We were finally able to get back in contact with William this week. We have been calling, texting, and stopping by for quite a while with no luck. On Sunday night we stopped by and he finally answered. We learned that his work schedule has been crazy busy lately, and will continue to be for a while. With his current schedule, he is at work from about 8 AM until around 11 PM on Monday through Friday. The bad news is that we can't really teach him anymore except on weekends, but the good news is that he should be coming to church this Sunday. Last time we saw William we had given him a pamphlet about the Word of Wisdom, and when we saw him this week we were able to talk about it a little bit. He was a little confused and concerned that even coffee and tea aren't allowed. He didn't understand why. We just explained to him that while there are definite health benefits to living the Word of Wisdom, we don't usually know the reason behind each commandment given. We just know that the Lord has asked us to live them. We also spent some time teaching William about the blessings given when we live the Word of Wisdom. We are promised that we will have an increased ability to feel the spirit, and we will also receive wisdom and great treasures of knowledge. The Lord often gives commandments and promises blessings, but often doesn't give us the reason for certain commandments. Sometimes it might just be to test our obedience. William seemed satisfied with that answer, as well as our explanation of the blessings of keeping this commandment, and he told us that he would live the Word of Wisdom. We are grateful that we were finally able to re-contact him, and are looking forward to continuing to teach him.
I told y'all about Rick last week. He's a dude that we tracted into and he seems pretty interested in our message. We talked to him a little bit about the Book of Mormon, and we set another appointment to come and share more. We did, and the lesson went about as well as it could have gone. We taught him the Restoration, explained that truth has been restored, as well as priesthood authority and the governing organization of the Church of Jesus Christ in former times. We taught about how the Book of Mormon is evidence of these truths. He seemed interested to read it, and we made another return appointment to share more with him. We texted him an hour or two before our appointment to confirm, and he responded with something like, "I'm okay with discussing things and hearing your point of view of stuff, but don't expect me to convert or anything." With that in mind, we went to our scheduled lesson with him, not exactly sure of what to expect when we got there. When we arrived, he was very obviously home but he didn't even answer the door. We left a post it note on his door that just said, "Our goal is to help you come unto Christ. We know that the Book of Mormon is true and will help you do that. Pray about it. Thanks." We haven't heard from him since, and likely won't. It's too bad. I'm not really sure what triggered that. Though Rick's family goes to a Methodist church, he doesn't consider himself part of any denomination. He basically described himself to us as someone who was looking for truth. Yet, when it came quite literally knocking on his door, he turned away from it. Interesting how that goes sometimes. Makes me sad. Not just because I want to help people, but because they need to be helped, whether they realize it or not. It's sad when they turn from the good that we offer.
Changing gears a bit - as part of his weekly letter this week, President asked us to share with him three things that we have learned as a missionary, as well as one missionary miracle. That letter to him will be included in the ABM's "Mission History" (I'm not sure if that's going to be publicly available at some point or not, but I hope that it is). Anyway, I just want to share with you one of the things that I have learned and that I shared with him. I've probably shared it before, but it's still true. I have learned during the course of my mission that everything we teach, everything we believe, everything that the Church states is doctrine has its basis in the scriptures. Now, our doctrines have been expounded upon by those whose calling it is to do so - living prophets and apostles. But the foundation of all of it is the scriptures. Everything we teach can be taught using the scriptures. I love using the scriptures. I love studying the scriptures. I love teaching with the scriptures. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's true church because it's teachings - all of it's teachings - are found in the scriptures.
It was also a joy to go to the temple today with our zone. I love going to the temple. I'm grateful that we have been able to go fairly often as missionaries. Worshiping in the temple is a blessing.
Alrighty, well I love y'all. Have a great week!
Elder Beach
#RollTide
Bessemer Zone at the Birmingham temple.
Temple trip this week.
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