Email 2/10/17
Hello everybody,
Yeah. Another week.
On Monday evening, we went to teach our investigator, Mike, the American. He is half Spanish and half American, was born here in Spain, but lived in the States for a long time and served in the Navy. Being in his house feels like being back in the States. We had a really good lesson with him covering some points of the plan of salvation, and I tell you, the Book of Mormon really came in handy during that lesson. Probably because it contains answers to the great questions of the soul (Why am I here? What is my purpose in life? Where am I going after this life?) and those questions are answered so amazing clearly in the scriptures.
On Wednesday, we went to go to our weekly noche de Hogar / correlation meeting with our branch mission leader, Miguel Ángel and his family, and we we got there his wife, María José, told us to come back in 15 minutes because her husband wasn’t back from work yet. So, we went to the house of this guy named Juan who lived pretty close, wanting to stop by and set up a time to meet with him later, but instead of finding him there, we met his daughter and son in law. We were able to teach them about the Book of Mormon with the little time we had, give them one, and set up a time to meet the next day. Although they weren’t there when we came back, it was a miracle enough being able to place that book with them.
On Friday, when we were on intercambios with Elder Cox and Elder Moon in Él Puerto de Santa Maria, Elder Cox and I had a really good contact where we taught this guy about the importance of the Book and why it sets us apart from other religions (i.e. continuing revelation). The Book of Mormon came in handy once again as a powerful witness of Christ and the restoration of His church on this dispensation.
Lastly, on Saturday and Sunday, we attended general conference. Multiple of the men who we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators gave powerful discourses on this magnificent book. In President Nelson’s words:
“Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son. Nowhere are those truths taught more clearly and powerfully than in the Book of Mormon . . . When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power. The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls.”
I want to share my testimony with all of you that The Book of Mormon is indeed God’s words, and I have felt it’s power in my life by reading and applying its teachings day by day. Because of this book, I know that God “shall consecrate [mine] afflictions for [my] gain” (2 Nephi 2:2). Surely the family of the late Elder Robert D. Hales is finding comfort that “that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise” (Alma 40:12). And certainty we all can benefit from following Moroni’s invitation to, “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness” (Moroni 10:32). What a perfect book.
Love,
Élder Stark ??
Photos
1: Obligatory cloud picture
2: Some crabs and dirt
3: South Bay in San Fernando
4: Hamburguesas with Domingo
5: Elder Cox is the best
6: When Elder Moon and I were stuck in a bus for an hour and a half
7: It was because of a bike race (I realize you can’t see bikes in this picture)
8: Until next time
