"The more we will teach and will preach with the Book of Mormon, the more we will please the Lord and the greater our power to speak will be"

Hello all.  Well, this is it, my last week as a full-time proselyting missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It has been two years in the making, but as I will mostly likely have a chance to write next week, I will stay out of the sobbiness of the final mission words.

This has been another excellent week.  Not exactly easy, as perceived by most, but excellent nonetheless.  There have been many lessons learned and much patience gained and exercised.  I’ll not get too much into that today as I don’t have much time.

As I was thinking about what I was going to write today, I was sure that I wanted to bear my testimony of the mission experience.  I have also been asked to teach a lesson at our Zone Training Meeting tomorrow, and so I got on pondering about both subjects.  As of yesterday, Sunday, I still wasn’t quite sure.  But during the third hour of Church (and after studying the chapter again after the fact), it was quite clear what I needed to speak about.

Yesterday, for the third hour of Church, we studied chapter 10 of the Ezra Taft Benson manual.  I have been looking forward to studying this chapter since I received the manual in January.  Our discussion was slightly under enthusiastic in my personal opinion, but I still learned.  Thankfully, when we got back to the apartment, I had some time after lunch to go through and study the whole chapter again.  Here are a few quotes (or rather, roughly translated paraphrases from the French text) that I LOVED:

"There is a difference between a person who has constructed his conversion on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and who holds fast to the iron rod and someone who has not done that." (Hint: this may be a teaser for my homecoming talk depending on my assignment)

"We need to be convinced and engaged."

"I have the following conviction: the more we will teach and will preach with the Book of Mormon, the more we will please the Lord and the greater our power to speak will be" (Now THAT is a prophetic promise!)

"... We have all the resources and the world needs this book.  So act now!"

"I have the vision of the entire Church drawing closer to God in respecting the precepts of the Book of Mormon.

"Yes, I see the Book of Mormon flooding the earth."

These are just a few of my favorite quotes.

Like I said, ever since reading this, I have felt inclined to share this both in my blog post today and in my Zone Meeting lesson tomorrow.  To confirm this, Elder Yamapia, our Zone Leader, called me last night to inform me of the topic he wanted me to share.  He said, "Well, we all know you're an old missionary now.  How 'bout you just share your testimony of the Book of Mormon and how it's helped you throughout your mission, etc."  I was like, "I testify of that revelation" and then proceeded to explain that that was what I had already been planning for.

I will close with a brief testimony of this sacred book.  Many people persecute members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because we put too much emphasis on the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible.  Well, let me share one thing with you all: The Book of Mormon is just as much the Word of God as the Bible.  THAT is an eternal truth that God himself has declared, and as such, I give my personal witness before God, angels, and men.  

I KNOW that this book is true.  Alma, Nephi, Mormon, and Moroni were just as much prophets of God as Moses, Isaiah, Daniel, Samuel, and John the Baptist were.  These formers' words were just as inspired by God as the latters'.  I'm sorry that I'm a bit cut short by time today, but I testify that the Book of Mormon is the driving force of the work of God today.  He loves this book, and so do I.  I invite all of you to read and study it, to ponder it, and to pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ to ask Him if it's true.  I share this testimony and this promise with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

"Can you feel so now?"

At the Kazotti's for lunch this morning!  It was soooo good!!!

Wow.  I'm at a loss.  Yet I'm not.  I guess I'm just so happy that I had to take some time to let out a nice sigh.

Anyway, today has been a fantastic day.  After spending the morning in Fidjrossè eating lunch with the Kazotti family and seeing a couple converts, I got some excellent clothing shopping done.  It's been a great day.  Quite exhausting, but great nonetheless.

I LOVE mango season! 

Sooooo.... my pants ripped as I was getting into the taxi.  Luckily we were going to the tailor and she fixed it right up for me!

