Hi Dad,
Things are moving really fast. I am catching up to the pace of things
around here, though. Sunday was an important day. My ward is great. We
have dinner every night and members go out with us quite a bit. We are
going to be doing lots of splits in the next week or two. Every
expense expense is taken care of out here. We have debit cards that we
buy groceries with out here. I bought a bike a couple of days ago.
Speaking of expenses, will you transfer money from my savings to my
checkings and use my savings to pay off my credit card? Thanks.
I'm glad that the family got to gather. Tell Kendall thanks for me.
He's awesome.
Thanks for supporting Micklane. Elder Cartwright is awesome.
Thanks for all of your support.
Love you,
Elder Williams

Elder Williams (1st day of mission) Elder Cartwright

Santa Rosa Address

Hi Mom,

Thanks for going to Micklane's farewell. I'm glad that he did a good job.

My apartment address: 693 Summerfield Apt. #4 Santa Rosa, CA 95405

I'll write a mass email next week, maybe. My brain is fried right now.

I'm glad that you all were able to visit family. I'll try to keep
everyone updated through you and the mission blog you have for me. I
am really bummed about the blog thing, though. I am not allowed to go
to any website other than church sites while I am out here. Don't feel
any pressure to keep them updated because I cant visit them.

The work is hard. Really hard. But, I love it. I was disappointed at
first because I didn't realize how hard it would be to find people. I
thought I would be booked with lessons everyday, all day, but that
isn't the reality. My first assignment is to the Bennett Valley Ward.
It is in the middle of a suburban jungle in Santa Rosa. My companion,
Elder Cartwright, is a great guy. He has taught me a lot already.
Mostly, he is a good influence. He's only been out three months, but
he is an excellent teacher.

I really want to teach. That is what I spent my time in the MTC
preparing for. It has been a challenge for me to step outside of
myself and try to contact people. Most of the time we are rejected,
but that's to be expected, I guess. I'm being humbled everyday.

Almost everything out here is different than what I had constructed in
my head, but I know that God wants me here. I am glad that He has put
me here, because there are people I am meant to find and teach. I try
so hard to remember that.

I love you.

Elder Williams

Home sweet home.

 

Dear Elder Williams,

I have been listening to a great book called "Status Envy". It's a sociological examination of how a culture judges the winners or losers of a society. For example in early Greek history/Sparta, strength and aggressiveness was valued while in 17th century England a gentleman who could dance a minuet was held in esteem. It is interesting how different mores' and expectations change. I like how the real truth seekers question the status quo and challenge the norm, for example Emerson and Thoreau. I guess I'm a romantic and idealist at heart and that's why I don't fit in. Our culture values money, fame, power, and the "cool" factor of which I have none. It is hard sometimes to feel like you don't belong to the inner ring, as C.S. Lewis put it....heck I don't even know where outskirts of the ring even begins, and this in turn makes me feel unworthy, unvaluable, unloved. I know this is all a lie; however, it is a powerful one. Jesus was meek and humble, not cool and popular. He was despised by the "right group" of people and spit upon by authority. He was not a seeker of status, but a lover of mankind. To follow his example takes courage, humility and a deep sense of who you truly are- a child of God. It is hard to put off the natural man who is always comparing, judging, competing and striving for status; yet, an inner peace comes when we submit to God and value kindness, compassion, and charity over the adulation of man.

I love this quote and think it applies to where my thoughts have been lately.

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

I hope you can remember who you are as you face the world. How people react to you as a missionary is a reflection of who they truly are inside, not of you. You are only holding up a mirror and the reflection they see of themselves will bring happiness or horror to their awareness. You are a representative of Christ delivering a message of faith and calling on people to repent. I'm grateful that you are a worthy vessel of the spirit of the Lord.

I hope you are learning and growing and striving to be the person God wants you to be.

With love,

Mom



June 20, 2012

Arriving at the airport in Oakland, California.

                                                                  Servants of the Lord

New Companion - Elder Cartwright

MTC Day's

Dear Family,
I'm just about to head out into the field. I'm super excited to go and share the message of the Gospel with the people in my mission. It's kind of a bummer though. President Monson and the rest of the apostles are coming this week to train the new mission presidents including mine. Oh, well. I did get to hear Sheri Dew yesterday which was kind of neat. I think she is an insightful person and I learned a lot. I'll mail and email you next Monday to let you know how Santa Rosa is and what my area is like. I love you all. Elder Williams

This is the place.

