Transfer calls came and I am staying here in Fayetteville for a little bit longer. However, Elder Archibald is getting transferred to Broken Arrow, OK. My new companion is going to be Elder Rose. And guess what?! Elder Porter is getting transferred real close to me! He's going to Prairie Grove, AR! I am thrilled that I will be able to see an old friend from home. Who would've thought that many years ago that me and Jakey Porter would be all grown up and serving together. What a joy! (for those of you who do not know the story here..Elder Porter and Elder Blackburn are from the same ward and grew up about a block away from each other)
Yes, I have heard of the severe weather going through the midwest right now. Hold on to your seats and get in those tornado shelters folks, it's gonna be a bad one! We have entered the Tornado season so they're beginning to tear through the midwest. I'm safe though, Arkansas steers clear most of the time from the crazy storms. This week was a good ol' week filled with countless hours finding people to teach. Many miles walked and many doors knocked and being so exhausted by night that when it is time to go to sleep that as soon as my head hits the pillow, I'm fast asleep. This week while tracting we found some potentials and am excited to try by them again. We are teaching a small group of investigators and my favorite investigator owns a french bull dog named Dexter. Our objective is to get him (not the dog) to church. I think that is that hardest for investigators just to come to church.
MORMON DOCTRINE
While talking with people at the door or on the street many people are confused and don't see the need for some of our doctrine or can't understand how we got/"came up" with those ideas or say, "that's not talked about it the bible!" Well, many churches claim to just follow the bible and that's it. And that's about as far as they get. Let me illustrate an example that will explain my point: If the world were to destroy every bible on the earth, how many churches would remain? One. And that one is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That is because our doctrine doesn't come from just reading the Bible, it comes from revelation. Every other church just reads the bible and tries to follow it or mimic it but ultimately they end up just preaching the same information over and over and nothing really happens. Luckily for Latter-day saints we have Prophets and Apostles and continuing revelation that builds "Line upon line and precept upon precept." Our gospel knowledge is increasing as we understand the doctrines Heavenly Father has allowed us to have. Our doctrine can be found in the bible but we don't need the bible for our church to function properly. That may sound rash but if you think about it, Heavenly Father revealed everything we need anew. He gave the Creation accounts in the revelations known as the books of Moses and Abraham, he gave us the Doctrine and Covenants which outlines every priesthood office, how the church works, how and why we do ordinances, revelation on ordinances, specifics on the plan of salvation, clarifies bible passages, the need for temples etc. etc. and then the Book of Mormon is our testament of Jesus Christ and his relation to us and that he is the Savior of the world and atoned for our sins and it is through him we are saved; it also testifies of the prophet Joseph Smith. We don't need the Bible to uphold our doctrine, we teach as missionaries that the Book of Mormon is the KEYSTONE of our religion. And this is all supported by Christ when he tells Peter that upon this Rock (which is the principle of revelation) I will build my church. Revelation is absolutely necessary in Christ's church. The Book of Mormon as our keystone represents that principle of revelation because if that book is true, everything else is. You need not worry. Just follow the Prophet, he will never lead us astray. Isn't it miraculous that we members are part of the True and Living Church? We live in a time where there is a Prophet of God leading us! We live in the time that all the ancient prophets testified of: The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times! We are part of the "Restitution of All things."
Love,
Elder Blackburn
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