Mom and Dad!
I really loved this last conference we had. My testimony of the reality of modern day prophets and apostles has grown so much on my mission and especially in the last few months. I really really loved hearing Elder Holland's talk about Loving God and serving him. It was so powerful. This conference was very bold. The Brethren do not beat around the bush, I love it! They addressed tough political topics and made no apologies. I really loved the Priesthood session a lot! It was neat to think that Dad and Garrett were sitting in the Stake center back home hearing the same messages. I am so glad we hold the Priesthood.
Thank you for sending me the information to be able to vote! I do not know a whole lot about what is going on politically but I feel that this election may be one of the most important, perhaps in my lifetime.
I have felt a lot of desire lately to continue improving the way I teach and the way I serve. I feel like I have come a very long way since I first came out but I really want to keep improving my weak areas and become a very powerful instrument in Gods hands. I feel like the things I have been learning on my mission will help me so much throughout my life.
The last few weeks I have become amazed at how Satan has a hold of so many peoples hearts, to different degrees. So many of the Less-active people we teach and people we interact with on the street just have hearts hardened. Excuses and justifications are made and people become objects that are being acted upon instead of agents that act for themselves. THAT WAS SATAN'S PLAN FROM THE BEGINNING! My heart aches for these poeple here. I feel that I cannot pray fervently enough, work hard enough, testify with enough power to motivate people unto righteous action, and it breaks my heart. This gospel is needed so badly in the world today.
Having expressed this frustration I understand that God is in control and that he will work things in the way they need to be worked. Like you said in your Email Dad, as a Father you do not want your children to deal with trials and challenges, but in a deeper loving sense you know it is necessary. Our perfectly loving Father who is in Heaven, I believe, feels this same way. He loves us enough to let us struggle and learn from our faults, trials, mistakes, and challenges. But there is no doubt in my mind or heart that his heart aches for those of his children who refuse to heed the promptings of His Spirit. He knows that so many more of his children could be so much happier if they would just choose differently. But he will not interfere with our agency, that would be contradictory to His character.
Know that I love you very much and hope and pray you are doing well with your goals and desires. Have a really great week!
All my Love,
Elder W. Marks
"Loyalty is the crowning characteristic of Love" -Elder Holland
I really loved this last conference we had. My testimony of the reality of modern day prophets and apostles has grown so much on my mission and especially in the last few months. I really really loved hearing Elder Holland's talk about Loving God and serving him. It was so powerful. This conference was very bold. The Brethren do not beat around the bush, I love it! They addressed tough political topics and made no apologies. I really loved the Priesthood session a lot! It was neat to think that Dad and Garrett were sitting in the Stake center back home hearing the same messages. I am so glad we hold the Priesthood.
Thank you for sending me the information to be able to vote! I do not know a whole lot about what is going on politically but I feel that this election may be one of the most important, perhaps in my lifetime.
I have felt a lot of desire lately to continue improving the way I teach and the way I serve. I feel like I have come a very long way since I first came out but I really want to keep improving my weak areas and become a very powerful instrument in Gods hands. I feel like the things I have been learning on my mission will help me so much throughout my life.
The last few weeks I have become amazed at how Satan has a hold of so many peoples hearts, to different degrees. So many of the Less-active people we teach and people we interact with on the street just have hearts hardened. Excuses and justifications are made and people become objects that are being acted upon instead of agents that act for themselves. THAT WAS SATAN'S PLAN FROM THE BEGINNING! My heart aches for these poeple here. I feel that I cannot pray fervently enough, work hard enough, testify with enough power to motivate people unto righteous action, and it breaks my heart. This gospel is needed so badly in the world today.
Having expressed this frustration I understand that God is in control and that he will work things in the way they need to be worked. Like you said in your Email Dad, as a Father you do not want your children to deal with trials and challenges, but in a deeper loving sense you know it is necessary. Our perfectly loving Father who is in Heaven, I believe, feels this same way. He loves us enough to let us struggle and learn from our faults, trials, mistakes, and challenges. But there is no doubt in my mind or heart that his heart aches for those of his children who refuse to heed the promptings of His Spirit. He knows that so many more of his children could be so much happier if they would just choose differently. But he will not interfere with our agency, that would be contradictory to His character.
Know that I love you very much and hope and pray you are doing well with your goals and desires. Have a really great week!
All my Love,
Elder W. Marks
"Loyalty is the crowning characteristic of Love" -Elder Holland