Elder Perkins/Beck - Park Slope - Nov 1, 1995 - "SPIRIT WORLD - Henry had ordered a BofM a few weeks ago. When we received the referral, an appointment was set for Sunday. We then met a little 78 year old man, an apartment reeking of stale tobacco, and I thought "Another person who only wants a free book to read!" His wife had died 2 weeks ago and he was most upset. As he spoke of his wife of 48 years, he began to cry. The hour was late, he was tired, and although setting up an appointment in a few days, we were a little skeptical that he was really interested and only wanted to talk. The spirit confirmed to us to persevere and not give up. We showed him the 2nd Discussion video, and as I turned to him to ask some find out questions, he asked me "What do I have to do to be baptized?" I felt the spirit work in a profound, powerful and unusual way. I shared the Word of Wisdom, reviewed the BofM and re-emphasized the Joseph Smith story. He accepted it all. We set an appointment for the next day. We returned to a smoke free house, an opened BofM, and a person aflame with the spirit. He accepted everything in record speed. During the discussions, I could feel the presence of what could only be described as angelic ministers watching over each one of us, helping us to teach.

I repented of my earlier judgments, and asked the Lord to reveal to me what was happening. In response, it was opened to my mind that Henry's wife had accepted the gospel in the Spirit World, and that she had a very real role in his conversion. I don't understand how angels can help us teach, but I firmly believe that she was involved in a very real way during our discussions. His baptism was set for Sunday. This goal was a dual act of faith. One, that he would keep his WofW commitments. Second, that for the first time in all history, Park Slope would consent to the baptism of someone who hadn't attended church twice. God took care of #1 with no problems, Henry's mind was so made up. #2 took a little more care. I called the Branch President and asked him to interview Henry. He did so and returned giving his blessing on the baptism. He then called the other members of the Presidency, and pled the case. Not only did they support the baptism, they picked him up and drove him there and back! After the baptism was over, I was changing clothes, and just for a brief moment, I felt the veil grow thin, and a single thought was impressed on my mind. It was the personal gratitude of his wife, thanking me for the role I had played in teaching and baptizing her husband.

Henry moved from the branch two days after his baptism. I obtained his new address and telephone number as well as that of his new Bishop. I have since spoken with them both, and Henry has remained true to his covenants. He reads the BofM daily, and is to receive the priesthood from his new bishop in Columbia, South Carolina. The transition has been smooth. What a spiritual experience."

Sister Linford/Leffler - Flushing 11 - Oct 30, 1995 - "ICE CREAM - This week on our way to an appointment, we both had an uncontrollable urge for an Ice Cream, it just wouldn't go away. We walked past this grocery store, stepped inside and bought some fudge pops. The cashier said "Are you the ones with the BofM? Can you have someone bring it to me?" She lives in an area that we normally don't "fearless" in, because it is 99% Jewish. She was so prepared by the Lord. I now know that the Lord not only leads us in our minds and in our hearts, but in our stomachs as well."

Sister Black/Barker - Jamaica 1 - Sep 24, 1995 - "JAIL PREPARED HIM FOR BAPTISM - Diane Ransom and her children were baptized two months ago. Her fiancé, Alvin, the father of her children was baptized yesterday. He had sat in on most of the discussions and wanted to be baptized too. We gave him the stop smoking workshop and set up a later appointment, which he missed because he was put in jail for driving without a license. They didn't have the money to pay the bail, so he stayed in jail the whole month. Whilst there he read the entire BofM and gained a strong testimony of it's truthfulness. He also stopped smoking. Two days out of jail, he came to church. We were ready to baptize him, but we found that he had a cigarette the day before, and held off the one week before baptizing him yesterday. They were both so excited. Although living apart, they are going to be married this week and are talking of becoming an eternal family in one year when they can attend the Temple."

Elder Devereaux/Meikle - Brentwood Sp - Sep 4, 1995 - "PRAY TO FIND A FUTURE BRANCH PRESIDENT - As I prayed for us to find a new Branch President, we took off for Main Street, Patchogue. I was so excited when I saw a spanish man and woman walking with 4 sons. Sunday night we taught them a powerful 1st. I felt impressed to tell him that the Lord sent us to him to bring the blessings of the gospel to he and his family and of our prayer earlier. I could barely hold back the tears. I know that as he keeps his commitments, he will guide and pioneer the missionary work for the spanish people here on Long Island. I love being guided by the Lord as a missionary."

