Elder Dallin Espiritu: First Talk At Church In Tagalog

What's up everyone!

I'm chillin over here in the Philippines, still loving this place and the people! This week we had zone conference. I learned a ton.

Before zone conference we were asked to study about Joseph Smith and "The First Vision". I loved studying about it. I didn't realize how many little things affected The First Vision and I'm so grateful for it. I know for a fact that The First Vision happened. That God the Father and his son Jesus Christ appeared to a 14 year old boy named Joseph Smith in the year 1820.

I had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting yesterday. It was my first time doing it and not gonna lie. I was super nervous. I'm grateful for the Holy Ghost that helped guide me through that talk. I talked about my family and related it to "The Plan of Salvation" and it turned out pretty good.

I'm grateful for all of you and all your examples to me. I encourage everyone to get ready for this upcoming General conference and pray that the spirit will guide us all so we can become closer to our Father in Heaven!

-Elder Espiritu

More from our video chat with Elder Espiritu:

He loved their Zone Conference. During one of their trainings, the missionaries were shown a video with Elder Uchtdorf. In it he urged the missionaries to be more “relatable” and flexible in their teachings. One of the suggestions by the Mission President was for missionaries try for a week to teach without their neckties. This is to test if people are more receptive to them.

Dallin also mentioned that they will be getting smart phones next month.

They’ve been given a directive from the Area Presidency in the Philippines regarding the Coronavirus. Aside from practicing common hygiene, they’ve been strongly advised to avoid any physical contact with anyone including handshakes, fist bumps, etc. They’ve also been told not to enter the homes of members or investigators who are sick.

He gave his first talk in Taglish (Tagalog mixed with English) in his ward. His topic was on the Plan of Salvation. He talked about his nephew (our daughter’s son), Tristan who passed away at 5 weeks old 4 years ago this May. He expressed how he knew because of the Plan that he would see Tristan again.

He and his companion are preparing for another baptism this Saturday. Elder Dumanjug and Elder Espiritu have been teaching this little 10 year old girl who is the daughter of a family they’ve reactivated.

Prior to any baptism, each baptismal candidate is interviewed by a District Leader (DL)—a missionary over a District (usually 4-8 companionships assigned to a geographical area).

During this little ten year old’s interview, the DL asked the girl to read a scripture from the Book of Mormon. As she read, she paused and asked the DL, “Do you feel that? That’s the Holy Ghost!” The DL was so impressed at how perceptive this young lady is! She is definitely ready for baptism!

When asked about his language skills, Dallin said he’s able to understand & converse about 80%. That’s pretty good for someone who’s only been out 8 months (today is his 8th month)! He was able to carry a conversation with his older brother, Joseph who served in the Philippines Laoag Mission (Aug 2016-Aug 2018).

The MP (Mission President) already told him both he and his companion will be transferred this next transfer. Currently, they have a set of Sister missionaries working with them in their ward (Santa Monica 1st Ward). They are replacing the Elders with another set of Sister missionaries.

Dallin will find out next week where he and his companion will he headed. He is sad to be leaving his area and his trainee, Elder Dumanjug but he is excited about going to a new area.

Zone conference

Got a package from home!

Vans like these are used to bus the missionaries to the bigger buses to head to their areas. Half of the missionaries serve in Manila while another half serve on the islands of Palawan.