Monday, August 26, 2013

Hard Work With Little Monkeying Around

August 26, 2013

Hi Mom,
      Well, this week has been as faith filled as the last.  Let me share the prevailing thoughts from this last week.  Gunner D.(this name is changed for privacy sake) is doing amazing!  He is finding the truth of the Gospel.  He has accepted it and we are now moving into other areas of his life to help him prepare for baptism.  My most amazing realization out of this whole experience of teaching him has been that ‘truth has a more powerful effect on the heart of a person than does anything else.’   However, in his process of discovery he has been met by others of a different religion trying to persuade him another way.  But simply, we have just taught truth, and the rest is in the hands of the Lord.

      So, another prevailing thing this week is the insane interactions with people bent on destroying the faith of these two young servants of the Lord... I’m not kidding!  While we were passing out materials at the market Saturday morning we met a lady by the name of Katie.  She was insistent on teaching us the truth and invited us to her home that night.  After a flurry of calls asking if we were coming over, we eventually decided to go for the visit as it was dark and we had no appointments.  We were also simply entertained by what she had planned for us.  So, as we sat and listened to her slander the points of doctrine that make up our faith, and as she played us audio recordings and videos of so called "reliable resources" spewing out the "truth" about Joseph Smith and other things (I say ‘spew,’ because it was only filth) the funniest thing happened.  She was playing a recording of this guy who was quoting a talk supposedly given by Joseph Smith junior in 1855 where he said... wait... 1855? Joseph Smith was martyred in 1844.  Sorry, try again.  Well, it was an overall good experience because we were backed up to the wall of testimony, and it was there that we took a stand.  I kind of felt like Peter or John before the chief priests saying "You ought to obey God rather than men..." (Acts 5: 29-33)… Except, we were bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, the restoration, the Bible, and the Book of Mormon. 

      Anyway, that was one example of about five or six encounters this week where we have met people of a similar mission.

As I have stated, “Truth will stand!”

I love you all,

Elder Gold 

August 19, 2013

Hi Mom!

      So, this week was also another week of miracles.  I don’t know if I have mentioned this to you but, as part of our finding process, we have been putting up a table in front of stores and passing out free DVD cards and pamphlets.  We have had great success in doing this and have been able to meet quite a few people on a more personal level.  Many individuals take our materials and call later for the DVDs.  This past week we responded to a DVD referral from a man named Gunner D. (once again, this name is changed for privacy sake).  When we took the DVD to his home on Tuesday we were quite surprised to find him in deep study of the restoration pamphlet.  As we commenced with our lesson he began to explain, with tears in his eyes, just how amazing it was for him to know that there is a living prophet on the earth, that God has revealed more scripture, and that there is a true restored church.  We were surprised that he had come to such a deep understanding through the pamphlet; however, his understanding was pure and genuine.  He cried when we gave him the Book of Mormon.  He has begun feasting upon its writings and diligently comparing it to the bible.  Also, he has accepted our challenge of baptism and currently is working to overcome a few things in his life in preparation for the covenants he plans to make. 

      This experience was such a confirmation to me that the Lord is preparing people here in Margate, and He is leading us to them.  Gustav is one person out of five, this week alone, whom we have been led to who are, on there own accord, just as prepared.

       Let me also share something else amazing that I’ve seen this week.  The hours we have worked and the energy we have put in would have kicked my butt so very bad if I were not on a mission; but despite the fact that we get up at 6:00 AM and run a 5k, study for three hours, go out finding, teaching and proclaiming the gospel until 9:00 PM (with no breaks in-between), come back home and for an hour plan and take a record of the work we did that day, then write in our journals and go back to bed... despite all that, I feel a renewal of my body.  The only explanation is found D&C 84:33.

I love this work.  I love you all.

