Well obviously neither of us are dead, so neither of us is trying to kill each other.

Yes that does make sense.

Today we went to Gardaland. The biggest amusement park in Italy... It was a lot of fun.. The park has a kind of weird theme etc.. But as missionaries it was a blast for us. 

We have an investigator named Kelly one of the ones who lived in rovereto. He has still been progressing and should be getting baptized next Saturday. Kind of exciting for the Anziani here in Trento. Also the other Anziani are helping a man named Emanuel be ready on the thirteenth as well... Hopefully a really happy good day. 

We ate fufu at Stanley's house the other day... Fufu is African food which is a bread type thing.. That you dip in African soup.. That has meats and veggies etc.. When you eat the bread though.. You swallow.. You don't chew. Which is different and kind of strange.. But fufu is a really nice good food.

We are still teaching Steven.. But we might have to stop... We have had great lessons... But we could prove spiritually and logically something and no matter what it is... Or how clear we present it.. He won't let himself change to accept it.. And if you won't do that as an investigator.. Nothing God or us missionaries can do, in this moment can really do to force you to change... Speriamo bene. 

Anziano Thomas has arrived... He is from Layton Utah and went to Layton high... He is a nice chill Utah guy. 

I feel that quite often a lot of problems come to people because they do not understand who they are, why they are on the earth etc.. Which comes to the plan of salvation... That we are children of God. He loves us.. We are here on earth to gain a body, gain experience / learn and grow, and to be tested. After we die things also don't just end in oblivion... If we truly understand this plan, and try to act like we do, we are much more able to reach our potential.

In 3 Nephi 12:30 

For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross, than that ye should be cast into hell.

Now Jesus does not say.. You have to carry your cross this well or be this good at carrying your cross... He just says to take up your cross... And if we take up our crosses with perspective and with us playing our table tennis A-Game.. We will become better people and find the true happiness in life.

Persevere in the way of well-doing and you may hope for success. If I was discouraged and did not believe I could do a thing, I never could. Therefore when you think anything is too hard for you, do not undertake it. - asael smith

You have already undertaken life.. Which hopefully means you and God thought you could handle it... In reality it does mean that and if it didn't you should probably try to change it to the affirmative.. You have your agency to choose.. So go crazy cowboy. This agency gives you a lot of power to do good or bad for yourself or others.. As Emperor Palpatine says.. OMNIPOTENT POWER!

Because it had a familiar sound, he accepted it with his family as gospel truth. After becoming members of the Church, he and his family left to join the rest of the Church at Nauvoo. Before he arrived there, however, Joseph and Hyrum were martyred, so the family then turned west to join the Church on the prairies at Winter Quarters. His beloved wife, Hannah Shipley Burton, suffered from the hardships of the journey and died on the plains on the banks of the Missouri River. This grief-stricken man undoubtedly complained loudly as has many another man who has suffered hardships and trials while being proved by the Lord. If we understood completely the designs of the Lord, we would be more patient in our suffering and would not complain as much as we so often do when hardships come and we are asked to sacrifice.

I know the the things I am out here teaching others about are true... I have studied it out spiritually and intelligently and from what I know, understand, have experienced, it is true. I praise God for all the blessings he gives us. 

The missionary work is good here.. We are loving it even more than McDonald's.

Yes considering I was not always in the best of shape.

With love,

Anziano Gridley