Wow, we're so impressed by the people we're meeting in the mission. It is widely talked about how we see Jacob 5 coming to pass. It is with both members and with people looking for the truth. President Nelson said, “ Do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.” This is happening in our mission. We do see it.

On Sunday, I spoke with a young man from Peru who has moved to Ibiza. He left his family and everything he knew behind to find a better, more secure life in Spain. As he told me his story, he said something that really touched me. He knows that he is living Jacob 5, that he is a branch being "grafted” into a good tree and place. He expressed something I hadn't heard as clearly: that while it's a blessing to be grafted into a good tree, the process itself is hard, lonely, and takes time. His faithful attitude, even while struggling, was truly moving.

8 And behold, saith the Lord of the vineyard, I take away many of these young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will…

10 And it came to pass that the servant of the Lord of the vineyard did according to the word of the Lord of the vineyard, and grafted in the branches of the wild olive tree. (Jacob 5:8,10)

Elder Holland taught that there is also a deeper meaning of Jacob 5. It is also about more than just the scattering and gathering of Israel—it's also about the Atonement and the immense love the Savior has for each of us and the length He goes to to help each of us. That applies here as well. We see the love the Lord has for the individual saints and people of Spain. He is helping them to find the gospel so that they might become strong themselves, so that they might receive the blessings of the covenant and His atonement.

We see millions of tender mercies happening with them. They are happy, even joyful. They are hard working and appreciate work. They are loving and inclusive to all. They are so grateful and express their gratitude for every little thing that we try to do for them. ( even when and especially when we burn food or don’t have enough, or try to speak our broken spanish). They face great obstacles in a daily life but continue on counting their many wonderful blessings and miracles. They love the Savior.

There is so much more to this allegory that I am learning about while I’m here. For one, Spain opened it’s doors to those who are relatives of those who were cast out during the war. In a sense coming back to their “mother tree”. These people that are flocking to the church here in Spain are fulfilling prophecy.

60 And because that I have preserved the natural branches and the roots thereof, and that I have grafted in the natural branches again into their mother tree, and have preserved the roots of their mother tree, that, perhaps, the trees of my vineyard may bring forth again good fruit; and that I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard, and, perhaps, that I may rejoice exceedingly that I have preserved the roots and the branches of the first fruit—

61 Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.

62 Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time that I shall prune my vineyard. (Jacob 5:60-62)

This allegory in Jacob 5 continues to unfold for me and I am grateful for our scriptures and the spirit to teach us.

See below some of our wonderful JAS. (JAS=Jovenes Adultos Solteros=Young Single Adults=YSA)

It's such a wonderful tender mercy to see the scriptures come to life before our eyes and to be able to ‘labor with our might” alongside the Lord in His vineyard.