Week 56: September 10, 2018 - Testimony Builders

Hey there Fam, 

We had an awesome week!!! Lots of finding with members and a baptism!!! 

Our friend Mario was baptized after much preparation and being married in 2 weeks! Miracles!!!! 

This week, I got to give a talk in sacrament meeting about developing a stronger testimony. I decided to read a few scriptures in Alma about King Lamoni and the anti-nephi-lehis. It was pretty neat to be able to study that and think about how much courage those people must have had and how strong their testimonies must have been. I read in the guide for studying about the scriptures and read how a testimony is knowledge and a confirmation that comes form the Holy Ghost. I then talked about how we can get a confirmation from the Holy Ghost from Moroni 10:4 which basically says that we need to first have sought God, have faith, have humility, and ask God. I really liked it. It was a simple reminder of something that I need to do constantly. I then talked about those examples found in Alma 22 and 24. I thought it was awesome!!! Everyone was super sleepy in church, but maybe the spirit was just so heavy, they couldn't handle it!!! Hahahaha, just kidding. But, it was still a super neat learning experience for me. 

I also got to talk about the Holy Ghost in Mario´s baptism. I got to tell a funny story about when I forgot the keys to our house and a bunch of elders form the mission office came and crowded around the door with used credit cards to try and slide the door open! After a while, the spirit told me I needed to pray and right after, the elders called a man who came and opened the door in 2 seconds!!! Awesome experience!!! 

I also had another amazing teaching experience this week. We entered into this one less active's house and taught him and his whole non-member family about the plan of salvation. They had recently lost a relative and were all a little down. I decided to tell them about the time I had in Boise where we went and served in the retirement home. There was a lady there that sat in a wheel chair. She reached out to shake hands and then never let go when she got a hold of your hand. She could only say,"I love you," and something like, "you're great." Nothing more. I remember I went over with her and sat in a chair right next to her still holding her hand as she sat in her chair. I looked at her and just had the feeling I needed to bare my testimony of the plan of salvation. I did. I felt the spirit so strong and got super teary eyed. I told this family this story and got super teary eyed again and told them how I knew that God had a plan for her and that He has a plan for every single one of us. Everyone in the room was silent. It was a super neat moment. 

We asked if we could finish with a prayer. The less active was smiling ear to ear and said of course. 

Love you all tons!!! Loved all the photos this week!!! You all are so awesome!!!! Thanks for everything you do!!!!!

Love,

Elder Barton