Hello, family and
friends!!
This week was rather
interesting! This year the Stake has made a huge push to ordain men to the
Melchizedek Priesthood. The Stake Presidency has gotten the missionaries more
involved than ever before and because of that, they have been able to exceed the
goal that was set for the year. The Area President has taken a recent look at
this and has been amazed at how many Prospective Elders have been ordained to
the Melchizedek Priesthood. As a result, Elder Pearson sent a film crew to the Stake to interview the Stake President, the Mission President, a Bishop, and
two missionaries. Elder Orr and I were asked by the Stake President if we would
be willing to be interviewed. These interviews would then be put together and
presented as a training that Elder Person would then give to the Pacific Area.
(Click on the link below to see a short video where one of the Twelve Apostles talks about the importance of the Priesthood.)
It was quite the experience as the film crew flew over from the Area offices in
New Zealand to interview the group of us. By the time the crew was all set up
in the Hyde Park Chapel, it felt like we were on a movie set. We were asked to
discuss the steps that we take as we work with the Ward Council, PEC, Elders
Quorum Presidency, and Stake Leadership in helping many members progress to receive the
Melchizedek Priesthood. It was quite the experience and as soon as it had begun,
it was over.
We were blessed to teach a new investigator this
week named Nikki. She is from China and is a Christian but does not belong to
any sect in particular. We were able to teach her the Restoration. Following
the lesson, we received a text message from her thanking us that we had been
able to teach her. She said she learned more in that lesson than she would have
in any academic lesson and felt that what we taught was more valuable to her.
For Elder Orr and myself, it was a great feeling to know that she appreciated
what we had been able to do with her.
Finally, we were able
to meet with Summer this week. Many of you know that she was baptized a couple
of weeks ago. This week when we met with her, she wanted to learn more about
getting a Patriarchal Blessing. She had read so much on the church website and
was keen to receive her Patriarchal Blessing Recommend. On Sunday, she was
interviewed and received her Temple Recommend and her Patriarchal Blessing
Recommend. We are excited to go with her this weekend to witness her
participating in baptisms at the temple and then the following day, to receive
her Patriarchal Blessing.
I am grateful for the
opportunities I have had to witness the Lord working miracles in people's lives.
I know that Elder Orr and I individually have done nothing, and I know that this is the Lord's
work. May each of us work to help others receive the blessings of the Gospel is
my prayer.
Love,
Elder Wilde
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