Share the Gospel

Afternoon, family,

It's been yet another challenging but good week. I have gained lots of weight since I have left. Just kidding, I have actually gained zero weight which is good. I'm very suprised about that though, since Lehland always brings home cake for us to eat. Yesterday I had icecream after we broke our fast. Neopolitan. Very good. We eat pretty good for the most part here. Haven't had any baby back ribs though.

I'm having a hard time thinking of anything interesting that happened this week. Let's see...

Well this past week Elder Lovik put me in charge of most things. I got to lead out in planning sessions and lessons and such. I also I got to drive around for a couple days this week because he had pink eye or something and also because it was exchanges.

This week has been cold! It's only like 35 degrees but it feels like 10 because of the humidity. I  have to wear my white shirt, a sweater, a jacket, and my new coat or else it will go right through me. I also need to buy a beenie that keeps the cold out. I bought some long johns though which kept me pretty warm. This is a bone chillin place though!

Our investigators are doing pretty good. Had a good lesson with Mike F. He had stopped reading the book of mormon as much as he used to and so we shared "Faith is not by Chance but by Choice" with him. He now says he is going to read the book of mormon from cover to cover like we invited him to. He says he has been in a lot of confusion for a while, and that's because he hasn't been reading the book of mormon. So if you are reading this and are confused about something, read the book of mormon. It will help.

Mike Y. is doing pretty good too. We met with him 4 times this week. He came with us one of the times to another lesson we had with a less active guy named Hunter. He is an interesting fellow. He loves God and will go to a lot of YSA activities and church functions. He is willing to help people with their home teaching too. He feels like the book of mormon is probably true, but wants to read it all the way through before deciding on baptism. He needs to read more then or it's going to be a while.

Jose injured his eye while at work this week. He got some kind of chemical in it so we weren't able to meet with him. He came to church though. Jose is the best. Such a humble guy. I've had to work on my spanish a little so we can communicate a little better. Good thing we have Fransisco. There is a special place in the Celestial Kingdom for people like fransisco. He'll drop everything to help us out. And he is a convert of only a few years. He fed us Talapia tacos with his homemade guacamole. He is the best. I learned yesterday that he is the middle of 18 other siblings from the same mom!

Brother Barfield is doing oustanding! He is in 3 Nephi! It's only been almost 2 months since he started reading it! Granted, he is retired. But still. Also he said he is done drinking beer. The bishop said that this week he could have 3 more beers (last week was 6), but Brother Barfield said he is just going to quit now! I wish we could be there while he drinks his last beer. We could drink root beer while he drinks his last one! It would be so funny. He accepted a call as a ward missionary which is going to help us out a great deal.
His faith is so amazing! He doesn't question anything, he just does it! I'm so happy that we found him. Meeting with him is like the highlight of the week. I always have so much joy seeing his progression!

The more I'm out here, the more I realize how much time I wasted back home. I could have spent a lot more time serving and trying to share the gospel with other people. I hardly ever did. I didn't think that people could change. Sharing the gospel bring more joy than anything. Said President Eyring: 

"Few joys in life are sweeter and longer lasting than knowing that you have helped others take the restored gospel of Jesus Christ into their hearts. Having that joy is the opportunity of every member of the Church. When we were baptized, we made a promise that we would “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death, that [we] may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that [we] may have eternal life” (Mosiah 18:9).

All members accept part of the charge given to the Church to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, wherever and as long as they live. The Lord said it clearly: “Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor” (D&C 88:81). Full-time missionaries are to have the power to teach those who are not yet members of the Church. Members of the Church are to have the power to find those the Lord has prepared for the missionaries to teach.

We need to exercise our faith that the Lord has prepared people around us to be taught. He knows who they are and when they are ready, and He can guide us to them by the power of the Holy Ghost and give us words to invite them to be taught. The promise the Lord gave to a missionary in 1832 is also the promise He gives to us in our charge to find people ready for teaching by the missionaries: “I will send upon him the Comforter, which shall teach him the truth and the way whither he shall go; and inasmuch as he is faithful, I will crown him again with sheaves” (D&C 79:2–3).

And the promise of great joy for the faithful missionary is also ours as faithful members who give our hearts to missionary work:

“And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

“Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and my salvation.

“Ask the Father in my name, in faith believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men” (D&C 18:16–18).

In addition to the Holy Ghost to help us recognize and invite those ready to be taught, the Lord has called and trained leaders to guide us. In a letter dated February 28, 2002, the First Presidency placed increased responsibility for missionary work on bishops and wards. ¹ With the help of the ward or branch council, the priesthood executive committee develops a missionary plan for the unit. In that plan are suggestions on how members can find those ready to be taught by the missionaries. There is a person called as the ward or branch mission leader. That mission leader has close contact with the full-time missionaries and their investigators.

There are many ways you can better meet your personal obligation to help find people for the missionaries to teach. The simplest way will be the best.

Pray to be guided by the Holy Ghost. Talk with local leaders and missionaries, asking for their suggestions and promising them your help. Encourage those involved with you in this work. And be a witness at all times in what you say and do that Jesus is the Christ and that God answers prayers.

I testify that the Holy Ghost will direct you to those who seek truth as you pray and work for that guidance. And I know from experience that your joy will be lasting with those who choose to take the gospel into their hearts and then endure in faith."

I hope that you all realize that life isn't about being entertained everyday but reaching out to others. Share the gospel at least by example, and "if necessary with words." 

Love you all!

Have a good week! Enjoy your thanksgiving. I will. I get to play football and actually watch football just fort thanksgiving. Can you believe it?

Elder Soutas

Brother and Sister McAdoo who Elder Soutas lives with