Generations of History on One Plot of Land

This week we were able to go out and visit Taras and his family in the small village where he lives. There about about 500 people living there. It was the bumpiest bus ride I've ever been on. It was one hour to travel 30 km. We had a nice meeting with him and his wife, Sveta. Her family has lived on the same plot of land for about 380 years! I think that's so cool. They don't even have a store in the village. I was kinda blown away by how smart she is. They are both very smart and know the Bible really well. They understand the history of the Bible and know the doctrine pretty well. Sveta kept telling me to stop telling her things she already knows. She said there's no true confession on the earth and no true priesthood. I asked her, "if there were, how would you know?" She said that she would just know, and I would know, and my companion would know, and Taras would know. I shared Moroni's promise with her and she said, "that's what I just said." I testified to her that this is it. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly is Christ's Church on the earth today. I testified that the priesthood has been restored. I was a little concerned at one point during the lesson, but in the end she accepts a Book of Mormon gratefully and said she'd read it. Yesterday when I called Taras he said he was reading the Book of Mormon at that moment. I love it when that happens.

Things have been going really good. I feel like I'm becoming a better person and I can feel things improving. My companion and I have some really good times together and we're keeping busy which makes the time fly. I don't understand how it's almost September already. We're really trying to reach out to the less-actives and bring them back. I love being a part of this work. I don't have too much more to say today. It's just true. I know it. It's all true.

Love,

Elder J. Mahoney

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