Monday, February 8, 2016

Books - Green Hills, Tennesee

Hello Everyone!

This week we got to go on exchanges. I went with Elder Trujillo again to the Spanish area. Unfortunately we did not actually get to teach any lessons in Spanish. In fact we only spoke Spanish three times during the whole 24 hours. But we got to knock a lot of doors. ... a lot of doors. But that was still cool because that gave us a lot of time to talk. Elder Trujillo and I are super similar in so many ways. We would totally be awesome friends back home. It's probably best that we aren't actually companions because we would always be talking and never get work done. Either way it was awesome to talk about books. I have not had anyone to have a good book conversation with in months. We talked about all the ones we had both read, gave each other suggestions on new ones to read, and just had an absolute blast going through every storyline ever.

After walking around in the freezing wind for hours knocking on doors, we went to a Mexican super market. It was fantastic!! I was totally reminded of being home and going to Mesa or El Rio bakery in Tucson. They had all of the treats and sweetbread and empanadas that I love. I had to stop myself from buying a whole tray of those shell kind. However, they did not have those little molasses-flavored, pig-shaped cookies. That was slightly disappointing but oh well. Side note: ten bonus points to the first one who reminds me what the name of those pig cookies is. Apparently my memory isn't perfect after all. Anyway I had an apple soda and nearly bought a pound of fresh white cheese to munch on but thought better of it. Side note to Katelynn: do you remember that conversation we had about apple soda about three years ago? Why do I remember things like that but not the name of pig cookies?

Completely switching topics here. So yesterday we had an investigator come to church. This is always quite exciting on its own but the story gets better. (We have only taught this guy three times and he has only read the first 4 chapters of the Book of Mormon. He has been a Baptist his whole life and is actively involved in doing everything at his church.) He goes up and bears his testimony at the end of the meeting. Everything he said was wonderful and true. He talked extensively about how the Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ. He spoke of how well it fits hand in hand with the Holy Bible. Even in just a few chapters he has been able to see how every single verse points back to Christ, and bears a clarifying witness of everything the Bible teaches. He is so grateful for the Book of Mormon and all it has taught him in just a few short weeks. He declared boldly that the Old Testament, New Testament, and Book of Mormon are three witnesses of Jesus Christ and with them all together we have the foundation upon which to build the true church of Jesus Christ.

After Sacrament meeting, he said hello to everyone in the ward and then left to attend his home church. He went there with the Book of Mormon and the Bible together in his hand to tell all of his friends about it.

I was completely shocked. I hadn't taught him any of that. I had actually been quite nervous about what he was going to say. God has taught him far more than I could ever hope to. It was a huge testament to the truth and power of the Book of Mormon and prayer. He was able to be taught by the Holy Ghost because he prayerfully opened his mind and read the book looking to learn more about Jesus Christ. And that same promise is available to everyone. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. It unfolds the plainness of His Gospel and the Atonement of Jesus Christ in a way that allows us to understand and feel His love so much more. My invitation to everyone is to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in your heart the message it contains, and then to ask God in the name of Christ if it is true. I can promise that doing so will bless your life in every aspect. I leave that witness and promise with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week
- Elder Basham

Elder Brown showed me this picture and I laughed a lot.


I went to this book store today. I believe that Ryanne went here also last year. Here are some cool pictures.










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