El Clarn de El Faro

21 de Agosto de 2016

Message From Presidente Dayton

Do Miracles Really Take Place in 2016?

I was recently taking a taxi to downtown Barcelona and engaged the taxi driver in
a discussion about the Church. He informed me that he was an atheist and didnt
believe in anything he couldnt experience with his 5 senses. I talked to him about the
Plan of Salvation and asked him if he really believed that in the end of his life he
would flare into nothingness. I said, You are so bright and have such a wonderful
sense of humor. You are intelligent and have a unique personality. Do you really
believe that that will all just disappear when you diethat you will cease to exit
forever?! He said that was what he believed but he didnt sound very convincing. I
thought as I got out of the taxi, how different my world is from his. I believe in a loving
God who cares for me and guides my life. I believe in a God who helps us in
missionary work if we are obedient and work hard. I believe in a God of MIRACLES.
Some of my scientific colleagues might struggle to accept that someone trained in
the scientific process could embrace the idea of miracles. I have seen too much to
deny their existence.
A miracle is something that happens that cant be explained by our current
scientific understanding or the normal scientific process. It is often something
extraordinary and difficult to explain. As missionaries of the Lord Jesus Christ, I believe
we see miracles happen every day. There are things which take place which are
extraordinary and inexplicableimmediate and sudden changes of heart, the
acquisition of immediate testimony through the Holy Ghost, finding new investigators
in the most unusual and remarkable ways, healing of disease and afflictions through
the power of the priesthood, softening of someones heart, the desire to repent and
become a new creature, a sudden desire to change your life in a major way,
immediately knowing the Book of Mormon is true, and on and on. As I sit and read
your letters every week, it is stunning how many real miracles happen every day in this
great work of bringing souls to Christ.
Prophets in the Book of Mormon saw the day when there would be people like my

taxi driverdeniers of miracles. 2 Nephi 28:6 prophecies of apostasy in the last days as
well as cynics and skeptics who say, If they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the
hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done
his work. Mormon 9:10 says, And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god
who doth varythen have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God
of miracles. Gratefully, the prophets who write in the Book of Mormon then correct the
false doctrine. In 2 Nephi 27:23 we read, For behold, I am God; and I am a God of
miracles..and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their
FAITH. Mosiah 8:18 tells us that, Thus God has provided a means that man, through
FAITH, might work mighty miracles. The very idea that we can come into Spain and
preach the gospel of Christ to a worldly and spiritually apathetic people requires us to
believe in miracles. And yet we see them in this mission every single day.
There are examples of miracles all around us. At our Noche de Hogar in the Mission
Home last week, we saw a young woman come into the meeting with a hard heart,
apathy, apparent disinterest, and no real desire to change. I had received an
impression two weeks before that I needed to teach about Why we worship Jesus
Christ in the NDH. As the lesson proceeded I talked about our dear Savior and how he
overcame physical and spiritual death for us and gave us the opportunity to repent so
that we could live with God again. I bore a powerful testimony that it was true and the
Spirit filled the room. Suddenly she got up and ran out of the room crying, her face was
red and flushed and something had obviously happened. I wondered if I had offended
her in some way. After the NDH, her friend came up and explained to me that the Holy
Ghost had touched her heart powerfully and she wanted to be baptized because she
loved the feeling that it gave her. MIRACLE! A few weeks ago I witnessed a tender and
sweet moment when a family of 4 was baptized. In the program as our missionaries
sang, Eternas Pueden Ser Las Familias the mother had large tears cascading down
her cheeks. After the baptism the beautiful young 13 year old girl stood up at the pulpit
to try and bear her testimony but she was so overcome with the power of the Spirit, she
could only weep uncontrollablynot a word came out. MIRACLE! We visited the
Martorell ward on Sunday and had the privilege of speaking with the 92 year old
mother of the previous bishop who had just been baptized a year ago. How do you
explain someone at that age having a mighty change of heart and actually changing
religions? You cantit is a MIRACLE! Finally we recently had one of our missionaries in
the northwestern part of Spain share with us the baptism of a man who had been
investigating the Church for over 20 years. He suddenly had a mighty change of heart
and was baptizedafter 20 years of investigating. MIRACLE!
It is my prayer that we will be spiritually in tune enough to recognize the miracles that
happen every day in our missionary work. The two scriptures I quoted above make it
clear that miracles happen through FAITHour faith. I have been so impressed by the
powerful faith of the great missionaries in El Faro who make miracles possible. May we
see the daily miracles in this great work and humbly kneel down and express loving
gratitude to our God who makes them possible. Truly he is a God of miracles.
Agradecido por los milagros que ocurren diariamente,
Presidente Dayton

