Robert writes home #81 This actually should be later in the order. It was written in the spring.
Dear Mother:
I hope spring is starting to come in Utah for you.
Laurie told Janet, yesterday, that she has been hired to speak at EFY, Lawrence, KS the first and 2nd of August. I knew that she applied for the spot since they were having it in her home town. I think she's pretty excited about it.
Charlie worked all during spring vacation for a bee keeper. He offered him a job for the summer, too. He's pretty happy about that. It beats chopping cotton. It is quite interesting and pays more.
The Explorer age boys, under the supervision of Stuart Schofield, have a service project (merit badge also) of making a movie with Johnny Beere as the star. Do you remember Melba Beere, a widow with a mentally impaired son named Johnny who lived here in Dos Palos and went to our ward when you were here? She's about 90 years old and he's in his fifties. You know how he's been wanting to have a play (based on the old TV show "GUNSMOKE,) for the last 26 years. They're doing it with video camera and using our barn and woods as set. They have one more day of filming next Saturday. Isn't that a neat idea? Charlie wrote the script.
The weather is finally warming up. It looks like I'll be able to plant watermelons by the 15th of April after all. That is my usual date. We have had a lovely winter. I'm not looking forward to that century mark, heat again, but if it's going to come we might as well get something out of it, like watermelons.
We went to all five sessions of conference. We went to Merced on Saturday and LB on Sunday.
Brother Howard referred in his talk, to a member commenting and justifying a reduced performance by saying that "He didn't want to be a fanatic." Bro. Howard went on to say that, "A definition of a fanatic might be someone who does what he thinks the Lord would do if he had all the facts."
That sparked some further thoughts in my mind: The "Flip side" of that would be, a non fanatic member would be one who tried to do what he thought most of the other members would do in the same circumstances. I say this because this is the only other standard that I can think of that the non fanatic member would use. I've known that feeling of feeling like other members thought I was a fanatic when I tried to do what I thought the Lord would have me do instead of what the other members were doing. (like a more in line with prophetic counsel observance of the Sabbath._
I think that there is another definition of fanatic which needs to be considered. A fanatic is someone who takes a point of doctrine and extends it beyond the intended meaning in scriptures, prophetic counsel and the revealed doctrine and alters the principle in some way. If, when corrected by the priesthood authorities, he doesn't yield to their keys and authority he, in essence, denies the authority and keys of the prophet and is guilty of apostasy. I think that is the kind of fanatic we don't want to be guilty of becoming.
It's probably one of Satan's better tricks, getting people to label people with total commitment as fanatics. It works especially well with people who don't really know what a fanatic is. They just know it's someone to be shunned by majority society. Satan can keep those people from qualifying for the CK and leaving his domain. I bear my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, that committing ourselves and our energy to the Lord and his work is what he wants us to do.
I also loved Elder Eyring's summary of what you missionaries have all been taught into a simple formula: 1. Teach a truth. 2. Testify of it. 3. Live it.
I have been real slow learning this principle in my life. I've come to realize that this formula works in almost every encounter, especially home teaching. Every home-teaching visit should have this in it. Teach a simple truth and testify of it. When I started doing this I saw the light come on in people's eyes as they felt the Spirit. This should also be a part of every Family Home Evening program. I also loved Bro. Faust's 10 things he wants his grandchildren to know before they go on their missions.
1. You'll be under a call from the Lord Jesus Christ
2. Your mission President is the Lord's representative. Don't criticize him.
3. Hard work is more important than intellect.
4. Forget self in His service. Don't let girlfriends, hair or homesickness get in the way of missionary service.
5. Never permit contention in a companionship, be unselfish.
6. Keep bodies and living quarters clean. It's conducive to enjoying the Spirit.
7. Learn to love and serve the people among whom you work.
8. Study, Ponder and Teach from the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon.
9. Know Lucifer will oppose you. Be prepared for the confrontation. Discouragement is his main tool.
10. Your own personal testimony is the strongest arrow in your quiver.
In high counsel meeting the other night, Pres. Callister had us go around the table telling our thoughts from our recent regional conference. I was impressed with what others picked up that I missed and how important it was. That's why I gave you my little review...hoping it might add some insights.
I hope everything is going well for you.