Mother's Day was wonderful.  We were supposed to watch General Conference for Church, but right aroud 7:30 a.m., the power goes out!  I told Elder Wittig to bring his little speakers and USB to listen.  We started with that at about 9 and got about 40 minutes into the Saturday Afternoon session before a generator got there.  It took a bit to get the generator going, but once we did we were able to watch the whole Saturday session!  Due to the instability of the power coming from the generator, the DVD player started to smoke right after we turned it off, so that kinda vetoed watching the Sunday Morning session, but we're planning on watching it this Saturday evening.

Once we got home, there was still no power.  So we waited, and waited, and waited in order to go Skype our families, but nothing came.  Eventually, we had almost given up when it was 30 minutes before curfew.  To add onto that, our phone was almost dead, so it wasn't like I could just go call my family for 30 minutes.

Finally, after much prayer, the power came on at 7:30 p.m., so I immediately went and plugged the phone in and had a wonderful chat with my family.  I love the Lord and His tender mercies.  Waiting that much longer made it just that much sweeter.

Now, onto my little testimony for today.  There has been one subject that has been occupying my mind for a little while now concerning conversion.  It has been obvious to me for quite some time that conversion to the Lord is obtained first through a testimony of the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ.  However, it has been an interesting experience for me to see the different types of conversion that come based on how these testimonies were received.  This reminds me a lot of the parable of the sower as recounted by Elder Oaks in the April 2015 conference as well.

I have seen testimonies be gained in two ways: 1) through reason and/or philosophy, and 2) through "feeling" a feeling.

My attention has been drawn to this because in the past few weeks, we've had several investigators more explain that they FEEL that we we're saying is true.  One example is the lady about whom I wrote last week.  She and many others have exclaimed how they have FELT that the Book of Mormon is true and how they have FELT that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored Church of Jesus Christ.  My heart has equally been filled with joy and this feeling that it is true as I have heard these blessed people explain their feelings and new-found beliefs.

In my time that I have been here in Africa, I have had the chance to meet many members of the Church.  Many have had their feet set firmly in the gospel sod.  They let their faith guide them through the many, many trials that the Saints face here.  They do things intentionally and truly seek after the Lord and His kingdom.  They firmly believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth today.

Some members think that the Church is a good thing for them.  Some simply like what is said during the meetings.  Some just because their frineds are there, and others because they receive help from other members of the Church.  These are not necessarily bad things, but they are certainly not the right reasons.

The difference that i have noticed is that those who are firmly planted in the gospel FEEL that it's true and right.  They feel like they have a duty to God and to the truth that He has revealed to them.  Here are a couple examples of that "feeling" of conversion:

37 ¶Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
41 ¶Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2: 37-38, 41)

and

24 Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done. (Alma 24:24)

These people were truly converted to the Lord because they FELT that it was right.  This feeling is essential if we are hoping to be converted to the Lord.  Here's another example of the results of the conversion of those Lamanites:

6 And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.
 7 For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren. (Alma 23:6-7)

Now, those of us who have once or even many times felt this should remember that it is something that we should be continuing to strive after.  It might not be as mighty as the first time.  It might not (and will not) come in the same way everytime, but as long as we FEEL the presence of the Holy Ghost in our lives, we can know that we are on that straight and narrow path that leads to Everlasting Life.  Listen to Alma's counsel:

26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? (Alma 5:26, emphasis added)

I leave you my testimony that this gospel is true.  I have felt time and time again that it is.  I know that this feeling comes from the Holy Spirit of God.  I know that God will speak to each one of us through that Spirit.  And I know that every time we consciously seek and receive His presence, we take one step deeper into our conversion to God and thus one step closer to Him.

I invite all of us to ponder on those special times where we have FELT that something is true.  As we do so, I promise you that you will feel this again and that you will vehemently and affirmatively respond to Alma's penetrating question, "Can you feel so now?" In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

#Africasleeps

Just how important is the family to God?

Hey folks!  It's been a great week out here.  Many, MANY lessons learned.  It's incredible how the Lord keeps them coming.  All we have to do is be humble enough to receive them and to submit ourselves to His timetable.