Elder Shaw/Head - Richmond Hill 1 - Sep 4, 1995 - "SPLITS FIND TRULY PREPARED - Last Thursday Elder Liston (AP) went on a split with Elder Head (ZL), while I stayed home with the damaged knee. They found Katherine (a media referral). They taught her a 1st and committed her for baptism. The next two days Elder Head and I went back and taught her the remaining discussions and she was baptized on Sunday. While Elder Head and I were teaching her, tears were streaming down her face. She was so happy. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it. We felt the spirit silence our concerns to have her wait another week before baptism. The service was beautiful. She threw her Rosary Beads in the garbage as we walked out the door. A true convert."

Elder Almoney/Taft - Brooklyn Chinese - Aug 21, 1995 - "FUTURE HONG KONG MISSION PRESIDENT - We were teaching Ho Hingdaih and he asked me, how he could learn more? I asked him "How do you think you can learn more?" He said "Reading Mo Muhn Ging (BofM) and praying for help and understanding. He is golden. I feel that he is the one that will become the Hong Kong Mission President. He has such a strong spirit and most questions that investigators struggle with, come second nature to him."

Sister Iverson/Yeh - Rego Park 1 - Aug 14, 1995 - "FATHER HAS PREPARED FAMILY FROM SPIRIT WORLD - We commenced teaching Ephraim one month ago. He is on fire. The joy and hope that came into his face when he realized that he could become clean and forgiven was sweet to see. He was then gone for almost 4 weeks. Last Tuesday, we met with him again since his return. He wasn't home from work yet, so we talked with Diana, his girlfriend, and told her that we would return in 30 minutes. We wanted to show them and Diana's Mom (Anna) "Together Forever". Anna's interest was strong, especially since her husband passed away 1.5 months ago. We have been worried about how to approach the family. Ephraim is very ready, although not married, but Diana and Anna are very devote Catholics. After TF, both Diana and Anna were in tears. I was very concerned about how to share the BofM, the restored gospel, Joseph Smith with them when they were upset. But in true NYNYS tradition, "no fear", "follow the spirit". We shared the Plan of Salvation, even baptism for the dead, faith, repentance, baptism and gift of the HG. We then went back to the BofM. No concerns that I was expecting. Anna felt peace and happiness, knowing that her husband is in the spirit world and that she wants to be with him together forever.

It was only then that we found out that he was formerly a Taxi driver and had been given a copy of the BofM and had read frequently from it. He told her that "this book is divine." This does not come from the mouths of devout Catholics, only sincere people who have been prepared by not only the spirit, but could it also be prayers from the husband in the spirit world as well? I have never felt the spirit so strongly, and never been guided by the spirit so strongly. I burned for hours afterwards. They have been reading the BofM ever since. They will be baptized."

Hna Kidd/Callister - Dyker Heights 111 Sp - Aug 8, 1995 - "STRONG CONVERTED FAMILY - Eddie and Gloria were baptized. What a couple. It was fun going with them to get their marriage license and then get them married. After 17 years living together, it's about time. Teaching Eddie was like having a child in a candy store, he had big huge eyes and gobbled up everything we taught. He didn't believe in religion before and thought that only hypocrites went to church. To get baptized, he stopped drinking (was an alcoholic), Gloria stopped smoking and many of their friends rejected them. But they're happy, strong and anxious to go to the temple. The branch loves them and they feel at home there. Eddie told us he wants to start organizing parties and wants to teach our investigator class. He leaned over to me during sacrament meeting last Sunday and said "When you come back with your parents, that'll be me up there teaching and preaching." I don't doubt it, President. He is truly converted. He's even thinking of selling his car and buying a van, so he can bring more people to church. I love this special couple with all my heart."

Elder Romney/Green - Dyker Heights 111 Sp - Aug 7, 1995 - "FUTURE PRIESTHOOD LEADERS - Sunday was a very spiritual day. First in Testimony Meeting, one of our investigators asked me if he could bear his testimony. I have never had an investigator bear his testimony. He went up and thanked the Lord for sending the missionaries to him and then at the baptismal service another investigator got up and bore his testimony. The Lord is watching over this branch and leading us to good future priesthood leaders. The members are great, they make all our investigators feel very welcome, and always ask them when they are going to be baptized."

