Last Monday, Elder Alarcon and I went to an elementary school to teach a bunch of fourth graders about the church! Something that definitely wouldn't happen in the US in a billion years haha. Church and state is pretty intertwined in Perú! But anyway, one of the teachers asked for two mormon missionaries and, lo and behold, the lot fell upon us. I was envisioning a bunch of bored nine year olds who didn't care at all about religion, but that was not the case! These kids had tons and tons of questions! There was, however, one problem: most of the questions were about Catholics or the differences between Catholics and Evangelicals. All the kids come from really rich catholic families! It was a strangely hostile enviornment haha. We did our best to teach some basic principles about prophets, scriptures, and revelation, and left them each a pass-along card. An interesting experience to say the least!
Tuesday morning we had a multizone conference, which are always kinda fun. Learned about the role of the Holy Ghost, and our job to search for and analize their needs in weekly planning and companionship study. I led a little ten minute discussion on "why we have to identify our investigators' needs" which went pretty alright!
We heard a pretty good excuse this week too. Many of our investigators are catholic for tradition, but don't actually go to church. We asked one this week why he didn't go to church, and this was his response: "Think about the number of Catholics in this city. The cathedrals only hold 200ish people. If everybody went, we wouldn't all fit! That's why I don't go." It's interesting logic to me....
Spiritual thought for the week: the Lord's counsel to Oliver Granger in the 177th section of the Doctrine and Covenants! He said, "his sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase." There isn't anything we can earn, gain, or do in this world that is worth anything to the Lord. He made the earth and the heavens! He gave us our physical bodies and the opportunity to come and learn and gain experience. If we focus on things WE can do for OURSELVES, it won't be worth anything to Heavenly Father! However, as we sacrifice our will, offer up a broken heart and a contrite spirit, we give him something of real worth! In the end, it's the only possible solution for us, and the only thing that will contribute to his glory. Our sacrifice is much more sacred to Him than any increase!
Love you lots! Talk to you next week!
Elder Hart
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