A Family That Has Been Waiting!
Hello
Friends and Family!
This
week has been great. I am continually touched by the countless miracles I have
the
First,
Elder Sieverts and I decided to do a very careful, prayerful, and dedicated
contacting block this week. Meaning, we
prayed about where we should be, when we should be there, and planned out what
type of strategies we should take while talking to individuals. We covenanted
with the Lord to speak to anyone and everyone we saw and to not quit until we
found someone that needed the message of the Restored Gospel. We had prayed
about a specific area, at a specific time, and went there. We knocked every
home on the street, and then came to a smaller, more secluded home at the very
end of the road. As always (I have such a testimony of this), the Lord saves
the most elect individuals for last. We knocked the door, and an elderly lady
answered. The most amazing thing happened: the moment she opened up, and looked
at us, I knew that she was the one that we were supposed to talk with that day.
I told her who we were, smiled, and then said a silent prayer in my heart. She quickly responded, “Come on in! Thank you
so much for coming by. This is just
amazing.” She let us right inside, sat us down, and allowed us to begin with
the message of the Restoration. The Spirit was very strong there, and I
couldn’t help but feel it especially strong when we stated our testimonies of
Joseph Smith, and of the First Vision. As the Spirit filled the room, we explained
the Book of Mormon, and she said, “You know, I’ve been going to my Baptist
church for a long time. It just isn’t right. I will read y’alls Book and pray
bout’ it.” She urged us to come back early this week, and said, “I’ll be
reading, and I want to talk about it when y’all come back!” This was a miracle
in so many ways, it is hard to explain. We’ve been looking for individuals who
desire to read the Book of Mormon to increase their Faith; not just because
they are curious, and skeptical. This
woman, Mary, was, without a doubt, an answer to our many prayers.
Second,
Elder Sieverts and I went and taught a young family. We found them last week,
and they seemed very interested in the Gospel. We came back, and read through
The Family: A Proclamation to the World with them. We had felt prompted to do
this, because last time we met with them, they stated how deeply they feel that
Satan is attacking the family unit. Thus, we thought the Proclamation would be
a great fit and interest for them. As we read through it, Jamie (the mother)
said, “I agree with all of this. It feels so nice to be reinforced by a church,
finally! No one wants to stand up for the family anymore. My husband and I have
been fighting for our marriage for over 10 years, and I just know that it is
important for our children.” As she said this, you couldn’t help but feel the
Spirit testify to us, and to them, that this was a sacred document produced by
no one else but a prophet of God. They committed to read, pray, and ponder
about the Book of Mormon, and they seem very excited to continue to learn more.
This is a miracle more than I can begin to say. I never understood back home,
for a single second, how much families are under attack. Coming on my mission,
this is only about the second young family I’ve run into that has been married
longer than 5 years. This has been a struggle for Elder Sieverts and I (and was
a struggle with Elder Sorensen as well) to find a single family to teach. The
concept of the family has changed so dramatically, it is hard to put in
writing. I have gained such a strong testimony of the importance of fighting
for marriage, family, and supporting the proper ideals of family life. Nothing
has been more saddening to me, than seeing how Satan has attacked the very
basic unit of society: the family.
The last
miracle I wanted to mention was Alyssa. She was the young lady we ran into last
week, that stated that she was a member from California and really wanted to
come back to church. Well, she did come back to church this week! We were able
to find a member who was able to give her a ride (her car had broken down), and
she stayed for all three hours. When I talked with her more, and got more of
her story, she said, “Well, I honestly haven’t been back to church since I was
16. I was baptized, then I moved out here, and never went back. I was just
hoping I could find a way to get here, and be able to fit in.” When Alyssa came
to church, the branch was beyond welcoming. All of the Relief Society members
were able to get her contact information, and plan out days to go out with her
this week, and even rides to church in the coming weeks (if needed). It humbled me to see all the members of the
Branch welcome her so warmly back to the Church. As Alyssa was leaving, I said,
“So, what’d you think about church?” She smiled and said, “Well, I can for sure
say that I felt welcomed back. It was
perfect.” This was such a spiritual moment for me. Being able to be lead, and be an instrument in
the Lord’s hands to find Alyssa, has truly allowed me to become more converted
to the Lord. I do know that Jesus Christ
knows each and every one of us, and even when we go astray, He will never
forget or forsake us. I know that because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, we will
never be forgotten. Instead, we will only be strengthened and comforted as we
turn to Him.
This
past week we were also able to have a Mission Conference with Elder Costa of
the Seventy. He is the most senior
Seventy, currently, and will be reaching his Emeritus status within a year.
Because this would be one of the last missions he would visit during his time
as a Seventy, he was sure to teach us many spiritual things he has learned over
the years. From the conference, he shared with us one valuable insight that the
Spirit touched me deeply. He said, “As
you read and study Joseph Smith History, and the First Vision, you will begin
to see, and witness, the vision for yourself.” I have pondered many days about
those words, and have come to the conclusion that we truly can feel, see, and
know the truthfulness of this Gospel, and of Joseph Smith, for ourselves. We
may not see the pillar of light, but we can feel part of what he felt on the spring
morning in 1820. I would hope that each of you would take the time to read
Joseph Smith History, and ‘feel and see’ the Vision and the truthfulness of the
Gospel for yourself.
I know
the Church is true. I know the Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus
Christ. I know that Jesus is the Christ, and that He will come again. I love
being a missionary, and I love being able to be an instrument in the Lord’s
Hands.
Until
Next Week-
Elder
Robb
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