Dear Family,

I'll tell you about the people and work I've done in the last week.
First, I'll tell you all how it was arriving. I hopped on the plane and got to sleep for a bit. I woke up at 2:30 that morning, so I needed it. We woke up so that we could say goodbye to the Elder's in our district who were going to the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission.

I sat by Elder Thomson on the flight, and he fell asleep fast.

We landed in Oakland and met President and Sister Bunker, the AP's and a senior couple. They drove us to the mission office and we did some paper work. That night we had a fireside that the AP's taught, and we got to meet the trainers. We didn't sleep in the mission home. We stayed at a hotel which was nice. I slept on the best mattress that I'll get to have for the next two years. Then we woke up and went to the mission office. President Bunker spoke to us and then we were assigned to our companions. Elder Cartwright is my companion. He is from Detroit and has been out for three months. His is a good guy--energetic and cheerful.

My first area is in Santa Rosa. It is called the Bennett Valley Ward. It is pretty big. I bought a bike on Saturday. Elder Cartwright let me ride his bike until then. He rode a bike that his former companion let him use. It is pretty old and made from other bike pieces, so he is nice for letting me ride his.

I finally got sheets today, too. I was cold for a bit. I should have had mine mailed out, ha ha.

Javier is on or our investigators. We taught him the first night I was here. I invited him to be baptized, and he said he would. I really hope it works out. His is influenced by a lot of new age stuff so that worries me. He loves the Savior though. I hope he makes it.

The other people I have worked with are pretty new. You have to contact so many people in order to get one baptism. I have hope for two other people, too. Chris is a single dad who is looking for a set of morals to pass on to his daughter. WE taught him with a member named Jeff that he used to work with. I think Chris was more receptive because Jeff was there.

There is a young mom named Channa and her husband Justin that I hope commit to baptism. They have a 15 month old baby.

We work with less actives and try to visit referrals that we get, but most don't pan out. I think the best way to get baptisms is to work with members. It worked for this one lady, I forget her name, who was baptized. Our Elders Quorum president introduced her to the church. They work together. It was awesome to see that baptisms are possible out here.

My testimony is being refined all the time. More than ever, I see the tie between suffering and blessings. All I need to do is turn my will over to God, then everything will work out. It is so hard to submit, but when I do I become an instrument for good. I love you all and I hope all is well.

Love, Elder Williams

Dear Elder Williams,

As I’ve been reading the Book of Mormon, I’ve taken special notice of all the scriptures that speak to the principle of freedom and liberty. I would like to share some of them with you.

Mosiah 5:8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ.

Alma 8: 17 for behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of thy people which is contrary to the statues and judgments and commandments which he has given unto his people.

Alma 46: 10 …he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them.

Alma 61:9 …My soul standeth fast in the liberty in the which God hath made us free.

Alma 62: 37 he had been a man who had fought valiantly for his country, yea, a true friend to liberty

Helaman 15:7 ….and as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth….and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea the prophecies of the holy prophets, …which leadeth them to faith on the Lord and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them

Helaman 15: 8 Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free.

I think of these scriptures not in only in governmental terms, but more importantly in the way that through the atonement of Christ we are free from death and hell and sin and regret and the horrors of eternity if we are to be separated and cut off from God. Through the atonement of Christ, we can be made free from fear and pain and habits that bind us down into the depths of depression and loneliness. He can change our natures and make us new creatures. He can alter our weaknesses and change them into powerful forces for good. I often times feel obscure and small and weak, however, I know that Christ has redeemed me and bought me with such a great price that I know that I have an opportunity to become perfected through his grace and mercy. I can do nothing of myself, but in Helaman14:13,  I am comforted with this: and if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.

I love you and wish you peace and happiness. I’m proud of you and grateful that you are serving a mission for the spreading of the ‘good news’ of the gospel. I hope you can bring the light of Christ and liberty he freely offers to all mankind to those you are serving.

With love,

Mom