17 March 2014

Hello family!

So it's been an interesting week. I've been a little under the weather, so I haven't been out to teach much. But even taking it easy, it's hard to miss that summer has come! My fan is now my best friend, and it once again travels with me in the house--to my bedroom for the night and to the desk for study time.

Sunday we had stake conference. It was a satellite broadcast from Salt Lake. I think it was for all of Central America.  Some 62 stakes and a number of districts. Elder Martino, who is a member of the Seventy and was president of Central America spoke about the importance of (1) personal and family prayer, (2) personal and family scripture study, (3) family home evening, and (4) getting a good education. They are all basic principles, but important. And trust me, education is a fundamental here. It makes all the difference. And the people who are in the best position to help their families and serve in the church finished at least a basic education and then went a little further. Hna Oscarson (young women presidency) also spoke as well as Elder Richard G. Scott and Elder Dallin H. Oaks. Listening to the talks made me unexpectedly grateful for the living prophets class I took before my mission. Knowing a little about the personal history of these people helped me appreciated even more the experiences they shared. And it's a plus that Elder Scott served as a missionary and mission president in South America, because he gave his talk in Spanish. When Elder Oaks and Hna Oscarson started speaking, I was so disappointed when they started the voiceover to translate.

But guess what else? It's almost time for General Conference. Listening to two apostles speak made me eager to listen to all of them and President Monson, the prophet.

Many, many times each week, we share the scripture in Ephesians 2:20

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

And it's true! God has always called prophets, and when Christ came he ordained 12 apostles. And we had the blessing to have that same organization and authority today. Sometimes I want it to be General Conference every weekend so that I can tell people. ''Look! That's a prophet of  God who is speaking!''

We don't share this scripture nearly as often, but I also love Matt 16:19

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

What more can I say? Those keys enable us to make sacred covenants and make possible the promise of eternal families. That if nothing else, should be something to catch people's attention. Maybe they don't want a free DVD. Maybe it's just a little too much sacrifice to commit to come to church with us, but we aren't asking it for us. We want them to be able to be happy. We want them to one day enter the waters of baptism, not just to be a member of the church, but as a stepping stone to be able to enter the temple and better understand God's plan for them. First and foremost so that they can enjoy the promise of being sealed to their family--forever.

That's all we ask, that people will listen and then ask God. And if we didn't believe and hope with all our hearts that this is true, we would be pegged to our fans or even better, looking for air conditioning!

So, whoever you might be reading this letter, if you haven't read the Book of Mormon, read it! And if you've never watched General Conference, watch it! And if you don't know what General Conference is, ask the missionaries! They can help you! :)

Well family, I hope you have a wonderful week. Thank you for all of your prayers. You are in my prayers as well. And we might not be gathering for family scripture study or family home evening, but we are studying and learning and teaching the same things.

Have a wonderful week!

I love you!

Hermana Emily Davis