Well this week was pretty sweet. Elder Slack and I have been working pretty hard trying to get stuff going in this area. So for the last couple of weeks we have worked really hard and all of my focus is on working. We have 35 investigators but they aren't the most solid. We do have a couple who are progressing really well and we have 7 baptismal dates. We got shut down the other day pretty hard haha. We went in and asked to teach these girls again and they just pretty much sat and stared at us so we finally got the message that they were to shy to say they didn't want to learn anymore. Elder Slack took it pretty hard but I'm pretty use to people changing their mind on things. The only thing I worry about is when people receive that spiritual witness that God grants them so freely and they, by there actions, reject the gift from God. It's unfortunate because the things of this world as so tangable and everything can be takin from us. Look at the example of Job in the Bible. One of the only thing we have here is OUR WILL. The things that we struggle with here in this area are people choosing to believe the arm of flesh rather then trust in the arm of God. A thing that has really helped my Testimony here in the mission is a quick little analogy about salt. Most of the gifts from God are spiritual. Therefore no other person can see them. Kind of like putting salt into a glass of water. On the outside you can't tell that there is salt in the water, until you taste it! And then no matter how much the WORLD will tell you that there is no salt in that water, YOU know because you have tasted it and you can't deny that that water was salty. People tell me every day that there is not salt in what I know to be true. They see the outward apperance of the water and can't see the salt. But I on the other hand have done what was asked of me and tried the water to taste the salt. I have a Testimony of the the salt of the Gospel. Fools may mock the teachings of the Savior. But Wise men listen to promptings of the Holy Ghost and don't deny the Salt on the inside, Even though the outside apperance may look clear.
I had the opportunity to learn more about Temple Marriage this week. It never really hit me that yes members of the church may be married in the Temple for time and all eternity but that is not a free pass to being together for time and all eternity. That, just like baptism, only opens the availibilty of having that blessing. The door may be open but unless you WILL your legs to move you'll never enter into that room. Unless we keep our promises to the Savior and Endure to the End, we will not have an eternal family. The Lord is not expected to keep his end of the promise if we don't keep ours first. Some of the Less actives in this areas and friends of mine do not understand that principle to the fullest.
This week has been very much a learning week. We have plans to get our ward working and functioning the correct way which means that Elder Slack and I have had to plan a lot to see this goal go through. We wont be seeing any success on a high scale unless the ward is willing to help fellowship and teach investigators. I'm excited for the plans we have! I love being a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my aword shall not pass away, but shall all be bfulfilled, whether by mine own cvoice or by the dvoice of my eservants, it is the fsame.
This is true I love my savior and I love being a missionary.
Love,
Elder Burton
