Week 92 - The Plan of Salvation (Sidewalk Chalk Edition)

Another good week has passed in Eastwood. We've had lots of things happening which show a lot of promise in the area. Last week, we were able to meet with Jordan, our investigator who's father had his name removed. Things are going well with him, and he has committed to be baptized on March 28th. We had another meeting with him yesterday to talk about preparing him for activity in the church and he's been willing to make some sacrifices of time to read the Book of Mormon and come to church. So far, he's seems to be going incredibly well, and Elder Rencher and I thank the Lord for what he's done in making this all happen.

The other part-member family we're working with is doing well also. He's brought up some concerns, but It hasn't destroyed his desire to learn about the church and to continue meeting with us, as well as continue to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. It does create an environment where we really need to teach like Elder Bednar. I realize that the way that he taught us is the way that Preach My Gospel is teaching us to teach others. Our focus should be more on their testimony and the way the gospel will bless them. 

I think that the thing that has most affected my teaching and thought processes has been what Elder Bednar taught about agency. I have had the perspective that agency from a proselyting perspective was basically a person's ability to choose whether or not to accept your message, but since the conference, I've come to realize that it's more than that. We as missionaries are to share the gospel, thus giving the people we share the gospel with a chance to become "agents unto themselves" to either accept or reject the gospel for themselves. Our purpose is to invite, and as we invite, we provide the enticement Lehi talks about when he says:

Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other. (2 Nephi 2:16)

Yesterday, our district created a display of the Plan of Salvation with sidewalk chalk. It went pretty well and we were able to teach a few people about the plan God has for us.

Love,

Elder Clark

Dinner at the flat on Saturday night. We had Bulgogi, which is a Korean meat dish

Sidewalk chalk art displaying the Plan of Salvation