Família,
We started out this week, with about 25 people we were teaching, we have cut almost everyone of those 25. haha, we had one person tell us that they didn't want us to come by anymore, and we had other families who just aren't progressing. We are putting our faith in the promise that "the field is white, all ready to harvest" and we are going to start looking for the people. So far we have about 2 people who I believe are truly looking for what we have to offer.
Elder Squires and I were on a bus going to a meeting in another city, São José dos Campos, when a man started to speak to us in English, he was actually sitting right next to me. I explained to him about the Book of Mormon, and he was instantly receptive. He told me that he wanted to read it, and I explained about priesthood authority, and the vision that Joseph Smith had. I have taught him 2 times, and he is so receptive. He is going through some personal problems, so it is hard for him to make it to church. But he told me that everything he has read he has felt to be true. He also said that one day he believes that he will be baptized. He said he has searched every church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only one he hasn't searched. So now he is reading, he can tell you everything in the Book of Mormon up to 1 Nephi 12 (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng) Including the introductions in the beginning.
The other is named C., actually the fist time I taught her was last night. Elder Denis (who is serving in the other area of Jacareí with Elder Wilker) baptized a girl in the first area of his mission who is preparing to serve a full time mission. She brought a friend to church named C. who is a girl who has almost no time to meet with us, but she is really reading to Book of Mormon and trying to understand. Last night we taught her, and explained about 3 of the 4 lessons that we teach before baptism. haha, i am excited to work with her, because she is really searching for the truth.
This week as I have really tried to study more effectively and truly feast upon the words of Christ, i have been given inspiration and guidance. I have been thinking about study a lot this week, and I really that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the study of the scriptures that happened in 1820 when Joseph Smith was studying the Bible and really putting forth effort to know. When Elder Jeffery R Holland came to our mission he said that "you can´t have a million dollar experience with twenty five cents of effort" So i have really been trying to do my part and really put in all I can to have experiences like that. I have felt the spirit more strongly and I have felt more of an intense desire to talk to people. To help everyone have what i have, studying the scriptures daily is an act of faith, and we will lose fear as we continually demonstrate our faith and study.
I challenge everyone to have a simple yet meaningful missionary experience this week. Read the Liahona, or Ensign, and study the first presidency message this month (September). We should be prepared on our side of the field, because there are really people who are prepared to receive the gospel. This is the promise. We are not seed planters, we are harvesters. We should study and pray everyday for a chance to share the gospel with someone who is prepared to receive it. Elder Lutz and I taught Relief Society and Priesthood about this concept yesterday in our Branch. The Lord has people who are ready and looking. Are we, as members of the church, prepared to answer their questions, bear our testimony, and follow the promptings of the Spirit tell us what to do and what to say? This is a question I have been asking myself almost everyday for the last week, and it is bringing blessings into my life as I walk forward with faith and help others know of the blessings that we have in our lives.Love you guys, the scriptures are sooo awesome!!!
Elder Halls
PS Watch conference!!! Its awesome too!
