Letter - April 12, 2010

This week, I've had double doses of Conference: two sessions in English and two sessions in Lithuanian. We just finished the second Saturday session. It was marvelous. During L. Tom Perry's talk, I thought about my teaching preparations here. Yesterday morning, I spent a lot of time preparing to teach a family that evening. It was a great experience. I felt so happy just testifying of those truths in thoughts of my own making. We didn't give all the material we prepared, but those new ideas definitely affected the WAY we taught that lesson.

Of course I loved Elder Christofferson's talk about William Tynedale. (sp?) I love the quote, which I will paraphrase, " If God will spare my life, I will make it so the boy who drives the plow will know more of the scriptures than the pope." This statement certainly was personified in the boy Joseph Smith. Just as Tynedale's copies of the bible were smuggled in barrels, so were the ancient records translated into the Book of Mormon. All great things begin in obscurity.

It was no coincidence, that I read Korihor's words in Lithuanian yesterday, and his falsehoods were the very ones addressed in his talk today. I have talked to SO many people already who "prosper according to their own strength, who need no savior, who find there is no wrong and is no right." The only thing I can do, of course, is live righteously, exhort, invite, and expound (this will come in about six months, when I can understand Lithuanian.) I must be careful not to imagine unto myself "a Christ that stands for social justice but makes no claims on my personal life." Is there a more prevalent mockery than this in our day?

D. Todd Christofferson is quickly becoming one of my favorite apostles. I especially have loved his past conference address on Zion.

Many of the talks this session seemed to have a theme on the importance of teaching in the home. A wonderful example of this I already have in my own parents. I can't count the times in my younger years I remember my parents teaching me. Of course Mom and Dad continue to inspire me by the way they are such an active part in my and my siblings' lives.

I really loved Elder Hollands quote, "True love must include the idea of permanence." I just don't know it's source. So, if anyone knows, drop me a line.

Thanks so much for letting me vent. I don't write in my journal like I should, so emailing makes for a nice place to vent. The work moves steadily forward. I'm developing a lot of patience, and trying to be good out here.

Myliu Jusu,

Sesuo Paul