I dont know how to describe the people that Elder Taylor and I taught this week. I think it would be best to say that we testified and the power of the spirit was there.
We taught this Atheist guy who after only 4 days wanted to return the Book of Mormon. He said," I didnt get my answer, so I want to return this." Elder Taylor and I just went off on the guy to say the least. This guy was all about science and processes. He was telling us about how he need to see results quickly or what he was doing wasnt worth it and needed to change. "Do you think that you can come learn with us for 4 days and expect results? Do you think Heavenly Father is going to give you what you want when you want it? NO! I personally think that you didnt pray with sincerity", I told him. The look on his face told us the rest. It didnt really seem like he wanted to know. "What if you were alive 200 years ago? Would you have the same technology that you do have today? Could you use Google? How would you then get your answers? You would have to study.", we told him. He dropped himself and then left the church. Well he can always come back.
Another lesson that I want to tell you about was a less active that we went to go teach. It quickly came up that she hadnt been to church for a while and didnt seem like she was going to go back at all. She was telling us that she got bored of it and wasnt fun. Elder Taylor asked her is she knew what the word "covenant" meant. She said she did and then he pulled out the baptismal questions and told her," When you were interviewed for baptism you promised that you keep all the commandments. Did you lie when you were interviewed?" "No I didnt lie. They (she didnt say who "they" were) said that if I didnt like it I could go back to my old ways", she said. Elder Taylor just testified to her that what she was doing was wrong and that she needed to repent. As I sat there I just listened to what the member was saying. "If my friends wanted to go get a drink I would want to go with them and have some fun. Its just a little drinking no big deal", she said. She said a few things that didnt make me very happy. I got to the point that the Holy Ghost was prompting me enough that I needed to say what He was trying to get me to say. I said,"Do you think when you meet something that is hard that you should give up? Its just to easy to do the wrong thing than the right thing. Do you think that being a member of the church is easy? No its not! Its hard why, Satan is out there and knows all your weaknesses and wants to bring you down. I believe that Satan has a hold of your heart because you allowed him to get a hold of it. Do you think that you can just go whatever you want without any consequences? There will be consequences alright! I testify that you will feel bad for all your wrong doings that you have done and all that you will do!" She just laughed at everything that we told her. Then she said something that really ticked Elder Taylor and I off so hard! She said," I know that your were not like this before you came out on your mission. I know that since you are a missionary you have to keep all the rules but when you go home you wont be like this. You'll be like the other missionaries that I have seen go home. They go home and all those things that they taught me they dont do anymore. That shows me what they taught wasnt that important." Elder Taylor and I testified to her again that we would not be like that. That we would go home and continue to testify just like we were doing now! Needless to say she just laughed the whole time. Something that I want to encourage all missionaries to not disappoint those that they have taught! Stay worthy of their trust! Dont go astray because they will look at your example!
Many more powerful lessons that we taught but not enough time to write them all. At church we had sisters Nii's son, who is as investigator tell us that he wanted to talk to us. After sacrament was over we sat in the foyer and he told us what was on his mind. For about 40 minutes he told us it all. His older sister had sent him a link about Mormons. The link told all this false information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He read it and said,"Wow that is so false! I have come here and been in the meetings. I have met with the missionaries. I have read the Book of Mormon. I have gone to the web site and none of what was said in the link was correct." He goes on to say," I believe in Joseph Smith. I believe in the Book of Mormon as well. This is the correct church! I want to get baptized here. If people ask me if I am Christian I will tell them that I have Christian but that I am Mormon. I dont care what others say or do. I will be Mormon." Well needless to say we have only taught him one lesson and he already feels this way. Okay that is awesome! He did tell us that he will need time to change. We told him you take all the time that you need and when you are ready you can get baptized! Miracles!
Sunday was another great Sunday!! There was over 100 people at church and we had a total of 14 investigators at church. Things are turning around here!! Miracles are happening everyday. Our little investigator Brother Kim was baptized today! He was so happy!! I had the opportunity to baptize him. He was a very happy boy! His mother bore a small testimony at the baptismal service and she just cried. She was so happy for her son! He will be a great missionary in the future!
Our investigators that we are teaching right now are Kwan, Tong, Boot, Nong, Tin, Hang, Bow, Meg, Jo, Day, May and Ploy, Gaan, Sokia, Gone and Bla. They all need prayers. If you can will you take their names to the temple for me please? I am very pleased with all of our investigators and the progress that they are making everyday!
I know that yesterday was Father Days and I want to tell my dad that I love him very much for his example. He, along with my mother, have taught me so much. I have learned my useful things from him. Thank you dad for all that you do for me and for the family.
Love
Elder Hinckley
stacey@mail.postmanllc.net
ReplyDelete