May 7, 2018
“I Cried Guys…”
Dear Familia, Amigos y el Mundo!
Well! This week was interesting and cool I guess! Mostly I want to focus on 2 major experiences that I had which include my interview with my mission President! And, me crying my head off in a lesson! Sounds good? Good! It’s gonna be cool! Alright, so let’s start with the amazing interview I had with my President! I love this guy and I am really sad that he will be leaving at the end of June. In this interview I talked a little bit about my amazing older brother Connor. Then, President talked to me about when people started breaking 5-minute miles and then the 4-minute mile. He told me how no one thought that it was possible. Then when someone saw it happen all of the sudden a bunch of people started to break the 4-minute mile! He said, this applies here in Bogotá too! Let’s just say that here the missionaries think that it’s not as likely to baptize every month and well, that is false! He told me once missionaries see a person start to baptize here in Bogotá every week then all of the sudden more missionaries will see that and they will be doing the same exact thing. I want to be that missionary here! I know it is possible. I feel that sometimes missionaries can just be lazy and not want to really work effectively nor hard! And so, it becomes hard to baptize and complete the work of the Lord if no one is willing. But, if missionaries see that it is possible then maybe they will want to work harder and more effectively! I learned even more in this interview such as to continue in my efforts not to drop my standards, even if other missionaries here are not following the rules perfectly! He told me a story about him in the military and how he never dropped his standards. Well, I learned a lot from that and well you all know me, I will never drop my standards. To drop them is to drop my work here and let down all the souls here waiting for baptism!
The other part (where I cried) was in a lesson with a Venezuelano, his name is José and he has a wife who is a member of the church as well. He is a bit inactive but is becoming more active again in the church. We have had a few very spiritual experiences with him but this time I cried! So, we started off with a great lesson to help with the confusion of the Book of Mormon, we explained that really it compliments the Bible. If I had all the time in the world I would say word for word what the member that was with us said. This other member with us was a missionary as well and he had an amazing plan. He started off with the history of the Bible and what happened to it. If anyone knows what really happened to it they would know that many parts were lost and the Bible in reality is incomplete. It is true but incomplete, because of all the things that it went through from rulers picking and choosing what they wanted in it to then other religions changing parts of it. Basically, like I said, it’s true but it’s just incomplete. So, if we follow the Book of Mormon we know that Jesus was in the Americas and talked and preached to these people. So, we know that He (Jesus) also taught the EXACT same things to the people here in America and to all his disciples and apostles allá (there)! OK, so we know that the Book of Mormon was translated and has NOT been changed one bit! It is the most true book in the world! So, if we read this book what do we find? We find THE TRUTH! The Book of Mormon filled those gaps and gives us the fullness of the gospel and it adds another testament of Jesus Christ, our Savior! HOW AMAZING AND COOL IS THAT?!!!? I think it’s cool. Well the spirit was hitting me really hard especially when José said he really is just having problems with the people in the church that say something but then are hypocritical and are drinking, etc. He finds that in all of the churches. He really wants to raise his family in this church but it is just hard to see that happen in the church. Well, I decided to share a few words about this and I told him that people aren’t perfect, but the Gospel is. I felt impressed to share my personal testimony with him. Just like Elder Zivic of the Quorum of the 70 personally told me to do. I just started with a personal experience. I won’t mention names, but I hope that this person reads this and recognizes that it’s her. I went to lunch with one of my friends, she is one of my best friends and is not a member. We went to Panera Bread a few weeks before my mission. I’m pretty sure and we were just talking when she asked me, "Why do you want to go on a mission? Why are you leaving behind everything and going on a mission for 2 whole years?" I was smiling and I just said to her, “Because I literally cannot bear the burden of not sharing this amazing Gospel with people. It just brings me pure happiness that no other person nor religion can because it is the truth! It is PURE happiness.” I was long gone crying by this point, but I addressed José and said, “I have felt and seen discouragement, sorrow and darkness in my life, but even in those moments I saw light and I made it through the dark because of this Gospel. ONLY the true church can bring everlasting happiness and help when the mists of darkness are around you!” Then I finished my story. I remember her looking at me and just saying, "Wow... wow... I have never seen you this happy before." And, it’s true because the Gospel lights me up, brings me happiness and lights up and brings any other person happiness as well. That’s what the truth does. After that I was WRECKED. My nose was stuffy and everything! But, I know it touched José. I know it did. And I will see him baptized. I love this Gospel guys. It brings me pure light and happiness that no other religion can. Because it is the truth. And I just invite you all. My friends especially who aren’t members. Just take a Book of Mormon and just pray about it and see if it doesn’t bring light into your world. Just see if it doesn’t change your whole life. Cause I know it will. It’s changed my life. And it’s changed millions and it WILL change yours. Thanks for all of the support guys I love you all and I am really happy where I am. I would rather be here than in any other place, even in Hawaii!
Love,
Elder Weaver
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