Daniel holding a Mongolian Book of Mormon

Presented here are portions of Elder Daniel Willoughby’s eighteenth email from the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission. If anyone wishes to send Daniel a message, write it in the comments and I will make sure he receives it.

Ulaanbaatar Mongolia West Stake

It was history in the making for Mongolia. The first stake was formed yesterday. I was happy to see how many members were there. What impressed me was when the Mongolians that accepted the new callings in the stake seemed like they had been members their whole lives. To have the Church already have a stake here shows to anyone that it really is true.

We traveled to the country side this preparation day. It was an adventure and took up most of the day so I can’t write much. The picture is of a hike we went on [Rickety note: It appears Daniel sent the wrong photograph]. It is similar to hiking in Utah. The sky is very blue here.

To Bryon:

Good luck! You’ll be great. There is granola cereal at the far left side of the cafeteria. I enjoyed that, Paul told me about it. I liked the very front of the bleachers for the firesides and devotionals. Careful though some of the seats are slightly broken and lean forward. Anyway you’ll figure it out. It will be great.

Love, Elder Willoughby

External Articles

The Ulaanbaatar West Stake! (Mike and Melba’s Mongolian blog)
First stake in Mongolia is organized (LDS Church News)

Celebrating Ganbeleg’s birthday

Presented here are portions of Elder Daniel Willoughby’s seventeenth email from the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission. If anyone wishes to send Daniel a message, write it in the comments and I will make sure he receives it.

Wow its crazy that Nathan is already home. Didn’t he just leave? It sounds like he had a very successful mission.

Daniel Singing in Mongolian

Mongolian

On Mother’s Day Daniel spoke with the family and Jill recorded him singing in Mongolian.

Missionary Work

This week was definitely different from last week. It has been good to get to know my new companion. We celebrated his birthday in our apartment (see picture). Surprisingly I have almost met his entire family. One day his dad was on the bus in the city and his brother gave a ride another day. Mongolia is a small place so a lot of Mongolian missionaries here see their families.

Most of the time I can understand what my companion says, which is an amazing blessing from the Lord. Sometimes we get out the Oxford dictionary and attempt to say things to each other. It is a good experience. He is trying really hard to learn English and thanks me for teaching him. I am not the best teacher but the Lord is helping him learn.

The Branches

The new branch is great. I am doing my best to get to know them. I am able to talk to one member a lot that likes to try and speak English. Most of the time I can understand what he is trying to say. The branch missionaries are really good to come with us when we teach lessons and they are good teachers.

Helping to convert to a summer ger

Yesterday made me very happy. There was a fireside being held at my old branch and we were able to attend. When I got there my old district all said, “Elder Willoughby!” I couldn’t help but smile. They all gave me hugs and when I say that the Sisters are excluded. I also got to see Mongon od and Erdenmuhx. As I was talking with Erdenmuhx she said she was looking for me when she received the Holy Ghost. She recited to me, “Where is Elder Willoughby?” I said I really wanted to be there but when the president says to move, we move. She understood and was happy to see me. Mongon Od also volunteered at the fireside to read a scripture. Elder Altangerel said to me, “That’s our new member. :)” We gave each other high fives.

I was also greeted warmly from the Branch President, his counselors, and the other members in the branch. It made all the hard efforts worth it. It made me so happy to see my new members there going strong.

Weather

It is warm mornings, kind of hot in the afternoon, and great temperatures the rest of the day. It is much just like the weather in Utah.

To Mom:

I am very grateful that you are my mom. You were and still are my favorite mom. I love you for who you are and you mean a lot to me. I’d be no where without you.
The backpack I got from the MTC works great for my mission. It was 30 dollars. I bought a carry-on in addition to my backpack at the MTC as well which was even cheaper. It worked great and I had no problems. Every mission is different. The apartment is nicer than the last one. It’s very comfortable. Thanks for taking care of Mikey. :)

To Dad:

I have to say that for how old you are, sleeping in church should be part of your routine, but I am grateful for your example of always making the effort to fulfill your callings. I am not really sure where Ehxtaban is… The stake was delayed because of presidential elections here. Nothing bad happened, they were just being cautions I think. When I learn more I’ll tell you about it.

