Ma! Simba Na tayo!, November 23, 2014

Ma! Simba Na tayo!

(Dec. 6th note from Matthew's Mom:
This coming Monday there is a Typhoon headed towards Manila where Matthew is currently serving.  Please remember all the people there in your prayers.)

Sun 11/23/2014

Dear People,

This week was fantastic. Do you remember Ricky and those ladies who came last week? Well, we came back to them and got to teach them all, with an additional four they invited, who we assumed were Catholic, like basically everybody I've met here. We were teaching them all the Plan of Salvation when Elder Ronquillo started talking about those being preached to in the spirit world, when one of them said "Ohhh, that's right! In 1 Peter, right?" We nodded and continued on, impressed. Then we taught the kingdoms of glory, and she said "Oh, and only in the Celestial kingdom can we live with God." I raised an eyebrow, and then she started talking about how she knows it's all true. She gave herself away when she then said we needed to be baptized by someone holding the proper priesthood authority. I blurted "Member kayo, Sister?" She exuberantly responded she was, and started testifying about how the church was true, and taught true doctrine. 

We escorted her and 3 others to stake conference last Sunday, where they got to meet President Ostler and Sister Ostler, and hear their beautiful talks. And the others who didn't come have committed to come to church this coming Sunday! 

My favorite part was when we were talking with one of them (Miriam), who said she was feeling ill, and said she'd come next Sunday. Then her granddaughter came up to her and said "Ma! Let's go to church!" Miriam hesitated, but asked if we could wait for her. Isn't it interesting that God used a little 5 year old girl to persuade others to come unto Him? She did something we couldn't do. 

~~~~~ There are things only the spirit can teach, and these are the most important. Why do people fall away from the church? Maybe they have never been taught by the spirit. In reality, what we teach as a missionary is only preparatory to what the spirit will teach to them. 

So June Laddaran is.... smoke free! He's on track! Wooo!! He asked for a baptismal date for Dec 20th, and we've been praying for him. He is so diligent in reading the Book of Mormon, he stays up all night reading and pondering what he read. 

I've been brought to think about things I've learned on my mission. There are things I can only say. For example "God is our loving Heavenly Father." Nobody I've met has denied that it's true, but how many people know what I’ve said is true? There are things we can only know if we’ve been taught them by the spirit. Read this:

Alma 26:21-22

 21 And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent.

 22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such itis given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall begiven 

to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and itshall be given unto 

such to bring thousands of souls to repentance,even as it has been given unto us 

to bring these our  brethren to repentance.

There are things only the spirit can teach, and these are the most important. Why do people fall away from the church? Maybe they have never been taught by the spirit. In reality, what we teach as a missionary is only preparatory to what the spirit will teach to them. We are mere "assistants"

D&C 12:8

9 Behold, I am the light and the life of the world, that speak these words, therefore give heed with your might, and then you are called. Amen.

Think on that.

Elder Thurber