Trials And Witnesses

I hope everyone is doing well this week. I want to start off by saying thank you to everyone who read my email last week and told me how much it meant to them. I wrote that email in about 5 minutes and I didn't think much of it, and it reminded me that people at home read these things and care about me. So thank you, this will be a longer one.

 

 

This week was actually pretty crazy. We worked really hard, and we are definitely seeing lots of success from what we are doing. I have been told that this area has an average Baptism rate of 1 person a year, and that one person was baptized before I got to this area. It is an absolute miracle we put someone on date as fast as we did when I got here. I thank the big man every day for letting me be apart of that. 

 

 

This week we have been teaching a lot about faith. I have learned a lot about that as well. There is a scripture I really like about it and it's Ether 12:6 it says  "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Faith is God's power. If he taught by logical evidence everyone would be part of this church. It wouldn't be hard. We would know for a surety that this is the way home. That's why he works with faith because we get the witness after. It goes hand in hand with missionary work. As I rely more on the spirit and not my own abilities, I find myself 1 Billion times more successful than I was before. It's absolutely amazing. You have to trust, he won't make himself known until you put in the effort and trust to find him. Trials also go hand in hand with faith. The answer will never come easy, and sometimes it's a continual trial. Something that is promised though in that scripture is that you will ALWAYS receive a witness after the trial of faith. I think that's neat. 

 

 

For the first time on my mission, I realize how important trust is, it's something I struggled with a lot before. Trusting in other people is hard when you think you know better, and you are always right. It's hard, but the longer I'm out, I've been able to put that pride aside and know that the big man has a plan, I just gotta trust that he knows what he's doing. 

 

 

That's all I really have for this week to be honest, thanks for listening to my ramble. I love reading emails even if I don't always have time to respond to them. And for all of you who sent me an email this week and I didn't respond I apologize, my p days are always super busy. Love you all, take it easy. 

 

 

P. S. Heres a picture of Snoop Dogg reading the book of Mormon, I thought it was neat 

 

 

-Elder Welder