Obedience

December 18, 2018

Dear Ben,

I just barely read your letter. Sounds like you’re experiencing something that I knew might be a hard part of your service. That is, the disobedience of others. The funny thing is, I had a very similar experience with the English areas as well. I think that false perception leads into all people going English speaking or stateside. But I think young men everywhere, regardless of their call, will struggle with obedience from time-to-time. When you think of it, and don’t take this as justifying them at all, what they were doing was perfectly acceptable in any other part of life. But as you said, you have been called to a higher law, which consists in a large part with sacrifice. The world often sees sacrifice as a negative thing, or a hard thing, or even as something to avoid. The Lord uses it to focus us on our higher purpose, whether it be through fasting, abstinence, the word of wisdom, full time missionary service etc. Someday we’ll be asked to live the Law of Consecration. Right now it’s hard for us to understand the benefits, but the Lord does.

All that being said, you still seem happy. I admonish you to just keep doing what you know you should. Don’t let the choices of others distract you. This service is between you and the Lord, so as you maximize that relationship, you growth towards him will always increase. A secondary benefit, and it will be great, is that you will continue to grow in spiritual, mental and physical stature. I know you will be blessed in that way.

Thanks for giving us your Skype schedule…we are so excited. And thanks for recognizing your brothers, it is very important to them.

I’ll try to write more often, I’m wasn’t sure if it was distracting or comforting, but since you asked, I’m super happy to increase the frequency of boring news I send to you.

Bummer about the Temple being closed, some of my favorite service experiences has been cleaning the temple. Last time I got to do it with mom, that was one of my favorite recent dates. Your brothers want to do Baptisms in the Salt Lake Temple. I told mom she may have to go during Christmas break without me. I’ve used most of my PTO and, as you know, that’s nearly a full day commitment.

As far as recent Sports news since yesterdays letter, Troy Taylor was just named the new Head Coach at Sacramento State Universities. Not sure how that’s a step up, but he is from there, and as we know, Being with family is greater than having a big paycheck. I look forward to see who Whittingham brings in. I told Jacob that I hope it’s Jeff Grimes. More to torque off BYU fans than for any real reason.

As a reminder, here’s my Skype info. I assume you will be calling us. I’m going to set it up in the movie room, but I want to test it to avoid any feedback or other technical issues.

Benjamin, I surely love you. I had a dream about you that you got to visit home briefly. All I did was hug and kiss you, like when you were a very little boy. That dream made me happy for the rest of the day.

Love,

Pops