April 15, 2009

I haven't been back to the sushi place, but I will go before transfers, just in case I get transfered. It sounds like there are some tempests at home so I sent mom some scriptures and I wrote about them. I want to give you the same thing and I want you and mom to study, pray, and ponder, then you will know what you are to do to keep the family strong. I love you dad and all that you do. I've actually been considering having you sent out my TL lessons so that I can teach those to the members of my district. I don't know, maybe not yet.
I love hearing from you dad, Keep tearing it up through life. 
Here are my thoughts on things:
The war Satan waged in heaven he wages here when he was cast out (Rev. 12:17) He fights against those who have testimonies and against those who are doing the right thing. He's not worried about those already breaking the commandments, he already has those. This should be a sign that you and the family are on the right path. The key to fighting Satan is with our testimonies (Rev. 12:11). This is how we defeated him before and this is how we will do it now. Testimony: born in love with conviction casts out contention. I have seen this so much. When someone becomes defensive or confrontational with me, I will stop and bear solemn testimony and the person with whom I am conversing will change. I've seen it happen so much out here on my mission, testimony brings the spirit and the spirit is the tool by which we do the Lord's work. My testimony is my greatest weapon out here, it is my sword, two edged. Now the other part I talked about: love. If you love someone they will be softened. If we love, we need not fear. Read 1 John 4:18. Now when things do get challenging I want you to liken the time to the journey of the Jaredites. I just read this and learned this principle myself in my personal study, it is very helpful. It's incredible how the Lord will reveal things to you through the scriptures that is why scripture study is so important. Ether 6:5-12 The Lord is pushing us in the direction he would have us go (vs 5) However often times like the Jaredites we will experience "Mountain waves" and "Terrible tempests," (vs. 6) we may even at times be "buried in the deep."(vs 7) however if we are spiritually "tight like unto a dish" then we will need not fear. We must make ourselves and our families spiritually and physically tight to withstand the waters and waves. When we are buried in the water we must cry unto the Lord that he will bring us to the top (vs7). Trust in the Lord and know that no matter what happens in a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a year, that it is for our good. Know that the Lord is pushing us in the right direction continually!! "The wind never did cease to blow towards the Promise land" (vs 8). Vs 12- Eventually they do land in the promised land and the first thing they do is thank the Lord. This is what we need to do also. Even when they were in these barges, and in the storms they sang praises to the Lord (vs 9). Keep in mind that they are in these little barges, with only two stones for light, and no way to direct their path. They are completely reliant upon the Lord to direct them. This is how we too must be, completely and entirely trusting in the Lord that he is directing us where we are to go. Even if we don't see where we are going. If we are keeping the commandments we can be assured that the path and the events, (good or bad), occurring in our lives are the pathway that we are to be on, and that these events are necessary for us to get to our goal. Life Eternal with our Father in Heaven. All things are how they are supposed to be when we are living right. Then I must say to you "2Nephi 31:20." Push on and go forward in faith, Trust the Savior, he is mighty to save and is the author and finisher of our faith. I leave you with this as my testimony with a sure knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the risen Lord, who leads and directs this Church through his living prophet : Thomas S. Monson. The Book of Mormon is the powerful spiritual fuel we need each day, and it is the word of God. In Jesus name Amen.

Heres this scripture also. This is how I feel about my mission and what I have seen happening to the people I teach. Alma 36:24 &26.

Love Elder Adams