Gardens and Statues

Aldste Moe in Stockholm gardens

Statue of St. George

Lion Statue outside the Royal Palace

Horse Statue at Blasieholmstorg

Bear Statue outside the Natural History Museum

Late Summer Crawdad Party

Sodermalm

Crawdad

Crawdad Party

Stockholm's Grand Hotel

This last week was a super good week, we saw a lot of miracles come from it.  So an appropriate week for a missionary.  I am still loving Stockholm, it is a pretty sick city.  Especially now towards the end of summer.  So basically its not as hot and sweaty but its still sunny and bright.  It actually is getting dark around 10 now every day.  Soon we will only have the light for a couple hours out of every day, so were grateful for the sun while its around.  It also has been raining a ton these last couple days.

   Around five weeks ago, I spoke to a man on the subway and didn't have time to get his number but gave him a book of Mormon and a contact card and barely was able to jump off of the train when the doors were closing.  He said he would come to church the next week but never did.  This week when we were going to open up the church building during open church times he drove up and began talking to us.  We taught him about Joseph Smith and the Restoration and it was a very powerful moment when we spoke about Joseph Smith.  He shared that he had always wondered who was carrying on the work the apostles had started.  We challenged him to read and pray to know if it was true.  He had already read through the beginning of the Book of Mormon and came to the promise in the introduction and had already read to know it was true and received the answer that it was true.  We committed him to baptism.

  During the month of August in Sweden there are kräft-skivor, or crawdad platter parties.  We were invited out to a picnic/crawdad party this last week so that was cool.  Crawdads have always kind of been a southern thing in my mind but every august in Sweden people go crazy for them.

   We were doing personal family history this last week and I had been struggling recently to get any progress with my own family history.  After praying and really searching for guidance I was able to find some of my Norwegian sides names in old census records.  I found their parents names and their family.  It doesn't matter what aspect of the work it is the Lord blesses our efforts and helps us be of great benefit to our fellow man.

   It crazy we are in August already.  I am still loving it, Mott and I are doing way good.  His Swedish is getting very good and he is definitely eager to get the work done which is whats important.  

Love ya all,

   Äldste Jon Moe

My time here is flying by.

 This week we had another transfer here in Stockholm.  I received Elder Mott as a new companion. He is coming straight from the MTC in Utah.  So I will likely finish my mission with him as my companion.  I am very happy with that as well.  He is a very good missionary and is very eager to do the work.  There isn't much more you can ask for in a companion.  Also we had Elder Hitch move into Stockholm.  He was my MTC companion, and he goes home in just five weeks which is pretty crazy.  So we started our missions together and now well end it together.  I wish my other MTC comp was nearby but that would just be too good.

   Last week Elder NIeminen also went home.  It was super weird.  It a;most felt like it was my time to go home but it wasn't...yet.  We were only together for three weeks but they were a very good and very effective three weeks.

     Right now is vacation time in Sweden which means Stockholm is filled with tourists.  And  all the rest of the Swedes leave on vacations.  The Stockholm ward has not had many people there on a weekly basis thanks to that.  Many of the people we had been teaching also have left on vacations but they should be back soon and then everything will pick up again.     This last week, we met with someone who had referred themselves and it ended up being a prank, that happens every once in a while but he said it was a prank but was still interested in learning what we had to say.  We were able to talk with him and he was actually super cool.  We taught the restoration and when we shared the story of the first vision we could feel the spirit super strong testifying of the truth there.  

   We also heard from Fransesca who is in Spain now and will be going to the Temple there soon, she is super excited to be a member down there.  She's doing good.

   I am really loving Stockholm.  It's just as good as I had always imagined. It's beautiful during the summer all though it's still super hot.  We sweat everywhere we go.  But it's still better than the winter.

Love,

   Äldste Jonathan Moe

Aldste Moe with the senior couple Coombs over the center.

Me and my companion and some other missionaries with Laleh a friend of ours.

Francesca is baptized!

Missionaries on the fourth of July.

Us and Fransesca and the Guerra Family from Stockholm

This last week was hectic. It was hectic, but amazing.  Last week, I wrote about someone who came into the church and talked about joining the church.  Well she was baptized here in Stockholm today.  She said she would rather stay in Stockholms ward to be taught.  We met with her most every day during this last week and taught everything someone being baptized needs to know.  She truly was prepared.  She would accept and absorb principles faster than most.  Throughout the whole process there was a member family that got to know her and without them it wouldn't have been possible.  It showed us the perfect relationship between members and missionaries.  Today after her baptism she shared a few thoughts from everything she had learned.  She testified of the Holy Ghost, of Joseph Smith the Prophet and how the church was restored through him.  She also spoke about President Thomas S. Monson and talked about his last conference talk testifying of his role today.  She is moving to Spain next week.  It's unfortunate that she won't be here to strengthen the church here but she will be of great help no matter where she goes. She has gained a strong testimony. It was amazing to witness such growth and change in a person within a week. 

