Dear friends, family, and anyone else who reads this thing,

From an e-mail dated August 21, 2006:
Behold, thou wast called and chosen ... to my ministry; and I have lifted thee up out of thine afflictions, and have counseled thee, that thou hast been delivered from all thine enemies, and thou hast been delivered from the powers of Satan and from darkness!... And thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and writing the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter, and expounding all scriptures..." (Doctrine and Covenants 24:1,5).

Well, I don't really know what to say. I hit my year mark last Thursday. Sunday I turn 20. Time flies. Tell you what, if you want to hear a good story about how a dog almost took my life, write me a letter (Is it pathetic to resort to bribery?). I know that what I am doing is the Lord's work. I have felt His guiding Hand and have heard His divine Word.

I know that the message we share with people enhances lives and uplifts the soul. Some times I wonder why so many people insist on persecuting us. I am barely an adult and yet people seem to fear me as if I have some sort of power to change the world. Maybe that power they sense is real, but it is certainly not mine. If I am to be feared, avoided, even hated, so be it.

I take comfort in the countless lives that I feel I have touched. I have contacted too many people who have told me how much they needed me to feel like I am wasting my time. To quote a missionary in ancient America, "For because of the word which [God] has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God" (Alma 36:26).

"And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me" (Alma 36:27).

From an e-mail dated 8/14/06: "It is the office of a true teacher to show us that God is, not was; that He speaketh, not spake" Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet.

This past week I think I may have suffered what some people may term a "mid life crisis." This of course may be fitting, seeing as my one year mark is in three days.

I am half way through what has become my life. I want to write about a mission trip to the Los Angeles Temple. We went about two weeks ago. It was particularly powerful because we got to see the new film: "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration." You must see this film. It is artistically current, dramatically entertaining, theologically enlightening, emotionally driving, and spiritually empowering. You must see this film. Look up locations and times at http://placestovisit.lds.org.

If you want to know anything about what makes me want to sacrifice two years of my time without salary (paying my own way in fact), watch this movie. If you want to understand anything about the phenomenon that is Mormonism, watch this movie. If you want to see what modern Christian martyrs are, watch this film.

I have learned for myself that Joseph Smith saw God. The Father and the Son spoke to him. They revealed new scripture to him, scripture with worth, truth, accuracy, and relevance only now being realized. This is an exciting work to be a part of. I testify that it was started by a true teacher, a prophet, a leader, a giant, a farm boy, a saint, an apostle, a sinner, a man, a general, a seer, a revelator.

"The most important of life's battles is the one we fight daily in the silent chambers of the soul" David O. McKay, Mormon prophet.

From an e-mail dated August 7, 2006: "For there are many promises which are extended to the Lamanites; for it is because of the traditions of their fathers that caused them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them and prolong their existence in the land. And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers; and many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name." (Alma 9:16-17).

As I stated last week, there have been changes made in the mission field. Though surprising (with a host of other emotions), these changes represent the fulfilment of prophesy. This is exciting.

The Book of Mormon is full of prophesies that are now being fulfilled. These prophesies are about the descendents of the Lamanites, a group of people who migrated from the Middle East to America in 600 BC. Today these descendents mostly include the Latin community of Central and South America. Though the Lamanites often fell into wicked traditions, the Lord made promises to them in the Book of Mormon. Those promises include:

1. They would be preserved in the Land (North and South America).


2. They would have afflictions and would be scattered.


3. They would be nourished by the gentiles (Europeans) at a future day after first being smitten by the gentiles.


4. A great work would begin amongst the gentiles (The Restoration).


5. That work will bring the Lamanites a knowledge of their forefathers.


6. Through that work, they will believe God's word.


7. They will forsake their father's traditions.


8. They will be taught the doctrines of Salvations through Jesus Christ.


9. They would be brought to know of the truth through the Book of Mormon.


10. Many of them will be saved.

For a complete understanding of these prophesies, read them in the Book of Mormon at www.scriptures.lds.org (Alma 9:16-17; Helaman 15:12,16; 1 Nephi 22:8; Enos 1:11-13; 1 Nephi 15:13-14; 2 Nephi 26:15-16; 2 Nephi 9:53; Alma 37:17-19; Mormon 7; Mormon 5:12-14; 2 Nephi 3:12). It is really neat to read these prophesies and see how they are now being fullfiled today.

Long story short, scholars predict that within 10 years, 8 million people will migrate to California from Latin America. 1 million will come from Asia, and 1 million will come from other countries. Meanwhile, 1 million "white" people will leave. In response to the prophesies of the Book of Mormon and this divine growth of foreign peoples in America, the Church has announced a new missionary program in 5 southern California Missions, including the California Arcadia Mission.

All missionaries coming to this mission from now on will have learned to speak two languages. The California Arcadia Mission is now a completely bilingual mission.

So far I don't know if I will be asked to learn a new language. I only speak English. I do think it is exciting though to see the change. This is a testament to me that the Book of Mormon is true. The descendents of the people who wrote the Book of Mormon are responding to its familiar message. The Church has grown with this hispanic peoples in unprecedented ways.

