October 1

Salutations from Monroe,
 

I received a new calling in the ward. I was released from the Relief Society presidency and now I'm an advisor to the Mia-Maids. I'm excited to be in with my girls, but I'll miss Relief Society.
 

In Sunday School we talked about Samuel's prophecy about the day/night/day where there would be no darkness and how even though people witnessed it, they still wouldn't believe. I can really see how that can be true. I made the comment that it's easy to see and not believe, because we can explain away a miracle by citing natural phenomena, i.e., "it was a comet/ eclipse", etc.

 

I think in our post-modern era, it takes a lot of courage to have faith. No one wants to be accused of being superstitious, and it really is illogical to be bound by irrational beliefs. It's easy to look back see the fallacies of the medieval/pre-modern world. Some of the things they held to be true were simply outrageous; especially doctors--- they killed far more than they cured. Anyways, there are simply too many things that cannot be held under a microscope and dissected. Take love, for example. How can a person quantify or use objective measures to describe love? Anyways, I've been reading a lot about the scientific revolution/enlightenment and have had this on my mind. I'm grateful for people like Neal A. Maxwell to help me remember that faith is courage. I need to be reminded about the principles I believe in and that they are true. And it's interesting....the more I learn about the world around me, the more it testifies that God is real, and eternal, and omniscient, and creative, and most importantly--that God is Love.
 

I really miss talking to you. I've had a lonely spot in my heart for the past couple of days. I'm so glad that you are serving the Lord and helping people to come to a knowledge of the truth. You are an ambassador for the church and a witness of Jesus Christ. Hurrah for Israel!
 

I love you.

Mom

 

P.S.

I just had to send this quote to you:

"In an age that enthrones education with its many blessings but also with unintended and unnecessary spinoffs of intellectualism and humanism's odd pride in its despair, wherin there has been so much emphasis on self rather than others, obedience and humility have fallen on hard times."

I think this pretty much sums up the modern era's zeitgeist. I love the point he makes about 'humanism's odd pride in its despair.'  Brilliant!

 

 

Dear Mom,

Thanks for the quote. Who is is by? Odd pride...

I've been pondering a lot about my testimony. I'm grateful to you. There was a scripture that you shared with me once. It was Moroni 10:6. I'll show you the way the house of my testimony has been built with Book of Mormon scriptures.

 

The first is Ether 12:4. It is my favorite scripture. I need the anchor that hope brings. That has been the thing that I have worked on the most this past couple of weeks. Hope strengthens me. It isn't wishy washy; it is the fuel that I use to act. The second is Moroni 7: 5, 11-19. Moroni 7 is my favorite chapter. What a promise in verses 15 and 16! Satan chipped away at my trust in my ability to know things, but God in His mercy allows me, a finite being, to know something perfectly.

 

This leads me to Moroni 10:6. I know the Book of Mormon is true because of what you shared. All good comes from God. The Book of Mormon is from God. The Book of Mormon is true. Now I can do what Ether 12:4 says, and always abound in good works.

I love you Mom. Thank you for allying yourself so closely to the Lord and sharing that with me.

Love,

Elder Williams

 

 

Hi Elder T-T,

I've been reading my scriptures. I'm in 1st Nephi. Nephi is courageous.
 

How are you? How is your companion? I hope you are having fun.
 

I was going to feed Ra-Ra and we were running and he rammed me and pushed me. I fell on the cement by the corner of the house. I got scraped up and bruised. He's a mean little fluff ball. He's still on my bad side so I'm not going to feed him ever again. Well, not really...I'll feed him just for you.
 

Have you seen an iguana in California? Just wondering. Is there anything cool about California?

 

 

You are awesome. I'm glad you are my brother.

Love you,

BRANDT

 

Hi B!

I'm proud that you are reading the Book of Mormon! Keep it up. I love Nephi too. 1 Nephi 3:7 is one of my favorites. Always remember that God will help you do good things, things he wants you to do.

I'm doing well. One thing you will find about a mission is that you will learn a lot. The people you meet are really cool. My companion is a good guy. He likes to have a lot of fun.

I hope that you get all healed up. Too bad you didn't land on Ra Ra. He is softer than cement. I'm glad that you will keep feeding him, ha ha.

I haven't seen an iguana, but I see deer, turkeys, squirrels, little lizards, and lots of black birds. I saw otters too! There is a lake near where we live, so in the morning when we walk and run we see them.

There is a lot of cool things about California. The Redwoods are sweet. I'll send some pictures home next week.

You are awesome! You are the best brother.

Love,

Elder Williams