Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Mar 25: Baltic Chŗonīcļe: Sis White Goes Home, Restoration Vid,


Date: Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 7:46 AM
Subject: Mar 25: Baltic Chŗonīcļe:

Hey, a happy b-day to Grandpa Argyle! And, I have a questions for my Aunt Julie: English, once upon a time, had diminutizations. How did we used to do that? Thanks!

All: 91564 steps (71.42km).

First of all, my friend who wanted to go to BYU actually is there. He got accepted!
A random little thing: Daylight savings time here starts this week. So all of you who already lost an hour feel a little sympathy for us here in Latvia who lose it ingthe night between the 28th and 29th of March. Bleh. As you can tell, I'm super unexcited for it.

Pictures: Top: Somewhat of a sapīga teima is that of Sister White. She is an amazing missionary, and one of my favorite people. I met her before the mission, so it was instant friendship here. She went home this morning, and was very sad to be leaving all those she loves here. This is a picture of us that evening (we had a lesson set up, but he never came, so while waiting I was able to talk to her and all the youth that were there with her).
Next: So, this is what I did for my birthday: Shepherd's pie (my second-favorite meal) and cake. It was tasty!
Next two: These are the view from the church window. First to the left, then the right. It was too beautiful for me to resist. Sunlight, despite how much I dislike being in it, sure makes for beautiful pictures!
Last: Just one more. In one of the stairwells we were knocking on Monday, we found this on the bottom floor. Odd, huh? Yup, that is barbed wire.

To find the Restoration video, you do this: Go to http://www.mormon.org. Then, you scroll down to "Free Media." Click on that. You'll see a lot of films and books appear (well, little pictures of them). The second one down on the right, below the Holy Bible, is the restoration (or, if some time has passed, then it may no longer be in that spot, but it will still be on the list). Under the description is a link that says "View Video." Click that. Or, just click the one to the left. I'm not sure exactly what it will do. I recommend the first way, because then you can see the other things offered there. I recommend you look into them.
We had a discussion on food storage. The goal we have in the Baltics right now is for people to have three months of food saved up. The problem is that people live in small apartments sometimes, and there's nowhere to store three months worth of food. People actually often throw their clothes away at the end of a season because there is not anywhere in their home to store them until next year! So, does anybody have any ideas how people with no extra space and very little extra money could save up three months of food? Remember also that they don't have land of their own, usually, so digging holes or cellars is not an option. A prophet of the Lord has asked that they do this here, and therefore there is a way (see 1 Nephi 3: 7). They are ready to try, but perhaps ideas from somebody would help...

Investigators:
So, we have two incredible people right now. One is A., who so readily accepts everything we have taught and is totally ready for baptism. He'll be baptised this Saturday or next (we're thinking it'll probably be April 4th, Sister Wilson's B-day). He has also continued to help us in lessons with other people.
L.: This kid just wants to be baptized, and is doing everything necessary to do that. We tell him a law of God, and he commits to live it. I'm not sure why the Lord has decided to bless us with incredible investigators now, but I will not complain, nor will I question. I will gratefully accept what He has given.

On the finding side: We went back to visit a guy who wasn't all that interested, but said we could return. He wasn't home when we dropped by, so we just finished knocking that stairwell and directly under his (one floor below him) we knocked into a lady. She was not all that interested at first, but I promised her that this message would bless her life. She let us in, and introduced us to her son and daughter. We talked a little, then we taught her (her children had to go to work--the son--or weren't interested--the daughter) about prophets and the restoration through a living prophet, just as God has always done. She got quite into it, and the spirit was there strongly. We then discussed how the Book of Mormon is strong evidence of that restoration, and told her we'd like to come back to give her one. She was thrilled, and invited us back. She's currently looking for work, too. Anyway, she wants to read passages from the Book of Mormon together with us, so that she can understand it better. I don't know if I can ever overstress it: if you will read that book, seeking to learn about God and His Son, Jesus Christ, then as the Lord God lives, you will find Him. God the Father has promised; and Jesus Christ has promised. Add to that countless hundreds of thousands who have promised, and more than a dozen million who have tested it and know, and the proof is clear. Read the following passages, please:

John 10: 16: Here Christ tells us that His ministry is not only in the land of Jerusalem, but that He also has work in other places, with other people.
Note what he tells those other people during his personal ministry after his resurrection: 3 Nephi 15: 21-24.
Now, I will show you what is taught in the Old Testament. Many think that that is only there for an example of how God used to work, and for the old Commandments he gave to Moses. But in it is the doctrine of the covenant that God has made with His people. If you do not belong to this covenant, then you cannot enter heaven's gates. Christ told us that (see John 3: 5, cf. Mosiah 18; Mosiah 5; 2 Nephi 31). Christ again taught this in 3 Nephi 20-21 talking about other aspects of the covenant. Please note the signs of this covenant's fullfillment: 3 Nephi 21: 2, 4, 6-7, 9, 11, 26; 23: 4. The sign of the start of the fullfillment of the covenant is the going forth of the Book of Mormon. This is also prophesied in the Bible: Ezekiel 37: 15-17. "Stick" is an old word for a scroll, or book. Ephriam is the branch of the Jews that remained in Jerusalem (those who wrote the Bible). Joseph is the branch of the Jews that traveled to America (those who wrote the Book of Mormom). These two testimonies will run together (2 Nephi 29: 8).

Of that book, Isaiah prophesied: Isaiah 29: 4, 11-18. The Book of Mormon contains the prophesy of it's emergence and the significance thereof:
Mormon 7: 8-9: "This" is the Book of Mormon. "That" is the Bible.
1 Nephi 13: 20-29, 40-41--The prophet Nephi in a vision. The Book of the Lamb is the Bible. None can say that the Bible is a perfect book, for looking at the history of the Bible it is clear that some things are changed. Thankfully, though the power of God, what we still have was preserved for our benefit. However, as is prophesied, some portions of Christ's gospel will be taken from the Bible (have been taken), leaving us with an incomplete knowledge of His will towards us. The other records are the Book of Mormon. That is why we have the Book or Mormon--so we can know the truths written in the Bible to their fullness. I rejoice every time I think of it! For The Lord ever gives us more evidence of His love (2 Nephi 28: 30; Acts 10: 43; John 20: 31)!!
2 Nephi 29: 3-14: Note the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God!

Of The Book of Mormon the Lord Jesus Christ said: "as your Lord and your God liveth [the Book of Mormon] is true." (see D&C 17: 6). I would again commend you all to read it, with a prayerful heart and with real intent, denying not the power of God (2 Nephi 28: 3-4--I would reccoment the whole chapter to you). Seek "with real intent," and ask God if it be true. He will testify of it's truth by the power of the Holy Ghost (Moroni 10: 4).

Can you really risk it if it is true and you search it not?

I know it is true. I love this book, as it testifies of my Savior, and helps me know what his will towards me is, that I may obtain from Him the promises He has made to me! I encourage you all to do the same!

I love you all!
--
Elder Argyle
@..@
(-----)
( >/°¥< )
^^‾\/‾^^

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