This week we did a lot of work with the members. We are starting to practice teaching them the lessons and having them give us feedback and also having them read the Rededication of the Land of Sweden by President Monson. I feel a lot closer to them as we have been doing that, and I can see their desire to share the gospel grow as we teach them the lessons. On the way to Sister Näslund's house we drove across a frozen river! It was really scary but super fun! I don't think I will go back on the ice anymore because it's been pretty warm here. We also went over to the Newells and it was SO fun. We had pie because two days ago was pie day. Those little girls are just adorable, I could spend all day with them.
We had a crazy experience this week, too. We had a security guard come up to us while we were teaching at the University and take our information and kick us out, because of our Book of Mormon that he saw. It was straight religious discrimination. He took the information of our investigator too, who was SO upset. Afterwards, he handed us our Book of Mormon and said he was done meeting with us. We were devastated and I just went home and cried. The next morning in personal study I read "The Cost and Blessings of Discipleship" by Elder Holland and it was all that got me through the week.
Surely the angels of heaven wept as they recorded this cost of discipleship in a world that is often hostile to the commandments of God. The Savior Himself shed His own tears over those who for hundreds of years had been rejected and slain in His service. And now He was being rejected and about to be slain.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,” Jesus cried, “thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”5
And therein lies a message for every young man and young woman in this Church. You may wonder if it is worth it to take a courageous moral stand in high school or to go on a mission only to have your most cherished beliefs reviled or to strive against much in society that sometimes ridicules a life of religious devotion. Yes, it is worth it, because the alternative is to have our “houses” left unto us “desolate”—desolate individuals, desolate families, desolate neighborhoods, and desolate nations.
It is worth it, although sometimes it feels like we aren't doing any good. President Newell had us go in and talk to the information desk about what happened, and hopefully it'll all get sorted out.
Investigators: We got two new investigators this week and some promising potential investigators, so that has been really fun to work with some new people. We have been doing a lot of work in a younger area of town and it's been a lot more successful, I feel. Either that, or just the weather being nicer has helped a lot. Henrik was really frustrating this week. We tried everything, so this week we tried showing him a conference talk. We felt the spirit SO strong and he just looked at us and said he felt nothing, and he's never felt anything. John is our most progressing investigator. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and he was excited to read about it. He has come to church two Sundays now and he just loves it. We love John!
So we are going to Kiruna on Wednesday and Sister Modersitzki is coming up! It's going to be so fun. It is SO northern, you'll have to look at a map. We are going to see the Ice Hotel and I guess some other touristy things that the Tolleys, a senior couple, have in mind. I am so excited, especially because I probably will be leaving Luleå soon. So Wednesday will be our "PDay this week".
Ok, I love you all! Have a great week! Miss you tons!
Love,
Syster Stetler
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