Monday, September 22nd, 2014

We have had some really good experiences applying the things we learned from Elder Bednar (An Apostle of the Church) and Elder Dyches (A Church General Authority). We had a really cool experience one day this week while we were out talking to people on the street. A guy stopped us and asked us if we were Jehovah Witnesses. We told him we were not but came from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We taught him a little about the restoration and the Book of Mormon and asked if we could get his number or set up another time when we could give him a Book of Mormon. He said no thanks it kind of sounds like a cult, but we could read a little bit from the book. I showed him Moroni 10:3-5 and asked him to read. He did and then just kept reading the rest of the page. He then said wow it is really scary how true I think this is. He was skeptical but nevertheless had the faith to try the word and see what it actually was. Because he did that the Spirit was able to confirm to him that what he was reading was good. That is a wonderful lesson for us all about faith. Most of the time we do not have a perfect knowledge of things. We must rely upon the assurance of things hoped for and not seen and show our faith by acting. If we do this we will be blessed. Our faith will be strengthened and we will be guided. I know by acting on the assurance of things hoped for and not seen that the gospel and church of Jesus Christ have been restored to the earth by a loving God through the prophet Joseph Smith. This witness came after the trial of my faith. It is something anyone can know the through the power of the Holy Ghost.

The experiences in our lives shape us into what we must be. It is impossible for us to understand in the moment, but I know it is true. I am so grateful for the knowledge, peace, comfort and power the gospel provides us. There is nothing else that can compare. As Paul says the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed within us. I know that is true for each of us as children of God. The Norwegian word of the week is ren, which means pure or clean.

Love,
Elder Ankenman