As far as knocking and finding people to teach, we haven't been to successful unfortunately. A lot of people here are almost scared of the missionaries. As it turns out the pastors for the other churches warn who they preach to about us so the second they open the door, well I'll let you get creative haha. We did have several people hear what we had to say and we left pass along cards so seeds have been planted! But we haven't done to much reaping yet haha. But we have made progress with Matthew and the biggest thing for him is to read the Book of Mormon. The last few times we have had a shortish lesson and then read some chapters in the Book of Mormon with him. And he gets so much out of it! We visit with them later today. And we have been challenged by our district leader to invite him to be baptized. So we will see how that goes!
Now to the best and worst part. Since I emailed last we had 2 lessons with the other Matthew. For the story he will just be called Matt. We came the day we scheduled (very nervous because we really didn't know what to expect we just left him with a commitment to read a few versus) and went we got in we were shocked. He started telling us that he did some research about the "Mormon church" and told us that we get a bad rap. And was amazed at how our religion works and how they allow 18-22 year olds to serve these missions voluntarily. He also said that he read Moroni's promise and he didn't get it. So we explained it to him and he was very curious.
We bounced around a lot and ended up discussing the plan of salvation a little and a few other points all of which he enjoyed. But here is were it gets tricky. He is very philosophical hes probably a professor or something because a lot of what he says points to one thing that I don't believe in God but I'm not going to deny that there isn't one. During this time Elder Robinson would say points and that got me thinking about TOK (theory of knowledge from Renaissance) and so I could get were he was coming from and tell my experience and then relate what I know to our church. One example he brought up was the blind people touching and elephant each of them have a part of the elephant (leg trunk etc.) That they know is true but they don't have the full truth. Now being in TOK I knew this allegory. And being directed by the spirit (legit I cant pull what happened out of my (fill in the blank) and I couldn't make this up) and I said that each religion is one of these blind guys they have part of the truth... (he nods) but the church is the whole Elephant and has to fullness in its entirety the tusks tail organs etc. And he just laughs and says "Marketing! I love this guy!" I think he got it, but doesn't believe it... we had a really fun discussion especially because he cant talk with us they way he talks with his pastor or wife, they wouldn't get it. So I feel that we can teach this guy.
We met with him yesterday and we brought Elder Lewis (one of the senior missionaries) with us to help keep the discussion we had planned a little more direct. But that plan fell through pretty much immediately. Now I he claims (could be legit I really cant tell or know) that he saw God in his garden one day and he told him many things (of which he didn't tell us to much) but one thing that the vision he had told him was to "lay by my pool and wait for me for eternity" now when his vision had ended long story short, his wife was scared and called 911 were police came and put him in the psyche ward for a few days. Now I'm a new missionary and I think that this stuff doesn't happen to regularly. So God blessed me with quite a challenge. And we had a good discussion on revelation and wanted to keep talking but by this point we had gone for well over 2 hours and it was 9 o clock. So we had to go. The second lesson really was a runaway train. And Elder Lewis thought we should drop him just because we've spent 4 hours (2 visits) with him and he likes what we have to say but doesn't quite believe it because his philosophy makes him doubt and question. We kept driving the point of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and finally were able to commit him to read any 10 pages and actually do Moroni's promise.
We haven't scheduled a return date, but we do have his number we will probably call and see if he's done anything yet sometime this week. I did love our discussion, it was very entertaining, but that's not why I'm here. And my time can be better spent. But as of now, we really don't have a lot of people to teach so we are kind of in a pickle haha. What made that night so so so good was what Elder Robinson said on the way home. He told me he was so proud of me and the way I jumped in (there were a few times were the spirit of contention were with Elder Lewis and Robison and here I was enjoying the discussion) and was able to connect and answer his questions with the experiences I've had with ToK I connected the allegory of the cave to the church (some how thank you spirit) and he told me to never doubt if I'm being led by the spirit because when we were teaching him there were points and thoughts in Elder Robinson head that i straight up said to Matt. Man it was a wonderful experience maybe not a successful one but only time will tell. Elder Robinson also brought a neat aspect of the priesthood that I never thought of and that's using the priesthood to confirm truths or blessings in prayer. Elder Robinson shared how at the MTC they used the priesthood to confirm there knowledge of Joseph Smith. And it did! So that's what we did with Matt. We did a companion prayer and asked with the power and authority of the priesthood to bless Matt that when he reads any 10 pages of the Book of Mormon that he will know that it's true and he will recognize the spirit telling him it. Went the prayer was over I was overwhelmed it was so crazy! So wonderful! My eyes were opened once more of the power of the spirit and the priesthood.
Man I wish I had more time haha.
Love you all! The church is true and so is the Book of Mormon. In other news I was chosen to speak in sacrament meeting (typically there are 2 speakers right? Well a massive storm came through we still had a wonderful turnout but i was the only speaker) and it was awesome! Everyone said they loved it so I guess i did good and I only cried twice so ha!
Elder Dahl 2.0
Cananda Halifax
Truro
https://youtu.be/1Xrx2kubBfo
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