I have a very many things I would like to say during this letter
and I am never able to say everything I want to, but I will say
that I love the Lord. We have seen his mercy and miracles this week.
If you will recall, a few weeks back we acted on a prompting to go to
an apartment complex and found a family moving in, the Walkers. This
last week we stopped in to see how they were doing and they invited us
right in! We had a really great conversation with them and we learned
that us helping them move in was a miracle because they had been
praying and they just didn't think they could have finished it
themselves! How cool is that! We invited them to a ward barbecue on
the seventeenth and they accepted and seemed excited to go!
Our lesson with Andy and Michelle was very revelatory this week. Andy
shared a very personal story to explain what his hesitancy was and we
also learned that Michelle just wants to come over to the church and
is just patiently waiting for her husband. When we first started
meeting with Andy and Michelle, she told us that she hated reading but
now she can't seem to get enough! It's so much fun to see these
wonderful people's lives change for the better.
We had a lesson with a new family this week, Bill and his wives
Annie and Margo. Yes, they're polygamists. We know Margo really
well because she works at a local fast food restaurant that we visit often
and we see her every time we go in. She always comes over and teases
us because she is part of the AUB so we were very surprised when she
came over last week, told us she wouldn't be baptized, but then asked
if her family could have he lessons anyway. We said yes, of course.
There were a lot of kids, about 11 or 12. Luckily for us, they were all
very well behaved and they participated in the lesson. After a good
restoration lesson, Bill sent the younger kids to go play and they
began asking their real questions. Bill and Annie want their
children to join the church, Margo would rather hers didn't. One of
Bill's older kids would like to serve a mission so we told them the
prerequisites. He must be at least eighteen if his parents are still
living polygamy. He must also have a testimony that polygamy is not to
be lived at this time. He must have a testimony that President Monson is
the ONLY man that holds priesthood keys on the earth, not one of the
AUB's beliefs. Bill had not known any of these prerequisites and it was
apparent that they bothered them a little. At that point, the member we
brought with us, counseled them to always stay true to their
convictions. So important! If one of their children joined the church
just to serve a mission they would be so confused. In the end it was a
good lesson and they were incredibly kind, considering we had told
them they were considered an apostate group. We love them.
The last thing I have time to write is about Joel and Marilyn. Joel
and Marilyn had their interview with a general authority this week!
They said it was one of the most spiritual experiences they have ever
had. Because the experience was so personal, I can't share all the
details, but they really received some wonderful revelation and
guidance. After the interview, they got to go meet my father and speak
with him in the tax division! I was extremely excited about that as well.
Both the Jessop's and my father report that it was a wonderful experience.
Is more joy than this possible?
I love being out here, my heart is filled with more joy every day as
I see these beautiful souls coming unto Christ. As I have said many
times, it'll take a lot of convincing to get me back home. I love you
all!
Love,
Elder Thomas
Preparation day selfie
Our awesome zone!
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