They Were Questions of the Soul...

Hi Mom,

      I’m doing well.  The work is quite different in Pinetown, and you were right, it is definitely more modern.  I'll try to get some of the pictures you asked for.  However, some I may not be able to get because, if I carry my camera into certain areas, like markets, it'll be taken right out of my hands. :p

      I sent you a photo of our most recent baptism.  The missionaries have been teaching Themba for some time and I was blessed enough to be here for his baptism (the first week I arrived).  I also was given the blessing of ordaining him to the Aaronic Priesthood yesterday.  That was a sweet experience.  He is so sweet and humble.  He is from Zimbabwe and lives here with his wife and two children.  We are just beginning to teach his wife.  She is showing promise. 

            Well, I’ve spent much time today writing up Themba's priesthood line of authority, so this email is a little short.

 
Editor’s Note:

      Every investigator of the gospel has a story.  We do not know the work and process Themba went through before making it to the waters of baptism, however, I can assure you those steps were walked kicking pride aside and humbly letting the spirit in to teach the truth.  Last week Landon wrote about an experience he had with an individual.  His story shows just how the spirit works in changing the heart of a man if only he allows it to.

      I’m so happy to be here on mission.  I’m probably the happiest I’ve ever been. This week we had a cool but common experience with the Book of Mormon that I’ll share with you.  There is this man named Nhlahla who the previous missionaries had contacted.  We went to contact him again at his home.  So, we knocked at the big metal gate until he came out of the house.  He stood at the gate with us, talking and telling us that he doesn’t think we will be able to meet with him.  After he had been contacted he asked his pastor about the "Mormons".  As you could guess the response from his pastor was not the greatest, nor the most correct.  NHLAHLA had his skepticism and doubts.  I'll note as well that he is a Born-again Christian.  Nothing wrong with that, in fact I admire them for their zeal and commitment, but they can be hard to teach as well.

      So, after some drawn out persuasion and persistence, Elder Komakech and I were invited, FOR FIVE MINUTES, to sit on the porch and talk with him.

      We taught about the restoration of the gospel, but I’m more satisfied to say that the spirit taught.  He agreed with the doctrine about prophets, Christ’s church and gospel dispensations.  But, when we came to the topic of the apostasy he looked like he had eaten a lemon.  He raised objections and we responded, allowing us to continue teaching through Joseph Smith.  At this point he was laughing, trying not to be rude by mocking us.  He didn’t understand.  Then came the best part...

      "Oh what’s that?  The book of Mormon??  Yes... go on... hhmmm...ohh............... What is that I feel?  The spirit?  So your telling me this is true?  Wow..."

      So you guessed it, we introduced the Book of Mormon to him.  I AM thoroughly convinced and have a burning testimony that the Book of Mormon is SATURATED with the Holy Spirit.  Our dear friend, "doubting Nhlahla," was stopped in his tracks as we paged through verses of the Book of Mormon, showing him, or rather helping him to feel, that the book is of God, and Is true, and testifies of Christ, and shows man what they must do in this life in order to gain peace, happiness and salvation in the life to come.

      He hit us with more questions, but this time they were different. They were thoughtful.  They were sincere.  They were questions of the soul that only would be thought of as one comes to understand the truth and sees where he really is.  Our five minutes was now two hours.  He accepted the book, and promised to read and pray.  He also told us we could come back.

      OUTSTANDING!!!!  We don’t get moments like that every day, but the feeling of preaching the true gospel is still the same.  This work is true!  Everything you have taught me from as early as I can remember is true!  I don’t know any other way to thank you for giving me the opportunity to have this gospel other than to give it to the people we are laboring for right now.  I love you mom.

      I’m well.  I’m happy.  I’m still laboring to do my best (and I fall short).  I love you,

Your son,

Elder Gold