Promises to keep

Hey everyone!

First off, I hope everyone who rads this has been enjoying general conference as much as I have! So far, I have watched the morning session in the JSMB chapel where the mission normally has it's Sunday meetings. I had tried to get a seat in the theater in the building, but despite my having shown up about 45 minutes early, it was already filled up. Oh well, it was still a great experience to have been able to watch it. As always, I will be attending the priesthood session live. I am very excited for this, especially since someone who used to serve on this mission, former Elder Frederickson, will be singing in the men's choir for this session. Aside from this, I plan on waking up a bit earlier next morning to wait in a stand-by line so that I will be able to attend the Sunday morning session, which session I have noticed tends to be the session in which new apostles are given an opportunity to speak. So, I will look forward to that, and I hope you do as well!

Anyway, now for the rest of the week. The week had kicked off quite nicely with a special Easter program put on by the choir. What happened in this program was the choir sang many songs regarding the death and resurrection of our Savior at this program. Aside from this, there were messages shared about the songs, and the messages therein. However, this was somewhat different than your typical choir program. Remember how I may have said that the director of the choir, Sister Watkins, had contributed the music for a couple of songs to our hymnbooks? Well, this was also because she had served on the general music committee of the church. As a result, she knew quite a few people to ask to come over to share messages. These were generally the people who had originally written either the music or words for these songs. We even had a visit from one of the tabernacle organists who performs with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Sister Bonnie Goodliffe, who played for a hymn sung with the congregation as well as an organ improvisation of her own. She was also the organist for the Saturday afternoon session of conference, which I just got out of. So, it was truly a memorable Easter program that day!

There have been some interesting developments at zone as of late. I don't think now would be a great time to tell you all what exactly I am talking about, as it has not even been officially announced to the zone yet - just the district leaders. All I will say is I am playing a role in what is going on. I will give more details next week. Aside from these happenings which have been discussed, I feel that I should let you know that mission leadership has said that they would rather have Elder Garfield, who just came back in to the zone, take on the role of head district leader in the zone. That's fine by me, honestly - he has more experience in leadership anyway. Besides, I have plenty on my plate already, especially with last Thursday. You see, last Thursday, FamilySearch was experiencing a major system-wide issue with temple lists not showing reserved ordinances. Now, naturally, this meant that until the engineers were able to find out what the problem was and fix it, we were getting phone calls from everyone and their dog about why their information had disappeared. We essentially had to tell them that yes, it was broken; yes, engineering was on it; and yes, we would let them know that everything was resolved. All in all, it was one wild day. But, then again, as I have before said from time to time, I'd rather have heaps of work to get done rather than nothing to do at all.

Now, General Conference brings to Salt Lake City Latter-Day Saints from all over the world. This actually includes former missionaries on this mission coming back in to the library. As for whether they are there to do family history or say hi to their old friends, I am not sure, nor am I completely sure how within the rules it is. All I know is that I have seen many former elders. I won't go over all their names, though I will note that former Elder McElwain, my trainer, was actually among them. It was nice to see him again! I don't know if I will come back to the family history library in the future for the sole purpose of saying hello to the missionaries I served with, but I do plan on returning to Salt Lake City for general conference in the future.

Finally, I should announce that a friend of the mission is scheduled to come visit us again, as he was not able to the first time. I am sure that I have told you that a special mission conference was planned at which Elder Dallin H. Oaks was to speak. I believe I have also told you that this was complicated by President Monson's passing. However, now Elder (or should I say President now) Oaks now has plans to visit our mission again for a special Monday morning devotional on the 9th of this month. Now, this is going to be a pretty big event, if I don't say so myself! There will be much preparing to do in anticipation of this, just as there was with Elder Duncan's visit to the mission. Either way, I will look forward to this, and let you know how everything goes.

Anyway, these are the current happenings of this week. Things are going along greatly here! I am enjoying having Elder Black as a companion, we get along quite well! I am learning every day to enjoy the work at zone, even though it can be difficult at times. Time management is still a bit of a challenge, but it is one which I have been getting better and better at tackling. I think that, when I finally return home from the mission, I will be noticed as having changed from the man I once was. That is my ultimate goal - to have significantly changed for the better. And so, I leave you with that today. I hope you all have a great week, and enjoy the remaining sessions of conference!



