Hello Friends!

 

I love the gospel and for the opportunity I have to share it. This week, like that past 2 other weeks, were filled with meetings but I was able to have some pretty incredible experiences. To start with a brief explanation, the Spirit is the most important thing that must be present in a lesson. Without, missionary success is impossible.

 

We attended several Specialized Training meetings this past week. We discussed the importance of consecrating our minds on our work (D&C 4:2) and being obedient to overcome the natural man (Mosiah 3:19). In the afternoon, the zones broke out into individual zone meetings and addressed those topics important to their zone. One meeting really stuck out to me. They did a testimony meeting, zone discussion, etc. All centered around the Book of Mormon. This zone has a rich history of using the Book of Mormon in all that they do: Teaching, finding, extending commitments...truly they understand the role of the Book of Mormon in a person's conversion. As I sat in that meeting, I started to ponder on my own testimony of the Book of Mormon and was inspired to turn to 2 Nephi 33:4-5. As I read those verses the spirit bore witness to my soul that the Book was indeed true and, like Elder Holland stated two conferences ago, was written under the inspiration of God.

 

I've pondered some pretty interesting topics this past week that, I feel, have really helped my deepen my understanding of my purpose as a missionary. One experience I would like to summarize really captures that Idea. We felt inspired to visit a part member family that had canceled their appointment the night before. We knew what we wanted our product to be as a result of the visit...but the way we arrived there was completely different than what we expected. I won't share the details of the visit because the experience is very sacred to me but I will go to say that the spirit was the teacher. As I was writing the experience in my journal I could remember word for word the discussion that occurred during the visit. To explain the situation, the family has been on and off active for the past 2-3 years or so. However, the mom became pregnant a little over the year ago and hadn't come to church since then. Her 13 year old daughter, Savannah, wants to be baptized but we knew that if we were to baptize her quickly she would fall away. We knew that we had to get the mom active again and the dad to lead his family on the path of righteousness. I am humbled to say that, because of our visit this past Saturday, Hna. Arellano went to church for the first time in over a year...and stayed for all three hours. It was an incredible experience.

 

I know that this gospel is true. I have no doubt in my mind that Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father, or God, and his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that he was called to be the prophet of the Restoration. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Nobody can convince me otherwise. The gospel of Jesus Christ, his Atonement, is the only thing that can heal a wounded soul. It is the only thing that will bring true and everlasting happiness. I know that life is tough...that we face difficult challenges but our Savior has passed beneath them all and knows how to support his people. I am humbled to be his representative. I carry his sacred name every day to proclaim the love that he has for each one of us. That is my testimony in the name of his holy name, even Jesus the Christ, Amen.

 

Sincerely,

Elder Klemme