El Clarn de El Faro

21 de Agosto de 2016

Message From Hermana Dayton

Joyfulness vs. Self-pity

Joyfulness is maintaining a good attitude even when faced with unpleasant

conditions. The Savior reminds us that joy comes when we keep the commandments, If
you keep my commandments you shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my
Fathers commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you,
that my JOY might remain in you, and that your JOY might be full. John 15:10-11
In the scriptures we read, Men are that they might have JOY." I am convinced that
our Heavenly Father wants us to live our lives joyfully. He wants us to be happy each day
as we go about our work in the mission field. President and I feel so strongly about this
that the final point in the Vision of the Spain Barcelona mission reads, To find JOY in the
work." This is a work of Joy and as we go about doing it joyfully we bring others to Christ.
One of the missionaries recently shared this experience. "Elder____ was one of the
happiest missionaries I know. I wanted to be as happy as him. I told myself that I would
smile 24/7 and never change the expression on my face even when I might not be
happy. It was the hardest thing to do, but I did my best. I could see a difference in
everything. I could see a difference in myself because I was looking more at the
positives throughout the day. But the biggest difference was each person I passed by
smiled and then my smile grew even bigger. Its so great the difference a smile can
make in your life and the lives of others".
Another experience shared, "Elder ____ has had a few health difficulties since he
arrived in the mission, but it doesnt even phase him. He has a phrase, Its ok I still have

my positive attitude. He always says it when something goes wrong, and it keeps the
work going. His joy in the work rubs off on everyone and results in great successes in our
contacts, teaching, and relationships with the members.
We love seeing you every month. One of the things we love most is the way you greet
each other with big hugs, handshakes and joyful radiant countenances. What a
privilege it is to be serving the Master here in the Spain Barcelona Mission. The scriptures
remind us, "How great shall be your joy as you bring save it be one soul unto me."
We love you and will continue to pray for you as you joyfully serve the Savior.
Hermana Dayton

Christlike Attributes- Faith, Charity, Love, Virtue, Hope, and Humility, Knowledge & Wisdom,
Patience, Diligence, Creativity, Enthusiasm, Generosity, Forgiveness, Dependability, Availability,
Orderliness, Gratitude, Endurance, Persuasiveness, Compassion, Alertness, Character, Decisiveness,
Determination, Truthfulness, Benevolence, Honor, Sincerity, Punctuality, Joyfulness, Gentleness, Self
Control, Initiative, Cautiousness, Loyalty, Meekness, Sensitivity, Obedience, Discernment, Boldness,
Discretion, Responsibility, Attentiveness, Hospitality, Thoroughness, Deference, Justice,
Contentment, Tolerance, Resourcefulness, Thriftiness, Security

El Clarn de El Faro

21 de Agosto de 2016

Bautismos/Confirmaciones/Misioneros
Aritz Miguel Camacho Agra

Vitoria A

lderes Ipsen y Merrill

Jos Ramn

Vitoria C

Hermanas Plant y Nelson

Juan Diego Serquen Mora

Barcelona 1B

lderes Burton y Thompson

Vivian Sthepane Nunez Rodriguez

Gerona B

Hermanas Stapley y Spiegel

Oyer Ramos Almendras

Las Arenas

lderes Moulton y Morley

Alicia Almendras Churqui

Las Arenas

lderes Moulton y Morley

Carlos Alberto Herdocia Mantilla

Tarragona

lderes Pratt y Dunn

Norman Mlaga Quisbert

Palma 2B

Hermanas Tamayo y Gonzalez

Eran contados y se
inscriban sus nombres

Bautismos/
Confirmaciones esta semana

Bautismos/
Confirmaciones este mes

20

Bautismos/
Confirmaciones hasta la fecha este
ao

260

29
may

5
jun

12
jun

19
jun

26
jun

3
jul

10
jul

17
jul

24
jul

31
jul

7
aug

14
aug

21
aug

Bautismos

16

12

11

13

13

10

Confirmaciones

16

13

11

13

12

10

Fechas bautismales

100

106

126

114

107

94

100

92

108

131

135

116

103

Inv reunion sacramental

177

144

197

220

184

184

210

184

200

212

195

160

191

Lecciones con un
miembro

652

667

734

739

736

755

669

627

778

685

696

663

694

Lecciones con un m. p.

