February 20, 2017 Email

Hey everyone!!!!!

Chai this week was just amazing!!!!  So we had a meeting a few weeks ago, or last week, I can't remember, lol, about being a "hunter"!  So instead of Koetting and I adventuring, we "hunt" so that means we search for people around the age of 15-25 years old.  Around that age group, they are searching for purpose in life.  We have had a little success at doing that, but it's a work in progress haha!!!!

We are still working with our normal investigators:  Kobby, Emefa, Henry and a few new ones such as Eben, Kevin, and yeah haha!!!  Eben is a man who works at a betting store and he is really interested in baptisms so we hope to teach him more.  Kevin is a French speaking man and he came from a French speaking country to learn English, I can't remember which one though.  He's very interested in the Plan of Salvation and Baptisms for the Dead.  (If any of you have questions for me about that, don't be afraid to ask** haha!!!!)  All of them are doing amazing and I can't wait to have them be baptized soon!  We are hoping to baptize Kobby and Emefa on the 5th of March!

I hit 15 months on Mission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  AMAAAAAAAAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZZZIIIIIINNNGG!  Chai, time in this area is going by fast!!!  #amazingcompanion  #amazingarea  #amazinglife !!!!!!

So yeah, things are super sweet here in Anyaa!!

I'll write more later and send pics cuz we are going to move to another cafe in a little bit.  I just came to this one to get music haha!!!  So yeah!!!!

I love you all and I hope that you are doing amazing!!!!

Love,
Elder Stockton Smith


LATER. . .

Forgot some details haha!!!!

So a few times this week we have had some super crazy experiences.  One of them being that we got a free tro tro ride because we were white and that we are missionaries.  We also have like 50 girls ask us to marry them because they think we will take them to the U.S.

But now, for one of the most amazing experiences of my missionary life, or even in my life!!!  The other missionaries in our apartment had a baptism this last Sunday.  It was a baptism for a young man named Antwi and a young girl named Blessing.  See Blessing is suffering from cancer and she's only 8 years old.  She doesn't talk much, but she just has an attitude to do good.  When she was baptized, it was just amazing to see her there.  I also had the privilege of confirming her a member of the Church and having the chance to give her the gift of the Holy Ghost^^.  I saw from that point that the gospel is for everyone.  She is an amazing example for those before, now and forever!!!!  I know she will grow strong, and I will see her again in the life to come, to know that she will be happy, and know that there is hope in even the most painful of times.  She's just AMAZING!!!!

So yeah, I'll try to send some pics also, but no promises!!!

**BAPTISMS FOR THE DEAD

Jesus Christ taught that baptism is essential to the salvation of all who have lived on earth (see John 3:5). Many people, however, have died without being baptized. Others were baptized without proper authority. Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism. By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors. Individuals can then choose to accept or reject what has been done in their behalf.

Jesus Christ said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Even Jesus Christ Himself was baptized (see Matthew 3:13-17).

Many people have lived on the earth who never heard of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who were not baptized. Others lived without fully understanding the importance of the ordinance of baptism. Still others were baptized, but without proper authority.

Because He is a loving God, the Lord does not damn those people who, through no fault of their own, never had the opportunity for baptism. He has therefore authorized baptisms to be performed by proxy for them. A living person, often a descendant who has become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is baptized in behalf of a deceased person. This work is done by Church members in temples throughout the world.

Some people have misunderstood that when baptisms for the dead are performed, deceased persons are baptized into the Church against their will. This is not the case. Each individual has agency, or the right to choose. The validity of a baptism for the dead depends on the deceased person accepting it and choosing to accept and follow the Savior while residing in the spirit world. The names of deceased persons are not added to the membership records of the Church.

The New Testament indicates that baptisms for the dead were done during the time of the Apostle Paul (see 1 Corinthians 15:29). This ordinance was restored with the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

^^GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit, without a body of flesh and bones. He is often referred to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, or the Comforter.



All honest seekers of the truth can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, leading them to Jesus Christ and His gospel. However, the fulness of the blessings given through the Holy Ghost are available only to those who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy.

After a person is baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders lay their hands on the person's head and, in a sacred priesthood ordinance, confirm him or her a member of the Church. As part of this ordinance, called confirmation, the person is given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is different from the influence of the Holy Ghost. Before baptism, a person can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost from time to time and through that influence can receive a testimony of the truth. After receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, a person has the right to the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead if he or she keeps the commandments.