I know that you like longer emails and letters, but sometimes being exactly obedient blesses more than the missionary. It blesses his family too. If everyone were exactly obedient then we'd have a peacefull world.
Now the story about Mira. Elder Rebaza and I went over to a member's house one night because we had heard that she'd been in the hospital. Upon sitting down and visiting with her for a minute we decided to share a message. After the opening prayer for our meeting she jumped up and said, "I've got someone for you to teach so hold on a minute." She left the apartment. We were confused and wondering what was going on. She came back and motioned for us to follow her. We went to the apartment upstairs and inside was Mira. We taught her the Restoration and invited her to be baptized. She said yes. Although shy she continued to keep commitments and even came to church on the Sunday that President Belliston was speaking. It was Awesome!
Now Abram is an interesting story. So we got a referral from the Assistants for this less active part member family in our ward that we didn't know about. We knocked on Abram's door thinking it was the right one. Turns out it was the next house over that we were looking for (Stinking trailer courts). We went over and knocked on the door. Nobody was home. When we came off the porch Abram was outside. He came up to us and told us that he was interested in our message. We talked for a little bit. Left him a Restoration Pamphlet and went on our way. Saturday night he calls us and asks us if we're having worship services on sunday. I told him, "Yes. They start at 11:30." His response was asking if he could come. I answered yes while in total shock. Then he asked for a tour of the building. I told him we could arrange it. After getting off the phone I still hadn't fully grasped what had happened. We had a potential investigator coming to church on the Sunday that President Belliston was speaking. He came and enjoyed his time. We sent him home with a Book of Mormon and another invite to go on mormon.org and learn more.
Now for the after results of Abram. In his desire to learn more he began looking up every bit of information that he could about the church from every source that he could find. He has since formulated his own ideas and in essence antied himself and is now no longer teachable. We can't progress with him. Even though we told him where to go if he wants to know the truth of some of the age old questions about the church he didn't listen. We told him that there are enemies that would sway his thoughts in other ways, but that God wouldn't. He just won't get over some things. I wish that being as bold as some other people would help, but the situation now would be a bash fest on doctrines.
For every hundred truths the Adversary gives, he throws in one lie. He knows what would have happened if Abram had listened to our counsel and taken everything to God. We will meet with Abram again. Next time will be a chance to declare boldly and by the Spirit, the doctrine's of salvation. The Evil One will not win.
You can share anything I say with anyone that you think needs to hear it. As for times in life that we may be having some issues. Remember what Spencer W. Kimball said, “There are great challenges ahead of us, giant opportunities to be met. I welcome that exciting prospect and feel to say to the Lord, humbly, ‘Give me this mountain,’ give me these challenges.” Also remember what President Eyring said, "If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing."
Upon making my decision to serve as a Missionary, I adopted a personal slogan, "I never said it would be easy. I just waid it would be worth it." This isn't an easy church to be a part of. The demands aren't easy. The callings aren't easy. They give us mountains to overcome in life. Will they ever be easy? No. Elder Bednar told us that when he became an Apostle he had a chance to talk to Elder Holland. He asked him, "Does it ever get any easier?" Elder Holland responded, "I'm told that twenty years down the road it gets easier." After sharing the experience with President Packer he was told, "No. It never gets any easier. In fact it gets harder. Much harder. You realize your responsibilities and discover that they are just that much more demanding." Dont let your head hang down though about callings. Stresses come, but as long as we have faith we can get over them. http://mormonchannel.org/mormonmessages?v=1289877050001
I testify that our savior knows our stresses. He doesn't let us go through them alone. He gives us a comforter. You just have to get on your knees to find him. I testify that God the Father loves us. He strengthens us. I solemnly declare it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
"Feed my sheep..."
Elder Christofferson
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