You know when things are going so well you can't
help but just sit there and smile all the time?
I would def say that is how I feel about life as a Missionary right now
:)
The Dempsey family was baptized into fourth ward
this weekend! Elder Bishop and I share
fourth ward with 2 Sister Missionaries that primarily cover the YSA ward but
they were the ones that taught this amazing family. Brother Dempsey is originally from San Diego
so naturally he and I get along ;) They
have 5 kids but only 2 are of baptismal age.
So, Brother and Sister Dempsey, along with their 2 oldest boys, were
baptized on Saturday! The oldest boy,
Sam, is mostly deaf and so my companion and I with some of the members learned
how to sign, "I am a child of God"
and we got to sign the song at the baptism. It was a really cool experience. There were between 50-60 members who came to
support them in their decision to be baptized.
Then they all were confirmed in sacrament meeting yesterday. It was amazing to be a part of their
confirmations. I have such a testimony
of the Holy Ghost. I have been able to
be a part of many confirmations and I know that each of them truly did receive
the Holy Ghost.
I was on exchanges on Friday in Clinton and had the
opportunity to teach a guy named new investigator. The Clinton Elders had previously taught him
about the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation and he had accepted the
invitation to be baptized but had not set a date to perform the ordinance. We were able to teach Moroni's Promise to
him. The Holy Ghost was present and had
a giant impact on him during the lesson.
He really is a truth seeker. He
has read almost a third of the Book of Mormon and had been praying for
confirmation if it is true. As I
explained the formula Moroni gives us to qualify ourselves to receive an answer
from our Heavenly Father something changed in his countenance. Moroni says we need to have 3 things: A
sincere heart, Faith in Christ, and real intent. We established that he truly had a sincere
heart and Faith in Christ and then I asked him how he can show God he has real
intent. He said he could show real
intent by reading, praying, going to Church, and preparing to be baptized. I then invited him to be baptized on the 31st
of this month. He thought about it for a
moment, became quite emotional, and then was able to utter the word, "Yes." Now he is a very big guy who seems quite
tough. He is taller than I am and has definitely
spent some time exercising in his life.
As he accepted the invitation to be baptized the Holy Ghost manifested
himself and confirmed to him the truthfulness of the of baptism into the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We
asked him how he felt and all he could say was that a huge burden had been
lifted from his shoulders. I have such a
testimony of the cleansing Power of the Holy Ghost.
In Doctrine and Covenants section 84 verse 20 we
read,"Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of Godliness is
manifest." I know that even when we
commit to make covenants and perform sacred ordinances such as baptism that the
Holy Ghost can manifest Himself and confirm the Power of God in that ordinance. I am so grateful to know that God is a loving
Heavenly Father and to be a witness of Him and His Son. I know the Gospel is true and the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's Kingdom on earth today. I love being a Missionary. I feel I could do this for the rest of my
life because as I witness the conversion and cleansing of so many of my
Brothers and Sisters here in Montana I am cleansed and converted as well.
I am grateful for all of you and the great love and
support I have from you. I hope you all have an exceptional week!
Elder Holland
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