Sis. Barker/Alsop - Jamaica 1 - June 20, 1995 - "CONVERSION BY BofM - We started teaching Lisa Revell, who has 2 children, ages 10 and 6. She is a media referral and requested a BofM. When we went to teach her a 1st Discussion, we found that she read the Bible for 3 hours every day. 2 days later I called her to answer her questions from the BofM. She had read 1 Nephi 1-10, Alma 1-17, 3 Nephi 11 and Moroni 10. We were amazed! She then said that she had not picked up the Bible since we saw her. She's been reading only out of the BofM. She loves it. She can't put it down. She wanted her children to read, so we took them over a BofM Reader. I showed then how to use it and shared a story from it. Lisa was thrilled at their interest and said she would read it to them every day. She also said how excited she was to be able to read 3 Ne 11:26, to read the entire story of Jesus in America. Talk about pondering and searching the scriptures. She is so happy."

Hna Barlow/Lopez - Jamaica 11 (Sp) - Apr 17, 1995 - "A FAMILY! A real live functioning family was baptized on Sunday. About a month ago, we fearlessed Marcos Acosta in Jamaica. He was very interested so we called that night to make an appointment. His wife was anything but interested. She was actually rather rude, telling us not to bother them. But a few days later, we called back. She told us Marcos had moved out because they were having problems. Well, last week she called us! She said she needed a change in her life. On Monday we went over, taught her a first and committed her to be baptized on Sunday. Tuesday when we went back, Marcos called and she told him that we were there. "I'll be right there!" he said. They talked and we talked and they both decided to be baptized on Sunday. Never have I taught people that the Lord has prepared! They put all the pamphlets in clear plastic covers, they laminated the steps of prayer, it was amazing! I wish I could describe in words the change that household went through in just 7 days. They both bore their testimonies at the baptism. It seemed like a dream. The Lord is SO much in charge of this work, it is more clear now than ever before."

Elder Nielsen/Perez - Long Island City 11 (Sp) - Apr 17, 1995 - "BAPTISMAL SERVICES CONVERT FATHER - I had one of the most incredible experiences yesterday. We met a family of 3 on the street 3 months ago. We taught the 1st and found that the wife, Patricia, was an inactive member from Ecuador, 15 years ago. We continued to teach her husband Javier, their son Jair and also help Patricia to become reactivated. She quickly caught the fire again and has become very active. However Javier rejected the message and became very bitter when we came by to teach Jair. He became angry and threatened to divorce his wife if she insisted in going to church. Nevertheless she remained firm. She even made him go to church with them every week and read with her from the BofM. Finally a Sunday School lesson about Temple Work touched him. He told us we could come over after church "just to answer his questions." We had a great conversation and after the discussion, he gave permission for Jair to be baptized, and agreed to come and watch. Jair had an awesome baptism. The spirit was strong and the members were great. After the baptism we all went to Sacrament meeting. During the meeting Javier whispered to me "We're going to have a baptism next week, Mine!" What a blessing. The spirit touched him, not us. We tried everything and couldn't convince him. The spirit did it all in a heartbeat. He now has the Aaronic Priesthood."

Elder Tyler Johnson/Maynes - Midwood 1 (Creole) - Apr 16, 1995 - "AFTER 10 YEARS INVESTIGATOR STILL KNEW "I AM A CHILD OF GOD" - We have been so blessed with such "prepared" investigators and wonderful new members. We are teaching a lovely lady named Jaclyn, who had the discussions in Miami about 10 years ago. She had no contact with the Church since then until we found her. At the end of the 2nd Discussion, she turned to her daughter and said "Do you remember the song I taught you?" Then they both sang "I Am a Child of God" in English and Creole. I felt the spirit so strong as they sang. I could not believe that after 10 years, she still remembered the song word for word. What a blessing to have been led to her."

Elder Zonev/Randall - Midwood 1 - Apr 16, 1995 - "RUSSIAN INVESTIGATORS SKEPTICAL OF WESTERN RELIGION - The work in our area has drastically slowed down lately. The Russian people have logic that is different and most of them are not ready for such a strong attack that we give them on our first visits. They are longer term prospects. We have so few "common beliefs". Most people want to have an overall understanding of our religion before we go in depth explaining our principles. Most of the Russians that emigrate have good educational backgrounds and unfortunately think that they are all knowing, or skeptical about western ideas. They will not settle for what we tell them at first. Instead they do numerous comparisons and assimilations which sometimes is a long process. They will not allow themselves to follow their hearts. Pray for us."

