Faith: A Crash Course For Agnostics

Heavy stuff first:


We started teaching a Facebook referral who's a 25 year old Spaniard. That *never* happens. Turns out she wasn't really raised with any religious background but a Catholic grandma. She's agnostic but still wanted to meet with us for some reason, so we had the unique situation of explaining to someone why we believe in God. Usually people either take God as a given or they're so atheist that they only believe in yelling at Christians, so someone who doesn't "already know everything" and wants to hear our side is a novelty. Here's how I explained faith to her:


Most of us haven't looked God in the face here on earth, but none of us have seen air either. Instead, we know there's air because we feel the wind in our fave or see the effect that it has on the world around us. We have incomplete information about the air, since it would be nice to be able to use our most powerful sense to learn more about it. That being said, we know enough to make decisions and move forward in life, counting on what we know. In the same way, we don't enjoy God's direct presence, but we see and feel the influence of God in numerous ways. There's of course the numerous tender mercies and answers to prayer that even the non-members, "spiritualists", and "non-practicing" people we talk to are able to experience. There's the powerful witness of Him in the in the records of the scriptures, the faithful traditions of our families, and a personal relationship with Him through prayer, something any Christian relies on to follow Him. And, for me, above everything, we have the glorious manifestation of the Restoration of the Gospel. The testimony of the prophets and apostles of today, the straight-up miracle that the Book of Mormon even exists, the sweeping latter-day work through His restored Church, and the undeniable spiritual witness through the Holy Ghost that that Church is true. So no, I've never seen the face of God. But I'd be a fool not to feel the wind of His power, and His love for me. And even though I'm working with incomplete information, I know enough about who he is and what He expects of me to keep living a life centered on him. I don't know everything though, and that's what makes it faith.


This week was cool, we had exchanges with the APs and one of our DLs. I went with Elder Gentry to the AP's area in Cuatro Caminos, and Elder Folkman and I spent a day in Alcorcón.


It was a productive but pretty normal week, tons of canceled lessons and opportunities to teach our friends.


We went to our friend Pedro's really classic Spaniard apartment, and taught him the first half of the Plan of Salvation. He's described himself as 'ecumenical' which basically means that he believes all churches are basically the same since there's only one God. He also seems to have a big Catholic background. We told him about the pre-existence, which is pure heresy for most religions but never seems to be a problem for people lol. He did seem really thoughtful about it as a unique doctrine. We also talked about how the Fall was a step down but forward, another unique idea. It was a great opportunity to testify of the need for a Savior and the role of the Book of Mormon in establishing the doctrine of Christ. They also talked about the Savior's visit to the spirit world at church, so it's going to be hard to call us "one of the many true churches" much longer.


Speaking of church, our friend Paula, dedicated seminary student, is getting baptized on Saturday! She brought her mom to church yesterday, and she wants to get baptized too! So we the rest of the family shows potential too, so we've got a project for this month. 


Christmas has arrived in Alcorcón! We watched a big lighting ceremony the other day and it was cool.


I'm so pumped to be a missionary at Christmas time again, for so many reasons. Joy to the World, the Lord is come!


Feliz Navidad! (You'd be surprised how many people I find that think its wrong to celebrate it these days)


Elder Curtis 


Pics
Those of you who's Google Photos is broken, don't feel alone, mine's bugged too. 

District in Sol
Sol's big Chistams tree
Alcorckings with the city tree
Venezuelan food 
Elder Gentry exchange pic
Awesome Santa ad
Facebook bait
Christmas devotional pic
Kebab with Elders Gentry and Bustamante. They're very serious.









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