MAIL STRIKE IS OVER!!!! But yea other than that this week was pretty good, We found 9 new investigators. We found a family of five, two of the kids haven't been there for the lessons yet, but we are working on it. Also there is no mom. Apparently a few years ago the dad went to work and came home and she was just gone, it was really hard on them. But they came to church this week and I thought something that he said was really interesting. After priesthood (the lesson was on priesthood blessings) he pulled me aside and asked me, "Elder Hutchins, Do all of these men have the priesthood?" Yes they do, he then asked me "then why is it that the teacher had to beg for volunteers to answer his questions, you would think that someone with that power would be jumping out of their seat at a chance to talk about it and share it with others". Hmmm interesting, Brethren, and sisters as well, think about that for a moment. Not just about priesthood power, but about this gospel. We literally have the guide book the "how to" of life, and far too often we keep it to ourselves and at times keep it from ourselves.
Step 1--- STUDY the gospel study and learn what it is that we have because when we truly BEGIN to understand just a little we will be filled with a burning desire to learn more and we will feel the desire to share it with those "on either side who are perishing in unbelief"
Step 1--- STUDY the gospel study and learn what it is that we have because when we truly BEGIN to understand just a little we will be filled with a burning desire to learn more and we will feel the desire to share it with those "on either side who are perishing in unbelief"
Step 2--- Remember we covenant each week by partaking of the sacrament that we will remember Jesus Christ at all times in all places no matter the circumstances, if we do this we will never have to ask ourselves what WE should do in any given situation because if we are following step one and studying (The life of Christ) then we will know what to do because we will know what Christ wants us to do.
Final Step 3--- Share what you have. Remember perfect love casteth all fear, if you love the people around you then you will share this message with them, if you find that you don't have a perfect love for them yet don't fret, we are commanded to pray daily for charity, if you begin to pray daily to feel a greater love for your fellow man you will be more prone to create opportunities to share this miraculous message with all the world.
This week on Friday we had a special meeting with Elder Gonzalez (he is in the presidency of the 70) and he talked about a lot of things, but what hit me was that he talked a lot about faith and about hope. When we are teaching people for the first time we challenge them to be baptized in three weeks (they need a minimum of 3 sacrament meetings attended) the vast majority of the time they are nodding and then we say the date and they pause for a second thinking in their head when that is and then it hits them and their reaction is shock and they start shaking their head and saying there is no way I can be ready in just three weeks. Brothers and sisters in this day and age I find that even among members of the church even among missionaries that there is a lack of faith. Yes things are difficult, yes they are hard, but they sure as heck are worth it. Remember a prophet of God told us that faith is NOT a perfect knowledge is doesn't even have to be a very good knowledge Alma tells us that Faith is a HOPE in things which you cant see, you can prove with numbers and facts, but are nevertheless true. For example how do you know that wind is real? can you see it? hold it? no, but you know its true because you can FEEL IT, that is the key we don't have to know we just have to hope and we gain that hope in these things by the feelings we get when we study them and remember them and share them. So if all you can do at this time is hope and desire these things to be true use that, that is where everyone starts, but act on this desire act as if you had a perfect knowledge and over time your hope will transform into a conviction that this gospel is indeed true and that salvation comes only unto those who believe in Jesus Christ. I love you all and hope to get letters from all of you soon, keep working, keep studying, keep loving. I pray for you all every night and for your health and your success. I would just like to end with a Scripture found in the Doctrine and Covenants "he that hath eternal life is Rich" love you all,
Reporting to you from Concepcion CHILE
Elder Hutchins
