Hello Everyone!
It has been quite a week. I returned to Cary on Tuesday and after dropping my bags off in the foyer I headed out to assist the Spanish Elders: Elder Chupin and Elder Chase. We had a marvelous time catching up and in teaching investigators, both old and new. The focus of our week this week has been preparing Demaris' fiance for baptism. The Spanish Elders had finished up teaching the final lessons while I was in Kinston so we just went over the interview questions so he would be prepared for them the next day. On Wednesday I had a great District Meeting with the Spanish Elders in the Cary District wherein we shared missionary experience and learned ways that we could be more effective servants of the Lord.
In my study this week I came across an interesting thought in Alma chapter 55 wherein the Nephites have captured Gid, a Lamanite city through craftiness. In the verses following this capture, namely 30-32, the Lamanites attempt to poison the Nephites by sending them wine that contained poisonous elements. However, the Nephites were not caught in this snare, the reason stated being two-fold. One: they were not slow to remember the Lord their God in this their time of affliction, and Two: they would not taste the wine until they could gave some to one of the Lamanite prisoners to see how it affected them. This made me think of all of the ways the great tempter and deceiver tries to poison us with the things of the world. They seem attractive at times, but at the core they contain poisonous elements. The way we are able to avoid these poisonous and oft times deadly temptations are also two-fold. One: we remember the Lord our God. Remember His commandments that He has given for our benefit and we will be able to discern between that which is edifying and that which is degrading to our physical, emotional and spiritual health. The other way is to look at other people who have partaken of those temptations. If it poisons them, it will poison you. Just a thought.
The highlight of the week was by far the baptism of Junior. He has come so far since the time we first met him, over 6 months ago, till today. He has overcome so much in such a short time and I know he will be a wonderful addition to the Spanish Branch. I played prelude (sortof since I only know two hymns on the piano) for the service while the Spanish Elders gave presentations on the Restoration. We all went to the cultural hall to witness the baptism and as soon as he came up from being immersed I felt a strong witness of the Spirit testifying of the validity thereof. I am so grateful for the priesthood authority necessary to perform saving ordinances.
I know this Church is the true church of Jesus Christ on the earth today. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of God on the earth today. I know that the priesthood authority was restored and that it plays a huge part in the salvation of God's children. I know that I am a child of God. I know that He knows me and loves me personally. I know that we are all children of our Heavenly Father. Each and every last one of us, from the top of the corporate ladder to the bottom of the line. Remember that. No one is better than the other. Not one is any less precious in His sight. The worth of every soul is great in the eyes of the Lord, for "[He] suffered death in the flesh, wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him." I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is our savior, our redeemer and our friend. No matter what you have done, His arms are continually outstretched towards you. For it is not God who turns His back on us, but we who turn away from the Lord. These things I know. Faith, Hope and Charity, each attribute augmenting the other in the perfecting of the saints. Let us march forth, building grace upon grace, until our work here is done. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With love,
Elder Roberts
It has been quite a week. I returned to Cary on Tuesday and after dropping my bags off in the foyer I headed out to assist the Spanish Elders: Elder Chupin and Elder Chase. We had a marvelous time catching up and in teaching investigators, both old and new. The focus of our week this week has been preparing Demaris' fiance for baptism. The Spanish Elders had finished up teaching the final lessons while I was in Kinston so we just went over the interview questions so he would be prepared for them the next day. On Wednesday I had a great District Meeting with the Spanish Elders in the Cary District wherein we shared missionary experience and learned ways that we could be more effective servants of the Lord.
In my study this week I came across an interesting thought in Alma chapter 55 wherein the Nephites have captured Gid, a Lamanite city through craftiness. In the verses following this capture, namely 30-32, the Lamanites attempt to poison the Nephites by sending them wine that contained poisonous elements. However, the Nephites were not caught in this snare, the reason stated being two-fold. One: they were not slow to remember the Lord their God in this their time of affliction, and Two: they would not taste the wine until they could gave some to one of the Lamanite prisoners to see how it affected them. This made me think of all of the ways the great tempter and deceiver tries to poison us with the things of the world. They seem attractive at times, but at the core they contain poisonous elements. The way we are able to avoid these poisonous and oft times deadly temptations are also two-fold. One: we remember the Lord our God. Remember His commandments that He has given for our benefit and we will be able to discern between that which is edifying and that which is degrading to our physical, emotional and spiritual health. The other way is to look at other people who have partaken of those temptations. If it poisons them, it will poison you. Just a thought.
The highlight of the week was by far the baptism of Junior. He has come so far since the time we first met him, over 6 months ago, till today. He has overcome so much in such a short time and I know he will be a wonderful addition to the Spanish Branch. I played prelude (sortof since I only know two hymns on the piano) for the service while the Spanish Elders gave presentations on the Restoration. We all went to the cultural hall to witness the baptism and as soon as he came up from being immersed I felt a strong witness of the Spirit testifying of the validity thereof. I am so grateful for the priesthood authority necessary to perform saving ordinances.
I know this Church is the true church of Jesus Christ on the earth today. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of God on the earth today. I know that the priesthood authority was restored and that it plays a huge part in the salvation of God's children. I know that I am a child of God. I know that He knows me and loves me personally. I know that we are all children of our Heavenly Father. Each and every last one of us, from the top of the corporate ladder to the bottom of the line. Remember that. No one is better than the other. Not one is any less precious in His sight. The worth of every soul is great in the eyes of the Lord, for "[He] suffered death in the flesh, wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him." I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is our savior, our redeemer and our friend. No matter what you have done, His arms are continually outstretched towards you. For it is not God who turns His back on us, but we who turn away from the Lord. These things I know. Faith, Hope and Charity, each attribute augmenting the other in the perfecting of the saints. Let us march forth, building grace upon grace, until our work here is done. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With love,
Elder Roberts