Elder Gold

Monday, August 12, 2013

Guiding and Directing Our Moves and Motives



Hey Dad,

      I'll write to you today but its to the family. Well first things, I never did get the package you sent several months back.  I’m hoping I didn't get it because you didn't send it, but if you did, then I hope some soul is feeling good walking around in his new 5 finger shoes with a pocket full of American half dollars.  :p
      So, I’m exhausted.  We have been working our butts off.  We have hit this week with as much faith and hard work as before, and the Lord is with us. Through the media stand, we have reached out to so many people in this community.  Last week we received eight DVD referrals.  As we have been contacting, meeting, and teaching these people we have found amazing individuals prepared to receive us.  It also is of note how many of the whites we are able to now teach.  There have been so many experiences this week where in we saw just how much the Lord is directing us.  For instance, after fasting last Sunday, I was impressed to focus this week on contacting people.  Come Monday, a day when we normally forget ourselves in the hustle and bustle of shopping and emailing and playing some sports, while shopping we were led to four amazing individuals who responded affirmative that, "Yes, we would like to learn more about your message.”  This just perpetuated the rest of the week.  I feel exhausted at the end of each day.  I feel so happy.  I feel the spirit with us, guiding and directing our moves and motives . . . The Kingdom of God, or nothing!
      I’m going to include a journal entry from Thursday, which happened to be quite an amazing day, but know that as you read it that these days it is more of a regular occurrence.
I love you guys, and you are in my prayers.

Elder Gold 


Journal Entry: 
Thursday, August 8th, 2013

            We had the most powerful day!  At noon we went to Pick N’ Pay and set up our Media Stand.  We talked to, and taught, hoards of people, which was surprising because there were really not many cars in the lot when we arrived.  We passed out so many pamphlets and DVD cards that eventually we ran out.  At least two people who had received them called while we were there.
            Afterward my greenie companion had a greenie idea to see if we could put up our stand at Hibiscus Mall.  I was in doubt of being able to do so, but we went and inquired anyway; and to my uttermost surprise, the manager of the mall excitedly gave us permission and even gave us the best spot in the mall with the most traffic.
            Afterwards we went tracting in ext. 4 and had two lessons with two very interesting people.  Let me speak of the second one.  Her name was . . . I’ll just call her Shea.  She was partly coloured, young and about eighteen years in age.  She lives in a big house and looks as if she has it nice.  Her dad owns a law firm, a pub, and a few other businesses.  She was about to take us on a trip.
            When we introduced ourselves as Missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she introduced herself as a Satanist.   I almost laughed.  We probed to see what she meant by that.  She told us how her and her parents worship and pray to satan, and how ‘he’ has given them many things and helped them in life.  We asked all the obvious questions: how, what, why.  She said that the devil has promised her many things that she wants, like an heir to his kingdom.  I explained and testified to her that; “the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell.”  - Alma 30:60
            She didn’t understand.  Then, interestingly, she asked if we were scared.  As if the devil can scare me.  I know in whom I have trusted, and I know of the power and authority of God.
            The exchange continued and my companion spoke to her and testified of the love of God and the divine heritage she has through Him.  She was trembling with fear by this point, and said in agony that she is being told to leave.  Of course the devil would cause fear in her and try to remove her from our presence.  If we can get to her, or rather she allows the spirit of the Lord to replace whatever entity is inside her, then Lucifer has lost another.  My companion tenderly spoke her into coming close to him in which moment he testified with heart and soul of God.  She eventually listened and words sunk in.  She promised she would pray to God.  We left.
            We then went to an appointment with a lady and her husband who had called for a DVD.  Edna and Richard (names have been changed) are an old retired couple.  We were invited into their home, so we sat down and spoke with them.  Richard was sitting on the bed.  He told us of the four heart attacks he has had.  He spoke of the despair in his heart after the doctor explained that there is nothing they can do for him.  My heart swelled with compassion for this man.  His wife was equally sorry, but they both believe in God and love Him.
            We stumbled around just talking, trying to know what to teach these two.  I said a prayer in my heart, and moments later the spirit put in my mind the lesson 3 pamphlet, so I began to read and teach them about repentance.  We testified with all surety and emotion that they can return to a Christ centered life.
            At the end of our lesson, Edna asked if we could pray for her husband.   That was a confirmation to me, because in the beginning I had an impression that I needed to give him a blessing.  I volunteered to give the blessing, and after having explained about a priesthood blessing, and anointing him, I laid my hands on his head and spoke as it were with the tongue of an angel.  The words which proceeded from my mouth were not my words, but the words of the Lord.  The Lord blessed him with physical and emotional strength to overcome his challenges.  He began to weep, and because he was weeping and because I was filled with the spirit, I began to weep as well.  The Lord continued to pour out a rich and beautiful blessing upon Richard.  Towards the end, seven words began to come out of my mouth.  I tried to hold them back, because of their consequences, but the spirit wouldn’t allow it to be.  I said, “I bless you to be made whole.”  And with that, the blessing was pronounced upon Richard in the name of Jesus Christ.
            He sat on his bed and continued to cry.  We spoke to him about the love of the Savior.  We made a return appointment and left, feeling that we did not teach a lesson, but more; that we had served our Fathers children in a way that the Savior served while he was on the earth.
            We went off to another appointment from a DVD referral.  This lady (who I will refer to as Jess) had read all three pamphlets she earlier had been given.  When we arrived at her home we were met by her along with her children, who happen to all be very committed Catholics.  We had a very nice lesson with them and were able to leave her with a Book of Mormon.  I really feel the Lord is blessing us so much as we have completely consecrated our will to His.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Treasuring Your Tracks


