Letter May 22 2016

Caleb:

I hope this email finds you well.  I was thinking about the advice I gave you earlier in the week and I think it's worthy advice.  So much so that I was at my grandparents in Legacy House and was telling them and Darrell about it to see what they thought.  Darrell liked it, or so he said.  Then when I got up to leave, he asked if I'd like to give the house a blessing.  I was taken back and realized that I was way uncomfortable with the idea.

As I've thought about it, I've realized that I'm uncomfortable because I'm out of practice.  Priesthood is meant to be be exercised for the benefit of God's children.  You are called to "minister" which implies that you will be doing something more meaningful than knocking doors all day asking if people have time to hear your message.

If you take it from the perspective of those on the other side of the door, they likely aren't expecting you and so aren't very excited to suddenly carve out time that they hadn't planned on to have you teach them.  I sometimes think that we are too hard on the people who don't want to listen to our message.  I have to tell you, I get why tracting is so ineffective.  Not only are you asking people who don't know you to trust you, you are also asking them to take time out of their day and let you teach them.

Here are some thoughts you might consider while tracting:

1) Ask people if they would like you to leave a blessing on their home.  I never did that on my mission and I"m sure it will be awkward at first, but if you perfect it, you might find that people will let you in and then invite you back once they feel the spirit.

2) Acknowledge that you have shown up unannounced and ask if they would be interested if you came back at a more convenient time.  I have to tell you, I would be more inclined at times if the salesman gave me that option.

Anyway, I encourage you to maintain that positive attitude.  Love the people and learn to work smart.  I encourage you to use your priesthood.  I think you'll find that the spirit will accompany you more fully when you do.

I love you,

Dad