October 28, 2013

Dear Friends and Family,

 

This week we had a lot of cool experiences with our investigators. Funny story: there is a less-active member in our ward that hasn't come to church in forever. It actually turns out that she isn't a member so her and her daughter are two potential baptisms. Another cool experience this week was with an investigator that is married to a member. We taught him the restoration and he wants to change. He still has issues, but we can sense in him the desire to repent and come closer to the Savior.

 

So we had the amazing oppurtunity to hear from Elder Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Ballard this week and it was sweet! We all got to shake his hand and we took a mission picture with him. They talked a lot about praying for missionary oppurtunities, which was interesting that we as missionaries should still be doing that. They also counseled us to be more diligent in our efforts to find, teach, and baptize. The Spirit that resided in that building was incredible! They are actually really cool guys according to Elder Ballard:) They are pretty funny too according to Elder Coleman.

 

Their thoughts were amazing, but the thing that sruck me most was how they spoke to us. It reminded me of a scripture in D&C 121:41-43 which I actually read today and it says:

 

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;  42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
 43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
These men showed me how this was done. Their words pierced me to the very soul, and honesty, it hurt a little bit. The part that really counted though was that they complimented us afterward on the great job we were doing and the love they and the Savior had for us. They were also great examples of the attributes of great priesthood bearers as spoken of in the verses above. I want to be just like these men and the other great examples of missionaries around me, so that I may be an example to others who struggle. I know that we are all here for a reason. We may not have the ability to see what that purpose may be or why bad things happen to us, but there is One who does. If nothing else, know this: that God loves you and He needs you to help accomplish His work. Whether you are an apostle, a full-time missionary, a primary teacher, or a mother, the Lord needs you. I can testify of His plan for us and that as we have the faith to follow a little longer, He will bless us with His Spirit and the assurance that He loves us. I love you all and Hope a little harder!
Love,
Elder Spencer Coleman