Okay, so last night we had just about the coolest activity ever. On Friday during planning, Hermana Johnson and I, well, mostly Hermana Johnson, was inspired with a brilliant idea to do a branch activity and more or less act out the Lehi's vision/the iron rod (aka la barra de hierro). It was really neat because we were really able to work with the members to make it happen.
Okay, so here's how it went. We started the activity by reading 1 Nephi 8 to introduced the story. Then, we divided into three groups. We had invited three members to give short classes on pride, temptations/the mist of darkness, and helping others along the way, so when we divided up each group went to a different class. Each group had the chance to hear from each teacher, and then we moved into the gym/overflow/chapel, where we had set up and "iron ron". Picture this: all the lights were out, except for the Christmas lights on our tree of life in the chapel, and the faint lights at the very front. We literally walked through the darkness, holding to the "rod" which was really a yellow ribbon tied to white poles leading through the gym and overflow into the chapel. We
Basically. IT WAS SO COOL!
We had a great turn out, and more than anything, we were so grateful to have the spirit there. We knew that if the spirit was there, it would be a success. :)
It was really interesting to have this activity to end this week. It's been an interesting and sort of sad week because our most favorite investigator, Jose Luis, decided that the Book of Mormon is full of errors and not true. (LIES!) Long story short, we mutually, sadly, dropped each other for now. Bring it back, the Iron Rod is the Word of God. It is the Book of Mormon. We must hold tight to that truth and endure whatever temptations might come at us to tell us that it's not true.
Along with that, we must have a vision of the end. Of the love of God and the promises of the fruit that are so amazing and pure and sweet and perfect. If we don't have that firmness in the word of God and we don't have that vision, we will fall into temptation. It's really not that complicated. Until you throw in things like agency, and the internet, etc.
LAME!
But, I know that any honest seeker of truth will be lead to the Book of Mormon, and they will not be satisfied until they find it. They will not find it anywhere else because this is THE truth. There is nothing that compares.
So on a fun note, namely, my companion. Hermana Johnson, wow, I love her. She is an amazing missionary, so full of love, so proactive, so ready to work. One of the greatest growths I have seen in her is her love for the work. I remember our first week she was a little less than in love with missionary work, but over the last few weeks I have noticed that our motto has become, "WE HAVE THE BEST JOB EVER!"
For example, today we were with a member walking down State Street. We talked to a random man in a candy store about the church. Then stood in a circle and said a prayer with a random group of hippies. Then ran into an investigators. And on and on. And about every five minutes, my tender companion would exclaim: BEST JOB EVER! I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK!
What a gem. She's cracked...into missionary work :)
Missionary work is so much fun and so rewarding. It truly is amazing the joy that comes when we focus on others and put our heart, might, and mind into the work. I can feel the love that Hermana Johnson has for this work, and it has made all the difference.
It's been an awesome week! Missionary work is the best job ever :)
Mucho amor!
Hermana Clark