Thursday, April 16

Yesterday was tax day and also my mother's birthday. Mom passed to the other side in January. I know she has to be a lot happier where she is than in the state she was living. I appreciate the memories I have of her.

Eric Morton, we taught him yesterday and it was a great experience. Eric has been reading the Book of Mormon steadily. He has not been to church yet. He works on Sundays and it has not been possible so far. He has had the three lessons with the Plan of Salvation and understands things quite well. He is comprehending the Book of Mormon very well and makes very intelligent comments.

Yesterday we gave him the hard challenge!! The Word of Wisdom. He has never smoked in front of us, but we had the feeling that he did. Cigarette smoke was always strong in the house. Elder Whiting gave him the soft approach. First of all I asked him if he thought that God loved him. And he replied, "Yes!" And then I said, " Because he loves us so much and cares about us, he has given us certain commandments that are for our good. That doesn't mean they are easy."
And then we told him we would we telling him about those commandments.

Elder Whiting proceeded to tell him that one of the first things the Lord has told us is what is good to put into our bodies. Since he made our bodies, do you think he would know what would be good for them, and what would be harmful? Of Eric replied affirmatively. Then Elder Whiting asked him what he thought would not be good for them.

Eric replied, "drugs." They talked about how they are addictive. Elder Whiting then asked him what other things might be addictive that are not good for us. Eric then mentioned, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine. At that point Eric had taught his own lesson. All he had to do was review and read the 89th section with him.

Elder Whiting asked Eric if there was anything of those things that he had a problem with. Eric said, "Yes, tobacco." So they were able to talk about it openly and honestly. Then we talked about prayer a little bit. Moroni 3:4-5 talks about praying with real intent, and what that means, ie being willing to act upon those things we learn in prayer. It was a great lesson and the spirit was there.

Lastly we talked about him coming to church and found out that he had some concerns about coming because of his previous experiences with ministers and collection. Wow!!! that was a discovery. We shared a little bit about what it was like at Sacrament meeting and it seemed to calm his fears a lot. He said, he couldn't come this Sunday, but would really try hard to get his schedule changed for the next Sunday.

The very first time we met with Eric he told us that he was seeking peace in a church. Yesterday, I reminded him of that, and ask him if he had found that peace. (I knew he had because he had the light in his eyes.) He replied, "Yes." He also said that now he feels that peace all of the time. It was a choice experience. We are grateful for this opportunity.