Week 32 - February 23, 2026

Please Don't Do Your Homework

Buenos dias! Espero que estén bien!

This week was an amazing week, but we didn't have any specific things that I thought I should highlight, so I'll just throw a quick list down.

AMIGOS: We got tons of friends that are slowly progressing right now and I'm hoping this week we will be able to see a lot of miracles with them. So many people with interest right now it's amazing. We are even working during our p-day to teach some of them. Elder Hill and I knew we had to take the sacrifice on that one.

TEMPLO: This week we had these four kids standing outside of the temple looking at it and then we invited them to come look closer and ask questions and a couple of them seem super-interested in the church, which is lit, so we will be teaching them more this week.

Bug Spray: Mom, I want to take the time to formally apologize. Maybe the 15 pounds of bug spray items was worth it. In the new crib, there are just infinite ants, and they really loved crawling around the edges of the bed. Decided to give some of Queen Wilde's sprays a shot and instantly whipped out the population and haven't seen one since. My desk was turning into a war zone of me killing them before, but now I can study in peace. Thanks, Mom 😁🫶❤️.

🥱: We had the 1st counselor and his family invite us over for food after church and of course we shared a scripture after. But we were crying laughing trying to share it because the dad, the first counselor, just full on slumpedddd and was counting sheep the second we started sharing the thought. The wife served her mission in St. George and speaks perfect English, which felt so weird, but was so nice. Miss my St. George trip w my boys. Seeing Perry and Will passionately fight over a 14 on a hole was one to remember. Love you boys.

🎵: All I know is if the video of me going word for word to Super Bass by Nicki Minaj at this member's house gets leaked, I'm cooked. Could be even worse than the 8th grade picture, I'm not sure 😭😭. But we pulled up and they had these massive speakers at the house and a microphone and were like, "Elders, you have to sing a song." And the girl was shuffling through songs, and I was like, "Alright, I'll do it… might have set the bar too high for future performances. Gonna have to put on a showwww the next one. Baby by Brother Bieber might have to make an appearance.

Spiritual Thought & Experience - Please Don't Do Your Homework

So, this was a little bit different of a moment I've had on my mission. It wasn't your stereotypical spiritual moment you see or hear about, but nonetheless I knew and know with a surety that the Spirit was so strong and was definitely one of the MOST spiritual moments of my life. I felt as if every word I said was magnified 100 times stronger.

On Tuesday, Elder Hill and I were out trying to find some members to visit. Essentially visiting every member point possible. Leaders or non-leaders, actives or inactive didn't matter, we were knocking. And eventually we had a door open of a very inactive family. They opened the door and the women was very kind, and the husband saw us and immediately tried pressing us. He is a very inactive member and allegedly served in the bishopric and the stake, also. He asked me about a few things and asked me what I thought ministering was because nobody in the church does. Just read a book on it bud, so yes I do. I don't think he liked that very much and started getting a little more upset. And at some point let out some comments I will never forget that ultimately led to one of the most spiritual moments I've ever felt. Now imagine 45-year-old guy with lil Elder Wilde and he says, (and much more)

“You guys aren't here for any other reason than to check the box and do your “homework”. You're just here to say you did it and benefit yourself. All it is is homework, nothing else, that's why you're here.”

It may not seem like anything, but it was. They say the Spirit doesn't reside with contention, but now I'm not too sure. I was extremely extremely upset and honestly more than anything very sad that this member was at the point in his life where he thought that. I sat there for a solid moment without saying anything. I really just wanted to go off in anger but knew it wasn't the right thing to do. The next 10 minutes of me talking were the most spiritual filled minutes I've spent teaching in my mission. Every word I said felt like it was confirmed to me instantly and was magnified to mean more than I could know.

I know why I am here and I know there is no greater purpose for me. There wasn't a second I doubted my purpose and reason for being where I am now. I have been given these 2 years to give a gift of eternity, not to myself but to others. I have been given these 2 years because I have been given too much to not give it to others. I know I am here to give this gift to those that are looking for it. I know I am here to help those around me partake of the fruit at the end of the iron rod in order to feel the pure love from God. I know that I am here to carry out the work of the Lord as he needs it and nothing else. And I know that I am not here to do my “homework.”

Moses 1:

39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

I love you all and I hope you have the most amazing weeks. Shout out Caleb for finishing the mission and helping me so much throughout. See you in a quick year and four, buddy.

Elder Wilde