Dear Family,
This week went great, John Skarrit is still set to be baptized on December 18th. We went over the program with the family and everything is set up. We are so excited for the family. This will be Elder Cooper's first baptism. The family I talked about last week is really cool. We met with them this Sunday again and we talked about the Holy Ghost and how we can know if things are true from God. We also talked about the principles of a "one true church". It went over really well. After we left they gave us a call and told us that the next time we stop by they want to learn even more about the Book of Mormon and how it connects with the Bible. Elder Cooper and I were so excited!
This week we knocked on a lady's door and she told us that she was "alright," she didn't need anything. She was comfortable at the church she was at and she, along with her son had already been saved. Her four year old son was standing next to her and he started to list off a half dozen or so names. The mother explained: "Oh, haha, he is naming all the children who got saved with him in his class." I was about to ask what it meant to be "saved" in her terms but she said "We don't need anything today." Her son chimed in "I love Jesus!" His mother responded "Yes son, and where does Jesus live? In your heart, thats right." At that she closed the door.
Its so wonderful to serve in South Carolina where so many people have such a strong faith in Jesus Christ. It makes missionary work difficult though, because many people already feel that they are "saved". Many people have different views of what it means to be saved, but for most it seems to mean that God has forgiven them of all their "past, present, and future sins." It doesn't matter what they do, they can't help but be saved, their place in heaven was guaranteed by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago and there is nothing they need to do about it now.
I am thankful for my understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his plan of salvation. It gives us the ability to choose, to learn and grow. Through the gospel of Jesus Christ we can continually choose to repent and turn to Christ on a daily basis, rather than just a once in a lifetime. Through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy ghost and enduring to the end we can have eternal life.
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Smith
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