November 25, 2013 "Zone Conference/Attitude of Gratitude/Hunting Season"

November 25, 2013

 

Hey all,

This past week I had the chance to go to Zone Conference and learn from our Mission President. The emphasis was on the Book of Mormon and the significance it has played in our conversions. Each missionary that stood and bore testimony of their experience in coming to know the Book of Mormon was powerful in an individual sense and a sense that no matter where each person was before, the moment they made the Book of Mormon the foundation of their study everything else in the Gospel fits. With the Book of Mormon comes every solution to each concern that any person may have with the church - God is our loving Heavenly Father, has provided a prophet in our day, and by reading the Book of Mormon we know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that God has never - will never - give up on his children.

About the work in Gresham: we've been meeting with our investigator twice a week this month and he is set on being baptized. The biggest issue for him in the past was not that he wasn't reading but that he was not praying to know the Book of Mormon is true. I have a testimony that coming to know spiritual truths is done only through companionship of searching, pondering, and praying about what we read. As Sam studies, we sit in lessons and he teaches himself as we discuss scriptures and points of doctrine. And, he's very interested in temple work.

Our other investigator continues to prepare - he's really nervous though. We had a dinner appointment with him this past week and it we continue to help him understand why the Book of Mormon is so important.

Our lady investigator has unfortunately dropped off the face of the planet.

We had a high council member speak in Sacrament meeting about cultivation an attitude of gratitude. He spoke specifically on being in a meeting and someone thanking Heavenly Father for the Typhoon that hit the Philippines; that was not something I expected to hear. He said, "When we thank our Heavenly Father for the trials and afflictions that come our way we immediately grow in strength to endure them." Certainly something to ponder and pray about. I'm grateful for the trials and tribulations that I have been through because through them I lean on the cleansing and enabling power of the Atonement of Christ. I love Paul speaking about his afflictions in 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10
7 And lest I should be ^aexalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a ^bthorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
 9 And he said unto me, My ^agrace is sufficient for thee: for my ^bstrength is made perfect in ^cweakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may ^drest upon me.
 10 Therefore I take pleasure in ^ainfirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in ^bpersecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am ^cweak, then am I ^dstrong.

Thank you for all your love and support. I know that prayers are answered and especially this week I have found prayers answered through your emails and letters. I have the best family.
Love,
Elder Taft Robinson

November 18, 2013 "The Curse is Broken/May be getting ice skates 2 baptisms for December

 November 18, 2013

Good News!

A man who has been investigator for nearly a full year - has officially set a baptism date for December 14! When he first met with missionaries he was not friendly or polite at all but over time there has been a significant change. He's a little nervous and worried that he'll "fall off the bandwagon" and drink another beer but we are working with him to throw out the beer and move forward in his life. When we talked to him about having the Holy Ghost with him all the time and living worthy of the priesthood he was pretty excited. Larry is one of the most honest people I have ever met - when he says he'll do something, he'll do it.

Another investigator, a man that has dogged appointments for months - has begun to follow through in keeping commitments; baptism date set for December 14. There came a change in him when we taught the Plan of Salvation - his mind was completely blown as we talked about lives before coming here to Earth and then after we die. I sat next to him in Sacrament, Sunday School, and Priesthood and man-o-man he took a lot of notes all throughout. You can see the fire in his eyes and know how much he wants to know the Gospel.

Our lady investigator is always thrilled to see us come and talk with her. To our surprise, she called us her "prophets" when we came to invite her to church - haha I guess we'll have to go back over teaching about prophets.

Our new convert is doing awesome - she went to the temple and was baptized for him Mom, has a calling in the Young Women's, and recently told us that she is preparing to serve a mission! Could not be more excited for her.

I went on an exchange for a day in another area and had the chance meet with a guy who sounded like he was going to drop us. As we taught about the Book of Mormon, and got to know him better, he shared more with us and ended up 1) possibly buying me ice skates (Mom, I told him I didn't need them I promise :) ), 2) promising to buy Kocherhans a book, and 3) setting up a dinner appointment for the coming week.

We had the coolest experience towards the end of the night. It was getting late and we were on the last street before going back to the apartment. We knocked on a door and started talking to a woman about a modern prophet leading the world today. My companion and I were psyched when she said that she wanted to hear more. After teaching a short lesson about the Book of Mormon and setting a return appointment, the woman said, "Please, please, come back." So cool.

I've been reading the scriptures and found new insight in how unique the Book of Mormon is in relation to all the other scriptures. The Book of Mormon resonates in our Spirits profoundly because precious truths have been preserved. The scriptures are like love letters from our Heavenly Father; we just had to wait a little bit longer for the Book of Mormon to arrive - it got put on hold for a little while :). I know from my own experience that The Book of Mormon is the word of God; it heals the broken soul, teaches eternal truths, and strengthens our connection to our Heavenly Father. It works because it is true.

Ever faithful,

Elder Taft Robinson