Hey Family!

It sounds like you are doing some great missionary work over there in the branch! What is the name of the woman you are working with? It sounds like she really is a great lady! Has she been to church with you yet? It's so cool when they come to church for the first time. That is one thing I like more in a small branch. It's WAY more personal when a new face steps in. The people here seem to care a lot about each other.

I've been reading the New Testament for the last 4 weeks, and I'm in Revelation, reading about the churches of Christ right before the apostasy. It's incredible because it talks about the same things we see today in visiting these other churches and talking with the pastors.

We got into a house on Saturday night, at about 8:00. We talked to a pastor, named Alma, and her husband, a deacon at another church. They started off really friendly, just as usual, and as we went on to teach them about the prophets, and Jesus' church, it started to hit home. We explained the apostasy, and it really pricked the husband. He got a little red, and started yelling about all the miracles he had seen in other churches. Then he looked at me, and asked, "are you two kids telling me, that my wife, myself, our family, and all these other preachers out there teaching the word, ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE? IN THE WRONG CHURCH???  He just looked my companion, and my companion just looked at me. Then the husband and his wife both looked at me. I said a silent prayer. then I told them how Jesus Christ replied to Joseph Smith's question, saying "[the churches] were all wrong. they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." We sat and looked at them for what seemed like an hour, and then, they softened up. We invited them to pray about it, and they agreed. They understood. It was really a good lesson, and the power of God was in those words from Joseph Smith.

There are some cases where, because Christ said something, we don't have to. I'm so glad we have the words of the prophets to rely on. It makes so much more sense when we do that. This really is the true church, and because we know that, it's up to all of us to really get the word out to the world! I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Wallentine