Levi's Mission News

Levi's Mission News

Monday, September 28, 2015

Hey Ya'll

Hey Y'all
 The MTC life is okay, they say after Sunday is when it goes by fast, the last four days have been VERY slow. I have been in class all day just learning about how to begin teaching the gospel to people. The food here is okay, but the baked goods (cookies,cakes,crumbles) make you wanna slap yo mama. It has been pretty hard at times being here and not being able to communicate with all y'all back home (as frequent as I'm used to) but I know I'm here for a good reason. My companion (Elder TUSCANO)  is pretty cool, he's a lot like me in a way, just no where near as funny, he is partially Indian, and his brother went to the Bangalore, India mission 5 years ago. So he was able to tell me lots about what the mission will be like. He says he loved it there, and that the food was great. He enjoys talking to people CONSTANTLY, and when he sees people he acts like he hasn't seen them in years even though he just talked to them 5 minutes prior. I'll slowly get used to it. I was able to give a blessing to one of the sisters in my district (sister Stevens) she had to go to the hospital last night, but is feeling much better (she was dehydrated). I'm not much of a fan of the MTC, and am just ready to be out in the field, and on Wednesday is when i'll find out where my temporary assignment will be. I got to see Nathan Hoskins while I was here, and Heather Robinson so that was fun. I constantly fall asleep in class so I know Laynes struggle. I have to sit in the window sill just to stay awake. I have learned I have the attention span of a squirrel (as Danny Waxter can attest). I also got to go to the Provo temple and participate in sealings. I have had lots of opportunities to do spiritual things while I'm here. I also realized how much of a hick I sound like when I'm in Utah. I can't wait to be out in the field cause we are in class for 10 hrs a day and it gets really boring and makes the day slow. That's okay though at least i'm being trained and this is only two weeks out of the next two years. I am also sad to report that it was too late to sign up for choir and go to general conference, it's the church's loss I would of rocked the stage. I write in my journal every night which i'm not used to doing, but I now enjoy doing it cause I can record the experiences I'm having. There is a lot of missionaries going to the Atlanta north mission, and I told them they would love it there, but to make sure they don't get shot (mainly cause none of them have been to the south). I wish I can be called to Layne's mission it would be awesome  to serve in the same mission as him! Also thank you mom for the packages, and the letters. It feels weird not seeing y'all for two whole years but I look at it as 24 months because it sounds shorter haha. There is another guy I room with whos from the ATL area but wasn't in our Stake. I hope Mitchell has a great time at the MTC in spain and good luck to being there for 6 weeks, Lord knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. Next time I write will be the day before I leave, and am not quite sure if my P-days will change. 
Love Y'all
 Elder Magnusson

Thursday, September 24, 2015

The Church in India

12,257  Total Church Membership
2  Missions
43  Congregations
6  Family History Centers
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Unofficially, proselyting work began in 1850 by British sailors who visited Calcutta, India. They were followed in 1851 by Elder Joseph Richards, who had baptized several people in Calcutta and then set them apart as missionaries. A small branch (a small congregation) was established, but was depleted by emigration. However, additional missionaries arrived and baptized a few more people, and a small meetinghouse was built.

In 1853, additional missionaries took the gospel message to Madras, Bombay, Rangoon, Karachi, Poona, and other areas, and several small branches were established. However, when these missionaries returned to Utah in 1858, some of the converts also emigrated. 

Although other missionaries and conversions followed, the missionaries were not successful in learning the native languages and the India Mission was not considered a successful one. At least one branch existed through 1903.

Other missionary efforts were initiated in subsequent years with some success. In 1981, government regulations allowed a missionary couple to establish a branch. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ was translated into Telugu in 1981.
In 1993, a mission was created in Bangalore with Gucharan Singh Gill, a native of India, presiding over it. At that time there were 1,150 members in 13 branches, which increased to 2,000 members in 18 branches five years later.

The first meetinghouse in India was dedicated on 2 February 2002, housing the Rajahmundry Branch.


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As part of being good neighbors and having common understanding, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Whitefield, Bangalore, India opened their doors for a tour of the church building by local school children. Each day 100 children from a prestigious educational institute, located behind the meetinghouse, accompanied by 10 teachers, toured the meetinghouse during five days in August. A total of 500 children came. The local members of the church were happy to have the children visit.

The tour began in the chapel where an explanation was given of the room. Two short three-minute videos were shown. One video was a true story about Heber J. Grant. When Heber was a young boy, his mother stitched a new coat to wear to protect him from the cold weather. One day while he was walking down the street, he saw a boy who was trying to warm himself by a fire on the side of the road. He was without a coat and very, very cold. Heber removed his coat which had been lovingly stitched by his mother, and gave it to the boy. He returned home to his mother who did not scold him but was glad Heber wanted to share with another. Through the video, the school children were taught the principle of sharing with those in need.

The second video was by Russell M. Nelson who spoke about our body being a “Temple of God”. The children were taught to keep their bodies clean and appreciate the beauty of the creation.

President Abel, the leader of the local congregation, was pleased to have the neighbor children visit the church building. He said “We wanted to build good relations with our neighbors. We wanted them to know what the Church offers to all people.”  The children were told of some of the programs that are offered to youth and families such as Family History. They were given a pedigree chart to show their parents. Also given were the Strength of the Youth booklets and information about the Self-Reliance program. Duty to God, Personal Progress and Faith in God were programs that were also explained. It was a full tour and the children enjoyed it. Each teacher who accompanied the children was given a copy of the Book of Mormon.

President Abel said “We hope some parent may need our assistance and when they come, we will be ready to extend a hand of fellowship to make their life easy.”
Nearly 50 volunteers from the Hyderabad Stake (large congregation) joined together to donate goods and services to Rainbow Homes at Musheerabad.  They donned yellow Mormon Helping Hands vests and cleaned up debris, painted walls and donated food supplies for the children. 

Rainbow Homes helps girl children deserted on streets who are prone to high risk of physical and sexual abuse. This organization secures the basic rights of the girls through education and support. Currently, there are about 118 young girls rescued and supported at Musheerabad.President John Gutty, joined by Manohar Mekala from the Hyderabad Stake Presidency, commented "The church provides community service where it is needed. We will continue to identify such places to offer support and help." 

Ms. Ambika , the founder of Aman Vedika Rainbow Homes , thanked the LDS volunteers for their efforts and service rendered. She said, "I expect the presence of Latter-day Saints often for such wonderful community services for Rainbow Homes in future."

Speaking at the event, The Hon.Finance and Civil Supplies Minister of Telangana State Sri. EATALA RAJENDER, MLA of Musheerabad  Dr. K.LAXMAN RAO (BJP Floor Leader of Telanaga State) and TRS State Secretary Sri. GOLLURI ANJAIAH, all appreciated the efforts made by the Church in providing humanitarian aid and welfare services. 



                                             Whitefield Chapel, Bangalore India








Wednesday, September 23, 2015

And he's in....

My sweet son Tylan and his wife Stephanie dropped Levi off at the MTC.  So, it officially begins.  I talked to him a few minutes and he's ready to start learning, and ready to be trained so he can be out in the field.  He's especially ready to get to India... so if you think about it, pray hard that his OCI card arrives soon!  That is what his permanent VISA to India is called.

Here are some pics...

 




Sunday, September 20, 2015

Welcome to my Mission blog!







My mom will update this page every week with my emails home along with any pictures I take or that other people take of me.  She will post my letter arrivals on my Facebook page with the link to get here.

Happy Reading!