This Photo represents only 1/2 of our mission; the other half met on November 11th -
We are on the 2nd row towards the middle.
This past week has been a great feast. Each day we are working hard and learning so much. The highlight of the week was attending a Mission Tour meeting. Elder and Sister Wilson visited the mission. Elder Wilson is a Seventy, General Authority. They taught with great wisdom and power.The main topic was "The Book of Mormon" and its role in the conversion process. Both of them are converts to the church. Sister Wilson joined the church at age 11. She shared her amazing story. Elder Wilson was in his 20's. Their conversion stories were inspirational.
I experienced a tense moment. In preparation for the meeting, Elder Wilson had requested that all missionaries prepare a 3 minute message on the subject: "My Purpose". Both my husband and I complied. Following the meeting each missionary was to submit their talk outline to the mission presidency. We realized there was a small chance of being called to present our talks. However, when I asked one of the other senior missionaries in our District if he thought a senior missionary would be called on; he said he didn't think so. When I left home for the meeting I couldn't print my outline. I sent it from my laptop to my desk top computer so I could print it. It wouldn't go. We were in a hurry so I thought I would just send it to the mission office following after the meeting.
In the afternoon session, the conducting Zone Leader asked for three individuals to come up and present their talks. He called out for a Sister Williams, my heart dropped to the floor on that one. Then my husband said; " dear" the Elder said; "Sister Williams, the younger one". That eliminated me. I was so relieved; saved by age!
Elder and Sister Wilson explained how they gained their individual testimonies of the Gospel through reading the Book of Mormon. Of course, the Book of Mormon is my favorite book and I have read it several times. Just before we went to the MTC I read it through again in 10 days, which was a special spiritual experience for me. Every time I read from those pages I learn more. In my opinion it can answer all of life's questions. Who Am I? Where Did I Come From? and Why Am I Here? Also, it provides timely answers on how to approach or resolve any pressing issue.
This is a powerful book and if read, will bless your life. This is taken from a portion of a blog post of mine written in 2014.
First of all, I should tell you what The Book of Mormon is. Quoting from the introductory page of this book: "The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel.
The Book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian, named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterwards separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the American Indians.
The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.
After Mormon completed his writing. he delivered the account to his son Moroni, who added a few words of his own and hid up the plates in the Hill Cumorah. On September 21, 1823, the same Moroni, then a glorified, resurrected being, appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and instructed him relative to the ancient record and its destined translation into the English language.
If I were to suggest a book to inspire your marriage, raise your families or heal your soul; this would be the first that I would point to, followed by the Holy Bible.
Many years ago I was struggling with how to help one of my children. They were having some deep struggles. I prayed and fasted mightily for them. I wanted to know how to help them. I took my Book of Mormon and headed for the temple grounds. While sitting in my car by the side of the temple I prayed and as I opened up the scriptures; the answer was right there. This has occurred countless times throughout my life when I have had deeply concerning questions. I know that this book of scriptures is true. I have tested it's principles and doctrines; they are sound. This book goes hand in hand with the Old Testament, New Testament, and other sacred writings.
Here are some more questions it will answer;
. Is there life after death? (Alma 40)
. What is the purpose of life? (Alma 34)
. Does God know me? (Alma 5:38, 58)
. Does God answer prayers? (Enos 1)
. How can I find peace and joy? (Mosiah 2,4)
. How can my family be happier and more united? (Mosiah 2)
. How can I strengthen my relationship with my spouse? (3Nephi 14)
. How can I avoid the evils that threaten my family? (Alma 39)
My one hope is that someone that reads this will pick up a Book of Mormon and read 3 Nephi 17: Here you will learn of Christ's visit to the America's. It will tell of His love for the people and the little children that He blessed.
We enjoyed a very busy Sabbath day this week. Here's an outline of our schedule: We began at 7:30 am attending the 3rd Ward Correlation Council Meeting.We left at 8:30 to attend the 8th Ward Correlation Council Meeting We then left that meeting at 8:50 to provide a young man with ride to church. Unfortunately didn't answer the door so we returned to finish the meeting in 8th ward. We next attended Sunday School in the 3rd Ward which was followed by the 8th Ward Sacrament meeting - an was awesome missionary farewell. I left for a few minutes to take care of our small dog, Sammy. Roger went with Elder Araujo to attend another Sunday school. I returned and we next attended the 5th Ward's Sacrament meeting, which was their annual Primary program. In this program all of the children in the ward follow a topical theme to present short messages and sing beautiful children's hymns. Immediately after, Roger and the Ward Mission Leader priesthood blessings to a family. We then met with the Ward Mission Leader for 3rd Ward. As we were leaving the building for the day; I stopped in and talked for a few moments with the 5th ward's Relief Society President.
We came home briefly for dinner and then accompanied the full time Elders assigned to our Stake to assist them in teaching multiple lessons. One of them went with us to visit two families, and the other one went with another Elder to visit a third family. We didn't get home until after 9 pm. It was one of the busiest days but so fulfilling and the meetings were awesome. How I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We ask that you read the Book of Mormon and then go to your Heavenly Father in sincere prayer and you will receive your own testimony of the truthfulness of this wonderful book.
From the introduction in the Book of Mormon comes this invitation;
"We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (see Moroni 10:3-5).
It is my testimony that The Book of Mormon is a true book of scripture for our latter days. Come and see!
