Monday, July 20, 2015

Power of Testimony and the Book of Mormon

We had interviews with President Foote this week. He is a very loving and humble man. We also were able to talk with his wife one-on-one and meet her. She is wonderful as well.

We had a dinner apt. with a member at 6 o'clock Friday night. We arrived at the trailer park around 5 o'clock and to knock on some doors and meet some people. We went to the neighbor of the member and approached her door. I tried to pull out the screen door but it got stuck so I fiddled around with it a bit and finally pulled it out. Elder Graf went to knock on the door the same time as Gaby opened it and her scared her half to deaf. It was a great way to break the ice. She apologized for some of the words she had said but we don't know any of the Spanish swear words so it was ok. She invited us in, but we aren't allowed to enter a home if there is not a man inside. So we went for the member.

We asked Brother Rangel if he could come and he was so-so, but said ok after dinner. We ate dinner and talked with him. He expressed to us how he feels like he is trying so hard and nothing is coming of it. He said his faith was running low and he felt like he didn't have the spirit with him. He didn't even want to come out with us because he didn't feel like he would be able to testify. I think we all feel like that sometimes. We have to understand that we aren't perfect and keep doing our very best. We talked with him for over an hour and then gave him a blessing. We then took him to his neighbors home and he testified of the Gospel so beautifully. He testified for nearly 40 min straight and Gaby related to all of it.

When we feel like our faith is low and we aren't seeing the blessing that are coming one of the best ways to lift our spirits is to help others and to bear your testimony to them.

Sorry this email is long, you don't have to read it all. But here is something from my studies. 
2 Nephi 30: 3-6:
 
 3 And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews and the Gentiles. For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth, and be written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be many which shall believe the words which are written; and they shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed.
 4 And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that we came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews.
 5 And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them; wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers.
 6 And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a pure and a delightsome people.

These verses were powerful to me because I realized that I was a part of them. That over 2000 years ago Nephi was prophesying of missionaries who would declare the gospel of Jesus Christ unto the seed of his brethren and that that is exactly what I and my companion are doing right now in our lives.

I'm very grateful to be a missionary. I'm grateful to declare the gospel to the Lamanites here in Georgia. And I do it because I know "that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God." And that those who receive it will have great cause to rejoice.

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It's prophecies are unfolding before our eyes. When we use it and abide by it's principle we become a "pure and delightsome people".

 
Elder Harmon

1019 Marquis Way
Morrow, GA 30260

Monday, July 6, 2015

Cleaning and such

I consider myself a clean person. I like things to be neat and organized and have tried to keep things clean my whole mission. I'm very grateful to have a companion that likes to be clean as well.
Ever since Elder Graf has gotten into the apartment he has been cleaning like crazy. I didn't realize that our apartment was so dirty. It looked clean, but Elder Graf wanted it deep cleaned! As we've deep cleaned our apartment I've realized how easy it had become for me to get a little lazy. Not just in cleaning but in my life. I've had to do some inner searching and begin to deep clean my-self. Sometimes we feel like we have to just keep driving and driving and driving but if we never take time to check the engine and make sure it has all the fluids it needs and is running clean, then we are going to break down.

Oh, I almost forgot. We met the new mission president this week. President Foote. He is so loving and kind! I'm very excited to serve under him. His words of advice, "see the good in the world and in yourself."

 
Elder Harmon

1019 Marquis Way
Morrow, GA 30260