November 6, 2018 Last "Transfer"

(For those of you who have been reading this blog, you'll catch the irony of this being his "last transfer".  Eric has had the unique mission experience of serving in the same branch during his entire mission. He completes his mission in December)


Fam, 

It's weird to know that this is my last transfer. The last transfer went by incredibly fast. We were busy and Elder Wiseman is pretty awesome so it was all a blast.

Saturday we translated for a women's conference. They fed us and sent us home with cookies. So worth it. 

Friday we received our transfer calls, but it's never a surprise. There was some chance I would get moved out of the Branch for my last transfer but after counseling with the President over the phone about the needs of the district a few times, I luckily got to stay. Down below is a picture of the new Elder, named Elder Sheffield. Elder Wilkins and Elder Berry are going to trio train the new missionary. 










Thursday we met with someone who professed to understand the scriptures but unfortunately did not. It was the classic Revelations 22:18-19 misinterpretation. He wasn't listening and kept insisting we were wrong. I'm really grateful for the words of modern prophets and I asked if we could watch a short video. I opened up "My Words Never Cease" by Jeffery R. Holland. In the talk, Elder Holland outlines an important truth: our scriptural supported claim of an open canon. The topic is extensive and not terribly important, but in my own New Testament reading (which coincidentally just finished reading the Revelation of John) I found something interesting. 


Revelation 1:3
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand

Revelation 22:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Looking beyond the chronological order of the Bible, this demonstrates to me the continuity and self-contained nature of the Book of Revelation. Clearly this statement cannot be extended to validate a complete cessation of God's revealed word.