The Book of Mormon

Well, things are going great for me and Elder Brito. Yup, we live in the same house[that I have been in for a while] and I graduated from sleeping on the floor to a broken bed. So I can't complain, I'm off the ground. Things were good this week. It was a little slow because I had to travel again and so I gots no monies left because of all the bus tickets I had to buy. But we had 2 baptisms this week. Ederson and Monica. They are both 15 years old ish. They are kids of a member in the ward. It was funny how we found them. It was a day when nothing good was happening and I had some random address written in my planner. So we decided to visit the address. Come to find out that it was the address of this member and that's where we found their 2 kids. It was neat to see that even when everything is falling apart Heavenly Father is there to help you.
Renato, that guy that got shot in the face 5 times, was interviewed yesterday and passed. So he will be baptised this week. It's amazing to see how the Gosple changes the lives of others. This guy did it all; drugs, sex, rock and roll and got shot 5 times in the face. He has lived a hard life but is grateful for what the Gosple is doing with his life now. He has totally become a different person. We are going to work with his mom this week to try and get her interested
In the e- mail this week of President Pickett he includes some amazing facts about the Book of Mormom that I wanna share with you guys, its in Portuges so you're gonna have to translate it.

Translated:

"1. Even though the Prophet Joseph Smith, in general, had the plates from September 1827 until June 1829, the translation of the book was done in about 65 days - this would be a little less than 10 pages translated per day!
2. It was translated by someone who had not had an education - the family was extremely poor and was unable to raise children who went to formal school. Emma Smith, once shared with some people that Joseph was unable to write a letter, much less able to write a book!
3. The Book of Mormon:
a. 54 chapters dealing with the wars of the people
b. 21 chapters telling the story of the people
c. 55 chapters of visions and prophecies
d. 71 chapters of doctrine
e. 21 chapters dealing with the ministry of Jesus Christ
4. The book teaches the doctrines of the gospel taught in the Bible in a way that is clearer and easier to understand.
5. Since the day that the book was published, we discovered several things in South America and Central America that support things taught in the book! These things were things that the world did not recognize at the time of translation of the book.

With better understanding of all these facts, it is very difficult to understand why some people think it was Joseph Smith who wrote the book instead of translating it by the power and authority of God. Think about the complexity of writing such a book. All chapters that talk about teaching, the ministry of Jesus Christ and the history of the people would have to be quite constant with the doctrines in the Bible teaches. Would it be possible for a man incapable of writing a coherent letter to complete a job like that? Surely the answer is 'no'.

In the Book of Mormon, while it was being translated, the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery learned that three special witnesses would be chosen to see the plates and other sacred things (see Ether 5:2-4, 2 Nephi 11:3, 2 Nephi 27:12). Through a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith (see D & C 17), the three witnesses were chosen - Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris. They were given instructions about the things that they would be privileged to see:

"Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of, and also of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face, and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the Red Sea. "[ie, the Liahona]. (D & C 17:1).

Early in the book, shortly after the introduction, we have the testimony of these three witnesses. The very interesting thing is that all three, soon after when problems with in Kirkland, strayed from the Church. It is very difficult to understand how men with special and spiritual experiences could move out of the Church. For us, this is more a warning that none of us is beyond the power of Satan and we must always strengthen our testimonies through study, prayer, fasting, etc. to avoid the temptations of Satan. It is critical to recognize that none of these three men in any way renounced his testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the things that were seen by a visit from an angel. Oliver Cowdery stayed away from church for ten years (1838-1848) but in the end returned and was reinstated with Church members. David Whitmer, after leaving the Church, never returned to be with the members. But he often testified about that he saw the plates and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and his testimony about the book was written on his tombstone! Martin Harris; just before Martin died, he returned to the Church. Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, Martin Harris never denounced thier testimony in the book.

Surely this is not something that should be shared with all investigators but those who are more open to receiving inspiration. Share these facts with those investigators who would be empowered to learn more about the Prophet and the translation of the Book of Mormon.

I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is our responsibility to obtain a strong testimony and live so the Spirit can testify through us to our investigators. For me, it's quite simple - the book is true, the Prophet Joseph Smith was a prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church of Christ - the only true and living church on earth today. We will testify this with all our hearts. This is my prayer for each one of you. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

I am starting the Book of Mormon over again and I can really see that it is a true book. It just makes sense.
If the Book of Mormon is a true book, then Joseph Smith was a true prophet and the church that he restored is the true church. Plain and simple. If we want to know if the Church is true all we have to do is gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and if we gain a testimony of the book, everything makes sense. I am proud to say that I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know it is a true book and that through its teachings we can better our lives as children of God. I know this because I read the book and I asked God.
I want you all to know that this book is true. I challenge all of you to read this book and not just read it, but READ IT, LIVE IT, PRAY IT, FEEL IT. Do everything you can to understand the book and you will be eternally blessed.