44%

37%

39%

41%

40%

42%

41%

35%

40%

40%

37%

37%

38%

Nuevos Investigadores

477

649

752

673

716

680

546

698

694

574

676

594

568

El Clarn de El Faro

21 de Agosto de 2016

And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith.
Doctrine & Covenants 42:14

Compaerismos que lograron

las pautas de excelencia:
CINCO:

lderes Garca y Ball

CUATRO: Hermanas Johnson y Kletzli

lderes Orantes y Leavitt
Hermanas Cragun y Richey
lderes Pratt y Dunn
lderes Gonzlez y Diaz

Oremos por estos investigadores con

fechas bautismales para esta semana:
Xiomara
Brandon
John, Frank, Jamilet,
Denis
Joel
Norma
Jessica, Victor
Roberto
Lucky
Esteban
Victor
Luis Enrique
Liliana
Elena

The Zone
-Valencia with 31 fechas in the Zone!
-Hospitalet with 43 people in church!

Barcelona 1B
Matar B
Vic A
Vic B
Lleida A
Bilbao A
Hospitalet 2A
Hospitalet 2B
Hospitalet 1A
Tarragona A
Valencia 3A
Valencia 1B
Valencia 2A

El Clarn de El Faro

de abril de 2014
21 de Agosto de 132016

The Miracle of Baptism

The miracle of the week would
Constantin this past week.
definitely be the baptism of our
What a Golden investigator!
good bud Jose Andres. The
We had a member who's
got my answer. I heard the
service was incredible. The
about to leave for his mission to
words so clearly in my head
family friends who introduced
El Salvador baptize him. We
"For her." I went through what I
him to the gospel 15 years ago
took him out to eat with a
went through before my
were able to be here in
member. It went super well, the
mission and on my mission to
Valencia for the service and to
lesson and everything was
help her. It was the most
share in this amazing moment.
perfect.
powerful moment of my
He was very emotional and full
mission. When my best friend
of the spirit. He truly is one of the On Friday I found her. We
got baptized in high school,
greatest people I've ever met.
were walking on the street and
the mission president in Oregon
Through his life experiences he's
we walked by this girl sitting on
told me that I if I served a
truly learned that real joy comes
the bench when I felt almost
mission I would use the
from the gospel and not from
this tugging on my feet to turn
experiences of my friend to
Worldly riches. He's converted
around and talk to her. She
help other people. My friend's
for life.
was sitting on the bench
last words to me before I left
eating sunflower seeds and
where the same. The words just
This week was amazing!
she looked so intimidating. I
echoed in my mind "For her."
Fiorella was baptized!!!! It was
awkwardly tried talking to her
really amazing having you
but she wanted nothing. After Our miracle this week is
there. Fiorella felt really special
a few seconds she just started
Melany. She is Maria Elisa's
having your presence at her
getting really rude and telling
daughter (Maria Elisa and her
baptism! Fiorella was sooo
us we were being stupid and
son Jonathan were baptized in
excited and is really a changed
we were so lost giving our
June) and just arrived here
person. She's been taking the
brains to the church. She told
from Ecuador. We have met
lessons for the past two years
us to start thinking for ourselves.
with them a couple times now
and just two weeks she decided
It was mixed with really strong
and Melany wants to be
to come back on her own and
language and it honestly hurt. I
baptized! She came to church
now she's been baptized and
wanted to just leave and not
on Sunday and she has such a
moving on to a bright, hope
waste our time. But I couldn't. I
sweet yet firm testimony of
filled future. As we sang the
just felt bold and asked if we
Jesus Christ. She's pretty shy,
closing hymn, "Families can be
could sit by her and hear her
but I can tell in how excited
together forever" I could feel the
story. She opened up a little
she gets in the lessons and in
spirit testifying to me that she
and then she got all mad
church that she feels that it's
would be able to see her father
about us tricking her into
church. I am excited for their
again someday if she continued
opening up. But somehow we
family to be strengthened and
keeping her covenants. I felt so
got her phone number and
to see her grow in the gospel.
genuinely happy for her! After
met with her again. We met
the last conference when the
with her again and as we Wednesday night we went
Ayudantes spoke about the
talked I realized she had
and
saw
my
favorite
way we see baptisms and
suffered through many of the
family...the Romanians! I love
seriously reflected on the way I
same things I have, as well as
them so much. They really
see baptism and have changed
my best friend in high school
struggle
with
coming
to
the way I see it. I was really able
who
got
baptized.
The
church, so we taught them the
to feel the immense joy of
connections were insane. As I
five steps to happiness found in
seeing a repentant soul coming
shared my story she said "And
2 Nephi 5, focusing on church
unto Christ!
why? Why did you have to go
attendance. We taught Lesson
through all of that?" The
"I" which focuses solely on
The good thing is that we had
dreaded questions that I didn't
coming to church. We taught
the baptism of our friend
have the answer to. But then I
the four sons that after we get

