Hi all

[Ruben]

My name is Ruben J. Vilas and I am a member of the Church. I was baptized in Portugal in 1976. 

Thanks in advance for any reply to my questions. 

[pam]

Welcome Ruben.   

 

[Carborendum]

2 hours ago, Ruben said:

My name is Ruben J. Vilas and I am a member of the Church. I was baptized in Portugal in 1976. 

Thanks in advance for any reply to my questions. 

Hi, Ruben.  Do you like Reuben sandwiches?  

[zil2]

Welcome to ThirdHour, @Ruben!

[Carborendum]

@Ruben,

Tell us about how you joined the Church.

[zil2]

Yes, Ruben, please tell us about yourself.  It's so rare we get new folks who stick around, so I'm hoping we can get to know you and help you feel welcome!  (I love forums and want more folk to join us!)

I was born in the Church, grew up all over the US (my dad had a government job that moved us around).  I'm currently a Relief Society teacher - teaching adult classes is my favorite calling.  Do you have a favorite?

I have two cats and almost have enough fountain pens.   Contrary to what some might tell you, it's not possible to have "too many" fountain pens.  (There are only two pens left on my wish list - one I might get for Christmas, another I will never own - it's way, way too expensive.  I wouldn't complain if someone gave me a Kaweco Dia 2, but I probably won't ever buy one.)

ETA: Oops, forgot the obvious: Are you still in Portugal?  Tell us a little about it (I've never gotten closer to it than Barcelona.)

Edited November 22, 2024 by zil2

[pam]

8 hours ago, zil2 said:

  Contrary to what some might tell you, it's not possible to have "too many" fountain pens.

I say that about colored gel pens. I have an obsession with them.

[Ruben]

I met the church in 1975 in the same year as the country opened to the preaching of the gospel after the 1974 revolution. In the summer of 1976 I was baptized at the age of 20 and was one of the first converts in Portugal, the following year I left for the Spain-Barcelona mission. At the end of my mission I moved to Italy where I got married and started a family. I have four children and five grandchildren. I have served in various positions in the church in both Portugal and Italy. I am currently retired and now live between Portugal and Italy.

[Ruben]

18 hours ago, Carborendum said:

@Ruben,

Tell us about how you joined the Church.

In autumn 1975 I experienced a mystical crisis and started looking for God. Until then I considered myself an atheist, although I was taught the Catholic faith. 
A friend of mine lent me a book of Mormon that he had received from the missionaries who had visited his home. 
Reading the book of Mormon was the key to my conversion. I couldn't resist its spiritual power. 
Finally my friend and I accepted the invitation to join the church through baptism.

[pam]

1 hour ago, Ruben said:

In autumn 1975 I experienced a mystical crisis and started looking for God. Until then I considered myself an atheist, although I was taught the Catholic faith. 
A friend of mine lent me a book of Mormon that he had received from the missionaries who had visited his home. 
Reading the book of Mormon was the key to my conversion. I couldn't resist its spiritual power. 
Finally my friend and I accepted the invitation to join the church through baptism.

We're so glad you did and that you joined us on the forums. We look forward to hearing your wisdom on various topics. 

[pam]

Are you now tri-lingual? Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian?

[Vort]

2 hours ago, pam said:

Are you now tri-lingual? Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian?

Then there's that English thing...

[zil2]

44 minutes ago, Vort said:

Then there's that English thing...

That would be, um, quadrilateral, right?

[Vort]

58 minutes ago, zil2 said:

That would be, um, quadrilateral, right?

I believe that, technically, speaking four languages is quadrangular. Or tetrahedronic. Something like that.

Edited November 23, 2024 by Vort

[Traveler]

6 hours ago, Ruben said:

In autumn 1975 I experienced a mystical crisis and started looking for God. Until then I considered myself an atheist, although I was taught the Catholic faith. 
A friend of mine lent me a book of Mormon that he had received from the missionaries who had visited his home. 
Reading the book of Mormon was the key to my conversion. I couldn't resist its spiritual power. 
Finally my friend and I accepted the invitation to join the church through baptism.

Thanks for the information.  I am impressed with your background and hope to hear a lot from you.  I am a 5th generation member of the church educated in math and physics and a retired engineer / scientist in the field of industrial automation, robotics and artificial intelligence.   I traveled a great deal in my work.  Logic and science has had a great influence on my understanding of religious concepts.  I strongly believe that pure science and pure religion complement each and that seeming contradictions are caused by flaws in understanding of either one or both

 

The Traveler

[pam]

8 hours ago, Vort said:

Then there's that English thing...

Oh yeah. That too.  hahahaha

[pam]

7 hours ago, Vort said:

I believe that, technically, speaking four languages is quadrangular. Or tetrahedronic. Something like that.

It's actually quadrilingual

[Carborendum]

On 11/23/2024 at 10:57 AM, Vort said:

I believe that, technically, speaking four languages is quadrangular. Or tetrahedronic. Something like that.

I like the Tetrahedronic best.  How about Tetra-hydra-nic? Eh??? One head for each language!!!

Edited November 25, 2024 by Carborendum

[Carborendum]

On 11/23/2024 at 2:12 AM, Ruben said:

I met the church in 1975 ... I am currently retired and now live between Portugal and Italy.

"between"... So, would that be Spain or France?  

BTW, I'm wondering about moving to Europe.  Which country of all those you mentioned do you like the best and why?

Edited November 25, 2024 by Carborendum