So, this week was quite nice. We were able to baptize Peniel! What's even better is her father came to the baptism, and the confirmation the next day! He couldn't stay for the whole service, and left after Sacrament, but I think he felt the Spirit, and we should be able to help bring the family closer to the temple and being sealed. It'd be a wonderful thing to see that family sealed together forever. I love that all of this came from the member missionary work of Bro. Alex (who got the privilege of baptizing Sis. Peniel) who talked to her about the Gospel and the Church. These small acts built up until she finally wanted to know more - surely, having been worked upon by the Spirit - and she took that step of faith and met with us, the missionaries. Then, one thing led to another, she felt the Spirit, was converted, and now her life is changed for the better!
One of the biggest things that scares most members from sharing these things is rejection from their friends or relatives. They fear that if they share these things, it might offend them, and they'll lose a friend or lose the trust of a family member, and there will be some kinda wedge in between them. But, the opposite can occur. They are brought closer. Even if they don't accept any of it, they still begin to have a greater love and appreciation for our beliefs. They feel closer to us, and respect us, and appreciate that we'd invite them into such a close and personal sector of our lives. Often, it resolves differences, as those we share it with come to understand our beliefs better, and are no longer led about by the "false and vain and foolish doctrines" (2 Nephi 28:9) taught by the world, concerning us and our beliefs. They learn what we truly believe. What's even better, is they get a chance to feel the Savior's love the way we have, a chance to come to know of the Book of Mormon and its truthfulness, and be changed by that wonderful book. In all reality, there really is no downside of discussing the Gospel with our loved ones. And, as we pray for opportunities to share it, we will be prompted and provided with the chance to refer them to the missionaries, and bring into their lives the same blessings that we now enjoy.
I think we're all familiar with the scripture, "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" (D&C 18:15). How much greater will be your joy, if that soul is your family, or friend, or other loved one? Ponder over that, as you go throughout the week and count the blessings the Lord has given you. I pray that you would then ask Him who you could share these things with. I challenge each of you to pray about and get a name of a loved one that you can share these things with. Now is the Christmas season; there is no greater time to share these things. Pray over it, and by Saturday, set a goal on who you will share it with. And then, by the end of next week, discuss whatever the Lord will put into your heart with them, concerning the Gospel, and invite them to meet the missionaries. I promise you, as an ordained representative of Jesus Christ, that the Lord will help you in this thing, and you will find a greater spirit about your life as you do this. I promise that as you make this a habit, continuously seeking out those around you who are prepared by the Lord for His Gospel, you will continue to grow in spirit and love. Regardless of them accepting it or not, you will feel the Lord's love in your life more strongly.
The second thing to discuss was a wonderful experience we had on Saturday. We were walking to an appointment (not sure why we were walking; we had our bikes) and we passed by Peter's place. He's the 11 year old boy who's father first came to Church, and he (Peter) has been coming for the past 17 weeks straight, even though his father hasn't been in a long time, due to work concerns. We saw him sitting outside, and we greeted him. Upon further discussion, we learned that he had hurt his knee. It was dark, so we couldn't see it too well, but by the sound of it, he had twisted it and possibly dislocated it. His parents were telling him they'd have to twist it back into place, and he was very afraid. He didn't say that, but you could hear it in his voice. No one in his family, apart from his father, has any interest in the Church, so when we felt to give him a blessing, it was awkward, and we didn't see how we could do that in his small house, with all the traffic going about. Nevertheless, we felt we should offer it to him, which we did. We prayed silently in our hearts for an opportunity to give him the blessing, and we soon received it. We explained how it worked - according to his faith - and then gave him the blessing. Afterwards, we sat down and talked with him small. He was smiling, and started to stretch his leg. He then started to cry. He explained that before we came, he couldn't even stretch it, and he was very scared, and in a lot of pain. Afterwards, he felt much better, and his leg could stretch fine. He thanked us and asked us what he could do to repay us. We quickly explained that it was not us, but the Lord, and Peter's faith, that had healed him, and given him that strength to make it through the rest of his recovery. We then invited him to pray, and thank God. He did so, and it was wonderful. I don't want to share too many details about it, but it was simply astounding to see the wonderful faith this child had. He really amazes me, and I pray for the chance to be given him to be baptized. Right now, he can't, but I think this will strengthen his testimony well enough that he can endure the time until he can.
I know this Gospel is true. I love it so much. It is the means by which we can have "peace in this life, and eternal salvation in the life to come" (Introduction, Book of Mormon). I testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon; I know it to be true. Not by man, do I know it; but by God. I have received a witness from the Holy Spirit that these things are true, and I know that if you will read, ponder, and pray - with a sincere heart, and real intent, having faith in Christ - then Heavenly Father will "manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:4).
