Dear Family,
How are you? I am well—this week was generally tranquil. I was able to
work more outside of the office than usual, and continued... planning
how to train my replacement, even though no one has been chosen to
replace me. I suspect that I might be replaced this transfer, so I'm
considering how to make the transition a smooth one. I'm hoping that I
can take him downtown to meet at the people that I work with, and get
to know the places.
We've been working with various families this week who are all trying
to get to church—it's been a bit of struggle for them given the
traditional end-at-10-am parties the last two Saturday nights, but we
hope to keep increasing their faith this week. I was especially
pleased when a less-active family commented to us that they had been
reading the scriptures together as a family, more because it was what
seemed the right thing to do than because of any specific invitation
on our part.
I'll try to send an audio recording sometime soon—it's not difficult
to do. Today I sent a copy of a video that I put together for the
Assistants this week, which features interviews with missionaries who
do or have baptised successively week after week.
I considered the importance of sacrifice in the gospel this week. If
we don't, or are not willing to, sacrifice all things for the gospel's
sake, then we are nothing. This is done in small ways when considered
on a daily basis:
To endure to the end, we need to be eager to please
God and worship Him with fervor and passion. This
means that we maintain faith in Jesus Christ by
praying, studying the scriptures, partaking of the
sacrament each week, and having the Holy Ghost as
our constant companion. We need to actively help
and serve others and share the gospel with them.
We need to be perfectly upright and honest in all
things, never compromising our covenants with God
or our commitments to men, regardless of
circumstances. In our homes we need to talk of,
rejoice in, and preach of Christ so that our children
—and we ourselves—will desire to apply the Atonement
in our lives. We must identify temptations that
easily beset us and put them out of reach—way out of
reach. Finally, we need to frequently biopsy our
mightily changed hearts and reverse any signs of
early rejection. [http://bit.ly/rMRdWW]
I consider that it is also affected by following the whisperings of
the Holy Spirit and obeying the Lord's commandments without compromise
--the real tests of discipleship come as seemingly commonplace
decisions. In these we either commit common-place errors, or sanctify
ourserves by responding to the Holy Ghost's influence, that we may "be
led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient,
full of love and all long-suffering; having faith on the Lord; having
a hope that [we] shall receive eternal life; having the love of God
always in your hearts, that [we] may be lifted up at the last day and
enter into His rest." (Alma 13:28–29)
I hope that you are all well and I love you.
Elder Schlachter
