We received a number of people to contact via references and
previous street contacts who all lived in the same area. Three houses,
belonging to Carla, Blanca and Sonia. We had already tried all their
houses before with no answer, but we decided to try
again. When we went to try again it was just me and a young man, Carlos. He is the one preparing for a mission in Brazil. None of the
three were there but at the last home of Blanca someone was home (not
her). His name was Walter, we talked to him
at the door and he told us to come in and have a little discussion. We
ended up having one of the most powerful conversations and lessons that I
have ever had. And certainly the most impacting Carlos has participated
in. Walter was highly educated in Salvador
but only in Spanish and he hardly speaks English. He is intelligent and
well studied in the Bible. As we started he said that he had heard lots
of things that he wasn't sure about the Mormons but still wanted to
hear what we had to say. He truly does want
to learn of Christ from any source he can. We were able to solve a few
issues: we don't worship Joseph Smith, no we aren't crazy, we pray to
God in the name of Jesus Christ, the house of Israel was the Jews, etc.
All of which was fantastic. The truly miraculous
part was something that I have never truly felt or recognized before.
Near the end of the "teaching" part of the lesson, we told him
there was one more thing that proved the reality of all we had discussed
and taught. We pulled out the Book of Mormon, and his eyes were
immediately affixed to it. We explained it as another
testament of our savior Jesus Christ and that it contains his teachings
and his words, through prophets, and his coming to the Americas. I
asked him to read the first four verses so he could make the connection
between the Book of Mormon and Jerusalem. He
took the book and with a special reverence began reading. A feeling in
the room started inconspicuously building at first. It felt almost like a
specific ray gun in Halo that you hardly notice is over heating but
then you truly realize how powerful it is. As
he read, it built and built. He was so engrossed in the testimony of
Nephi and what he was feeling that he couldn't even turn the page to
finish the fourth verse. The feeling then left in the silence quicker
than it had occurred. He then said, "este es los
otros" this is the others. He began talking of the other people, the
other Children of God that Jesus had mentioned. We talked about the
other sheep that were not of this fold. He said that he wanted to read
it, before we had even asked him. He said he would
read as much as he can before we come back. I jokingly said "voy a
regresar entonces" I will return then, it was said in jest, but he understood why we were
there and what he needed to do to understand this "Nuevo camino" new path.
It was only because of our persistence, our preparation and the
spirit through the grace of God that we were able to have this
experience. I am especially grateful for this experience for many
reasons, many of which you all already know. Continue in your
efforts for your answers, for your witnesses, continue in your faith
and God will provide what you need to have to continue.
I love you all and hope you are doing well, we are running out of
time like always, have a wonderful week and share this with whoever you
like.
Love,
-Elder Bigelow
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