Skip to main content

Week 65... The Book Mormon Changes Lives!

January 22, 2017
The Book of Mormon is such a powerful reminder of how much the Savior Jesus Christ has done for each of us. When I was younger I remember reading the Book of Mormon felt more like a reading assignment rather than its intended purpose. I can't say how many times I have read the first chapter of Nephi, continued and then had to re-start because I had forgotten what I had just read the week before. As I continued this pattern of reading and starting over, time continued on until I made the decision to start reading the Book of Mormon. The past couple weeks, the mission has come out with a Book of Mormon challenge to help encourage members and investigators to read the Book of Mormon with the promise that they will be spiritually edified. 

Ezra Taft Benson shares this promise to those who take it upon themselves to study the Book of Mormon.

"There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance."

I have taken the challenge to read the Book of Mormon everyday for 20-30 minutes and each day I am becoming happier and happier despite what may go on around me. I bear my testimony that this promise that President Benson shares with us is absolutely true. It does protect and edify those who read from the Book of Mormon and make it a habit in their day to day lives. Something that I have noticed while teaching investigators and sharing with members of the church is the feeling of the lesson if the Book of Mormon was included. As we have been able to share from the Book of Mormon, that has made all the difference.

This week had an amazing miracle! Elder Barlow and I had begun preparing for day when suddenly some lady named A***** texted us and asked if our church had any activities that she could go to. At first we weren't sure what to do, so we asked her if she would be willing to meet with us later this week and allow us an opportunity to share with her. She agreed! So we set up a time for Friday night. As the time to meet came near, we were standing near the back of the church and we saw her come in and waved to her and she started running to us. We introduced ourselves, chatted a bit and then went inside the church to have a discussion. She told us that her mom lives in Phoenix ,Arizona and that she had been baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints just about a month ago and encouraged A***** to talk with the missionaries in Singapore. She told us that she really wants to learn more about the church and what it teaches. We were just way impressed with her willingness to learn. She even came to church that Sunday and said that it was perfect and that she will be coming again and again. We will continue to work with her and to see how she is progressing!

The members have been amazing. I have really seen our relationship with them grow. I love talking with them each Sunday and seeing how each of them are doing. In our ward we have people from America, China, Taiwan and Singapore and it is always amazing to learn more about who they are. Want to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year! We are getting fed this week and we are way excited for that. We have set up a plan with the sisters to visit all of the members on our ward list and see who lives there and who doesn't. We have organized by area which should make it more effective in finding people to teach. 

In one of my personal studies this week, I was reading in the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi. Jacob, is teaching the people and sharing with them the words of Isaiah. In chapter 7 verse 8 it reads,

"8 And the Lord is near, and he justifieth me. Who will contend with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let him come near me, and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth."

We need not be afraid. The Lord is standing with us always. It then becomes our choice to stand with Him. I know that Jesus is the Christ. He understands each of us perfectly and wants to help us. I share my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love,
Elder Shirley

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 76..."This past week has been one of faith and might!"

This week, I had the opportunity to watch conference which was an absolute blast! I love hearing from the prophets and apostles speak and offer counsel to those that are seeking it. How grateful I am that our Heavenly Father in this period of time has a prophet upon the earth. I have a testimony that as we heed the words of the prophet and those that are called alongside him, that we will never go astray. This past week has been one of faith and might! I am grateful for the opportunity to come and serve the people of Singapore. It hasn't always been easy but I can honestly say it has been all worth it! A simple principle of faith that I learned from General Conference was what Elder Choi had said saying, "Don't look around, Look up!" I have learned that if all that I do is look around, I can never progress, however, as I continue to steadfastly look up toward heaven, then I find myself changing in so many ways. Axxxxx is awesome! She is something else...
Post a Comment
Read more

Week 75...Experiences that have increased my faith and built my testimony up this week.

The things you get to learn on a mission are just awesome! I am so glad that I decided to serve the Lord for two years. I would be nowhere close to where I am at right now. I am indeed grateful for the experiences that I have been able to have on my mission and for what they have taught me personally. I know that the Lord, Jesus Christ is very well aware of what I go through and is continuing to lift me up every hour of the day. I know that He lives. His love is real and extends to all who seek it. I wish to share with you some of the experiences that I have had this week that have increased my faith and built my testimony up. Trust in the Lord.  I have really felt the need to say that after the many challenges and trials that seem to be never ending, that I simply can not do it on my own. If I continue to try and do something on my own and just push forward, then I have already failed. I cannot do it on my own. It is sometimes painful to admit that because I feel that in orde...
Post a Comment
Read more

Week 71...The Sound of Rejoicing

March 5, 2016 Hello! I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is honestly the best thing ever. I know that sometimes it feels like the Gospel can only apply to those that we teach and share with but first and foremost it is to strengthen yourself and give you the confidence and boost of energy that you need throughout the week. I love the Savior Jesus Christ. He is my teacher and exemplar and I look to Him as one of my closest friends and for that I am eternally grateful. This week I have been thinking to myself how I could better help those people that I have been working with feel the power of the Spirit and to continue to be excited to meet again and learn. It was also something that I have been thinking about as we contact other people in Singapore. We do strive to talk with everyone and look for opportunities to serve those around us, however, I have felt that we weren't yielding the same success as weeks prior. Then everything changed!  D&C 28:16 "And thou m...
Post a Comment
Read more