Elder samuel haycock's
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bringing the light of the gospel to the people of kiribati
Elder samuel haycock's
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Mauri utu, This week to be honest and to the point was low chilled but also stressful as we are getting four investigators ready for baptism! It is so awesome when you extend a commitment and they do it that next day. I just love it! And it has been awesome to see them grow. I'll share more about their conversion next week, but their names are Ekeuea, Tiita, and Ruitiera for one family and Otirake who has been waiting to be baptized. The hammock in the pic last week is the one that we have outside. The thing with the rats is this: if you don’t want them destroying your stuff or eating your feet, you don’t make them angry. So if they get into something, we give it to them. Or if we are not going to eat, occasionally you give a little bit so that you don’t have your stuff ruined. The Katabu is over and we didn’t participate, but we did help with the cooking which was very good. No problems yet from the Katabu but we will see in the coming weeks. (Excerpt from mom's letter) "I am finding that murmuring stems from a lack of a true, heartfelt testimony of the gospel principle and that murmuring can become a cancer to a group of individuals who are new and tender in the gospel who have not yet had a chance to "prove" the Lord. What are your thoughts on this? As I read about Laman and Lemuel, the challenges of the children of Israel, even the parable of the rich young man (Mark 10), I cannot help but think, "What if they had a testimony of this principle? What if they merely desired a testimony and sought after it actively...what would their story be instead?" Do you see this where you are serving? Any advice for how I can help someone stop the murmuring or help them build a testimony of the principles?" With your problem I do have some insight. Let us take it one more step before testimony. Before we can even gain a testimony, we first have to exercise our faith. As that is the first principle in the gospel, it is also the most vital. Only through our faith can we start to repent and gain a testimony of that principle. Yes, I see this every time, but it is not until they (investigators) try and work that faith that they are rewarded with testimony. Here's an example - because I just taught this lesson yesterday - our faith is like rope. If it is thin and not very thick, it is easy to break, easy to get confused and be led by Satan. But, if our rope is like parachord, or has many principles interwoven, we are able to stand up and contend against Satan. In Jacob 7:1-23 - Jacob contends against Tierem (Kiribati) (Sherem) who is an anti-Christ. When questioned with someone murmuring, do as Nephi directs and ask God (see 1 Nephi 15:8-11). Ask if they have tried to live this principle, and bear your testimony of the power and blessings you have seen from living this principle. Emphasize as James 2:17 directs, that "faith without works is dead". I know that as we are built on the foundation of Jesus Christ we cannot fall (see Helaman 5:12). I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. I tangiringkami, Elder Ekaki
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Elder Samuel HaycockI am called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This blog is about my adventures in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ for the next two years in the Republic of Kiribati. Archives
July 2018
CategoriesContributorRachel Haycock - I am the mother of 6 amazing children and the lucky wife of a dear, sweet man. I love to write, read, cook, teach and sew. I hope you feel the Spirit of the Lord as you read about Elder Haycock's adventures in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. |