Elder ZJones: It's the Spirit that Converts

This week I went on divisions with Elder Maneses. He has about 20 months, is from Brazil, and one of the craziest guys I have met. He has so much energy for the work. I say that because once you talk to people with 20 plus months, they are more mellow and calm about missionary work because they are close to finishing. But Elder Maneses is working hard and has so much energy to work. (I wished I took pictures of us playing soccer and us in the apartment!) I have learned so much from him.

Anyway, this week we went and taught a lesson to an older woman. Her whole family are members. We weren't planning on going over, but he changed plans so that we could. We talked about The Plan of Salvation, Eternal Families, and Baptism. I felt the Spirit the strongest I have ever felt on my mission during this lesson! As we bore testimony and testified to her of truth, the Spirit could not help but be present. She accepted a fecha (date) for this month. Such an awesome experience. One thing Elder Maneses taught me was, "It isn't the language that converts the people, it's the Holy Spirit!"

Many times I have thought of the language and the gospel. And of course, my Spanish is not perfect. But the gospel is, and I am teaching it. It is through the Holy Ghost that the hearts of the people can be touched and they can know that this Gospel is true and the Book of Mormon is the word of God. 1

Nephi 33:1 "...for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men."

This week has been pretty busy. We have been working hard to prepare Ismael for baptism on Friday, which is exciting! He came to church, is reading and praying. We are still helping him understand how the Book of Mormon can help him in all parts of his life. He loves the Bible and has read many different versions, so he likes evidence from the Bible. And he knows this is the true church and has the desire to be baptized. We are helping him understand the importance that the Book of Mormon is in his life and all that it can do to lead and guide him.

I think we can each ask ourselves, "What is the Book of Mormon to me?" "How can I use the Book of Mormon to lead and guide my life?" The Book of Mormon is the key to conversion. The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ, God's plan, and how we can make it back to Him. In the introduction to the Book of Mormon, we read: "[The Book of Mormon] puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come."

Just as President Monson and President Nelson has stressed, the Book of Mormon is a key part of our testimony and helps us know this gospel is true. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and all it has done to guide my life. My parens taught me of its importance which has helped me have a testimony of these things. I always talk about the Book of Mormon because it is always something I am sharing with investigators and vital that we have a testimony. If I don't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, how can I help others to do the same? We can pray often to know the Book of Mormon is true, and receive a witness through the Holy Ghost that it is true!

Guess what? I am talking next week in Sacrament Meeting! It going to be my first REAL talk in Spanish. My topic is on Testimony. I have 10 minutes to speak. 10 minutes! I have already started studying, reading, and praying to know what to say to the people. Pray for me that all will go well! 

Also, please pray for these investigators this week please:

Daniel- He has gone to church for almost a year with a friend. He just needs to know that he is prepared to be baptized.

Veronica- She needs to get married. She knows baptism is important and wants to get married. We are trying to help them move forward with these things.

Analia- She just went through some tough times and could use some prayers. Also pray that she can read and know the Book of Mormon is true.

It is so weird to think that I have actually been out here for 6 months. It doesn't feel like it, time has been by so fast. The Spanish is coming, still not perfect and sometimes hard to understand, but I have seen it improve. The more and more I teach, talk, and listen the better it will be. I also continue each night to ask the Lord for The Gift of Tongues, so that I can teach faith, repentance, and baptism with power and authority.

Love, Elder Jones