Hey there Everyone, we had a super busy week, but it was a good one.
The Family History Center: So one of the people that we met last week was Ryan, who was Irish. This Wednesday we went with him to the Family History Center, and he loved it. He connected one side of his family and loved looking through their history. We had to leave before being able to teach much, so we planned on visiting him on Friday. We did, and we found him outside just as we were walking to his house. After talking to him and teaching him a little bit, he admitted that he was a Less Active member, and then we found out he wasn't interested in coming back or meeting with us to be taught. He did say he'll go back to the family history center though, because he loved it. And that we'll see him around. It was sad to hear, but we'll find more people that are ready.
Exchanges: So I went on two exchanges this past week, one w/ Elder Burns from Nashville, and the other with Elder Thompson from Provo. While talking to Elder Burns, a lot of memories from Georgia came back because both of us grew up in the South. He had a slight accent, loves country music, so it was reminisceint of High School. We were able to talk to a lot of people throughout the day, and despite not any of them being interested, we were able to uplift and strengthen quite a good number of people. One of the funny things that happened was a few days ago we got a rock divot (only happens on the constantly paved roads of the west), and had to get it fixed. So we sat around in a shop waiting for the car to finish being repaired for about 45 minutes. Got to talk a lot and then getting out and working never felt so good. On Saturday one of the coolest things that happened was getting to teach Antolin while I was with Elder Thompson. We were able to review and finish teaching the Plan of Salvation, and he just loved it. He is just so ready for the Gospel. When we were teaching about the Atonement, and he was just amazed at what Jesus Christ went through for us, and it reminded me of the hymn "I Stand All Amazed". The Plan of Salvation answers the questions that we have about life, and can bring us peace. I love it, and I love teaching it and trying to share it with other people. And then Antolin came to church yesterday!!!!!
Fun Stuff: We had a lot of good things happen this past week. We were able to meet with the Stake Presidency here and discuss and talk about the direction to take in the wards/branch and how to help the members. On Thursday we then went out on visits with the Bishop of one of our wards and taught Kody. He is a new investigator, has a lot of questions, and is about 19. He plays video games, and when we were teaching about the nature of God (because he is agnostic) we related it in his own language (analogy to a video game) and about God is the creator and we won't understand everything in this life, but we can know what Truth is and where it lies. Then yesterday at our dinner, the small child of the family accidentally turned on a air mattress and kinda freaked out. Fun stuff like that makes the long days pretty short.
Studies: The major thing from this past week is the importance of pondering what we study. It's everywhere in the scriptures and is necessary for receiving revelation. In D&C 138, it says similar words to 'ponder' 3 times in about 11ish verses, and was the only way the vision came. D&C 76 also came because of pondering. When all of us are reading the Book of Mormon to find the truth, to know if Joseph Smith was a Prophet, and if the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth, these verses talk about how to know, and I'll highlight the stuff about pondering. It's pretty important and that's how I came to know that the Book of Mormon is true and that my Savior lives and guides His Church through a Prophet.
Moroni 10:3-5
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
Well, this week was pretty good. It was tiring, busy, but great, and next week will be good too.
Thanks for all that you do and for your emails and support.
Love,
Elder Baker
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