Embrace It

Car inspections at zone conference.

I love learning how God has been preparing people throughout their lives to receive the gospel. Sometimes He does it through sickness, trials, adversity, family troubles, or other ways. It's so complicated and yet so precisely done that I can't help but be grateful for the Lord's tender mercies in my own life. He's shaping each of us and we can choose to resist it and be unhappy, or we can embrace it and find eternal joy. 

This week we were able to talk with an investigator about how he has been feeling about what he's been learning. He was so excited about the difference he's felt in his life and the changes he's made! You can't just "trick" people into feeling like that. These people receive a witness from the Spirit that is true and clear and they act on that witness by repenting and following the Savior by being baptized and confirmed by someone who has the priesthood authority. It's not made up. 

There are no exceptions to this knowledge either. Everyone can know this message is true and that's the amazing thing about it. God's plan is perfect and will give everyone an equal opportunity to learn the gospel. This investigator has chosen to learn and it has changed his life. Each of us can experience that change as well.

The Perfect Plan

Smiles on a day of eternal significance.
(Elder Wadsworth, Jennifer, and Elder Griffiths)

This past week I was able to participate in the baptism of one of our investigators, Jennifer. She's amazing! I've loved teaching her and talking with her and seeing her recognize the blessings the gospel brings into her life. 

She told Elder Wadsworth and me that we were the perfect missionaries for her. Not to say that we're perfect, but that our personalities matched with hers in just the right way to help her feel comfortable and willing to learn about the gospel. It was a testimony builder to me of the perfect plan that our Heavenly Father has for each of us. He blesses us with attributes, qualities, and characteristics that can positively impact the lives of others. It was cool to watch the Spirit work with Jennifer's heart and help her to become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's been a great week!

You Can't Argue with It

Elder Griffiths's dad told him as a zone leader, other missionaries would look to him as a "wise old owl." Apparently this is what Elder Griffiths thinks a wise old owl looks like. #hedoesnotwearspecs #neitherdoowls

I love the power of the Book of Mormon. It was our goal to use it as a contacting method this week. We would tell people that it was evidence of God's love for us and of the divinity of Christ. It brought power into our teaching. 

The Book of Mormon is such a unique book and it proves itself true. I always feel a lot more confident in handing someone a Book of Mormon than handing them some sort of pamphlet or pass-along card. I know that the Book of Mormon brings the Spirit more powerfully than anything else we could offer them. If they read it and pray with faith in Christ, a sincere heart, and real intent then they'll know that it's true. You can't argue with the Spirit. I'm grateful that God has given us the Book of Mormon to solidify our testimonies of the Bible, and to provide safety for the soul in these days.

Working with a Pro

Sunset in Winter Haven.

My new companion is Elder Ashcraft. He's from Brownsville, Oregon. He's been out on his mission for 20 months now so he's not a new missionary. His previous area before he got to Winter Haven was Palmetto, which was an area that I served in earlier in my mission. He used to play football, throw things in track, and he wrestled. 

He is a hardworking missionary and he loves the gospel. He's very good at mechanical stuff too. For the first year of his mission he was on full bike so he's a pro at changing flat tires. We work really well together and I'm excited to see how this last transfer of my mission goes!