This week we got the blessing of having 9 baptisms in our ward. The stress and sweat is only half way over. I decided I would give a little overview of all the people that were baptized this week just to show how the Gospel blesses every person and changes lives.
Miriama: She is my best friend! She is 75 years old and I have been teaching her for 5 months! Miriama has got the sweetest heart and decided to get baptized a month ago after getting permission from all 8 of her children she took her steps towards Christ! She has a rock solid testimony and stays up until 2 o’clock in the morning to read her bible and Gospel Principals book!
Teaching in Tahitian was not easy but for her it was worth it.
Kimson: Kimson is 14, and he saw how much the Gospel blessed and changed his aunt who has been a member for about a year. She gave up a life of drinking and partying for her baptism. He went up to her and asked to talk to the missionaries so he could have the same changes! He is now the only member of his direct family and the image of him and his mom crying after his baptism is something I will not forget and proof that his example is already spreading.
Matehou: Matehou is the best! He is 11 and his mom is a Jehovah Witness and his dad Protestant. Like Kimson he saw a change in his cousin because she joined the church, but he really wanted to talk with the missionaries so he could know how not to be like his older brother, who is often in drugs and never seems happy. He moved in with his aunt so he could have a better home life and took the decision to be baptized even if his family didn’t support him; his biggest dream is to go on a mission.
Desiree: Her conversion changed my life! We started the lessons about a month ago and taught about prayer and the importance in asking God if our message is true. The following fast Sunday she went up to the podium and told everyone she was ready to be baptized because God answered her prayer, she fasted several times by herself to stop smoking and stopped in one day! She also has been sharing the gospel with her family and got married last Friday. Her new husband stopped smoking drugs so he could baptize his wife. Only two brothers of Desirees family came to the wedding, her own son was not allowed to go because the uncle that takes care of him wouldn’t allow it. But you couldn’t tell because she was so happy to finally see progress in her life. Already her testimony at church resulted in our baptism last week.
Medrick: An Ex-con who also has changed his ways has been waiting for over a year to be baptized in the church he has known was true for so long. He had been praying, reading, and repenting everyday until he was finally proved ready to be baptized and be washed of his past, his biggest wish is to be sealed to his family for time and all eternity.
Manutahi: Manutahi is Medericks adopted son who started lessons with the missionaries this month, has seen the changes in his family and though several experiences knows the church is true he as well is preparing for their family sealing in a year.
Tehani: Tehani is our nine-year-old best friend! Unlike the others her family are members but inactive, they have been inactive most her life and though her example the whole family has been praying reading and coming to church each week! She is an example in a whole different way!
Teva: I have been teaching Teva for 6 months, he has been hard into drugs and bad examples! He was really touched by the changed he saw in his sister-in-law, Desiree. And decided that after all the many failed attempts it was possible to change! He finally got the desire to change! And he did it!! He stopped completely and after the fast him and his wife did together they had the strength to continue. As they were announcing Desiree’s baptism at church I leaned over and asked if he would like to get baptized the same day, his answer "yeah, yeah I would". The two couples will be sealed on the same day next year.
Raitini: I taught Raitinis brother Ricky before he moved back to Tahaa to get baptized, and the day Ricky left we started the lessons with Raitini, with no family support he decided to fix his baptism, I have never seen so much faith on my whole mission, he knew the Book of Mormon was true and with his testimony he did all that was necessary to come unto Christ. He is my brother and my example.
I would just like to add how important it is to be an example. Timothy 4:12 " 12. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." These miracles came from the example of Christ and the examples of members.
And also verse 15 "15. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."
When you give yourself away in service and in love. The blessings and changes that come are an example unto all, that incites others to do the same thing. I know that the profiting of the Gospel will appear to all when we live and respect the principles the gospel teaches us.
I testify that each and every one of my close friends knew of the profiting and truthfulness of the Gospel though prayer. I don’t convert people; I help people know where to turn when they have questions.
Hosea 12:6 "Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually."
Psalms 66:20 "Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me."
Elder Moller
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