24 Noviembre 2014

Hola!!

I cannot believe it is almost Thanksgiving! Time has just flown by. I can't believe it. This week was so great.

On Tuesday, we knocked around. There's a sister in another ward in my stake that is leaving for her mission soon, so she came with us. She is so great! She'll be an amazing missionary.

Wednesday, Hermana Vivas and I were able to go to the San Antonio Temple and do a session. It is so gorgeous! There are stained glass windows everywhere. The layout of it is very similar to the Monticello, UT Temple.

After the temple, we went and were knocking again. We knocked on one lady's door, and she let us in. She told us she was a Born Again Christian. We talked a little of our beliefs. She grew up in Arizona, and knew quite a few LDS people while she was there. She was curious about the Plan of Salvation, and why we believe in the 3 Kingdoms of Glory. We explained that is revelation given in the Bible, and again in the Doctrine and Covenants. She really didn't agree with what we had to say, but she was really nice about it. She was a very nice lady.

Thursday, we had our Zone Training Meeting. Which was awesome. President Slaughter talked about the organization of the church, and then about the Apostasy

Organization of the Church:

1. One Church-- Christ's Church

2. Foundation of Apostles

3. Church follows living apostles

4. Continuous revelation through apostles

1."Upon this rock I will build my church"

Ye are the body of Christ. he is the head of the body (church). There is one body. (Ephesians 4:4-5)

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism"

2. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you"

Ephesians 2:20-21 built on foundation of apostles, prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone

The Quorum of the 12 Apostles is a continuous quorum. If one of them dies, another is called. We see this pattern throughout the New Testament.

3. 1 Cor. 12:27-28 first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers. All over the New Testament, we read of the different offices of the priesthood, 70, 12, Bishops, Elders.. 

4. The living Apostles are the living interpretation of the word of God. If you ever have a question about one of the commandments or way of living or the "un written word", watch the apostles. They will show you how to act accordingly.

The Apostasy:

What caused the Apostasy? Was it the persecution? Was it something else?

In Mosiah, we read "nothing shall overthrow the church save the transgression of the people." (Mosiah 27:13)

The apostasy came about from sin and heresy from within.

Evidences of apostasy:

*Valid baptism was lost

*The belief in the Trinity--> born of contention and census

*The idea the there's a closed cannon

*Churches without the foundation of Apostles

*The believer's priesthood

He then said, "If your mind is clear, you will never doubt this church"

 I know for a surety that Christ's church is on this earth. I know that His authority is also here, and that Thomas S. Monson, his counselors, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles hold all of the keys necessary to run and aid this church, and that Thomas S. Monson is the only one who has the authority to use all of those keys.

Okay. So I am super excited for this Christmas Season.

The Church has made this video, called He Is The Gift, emphasizing the reason why we even celebrate Christmas in the first place-- The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is so wonderful! There is this huge missionary initiative that goes along with it. Starting on 28 November 2014 (The day after Thanksgiving) this video will be on youtube. Also, on 7 December 2014, will be "youtube takeover". The Church has purchased the main advertising spot on the homepage, and will be the only advertiser that day. It will be an advertisement for the He Is The Gift, and will have a link to the website: Christmas.mormon.org . The Church has also purchased an advertisement in Times Square in New York on their video-billboards, which will be there for a month (I think). In the December Ensign, there will be 9 pass along cards that have information for the He is the Gift. As missionaries, we will also have these cards to give out.

The Brethren are pushing this on us as missionaries. They want to know how many people we are able to contact and to meet with because of this initiative. This whole thing is so amazing! Technology has really made sharing the gospel with others so easy, and so accessible. 

I am so grateful for this time of year when we can more fully remember our Savior, and His birth. I know our Father in Heaven loves us so much, that He sent His Son, so that we may have a way to return to Him one day. 

I love you all so much! Thank you for all of your support!

Love, 

Hermana Dean