   It's officially summer in Stockholm.  People we talk to on the streets are from Germany, or China, or the U.S.  Today was 22 degrees which is one of the warmest days I have experienced in a long time.  I think I may have even gotten some sun.

   I've been talking about the Newells leaving for a few weeks and how much we'll all miss them. Well now we have the Beckstrands here in Sweden.  They're amazing!  Very different from President and Sister Newell but still amazing.  Within minutes of them speaking to us we recognized the authority with which they were here.  Yes, even their stewardship over the mission in Sweden.  They're here to bless others and help others come unto Christ.  And I know they have amazing things ahead of them for the next three years.

This last week I have also been reading quite a bit in the Doctrine and Covenants.  I found a part where the Lord speaks about the modern missionary army and I can testify that this


prophecy has been fulfilled.

"13Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit;

 14 And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them."  (D&C 35:13)

I definitely feel as if missionaries called, myself included are much smaller then their callings.  But I also know that the spirit is with us and that there is much more going on with this work than we can see with our physical eyes.  The second verse speaks with very powerful words, we know that there are no swords, or crushing with feet involved in missionary work today but the analogy stands.  There is nothing that can stop the Lords work.  I am just very thankful that I can be a part of it.

Stockholm Innerstan Area!

President and Syster Newell

Stockholm!  I have wanted to serve in Innerstan Stockholm since I was in the MTC.  And now I am here. I really do like this city, it has a good feeling to it and is super clean as well.  Now that is is summer the city is filled with tourists.  Luckily, it's very warm and beautiful during this time of year.  And the north light makes cities seem even more magical during the summer, with sunsets being later in the evening it stays light until well past ten.  Today, P-day, we even went down to Södertälje and played beach volleyball.  We're enjoying the Swedish summer for it's short stay.  

   Most of our teaching we do here is in the outreach center, also called the institute center or YSA (young single adult) center.  It's a place where activities are held for YSA's multiple times throughout the week. Also, it's a home base for YSA's here in Stockholm.  One of our roles as the Stockholm missionaries is being responsible for the YSA center.  So we teach a large portion of our lessons there and also go to YSA activities and meetings.  During the summer there is not so much going on here but it's still a very useful tool.  

    My first Sunday in my new ward was really good. Unfortunately, I didn't get to meet many people. But I will soon. During sacrament we had a lady walk into the church building.  She had come into contact with missionaries almost a year before and got the church's information from them.  Both her and her daughter in Spain had been looking for the true church.  She sent her daughter the church's information in Spain and the daughter met with missionaries then and was baptized.  The mom came to church today talking about how she too wants to join this church because she also had prayed and feels as if it is true.  We spent a lot of church teaching her (with translation).  But in the end she decided she would be baptized this upcoming week.  We want to make sure she understands the gospel.  She lives in another area so we are teaching the next lesson with those missionaries so they can pick up the teaching.  Just another testimony to the fact that there are people searching after the true church.  The spirit directs and teaches those who are truly seeking.

   This last week, we also said bye to President and Sister Newell.  We will be meeting President and Sister Beckstrand this Friday at a conference meeting.  Change is hard but necessary and good.  The Newells have given so much to the mission and Sweden.  They'll really be missed.  I have so much love and respect for them.  They are simply amazing, wonderful, great people.  I've been so blessed to get to know them and I'm so grateful to them and all they've taught me.  

Lots of Love,

Aldste Jonathan Moe

Midsommar as a missionary

The Office Crew at Midsommar

Täby ward council

Elder Haddon, myself and the ward mission Leader

 Missionary P-day

  This week has been another week filled with traveling and conferences.  We have been in every part of the country, from Norrland, to Västergötland, to Skåne.  The country is beautiful.  Although people always think of winter and cold when they think of Sweden the best time of year here is definitely summer.  When we were in Norrland last week we even got to see the Midnight sun.  It is light pretty much all of the time now, especially when your farther in the north.  Its not too bad here in Stockholm, the sun sets at 10.10 and rises at 3.30.  Sometimes it gets hard to keep track of time because of how much we revolve our lives around the sun, it really does mess with your inner clock.  