To Byron:

You’ll be great. Work hard in the MTC and it will be a blessing your whole mission. I absolutely loved the MTC, even after 13 weeks there I would have stayed (well, maybe). Don’t let anyone mess up your thinking of what you can become. The possibilities are endless. The Lord has great things in store for you. I am excited for you to serve along with me. I don’t want you at my homecoming but I want to be at yours.

To Steven:

Thanks for the pictures. Its fun to get to look at them.

Love, Elder Willoughby

Altangerel, Mongon Od, and Daniel at church

Presented here are portions of Elder Daniel Willoughby’s fifteenth email from the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission. If anyone wishes to send Daniel a message, write it in the comments and I will make sure he receives it.

Thanks for the great letters. It was fun to read what everyone is up to. It honestly feels like a month has passed by since last preparation day. It’s the benefit of waking up early and going to bed early. We accomplish so much in one day. Thanks Annie and Marci for the great letters. Happy birthday Paul! Are you really 24? Wow.

There are some hamburgers at this one store, but they tend to be expensive. Some missionaries go and buy raw cow meat from the market and fry up some hamburgers. I haven’t bothered to do that I am content with rice and noodles.

Missionary Work

Our investigator Erdenmohx passed her baptismal interview and will be baptized this Friday. Yesterday I was talking to her about her interview she would be having today. I asked, “Do you have to work tomorrow?” She said jokingly, “Work doesn’t matter, Church is first.” We both laughed and I could tell it relieved some of her stress. She has made great sacrifices to qualify for baptism, while working to pay for her daughter’s school and turning down her friend’s requests to go to parties. I have truly seen the power the Book of Mormon has to change lives. We are so blessed from Heavenly Father to have such a good investigator and are very excited for her. I have learned that the Lord provides a way for anyone that is willing to put forth the effort. Everyone has great potential to become something great.

I am starting to understand people better. I am working hard to learn the language. At times it is very difficult, but instead of getting frustrated I pray and ask for help. I keep a positive attitude about all things and know that if I rely on the Lord He will help me. What I have learned so far has been a blessing from Heavenly Father. He has increased many of my abilities and continues to teach me.

Our branch decided to try and start home teaching again. They got really excited and started assigning companions. I realized that missionary work is exactly what home teaching is, but instead of teaching members we teach non members. It says that in Preach My Gospel somewhere. We had a lot of Mongolians attend the fireside again. Along with them come Hyrbek and Erdenmohx. I was happy that they came with us.

I know that this church is true and Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today. I know that God loves us. He sent His son because He loved us. I have felt His love through the power of the Holy Ghost. Christ has suffered for all of our sins and I know that through His atonement we all can live peacefully and happily for all eternity.

To Mom:

I’d like to have the letter from Mikey Fong. Did you give him the non-pouch address? The two letters from Steven came quickly that weren’t sent in the pouch. Mikey Fong is one of my greatest friends. Did you treat him well when he stopped by? :) Thanks for everything you do Mom, I love you.

To Dad:

Sister Andersen talked to me about your blog. She said someone who was traveling to Mongolia got their information from there and contacted her. I think he is now in Mongolia and investigating the church. I don’t know the full story but it sounds like your blog is doing great things.

The best way to describe what the hole is for is “a small house with the word out in front of it.”

Love, Elder Willoughby

The hole that Daniel helped dig for a part-member family

Presented here are portions of Elder Daniel Willoughby’s fourteenth email from the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission. If anyone wishes to send Daniel a message, write it in the comments and I will make sure he receives it.

Helping Hands Project (Daniel on left)

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Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

Nergu, Totdox, and Beleg with family at their baptism

The pictures are of the baptism two weeks ago and the service project we did with multiple churches last week. Keep up the great work. It sounded like everyone was doing well and having a great life. Thanks for the continued support and love. We are working to help people continue to come to church and activities. Paul, Steven, and Jake will you send any good ideas of activities that you have done? We hold family home evenings on Monday. I wasn’t in the singles ward so I’m not very familiar with many activities. How do you balance your schedule to attend church and go to school? The members here are having similar challenges.

