June 2017 Mission Newsletter

Ka’Ohilani The Heavenly Gathering

Dear Elders and Sisters of the Hawaii Honolulu Mission,

In Doctrine and Covenants 20:9, the Lord declares that the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is one of the reasons we can get nearer to God by abiding by it’s precepts than by any other book. In the Book of Mormon, the Gospel of the Savior is presented in clarity and plainness. Nephi twice repeats that his “soul delighteth in plainness.” (II Nephi 25: 4, II Nephi 31:3). Nephi explains that communicating in plainness is how “the Lord God works among the children of men… for He speaketh unto me according to their language unto their understanding. (II Nephi 31:3). In our life-long study of the Book of Mormon, we have been struck by Nephi’s approach to scripture study and teaching. Nephi always wanted to more fully persuade his people to believe in the Lord, their Redeemer (I Nephi 19:23). He was anxious to bear testimony of the Savior and teach future generations about the saving power of Christ’s Atonement. Nephi wrote: “we are made alive in Christ because of our faith… we prophesy of Christ.” Nephi sought to “liken all scriptures unto themselves.”

In November of 1841, on a sabbath day in Illinois, Joseph Smith “spent the day in council with the Twelve Apostles at the house of Brigham Young.” On this occasion, the Prophet Joseph Smith “told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by it’s precepts, than any other book.”
Missionary work today continues to roll forward as prophesied by ancient prophets- here in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission is no exception; in fact, it is a great fulfillment of those prophecies. Each day as missionaries we are sharing our testimonies of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this latter-day, and the Book of Mormon is the keystone or proof of that Restoration. We are so grateful for this inspired book- a true witness of the reality of the Restoration of the Gospel. By earnest study and prayer, every serious investigator may know the truth.

We add our testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and express our gratitude for this additional witness of the Savior Jesus Christ. We pray that every missionary in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission will study and pray to strengthen his or her testimony and thereby be better prepared to share this important book with others. As we focus in the coming months on the Book of Mormon, we pray that the witness of the Spirit will burn with intensity in your hearts. All of our love and prayers go out to you as you strive to be your best.

We love you! Warmest Aloha,
President and Sister Bekker

How Are We Doing?
Baptisms 33
Confirmations 35
Investigators with baptism date 133
New investigators 585
Investigators at sacrament mtg. 722