Monday, November 6, 2017

Elder ZJones: Why We Preach and Teach




This week has been a crazy one. A lot of rain at the beginning of the week. It wasn't the best experience, especially when I am riding on a dirt road on a bike. Half the time I am pulling and pushing my bike through the mud!

Our investigators are doing great. Bibiana is going to be baptized this Saturday. We are all excited for her and the decision she had made to be baptized. We also met another guy named Sebastian. We taught him the Restoration. He had many questions and really wants to believe that our message is true. We are working with him to help him and his family.

A funny thing that happened this week. On Saturday we met a guy on the street. He was really drunk and we started talking with him. We invited him to church and he actually came. He was drunk when he came, though. He slept in principles class and started snoring really loud. During Sacrament Meeting, he sat quietly and listened. I don't really know if he is interested or not. Along with the bishops, we talked to him a little about coming to church. He wants to change his life so we are trying to figure out how to help him.


My Companion goes home today, meaning tomorrow, and I will receive new companion. I know his name is Elder Sena and he is from Brazil. I'm excited but also not sure what to think because our area just doubled in size and there is a lot of work that needs to be done. I am hoping that we are both ready to help and teach in this area.


I was reading in Preach My Gospel and read this:

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: “We do not preach and teach in order to ‘bring people into the Church’ or to increase the membership of the Church. We do not preach and teach just to persuade people to live better lives. … We invite all to come unto Christ by repentance and baptism and confirmation in order to open the doors of the celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God. No one else can do this”

The most important thing for me to do and the my purpose in Argentina is to help people come unto Christ. By helping them come unto Christ I need to help them repent and be baptized. It is good if they hear the words that we speak to them, but it is important and vital that they come into the fold of God and do the things necessary to live in the presence of God one day. I know this is true and that this church and the message I share can truly change people lives!

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