This last week was very
interesting.
In fact, that seems to be an
understatement in all intents and purposes. There was just so many things that
were brought to pass that I still feel kind of dazed and confused. All last
week seemed to be just a big ol' whirl of events.
To start off with: My district is
killing it. Everyone there is just motivated and happy to work their hardest. I
feel so honored to have all of them serving with me. The sister missionaries of
my ward are just on fire, every day they tell me about another miracle that has
helped them to make their faith grow. The sisters in San Cristobal are finding
new investigators...a lot of them...twenty of them! And Elder Prestwich and his
companion are seeing the hand of the Lord in every thing that they do every
day...finding people to teach in the least-likely of places!
We had a district meeting where we
talked about how we should testify of the truth of the gospel as much as we can
in our lessons, that way we invite the spirit of the Lord more abundantly in
our teaching. I used the example of the conversion of Brigham Young as an
example of what our testimonies can do:
When I saw a man without eloquence
or talents for public speaking, who could only say, “I know by the power of the
Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Joseph Smith is a Prophet
of the Lord,” the Holy Ghost proceeded from that individual, illuminated my
understanding, and light, glory, and immortality were before me. I was
encircled by them, filled with them, and I knew for myself the testimony was
true.
I love the thought that our own
testimonies have the power to touch the hearts of men and to make them truly
converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Elder Richard G. Scott said, "[A
testimony] is the very essence of character woven from threads born of
countless correct decisions." (October 2001)
In Panorama, we are seeing some
miracles too! As we have tried to testify more in our lessons we have been able
to reach our investigators in a more intimate and profound way, On Sunday, we
had a lesson with a youth named Rolando. We brought him to the house of some
members, two newlywed past-missionaries, Ruth and Abinidai. We talked about the
restoration of the gospel and, after listening to the testimonies of this
couple, the sprit was so intense in the room that I could literally feel what
Brigham Young described. And we invited Rolando to be baptized and he accepted…
with so much surety in what he said. He went home and told his next-door
neighbor that he had just talked to the Mormons and that he wanted to be
baptized.
Of course, his next-door neighbor
happened to be our ward mission leader...and he quickly sent us a message to
inform us about the good news.
I am firmly convinced that the Lord
can help us to strengthen our testimonies so that we can help others to feel
the power of our words...and our sincerity to bring to pass the salvation of others.
Life is good and the church is
true. Today we went to the temple and I learned so much more about the plan of
salvation than I think I ever have. So hang in there everyone, Life just keeps
on rolling here in Guatemala...so I'm just along for the ride. No matter how
crazy it gets, I know that the Lord is watching out for us in this
mission...and I am ready for more! Have a great week, Happy (late) President's
Day!
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