Talon's Companion

Hi Mom,

I did have a wonderful Sabbath. I learn so much from the firesides and recorded talks then. It is great to take a break too.

The MTC has gone by in a flash. I am changing and growing rapidly, but it feels like a blur. I am becoming more prepared because I now realize that I need the Spirit so badly in my life.

I am glad that you all are reading. It´s so worth it.

I am coming closer to Christ. Everything I read, everthing I hear leads back to Him and His Attonement. 

We have our rocky moments, but mostly we get along. 

I wrote you a letter, so I hope you get that soon because this email has to be short. I will be able to call you on Tuesday in the airport.

Elder Thomson is a pretty cool guy. 

Thanks for everything.

Love you,

Elder Williams

Hi Brandt!

It´s good to hear you, My Sunday was great. I heard some great talks, and I´m all fired up. I´m glad that you are learning about the Book of Mormon.

Sounds like you´re listening to some awesome books! I hope that you keep it up. That is a great lesson to learn.

I love and miss you too. I´m happy that you want to go on a mission too.

Love you, Elder Williams

Hi Mom,

Thanks for all of the emails. I'm happy that everyone is glad that I am out here.

The MTC has been an inciting incident in my life. I have already made so many changes. I've been battling doubts, but I think that I will come out stronger in the end because of my challenges. I've really discovered what I have a testimony of and what I need to work on. Joseph Smith is one of the corner stones of my testimony. We watched the Joseph Smith movie on Sunday, and that helped me a lot. People always talk about how the church must be true because of all of the opposition he faced. There wouldn't be so much if it wasn't true, and they cite other church's histories for examples. I take a different view of it, however. I have a testimony of Joseph Smith because of Joseph Smith. He believed and held strong to his experiences. His example of standing up for what he knew to be true helps me hold on to my spiritual experiences. I need that.

What we have been learning about is the Gospel of Christ. It is amazing how many ways that that subject, the center of the gospel, can be approached.

My companion is a good guy. His name is Elder Robinson, and he is from South Jordan. Elder Thomson and Elder Merriam are my other roomates. We all get a long well. It was so interesting to see all of the diferent personalities mix and mingle.

I get thirty minutes on Mondays to send emails, so expect them then.

Thank you for all of your support. I love you.

Elder Williams

Hello Elder Williams,

Last night I was reading in Helaman and came across this:

"....my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings....repent ye, repent ye, the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

This is exactly your message-- repent and come unto Christ. You are building up the kingdom of God and are one of his blessed servants.

I also loved this from Helaman 5:6

"Behold I have given unto you the name....and this I have done that when you remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know  ....that it was good."

Your name is important because you are representing Jesus Christ as one of his special witnesses. I just thought that was very touching as I read it because you are now a full time missionary.

I have great love and respect for you. I send you my love and hopes of your happiness and joy in the gospel.

With love,

Mom

First Letter from MTC

Dear Family,

The MTC has been a success so far. My companion, Elder Robinson, is a good fellow. He is from South Jordan. Today we were assigned our roles and I am the Senior Companion for awhile.

My other roommates are good kids too. Elder Miriam (like the dictionary) is from Logan, and his companion, Elder Thomson, is from Las Vegas.

Classes have been very valuable to me. I have so much to learn. I'm actually very grateful for the time I have at the MTC to learn.

The atonement is everything. That is why our church is the true church. It brings us closer to Christ.

The branch presidency that is in charge of me are good men. I don't remember their names, but I'll tell you in my next letter.

I've got a favor to ask. When I packed I only brought one T-shirt. Will you mail me 3 or 4?

I love you all and miss you, but I know I'm doing the right thing. Thanks for your support.

Love you,
Elder Williams




Dear Brandt,

I hope you had a great time at the Summer Games. How did your team do?
I miss you too.

I am glad that you want to go on a mission. It is a great experience.
I have learned about how important Christ is in our lives, and how
important it is to do what He says. I have had fun with the
missionaries that I am with. They are a good group. Thanks for the
good luck. Hope I can baptize lots of people too. You're the best
brother too. :)

The Zoramites were bad. I am glad that you are learning about the Book
of Mormon. Do you learn about Alma?

Sounds like Dad had a good Fathers Day. I am glad.

Love you,

Elder Williams

Dear Elder Williams,

We have been wondering how you are doing. I hope the spirit is with you and you are soaking it into your soul. I've been busy with the garden...lots of peas coming on and I'm turning into a rabbit because I eat so much lettuce. :) It's good for me and I'm glad my garden is so productive.

