Stake Conference

Oct 30, 2017

Lots of good stories from the week!

Monday we taught Anthony his first new and return member lesson. Actually we didn't teach much at all. We had two priests come with us and they taught the whole lesson. That was rather fun. Anthony should be in the temple sometime this next week to start doing baptisms for the dead.

Crooked River Ward Halloween party

District meeting!

District meeting we were sitting there having a discussion on prayer. In walks this guy from off the street that slightly had a crazy look in his eye. He asked if he could join in so of course we said yes. But then he started to interrupt and not just participate. Eventually he pulled out sun glasses put them on.. then pulled out a camera and started recording. He said, "ok.. I have one question. You guys believe in Christ right? Only way to salvation is through him." We all responded with a yes. We then asked why he was recording us. His response. "Just need to make sure I do my job."  Then he asked where in the Mormon Bible it teaches that we become like God. We told him that it is taught in the New Testament. He was puzzled by that. He was just trying to catch us in our words or something. He eventually left after he did a solo on the piano. It was super weird. It was really uncomfortable. All of us expressed after how we were tense and thought he was going to pull a gun or something. So we are glad it was just a camera.

We taught John Swenson again. John feels that every faith as long as it is centered on Christ can produce salvation. We taught from the Bible and BofM that there is plainly a correct way and that not any idea made by man can lead one to salvation. After we explained he still seemed unsatisfied but did accept the challenge to pray to know of the truth according to God. We feel that he will indeed receive an answer because he has been reading the BofM daily for almost two weeks now. I would challenge you. If you can't tell someone what is required for salvation then you should probably find out because you need to know! I know I couldn't tell someone clearly and with certainty until I was a missionary. Not good. No man can be saved in ignorance.

This Sunday was also Stake Conference.

The Carnahan family didn't make it but we did meet with them. 

John Swenson made it to church.

Harry Cooperrider came to church for the first time in 6 months. We had a lesson with him spur the moment on Friday. All we did was ask him about his conversion and how he knew the Book of Mormon to be true. At the end he committed to come to church! He has told us no so many times prior to this. Harry is the father of George Cooperrider. The guy that has the long beard.

Bishop Causse, the presiding bishop of the church, was at Stake Conference. He spoke all about the power of the Book of Mormon. He also made a statement that I found very impactful. He said that he was asked to go to the Vatican and inform them about the temple being built in Rome. Well they asked what the differences of the church were. Bishop asked if they could instead focus on the similarities. Instead the man proposed that he come back in a month and bring the experts on the doctrine of our church and he would bring the experts of the doctrine of their church. Then they would have a discussion. Bishop Causse said that he was tempted to say he would bring his kids! They did not set that meeting up because he felt that it would not be productive. 

He went on to explain that it is not about being and expert on doctrine. It is about being a witness. We must be a witness. That has more power behind it than just knowing doctrine. 

Sunrise

Sunset

I love you guys! Don't forget to make your head knowledge heart knowledge too! That is how we become a witness.

I know that God actually wants to further witness the truth to you through the Holy Spirit. We must simply ask, seek, and knock! I know that Christ is the son of God and that they gave us families so that we can be happy in this life and in the world to come. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love

Elder Kelly