"Marvel not that all mankind ... must be born again; yea, born of God, changed"

Hey Family!

There were so many miracles this week.

We saw Rodney again. Rodney is awesome! He earnestly searches and digs in the scriptures everyday. He tells us how he gets lost in scriptures. Right now he is searching to understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

This week we started teaching Rodney about God's commandments. He has so much faith. He talked about how he knows if God gives a commandment, and we choose to obey, we will be blessed. He talked about how in the Book of Mormon, Nephi would teach his brothers God's commandments plainly. Then his brothers would get angry and say that Nephi spoke "hard things" against him. Rodney loves the "plainness" of God. 

Then we taught about the Word of Wisdom, in which God commands not to drink coffee. Rodney had just bought a tub of Folgers. He laughed and shrugged and said that he would do it. He said:

There's God's will, and there's man's will. And I know if I make excuses and say that "this is okay" then I won't be in line with the truth.

Also, remember when Elder Holcomb and I went to a bible study a few months ago? Well, we finally got to see that family again--Peleti and Julian. They are brothers-in-law. We saw them twice this week. 

On the first visit, we taught about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They asked good questions. I remember praying for strength to know what I could say to strengthen their faith in the Savior. We testified of the Savior and of the Book of Mormon. They said they would read a chapter we gave them and pray about it. 

Our second visit was amazing. They immediately confessed that they had not read the chapter we had given. The visit became an opportunity to understand their faith more. They shared how religion and faith had played a role in their lives. I wish I could put to words everything that was felt and said, but it is enough to say that there was so much love and kindness in the room. We shared Mosiah 3:19 and spoke of the change that can happen through the Savior.

I know that we have a Creator who loves us! He is our Father! He wants us to succeed!

Love,

Elder Judd

"the power of Heaven [shall] come down among them; and I also will be in the midst."

Hey family!

This was a really great week. We see so many miracles.

Here's one: 

On Saturday we planned to be in one area. The plans fell through. But while we were in that area, we felt to go to Uilisone, a man who we haven't seen in months and who hasn't been to church in years. He was home. And we did the usual: stand outside and talk to him through the screen door. But this time we were more persistent in asking if we could come in to share a message. He said he'd check something and walked deeper into his house. 

While he stepped away, another guy came walking from the street toward the door. SAMOA was written on his chest. He smiled, called out to us, and let us into the home. Found out he is Amerika, Uilisone's brother. It was an AWESOME visit. We read Mosiah 2:41. The spirit was so strong. I know God's hand guided us to them.

On Wednesday, we saw Rodney. He's a man that hasn't been to church since 1990. We taught him the message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has been reading the Book of Mormon everyday, very carefully, comparing in depth with other research he's done. He has literally been searching and digging to know the truth. But he told us that he noticed that as he's read the Book of Mormon and prayed to understand, questions he's had just stop. While his questions used to take him deeper and lead to other questions, now, answers come simply and clearly. There is a visible change in Rodney's countenance. 

The Holy Ghost teaches us truth! The Book of Mormon change lives!

In other news, we found out one of our potential investigators is a king.

Alofa atu! :)

Elder Judd

picture: Elder Holcomb and Me