Birthday boy!

Dear Elder T-T,

Gosh! I can't believe that you're 21 years old on Tuesday. I can't believe that I'm old enough to be a mother to a 21 year old man. Crazy!!....but it's crazy good. Happy birthday to you on April 8th! You were such a cute little baby boy with lots of black hair. What a special day it was when you came into my life. I'm grateful for you. 

Wasn't conference wonderful? I always look forward to it and come away refreshed and full of bright hope. I love our leaders and admire them so much. My respect and gratitude grows with every talk they give. I always look forward to my favorites, but am just as inspired by the other speakers. Elder Holland's talk was so powerful. I love Elder Bednar and his gentle way of encouragement. Elder Christofferson speaks to my need to hear of immutable truth and objective reality. I loved Elder Oaks talk on priesthood authority. Oh, it was all so good! I loved it. I want to be a better disciple. 

What were your impressions? Were there any talks that stood out to you? I hope some of your investigators were able to listen to conference and feel the spirit bearing witness to them of the truth. 

I love to listen to the Christian Radio Station because they - the pastors and preachers-  are so knowledgeable about the Bible. What they say deepens my testimony of Christ. But listening to modern day apostles and prophets and the words they speak is a direct communication from God. I know it and I feel it. I truly "stand all amazed" when I think of how blessed we are as a family to have the gospel in our lives. I'm grateful for the restoration of the truth and the fullness that we have. I pray that Bella, Sophia, Jacob and Rich will join the church. I hope Megan can stay strong and her testimony will fully bloom and that she can help Denise. I love your people even though I don't know them. 

I hope you have a fun day and that your package and card arrives on time. Happy, happy birthday Elder dear!!

Love you so much!

Mom

Dear Mom,

I can't believe it is my birthday already. Thank you for bringing me into this life, and not taking me out early, ha ha. Thanks for putting up with me. I'm blessed that you are my mom.

I loved Conference too. One thing that I am grateful for is that I have learned better how I can receive specific guidance for my life as I listen to the messages. I have some things that I am going to change and improve. One thing that I noticed is how all of the talks are built on other talks given before. The apostles use one another's words. I think that is wonderful because it shows me how unified they are, even though their personalities are so different, just like you pointed out.

One thing I read in Preach My Gospel today that really stood out to me is the definition of a dispensation.

It says,"A period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the keys of the holy priesthood. In addition to Jesus Christ, prophets such as Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Joseph Smith have each started a new gospel dispensation. When the Lord organizes a dispensation, the gospel is revealed anew so that the people of that dispensation do not have to depend on past dispensations for knowledge of the plan of salvation. The dispensation begun by Joseph Smith is known as the 'dispensation of the fulness of times.' "

I am so grateful that we have modern prophets and apostles. Even if all of our scriptures were destroyed, we would be okay so long as we had prophets to continue revealing new scripture.

One thing that really stood out to me was how we as members need to be ready to "give an answer to any man that asketh". We can be courageous and faithful, but still love like Christ. The times that lie ahead will give us more opportunity than ever to be Christlike. 

I loved what a speaker in the priesthood session said about the "choice generation". We are choice because we have so many choices. I see that as God giving us more agency. 

Thank you for praying for my people. Sophia and Ashley were able to watch conference at some members homes. I'm glad they got the chance. Sophia's mom is filing for full custody, so she may be able to be baptized sooner.

Thank you for the birthday wishes. Tell everyone thanks for me. I got the package today. :)

Love,

Elder Williams