A Testament To The Truth

We'd like to share an wonderful experience related to us by one of the outstanding young elders in the Geneva Mission. It happened in a city south of Lyon France a few weeks ago. Each companionship of missionaries was given the challenge of 20 street contacts which included teaching a principle, bearing testimony of the principle, and inviting the person to act, to do something like read in the scriptures, come to a meeting, etc. It was Sunday evening, the last day of the challenge week. The missionaries had accomplished 19 of the 20 street contacts. It was time to return to their apartment for the evening, but they were determined to finish their commitment. They saw a man on the street, and the proverbial last contact took place. The man invited them to his home, and they taught him the first discussion on the Restoration. At the end,of the discussion the man raised the Book of Mormon in the air and said, "I'm in trouble. If this book is true, then I need to change. If it is false, you missionaries are in trouble." The man happens to be a 40 year old Catholic monk who speaks 5 languages. The elders continued to teach him the missionary lessons. At the conclusion of one of the lessons he turned to the elders and said, "I need to be baptized. What do I need to do to prepare?" As the missionaries went through the check list, the man responded, "I understand that; yes, I am doing that. This principle I don't understand; please explain it further." They continued to teach and to testify to him. At another lesson as the elders invited him to read several scriptures, he said, "Yes, I'm familiar with that scripture, and that one." Then, all of a sudden, he exclaimed, "Oh, now I see. Now it makes sense. I see how these scriptures all point to Christ and Our Eternal Father's plan." He then invited the elders to come to the monastery and teach his fellow monks. Four elders enjoyed a morning of teaching, each sitting at a table with three or four monks to tell them of the Restoration and Plan of Salvation. The monks were impressed, but they became concerned that their friend had expressed a desire to be baptized and leave the monastery. The Catholic monk was baptized Saturday, Feb 28, 2009. Being a sincere seeker of truth, he rejoices in his new clarity of understanding that enables him to be a true disciple of Christ.

Work Hard, Play Hard

Sunday was our ward conference and we had a number of young adult visitors who stayed for the full block and enjoyed the spirit. We met a young man from Pakistan and he also came to family home evening last night. Dad had a long visit with him about the Proclamation on the Family, and he took part in our fhe activity of taking a Mormon ad, looking up the associated scripture and sharing the principle and application with the group. We also had two girls from Mongolia who were converted here, a young girl from Bolivia, and a young girl and recently baptised young man from Peru participate. So, we're growing!

I can't remember if we mentioned our medical legality trip to Lyon last week. Wish I had time to be more descriptive, but it kindof reminded me of intake procedures at the camps for the Jews during WWII I've read about...blood tests, chest x-rays, substance use and pregnancies questions. We were in some kind of government clinic in an old building by the train station in a huge sprawling city of wall to wall apartment buildings. The new senior couple is being asked to go to Lyon (two hours each way plus toll roads) to help at the Institute twice a week, so we will be happily staying in Geneva.

We'll be going to the young adult ball at Yverdon on Friday night with our group from Geneva and then we have a young adult temple trip to Bern planned for Saturday the 28th. We even had some non members sign up to go, so Dad and I are picturing a question and answer time in the temple foyer with them. Dad is off to High Council tonight and I'm looking forward to teaching the New Testament class. It's fun to be able to really talk about the gospel. At district meeting this morning I felt inspired to try harder with the French language. I read a little every day, but Dad and I probably need to have "French only" periods every day, so I'm forced to communicate. I'll have a little breakthrough, and then a nose dive in comprehension and courage. I was a total Pollyanna to envision myself with any degree of fluency. But...it's still great to be a missionary and I love helping the elders and sisters and meeting new members and investigators from all over the world. And it's amazing how Christian's experiences in Carlsbad are blessing our efforts here.

Thank you for your e-mails...they're really a boost for us.