In the New Testament Luke 8:5-15 Jesus gives and interprets the parable of the sower: a sower went out and sowed seed, some seed fell by the way side, some fell upon rocks, some fell among thorns, and some fell on good ground. The seed is the word of God. We missionaries are striving to nurish and water the word of God in those who have fallen by the way side, upon the rocks and thorns and strengthen those that have fallen on good ground. Wednesday as we were leaving Book of Mormon study class a sister told me, "Sister Berry I need you and Brother Berry to come to my house and talk to me. I am so troubled and I need someone that can help me." All day until we got to this sister's house we couldn't imagine what was troubling her and what her needs were and if we really could help her. This sister's son was in jail, she witnessed the incident, her son wasn't involved other than it was his friends he hung with and he was present at the time. Her heart was troubled, she was sad that her son was in jail and she was angry. One of the boys friends was beating up on his girlfriend, two of his other friends tried to stop the fight, but the boy pulled out a knife and started after the two boys, someone shot the boy with the knife in both legs. Everyone scattered, the police came, the gun hasn't been recovered and the two boys who were defending the girl have disappeared and can't be found. The police picked up her son because he was present during the drama and her son was going to court the following day. How do two missionaries respond to such a situation? This sister is a convert to the church, loves the Lord and is at church every Sunday and is attending the Book of Mormon class. We love her and have become great friends. Sometimes we feel the recent converts think the missionaries can work miracles and solve all their problems but how do you mend a broken heart and calm a troubled soul. We started planting seeds. We listened with love and compassion, shared her sorrow and tried to give her hope. We suggested she write down everything she told us on paper exactly as it happened, get dressed up in her Sunday best, attend court the following day and control her anger. If she had an opportunity share what she had written on the paper. Her response was, "I'll do everything you told me to do Brother and Sister Berry". We shared some scriptures, a short video by Elder Cook "Hope you know we had a hard time", and we had prayer. Hopefully we planted the seed that Heavenly Father loves her and knows her and her trials will strength her faith in Jesus Christ and help her endure.
Elder & Sister Berry Sister Owens, Sister & Brother Markel
Sister Owens temple day - Columbia South Carolina Temple
Saturday September 15, 2012
Alma 32:28 "Now we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say withing yourselves-It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me"Alma 30: "But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow."
The high light of our week was the opportunity to attend the temple with Kathy Saturday. Kathy joined the church about a year and half ago.The missionaries who knocked on her door taught her the word and planted a seed in her heart. Kathy knew the things the missionaries taught were true. She nourished that seed with scripture study, prayer, faith, church attendance and desire to know the truth. When we first met Kathy she was so quiet and sat in the back of the chapel every Sunday and still does. (Elder Berry told her he wants her sitting in the middle row of the chapel every week close to the front with her friend..) We started visiting her several months ago and enjoy her sweet spirit and love the time we spend at her home. When she mentioned she was working toward the temple we were a little surprised that was her goal. When we visited we shared information about temples and encouraged her to attend temple preparation class which she did. A few weeks ago she approached me at church and told me she had her temple recommend and asked if Elder Berry and I would go to the temple with her and asked me to be her escort. I helped her make the necessary arrangements and get her clothes. Saturday morning bright and early we picked Kathy up and drove to the Columbia, South Carolina temple. This is one of the sweetest experiences we have had and are so grateful Kathy wanted to share it with us.
Alma 32:42: "And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst." (fruit of eternal life)
Our week is spent traveling throughout the ward visiting ward members, plucking out weeds of discouragement, doubt, and loss of faith. We water them with hope, and faith in Jesus Christ. One sister is trying to return to activity in the church and overcome her many years of smoking. The seed is planted in her heart and she has the desire but the weeds and thorns have a great hold upon her. We visit almost daily with words of encouragement and prayer (weeding and watering) and for a report on her progress. If we don't see her or call her one day she will call and report to us her progress.
May we all strive to grow in faith and continually weed and water the seed. Remember the Elders and Sisters need your help as they seek out those who are prepared to have the seed planted in their heart. Help them nurish (water and weed) these people seeking the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
Love, Elder and Sister Berry
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