We met a friend of a member this week who is really interested in the message too! We felt that we should visit a member family that just came back from vacation and we haven't seen a ton. When we went to their house, the mom was outside cleaning up the yard and she was excited and happy to see us. She said that her son had friends over and we should share a message with them!! So, we head on into the house and start chatting with a group of 5 teenagers and invite them to hear a message.
All of them, except for one, were actually heading out as we were showing up, but the one, Jeff is his name, stayed and was willing to listen. We shared about Christ' visit to America and he was blown away! He never thought that Christ had visited other places and was more than excited to read the Book of Mormon.
Then…..Jeff came to church today with his friend Daryl, they are friends of a member and they had a great time!! Jeff was so receptive, asking and answering questions in class!
We also met tons of new families as well this week as the Lord help us change a little what we are doing! We will keep you updated on how they are doing next week because they are all still new, but they were super nice, receptive, and willing to read the book of Mormon!!
We also had zone conference this week and it was pretty good. The mission is starting to roll things out that are brand new to everyone else, but are some of the things we did in the San Pablo Mission, so we are on an uphill now and hoping to get even better!!
We also have been able to teach our Bishops friend Fidel! He has his own water business, is really busy, but really nice and willing to listen. He doesn't have a current religion but has gone to just about every church. We shared about the Book of Mormon and he was willing to read it. The one thing is though, all the answers to his questions, he wants from the scriptures. And we are more than happy to help him with that. This last week has been such a blast in amping up my knowledge of the Book of Mormon along with the Bible and truly making them "one in hand".
D&C 42:12 “And again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fullness of the gospel."
Throughout my mission, I have really tried to use the book of Mormon at all times and to answer all questions so I love this challenge that is placed before me to do even more research and further that understanding. The goal that I would love to hit, is making all my words and lessons, straight from scripture, so they aren't my words, but words of the prophets and the Lord
Quick update on the volcano - Volcano is nothing of big importance right now. It is still on alert level 4 I think, which means that It is going to erupt, level 5 is erupting, so people aren't allowed to go close to the volcano. Back in the 70s, the volcano was on alert level 4 for 6 months. No more ash fallout here, just chilling on the streets in piles though, but it looks just like regular piles of dirt they leave everywhere too so it doesn't make much of a difference.
Spiritual thought goes along with the challenge given to us from President Nelson in General conference.
As he had challenged us in conference, to study the first vision and ponder the restoration, we, as missionaries, have also been challenged to read another assignment given by Elder Cook. It is to read 3 Nephi 11 and find how this chapter relates to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I started to read over Lesson 3 in preach my gospel, Joseph Smith History, and 3 Nephi and started to realize the connection of all the things I was reading. The things the Savior taught to the Nephites in America was the fullness of the gospel, which was restored through the book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith. Without the restoration, we would not have these simple truths, and the fullness of the gospel to guide us and direct us closer to God. I and my district leader are trying to go through the Saviors visit in America and see if he has reference to all 42 principles of the gospel which are listed in Preach my Gospel. So, we are really excited to further our understanding of it!!!
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Love Elder James Dunyon
Nice work, that's awesome!
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