Hey Family
So a lot has happened since the Skype call, and by the sounds of it you're getting updated by the Kiribati Mommas. I'm sorry I didn't email or send pictures while in Tarawa. But with 90 other missionaries wanting to do the same thing its hard to find a computer.
As you have already heard, we had a huge Christmas lunch, it was so good to so see all the missionaries I hadn't seen in a while. Thanks for the Christmas parcel, this gorilla pod is so sick, the ball head really helps when shooting long exposures, its a lot easier now to get level shots.
And all the missionaries back on Tarawa are way thankful for the white shirts. I just took a handful back to Abaiang and left the rest in Tarawa, that's where it's needed most.
You have also heard that we spent new years eve with the President of Kiribati, Taneti Mwamwau. It was a really fun evening, saw some of the best Kiribati dancing I've seen so far, gave me goose bumps. On Christmas evening Taneti Mwamwau also attended the Christmas devotional which was shown in Moroni high school. He also went to the fireside with President Halek on new years day! I have a feeling he's investigating the church. So yeah very exciting times for the church here in Kiribati.
The highlight of out week in Tarawa was seeing all the recent converts, soon to be baptized investigators and members from my old ward in Teaoraereke 2nd. I was so thankful for that opportunity to work in my old area again. However, by the end of it all I was so ready to come back to Abaiang. We are right back on our feet here. All the Christmas and new year celebrations are over so everyone's back home and we are getting plenty of lessons, a lot of our investigators stayed solid during our time in Tarawa so we are hoping for a couple of baptisms.
One crazy thing that happened over the past two weeks was an encounter with ministers from another church. So on boxing day, Elder Emor and I went to Betio to look for a lady. This lady is the ex wife of a member from Abaiang, we needed a letter from her so they can get divorced.
We found her at a school (she's a school teacher) and we explained what we needed. She told us to go sit with these 4 other white people (not sure what they were doing) while we waited for her to write the letter. So Elder Emor and I introduce our selves to these 3 white men and 1 white woman, all from Australia. We sit down with them just expecting to chat about Australian stuff.
But nah, as soon as we sat down they pounced. It turns out they were all from a church called the "rivival fellowship". They showed us a video of miracles and baptism's being done in PNG. They made an argument that their church is true by miracles, they also said some pretty ignorant stuff about the "Mormon" church. They even argued that our doctrine was wrong because we "don't baptize by immursion"... I tried explaining the we share the same belief and I tried to correct their misconceptions but every time I opened my mouth I was cut of by more intolerance.
Elder Emor wasn't completely clear of what was going on so I started explaining to him in Kiribati. While explaining to Elder Emor one of the men started mocking us and called us puppets. They just kept going until they stood up and left. One of the men, while walking a way quoted john 3:5 to us and told us we weren't going to heaven unless we were baptized by water and spirit... *face palm*
So yeah anyway wasn't a pleasant experience, but 30 minutes later, by chance or by gods desire I came across a pamphlet done by their church with an email belonging to one of the men. So I decided to write an email to him... "Email Below". Thanks to sister Lee doing some major proof reading it turned out really good.
So yeah that's it for this week
Love y'all s
Elder Berends.
Pastor Tim Rogers,
My name is Elder Danien Berends and I am a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am not sure if you recall but my companion Elder Emor and I, met with you and three of your associates on Monday 26th December 2016. During this time we were presented with some of the doctrines of your faith as well as some of the perceived errors of our own faith. During our time together I saw that there were some misunderstandings on your end surrounding some of the doctrine of our faith that was discussed. As I was not given an opportunity to correct these I feel that it is my duty as an authorized representative of Jesus Christ to do so now.
In this letter I have included the Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. These articles are thirteen statements of the core beliefs of the Church. They are located at the end of this letter however I will refer to these articles throughout.
During the presentation of the video of miracles, one of your associates made a statement implying that the Revival Fellowship Church is true by miracles. I do not deny that you have most likely seen miracles within your church and within your own life. However I feel that it is inaccurate to state that a church is true simply by miracles alone. I myself have seen many great and sacred miracles within my own life and within the church to which I belong. As stated by the Saviour, Jesus Christ, miracles come by faith (Matthew 17:20) and not explicitly to any one church or specific group of people.
This same associate also posed a question which concerned me somewhat. He asked if there was one church with miracles and one without, which would a person choose to go to. Is this not asking one to look for a sign as was counseled against by the Saviour Jesus Christ? (Matthew 12:38-39). He then instructed us to “make the business decision” in identifying the true church, implying that receiving a testimony of truth can occur by some calculated method. However I believe that receiving a testimony of truth is not a “business decision”. It can only come through the power of the Spirit of God, as it did for Christ’s chief apostle Peter – “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17). I myself have received a spiritual witness of the divinity of the Saviour Jesus Christ and His Restored Church, through the power of the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.
Furthermore a statement was made concerning our belief in the nature of God and in His works. A reference was made to the “Mormon God” and how He performs no miracles. I would like to draw your attention to the first Article of Faith which is: “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” We indeed believe in God and believe that He does perform miracles to His children today, as He did in the past. Is this not the same God? For He is my Father and your Father; He is my God and your God.
There were also statements made showing misunderstandings about our belief in the Holy Bible and in the Book of Mormon. I would like to refer you to the eighth Article of Faith: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” I believe both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are testaments of our Saviour Jesus Christ. I also believe with all of my heart that if we read and ponder the teachings from both sacred and holy books, we will gain a fuller understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
One of the main points of discussion was regarding the correct method of baptism. Had I been given an opportunity to speak I might have explained that in fact we share the same beliefs – “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). The fourth Article of Faith states: “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” I myself have been baptized by full immersion by someone holding the Priesthood authority of God, following the example of the Saviour Jesus Christ, and have afterwards received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
It was also mentioned that one of the signs following baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost was being able to “speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17). Previously, at the time of our discussion I did not have a full understanding of what it meant to “speak with new tongues”. It might interest to know that I am only 20 years of age. I do not have and never will have a perfect knowledge of all of Christ’s doctrine. However I know that through study of the Holy Scriptures and through faith I can increase my understanding line upon line, precept upon precept. After further studies and discussions with others I now know that to “speak with new tongues” is a sacred sign from God. I have yet to witness this sign but I know that it is witnessed by many if it be God’s desire. Please also refer to the seventh Article of Faith.
Lastly, I would like to share with you a passage of scripture from Paul’s epistle to the people of Galatia. If we as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ are preaching His Gospel, we must bear fruits of His Spirit – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23). During the time that we met with you and your associates I felt that there could have been more effort in reflecting these attributes. I was saddened at some of the ignorant and sometimes immature comments that were made. In particular the mocking and being called “puppets” was degrading and unappreciated. I feel that if we can all learn from the direction of the apostle Paul in Galatians 5:26 – “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
My hope in writing this letter is to clarify some misunderstandings surrounding points in the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is also my sincere hope that we may both grow in our tolerance of other faiths, understanding that we are not each other’s enemies, but rather are enemies of sin. In the eleventh Article of Faith it states: “We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”
Thank you for all that you do as a Christian organization. I am not fully aware of what your church does amongst communities or various other doctrine taught within your church but I am sure that it is all for the perfecting of the saints as directed in Ephesians 4:12. I wish you all the very best. If you would like to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints feel free to visit mormon.org or lds.org at your discretion. I would also be more than willing to respond to any further questions that you may have.
With regards,
Elder Danien Berends
The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
No comments:
Post a Comment