Week 32 - A Baptism and a testimony of Joseph Smith

There are a few members out in Indiana who are so kind and sometimes send us pictures and little updates on Josh throughout the week.  We had received a few pictures from N's baptism and word that he had given a talk at the baptism and also at Sacrament Meeting the next day.  Yes I did give a talks on Saturday and Sunday and it was literally the first time I've given a talk since my farewell! So I guess it was overdue. In sacrament meeting I spoke on "The Work of Salvation" aka missionary work. I just spoke about the responsibility we have and the importance of the members in missionary work. I was really nervous and the talk was a little shorter than it should have been but meh. I actually didn't have any troubles with the Spanish during my talk so that was a blessing. 

The baptism went really well and N. was really excited about it. Afterwards we did go to a Hibachi grill to eat and that was a lot of fun as well. I have grown to really like that family a lot and it's gonna be hard to say goodbye to them. R. was really excited and later she told us how long she'd been waiting and praying for her daughter to accept the gospel so they could all be sealed in the temple as an eternal family. They're a great family and I'm really excited for them. 

I had given a lesson in Relief Society on Joseph Smith and how he was an instrument in the Lord's hands.  I was telling Josh that my feeling is that Joseph Smith is coming under new attacks in our day more and more by those in the church who doubt his calling as the prophet of the restoration.  It's true that Joseph Smith and the veracity of his holy calling is being attacked unceasingly these days. And as you said, doubts relating to him will automatically fill us with doubts about everything connected to what he did. At the very beginning of my mission I started having doubts about Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel. I knew that I couldn't do what I needed to do out here without dispensing any doubt. As I went about doing this I decided to renew and strengthen my testimony of the Book of Mormon. As I earnestly read and prayed unceasingly, I received a witness that the Book of Mormon is true and I can say that I know it is true without any doubt. No matter what other doubts I have or had, the Book of Mormon is proof of Joseph's Smith prophetic calling as the Prophet of the Restoration. I really enjoy Jeffrey R Holland's talk about this called "Safety for the Soul". I would encourage anyone who doubts the truthfulness of Joseph Smith's witness to read or re-read the Book of Mormon and pray to God to know if it's true. Once we gain a testimony of this book, we can know with a surety that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. 

We had a really good week! We found a lot of new people to teach. We're still working with E., but it's hard for him to come to church because his mom is returning from inactivity and his dad isn't a member. He's still planning on getting baptized on May 2nd with 3 other kids in our branch turning 8. 

There are tons of great things happening in our branch here! We're finding a lot of great people to teach and doing everything we can to invite them to come unto Christ. I love you!. Thank you for all you do! Have a good week! 

Love, 

Elder Thayne

N's Baptims

At a Hibachi restaurant after the baptism