Weekly Letter November 8th 2015
Hey everyone, hope you guys have had a great week.
This week was pretty great. We've been trying to work in sectors and divide our area up a little bit this week and we've also been working more with members to gain their confidence. We found 9 new investigators this week and have seen many blessings from the Lord.
A new mall opened up in our zone so after I'm done writing we're going to go check it out. Supposedly it has Papa John's and sushi and a bunch of other stuff.
One thing we've been trying to do is work more with the youth in the ward who can soon go on missions. It's great to be friends with them and encourage them to serve. I'm lucky to serve in a ward with a bunch of return missionaries who are also great examples to the youth.
We had our Primary Program this Sunday and it went well. Our attendance went up to about 210 people in sacrament meeting (normally its about 170). For some reason they only let the older kids speak and each age group learned one song and the age groups sang separately rather then all together. Overall it was good but I did miss the primary program from home.
I'd like to share a quick thought this week about one of my favorite verses in the Book Of Mormon. In chaper 18 or Alma, Ammon is preaching to King Lamoni. As part of the lesson he teaches Lamoni, he teaches with power who he is and what his purpose is. His statement is a motto for missionaries everywhere:
"I am a man, and man in the beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true. And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God."
Surely, Ammon understood the answer to the question posed by the Lord himself in The Doctrine and Covenants, "Unto what were ye ordained?" The Lord proceeds to answer that question, saying "To preach my gospel by the spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth,'
"The Holy Ghost is a revelator," taught Spencer W. Kimball, "He is a reminder and will bring to our remembrance the things which we have learned and which we need in the time therof. He is an inspirer and will put words in our mouth, enlighten our understandings and direct our thoughts. He is a testifier and will bear record to us of the divinity of the Father and the Son and of their missions and of the program which they have given us. He is a teacher and will increase our knowledge. He is a companion and will walk with us, inspiring us all along the way, guiding our footsteps, impeaching our weaknesses, strengthening our resolves, and revealing to us righteous aims and purposes."
Teaching without the spirit is convincing someone rather than converting them. With the spirit we plant seeds that will, in time, grow into grand trees of gospel strength. Without it, we will vaccinate people, giving them just enough to develop a lifelong immunity.
I am grateful for the guiding influence of the spirit that I have felt throughout my mission. I hope that the words from this hym will be the prayer of us all:
Today thine unseen purposes
By faith's rare light we feel
Dear Father, make us pure in heart
To us thy will reveal
Father, let thy light divine
Shine on us, we pray
Touch our eyes that we may see
Teach us to obey
Ours the sacred mission is
To bear they message for
The light of faith is in our hearts
Truth our guiding star
Love you guys, have a great week.
-Elder Dawson
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