The Latest Visit

The missionaries left just a few minutes ago, and I thought I'd type up what we covered.

We continued talking about the plan of salvation and the steps involved: atonement, repentence, baptism, confirmation, enduring to the end. Elder Stirland gave a good way to remember the steps of repentance: 1) think about what you've done, 2) have Godly sorrow, 3) ask for forgiveness, 4) restitution, 5) refrain from commiting the same sin again.

Apparently, they left me a scripture yesterday, but it blew into the bushes and I did see it until now.

2 Nephi 31:17-21
"17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. "

They also talked about tithing, so I explained my predicament. I can either pay a tithe and be dishonest about it by not telling Pete, or I can ask his permission which I don't think he'll give. They went on to tell me that I need to tithe any money that belongs to me, but if Pete doesn't give permission that doesn't count against me... That's nice to know!

The next topic was the law of chastity, which I certainly don't have a problem with.

Last, they recently found out that I have to have Pete's written permission to be baptized... so, I suppose, I'll have to do that soon.

The good news is that if Venita ends up coming, doing the confirmation the same day as the baptism is no problem.