10/5/2015

  Hello, everyone. Hopefully all of you had a good, safe week, despite the torrential rains and flood damage in my home state of S.C. The week here in Madagascar was quiet, as usual. In all honesty, I don't have much to write about this week, so forgive me if I include pointless details from this past week. Just know that I am doing that to take up space. 

  I will start by saying that this past week was actually a great week of proselyting. We taught many new investigators, actually more lessons than last week, there was a definite improvement. I believe that was because my companion and I decided that we were going to schedule all of our meetings on the same day as our English class (Tuesday) so we would not have to go back and forth to the mission office so often. It seems to work more effectively. We had the best stats we have had this transfer this past week. We also committed three investigators to be baptized, so that is good news. Another investigator who had not been to church at all since we have been here finally attended church again. 

I understand that we cannot force investigators to attend church, but many investigators committed to come to church this week, but only 3 investigators actually showed up. It was very disappointing, to say the least.

  I wish that I could join in on the post-general conference dialogue, but we still haven't watched it here and will not until the end of October. I have heard that conference was as inspiring as usual, so it will be great to hear the messages for myself. I have also heard about the three new apostles that were called. Elder Renlund used to be the president of the Africa Southeast Area so he is acquainted with Madagascar. Speaking of which, on the 23rd and 24th of this month, Elder Bednar (along with his wife) and Elder Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy will be here in Madagascar. They are going to hold conferences here with the members. Unfortunately, We probably won't get to meet Elder Bednar. We might get to meet Elder Hallstrom because he is scheduled to meet specifically with the missionaries. That schedule is always subject to change, so we will see.

  It really seems that there is a lot of wickedness going on in the world right now, yet, for those who believe in the scriptures, these devestating circumstances were forseen, and they will continue until the Savior returns. It really is sad to hear about all the murder and hatred spreading across the nation. It sort of makes me worried as to what condition the United States will be in when I return home. Luckily, the word of God is more powerful than the sword (paraphrasing Alma 31:5), and the work being accomplished here in Madagascar and all across the world by missionaries and other servents of God is doing much to change lives and protect them from the dark and evil influence that has so horribly destroyed and harmed many. If I could not say anything else about the significance of the message I carry, I would at least be able to say that it does makes a positive difference in people's lives.

  My scripture focus from last week was Alma 48:17-19

"Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.

 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God.

Now behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach the word of God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words."

  This scripture talks about Moroni being a great person but the phrase that says that "Helaman and his brehren were no less serviceable" is what caught my eye . I recently read a quote by a general authority about that scripture, and his statement was that, we may not all be called to positions of authority or recognized by others for the service that we give to Heavenly Father, but it is all the same in His eyes. Whether we are a Scoutmaster or the Prophet, we are all of equal worth to God.

And now for the Malagasy lesson

       "Church Terms"

priesthood               fisoronana

church                     fiangonana

gospel                     filazantsara

faith                         finoana

repentance              fibebahana

God                         Andriamanitra

Jesus Christ            Jesoa Kristy

The Holy Ghost       Ny Fanahy Masina

testimony                fijoroana ho vavolombelona

prayer                     vavaka

Well, I guess there is not much else to write. It is still great to be a missionary! The church is still true!

Have a great week, y'all

Elder PINSON