Another week has gone by way to fast! But it has been
another great week! We had MLC this last week, and we had all of the iPads distributed to us to take back to our zones. I didn't end up getting one
because I only have a few weeks left, the rest of the mission is now using
iPads. It will still be a few months before they are using the iPads to there
full use. But it was a great meeting we really focused on finding, and how we
can do better at helping our investigators progress to baptism.
We were also able to meet with Brother Hoyer this week, and
we had just an amazing lesson with him. We taught the restoration, and it was
one of the most powerful restoration lessons I have been in. The first vision
always invites the spirit so powerfully. So after talking about Joseph Smith,
the first vision, and the book of Mormon, we asked Brother Hoyer what it would
mean to him if everything we taught him was true. And he just took a second to
think.
And Sister Hoyer just bore her testimony at that point of how much the
church has helped her in her life, and immediately the spirit came even
stronger to the room. Brother Hoyer was just sitting quietly listening for a
second and he went on to tell us, how he is praying that everything we taught
him was true. He said this spiritual journey he has been on was a long and
difficult journey. He said he wanted to fine the truth so he could feel at
peace.
We then testified to him that this was true, and that as he would
continue to read the Book of Mormon and then pray about it he would be able to
receive and answer. We testified how once he found that answer he would be able
to experience that peace in his life. And then at the conclusion of this
amazing lesson, we extended a soft baptismal commitment to him. And he
accepted. So we will be meeting with him this next week, and we are excited. We
will be going back and teaching him the full plan of salvation, and we think
that will help answer a lot of questions. We are so blessed because the Lord is
leading us to these people who are truly prepared to receive the gospel.
And like I said we had zone meeting this week, and we
focused on finding alot with in our zone. And so I trained on that part. And
the part I focused on was found in Doctrine and Covenants 100, 4-8
4 Therefore,
I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was
expedient in me for the salvation of souls.
5 Therefore,
verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this
people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you
shall not be confounded before men;
7 But
a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing
ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of
meekness, in all things.
8 And
I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy
Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye
shall say.
I just love the promises that are found with in these
scriptures. And they apply to each of us so well. Where ever the Lord sends us
in our lives it is expedient for the building up of the kingdom of God. And the
first thing we are asked to do is raise our voices and then we have the promise
that the Holy ghost will give unto us in the very hour and the very moment what
we need to say.
That is a powerful promise that is given by the Lord. And when
it talks about lifting up your voice that is even simple invitations for others
to come unto Christ. Where it be friends who are members of our faith, or even
with those we home and visit teach. But I love in vs 7 what the Lord commands
us to do.
He tells to to declare whatsoever thing we declare in his name. Well
you hear that and you ask what does that mean. The Lord is asking us to bear
our testimonies with others. And a testimony is such a powerful tool that we
have to protect us as well as bring others closer to our savior.
And in vs 8
The Lord promises as we do this the Holy Ghost will bear record of all things
that we say. If we believe that they will feel the spirit when we testify then
we have the promise they will. Many times we think that people we know
aren't receptive, or they aren't ready to accept the gospel or come back to
church. And sometimes this is true. But until you invite and bear testimony we
can't say that. Remember you are where you are at for the salvation of many souls.
This is a great and eternal work we are apart of.
I promise each of you as you
continue to exercise faith and then act, you will be able to teach and testify
with power. And as you ask the Lord for those experiences they will come. I
know and testify of that to be true. I would just invite each of you to really
pray for opportunities to reach out to those around you and pray to know the
best way to reach out to them! And as you do so you have the Lords promise that
he will help you. I testify of that.
This week has also been great because we were able to meet
with some other recent converts and less actives that no one from the ward has
been able to contact. And a few of them we met with this week expressed
that they want to start coming back to church! And so now we will be able to
meet with them more regularly and help them as they are coming back to church!
It was so great because we had two of them start come to church
yesterday!
And speaking of church yesterday was just an amazing Sunday!
Fast and testimony meeting was so great in both the family ward and the singles
ward. But in the family ward it was amazing to see Sundae Lewis get up and go
bear her testimony of her experience coming in to the church. It was so pure
and so powerful. Over all it turned out to be just a wonderful Sunday. The
spirit was so strong!
The church is true! And it is such a wonderful time to be
living and be a member of Christs restored church.
Well I hope y'all have a great week
Elder Joshua V. Christensen
(one of our members has some be hives, and so he let us go
over and get a picture by them! )
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