We have been calling lots of members and trying to set up lessons. We set up a lesson with an less active man, and we planned to review the Gospel of Jesus Christ with him. We chatted for a bit to get to know him and he told us about his conversion and about some things that are keeping him from coming back to church. My companion called an audible and changed the lesson plan to share a story from the Bible where Jesus did not condemn the sinner, only the sin, and invited the person to change. It was a similar situation as this brother was in. I was horrified that we were going to offend him and make things worse, but it turned out really well, and we invited him to church on Sunday.
Saturday night, I find out I am speaking in church on Sunday, so I prepared a few thoughts and scriptures. I was also going to play the piano in sacrament meeting beccause there is nobody in the ward that can play. I've been practicing to learn a few more hymns, but I played the ones I know best this first week. As I was speaking I noticed that the less active member we had a lesson with had shown up! My companion went and sat by him.
I played the hymn "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" for the closing song. My companion told me later that as I was playing, the brother he was sitting with wasn't singing, but he was reading the words in English (The songs are sung in Spanish). He told my companion, "The words to this song are phenomenal!", and he began to sing. After the song, he told my companion, "I wish I could play the piano." Small as our ward is, everyone welcomed him back with hugs and handshakes, and it was just awesome to see.
I hope you all have a great week!
Elder Pettit
I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.
He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.
He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