Elder Robb Anderson/Malan - Flushing 1 Sp - Mar 20, 1995 - "MUSLIM - BAPTISMAL SERVICE CONVERTED HIM TO CHRIST - I had one of the neatest baptisms yesterday. Remember the young man you drove to Little Neck with us. He was baptized yesterday. We were going to baptize him last Sunday, he was so golden, but as we began to teach him, we found that he was Muslim and didn't believe in Christ as his Savior. It was so special to teach of Christ. As a Spanish missionary, we don't have to testify of this very strongly, as the people already have that testimony. President it was so overwhelming to see him accept Christ in the waters of baptism and receive a remission of his sins, by Him who died for all. I've never baptized anyone like him before and all in one week. He came to church with his aunt on the 12th. We met him at church and he attended a baptismal service also on the 12th. When he saw the people baptized, the spirit confirmed to him that Jesus Christ was sent to earth, to die for him, and wash his sins away also. He was converted. I'm so grateful forth Father and Jesus Christ. I couldn't do this work without them, and so often find myself unworthy of their blessings."

Elder Hoelzer/Mitchell - Terryville Ward - Jan 2, 1995 - "PRAYED ABOUT TRUTH OF BofM BEFORE WE CALLED - We tracted out a man, Steve Dabo. He had seen an ad for the BofM and had wondered about it. He even prayed to find out if it was important, even before we met him or before he had a copy of the book. I know the Lord prepared Steve and led us to him."

Sister Otterstrom/Jensen - Uniondale 1 Ward - Dec 14, 1994 - "BofM CONVERTED SECURITY GUARD - Saturday night we went to visit a less active man in hospital. We normally would have visited him earlier, but things didn't work out that way. When we arrived, visiting hours had ended, but the Security Guard said to go ahead, but be brief. The guard seemed interested in who we were. We visited the member, but as we walked out of the room, the guard was standing there. He said he had been given a BofM, and "wasn't that our church?" He proceeded to tell us how much he liked the book, and that he felt compelled to read it. He called it his "favorite Bible". He said he wasn't content with his present religion, that something was missing. We arranged to come back Sunday. When we did he had read more and was talking about King Benjamin, Mormon and Moroni. He wanted more literature and wants the discussions. The Lord does place prepared people across our paths, as we serve him, even when doing retention or service work."

Elder Brett Davis/Malan - Nov 24, 1994 - "MARRIAGE, THEN BAPTISM, THEN TEMPLE - We took Samuel and Doris down to the County Clerk's office. We helped translate for them and they got their Marriage License. They planned to get married the following day, whereas a week earlier they were not planning on marriage at all. The next day, they had bought new suits and dresses and we went back to the Clerk's office. They forgot rings, so we handed them 2 key rings to use. They were married and then 2 hours later baptized into the church. They were so happy, and focusing on the Temple in 12 months time. I love this work."

Elder Michael Jensen/Price - Nov 14, 1995 - "STARING AT FLIP CHART CONVERTS - We found an awesome Haitian family, who came to church, the day after the 1st Discussion, and loved it. During the 1st, we asked Franz what he thought about Joseph Smith's experience. He said as he was staring at the visual aid of the First Vision for a long time "I know it's true! You won't believe this, but that spirit of truth you were talking about, just told me this is true!" He continued to stare at the picture, basking in the spirit. I know that the Lord has prepared these new people we have found this week and the Holy Ghost is the greatest teacher."