Missionary work is still going great. It was fun talking to you [for Mother’s Day]. This week we supported the members more and did a lot of service and activities with them. We are doing our best to strengthen the members as well and bring more into the church. It was neat to see Mongon Od pass the sacrament yesterday. He had a smile on and was doing his best to learn from the members what to do. He is a great new member. He received the calling to stand at the door and welcome people.

As for things that I need I don’t think I need anything. The dictionary will be nice to have like I said, but I could do without one. I am happy to serve the Lord and do my best so He can use me as an instrument in His hands.

You do good work Dad. Thanks for being a great father and good example to me.

Love, Elder Willoughby

Mormon Helping Hands Project working with other churches

Presented here are portions of Elder Daniel Willoughby’s thirteenth email from the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission. If anyone wishes to send Daniel a message, write it in the comments and I will make sure he receives it.

Keep up the great work. As from what I have read there is a lot of change going on. Stay happy and always go to church. :)

The missionaries from my last district

Missionary Work

Hergu was baptized as well as Totdox. It was a good experience for her to be baptized. She has had a lot of opposition to overcome. Her husband doesn’t mind the church but a lot of her relatives are opposed to it. We are grateful for the Lord blessing us with many great investigators. I was happy to see her baptized. The relief society president welcomed her into the branch (soon to be a ward). Erdenmuhx is progressing, she is following the word of wisdom and attending church regularly. Totdox is our less active member’s son. He knows a lot of the primary songs. The greatest thing that he did was sing the Book of Mormon Story primary song in Mongolian. They live far away from the church. It is about a 25 minute walk to the bus stop and a good 20 or so minute drive. They did good to get all their kids there on a bus. I am grateful for the great blessings I have received. I am always learning that the church is the same no matter where you are.

Daniel standing by a ger in Mongolia

We have mission conference this weekend which is exciting. The Church here is growing very rapidly. We will receive a stake May 24, 2009. It is really exciting and there is a lot to do.

Service Projects

Today we did a service project to clean up the city. There were lots of members that attended. It was a joint church project. We wore our yellow shirts and went to work. It was a great experience to see how many yellow shirts there were. The best thing about our church is that everyone is always willing to get to work. There are lots of missionaries as well that contribute to the helping hands army. I was happy to be apart of it. We cleaned up most of the river side within three hours.

We also tilled some dirt for one the church members. We used some pick axes and shovels. It was hard work for our district but we accomplished it quickly.

Mother’s Day Call

I can call any time that works for everyone. I am thinking 7 o’clock pm. I will call once at 7 pm, then if need to I can call later. I have a phone card that seems to work well as all the other missionaries said. It will probably be delayed so no need to worry. It is preparation day for me so if 7 o’clock Mountain Standard Time doesn’t work I can easily call later. Happy early Mother’s Day! I love you mom. Thanks family.

Love, Elder Willoughby

Related Posts

List of Daniel’s missionary posts.

Presented here are portions of Elder Daniel Willoughby’s twelfth email from the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission. If anyone wishes to send Daniel a message, write it in the comments and I will make sure he receives it.

It was exciting to read about what you have all been up to. I saw the pictures of my nice room I used to have. It does look better with new carpet that’s for sure. It’s very neat and organized. Thanks for the pictures, Bryson is growing up fast and looks like he is getting really big. Aurora looks like a good kid too. Don’t forget that kids like candy… I think that is how it goes.

Good Job on college Adelaide! It makes me happy that you are going to graduate. Sounds like Paul and Jake are doing well in college as well.

Elders Willoughby, Ray (Zone Leader), and McKellen

Missionary Work

This week we did our best to continue teaching. Since our investigators are starting to be baptized we have increased our efforts to find more investigators. The Lord has continued to bless Altangerel and I with prepared people to hear the gospel. We are grateful for His kindness towards us.

ErdenMuhx is making progress. She brought her brother to church and went to the service project on Saturday. We are working with her to follow the word of wisdom. There are many temptations to not follow the word of wisdom since it’s in Mongolians’ culture to always give tea to guests when they come to your house. She is doing very well and we are glad for her efforts.

