Dear family,
Thank you for your letters this week, and for fasting for me.
How are you? I am well. My memory of the past week is a bit foggy, but
I do remember thinking that I'm starting to know the area somewhat,
our companionship is improving, and I've been a bit more present in
lessons (understanding, speaking, etc.), and caring for our
investigators more.
We've had some good moments with investigators this week. One, Andres,
read up to Alma in the Book of Mormon in about two days. Monica told
us, "Yes, I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet," and we found a
former investigator in the Area Book with whom we are working. My
concern is in helping them to keep on progressing, to keep learning
spiritually, to help them to build their faith and testimony into
action and a pattern of gospel living. We're focusing somewhat more on
working with members this week, in order to help them to have friends
in the gospel, and, especially, to help them to come to church!
I'm working on 'opening my mouth' to declare the gospel, and
testimony, more boldly in contacting generally, and trying to apply
the doctrines of which I am speaking of more powerfully to the people
of Villa Dolores. If I had a couple days set aside for general
preparation, after some cleaning, I think that I would read the Book
of Mormon for hours and hours. The Book of Mormon contains the words
of Christ, and I know that it is true. In a way, reading from, and
prayerfully pondering the teachings of the Book of Mormon is like
learning at the feet of the Master (to use a Biblical phrase):
Y ésta tenía una hermana que se llamaba
María, la que, sentándose a los pies de
Jesús, oía su palabra. … Y María ha escogido
la buena parte, la cual no le será quitada.
(Lucas 10:39, 42)
[And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet,
and heard his word…and Mary hath chosen that good part,
which shall not be taken away from her.
(Luke 10:39, 42)]
The scriptures are a fountain of revelation, and of guidance, an
invitation for the Holy Ghost to testify, to teach, to comfort. I
think that it's critical to read the scriptures daily, and I'm working
on pondering the doctrines more. I watched a talk by Elder Scott at
the MTC in which he spoke about prayer, and how to pray effectively.
One point was that when we read that Enos prayed 'all that day,' he
probably wasn't on his knees for that time! The pattern is to pray, to
ponder, then to act in faith—the cycle repeated reaps revelation, the
voice of Heaven, living waters. I am grateful that through the gospel
of Jesus Christ I can be clean from sin, and receive guidance and
comfort. I love the Saviour Jesus Christ and am grateful for His
mercy, His love, and His Atonement. Quoting Preach My Gospel
(loosely), "All that is unfair about life can be made right through
the Atonement of Jesus Christ," though really in the soul, not always
in the surroundings.
I look forward to receiving Matthew's letter, and I would be very
pleased to receive one from Alex and Levi! I do enjoy the Elder
Christmas updates, but would prefer to be forwarded them.
Hope all is well! I love you all a lot,
Elder David Schlachter Photos
