Letter from Curtis August 15, 2011

Well, I hear the United States has entered a bit of a crisis economically. I never thought I would appreciate being outside the United States to be sheltered from the storm of economic troubles. I'll be getting back at an interesting time, perhaps.

We had an exceptionally slow week. Last night we reevaluated ourselves and made some goals for our own missionary work. We had a total of about ten lessons last week. We went to the visitor's center but only managed to bring one person. We needed to change a few things. All will be well. You know that I have great faith that if we do our part, God will do His.

I was reading a talk given by J. K. Rowling that Dad sent me and I was impressed by something. J. K. Rowling had spent some time working in Amnesty International and was given nightmares by the pictures and stories of torture victims. She said (in effect) that we must empathize with other people in order to not become part of the evil that rules the world. Apathy is a great power that exists to destroy all of us. This gospel is all about other people. We are to "mourn with those that mourn" and "comfort those who stand in need of comfort." It is a great contrast to what the world teaches. I'm in an internet place that also has video games. A young man came in, wanting to play some game that has to do with special ops. I don't think it's really all that accurate, but for the last half an hour we have been hearing nothing but screams of torture and the sound (supposedly) of gunfire. This is a particuarly popular game (I'm not going to put the name of it so that I don't get sued :P). This is what the world teaches. If somebody doesn't believe the same as you, shoot them. If you need something from somebody, torture them. What a contrast to what the Lord teaches: "when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man...No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned."

I have learned to a greater degree that the ways of the Lord, the doctrine, must never change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Doctrine of the Church of Christ must never change. The principles may change, but never the doctrine itself. That provides a refuge from the storm. A rock in a world that is constantly changing, for which I am grateful.

Just a few thoughts :)

This letter has been brought to you by: O Thou Rock of Our Salvation

1. O thou Rock of our salvation,
Jesus, Savior of the world,
In our poor and lowly station
We thy banner have unfurled.

Gather round the standard bearer;
Gather round in strength of youth.
Ev’ry day the prospect’s fairer
While we’re battling for the truth.

2. We a war ’gainst sin are waging;
We’re contending for the right.
Ev’ry day the battle’s raging;
Help us, Lord, to win the fight.

Gather round the standard bearer;
Gather round in strength of youth.
Ev’ry day the prospect’s fairer
While we’re battling for the truth.

3. Onward, onward, we’ll be singing
As we’re marching firm and true,
Each succeeding battle ringing,
Earnest of what we can do.

Gather round the standard bearer;
Gather round in strength of youth.
Ev’ry day the prospect’s fairer
While we’re battling for the truth.

4. When for all that we’ve contended,
When the fight of faith we’ve won,
When the strife and battle’s ended,
And our labor here is done,

Then, O Rock of our salvation,
Jesus, Savior of the world,
Take us from our lowly station;
Let our flag with thee be furled.

I know that this is a battle. We are to strike to the heart. The difference between us and the military of today is that, instead of killing, we give life. We are warriors in the Battle for Truth. I know that this Church has that Truth. It is the only one with the Power of Salvation. This church is lead by Christ Himself. It is His to do His work. We are soldiers of Christ, giving life and salvation. I am proud to be part of this army for all my life, for I know it is True.

All My Love,

Élder Sudbury