This Message is a quote from FATBOY:
Interesting!
I have a couple of questions which are not meant to be at all derogatory.
<span style='color:blue'>That is no problem at all! I spent two years getting asked these questions.
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Why does your religion include the people that you mention from Sth America?
<span style='color:blue'>Not only were their people on the earth at the time of Christ in Jerusalem but as we all know, there were many people on all continents living at the time. The Incas, Mayans, Aztecs, and Native American Indians had ancestors. These ancestors came to South America through movements from the east by boat. The Book of Mormon contains a record of these Incan, Mayan etc. ancestors who at the time 600 B.C. through 400 A.D. also had prophets similar to the Old Testament Isaiah who prophesied of a Messiah. They even knew his name would be Jesus. They were taught that he would be born in the east in a city near Jerusalem to a mother named Mary! These people even had the writings of Isaiah because a group of them stemmed from Jerusalem in 600 B.C. and that particular group
carried with them from Jerusalem some historical writings of their people which contained some works of Isaiah! By boat this group and others made it to today's South America. In the New Testament Christ says he has other sheep of His fold whom he has to visit also. John 10: 14-16. We know these people of South America to be one group of many, to whom Christ was referring to. We unfortunately don't have record
of other groups of people from other parts of the world Christ may have visited, but we know through the records contained in the Book of Mormon that Christ after resurrection and his 40 days spent with the Apostles in Jerusalem visited the people of South America around 33 A.D. and taught them also and organized under them a Church and commanded some to
preach and baptize those willing. This event is the single most IMPORTANT event in ALL the Book of Mormon. This event is characterized today by South American Legend as
Quezalcoatl who is in fact Jesus Christ who visited the peoples of South America. We love reading the Book of Mormon because we can know through this book that the Bible is True. That Jesus Christ WAS resurrected and even visited a group of people all the way across the planet. Before Christ left the Peoples of South America he said he had more "sheep of His fold" to visit. However, we don't know who.
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What is the purpose of a mission exactly?
<span style='color:blue'>To go and serve the people of the world and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. As missionaries we are called Elders. So, my nametag that you could see in the picture before said ELDER KING on it (King is my lastname). As Elders we are ordained to teach the Gospel of Christ, Baptize and Confirm the Gift of the Holy Ghost on people, teach the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ, do service, and represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints answering any questions people might have. Just like the questions you have.
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Do you have any special skills that made you think you
were especially able to help the Dutch?
<span style='color:blue'>First, you should know that I didn't PICK to go to the Dutch. How it works. Is that any young man between 19 yrs. old and 26 yrs. old can send in an "application" of sorts to the Prophet and President of our Church. Right now it is Gordon B. Hinckley. In our "applications" we declare whether we would be willing AND successful in learning another language and also answer questions about our health and life history. Through review of our "applications" and personal prayer receiving inspiration we are called to serve in a certain area of the world. My area was the Netherlands Brussels, Belgium Mission. The Prophet receives direct revelation from Christ about where each of the 60,000+ missionaries need to serve. I KNOW that I WAS SUPPOSED to serve in the Netherlands Mission. I know it was the right place for me! So, basically, a young man in the church like me just decides to spend two years of his life in service of God. He doesn't even know WHERE! Just that he knows he will be gone for two years. Then after his application is reviewed he gets a letter in the mail informing him WHERE he will spend those two years! We have the option, of course, as to whether we accept the call or not. Some guys don't want to serve in Russia or Paraguay for example and don't accept the call. I did accept my call and went obediently. I am very glad I did. So, Fatboy, my one and only necessary skill was WILLINGNESS TO SERVE.
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What kind of help did the Dutch people you met need?
<span style='color:blue'>It differs. There are 7,000 Dutch members of the Church there right now. At one time there has been over 21,000 but almost all of those immigrated to the United States. So, out in the Mission we help the Members and sustain their testimonies. Also, we are called to Preach the Gospel. Thus, people who are wanting to learn about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are taught by us. Mostly they want to know why we believe in modern day Prophets and Apostles and what the "Restoration" was. So, we teach them. Such a case was a wonderful lady named Ella. Who's boyfriend belonged to our church and was an American. She heard alot about the church from him, but she wanted the chance to learn about it in HER OWN language. So, we taught her in Dutch all that we could. We ended up helping her understand her Boyfriend's testimoy so well that she joined the church, was baptized, and even has - a year and a half since her baptism - MARRIED her boyfriend in the Temple for time and eternity. Teaching her was a very fun time for me on the mission! One of the million reasons I was glad I went! </span>
What do you do for a living now?
<span style='color:blue'>Since I am only 22 yrs old now and had put off schooling until I was done with the mission at 21 yrs old. I am only in my second semester at college. I'm a 22 year old freshman. I am working towards my Associates and Bachelors in Film and Multimedia. Plus, getting my Bachelors in Ornamental Horticulture at another University through an Extension program.</span>
Can you recommend any good sites about your faith, I
know nothing about it and I find it fascinating to
read about different religions. I already found this
one
Mormon Org, are
there any others?
<span style='color:blue'>YES! You are welcome to try out
LDS.org. That is the official site of the Church and there are MANY resources there. It even has all the scriptures we use that you could browse if interested. Plus, if you have any other questions I am glad to answer them. Just PM me or do it through this thread. I am very locquacious so I have no fear in talking!
Plus, answering these questions invigorate me! I feel like I am out on the Mission again! </span>
Take Care!