This week was a great start to the transfer. Elder Pugmire and I have had a lot of fun already, he is a funny guy, and I am enjoying serving with him. Our fisrt day together we taught a lesson to Nathan and Brian. It was probably the best lesson that we have had with them. There was no contention, and we were able to teach, and testify. They did have questions, which we were able to answer easily. Elder Pugmire used some really good analagies to help them understand. He is a great teacher. They all want to watch conference this week. We also met with our bishop, and our WML.
Tuesday we had our district meeting. I talked about being a successful missionary, and had each of the companionships study a group of scriptures that talk about things that they are struggling with. I felt that it was a good way to help them commit to do better, and build up the work that they are doing. I focused a lot on diligence, obedience, love, and service, and tied in each of the scriptures with a bullet point about what a successful missionary is. Later that day we taught Merone. She didn't want to waste our time, because she doesn't think she needs to be baptized again. Elder Pugmire explained well the purpose of reading and praying, so she can know for herself,and she said "If God tells me, thats all I need." She is really excited to learn more and to read the Book of Mormon, she said that its the same teachings as the Bible, and is probably true. She just needs a confirmation. We also met with the Williams and taught them about Scripture study, and prayer, and how to make both of those things more meaningful than just spouting off words, or reading a book. There is real power in both of those activities if we will but use it.
Wednesday we met with Clancy, we watched the Restoration with him, and talked about the importance and role of prophets. He came to church yesterday, and he said that he would watch conference, and come to the priesthood session. We also met with Sam P again. Another interesting visit. He has strange ideas, but is searching for the truth. He said that he doesn't want to come to church untill he reads the Book of Mormon, but he told us that he would read it all in the next two weeks. We were able to have dinner with Jason that night, but weren't able to sit down with him afterwards. We are hoping to see him tonight.
Thursday we did a fair amount of tracting, and were able to find a few potentials. We also met with Moe L. We finished teaching the restoration. He is unsure about God, and a lot of things, but he is willing to give it a shot. He says that he is not going to count out anything. He has read through to Alma 26.
Friday morning we met with Lance Leavitt, and his roomate Kate. We started the lesson together, and then it diverged, and I taught Kate, and Elder Pugmire taught Lance. We wrapped it up together at the end. Mostly we talked about God. Kate asked me at the end what the difference is between ours and her religion, because everthing that we taught was the same as what she believed. We also taught Dirk. Elder Pugmire did a great job asking questions, and we found out that Dirk believes that the chapter he read was true. He wasn't sure of what the meant. We taught about the Spirit, and how to recognize our confirmations, he is gaining a testimony, and he is excited about watching conference as well. That night we had dinner with the Lyons, and we were able to read through a chapter with them, and help them get the most out of it, so that by seeing how to do it with us, they might more effectively study by themselves. We also met with Howard. We read through Ether 3, and discussed faith, how to gain it, how to increase it, and what it can do for us.
Saturday we met with Bill S. We talked mostly about church, and the Book of Mormon, and how he can know for himself. He is an interesting man. He is jewish, and he is tired of the wickedness in the world, mostly violence. He is single, and he is really lonely. He is interested in reading to see what we believe. We also had another lesson that night with Kristian and Shawn. It started with just Shawn, but Kristian came in later. We taught the Plan of Salvation, and Kristian really liked it, said it makes sense, much more than anything else he had been taught. Shawn came to church, but Kristian did not.
Sunday we had a really powerful sacrament meeting. The topic was to Atonement, and Sister Corning spoke. She had just recently recovered from a stay in the hospital where she had nearly died, and they had lost their 20 week old baby after having to deliver the child premature. It has really taken a toll on them, and they have been grieving. She bore a powerful witness of the Atonement, and its uses and capabilities. One of the things that she mentioned in her talk was: "He doesn't want a perfect people right now, perfect people don't need a Savior. He is the Lord of the living, and the living make mistakes." She talked about how we don't have to be perfect to use the Atonement, if we did, no one could use it. He doesn't always take away the pain, but because he has experienced it, he knows how to succor us. For our third hour we presented the ward mission plan. We had Bob F talk about his conversion, and how if members had shared more he probably would have joined sooner. Ryan Martin spoke about his conversion, and the great fellowshipping the ward did, and how that was such a huge part of his decision to join. I spoke about my experience with my accident that helped me change and decide to serve, and related it to Alma's discourse in Alma 32, how we can either humble ourselves and be prepared to accept the word, or be compelled to be humble, and how that after we accept it we want to share it. Elder Pugmire also spoke about a few of his experiences from his last area in which members played a key role. I also read Mosiah 12-17, the story of Abinidi, and I'm convinced, he is awesome. He taught so much great stuff, and he did it with power. I really enjoyed what he taught of the Atonement in chapters 15-16. That night we went with Nathan and Brian to their church. They go to a nondemoninational christian church downtown called Solid Rock. They opened with a rockband. It was a good band, and they were singing of Christ, but there was no Spirit with it, it was entertainment, but not enlightenment. The pastor went on for about 45 minutes and seemed a bit full of himself, using lots of big words and trying to be comedic. I'm pretty sure he took a couple subtle jabs at us as Mormons. It seemed more like a history lesson that a doctrinal discourse. I didn't learn much. I definitly couldn't go there every week, but it was a neat experience to see how others worship, and it was a testament to me of the need for a prophet to guide the church. Without that men are left to themselves, and as such will do things the way they want. "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof."
It was a really awesome week, and we look forward to another coming. Also I am really excited for conference, and the chance to hear from our living prophet and apostles. We do indeed have a living mouthpiece of God, and we can receive revelation for our lives. This church is definitly true, there is no doubt. It just makes sense.
Love Elder Schultz
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