Saturday, September 23, 2017

Matthew 16:13-17

Dear family and friends,

*Sigh of contentment* It's been such a good, relaxed week.  It seems like we've been going at a thousand miles an hour this past month and these past few days we've been slowing down just a bit! It was good to be back in our area a lot more and see our three converts (Luis, Luisa, and Claudia) for the first time since their baptism! We were with Claudia last night and caught a glimpse in her sketch book, where she had drawn a little quote (in English!!): "it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me" with her own addition in the corner "09/09: mi mejor día!".  Or "my best day!" It was neat to see that! 

We also have a monster change these next two days so we've been prepping for that! Lots of missionaries leaving, lots more coming, and lots of planning to make sure all goes well! We have our testimony meeting tomorrow Sunday, then will say good bye on Monday and receive new missionaries on Tuesday.

Well, since there wasn't much else that happened temporally, I'll go spiritual for a sec!;) I've been learning so much lately but there hasn't been much time to share, so I'm gonna unload a bit here:

Matthew 16:13-17, man! First of all the type of question the Savior used! "When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?"

 I love that question! One that gives his followers an opportunity to bear testimony, say something out loud! Elder Bednar taught in the worldwide missionary broadcast in 2016: "That investigator, making those statements—acting as an agent—invites the Holy Ghost to confirm the truthfulness of what that man or woman said." In other words, as the person SAYS IT, as it comes out of THEIR mouth, the Holy Ghost comes and testifies.  If they just respond with "yes" or "no," the spirit might not be able to testify with as much power! So a powerful missionary maybe doesn't ask, "Do you believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet?" but, "What do you believe about Joseph Smith?" One, it shows the investigator's understanding, but more importantly, it gives them a chance to bear testimony and feel the Holy Ghost confirm that testimony! 

"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

Surely as Peter made that statement, the Holy Ghost testified to him that what he was saying was the truth! 

Now, one other quick lesson: the guy was with the Savior all the time!! He saw so many miracles!! He walked and talked with Him and everything.  But how did he know that Christ was the literal "Son of the living God"? " Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."  The one and only way that truth can enter into one's heart is through the power of the Holy Ghost.  THE ONLY WAY! We could see Christ, see the golden plates and the Angel Moroni, be with Joseph Smith and listen to him speak, and it could not make any difference! There is only one way for eternal truth to enter the heart, and it's through the power of the Holy Ghost.  It happened to Peter, and we can receive the exact same knowledge, with the exact same conviction, through the exact same way! 

Thanks for letting me share all that! Love you all and have a wonderful week!

Love, 
Elder Tanner Hart

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