Elder Savage/Oslund - Staten Island 11 Sp - Nov 13, 1994 - "SPIRIT TRULY CONVERTS GANG YOUTH - Last week we baptized 2 young boys, aged 9 and 11. Their progression is incredible. Their mother is a severe alcoholic, their older brother has just been convicted of murder, and their father died a couple of months ago. They are poor and their mother abuses them. They were our first charla and our first baptism in this area. They stopped us on the street and asked us what we do. We then started out to teach the mother with them present, but she then "juked" us. So we continued to teach the children. Last Sunday, they really wanted to be baptized, but we wouldn't do it, unless the mother could go, which she did and also our great Group Leader, President Mendez. When Mike saw the picture of Christ's baptism at church, he told us he could not stop looking at it. He loved it. Mike is one of the most intelligent kids I have ever taught. He has memorized a few BofM scriptures and the LDS prophets. He plans on serving a mission, more than anything in the world. The day after his baptism he sent a Thankyou card to Pres. Mendez. After his baptism, all he could say was "now I can go on splits with you!" His favorite prophet of Nephi, because he reminds him of himself. I asked him if he wanted to be a "Latin King", the gang that killed his brother. He said "The Latin Kings won't get me to Heaven, but being a missionary will." He will receive the Priesthood this Sunday. He is so excited."

Elder Hall/Browning - Plainview 11 - Oct 31, 1994 - "CONVERT OVERCOMES CONSCIENCE AND FORMER CHURCH RIDICULE - We tracted out a lady who was quite rude when she told us she wasn't interested. That night she couldn't sleep, nor the next. She said she felt like she had turned away Christ. She went to the Library and looked up LDS, realized we were Mormons, and started doing research and looked us up in the phone book. She called South Shore Ward, Uniondale Ward and finally Plainview 11 Ward Bishop's wife who referred her to us. We taught her a 1st. She already knew about the Blacks and the Priesthood, Polygamy, Joe Smith running for President, etc. Didn't phase her a bit. We followed up 2 days later (the first day for my "rookie"), and said she was fascinated with the church, but would never leave hers. She was the Clerk for her church. Her entire family was also fully involved in that church. We confirmed that the spirit had led her to us and that she could not deny it. She committed for baptism. Her family flipped out, her church leaders railed her publicly, her friends mocked her. Yesterday, she was baptized. Her whole class was there to support her, along with many members of the Ward. She was so high on the spirit. What a prepared person."

Elder Swalberg/A. Christensen - DL - Richmond Hill 11 Sp - Oct 2, 1994 - "LONGER PREPARATION TIME FOR SOME PRIESTHOOD CONVERTS - It was a special day for me to see Jose and Maria enter the waters of baptism. At first they were not interested, we barely made it through the 1st discussion, but felt the spirit during the 2nd. It was a constant battle but after 3 months they were eventually baptized. No matter how many times I wanted to give up on them and drop them, I just couldn't, in view of you telling us that many times the future, strong leaders, are firstly "less humble" and may take a little longer to convert."

Elder Bair/Cowley - DL - Dyker Heights 1 Sp - Oct 3, 1994 - "PURPOSE OF TEACHING IS TO BAPTIZE - A member told my companion and I on Sep 25, that she wanted us to teach her friend. My companion had to interview an investigator for baptism so I went on a split with Elder Corey Davis. We sat down with the friend and Elder Davis boldly told her that we were there to baptize her and told her how she would recognize the spirit, if what we said was true. On the Joseph Smith principle, she was crying and told us she knew what we were saying was true. What boldness."

Elder Supinger/Liston - DL - Bushwick 11 Sp - Sep 26, 1994 - "BofM CONVERTS AND OBTAINS PARENTAL PERMISSION - We contacted this young lady that had spoken to many missionaries before, wanted to be baptized but her mother would not give permission. It seemed a lost cause as many missionaries had not been able to alter the mother's opinion. I felt prompted to go over one more time. As Elder Liston was speaking to the daughter, I swallowed my fear and went into the kitchen to speak with the mother. I used everything I knew about the Dominican Republic to BRT her. I got her to laugh because of the slang I knew. I got out the Book of Mormon, read 3 Nephi 11, she got her Bible and we started comparing scriptures from the Index. Then all of a sudden, the spirit bore strong witness and she said, looking at me "This book really is true!". I asked her to be baptized right then. She said not yet, she wanted to learn more, but said that her daughter could, which she was the next Sunday. This taught me the power of the Book of Mormon."

