July 16

Hi Mom and Dad,
I don't have much time for email today, so I'm writing you all
letters. The life of a bike missionary is one of interesting
challenges. So, expect them in a couple of days.
I didn't have the opportunity to baptize Javier, but I have some good
news that I'll tell you about.
Love you,
Elder Williams

Dear Elder Williams,

After I gave my talk last week about you and your mission, I received a comment that I've thought a lot about. Someone said, "Philosophy is really scary stuff." I didn't agree with them...I just didn't really say anything because it was in passing, but it made me think.

I don't find anything frightening about philosophy. Philosophy is the love of wisdom. Each and every person lives by a philosophy they hold. It may be by default or it may be a deliberate choice, but we each live according to our belief system. I think it is important to be deliberate in how you live because of the outcome is of eternal importance. I truly believe that ideas have consequences. I've been listening to the philosopher series again, this time on ethics, and it is making a lot more sense.  I'm more familiar with the people and terms so I can put things into context. Anyways, you can truly see why people believe what they do, live how they live, choose what they choose, and the values they hold. It is because of ideas set down and philosophies considered as truth. Truth has been undermined and become an arbitrary thing. It all has it's roots in the war in heaven though. Lucifer is a very sophisticated and clever devil. He makes principles of goodness sound bad, turns wrong into right, and truth into falsehood. For example, Jean Paul Sartre is a very intelligent atheist. He appeals to the pride of the natural man and the desire for power.

Anyways, I love learning about ideas, because you can see how they have come pass and become our reality. Philosophy governs law, justice, moral codes, family, culture, and so many other things. It is important to understand so you can speak with authority about Christ, Christian principles, and the philosophy of truth which comes from God in the written word. I believe you can gain this from the Book of Mormon, but if you can also speak to people on their own turf about their philosophy, they may listen with a more attentieve ear. But it is truly the spirit that speaks. We need to use our heart, mind, faith, and the spirit to stand as a witness of God.

I was so happy to read you letter. Sacrifice is painful but, you did it for the greater good. You knew that Javier would be able to understand better with Spainish speaking elders and so you choose the higher road of giving him over. It will be of eternal significance--- the decision you made. It truly shows your character and your willingness to submit to the Lord.

I love you and pray for you.

Mom

Hi again,

I wanted to share some scriptures with you that I thought was very pertinent to my previous email.

Proverbs 2: 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous.

Proverbs 8:10,11 Receive my instruction, an not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold... for wisdom is better than rubies

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

35For whoso findeth me findeth life

Proverbs 10: 13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found....wise men lay up knowledge.

I think that is important to gain wisdom and to keep your core values in tact. We are to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. It is a responsibility to gain an education and I think a liberal education is the knowledge of freedom. Art, science, math, astronomy, philosophy, literature---they all tie together and are interwoven into a tapestry so that we may lift the veil and witness the majesty of God. He is a knowable God. He loves us and wants us to learn and grow. But if we want to understand, we must be humble. I have learned that to 'understand' means to 'stand-under' which denotes submission. We must not trust in our own limited capacity to master the complexities of the life. Truth will witness to us the mysteries if we will listen and allow it to come to us. Search, ponder, and pray-- this is the key to having initiative and gaining knowledge in addition to submission in listening to the spirit.

With love,

Mom