Fiery weeks

busted up missionary shoes

These weeks in Estação have been fiery. We have been praying so hard for the Lord to bless us as we work diligently every minute. These prayers have been our secret weapon because we are finding a lot of great people who start to open up when they hear about a church that isn't just centered on what we call "religion" but exaltation as well. I find it extremely interesting when people's faces change when they hear about how the Church that Christ established is here on the earth today. People find that so interesting. I have been studying the New Testament more than ever these past months and it is really paying off. When you can prove to people that Christ organized a church with prophets, apostles, priesthood, true baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, new commandments...and then you testify about it, it is really difficult for someone to say no. Firstly because they see the evidence in their own Bible (p.s. it's really fun to show people that they don't know what they are saying in their own Bible that they swear by....well it's not that I am mean, but I just show them that what I am teaching is in their sweet Bible) and then they feel the Spirit confirm through illuminating feelings and thoughts.

This week I was on exchanges with the Elders from the Araucária ward and some "evangelicas" hunted us down until there were 5 of them and 2 missionaries with a young man. They started to ask about how our chapels were constructed, if all of the legal documents were in the name of Christ, if I received a salary, and so on. It was really ridiculous to be quite frank.  As they tried to break us on our doctrinal knowledge I felt the strong urge to blurt out the question, "Do you believe in prophets?" They said "Anciently, they had to exist"..."Why?" "Because people didn't have the holy ghost to guide them"...."So you don't believe that a prophet should be on the earth to guide us these days because all of us have the gift of the Holy Ghost?"....."right....only false prophets."...."Why? Actually, can you show me in your Bible where it says that prophets ceased to exist?"....He looked at me for a while before he started to talk about tithing again. "Can I show you in your Bible some of the things we believe?" "Sure."  And so I did. As we shared about 20 verses with them and testified that there is a living prophet on the earth, the Spirit backed up our words strongly. We explained to them that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he sent his Son to die for us and to show us the way that leads to eternal life. We testified that the primitive church has been restored through a prophet of God, Joseph Smith. They had no words after our simple and vigorous testimonies. As the 5 of them started to turn their backs and go home, one of them turn back again and asked if we would be able to pass by sometime and share a little bit more about this "restoration you speak of". I said for sure we can.

Lots of these types of situations happen here in Araucária.  Many people want to know if you "truly" are a missionary. If you don't know your scriptures you have a problem. There are a lot of religious people here that want evidence. Well, like Elder Ballard has said in "Our Search for Happiness" --- we can't rely on physical evidence when we want a testimony from God. (2 Nephi 25)

I know that being a defender of truth and righteousness brings blessings. We all have to defend what we believe and testify to others that the kingdom of God is here on the earth led by a living prophets and 12 apostles and that the Book of Mormon is a testament of these spiritual and physical truths. I know that missionary work only accelerates as we share our happiness with others. We have to be proactive to gain what we love and adore. Not just 80,000 missionaries world wide is going to get the job done. A growth in the number of soldiers does not mean that you win the fight. But when the soldiers have a conviction of what they fight for, then, you win the fight. 

By the way, I've been called as the new district leader here. I have two sister companionships, one elder companionship, Elder Skousen and me. 

Spiderman District Leader notebook

This week was a roller coaster of fun and I am super tired. Nap time will commence in about two hours after we go grocery shopping at "Condor". 

News: 

Elder Forsyth needs a haircut

Elder Forsyth misses his guitar.

Elder Forsyth likes to make pancakes now.

Elder Forsyth finally learned how to clean house.

Elder Forsyth wants more food.

Elder Forsyth is happy

Love,

Elder Forsyth

p.s.  https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/a-house-divided?cid=HPWE032614622&lang=eng 

Let us be united in the work of the lord. 

"A good man, out of the good treasure of the heart, bring forth good things....for by thy word thou shalt be justified."

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3267475157001

"please apply the following: stop it" On the mission I have grown the love the Savior's divine help in our hardest of times. Be a friend to everyone in your sight.

The Araucárias and Pinheiros that are a unique touch to Paraná. We entered into a favela that didn't have an exit and we ended up in the middle of the forest. We tried to find our way out but we realized that the entrance was the exit. I'm certain the police pass by that place because there is no exit...at all.