I've been reading an awesome book by Elder Hafen. It has really been good and I've learned so much from it. I will have to share some of my thoughts when I'm done. We sent you a letter, so you should get one in the mail soon. My letter wasn't very coherent, so I'm sorry about that. I just couldn't get my point across very clearly, but hope you can understand it despite my jumbledness.

I'm trying to read my scriptures more diligently. I think it's so important to help us stay grounded and close to the Lord. I'm grateful for the inspiration we can receive from the Book of Mormon. I've been thinking about the scripture, "my soul standeth fast in the liberty in the which God hath made us free", and it made me think that you are going to liberate the captive....you are teaching and preaching the gospel of Christ which will allow people the ability to repent and live an eternal life. You are a servant of God and have a great responsibility. I know that you will change people's lives and be changed as well. I know it will be hard work, but it will be so rewarding. I love you and think of you often.

 

With love,

Mom

Father's Blessing

Talon Howard Williams by the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood I give you a fathers blessing as you embark upon the Lord's work for the next two years.

Talon I bless you with strength of mind, body and spirit that you will be able to withstand the emotional and physical rigors that you will be experiencing on your mission and that you will enjoy good health. I bless you Talon with a positive outlook and the desire to connect with not only your investigators, but your companions and other missionaries that you will meet. I bless you Talon that you will rely upon the spirit that you will feel the power of the spirit course through your body and that words will come to you at the right moment to help others receive the gospel. I bless you Talon that you will be able to communicate your experiences and feelings with your family for their benefit. I bless you to know that you are loved and respected and will always be.I bless you with safety and that you to be able to avoid accidents. I bless you to be wise in the decisions you make for not only will they effect you but your companion as well. I bless you that you will be a powerful voice and stand for righteousness. Your mission will be a foundation for the rest of your life and you will have great experiences that will increase your faith  and witness to you the truthfulness of the gospel.   I pronounce this blessing upon you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

My Missionary Commission
by Elder Bruce R. McConkie

I am called of God. My authority is above that of kings of the earth. By
revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord
Jesus Christ. He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him--to
stand in His place, to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He
personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My
voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts; my doctrine is His doctrine.
My Commission is to do what He wants done; To say what He wants said; to
be a living modern witness in word and in deed of the divinity of his
great and marvelous Latter-day work. How great is my calling!

MTC May 30, 2012

Talon entered the MTC on Wednesday, May 30, 2012. It was a beautiful, sunny spring day. We drove up as a family to send him off. After taking pictures at the Provo Temple, we all hugged him and said our last goodbye's. It was a sweet and tender experience.

As a mom, I'm sad but so proud. I will miss my philosophy buddy and will be lonesome for our talks about literature, life, truth, science, and our goofy jokes that we share. However, I'm so pleased that he has made the choice to serve the Lord. I'm worried, yet hope my faith will grow. He is in the Lord's hands and I must learn to trust Him.

I am looking forward to our experiences as a family as we pray, fast, and grow from his missionary work. I hope that we will be able to strengthen him through our support.

I hope that he will put his whole heart and soul into this endeavor and that he will first and foremost convert himself and be steadfast in his conviction and testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope he will gain a deep and abiding testimony of God and his son Jesus Christ, of the scriptures, and of the restoration by Joseph Smith. I hope he will learn and know that there is immutable truth and that the Plan of Salvation is the only true plan of happiness. I hope he will experience compassion, kindness, and joy through serving others.

I love this boy who has always had the most adorable dimples, blue eyes, and now stands a head taller than me. He is a good person with a loving and kind heart.

Mission Farewell May 20, 2012

The Fellers.

February 17, 2012

Talon,

 

I wish I had more answers to your questions, but they are a life-long pursuit. Well, acutally an eternal pursuit. I don't know the origin of God, his substance, his metaphysics. But I do know that he is divine. I do believe that there is a plan. Maybe I'm simple minded, but I believe there is ultimate purpose for our being. I truly believe that there is something greater than this life and therefore I have the longing and hope for a future in eternity with God and my family.

 

Focus on your core beliefs. Choose your allegiance. Work from the inside out.

 

I love you.

Mom

Hi Mom,
Thanks for your email. When it comes down to it, the scriptures are my
source for truth. Over the last few days I've studied about the nature
of God and of spirit. I am allied with the Lord, although I have large
questions. My testimony is of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and
the truths about family within. They are divinely inspired by a loving
Heavenly Father.
I love you too,
Talon