What Is the Book of Mormon?

The Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ and confirms the truths found in the Holy Bible. The Book of Mormon does not replace the Bible; rather, they are companion works that together teach about God and Jesus Christ.

Both volumes of scripture are a compilation of teachings as recorded by ancient prophets. While the Bible details events in the eastern hemisphere, the Book of Mormon documents the lives of the inhabitants of the ancient Americas.

 

Our time spent as missionaries is very satisfying, in that we have the opportunity go into this part of His vineyard to share His gospel as He taught it during His ministry here in mortality.  We do not teach anything He did not teach, and what we proclaim was proclaimed by Him.  Our Heavenly Father loves us as much as He loved those who lived at the time the Bible was written about.  He will speak to us if we ask.  We are part of the fold the Good Shepherd spoke of whom He would teach (John 10:16).  His work will go forth and cover the world, whether we take part in its movement or not.  Elder and Sister Tiffany are thankful and truly humbled that we have been found worthy enough to be called to help spread the kingdom abroad.  We want to thank everyone - family, friends, neighbors, ward, stake, fellow missionaries (young and old-er) - who are supporting us and providing encouragement and inspiration in serving the Lord.

 

Elder Thatcher had a birthday last week and we were invited to celebrate it with him, the mission office staff, and others.  He and his wife come to us from Orderville, Utah, and are serving in the mission office.  The two of them do a marvelous job at keeping track of, and maintaining missionary automobiles, bicycles, apartments, and furnishings.

A part of the celebrating group, including Sister T, Sister Davis (who finished her mission that day), Sisters Leavitt and Wiebe, and Elder Nzojibwami.  Not pictured were Elders Clark, Wiebe, and Tiffany, the Thatchers (they were over in the corner), Sister Calvert, and President Leavitt.

Every year, during the first weekend of August, Halifax celebrates Natal Day.  That is the birthday of the province of Nova Scotia.  There are many events and performers on the boardwalk of Halifax during the entire three day weekend.  We met Elder and Sister Thatcher there, and enjoyed the festivities, food, and beautiful weather.  It gives us a chance to get out among the people, to talk with them, and hopefully to share a gospel message with them.

 

Last Saturday Carmelita (left), invited us, the Elders (Campbell here), and some of her Philippino (?) friends to enjoy some of her native treats.  They were different and very sweet.  We had a chance to have a gospel discussion with one or two of her friends, and to be a friend to her.  Her entire family is still in the Philippines, trying to get money and cleared paperwork to come here. 

Every Fast Sunday, the YSA Branch has a potluck dinner after church.  It's called "Break the Fast."  Sometimes the food is pretty good, and sometimes it's much better.

Just another view of "Break the Fast" mingling.

 

These are Hydrangeas (sp?), which are quite abundant in the Maritimes.  We can grow them in Utah, but not in the color blue because of the makeup of the soil.

 

On Monday of Natal Day weekend the MacDonald Bridge is closed to automobile traffic for a major part of the day, and they have a "bridgewalk."  This bridge is right downtown Halifax and spans the harbor for one mile to the Dartmouth side.  Everyone is invited to walk the bridge, just for fun.  It's not a race, just walk at whatever pace you choose and enjoy the exercise and views.

Many hundreds walk it every year.

 

Sister-in-law Ruby (middle), her sister Dot, and our nephew Jeff walk everywhere and always the Bridgewalk.  Elder T worked up a sweat trying to keep up with these ladies, and they're much older than he.

Another view of the crowd and the bridge on the Bridge Walk.

We took the opportunity to invite the sister missionaries over for dinner.  Sis. Broadhead (in back) was employed as a high school teacher in Alberta before coming on her mission, and her companion, Sis. Drew, was one of her students.  They are assigned to work in the YSA Branch, and we love them dearly.

Yesterday, on a drive to Eastern Passage (the other side of Dartmouth), we passed this very large vessel at dock, being unloaded and then loaded again with automobiles.  We didn't get a picture of the cars, but there are many hundreds of acres of them waiting for shipment.  This picture hardly even comes close to showing how really large this vessel is!

 

We start teaching again in another month when Dalhousie University is back in full swing.  For a short time, we will probably also be teaching at the church in Truro (about 40-50 miles north).  We're looking forward to getting back to the classroom and sharing the gospel in a learning environment such as that.  Our course will be "Doctrines of the Gospel," and will give us an opportunity to study the scriptures with the young people and to feel their love of the Savior and their desire to learn more of how they can become more like Him.  As we do that, we help fulfill the Savior's command that we teach all nations and bear His "Standard of Truth."

 

Joseph Smith, the latter-day prophet through whom the Lord ushered in the last dispensation of His gospel, said: "The standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished. 

And the great Jehovah shall say 'The work is done.'"