Well, last week I was thinking that I would be writing about a couple of baptisms for this week. But, the matrimony didnt get baptized. It was a rough week overall in the work but we were able to find some people at the end of the week and so we are finding more people to teach.
The wife of the matrimony, Elizabeth, was ready to go last week. She had her interview and everything and was 100% ready but her husband still needed a testimony of the restoration of the gospel. We taught that all week to him and even watched a movie of the life of Joseph Smith, but all sorts of doubts came to their minds. We went over on Friday and they told us they werent getting baptized and maybe they would sometime in the future. Victor couldnt believe it when we told him that the Pope has absolutley no priesthood authority and that his baptism was invalid. Elizabeth also went back to her old ways saying that her baptism was valid and we told her that it wasnt. All sorts of things came out of their mouths just trying to prove us wrong. In the end, all we could do was share a few scriptures and testify. The Spirit gave me a tranquility after that I had done all I could and my companion as well so I was feeling ok on my part but I still felt horrible for the decision that they had made. The next morning I studied the scriptures with that on my mind. I read in 2 Nephi 9:44 of Nephi preaching after testifying of Christ and his gospel. A part says, ¨...Behold, I take off my garments, and I shake them before you... wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be judged of ther works, that the God of Israel did witness that I shook your iniquities from my soul...¨ Thats just a chunk of the scripture but its really powerful. That gave me a lot of closure.
We have contacted a lot lately and at one point we saw a kid, 13 years old, playing soccer outside. We played with him for a few minutes and a lot of other kids on the street came. We gave him a pamphlet and got his address. We went back the next day and he was in his house really excited to let us in. We ended up sharing a message with him and his mom. They seem really good. Also, we found a lady that had been wanting to go back to church but was inactive. Her husband isnt a member so we went back and shared with him. The Lord is blessing us with new people now!
Ive been reading in Doctine and Covenants and there was one scripture that really hit me. The Spirit moved across me as a wave when I read it because it had been the morning after the lesson with Elizabeth and Victor. Ill end up this email with that scripture.
Here the Lord is speaking to the early Elders of the church. Doctrine and Covenants 68:6- ¨Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.¨
Love yall!
Elder Gregory
(A few pictures from the past few weeks)
