We had dinner with a member family, and we found out that one of their daughters is in the same class as B, one of our investigators. She is a wonderful member missionary, so good that she nearly got kicked out of her school for proselyting. I have to say that is probably the most epic way to get kicked out of school. I'm not condoning activities that lead to expulsion, but I am encouraging spreading the Gospel. ;) We challenged her to invite B to church and to an 8-year-old baptism that is happening this week.
We taught a lesson about baptism to the 8-year-old who is getting baptized, and Elder M did a pretty cool object lesson. Now before I share this object lesson, I feel obligated to tell the youth to not try this without adult supervision. Elder M got a cookie sheet and some hand-sanitizer, and put the hand-sanitizer on the sheet. He then lit the hand-sanitizer on fire. He got his hands wet under the faucet, representing baptism and repentance, and he picked up the flaming hand-sanitizer. He said that the reason it wasn't burning him was because he had a protective layer of water on his hands. Satan will try to burn you, but if you keep your baptismal covenants and repent, you will be protected from the worst of Satan's damage.
We are trying to work with the youth to get them more missionary-minded, because the youth are usually the best member missionaries. We decided that the best way to work with the youth right now is to help relieve any burdens that we can from them. That way they won't feel so stressed and they will be able to grow their testimony. We met with the Young Men's President, and he decided that the best way would be to help the Young Men fulfill their Duty to God, mostly through just reminding them of their goals. We also are going to employ the help of the sisters in our district to help the Young Women with their Personal Progress.
Now, for the title of this week. Every Saturday, we invite the youth to morning sports, and encourage them to invite their friends. The church was occupied this Saturday, so we played at the park near our house. We went down to the field below to play two-touch rugby. When we came back up the phone was gone. The other elders called it, and the sisters had it. They said a man had called them with the phone, saying he saw it just lying there and thought it had been left behind. They gave us the address, and we went by and thanked him. He said he and his wife don't go to a church right now, but they read the Bible regularly and use it to compare with any other religious material they find. They even already have a Book of Mormon. We were able to set an appointment with them for tomorrow! Maybe we should lose our phone more often!
Satan is making every possible move he can make to destroy this Church, and one of the devious methods he uses is attacking the youth of the Church. He knows that they are the future leaders in the Lord's army, and he sees their potential more so than they do at times. He writhes at the idea of us growing up firm in the faith and like a light shining forth. He will stop at nothing to destroy our confidence and self-worth. Brothers and sisters, WE CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN! You are sons and daughters of the Most High God of Israel. You have within you the seeds of eternal life. Do not let Satan destroy what you KNOW you are, and NEVER allow the Father of Lies to do it to anybody else. I learned something really cool recently. Redwood trees, some of the tallest trees in the world, don't grow their roots deep like other trees. Instead, they grow them sideways near other redwoods, so that their roots mingle and tangle together. These trees don't rely on their own strength, because it won't be enough for something that has such potential and can touch the sky. They rely on each other, and that is something WE must do. Lift each other up, and you will soar above the sun, moon, and stars.
Until next week, Gelukkig Koningsdag! (For all you citizens of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
--
The Lord's Soldier,
Elder Jacob C. Tibbitts
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