El Clarn de El Faro

de abril de 2014
21 de Agosto de 132016

The Miracle of Baptism

baptized we are clean from

sin, but we aren't going to be
perfect forever. So, when we
sin again it's like putting a wall
in front of you and you can't
progress forward to eternal life.
So, what do we have to do to
break the wall? I asked Robert,
the biggest teddy bear I have
ever met, this question. And
with a smile on his face and
complete confidence, he said,
"La Santa Cena!" I was
overwhelmed by the Spirit. To
see that these young men
really
understood
the
importance of the sacrament
was such a neat moment. We
explained that this process has
to be repeated until we make
it to eternal life with God. We
told them they would also be
with their families and they
were overjoyed, families being
super duper important in their
culture.

President Dayton.....one of our

antiguo investigadores who is
12 years old called us and said
she wanted to be baptized
and go to the temple! Also, an
ex-misionera here informed
invited us over to teach her
friend and her friends sister,
who then came to the church,
and they actively want to
learn more, and....drumroll...
one
of
our
Melchezidek
priesthood holding less actives
we have been searching for,
approached us in the street us
and invited us over to his house
to visit his family! Which is
absolutely game-changing in
the small group here!!! Fasting
brings MIRACLES!!!

Esta semana fue muy bien.

Tuvimos
muchos
milagros,
muchsimos,
fuimos
muy
bendecidos.
No estamos
trabajando mucho en

_________ centro porque todos

estn
de
vacaciones,
entonces nos estamos yendo
a pueblos cercanos, y estamos
viendo bastante xito. Es ms
difcil tener el apoyo de los
miembros all pero estamos
encontrando personas con
mucho
potencial
para
progresar. En especial en esta
semana
tenemos
programados dos bautismos y
ocurrirn si Dios quiere.
La
verdad es que estoy muy
emocionado
despus
de
tanto
tiempo
sin
tener
bautismos. Tenemos citas con
ellos a lo largo de esta semana
para terminar de saber si estn
preparados o no, pero la
entrevista
tambin
ser
decisiva en ese aspecto. _____
est encontrando personas
con
mucho
potencial
tambin.

hacemos todo lo que podemos a fin de que la obra avance;

pero sta es la obra del Seor, l la dirige y l est al mando. Nos
maravillamos al verlo abrir puertas que nosotros no podemos
abrir y efectuar milagros que apenas podemos imaginar
lder Neil A. Andersen

Calendar Reminders
Hermanas Seminar
5/9 Bilbao
8/9 Barcelona
Transfers
Tuesday 23 August

El Clarn de El Faro

de abril de 2014
21 de Agosto de 132016

Mission News

Baptisms in the Mission

Manresa

Terrassa

Barcelona 1

Cornell

Palma 2

Barcelona 1

Vitoria

Girona

El Clarn de El Faro

21 de Agosto de 2016

Mission News

El Faro bids farewell to 2 great missionaries

Elder Johnson

Elder Burton

El Faro honors our veteran missionaries, who are

returning to their homes. May the Lord bless you,
and may you always remember the wonderful
spirit of El Faro. Thank you for all that you have
done to bless the lives in the Barcelona Spain
Mission.