Letter 11 20 2016

Caleb and Jacob:

Another week gone... time does fly this time of year.  Yesterday we put up the tree and Mom has Christmas music going non-stop.  I'm learning to love this time of year because she loves it.

I was sitting in church meetings this morning and thought of both of you and the efforts you are putting into getting investigators to church.  I said a quick prayer in my heart for you and your investigators.  I hope your efforts are rewarded and someone came to church today but if not, keep the positive attitude and do it all over again next week.  This is the season to push hard for people to come to church.

Many of the most godlike attributes that you can choose to make a part of your life here on earth can be developed more fully in the mission field.  Take this list as a sample:

• Patience
• Perseverance
• Charity / Unconditional love
• Happiness in spite of conditions
• Humility
• Faith
• Hope
• Courage

The list goes on.  Pretty much every godlike attribute worth having is one that you'll have an opportunity to develop on your mission(s).  The test of your mission is how you respond to the challenges (or opportunities) you face.

In that spirit, and since we are close to the Christmas season, I encourage you to take time and do a personal assessment.  Do you accept the challenges/opportunities placed before you with enthusiasm and faith?  Do you have charity for those you meet?  You get the idea.  Evaluate who you are becoming and make sure that you are becoming a man of God.  Don't be hard on yourself, from my perspective, I think both of you are doing incredible things and making tremendous progress.

Your highest and best attainment come from the words of Moroni when he says, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Be like him; see him as he is.  You are on a mission which, in case you've missed it, is a type of his life here on earth.  Nothing is stopping you and he will bless you in your pursuit.  So, be productive and use your time wisely as you strive to develop more fully attributes of Godliness.

I love you,

Dad

PS - I was thinking about Sam I Am this past week.  He tried everything to get the protagonist to like Green Eggs and Ham.  Finally, and exhausted, the protagonist tries them and discovers he likes them.  I liken church to the Green Eggs and Ham.  Don't be afraid to invite someone to Sacrament Meeting and let them go home afterwards.  It's better to just get them there.  Three hours is a daunting initial commitment.  Start with milk and get to the meat.