A few months ago we all studied King Benjamin's discourse in Mosiah 2-4
"O how you ought to thank your Heavenly King" (Mosiah 2:19)
We also discussed Elder Eyring's masterful conference talk on gratitude - O Remember
"find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness"
At the beginning of the month we gave each companionship this document to post on their walls
The picture is from a baptism at a beautiful waterfall in Guadeloupe
So - what happens when we spend a month in gratitude?
Wonderful things so far!
This weekend the West Indies missionaries confirmed sixty-nine people as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With one week to go in the month, the elders and couples have had 211 confirmations in November. This may be the best month ever in the West Indies.
We heard testimonies from a few of the Trinidad new converts in our 'every-six-weekly' mission home fireside last night. They are wonderful, strong, committed new members.
Here is Ashton, one of the newly baptized members, with Elder Farrer (who is on a flight home with Sister Farrer at the end of a a powerful mission as I type this)
Ashton was baptized Saturday, confirmed Sunday, and bore his testimony Sunday night. Here is a story Elder Farrer told me about Ashton's path to baptism:
Last Friday night, Elder Shideler (finishing his mission this month) and Elder Noah (just started his mission) stopped by to see Ashton but his house was dark and it seemed that no one was there. They walked on down the street to see another appointment. When they were finished Elder Shideler said, "We need to go back." Elder Noah wondered why but they passed by and Elder Shideler yelled into the dark house. Ashton stuck his head out and said, "I'll be right out." But then he delivered sad news to the elders, "I don’t think I'll be baptized. I'm just not sure I can keep the commitments." This hit Elder Noah hard so he bowed his head and started praying inside that the Lord would touch Ashton’s heart and change his mind and that he would have confidence that he could keep his baptismal covenants. As soon as Elder Noah finished his private prayer, he glanced up and at that instant Ashton looked him in the eyes and said "I want to do it."
In his testimony last night, Ashton spoke with confidence and gratitude for the wonderful feelings he had and he expressed firm conviction that he is on the right path. He will be a great blessing to the new Point Fortin Branch in Trinidad.
The baptism - Elder Farrer, Ashton, Elder Noah, Trevor (also baptized Saturday), and Elder Shideler
Elder Palmer (who also baptized) and Elder Noah - happy missionaries doing what they do best
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