This week I feel impressed to share more about my thoughts from District Conference and the lessons that have followed since.

Like I said, many of the messages from District Conference were focused on blessings of the family and temple.  Like I said again, I have really felt the Lord preparing me to return home and receive these blessings for myself.  There are a couple of instances that really testify of this to me.

First, I had a bit of extra time one day this week, so I decided to listen to the April 2015 General Conference.  Again, I felt that every single message was directed towards me.  One that I loved was by Elder Andersen of the 70 talking about dancing without music versus dancing with music and how that applies in our daily lives. Many times, missionaries get so focused on the steps of the dance that they forget to listen to the music.  I've been really focusing on hearing the music (the Spirit) before even listening to this talk, but this was a great reinforcement.

Ok, back on subject.  There were many talks given on the family.  One that particularly struck me was Sister Burton's.  Yes, I'm not currently married, but I consider the mission a perfect time to prepare to work with someone in that setting.  During her talk, I reflected back on the lessons that the Lord has taught me over the past 23 months and how these lessons are preparing me for the future.  I still have much learning and much preparation before I get married, but the essential lessons I'm learning now will be priceless when the time comes.  Isn't it wonderful how Heavenly Father looks after us?  He's willing to do everything for us that we need and then some, and all we have to do is be patient and diligent and studious.

The second experience happened at Church on Sunday.  I taught the Gospel Principles class during the 2nd hour on the purpose of our life here on Earth.  Two weeks ago, we talked about the Fall of Adam and Eve and its necessity and its effects on us.  This week, coupled a bit with explaining the Atonement of Jesus Christ as an anitdote of the Fall, we talked a lot about why we're here and what we need to do.  Many answers were shared, including, to gain experience, to prepare for Eternal Life, to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ and His Gospel, to gain knowledge, and finally, (shared by Bruno who is scheduled to be baptised on the 16th of May) to be married.  A few months ago I taught a class on marriage because we have several couples that need to be married before they can be baptised.

We spent several minutes talking about this (I bore my testimony on how the Lord has been preparing me to be married because I'm going home soon, which brought a few giggles) and testifying of its truthfulness.  Then, one of our investigators rases her hand.  She doesn't talk much at Church as it was her third week, including District Conference.  We have been teaching her for quite some time now, and were almost close to dropping her before she came to Church the first time.  We haven't seen her for almost a month because of some changes that she's had, but she stills comes to Church.  She has three kids (two in her native country with her parents) all with different men.  We've been hitting hard on the family from the beginning, but she seemed almost indifferent about it.  But I haven't given up hope on it, knowing the power of the family.

Finally, Sunday.  She raised her hand asking if she could testify.  A bit curious, I obliged.  She started by explaining that this was her third week at church.  She has noticed how much we talk about family and its eternal potential, especially at conference.  She said based on that and the Book of Mormon, she has really FELT that this is the truth.  She's visited many other churches, but she said that she's never felt about one like she has here.  She then asked how she could be baptized, and my jaw almost dropped from its hinges.  I explained that we have dates for the 16th and 23rd May, but that we'd talk with her during the week.

Oh how great is the Lord!  It is truly through that Holy Spirit that people are converted.  All reason and doubt fall in the face of faith and the power of the Holy Ghost.  I am confident that the Lord is preparing a way for this sister to stabilize her family life and prepare for eternity.

I add my own testimony of the family.  I know that the family is ordained of God.  Marriage is not merely a tradition of men but an ordinance sent from God, an eternal pact and blessing.  I know that the Lord has also restored the sealing keys to the Prophet Joseph Smith in order to bless His children from all eras.  I know that each one of us, if we are to receive a fulness of joy, must enter into this eternal covenant of marriage.

Just how important is the family to God?  So important that it is the central focus of His work and glory, and thus the focal point of all of Satan's vicious attacks.  I testify that as we seek to better understand and respect (or prepare to respect) our marital vows, we will be endowed with protection from on high.

I love you all, and I hope you all have an outstanding week.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins