Last Sunday Jim was asked to give a fireside on the Declaration of Independence, a tribute to America on her birthday week. It was a great reminder of the specialness of this land, set apart and preserved for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He stressed the scriptures from the Doctrine & Covenants and the Book of Mormon as he talked about the Founding Fathers and their place in God’s plan, the promises that will come to the world because of this country, and the the three essential principles on which America is based: 1) the Rule of Law, 2) civic virtue, and 3) freedom. Our freedoms come not from the government, but from God. It was a great and stirring talk. We love this country! Please be careful in your choices. It is a priority to preserve the blessings given to us. Tonight, as we watch the “Salute to America,” we are stirred with patriotism and thank our Heavenly Father for all He has given us. Just a note about President Trump: We have heard so much said (hatefully) about him, and we understand that. He is, indeed, a pompous narcissist with a sometimes obnoxious way of communicating. However, do not dismiss the lessons of history. President Trump is a doer. He is the only thing standing between our beloved America and the clutches of socialism and destruction. Seek for truth. Do not fall for the messages of the haters and the fake news. Take time and effort to discern right from wrong. The Lord promises us in the Book of Mormon that we will be able to distinguish what is right if we listen to the spirit. (Look at President Nelson’s talk on revelation in April 2018.) Look at the preservation of good, freedom of religion, and rule of law before personality or arrogance. After all, most politicians are self-centered, power-hungry, and strangers to truth. In teaching the Doctrine & Covenants this year, our students (15-31 years old, converts and life-long members) were surprised to find assurance in the holy scriptures that America IS special—a land of promise—and founded under the guiding hand of God. ‘Nuf said.
We went to two baptisms this weekend—an 11-year-old girl, who brought with her her re-activated family, and an 8-year-old boy from an amazing, active family. Both were such joyous occasions! This morning we drove some sister missionaries to Rio Bravo where they taught a young, single mother who was introduced to the Church by her sister. Point: such great blessings in families are building the kingdom all over the earth! Congratulations to my niece Ashton Lewis who received her mission call this week to Warsaw, Poland. I know her grandma (my sister Barbara) is so proud of her!
We got to visit with my cousin Susan, her husband Doran, and my aunt Raeola last week. We had a lovely trip to Austin, and every minute was precious, full of love and memories.
Jim’s front dental bridge broke a few weeks ago, so he is sporting a temporary set of teeth while the new, thousands of dollars’ replacement is being crafted. Hmmm…that’s where old people’s money goes!
We love you all! Hope to come to Utah again in August for Emma’s baptism and maybe to San Diego for Kelsey and Robbie’s sealing. Blessings, blessings, blessings.
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