Missionary Work Continues in Belize

This weekend we were able to attend the baptismal service for Oscar (right).  He was one of the first people we met when we came to Belize. His father was honored to perform the baptism.

Brother Belgrave, a retired builder, is a 17-year member of the Church in Belize City and is the branch mission leader. He conducted the baptismal service.  

As we attended Oscar's baptism, we were reminded of Jesus' example of being baptized found in Matthew 3:13-17

13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  

The children in this video were asked to tell the story about Jesus being baptized in their own words.  You'll be surprised by their understanding of the scripture verses found in Matthew 3:13-17.  

You can also see the video by clicking here

Waiting for district meeting to start....and the rain to end!

Corozal town is at a beautiful bay in the north, bordering Mexico. The two sisters are doing a marvelous work in Corozal. 

We continue to have people put in our path who we are privileged to share the Gospel with.  Elder Magnusson wrote about one experience we had this past week.

Yesterday as we were driving out of a town we visited, we noticed a store that caught our attention. We stopped, went in to browse, didn't see anything that we needed and were leaving.  Omar, the manager, was at the front counter and we mutually engaged each other in conversation. He commented on our missionary badges. We asked about his background, learned he was acquainted with some members of our church in the town, and actually had been taught briefly by sister missionaries 23 years ago, and even remembered one of their names. He commented on his Christian beliefs. 

We asked if we could use the pad of paper he had on the counter. We diagramed how Jesus Christ established His church, that there was a falling away of the truth, and this led to the beginning of the restoration in 1820. Sister Magnusson went to the car to retrieve a copy of the Book of Mormon. We told of how the Bible and the Book of Mormon are one in our hand to testify of Jesus Christ, as explained in Ezekiel 37: 16-20. Omar opened his electronic tablet to the Bible and we read the verses, and then from Isaiah 29:10-14, and then John 10:16. We told him that our message will add to the already strong Christian background he has.  

Omar continued to direct employees and transact business while we chatted, and seemed in no hurry to dismiss us. He then asked, "What will the Book of Mormon teach me more of Jesus Christ?"  We told him it was a deeply insightful and important question. We then read 2 Nephi 25:26 from the Book of Mormon. We told Omar that the Book of Mormon itself is the proof of our message. It is either a true and a translated record, or it is false and a fraud. It is one or the other, and that he can know for himself by reading it and asking God. We promised him he can receive an answer. We left the book with him and told him we'll look forward dropping in again.

This was the beautiful view from our drive home from Orange Walk this afternoon.