Hergui had her baptism interview. Her husband’s family doesn’t like the church and are strong in the Buddhist religion. Her husband is OK with her being baptized. She is always really good and keeps all her commitments.

I was very blessed with the gift of tongues this week. We were teaching one of our less active families about tithing. I was trying to say how my parents taught me to save first then buy later. They understood it as they need to save in order to go to the temple. Later we taught Xerlen about the temple too. My companion was going to set a goal with them to go to the temple. He said he already had one. We were very happy that he is making the sacrifice to do a great thing. The Mongolians travel to the Hong Kong temple by train.

Service Projects

Moving Member’s Fence

We did two big service projects this week. One was on Friday for a member in the branch. She needed her fence to be moved since the ground where it was no longer could support it. We had most of the members in our district get to work. As I was working it reminded me of my summer job. I had the thought that, “I worked all summer earning money for my mission digging fence holes, and now I’m on my mission digging fence holes.” It made me laugh. We were able to finish the project and it looked good.

Before the fence was moved.

Working on the fence.

Moving the fence.

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City River Clean Up

The other project we attended was organized by several churches in Ulaanbaatar. We worked on cleaning up trash in the river. There were tons of people there. Our investigator came and helped us for a while. It was good to see people working in unity for a good cause. The river was really clean afterward. The story made it into the Church News.

Clean the river service project.

Investigator ErgenMuhx came to the service project

English Class

We continue to look for places to teach English. This week I taught a college class. I felt a little unqualified for the task but the class willingly talked to me in English. I teach as close as I can to 10 hours a week with preparation time added on to that. It is also helping me learn English better. I feel like I am improving so many of my abilities all at the same time. A mission is a great opportunity to learn life skills.

My eleventh grade English class

To Dad

I really like the rice and pasta mix they have. I’ll have to learn what they call it. I’ll take more pictures of food. Where I live a lot of the food is beginning to become westernized. There should be 12 or 13 pictures. If not let me know I’ll send some more next week. Some of the pictures I talked about in a past email. If you can’t figure it out which picture goes with what simply ask. :)

To Mom

I hope I answered all you questions. I will see if I can find out a way to send my camera chip home in the next month or so. I could use an English electronic dictionary but it’s not necessary. The package you sent was great. I used it to cook rice this week. The food I am cooking is starting to taste better. My companion said he was getting used to it. :)

To Steven and Jake

Thanks for the virus help. Fixed [the camera] right up. Thanks for the pictures as well. Keep working hard and thanks for all the things you do for me.

Love, Elder Willoughby

Related Posts

List of Daniel’s missionary posts.

President Bush in Ulaanbaatar in 2005

Presented here are portions of Elder Daniel Willoughby’s eleventh email from the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission. If anyone wishes to send Daniel a message, write it in the comments and I will make sure he receives it.

Thanks for all the wonderful pictures. I got the package and my companion loved the tie. He said he is going to use it and the calendar as well. He said, “This calendar is best. My trainer had one.” I love how my companion says the word “best”. He says thank you. Thanks Mom for the calendar. I really enjoyed the peeps. They were good.

It looks and sounds like the house has been all fixed up. It is wonderful to hear how happy you are with it mom. You’ve worked hard and deserve it.

Missionary Work

Mongon Od was baptized by one of the members in the branch. At his house before his baptism he was trying on a suit. His Mom was helping him. It was a little too big for him and I smiled because it reminded me of my childhood. I was always wearing things that didn’t quite fit. It was exciting for the branch to have a baptism. The branch president and his counselor came and welcomed him to the branch. There were about 37 people who attended the baptism meeting. There were two others baptized from the other branch. We travel to a different building to baptize since the font in our building is broken. It’s about a 20 minute drive.

One of our investigators, Yyang, had great opposition from her family. We had to stop meeting with her. She was a good investigator. She did say though we can meet with her again in June. ErdenMohx, our other really good investigator, came to general conference. She also paid tithing. She is doing her best to prepare for baptism. She knows the Book of Mormon is true. We have been greatly blessed by the Lord to have her.

