I have been called to serve in the Porto Portugal Mission. I enter the MTC on June 16. I would love any information concerning this mission. Thank you.

-- Jason Victor Reese (reesjaso@isu.edu), April 22, 1999

Answers

Dear Elder Reese (and others with similar questions),

It's great to see the interest and curiosity created by your mission call. There are several such questions posted here and I've tried to send an individual e-mail to each one. Congratulations on your call to Porto. I have noticed that elders called to serve in Portugal tend to be a cut above. It is a choice part of the Lord's vineyard and there is a great work to be done there. The people are friendly if you will be a friend to them. See them as children of our Father and your brothers and sisters. With all due respect to all others, you're going to the greatest mission on Earth.

You are about to embark on an experience never to be forgotten. You will forge relationships that will last a lifetime. One of the most important is your relationship with your Heavenly Father. You will get closer to him than you've ever thought possible. You will come to know at an instant the promptings of the Holy Ghost. You will learn that it is He and not you that will do the converting. You are an instrument in His hands. Keep yourself clean, worthy, and able to do what you have been called to do. It is an awesome responsibility you have been given. Think of it! He has entrusted his children to you.

You might be interested to know that I served a mission in Portugal 20+ years ago. It was a great experience that I have never forgotten. Back then, the whole country was just one mission, but I spent a great deal of my time in what is now the Porto mission. I still maintain several relationships from my mission. Recently I was called by the first presidency to serve there again and we could not be more excited.

As far as Porto itself is concerned, it is a great mission! The climate is moderate, rain in the winter months, and wonderful summers. Very similar to Northern California, perhaps a little colder in the winter. When you get to the MTC ask your instructors to set up a little time (an hour or so) for your district to meet with Brother Luis Camera-Manoel for a short discussion on the Portuguese Culture. Tell them your mission president made a specific request that you do this. Brother Camera-Manoel is a native who served a mission in Porto. He loves to talk about his home land. You might have to give up an hour of personal time to do this, but it will be well worth it.

Well Elder, may the Lord bless you as you prepare for this great event in your life. Pray daily that He does. I look forward to getting to know you as we both labor together to bring salvation to a wonderful people.

Sincerely,

President Sims

-- Steven M. Sims (sims@deseretonline.com), May 11, 1999.

Any missionary headed to Porto, Portugal might consider studying a little about the history of the country, especially in the 20th century. When I was on my mission I discovered that the younger generation was more open to missionary work than were the older folks. After returning home, I read that during the reign of Portugal's famous Salazar leadership, books and other forms of media coming from outside of Portugal were not permitted. Salazar apparently believed that "Portugal was the best" and censored the people. I always wondered if this might have contributed to the older generation being more unwilling to listen to new ideas on religion. In any case, a study of the history of the country would do much to assist a missionary to relate to the people's backgrounds.

Go to it,

Le Sieur, from 1989-91.

-- Stanton A. Le Sieur (SALeSieur@msn.com), September 05, 1999.

I've been getting a lot of email from newly called missionaries and family. They see my email address on this site. My email address has changed, the new address is portosims@yahoo.com I'm still getting mail at my old address, but not for much longer.

Keep the Faith, President Sims

-- President Sims (portosims@yahoo.com), December 01, 1999.