This week we were able to go see Daniel again on Saturday. He had told us earlier in the week that we could stop by Saturday morning, but when we texted him to remind him (at about 8:30 or 9 AM) he didn't respond. So we went over there anyway. When we got to his house around 10:25 AM, we spent a couple of minutes knocking the door, and nobody answered. So I pulled out my phone to call him and he had actually texted us like 3 minutes before saying, "I am awake and hungry. Have you guys ate yet?" He had just got up at like 10:15 and had no idea that we were on his porch at that very minute. So we called him and he just said, "Well, it's too early to go to lunch, so just come over at like 11:30 and we'll go to lunch then." Haha he still had no idea that we were at his house right then. Anyway, we left for a bit and came back at 11:30, and he took us to a Chinese Buffet for lunch. It was really good, and for a buffet, I really didn't eat that much, plus I ate lots of fruit and vegetables so I was pretty proud of myself haha. We talked to Daniel for a while and he told us that he has started to go through the Gospel Principles book, and he is still reading from the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church manuals as well. He's a pretty awesome guy, I just wish that we could have lessons with him. His work/sleep schedule is so weird that pretty much the only time we can meet with him is if we go out to lunch. We're going to work on teaching a week or two of Gospel Principles just so that we can teach him since we rarely get to during the week. One thing that was a bummer was that he had to go into work after he took us to lunch, and he didn't get done until like 12:30 AM Sunday. He slept in until 10:30ish again and didn't make it to church. That was too bad, because it was Stake Conference, and it was really good.
The theme of Stake Conference was all about families. Elder Bradley D. Foster of the Seventy presided, and he gave a great talk that I just want to share one quote from. He said, "In the Lord's house of order, family is the enduring, eternal unit." I thought that was a cool quote. I'm thankful for my family and the opportunity that we have to be together forever. I am thankful for my parents every day when I see households with only one parent, or no parents, or parents who aren't the best example to their kids. I'm just thankful that I was raised in such a good home, was taught the principles of the Gospel, and was around a family who lived them. Love you guys! Thanks for being such a sweet fam.
We also got to see William this week and we taught him about the Plan of Salvation. There were several questions that he asked that we were able to answer. There were also several things that he just told us that he believed based on logic and reasoning and thinking about things for a long time. Most of the things he said made sense, but we were able to share with him what we believed. I basically told him, "William, I want you to know why we believe what we believe. It's not because we just read the Bible and interpret it our own way. It's not just because we think about things and come up with solutions on our own. Everything that we believe has been revealed from God Himself to His servants on earth." I wasn't degrading him or putting his beliefs down in any way. I was just sharing the Plan of Salvation - revealed truths - that he needed to hear. And I told him why we believed that and where our beliefs came from. It was a great visit, and we were able to answer many of his questions.
If y'all remember Damion from like a month ago, we got to see him this week as well. We went over to his house and we read 3 Nephi 27 with him. That is a really great chapter that gives us a very basic but comprehensive view of what the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is. It also gives us another bit of important information: what Christ's Church should be called. I'm sure y'all have heard about President Nelson's announcement about how we should use the official name of the Church rather than "Mormon" or "LDS." Well, 3 Nephi 27 addressed that, and we were able to talk about it with Damion. In that chapter, the Savior in effect says this: "I'm not sure why you are arguing about what to call my church. It is mine, it should be called in my name. It should be called the Church of Jesus Christ. If it is not called that, how can it be my church? And if it is called that, then it is my church, as long as it is built upon my gospel." He then proceeds to explain to the people his gospel. He explains how he was crucified and how he atoned for everyone. He explains how we must have faith, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. He then finishes with, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel." It's so plain and simple and straightforward. And it's what the world needs to hear. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is exactly what it claims to be - the Church of Jesus Christ. The only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth. The only church on earth with the complete and full gospel of Jesus Christ. The only church on earth with the correct ordinances of salvation, and the only church with the priesthood authority necessary to administer those ordinances. I love being a part of it, and I love sharing these truths with others. I know for myself that they are true.
Alrighty, well, I've got to get running. I love y'all and I hope y'all have a great week. You're always in my prayers, and I definitely appreciate being in yours. This is the Lord's work, and I love being part of it.
Love y'all!
Elder Beach
#RollTide
King Beach!
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