Re: Weekly Email - 11/15/21
Hello Elder Salsa-
This last week was a little different than expected. I had planned on going elk hunting for the week, but since I got a deer the Friday before, I really wasn't feeling inclined to abandon the work I had to do with the deer only to potentially make more work for myself if I happened to be successful elk hunting. Plus, the weather forecast wasn't something I was too excited about. I also had quite a few things to do for my work. So, worked a few hours each day, processed our deer, made some kielbasa, and relaxed. Tomorrow, it is back to our regularly scheduled work/life program – at least until next Monday when we start to get ready to go to Utah for Thanksgiving.
Lucy, or Sister Kratka, spoke today in our ward. She indicated she was impressed to prepare a short talk and so she did. And I am glad she did as we certainly needed the time for our other speakers. She delivered a wonderful message about the Love of our Savior and the need for us all to feel that Love in order to be truly converted.
Lauren Ward spoke today as well and talked about blessings and obedience. All blessings are predicated by obedience. This is something I learned on my mission and I expect that most missionaries do. Exact obedience to the commandments and mission rules is often required to see results. I think this is the case to help you realize just what you are asking of the people whom you teach. Not just a small, simple lifestyle change, but a tremendous one. Are you willing to make that commitment as well? She also read a quote that I liked about how blessings the Lord has in store for us require action on our part. (And then I added the following – the deer doesn't just jump in the truck. You need to put the work in first.)
In my last few callings, including this one, I have learned that sometimes we are required to act in faith with no understanding beforehand. I don't really like things that way, but sometimes it is the case. This past week in particular, I have really struggled with some callings. I had arrived at a decision prior to last Sunday and extended it. Due to the nature of the calling, I needed to discuss certain aspects of it with President Weber and to my surprise, he told me that I needed to reconsider the calling as the Stake had been considering this individual for something else. This put me in a very awkward position as the calling had already been extended and I did not know how to proceed all week. I needed to both retract a calling and choose someone else to fulfil it in their place. To make matters worse, I saw no real way to be able to do either before the first part of December. This is due to the things the Stake had to put together. It wasn't until I felt some inclinations to talk with the first individual that the Lord made it clear how to proceed – and so I did. The things I needed to say and the manner in which they were to be said were put into my head and I proceeded to act in faith. The message was received in the way it needed to be and all was well. I then was prompted to talk to someone else. Again, words and delivery were put into my head and the message was received. I'm trying to be vague and hopeful in my doing so does not distract from the message – which is that once we accept what needs to be done and you go forward and do it, even if you don't fully understand, you will be guided and blessed accordingly.
The last thing I want to share came from our reading this evening. We were in D&C 133:57-62 and in verse 59 the thing that stood out to me was how the weak things of the earth will be used to thresh us. I have always thought that the weak things in this scripture referred to weak people. As we read today, I saw things differently. The weak things of the earth are our human frailties – the ones Satan is exploiting today. It is so easy to see differences in one another. I asked the kids and Mom to stand together with me and then I asked us to divide based on visible characteristics that are easy to identify: gender, hair length, bare or covered feet, shorts or pants, metal covered teeth or bare, etc. All these things were obvious to the naked eye and very easy to see even by the weakest amongst us. And we acted accordingly and divided our family quick as could be. Easy-peasy, we had division in our family. I then asked us to divide based on things that are harder to discern: strength of testimony, amount of self-confidence, intelligence, etc. These were hard things tell the difference between and as such it was not possible to divide our family over them. I think the lesson here is that if we allow Satan to influence us, he can use weak things to divide us: race, gender equality, vaccinations, masking, political affiliation, etc. So, I ask you to focus on other things like our commonality. One of the principles that you learn as you study to become an effective missionary is BRT – Build Relationships of Trust. You do this by focusing on how we are the same and then make commitments to work together towards a common goal.
I love and miss you. I know you are doing a wonderful job serving the people of Mexicali. Stay true to yourself, keep the commandments and the mission rules, and you will be blessed. Have a great week!
Love, Dad
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