March 7th, 2011

Kin,

This past week was spent in Ottawa, down at a zone study, we were there from Monday to Thursday, got back here Thursday night. Ottawa was lots of fun. I was able to go on splits with Elder Shen, and I got to teach a lesson that was one of the best lessons I'll ever teach. A couple less active members in Ottawa had a friend meet us who is a "seeker of truth" and a scriptorian, basically has the bible memorized. When we walked in he greeted us by calling us brothers--easy dunk. He's been "saved" and randomly shouts Hallelujah and is Glenn Beck's Biggest fan. And you know, he looks exactly like Glenn Beck, just a little larger.

We started out by explaining a little about the book of mormon. He said he only had one question so far, that he has been pondering about. He picked up his bible.

"I take this to be the Word of God, every word in it. This is God's Word to us. So I'm puzzled when I read about the apostles saying that Thou shalt not add onto this book, on to this gospel. Can you answer this question?"

Now, this problem is common, and just a simple misunderstanding in most occasions. Every missionary knows the scriptures in the bible that show contradictory statements about adding on and taking off, and that is what usually missionaries will jump to.

Well I went to open my bible and as I did so I said "You know, I have the answer to your question. There is a promise..." And suddenly I decided to flip to the book of Moroni. Elder Shen was quiet, and a little confused, because that's usually the END of the First lesson, where I was beginning.

I shared with him Moroni's promise, and Elder Shen told him to ask God if it's from Him or not. The "seeker of truth", heaved a grand sigh and said very sincerely.

"Thank you, that has brought great peace to me, you've answered my prayers right there, thank you so much. It has to be good, because it says ask God, in the name of Christ, whether or not it's true, and that's exactly how you should pray. That book must be of God"

NOT REALITY.

I decided to run with it.

"Okay, so we've discovered the validity of this book, yes? We know it's of God, the question is, where did it come from?"

Flipped to the introduction, flew from there. Joseph Smith History. Bam.

By the time we had read of the first vision, the deal was sealed. I know this because as soon as we finished, the investigator looked at Elder Shen and I and said, "Well, what do we do?"

As they say in Quebec, BON SOIREE, ELLE AS PARTI!

GOOD NIGHT, SHE'S OUTTA THERE!!

It was nice, to have an investigator actually ask me what to do after receiving the truth.

So I asked him, "What DO you do now?"

"Well I guess I better read this book and pray about it!"

Magic. Now, the trick will be to find someone up here in Val Dor to teach like that. It will be amazing when we do.

Well, transfers calls are this saturday. I sure hope I stay, I want to turn 20 here, that's a long time, but I ain't leavin till somethin changes up here.

It's good to hear that Carlie's baby has good taste and a good appetite...that kid's gonna be a spastic little child...That's too bad to hear that Carter didn't get the scholarship, but that's just God's way of telling him that he don't need it.

Anyways, keep up the good work at home, hopefully Chandler and Noah haven't gone mad with Hayden and Carter gone.

Love,

E. Holm