But that would be a boring email so here are some of the highlights.
This experience is the first time that I have ever been I guess somewhat outraged, or really angry at someone and there comments. I mean I was really polite and smiling with them but afterward I was on a rant and I think threw my companion off because this is the first time he would have seen me legitimately mad. So we are at the store getting some groceries for the week when a lady passes us by saying hi elders, obviously a member. We talked for a few and as we were about to pay for our food she stepped in and said she got it. We tried to tell her no but she insisted, and so we thanked her a million times and just as we are about to leave she tells us she is a excommunicated member. Which is not a big deal for us we meet them every once in awhile but then it turned ugly real quick. She began by kindly explaining how the church brain washes the kids from a young age to believe in its principles, and how if members knew the true history of the church there would be no members. She went into how the ordinances of the temple have changed, how Joseph Smith was a free mason, the massacre (in Utah from members, though she didnt mention the fact they were immediately excommunicated), how we use demonic symbols on are garments, how the bible is the only book of God and nothing can be added to it bla bla bla. And how she felt sorry we didnt know the true history of the church. I merely stood there listening and being polite, but boy I just about had a moses breaking the ten commandment moment from listening to her. Partly because unbeknownst to her I have read all about the claims and her version of facts and the fact was she didnt know what the crap she was talking about. It was as if she literally went to wikipedia or I Hate Mormons.com and got all her facts. I am not a strong scriptural person, I know them but I am not the greatest at quoting them. But when it comes down to the history of the church I am pretty well verse in all sides of the spectrum both the good and bad and boy I wanted to unleash on her some bashing myself and inform her what fact really was. But I knew immediately that wasnt going to help. So we thanked her for paying for the groceries (My comp wanted to ask the cash attendant if we could pay instead), and left her to her own little world. When we were in the car I went on a rant going through every subject and explaining to him how every comment she made was some of the stupidest comments I have ever heard.
Now I have heard similiar things from people, and I have never really been angry. Sometimes I get a laugh about it because in my mind they havent heard the true story, or were just told differently about are beliefs. And also I dont think badly for people with different beliefs. Everyone needs to choose there own belief and their experiences in their life lead them to choose what to believe. Thats why I dont bash on other religions because its their belief and the choice they have made for their family and that is great. But this lady was a endowed member of the church. I suppose in the scriptures we have numerous examples of people like this and numerous examples in the church own history. But I have never before felt anger before at someone for what they have said about the church. And just her opinion on things conteracted everything she said like how all churches are wrong and we can prove that through the bible, and how it is by facts NOT FEELINGS when basically the HOLY GHOST OR SPIRIT WORKS THROUGH FEELINGS TO TEACH TRUTH. By her own definition the bible, Jesus, and God cant exist because they are not based on facts. Gahhhhhhhhh. Sorry I got over it but just talking about her contradicting statements and stuff, because she believes in God and Jesus, but then said that sort of stuff and its like do you know what you are talking about. My final word on the matter and thought/impression was that she must of got butt hurt about something and then diliberately looked for things to break her testimony/faith and her attempts to cause me to doubt has honestly made it a stronger testimony that the church is true and people that look at the truth, not the made up stuff or twisted lies will find it is true.
But enough of that I am over it. Now here is a really happy and great story about less stupid people, and generally the good people.
So we were walking down the street to see if Paul (investigator) was available and unfortunately he wasn't. So we walked back to our car when a black man who had been kind of just staring at us the whole time (seems weird but is pretty normal in the ghetto) asked us how we were doing and if we were hungry. We were a little thrown back by this but with him encouraging us to eat some of the left overs we complied. Plus they were ribs with cole slaw so how could I say no to that. His name is Perry he has one son and grew up in Colorado so he was familiar with missionaries but had never really talked to them before. We talked for a long time about his family and about the basic beliefs of the church.
Overall a fantastic encounter, we plan to stop by sometime again and he is pretty open to hear more about the church.
How amazing is it that we can find generally good people who show attributes of Christ though they are different. It is also great to remember that even with all the stuff that happens in this world all the bad, and all the trash we hear about that in there are still good people in the world or all different walks of life.
Ok so this email is vastly a rant about a annoying lady sorry about that. But the rest of the week was very good, we are still finding new people and we have been able to get in contact with more of our progressing investigators and less actives.
But I have to get going now. I hope you all were able to check out the video "Lift" its on LDS.org and youtube so its easy to find.
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