This past week has been rough Haha! We had two of the people we are teaching move out of our area and they were on date for baptism so that was pretty sad. We are teaching about 7 people now but only one of them is progressing... it's pretty frustrating Haha. We've been spending around four hours each day just trying to find new people to teach and have so far found no one. I know that the Lord is currently softening their hearts and that someone will be willing to listen to us.
Utah is very different from every other mission out there. All of the non-members we run into have either had all of the lessons before and are not interested in having them again, or have very firm beliefs in a different religion. It's interesting how many part member families there are where one spouse is a member and the other is a Baptist or Protestant. I've found out that it is nearly impossible to progress, or even get people to want to progress, without the help of the ward members. They are essential in the conversion process.
If I can give all of you one word of advice, help the missionaries more. The Lord has revealed a new way of missionary work, at least in America, and it involves the entire ward being missionary minded and looking for what they can do.
We visit a lot of members homes, just trying to get to know the leaders and with dinner appointments. I always try to share a scripture or a spiritual thought wherever we go because I realize how important it is for them to help us and how they usually need a little prodding Haha.
I'm working hard, harder than I have ever worked in my life. It feels good to be constantly doing something but it is easy to get discouraged with the lack of progress we have made. We have been promised that the field is white already to harvest, but I'm pretty sure my field is still a little green and needs some more watering hahaha. I'm praying daily, no, multiple times a day, to try and find more people to bring into God's loving arms. I want so desperately to help everyone, but so few are actually accepting my help...
In a more personal sense, I've nearly finished the Book of Mormon for the first time on my mission! I have a lofty goal of finishing it 12 times while I am out... the math adds up to about 10 pages a day, which is doable but not easy. I don't want to abandon the other works though so I begin my personal study by reading a chapter of the New Testament and D&C. I absolutely love the scriptures! I don't know why I didn't read them more in my free time back home because they are so amazing! I encourage everyone to set aside even 15 minutes a day to devote to studying the Book of Mormon. The wisdom and truth in that book will help you find the answer to any question you have been looking for.
I want to share a scripture that I love sharing with members. D&C 18:10-16
10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;
11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.
13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!
14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
How great will be your joy if you continue to help the missionaries and bring others into God. I Love you all and I encourage you to stay faithful and remember how important you all are. Each of you can make a difference. Each of you have already influenced my life so much that I know you are already influencing so many more.
Elder Francis
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