In other news, an older couple, Elder and Sister Bailey, have been asked to take over my role in the office. I am training them right now. I have mixed feelings about being ousted out of the office so suddenly. You can write me if you want to get more details. (Or you can just write me if you want to make me happy)

In closing, I leave all descendents of Lehi (ie. descendents of Native Americans- Hispanics especially) with an invitation to read a letter written to them by one of their forebearers. It is found in Mormon 7 of the Book of Mormon. Well, take care,

Elder Embree

"in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, then shall the fulness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed— And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved" (1 Nephi 15:13-14).

From an e-mail dated July 31, 2006: ”They have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day. … And behold, he is God, and he is with them, and he did manifest himself unto them, that they were redeemed by him;” (Helaman 8:22-23).

These past two weeks have brought changes- major changes. I have the option of telling you about the changes now, or telling you about some experiences I had this past week. I think I’ll leave you in suspense about the changes and instead write about my week.

The week started with discouragement, anxiety, frustration, and insecurity. As the changes were announced, I felt left out. I felt obsolete. Not to be dramatic, but I even felt like maybe I would be better off at home, where life is carefree (*cough*). In short I felt like poo.

But out of stubbornness I stuck it out. Thursday Elder Pitcher and I realized we really needed morale to improve and we really needed our numbers to improve. Even though we knew it wasn’t very effective, we figured we should knock on some doors. So we prayed, and I felt impressed to knock Workman Street. As we did, we found the street to be surprisingly nice, even polite. A kind woman said we could come back in three weeks. A gardener we talked to was interested in El Libro De Mormon. An hour passed quickly and morale was greatly improved. We had to leave for dinner, but knowing that neighbors tend to be alike, I wanted to come back and finish the street later.

After diner we decided to go out on bike. Even though it was hot, I knew that I needed to get my frustration worked out, and driving in California doesn’t do that. Biking did.

As I was following my companion, he suddenly stopped. We parked our bikes, even though we had been on our way to a referral we wanted to re-contact. Elder Pitcher felt like we had something to do on that street. We didn’t have time to stop, but you can’t argue with inspiration.

As we walked, we found a small cul-de-sac to knock. On the third door, my companion was talking with a young man when someone walked up to the driveway and asked to talk with one of us. I apprehensively stepped away from the door to talk with this man. He was clearly agitated, and I was afraid he had a bone to pick with us. He asked what message we were sharing with his community. I pulled out an offer for a free DVD called “Finding Faith in Christ” and explained that we were helping his neighbors find greater faith in Jesus Christ. I explained that the two obstacles that stop us from eternal life with God are death and sin. I told him how Christ had overcome both obstacles, enabling us to escape sin and conquer death. This softened him.

He told me that he needed someone to put his heart at ease because his brother had died a few days ago. Since his brother was a Mormon, this man was very shaken up. He attends Calvary Chapel (a So-Cal equivalent to Willowcreek in Chicago). At Calvary Chapel, they taught that Mormons go to hell because we don’t accept Jesus. This man was so grateful to accept our assurance that Mormons certainly do accept Jesus as their personal Savior. I could see the relief in his face and knew that finally he could sleep at night knowing that his brother was going to be at peace.

After talking with two very friendly elderly ladies, we resumed our plans. I felt a little bit better that night knowing that I had things to do out here.

On Friday we left the office around 1:45 and had some time to proselyte before a 3:00 commitment. It was hot, so we didn’t really want to kock doors, but after praying I felt that we should finish knocking Workman. It wasn’t long before we found a woman in her early 40’s covered in face mask. She wanted to hear what we had to say, so she ushered her son and her daughter (also covered in white face mask) inside and had us sit on the porch.

This woman (hereafter known as “J”) was concerned because her kids felt alienated at Church. Her Church was becoming a Korean congregation, and had even changed its name. She asked us what we had to offer. As we explained our Junior Sunday School program, she told us that we looked so happy. J wanted her kids to be as happy as we were, so again, she asked us what we had that she couldn’t provide her kids. So we told her.

It was more than just Sunday school. It is the promises we make to our families to be together forever, even after death. It is the Book of Mormon, which was written so that our children could know that Jesus Christ is the source of forgiveness, peace, and joy. It is our personal conversions. She was clearly interested, so we taught her a full first lesson. Though I felt like we had overwhelmed her with information, J was very impressed. She told us that we could come back any time, promised to read some chapters in the Book of Mormon, and agreed to come to Church on Sunday. It was wonderful. She told us how much she had needed our visit that day.

I know that God is real. I know this because A Higher Power has guided me specifically as a missionary. It is a strange and new phenomenon for me to have sudden itches to turn right, stop, or move. It is wonderful to feel so specifically what I should say, or who I should approach. I testify that Elder Pitcher and I are merely instruments following the instructions of an Omnipotent Hand. I testify that the instructions come clearly, and that they come from the only living God. It is my prayer that I can continue to walk in the guidance of the Lord in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.” (Ether 12:4).