Elder Tervort/Williams - Dyker Heights 11 - Sep 3, 1994 - "PRESBYTERIAN EXECUTIVE BAPTIZED - Arron was an executive in the Presbyterian church and has talked to missionaries for some time. At his baptism "I am so happy, I know that I have done what I need to do. I know that the only way I can gain salvation is through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

Elder Giesting/Peterson - Rego Park 1 - Aug 28, 1994 - "INVESTIGATOR FAMILY COUNTING PENNIES TO AFFORD SUBWAY TOKENS TO ATTEND CHURCH - Last week I went on a split and went into their investigator's house. They said they wanted to come to church but didn't have any money. They were a young couple who live in the projects. So they looked around for a while and came up with a bucket full of pennies. President, sitting there counting and rolling pennies for them to be able to go to church and worship the Lord really filled my heart and made me realize the love this couple had for the Lord. It was truly a humbling experience."

Elder Avena/Nicklaus - LIC Sp - Aug 14, 1994 - "HOLD WIFE, SO SPOUSES CAN BE BAPTIZED TO-GETHER - The Lord has rewarded us with baptisms this coming Sunday. Ricardo was supposed to be baptized yesterday but as we started teaching his wife about 1.5 weeks ago, they now want to be baptized together. So we changed the date and rescheduled them both for next week.

Elder Degraffenried - Midwood 11 Sp Aug 29, 1994 - "CHILD’S HUMBLE PRAYER CONVERTS FAMILY - We were teaching a family the second discussion. We committed them for baptism Sept 4, but 2 of the children didn't want to wait that long, they wanted to get baptized this Sunday. They were so excited. At the end of the discussion, Jennifer, a 10 year old, said she would say the prayer. She gave such a wonderful prayer, the spirit in the room was so strong. When she finished, everyone was just sitting there including the parents unable to say a word. It converted even further the rest of the family. It was even much better than I can explain on paper."

Elder Price/Olsen - Jamaica 1 - Aug 13, 1994 - "BofM CONVERTS AND RESOLVES CONCERNS BEFORE ALLOWING MISSIONARIES TO BEGIN TEACHING - We first met Ken at a Branch FHE. He was interested, but there was no way that he would allow us to visit him or see him. He didn't want anything to do with us. So we gave him a B of M anyway. Well 2 weeks later, Ken showed up at another FHE and had read through Alma 53. He really liked it, but felt it was too good to be true. He still didn't want us to come over. That following Sunday, he showed up at church. He had read up to 3 Nephi 11. He said that at many times he could only read 2 or 3 pages at a time and he'd have to close the book because it was too overwhelming. That night he called us up to ask if the church had a school of Theology. He had been planning to go to St. John's University that next day to enroll in their Seminary program. He decided not to do that because of the B of M. He had completely converted before we even taught him the 1st discussion. Well we taught him the 1st and it was wonderful. We returned 2 days later and he said "Elders, I have finished the B of M and have been praying about it, and I don't know if it's possible but I would like to be baptized." Well we taught him all the discussions during the balance of the week. All of his concerns he had resolved by himself by reading the B of M. Well we baptized him Sunday. He broke down like a little boy and cried in the change room, as well as during his confirmation. It was so wonderful. My companion and I were emotional wrecks. This confirms the converting power of the B of M by itself, without us."

Elder Ward/Ben Davis - Flushing 1 Sp - Aug 15, 1994 - "DREAM ABOUT CHRIST IS CONFIRMED DURING DISCUSSIONS - This week we taught a 1st to Perla. She's had a lot of problems with her husband, friends and finding work. She's at a real struggling point. She's visited other churches and never felt right. She had a dream about seeing Jesus and when we showed her the painting in the B of M, she said "That's what the people in her dream looked like." She'll be at church on Sunday."

Elder Proffer/Bret Davis - Rego Park 111 Sp - Aug 29, 1994 - "SPIRIT CONVERTS TO BRING FORWARD BAPTISMAL DATE - We gave a 2nd to Blanca Calles. We were expecting to "drop her" because of her slow progress. To our amazement, she totally felt the spirit and we committed her to baptism on September 11. We took her to Church and to a Baptismal service. She was totally "rocked" by the spirit and changed her commitment date to September 4. The spirit really does perform miracles!"

