"How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints" (Doctrine and Covenants 121:33).

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Well its been a fairly successful week. We taught 21 lessons, 12 to investigators, including 7 new investigators. As a mission, however, we are a little behind our goal of 97 baptisms.

One of the new families we started teaching is a couple from Mexico. We found them last Sunday when we ran into the father. He approached us, had a nice chat, and invited us to his home for dinner the following Sunday (yesterday). Since we teach them in Spanish, my companion does most of the teaching. We had a great lesson over dinner. As we were teaching, I felt the distinct immpression that we needed to share 2 Nephi 31:20 with them. I turned to it and asked my companion to read it. It says:

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

It really impressed the family and fit perfectly into the conversation, even though I could barely follow what was going on. It was really neat to have felt the Spirit directing me in teaching this family even though I didn't speak the same language. To me it was an indication that it is the Holy Spirit that can and should lead these lessons and not the wisdom of man. Of myself my talents amount to nothing- something that is clearly recognized when you are robbed of communication and language. With the Lord, however, lives are touched.

I have been particularly touched this week with a feeling that God has revealed things to us as a people. I want everyone to be a part of it. It is so wonderful- to have the voice of the Lord on earth. It is beautiful to have prophets who can once again testify, "Thus saith the Lord ...". I close with the words of such a Prophet,

"Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing ... Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid brocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever!

"And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; ... Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; ...

"Brethren, I have many things to say to you on the subject; but shall now close for the present, and continue the subject another time. I am, as ever, your humble servant and never deviating friend, Joseph Smith" (Doctrine and Covenants 138:22-25).

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Thus saith the Lord: "For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times" (Doctrine and Covenants 124:41).

Dear Xangans,

I forgot to tell you all something last week. A short while ago, all the District Leaders were invited to Zone Leader Counsel. We all went to the Arcadia Stake Center in our suits, and met as a council with our Mission President, his wife, and his assistants. During the meeting, we reviewed the progress of each of the zones and discussed the state of the mission. We all contributed to making plans and goals. We discussed problems and created solutions. We set the ball rolling in several instances. It was very professional. At the end, I realized that we had just participated in the aministration of an effective organization. President Owen told us that his peers could only dream that their 20 year old children could participate in such an experience. Most men his age would die to have their kids learning how to lead a part of an organization and be a part of a team in the professional world. It's true, I think of other college students drinking and eating three day old pizza while skating through classes. What an experience this is.

As I reflect on the experience I learned as the Vehicle Coordinator of a large fleet, as a Missionary who plans out his own day and is accountable for his successes, as a disciplined representative of the church - an ambassador really, and now as a District Leader, I realize that this mission really has been invaluable if for nothing else than the skills I developed. Then add the realization that in the process lives have been saved- people have turned to Christ because of my efforts. I am forever grateful for the Church for extending to me these blessings. What a magnificent Church. There is nothing that compares.

I miss you all and love you all,

Elder Embree

Dear friends, family, and fellow xangans,

Things are going great here in Chino/Pomona. Yesterday we confirmed Rose, who was baptized last week. It was a very beautiful baptism. As the Bishop welcomed Rose to the ward, he told her that her next step was to prepare to be sealed with her husband and little girl in the Temple as a forever family. She started to cry. The closing song was Families Can Be Together Forever, with made her just burst into tears. Her husband hugged her as she just rocked back and forth sobbing. She later said that she just felt overwhelmed with a spiritual feeling that she really could be with her family forever and that she was finally doing the right thing to make it possible.

Yesterday Daniel was baptized in another ward in the district. He was the first person that I interviewed for baptism- a humbling experience in and of itself. The baptism was very spiritual. He had been attending church for more than a year, and had wanted to be baptized for a long time. His parents, however, would not give persmission. He finally got the consenting signature he needed after writting a three page letter to his parents on why it was a good thing for him to be involved in this Church. We all prayed a lot for it, and consider it a miracle.

Yesterday was also particularly sacred and spiritual because I was fasting, among other things, for Sabina. I first met Sabina in Walnut at the institute. She is a young adult- a beautiful black girl who has lived all over the world, and she was hanging out with friends there. I was at the institute to teach a lesson to an investigator we had found knocking doors, but we were stood up. I felt inspired to walk into the commons room and ask who had not had the lessons before. Sabina raised her hand. Elder Fillerup and I proceeded to teach one of the most powerful lessons on the Restoration I had ever taught. We set up an appointment for another lesson, and soon we had taught her the Plan of Salvation. She believed it all, acknowledged the Spirit, and had a desire to be baptized. We turned her over to the missionaries where she lives, which turned out to be the same ward that Daniel was just baptized in.

While I was on exchanges in that ward, I got to teach another lesson to Sabina- after maybe 4 or 5 months of not knowing what had happened to her. As it turns out, her mother told her that she would be disowned and would have to move out if she takes lessons from LDS missionaries. As a result, she has been unable to be baptized and has been taking the lessons in secret. I have a special sympathy in my heart for anyone who is excluded from their families in any way when they express interest in another Church, no matter what church it is.

We talked a lot about miracles, and dedicated our fast to a miracle for her so that she can be upfront with her mom. We will see what happens. She was also at Daniel's baptism, and depending on when she is able to be baptized and when I get transfered, it may be the last time I see her for a long time.

Today we had fun playing ultimate frisbee against the Walnut/Hacienda Heights Zone in Walnut, which brought back good memories. I also got to hang out with Elder Gershbach who is cool. For breakfast I made everyone crepes from a recipe my grandma had sent me a while back. They are not on my diet, but I felt a need for them. It was very nastolgic and soothing as I thought about childhood Saturday mornings when my dad would make everyone "roll-up pancakes." Those were the best. Besides, I enjoy other people enjoying something I have made.

Well. It's pretty hard to believe that I am almost 21 months old. "woahhhohhohh, twenty one and invincible ..." (Something Corporate). I need to apply for my classes- I think I will just follow the classes that the Fine Art department recommends for sophomores, I remember seeing a flow chart about it. Maybe there is a course book my dad can send me. I can't wait to talk to my family on mother's day.

I don't know if any of you watched the PBS documentry "The Mormons". Most members of the church were dissapointed. I didn't see it all, but what I have seen actually wasn't too bad. They displayed both extremes- pro and con. What they did not show was the middle- mainstream moderate Mormons (which are the most common Mormons). I don't believe there is such thing as bad press, though, and I think the general public got the message that we had transformed from outcasts to something beautiful, and yet something real. We are something truly beautiful, and I will forever treasure the unique spiritual gifts that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides for its members.

Love sincerely,

Elder Embree