Greetings, all!
Once upon a time, we were told to knock on a door of a person who was really struggling. So we did. A lady opened up, yelled "NO!" gesturing wildly for us to leave, and slammed the door. We then heard, "It's the g---d--- church people!" Among other words. We turned to leave and walked down a street by the home of a former investigator. I heard indistinct yelling, then a massive BANG! For a split second, I thought tomorrow's headlines would include, "Disgruntled Ex-investigator Shoots Mormon Missionaries." Then we realized they were just messing around with fireworks. Haha.
Something I've been studying a lot is conversion. We're here to change from imperfect mortal beings to celestial material comfortable in God's presence. In order to truly change, we have to understand not just the what and the how but the why. The doctrine. That's something that we NEED to teach in this church! We had two slightly shocking experiences on Saturday that solidified that truth.
We have been teaching a sweet lady who has always fluctuated in activity in the church. This week we taught about covenants. Her entire life, she thought covenants was another way to say commandments. Thing we need to do. What she wanted to know is where she can find a list of what she needed to do and not do. So we taught the doctrine--we follow the gospel so our hearts can change, not just our behavior. I felt like the cloud of confusion which had been blocking her progress for so long was lifted.
As we left, she requested we go visit another lady in our ward who had fallen away from the church a few years ago. So that night we went to that family's home. They were very surprised we were there, but eventually let us in. She and her husband sat down and began unloading all the reasons why they'd left. Many of their main issues were related to anti material they'd come across that they felt like "the church" was hiding from them. We listened, shared our testimonies of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and left them with a prayer. It broke my heart a little because I know they're giving up Celestial happiness for the Terrestrial kind.
We have to change. We have to know the doctrine and rely on the Savior. Scripture study, prayer, church--those are the things help us to continuously repent based on increased knowledge and progression. We cannot be stagnant.And that's how we're converted to Christ. Those scripture masteries? Those are battle scriptures, people! We have GOT to know this stuff! Not just live it, but be able to articulate and defend it.
Have a fabulous week!
Love, Sister Johns
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