Like a Lamb to the Slaughter- May 27, 2018

So this week has been interesting. About a month  ago, one of the local Baptist schools contacted the mission president about doing a presentation on beliefs in front of their 11-12 year students (Juniors and Seniors). The stake president scheduled us to go on Thursday with his wife and the STL's (he couldn't make it). We had prepared to explain beliefs, probably talk about life as a missionary, explain why we don't drink, etc. After our brief 15 min presentation (restoration, prophets, book of mormon), the remainder of the time was turned over to bible bashing (haha). They had a slight advantage because there were 200 of them, but we had the spirit with us, so it was all good. haha

"Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;" D&C 100:5

In the space of 45 min, I think we covered every anti-mormon argument I have ever heard of. Fortunately, I had heard all of it before, and as we were sitting there, I had the realization that God has been preparing me know the answers to those questions. 

Here are some of the questions that made me laugh (phrased this way):

"Can you show me anywhere in the Bible where Christ says that we need to be baptized?"

"How come you have multiple wives?"

"Why did God change his mind about black people?"

"Can you explain why you are Polytheistic?" 

It was difficult because all of their questions were phrased around a faulty premise, but I still feel like we did a really good job answering their questions. It was encouraging because after the presentation, we had some kids come up who were genuinely interested and I could feel the spirit touch their hearts as we talked more. Elder Bohne (flatmate) pointed out that maybe our experience was similar to Abinadi's. It's possible that somebody in the back of the class will end up being the prophet one day.

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"

So on Friday we had Emergency tradeoffs (until further notice) with the Chinese elders. It's been really fun to work in the Chinese branch for the last couple days. It feels like a family, mostly because they get together almost every other day and cook lots of food at the chapel. There's a lot of work happening, both with investigators and reactivation efforts, which makes the ward feel alive. Yesterday was interesting because Sacrament meeting was in Cantanese and English, gospel principles was in Mandarin, and young men's was in English. I didn't understand most of it, but I found out that most of the branch doesn't either. They just come to be together and feel the spirit. There's a lesson in that for all of us.

That's about all for this week,

Elder Nelson

1. Dinner at the Stake President's house (he and his wife served in neighboring missions in Japan)

2. The camera was zoomed in :)

3. Stake president's family, STL's, us

4. Authentic kangaroo fur scripture case ($50 for Isaac and Pace)

5. Us at the Baptist school after the presentation