We taught a lot of lessons this week. After we emailed, we went over to the Larson's to teach Mikah again. It went real well, but he has been trodding down a difficult path towards finding the truth. Almost like baking the cake before putting in the eggs...It doesn't work, and makes a bigger mess than what you started with. He has been digging through D&C, because he finds it more interesting, as well as finding more reasons to doubt or to find doctrine that disagrees with what he believes already. We talked about the Book of Mormon and it's purpose. There is a process; a time and season for everything. Coming to know of the truth's of the gospel is a step by step process, and something that takes time and work. If you do not know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, then the revelations he received will mean nothing to you. If those revelations mean nothing to you, then you can never find out if the church is true, for they are central to the restoration of the Gospel. The steps are very simple. You must search the Book of Mormon; You must show God that you have a desire to know it's true. If it is not true, then no other doctrine that is contained in the church, because the keystone of our religion is the Book of Mormon...if it is false in any manner, everything else falls. BUT, on the flip side, if you know that the Book of Mormon is true, then you know that the people that are spoken in it are true, and that their stories and prophecies are true, and that Joseph Smith was directed by God, through God's power, to translate the record for a great purpose of God, to act as the evidence and proof of the Restoration. If those things are true, then Joseph Smith was called of God to perform that mighty work. He was called to be the prophet who would bring the Kingdom of God, in it's fullness, with all the powers and authorities under Heaven, in preparation of the Second Coming. If this is true, then the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price play an even more important role in your understanding of the Gospel, because you will know that they are revelations for this day and age, received by a man, called of God to perform such a Marvelous Work and a Wonder. There is no other path to the truth. We have been trying to help him understand this, so that his focus is solely on the Book of Mormon, because it is there where his Testimony will really sprout.
We also taught Emily the last 2 lessons! She is totally awesome and ready. Her interview is tomorrow and her baptism is on Saturday. We are way excited for her! We met with her parents and they told us pretty much what we knew from teaching her; She is doing this for herself, and she knows it's true. They signed a paper, giving permission for the baptism and for her joining the church. Look forward to those pictures next week!! :)
We also taught an awesome lesson with the Baxter family, which is a first time ever! Tim, who has in the past, avoided gospel discussions, talked to us about his thoughts and feelings about church and about his thoughts about what he would do once his wife and daughter return back to church. One important fact about him is that he loves his family, and I know that once his wife and daughter start back in church, he's going to want to be there, just for them. I don't think he has thought about it yet before, so we helped bring that to the forefront of his mind. It was very cool.
One cool thing this week, is we got an invitation to go to another church next week. I'm pretty excited about that. We learn a lot about other people's religions, but rarely do we get to experience what they experience. It's an opportunity to better understand and know the things in which they feel so strongly about. Cathy, who is the one that invited us, asked us why is it not something that our church discourages. I told her that any doctrine that says that provides a limiting factor on the knowledge that exists in the world is not of God. The 13th Article of Faith comes to mind, where it says "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. I would add to this principle that if there is truth or knowledge to find that we also seek after it...We accept all truth as long as it is truth, and we verify all truth with our Father in Heaven, who is the center of all truth. With such a great resource, why would we ever worry?
Just as an FYI, two years and a day ago, I asked a wonderful, young Daughter of God if she would accept a commitment to fall in love with each other, and to bear each other's burdens to help each other grow and learn in all aspects, with the potential of a very future together. This amazing young lady, is performing a remarkable service on the other side of the world, and walks with God on her side as she does it. I am so proud of her, and am so happy that not only did she accept that commitment two years ago, but much of it has come to pass, as we continue to walk together in our trials and as we continue to show our love for each other and our God, in a singleness of purpose as we serve Him, who has offered us such a great blessing. I love Shauna very much, and am so proud of her and her willingness to follow the example of Jesus Christ; helping others come closer to Him by the power and authority that has been granted to her. She is in my prayers every night, and is a strength and motivator to me every single day. I ask that you all keep her and her work in your prayers as she continues to magnify her calling. :)
Also, congratulations to my mother and Glen for their recent 6 year anniversary! It's strengthening to me to know that I have a family at home that is not broken in any way, but for the first time in my life, is solid and unchanging. I love you both, as well as the rest of the family of course!
Anyway! I love you all! Keep up all your hard work! Till next week :)
Elder Tyler Robinson
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| Pictures of a firefly. I'm sorry about the quality. It's hard to take a picture of a bug while it is moving around your hand and timing it to when it's butt lights up...But as you can see, they are pretty awesome!! :) |
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