Many of our less active members are doing great. Many of the Mongolians struggle with the name Willoughy. Withhhoobooo. It at times is hilarious. One of our investigators is always saying it trying to learn how to say it right. Pyrvabbat.

English Class

I had many good classes this week. I was happy because my students are talking to me. After they get over the fear that I won’t understand them, they start talking freely. Many of them have good English. I am happy to help them learn English. It will bless their lives forever.

General Conference

I don’t think I ever remember General Conference being so amazing. The past three weeks I’ve been deeply pondering and studying Isaiah. I was figuring out the prophecies of the last days and then General Conference said almost everything I was studying and more. We are in the last days in fact we are at the time when all the prophecies are starting to be fulfilled. I think I know where the ten tribes of Israel are as well. I could very well be teaching them everyday. I’ve been thinking about their record of when Christ visited the lost tribes of Israel. It is will come forth maybe before of after Christ’s Coming? I am not sure. Either way when their record comes many will believe it and it will do wonderful things for missionary work. General Conference had one theme that occurred to me. Prepare for the second coming. We are on the Lords side. Prepare for it, I think it’s sooner than we realize.

Love, Elder Willoughby

P.S. I think I figured out the virus thing. It would have been good to know to lock my card. I know now. He he. I will send pictures next week, I ran out of time today.

Related Posts

List of Daniel’s missionary posts.

My district with member family. Daniel second left.

Presented here are portions of Elder Daniel Willoughby’s tenth email from the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission. If anyone wishes to send Daniel a message, write it in the comments and I will make sure he receives it.

I always enjoy Dad’s sense of humor. I need to learn how to translate it into Mongolian. :) You did well on your talk Dad. Not bad for such an old man. [Rickety note: Referring to me as “old man” started when I danced around energetically one morning and said to Daniel, “Not bad for an old man.”] Thanks for all the letters and updates about what everyone is up to. It will be exciting for Mom to get her carpet finally. Ha ha. Dad is a good man Mom, he does good work.

Thank you Mom for all the things you taught me. I’m getting better at cooking rice. My first time I cooked rice here, I put way too much water in and it was overflowing. On Tuesday, I made some rice, potato, meat mixture that my companion taught me how to make. I knew it didn’t taste good but everyone in my district ate it. I almost laughed that they ate it, but then decided not to. I liked it. My companion is really good at cooking and he teaches me how to make things. I really respect that about him. He is a great cook.

Missionary Work

We had many changes over transfers. My companion and I stayed together, we were excited about that. There was a lot more American missionaries transferred to our branch. We got a new district leader. He interviewed Mongon Od on Sunday and he passed. We are excited to baptize him this Friday. My companion has been working with him for a long time. He is a good investigator. The Mongolians are really good people. I love working with them.

We talked to a man yesterday. He asked, “Do you really believe that Christ appeared to the American people?”
“Yes I do, the book of Mormon is true.” I replied.
He said, “I believe that God created things, but I don’t believe in the golden plates.”
He had met with missionaries before but because of work had to stop investigating. He will with time know of the truth. It will bring great peace to his life.

Mongolian Culture Observations

The greatest thing about Mongolians is that most of them are still nomadic. We had a great first lesson with Ehx Tabah and his father. We went back three days later to see if we could teach them again and they had moved to the country side. There ger was gone. They simply pack up their house and move in one day. We had a good referral from our investigator and wanted to teach her, but my companion said she was leaving to the country side the next day.

There is so many grocery stores around. They go and buy what they need that day. I think the concept of saving food for a couple of days is still new to my companion. It’s awesome that this part of their culture is still alive. It makes them wonderful missionaries, transfers are simply a part of their normal life. Packing up and moving really quickly is what a lot of the culture does anyway. I am in no way an expert on their culture, just simple observations.

To Mom

Yes I got your postcard, thank you. It makes me happy that Andrew [Steinicke] got my letter as well. I haven’t received a package yet. Keep up the good work. I love you.

P.S. My camera card has all sorts of viruses so I won’t be able to send pictures until I figure out how to get rid of them.

Love, Elder Willoughby

Related Posts

List of Daniel’s missionary posts.