I love you all! Take care, and God bless! Read the Book of Mormon, and then share your favorite verse you read with a loved one who doesn't yet know it!
--Elder Collings
One of the biggest things that scares most members from sharing these things is rejection from their friends or relatives. They fear that if they share these things, it might offend them, and they'll lose a friend or lose the trust of a family member, and there will be some kinda wedge in between them. But, the opposite can occur. They are brought closer. Even if they don't accept any of it, they still begin to have a greater love and appreciation for our beliefs. They feel closer to us, and respect us, and appreciate that we'd invite them into such a close and personal sector of our lives. Often, it resolves differences, as those we share it with come to understand our beliefs better, and are no longer led about by the "false and vain and foolish doctrines" (2 Nephi 28:9) taught by the world, concerning us and our beliefs. They learn what we truly believe. What's even better, is they get a chance to feel the Savior's love the way we have, a chance to come to know of the Book of Mormon and its truthfulness, and be changed by that wonderful book. In all reality, there really is no downside of discussing the Gospel with our loved ones. And, as we pray for opportunities to share it, we will be prompted and provided with the chance to refer them to the missionaries, and bring into their lives the same blessings that we now enjoy.
I think we're all familiar with the scripture, "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" (D&C 18:15). How much greater will be your joy, if that soul is your family, or friend, or other loved one? Ponder over that, as you go throughout the week and count the blessings the Lord has given you. I pray that you would then ask Him who you could share these things with. I challenge each of you to pray about and get a name of a loved one that you can share these things with. Now is the Christmas season; there is no greater time to share these things. Pray over it, and by Saturday, set a goal on who you will share it with. And then, by the end of next week, discuss whatever the Lord will put into your heart with them, concerning the Gospel, and invite them to meet the missionaries. I promise you, as an ordained representative of Jesus Christ, that the Lord will help you in this thing, and you will find a greater spirit about your life as you do this. I promise that as you make this a habit, continuously seeking out those around you who are prepared by the Lord for His Gospel, you will continue to grow in spirit and love. Regardless of them accepting it or not, you will feel the Lord's love in your life more strongly.
The second thing to discuss was a wonderful experience we had on Saturday. We were walking to an appointment (not sure why we were walking; we had our bikes) and we passed by Peter's place. He's the 11 year old boy who's father first came to Church, and he (Peter) has been coming for the past 17 weeks straight, even though his father hasn't been in a long time, due to work concerns. We saw him sitting outside, and we greeted him. Upon further discussion, we learned that he had hurt his knee. It was dark, so we couldn't see it too well, but by the sound of it, he had twisted it and possibly dislocated it. His parents were telling him they'd have to twist it back into place, and he was very afraid. He didn't say that, but you could hear it in his voice. No one in his family, apart from his father, has any interest in the Church, so when we felt to give him a blessing, it was awkward, and we didn't see how we could do that in his small house, with all the traffic going about. Nevertheless, we felt we should offer it to him, which we did. We prayed silently in our hearts for an opportunity to give him the blessing, and we soon received it. We explained how it worked - according to his faith - and then gave him the blessing. Afterwards, we sat down and talked with him small. He was smiling, and started to stretch his leg. He then started to cry. He explained that before we came, he couldn't even stretch it, and he was very scared, and in a lot of pain. Afterwards, he felt much better, and his leg could stretch fine. He thanked us and asked us what he could do to repay us. We quickly explained that it was not us, but the Lord, and Peter's faith, that had healed him, and given him that strength to make it through the rest of his recovery. We then invited him to pray, and thank God. He did so, and it was wonderful. I don't want to share too many details about it, but it was simply astounding to see the wonderful faith this child had. He really amazes me, and I pray for the chance to be given him to be baptized. Right now, he can't, but I think this will strengthen his testimony well enough that he can endure the time until he can.
I know this Gospel is true. I love it so much. It is the means by which we can have "peace in this life, and eternal salvation in the life to come" (Introduction, Book of Mormon). I testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon; I know it to be true. Not by man, do I know it; but by God. I have received a witness from the Holy Spirit that these things are true, and I know that if you will read, ponder, and pray - with a sincere heart, and real intent, having faith in Christ - then Heavenly Father will "manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:4).
I love you all! Take care, and God bless! Read the Book of Mormon, and then share your favorite verse you read with a loved one who doesn't yet know it!
--Elder Collings
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