How to Know You are Prepared

Class today, like all days, was led by the spirit.  We may think the class should go in one direction, but the spirit sees further than we can.  We started class by discussing in preparation for tracting today, the important things to share when introducing the Book of Mormon to investigators. 

Before that Alex shared a scripture he wanted to get clarification on.  Its Helaman 11:19. He thought it seemed out of context, but after personal study and some class discussion our hearts were opened and we understood doctrine.  Thank you Alex for involving the class!

What the class came up with that would be important to share when talking about the Book Of Mormon:

Its another testament of Jesus Christ

It goes hand in hand with the Bible

Its true

What it is- a record of people in the Americas

How happy it can make your life/ personal experiences from reading it

Moroni's promise- pray to know its true. Moroni 10

Important part of the Restoration

Joseph Smith

Teaches important principles of the gospel- prayer(enos), Obedience (Nephi)

Keystone of our religion. 

We get closer to God by reading it

Most correct book on the earth

Share your testimony of it

Can receive answers to personal questions

Reading it makes you happy

Its a book God gave to us

You feel the spirit when you read it

It contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ- Gods Plan

(this list was great to watch develop because each person added a very important thought--we needed to hear all of them, but it took some time to think...thats ok, thats how the spirit works :-))

Simon explained that as you introduce the Book of Mormon, there are 3 things investigators need to know.  1. Know what it is.  2. Why we have it and   3. How you can know for yourself if it is true.

And the spirit continued to guide the class by sending us two recently returned senior missionaries that shared and taught us the rest of the class!  

This is Bro. and Sister Hoffman.  Bro. Hoffman was our stake patriarch before they left. They just returned from serving a medical mission in South East Africa.  This is their second mission.  They covered 13 missions in africa which included 2,220 missionaries.  Half of them were native Africans.  We all gained a glimpse of the church in this part of the world and the dedication of the saints and missionaries serving there.  

This dear couple with tears in their eyes shared the love they immediately had for the people in Africa. They saw the love and commitment the people had to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They said it is easy to teach the gospel there. During a stake conference with 2400 members, 2700 showed up! Now that is the gospel in action.  We felt the spirit in the room as we gained a renewed awareness of the importance of missionary work and how much the world wants and needs the Saviors Church.

How to know you are prepared:

They said to remember that there are two things needed to convert people.  Love and a testimony of the gospel and the Savior.  With that the Book of Mormon is always involved. As you serve you will learn ways to better share but loving the people and having a testimony will invite the spirit to assist you.  He reminded us of Elder Holland's words that when you go forth to teach with your companion you will go three at a time- You, your companion and the Spirit.  

Bro. Hoffman spoke about getting ready to serve.  He said "shape up! there is nothing like a mission that will give you opportunities for growth like a mission.  Get out of yourself. If you have any concerns, get them settled before you go out.  It is very sad to see missionaries go home early.  Your chances of becoming inactive are much greater.  Pray for courage and faith.  If you are afraid to leave your family, work on that before you go so that when you go, you go. Work it out before.

As a patriarch, Bro. Hoffman reminded the class that you have been set apart in the pre-earth council with the responsibility to share the gospel and were given talents and abilities to accomplish this.  If you feel inadequate, remember the Lord will prepare the way. The spirit will make up the difference in what you lack.

Thank you Bro. and Sister Hoffman.  Your example and love and humility taught all of us today.

At 4:30 we met at the stake center and had a great group show up to tract.  We also had 2 new sisters join us for the first time and jumped in with both feet. They went with Sarah Holyoak as their senior companion

 :-)  Sarah has done this a lot and helped them not be as nervous!

The class had great experiences and were able to get into about 3 homes each.  Thank you to the 2nd ward for opening your homes and hearts to them!  Your participation will greatly assist them as they prepare to serve their full time missions very soon!

It was John Lee's last time with our mission prep class:( We have been so blessed to have him in our class.  He was brought the spirit so strong every time he shares.  He played the piano again as we sang Called to Serve this morning.  He played with such feeling and power that we will always think of this experience when ever we sing this song again.  We will miss you John!  Good luck and we look forward to staying in touch and hearing the news of your mission call!!!!

Gaining More Light Through The Book Of Mormon

We had the privilege of John Lee offering to accompany our opening song this morning. It was so nice to have piano music.  We sang "A Poor Way Faring Man Of Grief", picked by Taylor Kofford.  It was a tender mercy for me personally to hear this beautiful song again.  This song helped me gain my personal testimony of Joseph Smith and will always have a special place in my heart.  Thank you to John and Taylor for a great start to the day!!!

Next we heard great news from Drake Taylor!  He announced that he received his mission call and will be serving in the California, Arcadia Mission.  Sound familiar McCoy????  So exciting.  He will leave for the Mexico MTC to learn spanish July 9th. Drake bore his testimony of the Savior, the book of mormon, Joseph Smith and missionary work. We felt the spirit bear witness that the Gospel message he will share will change lives for good!  Congratulations Drake.

Next we discussed what you discovered in chapter 5 of PMG.  "What Is the Role of the Book of Mormon"?

Keep discovering please and read the scriptures that go along with each section.  This will give you greater light as you prepare to share the Book of Mormon with others.

