August 5, 2013

Hello Elder Williams,

 

Today is a special day, because it's our anniversary. Twenty-four years ago we were married. I can't believe it's gone by so fast. I'm glad we were married in the temple and that we've had such a good life together. It will be neat to see you and your siblings married in the future.

 

I went to girls camp this week and taught a workshop on temple marriage. So much time is spent on planning a wedding and not a marriage, so that's what I focused on with the girls. I put together a "Temple Wedding Plan" and had them write about what kind of qualities they need to be a good wife and mother, the skills and abilities they will need, and also a husband 'resume'. It's important to think about the type of person you want to be with so you can develop those qualities in yourself. Overall, I think they all really enjoyed the project. It took me hours and hours to put together, but I hope it was worth it. Aubree and Raina helped me a ton also.

 

I have a question for you: do you believe the Bible and Book of Mormon to be literal or is it more allegorical/metaphorical in your opinion? Do you know what the church's position is on this?

If you were transferred, please let me know your address.

Love you,

Mom

 

Dear Mom,

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! I'm grateful for you and Dad being a wonderful example of a successful marriage. It is really neat that you were able to prepare and teach about marriage for girls camp so near your anniversary. I bet it made it extra special.

I love the focus you had in your workshop. Marriage, not the wedding. Now days we see how selfish people are when they are planning their weddings. They want all of the trappings of the world. I'm grateful that we know the marriage is supposed to be selfless. It is supposed to last through the eternities, and it is about the one you love, not all the petty frills of this world.

It's kind of funny. I went to a funeral a couple of weekends ago, and this last Saturday I went to a wedding reception. Quite the contrast. The reception was for one of the daughters of some members that I love, the Plasketts.

I believe that the Bible and the Book of Mormon is literal. It may be symbolic at times, but it is still literal. I hate relativism with every fiber of my being. Once people get into saying the Bible is metaphorical or allegorical they undermine their foundation. Too easily does it go from metaphorical, to fairy tails, to myths. Then it can be discounted. Then it has no weight.

I believe that the Bible and Book of Mormon are true in every sense of the word. Jesus is the Christ. He atoned for the sins of the world. He loves us. He will come again. We can know His will and please Him. We can be with Him again as we follow His gospel. That is what the Bible and Book of Mormon teach. That's what the Spirit has taught me.

I'm grateful that the Spirit has confirmed that in my heart. There are eternal truths. When we know them that leads to eternal life and eternal happiness.

I am getting transferred on Wednesday. My new address is:

642 Santa Alicia

Rohnert Park, CA 94928

I'm going to be serving in the Rohnert Park 3rd Ward with a missionary named Elder Kunz. I'm really excited to go, but I will miss so many of the people here in Benicia.

I'm so grateful for the chance I had to labor here. It is one of the places that I've grown the most. I've learned so much about myself. The Lord placed me here with the right people at the right time for me to have this growth.

Really, my heart is too full to describe how I feel about my time here. God has been so good to me.

I've got so much to tell you when I get back. I want to take everybody to come visit the people here. There is a family that I'm especially close to, the Fragassi's. Brother Fragassi thanked me in fast and testimony meeting. He has made so much progress in my time here. He was less active, bordering on inactive when I first got here. A couple of weeks ago he blessed the sacrament for the first time since his baptism 10 years ago. I'm so happy for him. They have been so wonderful to me.

I've made eternal friends, and I trust the leaders of the ward to take care of my converts. I know that they will do everything they can to help my people that I love so dearly.

I had a special experience on Thursday. I ran into one of our former investigators named Candace. She thanked us for teaching her, and she is doing a lot better than she was when we first started teaching her. She wasn't baptized during my time here, but I have high hopes for her in the future.

Chris got back from Mexico. He surprised us by showing up at church, and guess what. He bore his testimony about prayer and the Book of Mormon in sacrament meeting. He is so prepared and I know he will be ready for his baptismal date on the 17th.

A missionary that I'm close to, Sister Aubrey Gubler, goes home tomorrow. I met her when I was a greenie in Santa Rosa. The first thing I said to her was, "Hi Cousin!". Turns out that I guessed right. She is really close to Mandy and is related to her. We figured out that Sister Gubler and I are 3rd cousins through the Wilsons. It was pretty awesome. It's sad to see her go. Maybe you can get in touch with her through Mandy.

I love all of the missionaries I've served around here. I'm grateful for my companion, Elder Bliss. He has helped me learn and grow so much. We are opposite personalities, but I feel like this is one of my most successful and unified companionships.

Thanks for everything you do for me.

Love,

Elder Williams