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September 25, 2017 - Indian Summer...was it predestined?

Hi, 

Recently, I learned that an Indian Summer is a period of unusually warm weather in the late autumn season. It's not late in fall yet, but this week has been one of the hottest weeks of the year here in Northern Ontario. The summer was cooler and rainy but yesterday, for instance, reached a humidex temperature of 100+ F (humidex means how hot it feels). The missionary work has been heating up as well. :)

On Wednesday we did what's called PEC splits (Priesthood Executive Council is when the priesthood leaders in the ward meet together). In the evening we went on splits with the bishopric and dropped by people who we'd like to see at church more often. It was my first time doing it since I arrived here in the beginning of June. It was very effective and fun. I would highly recommend to any ward or branch to try it out. We are going to do it monthly so I'm excited about that. It combined the efforts of the full-time missionaries with the ward leaders beautifully.

We also found 2 investigators this week. A lady requested a Book of Mormon and the other person we found tracting.  Both of these people have talked to missionaries many years ago. I find it interesting how most of the new people we meet who are receptive to some degree are those who have talked to missionaries or members at least once in the past. It reminds me of my favorite section in Preach My Gospel, 'No effort is wasted'. The lady who requested the Book of Mormon is in her 70's and said she has lost her faith over the years. As my companion and I talked with her we learned that she believes in preordination/predestination. 

Before my mission, I was confused about the difference between preordination and foreordination. Foreordination is important doctrine to our church, it is clearly taught in the Book of Mormon. Because of the Restoration of the Gospel we know that preordination is false doctrine. It came from John Calvin during the apostasy and is accepted by many Christians, largely Lutherans. Preordination teaches that God has determined all things in advance including the salvation of one man over another; similarly, it's the notion that God will only guide those who are destined for salvation. Foreordination, on the other hand, teaches that in the pre-earth life, God selected/called people to fulfill certain missions during their lives. This clear doctrine is unique to our church for many reasons. Understanding the differences between preordination and foreordination depends on our understanding of agency. I think mans' understanding of agency took a huge hit during the apostasy. 

I would say this lady's belief in preordination has contributed the most to her loss of faith. She said she is very confused and mad at God. When she looks around at all the terrible things in the world--past and present--she can't believe God would allow (predestine) all of these people to suffer these things. She is grateful for the blessings in her life but can't bear to look at the terrible circumstances and fates of others around the world. She also said,"It doesn't matter what I do because God knew I was going to do it anyways." If I believed in preordination/predestination and then I looked at the world, I too would think God was some selfish, unforgiving, power hungry blob floating in space somewhere. I would be very confused and my faith in God would not grow. Preordination completely changes everything because it essentially eliminates agency. From the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 2 for example, we learn that if you eliminate agency then you must also eliminate the opposites in all things, if you do that then you must also eliminate God, and then eliminate everything else while you're at it. This lady has the Book of Mormon in her hands containing the answers to her questions. If she reads and ponders it's words then the spirit will testify of the truth to her and her faith will begin to grow again. She'll get there.

I'm grateful for my knowledge of restored truth such as foreordination. I'm grateful that the Book of Mormon teaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way that leaves no cause for question or dispute. The Holy Ghost loves to testify of that book. I know it is the Word of God. 

I hope you will prepare yourself for General Conference this weekend. How much you get out of conference depends 100% on you. I plan to be all in for it.

Have a great week and enjoy conference weekend!

Elder Johnson 
- Sorry, pictures will have to come next week.

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