Tuesday, February 16, 2021

S4 E2: koolkool its pretty kool

 (Elder Cummings)

大家好朋友!

So just yesterday we were about to start some companionship study after church and then we were like, "actually let's check the referrals we got this morning first". So we start sending texts to two of them, and then Elder Rands, the stud that he his, said, "Hey let's just straight up call Koolkool". So we did. We gave him a call, turns out his real name is Brian but his friends call him Koolkool...so we now call him Koolkool. We asked if he remembered submitting a request for a Book of Mormon and he was like "Man, you bet I did. With all this craziness going on and seeing where the world is going I need something like that". The man had only ever heard the name Book of Mormon and knew nothing about it, but I am sure was guided by the Spirit to find a copy of the Book of Mormon. We were able to talk to him and testify of the power that comes from reading the scriptures and learning more about God and His plan. Turns out he's working in St Louis for the next 1-2 months, but we're getting some missionaries over there and we'll stay in contact with him. God really is preparing people to hear the Word!

Also, this week our whole teaching pool besides like 3 people have gone off the map so that was kind of crazy. It was really disheartening for a bit knowing how much they are missing out and wondering if we could've done anything differently to have helped them accept the Gospel However, God heard our prayers this week and we found 8 new people! We're back to business thanks to the Lord! Please keep Dominique, J'nell, Jethro, Luis, Betty, Reginald, Regina, Jun, and Tasha in your prayers!

I've been thinking about the power of the Book of Mormon but let me preface it with some thoughts:

For those who struggle to accept anything but the Bible, good on you. Hold fast to that testimony and trust you have in it, don't let the whirlwind and the craziness take you away from God and the Word. But think about what the last verse of the Gospel According to John says and implies, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." (John 21: 25)

The Book of Mormon is a testament of just a few of the "many other things which Jesus did". It testifies of him, the Living Christ, and has only brought me closer to the knowledge and understanding that he is my Savior. It provides solace in times of discouragement and strength in times of need. Christ invites us, "learn of me". From the Bible I have learned more than any other book about the ministry and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. From the Book of Mormon I have learned more than any other book about His Atonement and infinite sacrifice for me and for you. Knowledge is power. "Know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"(John 8:32). Please, read from the Book of Mormon. And I'm not just talking to nonmembers. Please read it if you're not, daily if you can. If you can't, then make time. "May we ever choose the harder right, instead of the easier wrong".

 

I'll just leave y'all with one of my favorite Book of Mormon scriptures, 2 Nephi 10:23-25

"23 Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.

24 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

25 Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen."

Elder Cummings



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