It's been a great week!! Nothing can get my companion and I down. Not even the typhoon weather. Sister Madsen and I are working really hard. She's such a power house! I could see her training on her 2nd transfer.
I've healed quickly from the bike accident. I can't do push-ups, but I can do dishes.
One of our lessons we taught this week was with a new investigator. We had dinner together and after we finished she asked, "So, you wanted to talk about church?" Let me tell you, I know this investigator is serious. She expressed to us that she's not sure if God exists, but she wants to make good decisions in her life. As we spoke of the Book of Mormon and how to pray she was excited. It made my companion and I so happy!! Slowly, we will help her build a relationship with Heavenly Father. I'm very excited to see her change and experience for herself that God is real, that there is a creator who loves her, named Father.
I've thought about more and more how to become a better teacher, more tuned to the Spirit. As a missionary, when teaching, we are trying to help people find that connection with God. We don't know what that person needs, we just try follow the Spirit as the thoughts and feelings come to us. Although, we have many weakness, we try our best. We try to ask them questions that help them really think and understand that God is there for them. Missionaries are not the ones who convert investigators, it's the Holy Ghost. It's so important to follow the Spirit. We can't truly help people come unto Christ unless we are following that guidance.
This weekend, I was able to see the celebration and dedication of the third temple to be built in Japan. In the celebration, there was spectacular dancing and singing, and the story of what happened to the church in Japan acted out by the youth of the Church in Sapporo. During World War II, the missionaries were taken out of Japan and the church buildings could not longer be in use. I believe religion was discriminated. But, the members had faith and waited patiently for the missionaries to come back. Secretly, they would have study and pray wherever and whenever they could. It was a very hard time. During the end of the celebration, there was slideshows of old pictures of the stakes and branches of Japan, primary classes outside, etc. Those members waited so long for the church to come back to Japan. As did the church members in Sapporo wait for a temple to be built.
I felt great power in there. I knew through the Spirit that because of temples, there is hope. It is a sacred place, a House to the Lord. It brings families together so they can live together forever. There is no end after death. Only eternity. Never to be lost.
God's authority has once again been restored on earth. God's first prophet of the church, Joseph Smith, and his followers underwent hard times for to bring about the work of the Lord. Nevertheless, that great and marvelous work has been completed. We have the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ restored. It's perfect and it teaches people to do good. It teaches the way of Christ. It brings relief to the afflicted. And it brings pure joy to all who follow those doctrines of Jesus Christ.
"2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
John 3
When someone is "born again," they feel the Spirit. They have a glimpse of the Kingdom of God. The power of the Holy Ghost is what causes a mighty change heart. Now, one can only enter into the Kingdom of God by being baptized by someone holding the authority of God. Then, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. They can constantly have the guidance of the Holy Spirit with them.
But hold up. That's not it! We must endure to the end! We are constantly changing. We must continually try to follow Jesus Christ's example and perfect ourselves. We are not only "born again" once. We are not perfect, we make mistakes. But with each change of heart that we have, and if we act on it by having the faith that Jesus Christ can help us repent, we can be forgiven and cleansed. We can only grow to be like our Heavenly Father if we diligently seek His help. He is our friend, our help, our Mediator, and Saviour.
In the name of Jesus Christ I end this email. Amen.
Yeah!! Have a great week everyone! Please pray diligently and seek to build others up.
Love,
パーカー姉妹
Sister Parker
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| A Window with a view |
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