Week 62 Tamale

Well, what a crazy week out here in Ghana!  It was pretty stressful to be completely honest!  We had a lot going on!  Our zone conference was this week and man, it was cool!  The main topic that we talked about was the Book of Mormon.  We set aside time to go around the room and say what doctrines we learn about ONLY from the Book of Mormon.  Wow!  Just about every single one there is!  Think about it!  Write down all the doctrines that you can learn from the Book of Mormon.  You’ll shock yourself. 

Me and Elder Mbithi

This week we found a man named Sampson. He's a cool guy. The lesson we taught him was lesson one, the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It was just crazy because every one of his questions that he asked led to the next thing that we wanted to teach.  It was so crazy.  We were able to talk to him about the Book of Mormon and I asked him if everything made sense and He said, “yes!”  It was just a perfect lesson I'd say.  But……….. he didn't come to church.  One thing that a lot of missionaries get frustrated with is that the people they find and teach aren't coming to church.  It’s frustrating when they don’t keep their commitments of reading or attending a meeting.  What people have to realize is that one of our greatest gifts ever is Agency.  No matter how good of a teacher you are or how many people you find, people still have to choose whether they want to come or not. I guess that is the thing I was trying to get at writing this. Sorry if that whole thing didn't make sense. But I do thank you if whoever is reading this is actually this far into my weekly. 

Something that really stood out to me this week is in section 5 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Think about what Joseph Smith had to do or did in his short time restoring Christ’s church to the earth.  He organized the church with the proper authority, the Priesthood, constructing Temples, calling 12 Apostles, sending missionaries all over the world, fleeing from one place to another, sooooo many things. But we know that the very first thing he HAD to do was to translate the Book of Mormon. 

4 And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the first gift I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will grant unto you no other gift until it is finished.

Think about how the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It was the first thing that we needed to keep the church in tact. So ya, that is my little thought. 

Also if that wasn't enough read John 14:27. 

Love you all! 

Elder Turner

Brother Robert, our newly called 1st Counselor in the Branch Presidency

Food!