My dear Ward Missionaries. It’s my hope and prayers that this past week was was filled, with peace and love and happiness for you and your family. I hope that you have felt the love of Jesus Christ increase in your heart and homes.

Please take a moment and read this quote from President Holland. Wasn’t his talk extra special during conference, along with everyone else. A very special General Conference.

Sharing from a group on Face Book, this is so applicable to our day….

I found this statement by Joseph Smith very interesting and maybe it can help those who may be struggling: 

“Our lives have already become jeopardized by revealing the wicked and bloodthirsty purposes of our enemies; and for the future we must cease to do so. All we have said about them is truth, but it is not always wise to relate all the truth. Even Jesus, the Son of God, had to rerefrain from doing so, and had to restrain His feelings many times for the safety of Himself and His followers, and had to conceal the righteous purposes of His heart in relation to many things pertaining to His Father’s kingdom. When still a boy He had all the intelligence necessary to enable Him to rule and govern the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom He possessed; but He was a boy only, and lacked physical strength even to defend His own person; and was subject to cold, to hunger and to death. So it is with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; we have the revelation of Jesus, and the knowledge within us is sufficient to organize a righteous government upon the earth, and to give universal peace to all mankind, if they would receive it, but we lack the physical strength, as did our Savior when a child, to defend our principles, and we have a necessity to be afflicted, persecuted and smitten, and to bear it patiently until Jacob is of age, then he will take care of himself.” 

(Teaching of Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843-44, p.392, June 27, 1844)

I need help and perhaps you do to. PLease, Please write back your ideas of how you are making contact with your families. Are you taking them cookies, just dropping by to say hello, finding something special to take to them, what are each of you doing so we might help each other.

I have been moving a few lawns, besides just trying to knock on doors. I’m thinking a treat like cookies or something would be good; Now with the weather improving hopefully can invite others to have a BBQ? What are your thoughts?

I’m grateful for each of you and your willingness to try to develop these friendships. Only 30 minutes a week and great are the rewards. Plant those seeds. As you plant in others, the Lord will plant new seeds in you also. God bless each of you. 

Please let me know either personally, by individual text or email or phone call, know of your efforts. To make it easier on each of you this can be our HUDDLE.  But, I need so much to receive feedback from each of you.  I really appreciate those of you who have communicated with me.  It is very helpful in letting the Bishop, Relief Society President, and the Elders Quorum President, and Primary and Sunday School Presidents know of the flock they each have stewardship over. If there is  anything I can do to help you or your families with, please do not hesitate to let me know. 

I invite you to read another quote from President Holland:

But perhaps even more important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland  |  “Witnesses unto Me”

Of course, below is a picture of a tree that over a period of most likely years overcame the strength and hardness of a rock to eventually break through and flourish. It has such a wonderful message for each of us. That is what this life is all about. Planting seeds, it is our decision if we are planting good or bad, What seeds are we planting with our own personal family? What seeds are we planting with our assigned families? Are we trying to over time develop a genuine friendship? Are we allowing our Heavenly Father to plant seed in our hearts? Is our heart soft for easy planting, or is it a hard heart like the stone below? Either way, let your Heavenly Father plant those seeds and over time HE as the gardner will cause them to grow and flourish like seeds or evil seeds throughout our lives.

I love each of you. I witness to each of you that your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you. They will assist you in your efforts to simply plant seeds. They will bless you with the gift of Charity, even the Pure Love of Christ.

May the good Lord bless each of you in your personal lives. May he bring peace, charity, health, revelations and the righteous desires of your hearts. In Jesus name Amen.

Steve Larsen

801-380-8307

sglarsen@gmail.com