I Call Them My Answer Book

From Mason Blettenberg

Teaching in Ireland

We had such a blast this week. I think what made it so good is how much me and my comp studied the scriptures together; that’s what changed it. There is just something about the scriptures that draw me in like a bug to a light. i just keep reading to find answers. I call [the scriptures] my answer books.

We have one investigator with a date to be baptized, so that is exciting. But the highlight of my week was visiting a less active man name Mike. Mike is a long-term less active member of the Church and he has so many addictions its not even funny. He is literally in his house all day smoking, drinking, and doing drugs. He just can’t stop what he is doing. But he loves elders so he lets us in. so we made a plan to clean his house so he could feel the Spirit. I have seen a lot of dirty houses in Ireland and Scotland, but nothing like this. So we brought bags to just start slow and pick up rubbish. We started but he did not like it; it made him feel bad that we had to do it for him. So I prayed and fasted over what to do. He is on my mind all the time. I love this man, so we went over to try once again and same thing happened: he did not want to do the clean up. Then I looked at the fireplace and the still small voice whispered to me and told me to use the fire. So we made a fire in the fireplace and slowly started to put things in the fire. Now that felt good! We did not stop him from drinking or force him into anything, but we had a campfire and had some small talk about his life and the Book of Mormon. I love this gospel and what I’m doing on my mission. I will return with honor.

 

Elder Blettenberg

God's Love is Always There

From Trent Winn

Teaching in Michigan, USA

I  thought I would share a little message and testimony. I have experienced trial after trial out here on my mission, and one thing that brings me a lot of comfort is the scripture Doctrine and Covenants 58: 2-4.

2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

 3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

 4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.

I just want to say to anyone who is experiencing trials of any kind that God’s love is always there. He never leaves you. He knows what you are going through and He allows trials to come into our lives for our benefit and after much tribulation comes the blessings. I have found that the trials that I have gone through help build my character and strength and help me be more Christ-like. I like to think of it as a star. Stars and diamonds are born under immense pressure. The same thing can happen with us. We become like diamonds and our light shines more about us as we experience immense pressures and trials. We should never give up and never stop believing. I know that there is a God of love and that Jesus is the Christ, and that one day we can inherit all that He has. That is my prayer and testimony in His sacred name, Jesus Christ, amen.