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"I've always been told that that's how the Spirit works, but now I'm starting to UNDERSTAND..... Listen. Listen to the still, small voice. The Church is true. Heavenly Father answers the prayers of the children of men. To that I so testify."

Dear Family and Friends,
     Last Monday right after email, we ran into a woman we talked to in Cape a few weeks before. She told us that ever since we contacted her, she had been praying that she would meet us again. She said that God had touched her heart when we talked with her. She explained that she grew up in Italy, and her parents sent her to Ghana (she's a Ghanaian) so she could try to get rid of her cigarette addiction. She's been trying to shake the habit for a few years, but everyone gave up on her. They sent her under the supervision of a doctor at the mental hospital in Ankaful; that's in my old area. She told us she comes to town to get away from her sister so she can smoke. As I tried to explain to her how our message can help her overcome all challenges, she cut me off, saying, "Wait, so do you guys invite people to your church? Can I come with you?" Ha,ha we said, "Yes, yes, yes you can!" She said, "I told my sister that I wanted to come to your church and she asked what was wrong with me. I've never been religious or even interested in church." So because she lives in my last area, I referred her to Elder James, I told her how great a missionary he was and that we were close friends. I was in that area for 6 months. I told her Elder James could help her with her problems. We took her number, and as she got into a cab, I told her, "This church changes lives." 

     Since we are struggling to build our teaching pool right now, I really wanted to share with her the gospel personally. But I know that there was a reason the Lord put her in our path, and that I knew who to refer her to, according to where she lives. I've been praying that the Lord would prepare the hearts of His elect. He's done that. Whether I teach her or not, missionary work is missionary work. We're all on the same team. The worth of every soul is great in the sight of God.

     So I finished the Book of Mormon again! I started it 4 months ago. I decided to go really slow and pick apart everything, checking cross-references and linking scriptures and marking things that will help me teach. I love to analyze the writing of each person who wrote in the Book of Mormon. In the beginning, Nephi starts off humble and hopeful, bearing testimony all the way, and softly exhorting people to come unto Christ. He mostly sticks to the facts in his record. Then as Mormon abridges all the books, he stays pretty basic and informative, occasionally adding his own thoughts. Then when he writes his own record, his tone turns to lamenting, and sad. He pleads with the Gentiles and future readers of the record to accept Christ, and heed the warnings, and learn from the mistakes of his people. Then comes Moroni... Haha. I find his writing the most interesting in the Book of Mormon. Moroni writes very bluntly. As he first starts, he describes that his father has been killed and he explains his situation.  It seems like he has a contempt for the situation he is in, and the sins of the Nephites. Then a few times, he just gives it to the Gentiles of the future (us) really straight, and pretty much condemns us for our sins, and warns us that if we don't keep to the gospel, we will surely be ripe for destruction as the Nephites. He pleads with the reader to repent and come unto Christ, almost to the point of yelling. He seems so frustrated with everything as he writes. Which I understand---he was the last righteous person left on his continent as far as he knew. It must have been so degrading and horrifying to see what he saw. But, he still gave really great promises!

     The other day we were teaching a lady, pushing her to pray and get an answer about our message. She said she was trying, and blurted out, "God doesn't answer prayers right here, right now. I've prayed for things over a year and I haven't gotten an answer." I replied,"Then the question is do you have the faith that God will answer your prayer?" Later that evening, I began to ask myself the same question. So far on mission, we're always promising people that God will answer their prayers; it's always been in the back of my mind, "Will He really?" I've never asked my Heavenly Father for much in the way of wisdom in my prayers in my life. But I remember trying once. In the year before I came on mission, I read the Book

Fante Book of Mormon, Three Witnesses

of Mormon and prayed for an answer. I got nothing; and it bothered me for some time that I didn't get an answer. I guess the time wasn't right. I just finished the BOM again last week, studying it DEEPLY. I believed it was true, I didn't find one flaw in it. But the other night, I wanted to KNOW it was true, to remove any doubts in my mind about prayers, the BOM, the church, etc. I wanted to be able to promise investigators with confidence that their prayers could be answered. So I was pondering Moroni's promise, and his discourses on faith. "And by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things." I also considered in my mind the faith that the Brother of Jared held, and the experience he had. The Lord told him, "Never have I showed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man believed in me as thou hast." Moroni commented, "...having this perfect knowledge of God, he (the Brother of Jared) could not be kept from within the veil..." (Ether 3) So I decided it all comes down to faith. That night, I prayed simply, but fervently, asking Heavenly Father to manifest the truth of all things to me, mentioning that his servant, Moroni, promised ME that I could know the truth. As I closed my prayer, [the Spirit descended upon me]….. I felt a burning sensation inside. It began toward the bottom of my torso, and slowly worked up until my whole chest was filled with a certain warmth. The feeling stayed there, as a few things came to my mind: The first line of Hymn No. 2, "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning..."  And a scripture in D&C 9:8. In this scripture, the Lord is counseling Oliver Cowdery, saying, "But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right, I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right." That's exactly what I felt that night. I've always been told that that's how the Spirit works, but now I'm starting to UNDERSTAND that. Listen. Listen to the still, small voice. The church is true. Heavenly Father answers the prayers of the children of men. To that I so testify.

Love,

Elder Doggett

  P.S.  I actually wasn't trunked out by that [Mother’s Day] call, surprisingly……… I just felt at home. Having my mashed potatoes and all, ha, ha!  It just made me really happy to hear everyone.  I could hear you fine on the phone, just a little delayed.  So I do have an African accent, huh? I honestly can't tell.