Dear Family,
I feel a bit exhausted! Somehow, various work kept us in the office
for the majority of the week, until we were notified on Thursday that
new missionaries arrived on Saturday! Thus, it became my
responsibility to organize the event. The new missionaries arrived at
7 PM, so it was impossible to do paperwork for them, and somewhat
complicated to do any sort of training. We ended up sending the last
ones out at about 1 AM.
Élder Pérez had an operation on his ankle today, and so I've been
about helping out. (photos)
One thought from this week came as I put together a list of every time
that the Book of Mormon records the words of someone's prayer. Almost
every one basically says, Help me do this correct thing that I am
doing, according to my faith. As Elder Oaks has said, revelation often
comes when we are on the go -- faith is required and demonstrated in
the action of it. I know that my faith is required when I first study
and pray and ponder, and then go out to work according to it.
I am grateful for your prayers on my behalf. I know that the gospel is
the way to have peace and eternal life, and I know that God is just.
He needs us to be wise stewards over all that he's given us, not only
to be able to account for it to Him, but also because He puts the
eternal happiness of many people under our responsibility -- according
to the service given they may be blessed now and relieved from the
tremendous weight that they don't usually recognize that they're
bearing. I know that without the Gospel life doesn't make sense. The
only purpose for this life that fills the soul with joy is the purpose
that God intended, and it begins with faith and personal obedience
leading to faith-filled service. Only through prayer can we know God,
and sincere prayer leads one to God's true church, which is this one,
which He has personally established. The laws and ordinances of the
Gospel are essential, and only this church teaches the former and
practices the latter. There is no other way than the way that God has
chosen if we intend to come unto Him, which is the only way to be
eternally happy. God will make us happy and pure here if we will
follow Him, and in the end "he that is righteous shall be righteous
still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy
shall be unhappy still."
I hope that you are well, and Ramsey too -- missionary service is an
imcomprehensively important blessing in the lives of those who receive
it.
Love,
Elder Schlachter