Sister Bell/Bollman - Aug 14, 1994 - "STUDY OF JWs PREPARES FAMILY TO RECEIVE RESTORED MESSAGE - A family! Leonard, Nancy and their 3 children Alexis (11), Stephanie (6) and Nancy (4). We met them through Tracting on Monday. They were both Catholic then Nancy started studying the JWs. That helped them all realize that Catholicism wasn't right either. We taught them a first discussion Wednesday, Nancy and her children came to the Branch picnic on Saturday and the whole family came for church on Sunday. They like it a lot, especially the focus on families. They have read a little of the B of M whilst Alexis has read a lot and believes it's true. It's wonderful to teach a whole family to-gether as the message of the Church is for families. Also to see the converting power of children without all the worldly inhibitions. Truly the Lord told us to "become as little children."

Elder Ben Brown/Keller - Dyker Heights 1 Sp - Aug 14, 1994 - "FAITH PRODUCES CONVERTS - This week 6 investigators committed to baptism. Although at times our efforts appear to be in vain, the Lord really blessed us this weekend. 2 investigators whose families are all members finally agreed to be baptized after being taught by many FTMs. I know that working hard and praying for help brings blessings from the Lord."

Elder Campbell/Frahm - Bushwick 1 - Aug 15, 1994 - "VIDEO CONVERTS FOR BAPTISM - We showed the video "On the Way Home" to an investigator last week. She had been praying about baptism but always said that she was still waiting on an answer. My companion brought up the idea of showing her the video. The spirit testified. I asked her why she had now agreed to baptism and she said that the video was her answer. I then invited her to be baptized on a specific date and she accepted. She has been to church and is actively attending activities, eg FHE. I love that video."

Elder Miles/Leonard - Coney Island 1 - Aug 15, 1994 - "DISCUSSIONS BRING HUMILITY - We taught Gary and Lou who are both 15 the 1st Discussion after having known them for some time. They think they are little tough guys. By the 3rd principle the spirit was so strong we committed them on the 4th principle. Gary was in tears. So much for being tough guys. The church is true."

Elder Supinger/Norman - Bushwick 11 Sp - Aug 22, 1994 - "TESTIMONY REMAINS AFTER STAY IN ANOTHER COUNTRY - We taught a great 1st Charla about a month ago, to this wonderful lady. We followed up but she was never home, for a whole month. Yesterday we were in Church and guess who walks in? Now she wants to be baptized! She's been in her country during that month. The Lord moves in mysterious ways!"

Elder Ferguson/Price - Brooklyn Deaf - Aug 14, 1994 - "FOLLOW THE SPIRIT WHEN SETTING BAPTISMAL DATE - During a 2nd Discussion, we had just finished the principle on baptism and were going to extend the invitation to be baptized when something told me to wait. As we continued through the next 2 principles the spirit grew stronger. When we were almost finished with the last principle and ready to extend the invitation, she said "I feel like I need to be baptized." I told her she did. Then she said she wished she could do it soon. As I told her that we had a service in September her eyes lit up and she committed herself. The Lord does it all if we are willing. I love it."

Elder Curtis/Hansen - Richmond Hill 11 Sp - Aug 14, 1994 - "THE SPIRIT PREPARES CONVERTS FOR BAPTISM - About a month ago we fearlessed and taught Antonio's father. We came back and taught his brother as well but dropped them as we thought they were not taking matters seriously. Later we decided to tract the same street and we wanted to see how the father was. We found Antonio, who at that time was smoking a pack a day. We told him about the W of W, he ripped up his cigarettes and a week later he was baptized. This just teaches me that I don't have much to do with who does or does not join the church."

Elder Martinez/Savage - Bushwick 11 Sp - Jul 31, 1994 - "COVENANTING THROUGH BAPTISM - The last week before I came to this area, our 3 commits fell through because of the obstacles they confronted a couple of days before baptism. This week we baptized 6 people, all who had similar obstacles to overcome. They had a desire to overcome, and through the love of ourselves and the members, they experienced the joy of covenanting with the Lord by way of baptism."

Sister Oliver/Barrios - Rich Hill 11 Sp - Jul 21, 1994 - "SPIRIT WILL PRODUCE PREPARED CONVERTS - We had the best 1st Charla yesterday. Sis. Barrios and the wife were almost crying. It's great to be back where the Spirit is. It seemed like all the people we talked to in Coney Island only wanted to bash with us."

Elder Ben Davis/Ward - Jamaica 11 Sp - Ezra Taft Benson - Jul 15, 1994 - "THE SLUMS - The world takes the people out of slums. Jesus Christ takes the slums out of the people, and they take themselves out of the slums."