June 17

Elder Williams,

I want to share a thought by Elder Dallin H. Oaks:

" Our missionaries, young men and women and older couples, are workers for world peace..by inviting all to repent and come unto Christ, (they) are working for peace in this world by changing the hearts and behavior of individual men and women."

I am thankful for the counsel of our leaders because this world can seem so discouraging with all of the problems in it.

I'm reading a book about Afghanistan which includes the time period of the Communist invasion to the Taliban takeover in the 90's. It makes me so grateful that I live in the United States of America where we have freedom.

This leads me back to the words of Elder Oaks. The path to peace is through the atonement of Jesus Christ and trusting in his mercy and grace to change the hearts of our brothers and sisters. There are so many in this world with hard hearts filled with hatred that it can seem hopeless, but we must look forward and trust in the promises of the gospel...the good news.

You are a messenger of the good news and a worker for world peace. I pray for your protection. I send you my love.

Mom

 

 

 

Dear Mom,

The thought you shared reminded me of something I love in Preach My Gospel. “We are commanded by God to take this gospel to all the world. That is the cause that must unite us today. Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction. Only the gospel will unite men of all races and nationalities in peace. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 167).

I truly feel convicted. The Gospel is the the way to peace. I wish more people would grasp this truth and run with it, members and nonmembers.

That's why I'm always grateful for people who will listen.

We taught a guy named Stephan, a middle aged family man who is super active and knowledgeable in the Catholic Church. We taught him how we trace the priesthood authority different than him, and he said that he would read the Book of Mormon. We are going back next week. We really hope we can teach his whole family.

Finding and teaching families has become a greater and greater focus in the mission. We are striving to find elect families who will support one another as they learn about the gospel and make covenants.

I'm so excited to be out here at this time. On the 23rd the world will change forever. I hope you and the family get to go to the broadcast on Sunday. It is going to be one of the most monumental meetings in church history.

I love how much I've been learning the past couple of weeks. I see no coincidence in the new things I've been learning about myself and the great things that are coming to pass.

I love you Mom.

Elder Williams