North Jordan Branch Coming and Going

The last 12 weeks have been difficult.  Lynn has been carrying the entire weight of the North Jordan branch on his shoulders while President Amer has been in Thialand.  It hasn't been easy and he has worked tirelessly to keep everything running.

 We know the Lord has helped him and we're very grateful.

Today President Amer was back (!!!!)  We were so happy to see him, we gave him a big hug and a kiss on each cheek.  It was truly a special day because we not only had our branch president with us again, but we also had a couple of real genuine investigators (!!!!).

Watching the branch members "fall all over themselves" with the investigator couple was really cute.  Every comment was directed to them.  The Sunday School teacher changed her lesson and taught Joseph Smith and the first vision.  Amer took all the time in the Priesthood/Relief Society combined meeting to preach the plan of salvation and a variety of gospel topics.  The visiting district clerk stood up and told about a spiritual experience he had (and even drew pictures on the chalkboard).  Brother Fayez got involved and preached something--we're not sure what, but it was very sincere.  We don't know if we scared the new people or if they were converted on the spot.  We'll find out.

Nadar, the young military man who wants his name removed from the records of the Church attended and participated in the discussions. He even gave the closing prayer.  Afterward he went into President Amer's office and wrote the required note asking for his name to be removed from the records of the Church.   I wonder, how can a person do that?  Nadar thinks he cannot progress in his career in the military as long as he's a Mormon, so he decided to quit the Church.  How can someone turn his back on everything he knows is true in exchange for a promotion at work?    Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

*Just as an explanation in Nadar's defense--94% of the population in Jordan are Muslim.  Christians (mainly Greek Orthodox  or Catholic) make up about 6% of the population.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints isn't officially recognized here and keeps a very low profile.  For young LDS men working in the military, the people they work with are suspicious and probably perceive the LDS Church as a cult.  The dilemma LDS young men face is--quit the Church, keep their jobs, get promotions, and avoid harassment--or stay true to the faith, come what may.  Many feel they cannot be true.  Personally, I have faced the disapproval of an older Muslim woman because my head was not covered with a scarf.  It wasn't fun.