This week we had a chance to visit another church and be a part of a Monday night service they had. It was very different from what our meetings are normally like, but the part that ended up being the weirdest was how similar some of their beliefs actually were to ours. A little bit into the meeting, they started talking about how their church is led by an Apostle who was chosen by God, and how all the other churches are missing the true authority that Christ's church had. They even talked about how the only way someone can know that it's true is to pray about it. We talked with some of them after, and it was cool how we were able to agree on the importance of priesthood authority, even though we didn't agree on where that authority lies.
We ended up making the agreement that we would pray about their church and they would pray about ours. I felt pretty silly asking Heavenly Father a question that I already feel I know the answer to, but I'm sure that's how they felt as well.
I was trying to understand how they, or even I, could get an answer when it was so hard to ask with a truly open heart, and it came to me that this is why we have the Book of Mormon. We're not expected to just be able to take two claims and suddenly know which one is true. God has given us the Book of Mormon as evidence that priesthood authority has been restored in this Church, and to soften the hearts of those who read it.
Friday was great because it was a busy day. We had to get up early to go help out with restocking at the Bishops' Storehouse because the usual volunteers hadn't been available. Afterwards, we grabbed breakfast from Smoothie King because it was $5 Friday, and then went to the park to repaint the dugouts at the baseball fields. Overall we ended up doing service from 6:30 to 12!
We also had Stake Conference this weekend. There were a lot of great talks, but one of my favorite parts was when the youth went to the front to sing this year's mutual theme, "There is Peace in Christ."
We have transfers this week, so yesterday was a proselyting day. We went to visit one of our investigators named Evelyn, and even though she didn't have time to meet with us, she gave us some water and popsicles. I think that's a good sign that she likes us okay.
Elder Spencer, Hernandez, and I will be staying in Slidell, but Elder Hoopes will be going to New Orleans for his last transfer. I'm sad he's leaving but glad that I at least got to live with him for one transfer before he goes home. Our district will be losing five of our six sisters, and gaining one. The Slidell Sisters area is no more, and Waveland will be back down to just one set of sisters. I'm sad to see the sisters leaving as well, but glad that we at least get to keep Sister Adams in our district.
My invitation this week is really easy. It's to watch a music video! It's actually the video for the song that the youth sang at Stake Conference. I love the lyrics to it, so I just want to invite y'all to listen to it and think about what we can to do "peace in Christ."
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2018-peace-in-christ?lang=eng
Love,
Elder Taylor