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Well, I'm glad for the update! I didn't have time to really respond to the updates, but I'm glad that I get them.
This week we got to see two families in church. M**'s (name omitted for privacy) family and a few from the B** family went to church this Sunday! We are planning the 7th of December for M**, his wife, and his son to be baptized. I can't tell you how excited we are to see them progress so quickly. He said that he loves how members of the church aren't judging them because of their circumstances, and that he feels like his heart and attitude are changing. The R** B** (she's the mom) told us last night that she believes that Joseph Smith was a prophet. Napolean Dynamite, ''Yessss!'' We're waiting for her husband to hear more of the lessons, but little by little he's being more receptive. He just doesn't trust organized religion in general, which makes it a little more difficult.
Can I tell you how glad I am for prophets and apostles?! We talk to tons and tons of people who are confused because of what the Bible says. Because the Bible has been translated many times, and now has many "easy" versions, its language and message have become unclear to some people. The Bible is awesome, but just like John said in Revelation (ironically, this is the book written before many of the other books of the New Testament, but placed at the very end when King James decided to compile the book together), the Bible is only a part of God's infinite word to only a portion of His children at one point in the history of the earth. For this reason, God has called prophets throughout all of history, has revealed His gospel, and commanded His prophets to record His teachings as scripture for His children.
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we know that what Paul told the Ephesians is true! "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." God, our Father, has given His word AND His Son to EVERY one of His children. This is why the Book of Mormon is such a gift. It is one of the records of God's prophets in another ancient land, and is in complete harmony with the Bible (the record of His children in Israel). It's teachings are the same, which is further witness that our Father is unchanging and He loves ALL His children. Sadly, nobody else has this understanding besides the members of our church. When Jesus told the disciples in Jerusalem, "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd (John 10:16)," why do people think He wasn't serious?! How can people think He wasn't going to go teach those other people like He promised? How can they believe He wouldn't tell those "other sheep" to write down what He said? How do they think Jesus wouldn't want them to preserve His gospel for their children and the world, just like His prophets in the Holy Land did?
Remember that I love you all, and I miss you all! Have a great Thanksgiving season. We're raising our chickens for Christmas as we speak. They're very cute right now, but I decided to name them Almuerzo y Cena (Lunch and Dinner) anyways.
Remember that the Gospel blesses the lives of all those that live by it. It's a promise irrevocably decreed from heaven.
Love,
Elder Avery
Super Massive Black Hole (November 11, 2013)
Twelvety Twelve Miles (November 26, 2013)
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| Elder China and Elder Avery on Preparation Day |
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| Elder Howell and Elder Avery |
