April 23, 2012     Tucumán   Argentina

 

This week was a learning week like any other I guess. Just with a little more patience involved. A family we found who was really interested doesn't want us to come back for now and some others just aren't progressing. We need to keep finding new people so that we can always have people who let us in to teach and help them progress. Sometimes it’s hard to stay cheerful like Alma and the people who escaped from King Noah did while receiving so much persecution and affliction. I just read that today in a conference talk after reflecting on the week. I am excited though to try to apply it for this week everyday. I think it will help me and my outlook on how the work is going and my faith in what we can achieve.

Saturday we stopped by a less active family and found out the dad had to give his first talk ever. He had been asked before but never came to do them in church. He was pretty nervous so we helped gather some materials together since they do have alot of books from the church. It was on agency and Sunday I was going to give a talk in his place since he hadn’t come yet - until just before sacrament meeting. I was happy to see him come with his talk prepared and it turned out to be a great talk. He had been back for one Sunday and they asked him to do it because the few people that go are always giving talks. I know his testimony was strengthened and that many others who attended were also. He was the one last week who we talked about fam. history with and helped them get started. It’s really amazing what looking for family history can do to someone’s excitement. In teaching it to them it really made me want to do more of it. Hopefully we can get some more through Felicia (don’t know how to spell it) in Poland! 

I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and love us more than we can imagine. I know that families can be sealed by the priesthood of God to continue together forever. I know our lives on earth can be difficult and trying at times but if we make decisions with the future (life after this) in mind, we will be able to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and our families. I know that it is only by baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the power of God that we can return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. These are all truths that we know to be true through the restoration of the church of Jesus Christ. The church was restored by the power of God through Joseph Smith. I know this to be true because my Heavenly Father has told me through the whisperings of his spirit. I know without a doubt that everyone who reads the Book of Mormon with an open mind and heart continuing with diligence(in reading and pondering), faith, and a sincere desire to follow the answer given, that you will know by the power of the Holy Ghost that it is true. You will also receive the blessings promised to those who read it that you will bring yourself closer to Heavenly Father and bring more peace and joy into your life. 

One of the people we are teaching said that she has always argued with her 23 year old daughter throughout her life but since she started reading it, overcoming her preconceived thoughts about it, she said it has changed the atmosphere of her home. She doesn't argue with her daughter or other family members and it prepared her to forgive her brother who came back to see her after having had an argument a year ago. She told us that she knows it because she has been reading but she still doesn't want to leave her religion yet. She is a little afraid of leaving something behind after having been with it for so long. She has told us she has felt an answer that the Book of Mormon is true. She said that when she first started reading she was very reluctant and had many doubts about its origin but when she continued reading even though she felt bad about it she was able to break through these thoughts and feelings and come to know of its truth. She cannot put the book down now.

I invite once again all to read the Book of Mormon which testifies clearly of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made because of the pure love that he has for us. Even though the prophets weren't present for his ministry in Jerusalem they testify clearly of his existence and his ministry and love by revelation given to them (prophets) as special witnesses of Him. Heavenly Father loves all his children. That is why they knew of his existence even though they were in other parts of the world. 

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church of God which is organized to prepare his children for the second coming of his only begotten son Jesus Christ.  In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

I love you all so very much!   

 

Alex