Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon

This week was full of miracles and adventures, ranging from teaching wonderful people, to a wonderful fireside with a member of the Kyiv temple presidency, to translating a Relief Society activity at which we discussed metabolism, carbohydrates, proteins, and other such biological things, to giving out 21 copies of the Book of Mormon. On that note, our mission president informed us today that since our mission is placing about 1000 copies of the Book of Mormon each month [which is a lot for a mission with only about 30 companionships], the printers in Germany are going to dramatically increase their production of copies of the Russian Book of Mormon. That will hopefully correct the current shortage of copies of the Book of Mormon that we are experiencing and allow us to even more fully flood the land with the Book of Mormon. It's really exciting to be a part of this! I know that there is power in the Book of Mormon - a power that each of us needs in our lives. The Spirit of the Lord truly speaks to us through those mighty words, teaching us what we need to do in this life in order to gain peace and happiness both now and forever. The witness borne of Jesus Christ in that book is without price, and I know that through serious study we are able to more completely apply His atonement into our lives and receive all the blessings He wants to give us. Truly President Benson was inspired when he told us to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon, because only the priceless truths contained in and learned from that book have the power save the souls of men.

Yesterday we went out to the Bogota branch for church. It is no exaggeration when I say that there you find some of the best people in the entire world, along with some of the most beautiful scenery. It's always a joy to go out there and associate with the members there. The Dudleys, the senior missionary couple, also traveled with us, as well as our friend Marina who is not a member but has been acquainted with the church for a dozen years. With the additional five of us (plus a counselor in the mission presidency who was there to ordain a young man, Dima, to the office of an elder) the little branch building was quite full. The Spirit was so strong in that little gathering of saints, and it made me quite happy. A sister shared with us a story I'd never heard before about her invalid husband. Some years ago he had been in a very serious physical condition, and the doctors said it was hopeless to heal him, but they went to Kyiv for the operation anyway.After the operation, the doctor told this man's wife that although he had previously been an atheist, he could now no longer deny the existence of God - God had very clearly and visibly directed him to do things during the operation that he had never done before, and the man's life was spared. Truly God is a God of miracles and He watches out for all of His children. 

While contacting this week, we met an adorable little family. The father's name is Vinod and he is from India, studying here to be a doctor. His wife, Nina, is from Simferopol, and they have two young boys. A few days after meeting with them, we had the opportunity of having a lesson in the park with them and one of the brothers from the branch. It was a very sweet experience to testify of the Book of Mormon to them and how much the gospel blesses families as we sat there in the shade with their two boys playing nearby. Brother Sichkerenko bore powerful testimony of how he came to find out for himself that the Book of Mormon was true and how that realization completely changed his life. We asked Nina and Vinod what it would mean to them if they found out that the Book of Mormon is true, and Nina replied that it would change everything. How true that is - if the Book of Mormon truly is the word of God, then that means Joseph Smith was called of God to be a prophet. And if that is the case, then truly the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's church, restored in its fulness after a period of apostasy on the earth. If the Book of Mormon is true, then we have to change our lives completely, brining them in accordance with the teachings of the gospel and being baptized by that restored priesthood authority of God - the only power which has any effect in the eternities. And I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know without a doubt that it is the word of God and that Joseph Smith truly was called of God to be a prophet. This truly is the most important, life-changing message anyone could ever receive. 

On Wednesday I have the blessing of meeting a brand-new missionary straight from the MTC. I'm excited for this opportunity to train again - there is such a light, enthusiasm, and dedication in new missionaries, and it's nothing short of a joy to serve with them. My beloved Sister Burgoyne is going up to Dnepropetrovsk, to serve in the same area with the same companion as I had seven months ago, so that's really neat. Dnepropetrovsk is being split again for sisters! When I came into country, I was able to transition Dnepr from having one companionship of sisters to having two. And now it's exciting that a third companionship of sisters will be serving in that city. It's incredibly exciting to see the work of the Lord move forward in this region of the world and see the increase in missionaries and members. This truly is a favored land of the Lord, and I'm so grateful to be able to serve here as His missionary.

-Sharisa