To understand what the Book of Mormon can do for us.  Simon read 

The Story of Two Lamps by Dr. James E. Talmage

Among the material things of the past—things that I treasure for sweet memory’s sake and because of pleasant association in bygone days—is a lamp. …

The lamp of which I speak, the student lamp of my school and college days, was one of the best of its kind. I had bought it with hard-earned savings; it was counted among my most cherished possessions. …

One summer evening I sat musing studiously and withal restfully in the open air outside the door of the room in which I lodged and studied. A stranger approached. I noticed that he carried a satchel. He was affable and entertaining. I brought another chair from within, and we chatted together till the twilight had deepened into dusk, the dusk into darkness.

Then he said: “You are a student and doubtless have much work to do of nights. What kind of lamp do you use?” And without waiting for a reply, he continued, “I have a superior kind of lamp I should like to show you, a lamp designed and constructed according to the latest achievements of applied science, far surpassing anything heretofore produced as a means of artificial lighting.”

I replied with confidence, and I confess, not without some exultation: “My friend, I have a lamp, one that has been tested and proved. It has been to me a companion through many a long night. It is an Argand lamp, and one of the best. I have trimmed and cleaned it today; it is ready for the lighting. Step inside; I will show you my lamp; then you may tell me whether yours can possibly be better.”

We entered my study room, and with a feeling which I assume is akin to that of the athlete about to enter a contest with one whom he regards as a pitiably inferior opponent, I put the match to my well-trimmed Argand.

My visitor was voluble in his praise. It was the best lamp of its kind, he said. He averred that he had never seen a lamp in better trim. He turned the wick up and down and pronounced the adjustment perfect. He declared that never before had he realized how satisfactory a student lamp could be.

I liked the man; he seemed to me wise, and he assuredly was ingratiating. “Love me, love my lamp,” I thought, mentally paraphrasing a common expression of the period.

“Now,” said he, “with your permission I’ll light my lamp.” He took from his satchel a lamp then known as the “Rochester.” It had a chimney which, compared with mine, was as a factory smokestack alongside a house flue. Its hollow wick was wide enough to admit my four fingers. Its light made bright the remotest corner of my room. In its brilliant blaze my own little Argand wick burned a weak, pale yellow. Until that moment of convincing demonstration, I had never known the dim obscurity in which I had lived and labored, studied and struggled.

“I’ll buy your lamp,” said I; “you need neither explain nor argue further.” I took my new acquisition to the laboratory that same night and determined its capacity. It turned at over 48 candlepower—fully four times the intensity of my student lamp.

Two days after purchasing, I met the lamp peddler on the street about noontime. To my inquiry he replied that business was good; the demand for his lamps was greater than the factory supply. “But,” said I, “you are not working today?” His rejoinder was a lesson. “Do you think that I would be so foolish as to go around trying to sell lamps in the daytime? Would you have bought one if I had lighted it for you when the sun was shining? I chose the time to show the superiority of my lamp over yours, and you were eager to own the better one I offered, were you not?”

Such is the story. Now consider the application of a part, a very small part, thereof.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” [Matt. 5:16].

The man who would sell me a lamp did not disparage mine. He placed his greater light alongside my feebler flame, and I hasted to obtain the better.

The missionary servants of the Church of Jesus Christ today are sent forth, not to assail or ridicule the beliefs of men, but to set before the world a superior light, by which the smoky dimness of the flickering flames of man-made creeds shall be apparent. The work of the Church is constructive, not destructive.

As to the further meaning of the parable, let him that hath eyes and a heart see and understand.

Ensign, Feb 2003, 8 (Published in the Improvement Era, Sept. 1914, 1008-9)

So how does this relate to sharing the Book of Mormon? Talk with your family about how this applies to missionary work.

The class noticed that the salesman complimented the students lamp first. But wanted to show how to get more light.

The gospel will illuminate all the room...(the fullness)

With companionships you need to see more ways to get along. As you do you will have more meaningful experiences together.

To the best of his knowledge, he had the best light. Until he was shown something better. As soon as he could see the light it produced we wanted it. He recognized the need for it immediately.

Our opportunity is to share the most valuable gift we have with the world. The Book of Mormon. As we practice telling others about the book, share your feelings with enthusiasm and personal testimony. Help them recognize the greater light you have to offer them! Teach with excitement!

And so we practice, practice, practice. As we do we learn what works and what we can do better.

Spencer, John, Jack and Krista

  

Sawyer, Hayden, Jacob, Preston

Zenos, Brandon, Ashley and Sarah

Taylor, Berkley, Jackson- Welcome :-) Tanner and Drake

We practiced introducing the Book of Mormon by using the introduction.  Have the investigator read the first paragraph, and the last two paragraphs and ask questions about what they have read.  

As you practice over the next 3 weeks in your families, also try having them read the first 12 verses of 1 Nephi Chapter 1 and explain difficult words and have them understand this is a story really about them and how they can come to know God and keep His commandments.  

Assignments:

We will not be meeting the next two weeks due to mothers day next sunday, and stake conference the week after that.  So we will see you on May 25th.  We also will be tracting that sunday as well at 4:30 and be sharing the Book of Mormon with families in our stake.  We invite you to continue reading chapter 5 of PMG.  Also, if you have not started yet, start reading the Book of Mormon for yourself!  Its not too late to start, or start again!  As you read it, you will be able to explain and testify with power and conviction to others how this book can change your life!