Go into all the world

Spain Madrid Mission Conference, May 2015

 

May 11, 2015

What a wonderful week we have had! On Wednesday we went down to Madrid for a mission conference, which we all thought would be about iPads but in reality was about being agents not objects. Technology is an object and we are the masters of technology and therefore we must not let an object control us. We have been given this great gift of agency and just like any other addiction we cannot let objects take this gift away from us. I am so excited for the opportunity that we will have as missionaries to use technology to further the work of the Lord. Along with these new tools will be new rules as well which I am excited about. The first is that there will be no secrecy on these devices. We will audit our companions´ devices and our leaders also can audit our devices as a point of accountability for our actions. The second is that we must always have a purpose for turning the device on. There must be reason to use technology or it is using you. I am excited to use these and the other principles that we were taught to become the masters of technology. We still have not received the iPads but they will be here in the next couple of weeks. We do have some pretty cool cases that they gave to use at the conference so we know for sure that they are coming at some point.

Other than that this week we have been trying to keep in contact with Richard and Raquel who both work a lot and sometimes we have problems with contact, but we keep trying and are excited for what this next week will bring. I know that the Lord is blessing the work here and I know that with the technology that the Lord has blessed us with we will be able to fulfill and do His work with more efficiency and success. To close my quick letter this week I want to share a scripture that applies to missionary work with technology and social media that my companion shared with me this week.  "Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature." - Doctrine and covenants 84:62

I love you all

Elder Gustafson

(Mom's note: We were able to Skype with Elder Gustafson on Mother's Day. It was great to see him and hear of his growth and service in Spain.)