Being A Missionary Is A Wonderful Experience

Elder Shirley with Elder Swink

Attending a branch campfire activity

June 13, 2016

Ahojte!

We had a great week! Pretty normal except we had an awesome exchange in Brno on Friday. 

We contacted most of the day on our exchange, and contacting in Brno is quite different. We have trams and trolley buses to contact on and the city is way bigger. But the coolest part of the exchange was when we found a couple sitting in a park on a bench. We started talking about the plan of salvation and somehow that lead into the restoration. We taught them the entire Restoration and gave them the first vision. It was really cool to see how into it this couple was. They had a lot of questions for us. We started talking about life after death and what we believe about that. The guy asked us what we believe. We told him that we will live in the Spirit world and we will all be resurrected. We asked him to read a few verses in the Book of Mormon. He read them and then stopped, closed the book, and said he was done talking for the day. We had been talking for probably more than a half an hour and all of the sudden he just stopped and said he was done. I really think and believe that he felt something. I think he realized that what we taught was true, but he was scared. It was sad to see them turn away after such a great conversation. 

With all the finding that we do as missionaries in the Czech Republic on the streets, it makes me realize how true the message of the Restoration of the gospel is. Joseph Smith was a prophet, called by God, and restored the true church of Jesus Christ on the earth again. The Book of Mormon is evidence of that Restoration and through reading it, we can and will come to know of its truthfulness. I am thankful for the knowledge that I have of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and that I will be resurrected and live with my family forever. The gospel brings peace and joy to a chaotic and sin-filled world. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and through him, we can overcome sin and trials. Being a missionary is a wonderful experience. This is the message I carry for these people and it is a wonderful thing. I love my calling! The church is true!

-Starší Shirley

{Below is some additional information that Elder Shirley sent in his personal emails to us}

Investigators right now are unfortunately few. The next transfer is on July 4th! Good celebration right? I'll probably change areas this time. Elder Lanham, my district leader, got his license recently so we switch off driving now.

Funnest thing this week: We had an exchange with the zone leaders in Brno this week and I was with Elder Hanis, an Elder from my MTC group. It was really fun to work with him for a day!

Hardest thing this week: We basically had to drop one of our awesome investigators this week. He just wouldn't accept the fact that there can be one true church. He believes that all churches are working toward the same goal and that all you need to do is believe in God and follow him. It was a sad lesson!