Good Morning Mom,
 
      I hope this letter finds you healthy and happy.  I just read your letter about realizing the love of our Heavenly Father manifest, I might say, in the actions and support of those within our ward back home.  I have had a similar realization, though mine has been known for many months now, but was confirmed yesterday during our sacrament meeting as well.
      While back in Pinetown, I sought for a CHANGE of heart and perspective; to feel about and see everybody as God does.  I wanted this so that I might treat them as God would, and testify and teach with full feeling of heart to the challenges and circumstances, which everyone we meet is going through.  To this day it is still a work in progress, but I can testify that God not only gave me a new perspective or new feelings, but a NEW heart.  I always tell my companion, and myself “We are not here to judge, but to love.”  That counsel helps us when people bunk us, or don’t keep commitments, or turn from the truth we are helping them receive; when doors are slammed, vulgarities spat, and a couple times threatened.
       But that’s not the main point.  The main point is that I have seen the love of Heavenly Father working through us.  Yesterday at church we had 13 inactive individuals come back.  The number was large, but it wasn’t the number, which I was happy about; it was the individuals themselves.  We know of their challenges, their hardships, and struggles.  We have opened the scriptures with them and testified of the atonement, and they have felt of it; and now, they too are receiving new hearts.
      To balance our success with rescuing however, we are working so hard to find more people to teach.  I have worked hard my whole mission, but I haven’t worked as hard as we are in Margate, and I have never been happier my whole mission (there is a direct relation).
      There is nowhere I would rather be than on the Lord's errand.
 
Elder Gold 

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.” -3 Nephi 5 :13



Editor's Note:
      Below is the letter Landon made reference to.  I've included the entire correspondence to simplify this process on my part.

Hello My Son,
      I hope you are doing well this week and that you have touched the lives of many.  You really do have the best job in the world.  You work for free, and this work you freely do.  You don't know day to day whom you are contracted to do the work for, yet there is always work to be done even if you have to go on the errand in search of it.  Many people who become the recipients of your labor will never completely understand just how valuable your skill set really is.  Yet, when your work is done and you move on there is a change for good to the people and place from which you just came.
      So, Margate is blessed to have you working in its vineyards (or should I say amongst the sugar canes).  I am amazed and awestruck still at the visual of my son being a missionary in Africa.  Yes, you've been out for a year and a half but the specialness of it hasn't faded a bit in my mind.  You are in the perfect place at the perfect time.  :-)  Treasure your tracks my dear!
      Today was fast and testimony meeting (Editor’s descriptions: A monthly church meeting where members can stand and openly share their testimonies and life experiences with the congregation) and as the meeting went on I watched several people walk up and sit on the stand (A set of seats in the front of the chapel behind the pulpit) waiting for their turn to go to the pulpit.  At one point there were six members sitting there, most of whom I'd known of their personal hardships that they'd endured or currently are enduring.  From health issues, to emotional trials and physical limitations...oh so many challenges.  I was impressed by the thought that many of these individuals, at one time or another, had opened up with their problems and allowed others and myself to know of their particular hardships; not keeping those challenges completely hidden.  This really was so instrumental and very beneficial in aiding each person to get help from ward members, as well as receiving compassion for their circumstance.  Why is this important?  Well, the key to gaining help in overcoming life's challenges is to let others in that they may understand enough to give support and lift up.  As I sat there and pondered how wonderful the design of ward families really is I couldn't help but to feel a great sense of appreciation for my loving Heavenly Father who knew just how important connections are.  I love my ward family and I really do feel much gratitude for it along with a sense of responsibility in it.  Of course I am only one amongst so many, but I realize that my part here and now is to learn to love unconditionally and let the Savior direct my actions that I can be an instrument for good in the life of who is in need of something I can give...my unconditional support without judgment.
      I Love you my Dear and pray for your success,
Love,

           Mom. . . .XOXO . . .