I love you all :) and I can't wait til' general conference :)
Zack

Pic's

A Little Rough

Well, things are just going fine and dandy here in Rio de Janiero. It's getting pretty hot and I'm getting pretty tan again, tan enough that President called me a Africano, haha, but it's all good.
In the Zone Council we learned a lot about the Spirit and how He works. How we need to work with Him. It's amazing to see how much He guides us when we sit and listen. I asked President [Pickett] to give me a blessing after the Zone Council and that he did. Man, it was almost better than my Patriarchal blessing. The man is prophetic. haha He talked about everything, my future kids, wife, Mom and Dad, everything that's going to happen to me in the Church and Ya, it was amazing. I love President Pickett. He instructed me that every night before I sleep to write in my journal and to ponder and pray to recognize how the Spirit has guided me during my day. It's amazing, like I said, to just sit and think and ponder about all the stuff that has happened through out the day and to realize how the Spirit works with us and sometimes we don't even realize it. But I'm grateful to ser um [be a] missionary and to be able to be so close to my Pai Celestial [Heavenly Father]. It's amazing to see His love and how He guides us, because this is His work.
This week was a little rough for us. We taught 37 lessons but only 3 investigators in the chapel. So we realized that things need to change, and quick. Not only in my area but in the zone. It's kinda sad here in Rio. The Church is so different. The classes and arguments on who knows deeper doctrine and talking bad about other churches. So we have taken a big step into changing things. I bore my testimony and when I looked out at the people, all I saw was old people paying attention and everyone else talking. So all I said was that the Church is true and then Amen. I lost my patience with the ward at that point, and the bishop as well. It's just sad to see how people are just not all there and they just don't care to have the Spirit in the meeting. But one thing cool is that I saw my former baptisms from the last time I passed in Rio. They are all firm [in the Gospel] and one of them is the secretary in the ward and conducts the meetings and everything. He is Wilson, that guy that smoked for 40 years. He now is the firmest member in his ward. It's great to see their smiling faces and tears in their eyes. Thanking me for bringing the blessings of the Gospel into their lives. It makes me happy. It makes me feel like I'm actually doing my job, and that God is accepting my mission. I told Elder Francisco; "Man, I can just go home now." haha I'm just so happy to see that they are firm in the Church. It's amazing to work in this great Church, to see the blessings and how He changes the lives of those that let Him. I love this work.
Our investigator Renato, the one that got shot 5 times, was interviewed and he failed because he smoked. So we whipped him around and I'm thinking he will be baptized on the 19th.
I got the package!!! Finally! {the package was sent 7 months ago} The Easy Mac went in one day. But the other stuff is great. I got my glasses. haha It's so funny because it's like seeing in HD. Everything is so clear. haha
I'll send some pic's.
Sorry but I gots to go.
I love you guys and I want you to know that this is the true church.
Elder Manis

I Love Brazil

Well, this week was a lot better for the zone. We had some baptisms and the Elders are starting to wake up a little bit more, so that's good. Random, but I found out that in Octubro an Apostle is coming to visit our mission, so that's going to be awesome!! I have never seen an Apostle [in person] so I'm excited to see how this goes.
As for the glasses, I went to the doctor this morning and I'll be picking up the glasses at 4 this afternoon. So nerd Elder Manis is going to be walking around soon.
As for me and Elder Francisco, this week was a little slow. We taught 34 lessons but only brought 1 person to church. That was a big bummer and I wish things would have gotten a little better to close the week out. But oh well, that's part of missionary work. You do all you can and it doesn't work. So you gotta change how you look at things and take work from a different angle, then see where that's gonna take ya.
Tomorrow I have a meeting with President Pickett, all the way in Vitoria. It's a bus ride at 2 in the morning for us. haha But it's gonna be a great meeting.
I finished the Book of Mormon again (in Portuguese). At the end, I cried and realized how much I love the scriptures in Portuguese. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to learn this great language and share the Gospel in it.
Last Tuesday, I went on a division (split) in a city called Itaperuna. It's about 4 hours outside of Campos. On the way home I cried again. Ya, Elder Manis is a wimp now. haha I cried, because on the way home it's nothing but mountains and green rolling hills. hahah I don't wanna get all gay, but I love the country of Brazil. Brazil has made me who I am and will be for the rest of my life and it's something that I will never forget and always remember. I just wish sometimes I could leave and just walk around, but I can't. haha Ya, I love Brazil and I'm grateful for this great country and what he has done to help me.
Here in Brazil, I have learned that I have a Heavenly Father and he loves me. I have learned the eternal purposes of all things and I have learned that the Church is true. Serving here in Brazil, is something that I will never forget or trade. I know I was called here by our Lord. I thank Him everyday for being called here.
It's great to hear that the ward back at home is doing good. After the ward split, I don't know who anyone is and ya, I got your letters, but no package still.
Sorry the e-mails have been short these days. I have had to spend a lot of time sending things to President Pickett.
But know that this Church is true and that I love ya all :)]
Elder Manis