All is well here for week 7 in the mission field (it's hard to believe I started my mission 2 1/2 months ago already)-- 21 1/2 glorious months left to bring souls unto Christ.
We have a spanish branch here in Price, and a Spanish Group in Huntington (a group is smaller than a branch). We alternate attending each week, and yesterday was my first time attending the group. It turns out that the Group Leader (similar to branch president/bishop) had me scheduled to speak...no topic or anything specific, so I just talked about faith. I've learned so much about faith during my intense study of the new testament. Faith is a real power, nothing philosophical or mysterious. A physical power--such that it overcame the force of Gravity when Peter was walking on the water to Christ, such that Christ himself physically could not perform miracles in one of the cities due to their lack of faith--it didn't say he would not perform them, but rather that he COULD NOT. I'm still studying faith, but it is something very concrete and real.
It was kind of funny yesterday at the group. We showed up at 9:00, no one there (it was supposed to start at 9). at 9:05, the pianist and chorister showed up. At 9:10, the leadership showed up (there previous meeting was running late). At 9:15, the first family showed up. At 9:20, another 1 or 2 people showed up, so we started. it was a very small meeting, but it was good.
As I am closely reading the New Testament, the entire gospel is there. All of it. Right there in Acts in one chapter ( i don't recall which right now...maybe ch. 2) is Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. The same doctrine that Christ taught in 3rd Nephi 27. I am loving it.
We spoke with a man a while ago who is of another religion (pretty strongly). He said that our church was corrupt because according to Galatians 1:8-9, any different gospel brought from an Angel is corrupt. He was referring to the Angel Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith. In my personal studies, I explored that scripture a little more. What was happening is that the apostles (I believe Paul specifically) were writing this letter to admonish the saints for changing the teachings, doctrine, etc, and following a different gospel than that preached by the apostles. The scripture actually says that if the APOSTLES OR EVEN AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN bring a different gospel, it is corrupt. Since the apostles include themselves and include the extreme case of that of an angel coming down from heaven, it is not the means by which a different gospel comes that makes it corrupt, but rather whether it is DIFFERENT from that taught by Christ and the apostles. Which brings the question: What doctrine is different from that which Christ taught? Well we can look at the church Christ set up: Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, revelation, priesthood keys & authority, have no other Gods before God & Christ, worship only them, temples, seventies, missionaries 2 by 2, non-paid ministry, etc. Now look at all Christian religions established today. Who has all these? Who is one of the farthest removed?
I reject the notion that [our church is corrupt because of heavenly personages, including the Father & Son, appeared to Joseph Smith to restore everything previously established by Christ, bringing the gospel]. I do reject any church that has become so far removed (the DIFFERENT gospel) from that taught by Christ.
I may not be a biblical scholar, but I hate attacks against my faith that are based on out-of-context & are not scriptural truth. We don't bash with modern-day Pharisees & Scribes, but I do defend. I'm trying to understand the scriptures for myself. I understand now why the bible is the farthest thing from "common ground among all Christian Religions", for it is the spawning ground of contention--everyone has their own interpretation of it and they are right while everyone else is wrong. No wonder Joseph Smith, a 14-year-old boy, was so confused about which church was the correct one. I would be too at that time.
Well there is my rant for the week. But it was good to be able to defend Christ (to myself...I didn't share this with that man) and clarify what the scriptures actually say. He is my shepherd, I know his voice. When he comes again and calls, I hope to recognize his voice. I am serving my mission to help other people recognize His voice too. I have been warned, and am in the process of warning my neighbors.
I testify of Christ. He lives. He has a resurrected body. We are engraved in the palms of his hands. He numbers us and knows us one-by-one. He loves us. He succors us according to our needs. He is.
I love all of you and miss you.
Have a great week & draw closer to the Lord.
Elder Bunker
