This week we were able to see William again. He has been reading a little bit of the Book of Mormon, and he reads from the Bible pretty regularly as well. We weren't really sure about his intent in reading, so we asked him a few things about that. I asked him why he read the scriptures every day. He replied with a "I don't know, it's just what I do" type of answer. We talked about if he felt anything as he read the scriptures, specifically the Book of Mormon, and he just said, "No, it's just kind of there." We then were able to teach him about what exactly the Book of Mormon is - evidence of the Restoration. If it's true, then Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith is a prophet, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Kingdom on Earth. We then invited him to have a motive or an intent behind reading the book. That intent should be to discover that it's true, and that it's the word of God. We taught him about how the Spirit works, how it feels, and how to recognize it. It was a good lesson, and for the first time since we started seeing him, William prayed at the end of the lesson. I'm glad we were able to just teach him. He, like most people, just doesn't seem to understand the significance of the Book of Mormon. Our intent was to help him understand, and I feel like we did our best at doing that.
Daniel is by far one of the most solid people I've taught on my mission. He's so awesome. He came to church on Sunday and we just took him to an empty classroom and had a lesson with him during Elder's Quorum. It was actually the first real sit down lesson I've had with him. Daniel was originally a Book of Mormon referral last spring, and so I asked him why he ordered a Book of Mormon. He said that he had read the Bible, and read lots of other things like the Apocrypha and whatnot, but he just felt that something was missing. When he came across the Book of Mormon, he ordered one. He told us that when he reads it, he sees how everything in it is just perfectly in line with the New Testament (which he is very familiar with). He told us about how he loves coming to church, and he especially enjoys the organization of the Church, specifically how we don't have a pastor, but that there are members of the congregation who speak instead. We also talked about baptism with Daniel, and basically just said to him that our purpose in meeting with him is to help him make the decision to be baptized by proper authority into the Lord's Church. We then invited him to be baptized. Haha that was actually kind of funny what happened there. Here's how it went:
Elder Vanderhoff: "Daniel, we want to invite you to be baptized by someone who holds the Priesthood authority of God."
Daniel: "Oh, okay."
*5-10 second pause*
Me: "Is that something that you want to do?"
Daniel: "What? Oh yeah, of course. Yes."
Haha it was kinda funny just because the invitation didn't get phrased very well, but it was still awesome. Daniel is so solid. There are obviously some things that he still doesn't understand, and a few more things that we have to teach him, but he is so ready. I'm excited for him.
One thing that's real tough in this area is finding. Elder Vanderhoff has knocked close to every door in Attalla, and if he hasn't, someone else has within the past year. There were a few people that we met tracting this week, and we were able to talk to them for a while and set up return appointments. Well, when we went back for the appointments, not a single one of those people were home (or at least they just didn't answer). That's pretty much how missionary work goes sometimes, and that's how our lives have been lately. It's tough, but we're working on it.
We saw Patience this week really briefly. We stopped by just as she was headed out, so we only talked for like 5 minutes. She told us that she hadn't been drinking recently, and that she had been going to church regularly with her aunt or cousin or daughter, I'm not sure, for the past few weeks. I always feel kind of bad when that happens, just because I know that while those other churches are good, they aren't the Lord's Church. They don't teach revealed truths, they just teach the philosophies of men mingled with scripture. I know what people are missing out on. However, when Elder Anderson came to our mission last January, he said something like this: If people don't want to hear about the Restoration, then just talk to them about the New Testament. If they don't want to hear what we have to say, just talk to them about Jesus. Help them build their faith in Him. If they don't want to hear what we have to say, just help them be a good Baptist or a good Methodist or whatever they are. Just help them to become better followers of the Savior.
I thought that was sound advice, and something that applies to Patience very well. It's fine that she doesn't want to accept the Restored Gospel at this time. We gave her a chance, and I'm sure that she'll get another one. What is important is that she has stopped drinking, and is now attending church. She is also praying more often than she said she was before. Those are all things that she wasn't doing until we met her a few weeks ago. We helped her, and that's what's important. Are we going to keep stopping by, and keep trying to teach her? Of course. But if she's not ready, she's not ready. We have helped her improve her life and improve her faith, and she's better off for it.
One more thing from this week - Etowah High School kicked off the football season on Thursday. The game started at 7:00, and there was already crazy traffic around the stadium at like 4:30 when we drove by. We rode by the stadium shortly after the game started, and just walked around outside the gates for a bit. One guy came up to us and was like, "Are y'all not allowed to go in?" I said, "Well, we just can't pay for it." He then reached into his wallet and slipped us a $20. HAS THE DAY OF MIRACLES CEASED?! Haha, so we went and watched the game for a little while and talked to some of the crazy high schoolers in there haha. It was fun. I'm excited for football like everyone else here in the Bible Belt. However, I'm not excited for unproductive proselytizing on Saturdays because everyone is too busy watching College Football haha. It's gonna be tough.
Alrighty, love y'all. I love being a missionary, and sharing what I know with others. I know that the Savior lives, loves us, and blesses us daily. I know the Book of Mormon is true, and that "a man will get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book." I know that miracles have not ceased, nor will they as long as we have the faith to call down the powers of heaven. I love y'all, have a good week!
Elder Beach
#RollTide
Etowah High School season opener. They played rival Gadsden. The two teams haven't played each other in 9 years, and it was the first game of the season. It was packed. Etowah won - yeet!
We helped a branch member cut down some trees for service this week.
Noccalula Falls is awesome!
The lady that owns this house has a patent on the brick color. It is literally pink. So, if anyone uses this same brick or mortar, she can sue them. :)
Fun days in Attalla!
Bonfire at a member's house.
Our district.
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