Letter to the Family Nov 1

Dear Family!

 

We saw such an amazing thing happen. John the Woodcarver was in rough shape. His rental house (which was his Mom's) was just trashed by some renters who fled without paying rent. He now faced his water and power being shut off. He was sad and everything bad in his life crept out from where he had pushed it aside. We offered him the Word that heals the wounded soul (Jacob 2:8) John took the Book of Mormon and started to read where we had indicated. Alma 33:6-11 are some beautiful passages about prayer. He struggled very very much, cycling through 4 pairs of broken and scratched reading glasses. He could barely get out the words. Sister Gandolph and I were still. He went on missing most of the points...and then at last he found a magnifying glass. This was like turing on a fire hose. As he could now see, he began to read. The words came with increasing accuracy as he went on. In no time he had finished reading the verses we had chosen but what did that matter!? He continued on with a new heart. The whole feeling in the room changed; it went from bitter to sweet, from helplessness to hope. John stoped and commented "Look at this...its right up my alley..its like you knew." We continued to be still. He flipped the pages and opened to another place, this time a war chapter. He read about Pahoran and defending liberty. He once again commented on the personal application this text had to him. He just ate it up. John felt the goodness of the book. Once he read from its pages, he showed unrestrained eagerness as he held the Book of Mormon and took in its holy words.

 

That book is a book of God. It is His holy scripture, meant to gather in those at this last day. Let him gather you in. Know what is in its pages. It holds the key to happiness and simplicity in gospel learning. Love it and cherish it as you should. If you want to learn about it, Dalin H Oaks gave a wonderful talk about it "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" But if you want to know it and its goodness for yourself, read it. ponder it. and live it.

 

I challenge everyone in the family to say something about their most recent scripture experience to someone else! (outside of church and the family) like :"how is your day going? (your response can go shomething like:) "oh just great, I was reading the scriptures and felt the Lord telling me how to be happier" anything! ehehehhehehe. I will follow up with you all at Thanksgiving time!!! So that's about a month....if you don't want to participate in this challenge that is your choice. But, I better hear a pretty good excuse as to why not. And then, ultimately, it will be the Lord that you tell your excuse to.

 

I love you family!!