Are Mormons Christians?

Useful Quote

Useful Quote

"When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life. We are sent here to be tested. There must be opposition in all things. We are meant to learn and grow through that opposition, through meeting our challenges, and through teaching others to do the same."

Dallin H. Oaks

A Thanksgiving Scripture

   Sing unto the Lord, for he hath done excellent things, this is known in all the earth.

   Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. 2 Nephi 22:5-6

image: http://bookhuntersholiday.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/fall-clipart-5.jpg

Letter Home: Dated 17 November 2014

We were able to accomplish a goal of ours – Campfire Night! We made banana boats, we played games, and learned about Family History.  Two people who were recently baptized and two people we are currently teaching came. 

I have really been working on making lessons short, fun, simple, and powerful.  It helps that I can communicate a little more than before. I really like Japanese.

I love it here. It is SO fun.

Sister Breksa

The Greatest Commandment

Email Home: 23 November 2014

This week. 

Busy as ever. 

Did a lot of work, following the spirit. I am tired. 

My companion and I left early Friday morning and worked in Iwakuni advertising Iwakuni & Yanai congregation open house.

Saturday night we had the Open House.

30 visitors came. I was surprised, members of the church there remembered me.

E. came and said the opening prayer (he came because the sister who invited him said I would be there). I was so happy.

That day I set up three appointments.  1. A man who we taught in Hatsukaichi but lives in Iwakuni, so we referred him to the Iwakuni sisters, 2. A family we met when housing, 3. And three girls who came to the open house (we had invited them to the open house the night before). 

It was a great success. I was so happy to be in Iwakuni. The once hard hill to Arashima was surprisingly easy. Anyways, it was great.

That Sunday night we played Jeopardy with our three new converts, O., T., and M. It was fun. I am going to miss O. and T. 

The Refiner's Fire

Useful Quote

"Testimony will come to you in pieces as parts of the whole truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ are confirmed. For instance, as you read and ponder the Book of Mormon, verses you have read before will appear new to you and bring new ideas. Your testimony will grow in breadth and in depth as the Holy Ghost confirms that they are true. Your living testimony will expand as you study, pray, and ponder in the scriptures."

—Henry B. Eyring, "A Living Testimony"

Making okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes, Sister Breksa's favorite). Hiroshima style.

Baptism

The gentleman siting next to Sister Breksa was baptized and this photo was taken on that happy occation.  The tall gentleman sitting in the front row, with his hands on a book was also recently baptized.

There is a gentleman in the back row, right side who is wearing a mask.  That is part of Japanese culture.  When you are ill you cover your nose and mouth to avoid spreading germs.  Also note that the gentleman who was baptized has flowers and and gifts, this is also part of Japanese culture: gift giving.

Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith

"A testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith can come differently to each of us. It may come as you kneel in prayer, asking God to confirm that he was a true prophet. It may come as you read the Prophet’s account of the First Vision. A testimony may distill upon your soul as you read the Book of Mormon again and again. It may come as you bear your own testimony of the Prophet or as you stand in the temple and realize that through Joseph Smith the holy sealing power was restored to the earth. With faith and real intent, your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith will strengthen. The constant water balloon volleys from the sidelines may occasionally get you wet, but they need never, never extinguish your burning fire of faith."

—Neil L. Andersen, "Joseph Smith"

Sister Breksa LOVES Ice Cream

Email Home: Dated 16 November 2014

Wednesday we had a lesson with T and a member of the church. We had visuals, two short video segments, scriptures, and a visual demonstration. The member said it was fun. I feel like we accomplished our goal for lessons- short, simple, fun, powerful.