Love,
Robert, Janet, Charlie and Sam
I hope spring is starting to come in Utah for you.
Laurie told Janet, yesterday, that she has been hired to speak at EFY, Lawrence, KS the first and 2nd of August. I knew that she applied for the spot since they were having it in her home town. I think she's pretty excited about it.
Charlie worked all during spring vacation for a bee keeper. He offered him a job for the summer, too. He's pretty happy about that. It beats chopping cotton. It is quite interesting and pays more.
The Explorer age boys, under the supervision of Stuart Schofield, have a service project (merit badge also) of making a movie with Johnny Beere as the star. Do you remember Melba Beere, a widow with a mentally impaired son named Johnny who lived here in Dos Palos and went to our ward when you were here? She's about 90 years old and he's in his fifties. You know how he's been wanting to have a play (based on the old TV show "GUNSMOKE,) for the last 26 years. They're doing it with video camera and using our barn and woods as set. They have one more day of filming next Saturday. Isn't that a neat idea? Charlie wrote the script.
The weather is finally warming up. It looks like I'll be able to plant watermelons by the 15th of April after all. That is my usual date. We have had a lovely winter. I'm not looking forward to that century mark, heat again, but if it's going to come we might as well get something out of it, like watermelons.
We went to all five sessions of conference. We went to Merced on Saturday and LB on Sunday.
Brother Howard referred in his talk, to a member commenting and justifying a reduced performance by saying that "He didn't want to be a fanatic." Bro. Howard went on to say that, "A definition of a fanatic might be someone who does what he thinks the Lord would do if he had all the facts."
That sparked some further thoughts in my mind: The "Flip side" of that would be, a non fanatic member would be one who tried to do what he thought most of the other members would do in the same circumstances. I say this because this is the only other standard that I can think of that the non fanatic member would use. I've known that feeling of feeling like other members thought I was a fanatic when I tried to do what I thought the Lord would have me do instead of what the other members were doing. (like a more in line with prophetic counsel observance of the Sabbath._
I think that there is another definition of fanatic which needs to be considered. A fanatic is someone who takes a point of doctrine and extends it beyond the intended meaning in scriptures, prophetic counsel and the revealed doctrine and alters the principle in some way. If, when corrected by the priesthood authorities, he doesn't yield to their keys and authority he, in essence, denies the authority and keys of the prophet and is guilty of apostasy. I think that is the kind of fanatic we don't want to be guilty of becoming.
It's probably one of Satan's better tricks, getting people to label people with total commitment as fanatics. It works especially well with people who don't really know what a fanatic is. They just know it's someone to be shunned by majority society. Satan can keep those people from qualifying for the CK and leaving his domain. I bear my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, that committing ourselves and our energy to the Lord and his work is what he wants us to do.
I also loved Elder Eyring's summary of what you missionaries have all been taught into a simple formula: 1. Teach a truth. 2. Testify of it. 3. Live it.
I have been real slow learning this principle in my life. I've come to realize that this formula works in almost every encounter, especially home teaching. Every home-teaching visit should have this in it. Teach a simple truth and testify of it. When I started doing this I saw the light come on in people's eyes as they felt the Spirit. This should also be a part of every Family Home Evening program. I also loved Bro. Faust's 10 things he wants his grandchildren to know before they go on their missions.
1. You'll be under a call from the Lord Jesus Christ
2. Your mission President is the Lord's representative. Don't criticize him.
3. Hard work is more important than intellect.
4. Forget self in His service. Don't let girlfriends, hair or homesickness get in the way of missionary service.
5. Never permit contention in a companionship, be unselfish.
6. Keep bodies and living quarters clean. It's conducive to enjoying the Spirit.
7. Learn to love and serve the people among whom you work.
8. Study, Ponder and Teach from the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon.
9. Know Lucifer will oppose you. Be prepared for the confrontation. Discouragement is his main tool.
10. Your own personal testimony is the strongest arrow in your quiver.
In high counsel meeting the other night, Pres. Callister had us go around the table telling our thoughts from our recent regional conference. I was impressed with what others picked up that I missed and how important it was. That's why I gave you my little review...hoping it might add some insights.
I hope everything is going well for you.
Love,
Robert, Janet, Charlie and Sam
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