        This last week I did splits with the Stockholm Innerstan elders and was able to work with Elder Corbin, a fiery elder from Texas who I have a lot of respect for.  We taught a man from Brazil.  Having been busy with conferences and everything with the Newells leaving we have not been able to teach that much.  Sitting down and teaching him reminded me of why I came on my mission, reminded me that the best times I have had on my mission have been in the homes of others, teaching.  I have grown a lot, I have been able to learn how the church is organized, and been able to help the mission quite a bit.  But the reason I came to Sweden was to bless people with the peace and security that comes only through the principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He talked about being baptized and his interest in becoming a member, his energy and excitement helped me to be excited about missionary work.

   This last week was a highpoint for Swedish culture.  It was Midsummer!  The 21st of June is the brightest day of the year and so in Sweden that is when we have midsummer celebrations.  Everyone gathers with family and friends and dances around the maypole singing traditional Swedish songs.  Eating Strawberries and other Swedish berries is a must as well.  During midsummer every grocery store and bodega gets completely emptied of all strawberries.  Its, in general a very happy occasion.  

    I had a few other run ins with Swedish culture in the last two weeks.  One of the Elders living in My apartment comes from Göteborg (Gothenburg).  And so he is able to cook very authentic Swedish meals.  Recently we have made Flygande Jakob, or flying Jacob in English, and Blood pudding.  The Flygande Jakob was amazing, and very Swedish.  The Blood Pudding I was kind of dreading, but either its not half bad or Elder Sahlin is the greatest chef there is.  After having both I gained a lot of respect for Swedish food, that will definitely be something I bring back with me, is some of the food and culture.  Although the Blood Pudding might not make it over the Atlantic...    Also this week we were able to visit with one of my role models here in Sweden.  He stands taller then most other people, even if he is in a wheel chair.  He has had progressive MS which has been attacking his body and now it just took a steep dive for the worse, on top of this the doctors said that he may be developing a strain of skin cancer.  Through all of this he doesn't question God or life but is as cheerful as he can be.  Because of the MS it is very hard for him to simple things such as read and pray. Things that we often take for granted.  

    This next week is proving to be a week of changes.  This Friday I am transferring from Täby, and I have really loved this area, to Stockholm.  I am very excited to be in the middle of Stockholm as a missionary.  The center of Stockholm is made up of 14 islands.  The day after I leave Täby President and Sister Newell leave the mission.  They have done so much for this country, the people, the missionaries, and for me that could never be quantified into numbers.  I am very excited to meet President and Sister Beckstrand, our new mission President, but President and Sister Newell will be greatly missed by Sweden.  I have grown to know and to love them very much.

love you all,

   Äldste Jonathan Moe

The fruit of the Spirit

Colorful Swedish Homes

Jonathan with Runestones

 This last week went by so fast, it was amazing.  Time is going faster and faster.  Just as I can't imagine it going by quicker another week is gone.  It's summer 2014, and I left end of summer 2012.  I am excited to see friends and family again but it's coming too soon.  There are things on the mission that can be frustrating, or annoying, or discouraging.  But I love being a missionary, and I love being one here in Sweden.  It's the best.

      At one point last week, we were teaching an Investigator who had never really before had a faith.  He spoke to us about how he had always had Mormon friends and liked the church.  We taught him about Gods plan for us, how all will live again, and all will have a chance to follow Christ.  He said a lot of what we said spoke perfectly to his thoughts, to his concerns about the afterlife.  When we were finishing the lesson he talked about how much he needs to read the book of Mormon and we were just able to agree.  As we were wrapping up though one last thought came to me, to speak of recognizing the spirit.  We had to share the scripture from Galatians 5:22-23.

      22.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering,gentleness, goodness, faith,
      23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

     After reading the Scripture he was able to speak of how he has felt the spirit in his own life, and how he feels as if he has been guided by the spirit even while growing up.  Part of it is having the ability to recognize the spirit in our lives. The spirit was very strong and I know that the spirit is able to carry to the hearts of all men and women the words of eternal life.  The word of God fills holes in the heart, but it's the spirit that delivers the message.

     This upcoming month (June) is going to be a month of invitation throughout all of Europe, every member is challenged to invite their family and friends to come to church.  The saints here are amazing examples.  And the work is hastening in Europe!  Never before in European history have they had so many people attend sacrament meeting as they have had this last year.  Europe is growing in church activity at unprecedented rates.  There is a special spirit of hastening here.  Last quarter Europe was the highest baptizing and reactivating continent (per capita active membership).  I am blessed to be a part of all of these miracles and progress.

love,

   Äldste Jonathan Moe.