So, this week was an interesting one. We were stuck in the apartment for repairs every now and then, but in the end it was all well. We were blessed with 10 Members Present lessons this week, which is incredible. By the looks of it, we should be able to keep that up! Our members here are really willing to work with us, and that's great. The challenge we're going to be facing is helping them with reactivation and retention; that seems to be the hard spots here. But the leaders are great and the members willing, so the Ward should be able to have everything up and running very shortly.
Elder Larsen got transferred to Tesano on Saturday to be with Elder Chimuka. No, you shouldn't know that place nor that Elder, as I've never served with either. But he's a great guy, so Elder Larsen should be fine. Elder Bland - E. Larsen's original trainer - got out of the hospital alright, but has been reassigned to the Scotland Ireland Mission - the same mission that his brother is now finishing (he has 2 weeks left). That's also the mission Elder Bethke [Jonathan - wonderful neighbor when we lived in Lancaster, CA] served in...somehow. His was combined with the Ireland Mission. So that's cool that I know a wee bit about that mission.
Elder Larsen got transferred to Tesano on Saturday to be with Elder Chimuka. No, you shouldn't know that place nor that Elder, as I've never served with either. But he's a great guy, so Elder Larsen should be fine. Elder Bland - E. Larsen's original trainer - got out of the hospital alright, but has been reassigned to the Scotland Ireland Mission - the same mission that his brother is now finishing (he has 2 weeks left). That's also the mission Elder Bethke [Jonathan - wonderful neighbor when we lived in Lancaster, CA] served in...somehow. His was combined with the Ireland Mission. So that's cool that I know a wee bit about that mission.
Elder Bies is doing very well. He's progressing at an incredible rate, and is very diligent. I'm praying that now that everything is back to the 'norm,' we should be able to buckle down and hit it hard. This week looks like it will be a good one.
We had 4 investigators at Church yesterday! One is Ivan Dodoo. He's a Christian, but stopped going to church a few years ago because, as he looked around, he noticed that "no one knows what they're doing," to use his words; haha. He noticed all the differences in baptism, and collection, and teachings and whatnot, and felt that "they were all wrong" (JS-H 1:19). We shared about Joseph Smith, the Restoration, and the Book of Mormon, and he really liked it. So, he came, and he liked it there as well! We have high hopes for him.
We also had Justice and Thomas at Church. They're 16 and 14 respectively; they came last week, and came again this week. They like the teachings. We're working with the Young Men's President to help involve their parents with the learning. It will be a process, but it should all work out well. We also had a few new people there. One was Abena; she's schooling weekends at a nearby school and decided to come to Church this week. Never heard of the Church before or anything; just felt she'd come. I think she liked it! We're gonna try to follow up with her, but it's hard, cause she doesnt live here during the week; only on weekends. But we'll do our best. We also had a member bring their sister, so we're teaching her this week. All is looking very well.
That's about it for the week. Pres. is just stressing the need to study, and I really like the quotes he used. I feel kinda lazy just copying his stuff over here, but I'm low on time again and I really like the quote, as just stated. He spoke on the importance of daily scripture study, especially from the Book of Mormon. So, not to cheat too much, I'll just use his quotes, and comment on them myself; haha.
Speaking on the power of scripture study, President Ezra Taft Benson said:
"Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families [and missionary companionships] immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow . . ." (President Ezra Taft Benson, “Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986, 81-82).
I testify to this. One cannot prayerfully read the Book of Mormon and not gain a desire to do better. If we could get all members to read daily from its inspired pages, the Kingdom of God would roll onward at a rate we cant even imagine right now. Our Wards will be strengthened, our families knit together by love, our lives brightened daily. I testify that daily scripture study is an essential part of our happiness, and our days will brighten when we make it the greatest priority.
We had 4 investigators at Church yesterday! One is Ivan Dodoo. He's a Christian, but stopped going to church a few years ago because, as he looked around, he noticed that "no one knows what they're doing," to use his words; haha. He noticed all the differences in baptism, and collection, and teachings and whatnot, and felt that "they were all wrong" (JS-H 1:19). We shared about Joseph Smith, the Restoration, and the Book of Mormon, and he really liked it. So, he came, and he liked it there as well! We have high hopes for him.
We also had Justice and Thomas at Church. They're 16 and 14 respectively; they came last week, and came again this week. They like the teachings. We're working with the Young Men's President to help involve their parents with the learning. It will be a process, but it should all work out well. We also had a few new people there. One was Abena; she's schooling weekends at a nearby school and decided to come to Church this week. Never heard of the Church before or anything; just felt she'd come. I think she liked it! We're gonna try to follow up with her, but it's hard, cause she doesnt live here during the week; only on weekends. But we'll do our best. We also had a member bring their sister, so we're teaching her this week. All is looking very well.
That's about it for the week. Pres. is just stressing the need to study, and I really like the quotes he used. I feel kinda lazy just copying his stuff over here, but I'm low on time again and I really like the quote, as just stated. He spoke on the importance of daily scripture study, especially from the Book of Mormon. So, not to cheat too much, I'll just use his quotes, and comment on them myself; haha.
Speaking on the power of scripture study, President Ezra Taft Benson said:
"Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families [and missionary companionships] immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow . . ." (President Ezra Taft Benson, “Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986, 81-82).
I testify to this. One cannot prayerfully read the Book of Mormon and not gain a desire to do better. If we could get all members to read daily from its inspired pages, the Kingdom of God would roll onward at a rate we cant even imagine right now. Our Wards will be strengthened, our families knit together by love, our lives brightened daily. I testify that daily scripture study is an essential part of our happiness, and our days will brighten when we make it the greatest priority.
Don't be surprised if the adversary doesn't send people your way who will try and attack your testimony of the Book of Mormon. Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve taught:
"It is my opinion that all the scriptures, including the Book of Mormon, will remain in the realm of faith. Science will not be able to prove or disprove holy writ. However, enough plausible evidence will come forth to prevent scoffers from having a field day, but not enough to remove the requirement of faith." (Plain and Precious Things, p. 4.)
President Benson taught:
"We are not required to prove that the Book of Mormon is true or is an authentic record through external evidences-though there are many. It never has been the case, nor is it so now, that the studies of the learned will prove the Book of Mormon true or false. The origin, preparation, translation, and verification of the truth of the Book of Mormon have all been retained in the hands of the Lord, and the Lord makes no mistakes. You can be assured of that." (President Ezra Taft Benson, The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, Ensign (CR), May 1987, p. 83)
"We do not have to prove the Book of Mormon is true. The book is its own proof. All we need to do is read it and declare it! The Book of Mormon is not on trial-the people of the world, including the members of the Church, are on trial as to what they will do with this second witness for Christ." President Ezra Taft Benson, A New Witness for Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1984, p. 6)
I add my witness to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I know that by daily reading from its inspired pages, we will receive greater light in our lives. We will feel greater love for our fellow beings, and we will have a greater desire to be our best selves. I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God; it contains the fulness of the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ, and "a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book" (Introduction, Book of Mormon).
I love you all! I should be able to get my letters out to you when we meet for Mission Tour. Elder Holland is coming to visit us on Feb. 13, so we should be able to turn in mail then.
Take care! Read daily from the Book of Mormon, and meet with the missionaries! You'll be eternally thankful that you did, if you do so with an open heart and a sincere desire to draw closer to God, or to have greater happiness in your life.
--Elder Collings
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