Sister Bak (박인옥) is continuing to progress towards baptism!
We met her several times this week, and taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and have almost finished teaching her about the commandments of God. She had lots of questions about repentance, wondering if it was a daily thing, or something we only do when there is a serious mistake to take care of. We explained that repentance was a gift, through which we could improve ourselves and become better people. If we have such a wonderful treasure, why wouldn't we use it daily? She understood that concept, and, like many members of the Church, loves the concept of moving on, improving, and continually becoming a better person, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
The next time we met, we talked about about baptism, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. She's already committed to being baptized, so we focused on how without the Holy Ghost, baptism is incomplete. As the Savior taught in the Bible, unless a man is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Baptism by water is accepted by almost all Christian denominations, but some of them seem to have missed the second component: the bestowal of the Holy Ghost, which Jesus Christ promised to all those who follow Him, as a Comforter, teacher, guardian, and witness. After our discussion, she agreed to be baptized on September 19th, in a few weeks!
As we'd met with her, we'd constantly taught commandments with the basic doctrines of the gospel, so by that point, the only commandments she had not yet heard were fasting and tithing. So, with next Sunday being fast Sunday, we took the opportunity to teach her about fasting last Sunday. We talked about how God wants us to share what we have with others in need, so that we can all be happy. Moreover, fasting is a way to demonstrate and refine our faith, by showing we care more about God and spiritual things, than a bit of food and satisfaction. She was a bit worried about being able to fast, so we asked her what blessing she would request, if she could have one blessing from God. She said that she would want a blessing for her daughters; and so we simply told her that she could be worthy of those blessings by fasting.
We also met with Sister Bak's daughter, Yoon (윤주현). We finished talking about the Restoration of the Gospel, teaching her about the importance of the Book of Mormon, and the role of the Prophet Joseph Smith, in restoring Jesus Christ's church, in it's complete splendor and fullness.
This week, I focused a lot on Joseph Smith during my studies. I discovered a copy of the "Teachings of the Presidents of the Church" books that had compiled many of his priceless teachings. As I've taken time to study it, I've seen the greatness of his heart, and his Christlike nature. It was not said vainly that he has done more for the salvation of man, save Jesus Himself. He truly was a servant of God. More than that, he was an honest, frank man, who enjoyed playing outdoors, and had a keen sensitivity towards those who suffered. I have found my feelings towards the Prophet swelling. The more I learn about him, the greater my appreciation is for this modern prophet, who brought the fullness of Christ's gospel after centuries of confusion and darkness.
The Prophet Joseph died to seal his testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel, and shortly after, this was written of Joseph Smith:
"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; he has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's annointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and sho has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not seperated!" (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3)
This week we spent a lot of our time trying to find less-active members in more distant corners of our area; hoping to reconnect with them. We didn't have any success, but we were able to find that several people had moved, and update our records.
After church last Sunday, we had our ward mission coordination meeting. Brother Bak In Soo (박인수), our ward mission leader, did a great job of leading the meeting, and I was inspired by his enthusiasm to do missionary work. He told us not to focus on numbers, or people, or even our companions, but to focus on Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. It reminded me of a general conference talk, in which the question was posed: which way do you face? It was a good reminder that so long as I place God as my first priority, all other things will fall into place. Most importantly, if I seek to learn and follow God's will, everything else that is necessary will follow.
In closing, I'd like to briefly quote "The Lamb of God."
We met her several times this week, and taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and have almost finished teaching her about the commandments of God. She had lots of questions about repentance, wondering if it was a daily thing, or something we only do when there is a serious mistake to take care of. We explained that repentance was a gift, through which we could improve ourselves and become better people. If we have such a wonderful treasure, why wouldn't we use it daily? She understood that concept, and, like many members of the Church, loves the concept of moving on, improving, and continually becoming a better person, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
The next time we met, we talked about about baptism, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. She's already committed to being baptized, so we focused on how without the Holy Ghost, baptism is incomplete. As the Savior taught in the Bible, unless a man is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Baptism by water is accepted by almost all Christian denominations, but some of them seem to have missed the second component: the bestowal of the Holy Ghost, which Jesus Christ promised to all those who follow Him, as a Comforter, teacher, guardian, and witness. After our discussion, she agreed to be baptized on September 19th, in a few weeks!
As we'd met with her, we'd constantly taught commandments with the basic doctrines of the gospel, so by that point, the only commandments she had not yet heard were fasting and tithing. So, with next Sunday being fast Sunday, we took the opportunity to teach her about fasting last Sunday. We talked about how God wants us to share what we have with others in need, so that we can all be happy. Moreover, fasting is a way to demonstrate and refine our faith, by showing we care more about God and spiritual things, than a bit of food and satisfaction. She was a bit worried about being able to fast, so we asked her what blessing she would request, if she could have one blessing from God. She said that she would want a blessing for her daughters; and so we simply told her that she could be worthy of those blessings by fasting.
We also met with Sister Bak's daughter, Yoon (윤주현). We finished talking about the Restoration of the Gospel, teaching her about the importance of the Book of Mormon, and the role of the Prophet Joseph Smith, in restoring Jesus Christ's church, in it's complete splendor and fullness.
This week, I focused a lot on Joseph Smith during my studies. I discovered a copy of the "Teachings of the Presidents of the Church" books that had compiled many of his priceless teachings. As I've taken time to study it, I've seen the greatness of his heart, and his Christlike nature. It was not said vainly that he has done more for the salvation of man, save Jesus Himself. He truly was a servant of God. More than that, he was an honest, frank man, who enjoyed playing outdoors, and had a keen sensitivity towards those who suffered. I have found my feelings towards the Prophet swelling. The more I learn about him, the greater my appreciation is for this modern prophet, who brought the fullness of Christ's gospel after centuries of confusion and darkness.
The Prophet Joseph died to seal his testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel, and shortly after, this was written of Joseph Smith:
"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; he has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's annointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and sho has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not seperated!" (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3)
This week we spent a lot of our time trying to find less-active members in more distant corners of our area; hoping to reconnect with them. We didn't have any success, but we were able to find that several people had moved, and update our records.
After church last Sunday, we had our ward mission coordination meeting. Brother Bak In Soo (박인수), our ward mission leader, did a great job of leading the meeting, and I was inspired by his enthusiasm to do missionary work. He told us not to focus on numbers, or people, or even our companions, but to focus on Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. It reminded me of a general conference talk, in which the question was posed: which way do you face? It was a good reminder that so long as I place God as my first priority, all other things will fall into place. Most importantly, if I seek to learn and follow God's will, everything else that is necessary will follow.
In closing, I'd like to briefly quote "The Lamb of God."
"Trust in God, through all thy days; fear not, for He doth hold thine hand."
Love,
Elder Austin Lynn
Elder Austin Lynn
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