April 28, 2014

Elder Low's report:

This week I continued reading in the war chapters of Alma, and came across the record of Captain Moroni's letter to Pahoran and his response, recorded in chapters 60 and 61 respectively. In this letter Moroni is furious at what he believes is indifference to the people by their governor, chastises Pahoran and exhorts him to repent of his sins or face the punishment of God. However we find out later in chapter 61 that Pahoran has not abandoned the people, but has instead been forced and constrained to surrender his city. At this point of great misunderstanding on the part of Moroni, Pahoran could have answered back harshly, but doesn't, answering instead in love and concern, even stating

" 9 And now, in your epistle you have ^acensured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart.  "

Because of Pahoran's willingness to be humble and slow to anger, he and Moroni were able to save their people.

This week was a week full of miracles. Truly the Lord is blessing us, as people who have been waiting for the gospel seem to be jumping out of the woodwork. During this time of great excitement we found a lady who was somewhat interested in our message and invited us to come back when her husband was home. We did, but as we invited to them to church the next day the husband stated that he had worked with our church in Columbia and wanted nothing to do with it. He brought up problem after problem that he had thought he had seen and spoke of it for a good couple of minutes. Finally he stopped but instead of answering every concern individually or getting into a heated argument we simply testified that we were sorry that he had had a bad experience with the church, but we knew that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here was truly a place of God, where all could feel of the spirit. He began to speak again this time less harshly, and his politeness continued to increase until after 6 minutes of him talking, he had talked himself out of his anger, the spirit returned and he exclaimed, "I'm coming to church tomorrow, I promise!"

We invited him to be baptized and he stated that he had no objections, but wished first to experience this church which we had so fondly spoken of.

I know that as we simply show our love for God, His church, and other people, never compromising, people will come unto Christ simply because they feel it is true, and want that feeling in their life.

Elder Low.