Baptisms -August 27, 2017

Magandang araw mga minamahal kong kapatid!

This week was fantastic! We had exchanges with the APs where I learned many things on how I can improve in my work.  On our exchanges we had to take one of the missionaries to the bus station to go to manila because he just finished his mission! He was released a week early to start school on time, and it was such a strange feeling seeing that missionary get on the bus and seeing him for the last time as an Elder.  Weird.

Also, we had two baptisms this week! Rea and Precious were both baptized! Sadly, however, they weren't confirmed because they had an emergency happen where they were unable to attend sacrament meeting.  However, they should be confirmed in the upcoming weeks, completing their baptisms!  Even without the confirmation, the Spirit was so strong at their baptism and you could see the change in their countenance as they came up out of the water into the new life as a disciple of Christ.

Other than that, nothing else really happened.  We had a typhoon this week, but it was just a bunch of rain. No damage was done and we are all safe.

I would like to share one thing from my personal study this week.  I was studying Jacob 5, the allegory of the olive tree, and The Articles of Faith concerning the dispersion and gathering of Israel and also the Primitive Church.  As I was studying, I realized that there is so much physical, historical, and 'worldly' evidence that can prove the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  But even with all of this evidence, there are so many people who reject it.  This greatly helped me understand the principle that truth can only be received through the medium of the Spirit.  If a person is not willing to accept the testimony of the Spirit, that person will never gain a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon regardless of how many other things are presented that concretely prove its divine claim.  The only truly effective way to prove the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon is for one to follow the promise of Moroni; to read, to ponder, and to pray with real intent if these things are true.

I exhort you to follow the words of Moroni, even if you have already gained a testimony of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon.  If you have doubts about the Book of Mormon, what is there to lose if you earnestly seek to find the truth.  If you have a solid testimony, enforce it even more by gaining another assurance of the truthfulness of this message.  I know that God lives and will answer all those who pray unto Him through the Holy Ghost. 

Have a great week everyone,

Mahal ko kayong lahat!