Transfers are Coming!

We had one of those weeks that really tries your patience, as well as your persistence. There were a fair amount of potential investigators that we visited, who ended up flaking out, so I’m thinking of only eating Corn Flakes every day this week to celebrate!

It's pretty sad to think that so many good people who are members of other faiths are so stuck on the Bible being the only revelation that God has given to man throughout all of time. Modern day revelation is so important. Noah received revelation for his day to build an ark to prepare for the great flood, but that revelation wouldn't have been relevant in the time of Isaiah or Moses, because they received revelation for their day. Obviously we still read and cherish these stories in The Bible because there are things that we can learn from and they can help strengthen our faith in God.

Also, to go along with this rant, I would like to talk about the Pharisees and Sadducees that are so frequently referenced in the New Testament. These were men who were very knowledgeable with the Old Testament scriptures, obeyed the law of Moses with exactness, and imposed consequences for violations of it within Jewish society strictly. Well, when Jesus came to earth and told others he was the Son of God, the Pharisees and Sadducees accused him of blasphemy and sought to prosecute him to the fullest extent the law would allow.

There are many instances in which these rulers attempted to accuse Jesus of breaking a rule. But they didn't understand that those same scriptures prophesied many times of His coming, and they were reluctant to accept a living prophet and continuing revelation. 

We had a lesson with a potential investigator on Thursday that was pretty interesting. One of the first questions this guy throws at me is "So, when were you saved?" I wanted to respond that I along with all other mankind was saved when Jesus Christ performed the Atonement
back in 33 AD, but instead talked a little bit about my experience about the divine witness I have received that the Book of Mormon is true, and also how grateful I am for the Savior's atoning sacrifice and the opportunity I have to repent and strive each day to become
like Him. 

He responded with "Well we disagree on a few things there" and proceeded to list a few differences in our beliefs that caused me to think. First he said that one time he talked with a Mormon who said that one day "he would have his own universe and become like God." He told me that, there is no one higher than God, and I replied that we both agree on that. Then I asked him who he understood God to be, and he responded with the usual "The creator of the universe, a higher power, omnipotent, etc." Then I asked him if he's ever heard the phrase "We are children of God." He replied that he had not, so I shared Romans 8:16-17, which reads:

 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also
glorified together.

He didn't really seem to understand too well and didn't seem to care too much about the message of the restoration, but it made me ponder how sad some of the modern day Christianity beliefs are. As prophesied in the Book of Deuteronomy chapter 4:27-28 when God is telling the children of Israel that they will be scattered:

27 And the Lord shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be
left few in number among the heathen, whither the Lord shall lead you.

28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and
stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

We live in these times prophesied of, where people worship a God who is "unknowable, without parts or passions." God wants us to be like Him, and because His joy is full, he too desires that we partake of that same joy ourselves. So seek Him, and you will find Him. He has promised it, and He never breaks His promises. Anyways, for those of you who are still here, you should go eat a Snickers bar or something to reward yourself for enduring this behemoth of an email.

Pina preparada

Some places here have items on their menus such as "Piña preparada" which is a pineapple that is filled with fruit and ice cream and it's glorious. The only thing that was disappointing was the fact that they smothered the thing in spicy chile chamoya sauce. (On a kind of related note, Hispanics put chile powder on everything, fruit and candy included.)

Good barbecue is definitely something I can appreciate. I've only had barbecue twice since coming here. I eat with members on an average of about 3 or 4 times a week. It's really nice, especially when they make Argentine food.It is fantastic! Also, it gives Hispanic women so much joy when missionaries or others come eat their food and lots of it, which I fully approve of (even if it's making me fat).

On another note, both Elder Heiner and I are being transferred tomorrow. We don't know where, so I'll let you know next week. 

Have a great week!

~Elder Josh Barrus

The district in black and white