October 7

Hi Elder Williams,

I don't know if this email will get to you today...the email's I've sent have been sent back saying "undelivered". I don't know what the deal is. So, at any rate, I guess I'll write anyways and see what happens.

General Conference was very timely. I appreciated all of the words and messages of hope that were spoken. It's encouraging and inspiring. What did you come away with? Were there any talks or themes in particular that resonated with you? 

I just finished a book called The Poet of Baghdad. It was very moving. I am astonished at the regime of Saddam Hussein. What a despot and despicable man he was. I am so sad that the world is a place full of pain and evil with tyrants who reign with blood and horror. I can see how vital good government is to the happiness and peace of people. Freedom is such a precious gift. I know that the Lord wants all of his children to have liberty. As members of the church, I hope we can somehow make that come about. I know that the millennium will abound in breathtaking beauty, peace, and joy. I'm grateful for the hope and vision we have of the future.

Did Darla get baptized? I hope she was ready. Are you making more contacts? 

How are you doing? I hope you are well. Let me know.

With love,

Mom

Hey Mom,

My email account has been acting pretty funny. I got them, but it was like they were delayed. I appreciate you writing me.

I LOVED General Conference. I'm so grateful to have prophets and apostles today. Their love and their words were timely, like you said. I know that they are God's servants and speak with His voice. God knows exactly what we need. We've just got to listen.

I felt like this Conference clarified God's love for women. Men and women are equal in every way. We just have different roles. Both roles are indispensable in God's plan. I'm so grateful for you mom. Thank you for all you have done for me.

Things are coming that will be hard. That is what I felt. I also feel confident in the Lord though. Everything will be okay. God uses challenges and trials for our good. We have a choice, though. We can choose to let our trials hinder our progress or accelerate it. It is up to us.

We moved Darla's baptism to the 12th. She asked me to baptize her. She is done with smoking, and she is very excited to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. She came to 3 sessions of General Conference with us, and she watched the last one with her mom at her house. She even introduced us to some of her friends and family. She is already being a great missionary.

We met a lady named Rohndie. We taught her briefly, and she lit up. The truth borne by the Spirit is powerful. She wants to come to church with us. She has been searching for a long time.

I'm doing well. Sometimes it is hard when I have worked so hard to help the members do their duty and share the gospel, but it falls flat. But, just gotta push through it.

Thank you for all you do.

Love,

Elder Williams