Dad's papers

19- (6-5-2023)   Good Afternoon Family, I have been reading through the war chapters in the latter end of the the book of Alma this week. It amazes me how much application to our lives are in these sections of the Book of Mormon. What has stood out most to me this week is how willing the Lord is to bless us in our striving obedience, and how much harder we can make it on ourselves when we try to go at life on our own, without His guiding influence. This same theme ran through our Come Follow Me this week as we were learning about the Sacrament and Jesus implementing this ordinance into His church. By perfect design our Heavenly Father has built into His plan for us a weekly time to reflect on how we are progressing as individuals in being obedient to His commandments and aligning our will with His. It is in these quiet moments of self reflection that the seeds of needed change flood into our minds and hearts by the power of the Holy Ghost. As we prove ourselves obedient and earnest...

 18- (5/30/23) Dear Family, I really enjoy sitting down and writing to you every week. It makes me feel closer to each of you! I’ve loved reading the Book of Mormon at a quicker pace this month. I was telling Mama and Emma earlier in the week how it has really stood out to me more than ever before in my study, that time after time, prophet after prophet of the Book of Mormon testifies of the importance of “our works” during mortality. We all know that it is only through Jesus Christ that we can be saved, but the temple teaching that salvation comes through the atonement of Christ “after all we can do” is the same Book of Mormon message that is repeated over and over agin. Early in the week I listened to Sister Bonnie Cordon’s talk given this past conference titled Never Give Up an Opportunity to Testify of Christ. She taught that our actions (our works) can testify of Christ if they are governed by our faith in and a desire to become like Him. Here is some of her talk. Consider how...

17-   May 22, 2023  Hello Family,   This week my personal study has been filled with all the miraculous stories of the early books recorded in the Book of Mormon. It is mind boggling to me how much of what we know to be true comes from these early pages or the “small plates of Nephi”. If you are looking for some way to jump start your excitement again in your personal study I would recommend writing down or highlighting what this small record teaches us that other people in the world don’t know or have. It is remarkable!   Throughout these early books there are multiple accounts of righteous people slowly slipping into “carnal security”. The peace and joy and excitement of their faith fades and gets swallowed up by wealth, pride, or the popularity of the world. Every time, it seems to be the same. It is no different for us in our day. We all know of some who’s faith have faded, leading them down different paths. What can we do to make sure that this cycl...

 16  The Plan of Salvation Hello Family, It has been a full and busy week. It was wonderful to celebrate mama yesterday for Mother’s Day! I know all of your letters meant so much to her, and she feels so blessed to be your mama.  This week my personal study has been all over the map. It started by studying and learning more about Abraham and the blessings that were pronounced upon his head and upon his posterity. This study led my thoughts more to the overall plan of our Heavenly Father. It is crazy to me to think of how clear, purposeful, and essential this plan is, yet how many people in the world are without these truths. Sometimes we take for granted the knowledge and testimony we have of the Plan of Salvation. I am so grateful for living prophets and for the Book of Mormon that teach us and show us how to live our lives in accordance with God’s plan for us. This month I have the goal of reading the Book of Mormon by months end. It has been quite awhile since I last r...

 15-  Baptismal Covenant - Promises made Two weeks ago we had our ward conference. The second hour I was sitting in on the lesson for the youth ages 11-15. During the lesson a basic gospel question was asked by the teacher. What did we covenant to do at baptism? Answers were given from some of the adults and from the youth. Many of the answers surprised me on how little some know or understand about their baptismal covenant. Most answers focused only on the cleansing effect of baptism and the promise of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Elder Hales taught that “it is very important for us to understand the marvelous gift of the remission of sins, but there is  much more . Do you understand and do your children understand that when they are baptized they are changed forever?”  In this light I have made my baptismal covenant a focus of my study over the past couple of weeks. I know this email is a bit longer, but I hope is will lead you to ponder your baptismal cove...

 14-  Hello family! We love you so much and hope you all have a great week. Below are some thoughts I had during the week. Thanks for letting me share them with the most important people in my life :) In the temple this week the combination of the words “true and faithful” stood out to me.  What does it mean to be true. To me it describes an honest and obedient person. One is true when they act according to what they deem to be right or correct. What drives a “true” person to be obedient? For many it is because they feel it is the right thing to do Some obey because that is what they were taught to do Some make certain choices because they are worried what others may think if they don’t Others obey simply because they were asked to There are those who obey for the rewards of obedience As we become more like Christ we choose to obey to honor our covenants and to show love to our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ Ask yourself why you “choose” to be obedient or “true”...

13-   4/24/23 - Missionary Work I listened to and studied Elder Cook’s talk from Conference this week, Safely Gathered Home. It went hand in hand with what I am currently reading in  The Millennial Messiah.     I feel an overwhelming gratitude and love for missionary work, and for all “our” faithful missionaries. Sadie, Seth, Emma, and now Miles, you have and continue to bless so many of God’s children. Miles we are so proud of what you are doing. This week Rubanita will be baptized, isn’t that awesome! The Holy Ghost whispered for Miles to talk to her as he road his bike by. Now look what our Heavenly Father has done for her… This week Emma shared a picture with us of someone she taught in Milan who just went through the Temple to be sealed with their spouse for ETERNITY. Think of the message you carry as a missionary! Think of the message we represent and can share as members of His Church. I am so grateful to be a part of it. Avery, Graham, and Lain...