Elders in the Hood: Week 21 - 40 Days of What?

Well, let me share a funny story! So, this Sunday I gave a 20 min talk in Spanish (of course my Spanish was limited and certainly not of literal merit) but I did it! However, I made an absolutely silly mistake. So in part of my talk I was sharing about the experience Christ had during and after His forty day fast. And so I said "la cuarenta dia desayuno de Jesuscristo" instead of "la cuarenta dia ayuno de Jesuscristo" Ayuno means fast, however desayuno means breakfast! And not only did I make this mistake once, but I did it SEVERAL times! The entire congregation looked shocked and after a while were shaking their heads no and laughing at me and then someone said "Nooooo, AYUNO!" Once I caught on, I stood their for a moment and realized by myself I was actually talking about the forty days of breakfast of Christ! hahaha! I hit my forehead and said "Ohhhhhh my... I just said the forty days of breakfast of Christ," and then me and the congregation all laughed! It was fantastic!

But on to more spiritual things, I have now officially experienced a baptism of someone I was able to take part in being a mouth piece for the Lord for! She is absolutely fantastic and a little fireball for the gospel! I had the opportunity to confirm her as a member of the church and to give her the gift of the Holy Ghost because she had asked me to do it for her specifically. I was so blessed to be able to experience this part of the priesthood power again. I haven't had the opportunity to deliver such gifts to one of God's children since I had the opportunity to baptize my brother Daniel!

My message is short today but not any less powerful because of the truths in which I speak. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and a man can come closer to God by abiding by it precepts than by any other book. If you seek the strength to move on, the power to overcome trials, the comfort of God's loving arms, the revelation and guidance to move in the pathways of God then you should seek the words of this book always. If you have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, keep it and strengthen it, convert to it's precepts. If you don't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon and you desire all of the blessings of the One who loves you most and power and strength beyond your own, gain one and come to know the One who has suffered all for you. If you've gained a testimony and have lost it, repent and repair it, there will come a time when you will realize that there truly is no other way to live to the fullest without the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do not let yourself come to this point. But if you have, don't give up. So long as the Master of the Vineyard says there is time, there is time. There is time my loved ones, come and know of Him.

Te amo mucho,
Elder Samuel Afton Alger

PS - I am now officially a cat person! I love cats so much! A lot of it has to do with that I am sick of all the barking and chasing dogs and they just poop everywhere and I now officially see that cats are superior to dogs! :)

Graffiti of the week