From,

Elder Bryce Petersen



Challenge: My challenge this week has two parts to it. The first is most likely something you saw coming from a mile away: take conference seriously. Of course, not everyone can come in person to attend this marvelous event, but it is still a wonderful assembly of saints worldwide to hear the word of the Lord through his ordained servants serving as general authorities of the church. Take heed to the words which they share. Write down notes as well - it will give you something to look over in the upcoming months, as well as help you to stay awake as you listen to what is said. However, the second part of my message is actually taken from former Elder Frederickson, who challenged those on his E-mail list to pay attention to the music which is performed and sung during the sessions of conference. He had mentioned that some of the songs were requested by the Brethren themselves. Just as always, but to a bit greater extent in this context, there are messages in these songs, and lessons to be learned. Pay attention to which songs are performed, especially to the lyrics. If you are in a situation which you can do so, even sing the hymn which the congregation sings with the choir in each session. Music will be a great way to invite the spirit, and open you up to further revelation as a result. Now, as you ponder the messages shared in the addresses by the leaders of the church, as well as the songs performed by the choirs, you will find answers to questions which you have had, and you will receive revelation with which you can direct your lives, and in them improve every aspect.

Blackmail

Hey everyone!

Well, transfers were exciting as always. My entire district got moving notices, except for myself. That is fine my me - I quite like the apartment which I am in. The major changes are as follows:
First off, the Srokas (the senior couple who were in charge of training new young elders) have finished their mission, and have left. Elders Jacobson, Tribe, and McGrew have also finished their missions, and have returned home. The former two have been released from district leadership as a result. Elder M. Snow has also been released from district leadership. We only have two new district leaders - the mission has been rearranged so that it now has one less district. The two new district leaders are Elders Hartner and Walker. The two Elders who are training this transfer are Elders Yeoman and McNeely. Finally, as Elder M. Snow was the "head district leader" in our current zone, but has been released from that, I have been assigned to take his place in this regard.

Now, for me, aside from the previous announcement, not much has changed for me - obviously I am still in the same zone, and I have not moved. My P-Day, as I predicted, is still on the same day. However, I do now have a new companion named Elder Black - he joined the mission at the same time as Elder Beeson, though he is much older than me - 24, to be exact. So far, he and I are getting along quite nicely, and I look forward to spending the rest of the transfer with him. Attached is a picture of us together, taken just a few moments ago.

This month, we had our regular Hail and Farewell dinner to celebrate new missionaries, as well as those who are leaving the mission. I had planned on bringing a meal for the potluck, but unfortunately, I was struck with an unexpected bout of forgetfulness. But, it was still a good event to celebrate the service of some wonderful missionaries. Also, I have taken a couple of pictures at this event. The first attached picture is myself with the former Elder Jacobson, who left last Tuesday. He is a good friend and a great leader. Then again, perhaps I should not write this as an obituary - he's just going home. Anyway, the next picture is one of me wearing the glasses of another missionary. Others have said that I look like Clark Kent when wearing them - I will let you guys be the judge of that.

I have already covered the changes resulting from the transfer. To be honest, I am not overly surprised that I am staying in the zone for yet another transfer - the mission is now working to keep young elders in the zone for a long while (about a year, I hear), and President Fenn had hinted in our monthly interview that I'd be there a little longer anyway. Speaking of President Fenn, he conducted transfer conference a bit differently this time - rather than show the transfer presentation before or after his message, he decided to compromise and show it in the middle. He had two different subjects to talk about, you see, and so he interjected the presentation between the two of them. Such was a unique way to conduct this, but hey - it worked!

Now, I had mentioned earlier the absence of an Elder M. Snow from leadership. Because of this, and my experience in the zone, I have been assigned to take his place as "head district leader". What this essentially means is that I represent the young elders in the contact center, and I represent them at staff meetings for the North America division of FamilySearch support. The first of these took place last Wednesday. I can't say that this was the most exciting of events in this mission. But, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. The meeting was able to achieve it's purpose, which purpose was to organize certain issues which are going on, not just in the zone, but for North America in general. I was able to bring up some issues which were currently going on in the zone, and bring everyone a bit more up-to-date on the state of the zone. So, I feel like I did my job correctly.

The young elders on the mission have also had a monthly temple trip last Friday. This time, we visited the Bountiful temple. Now, temple trips are always special, but I feel that this one was even more so - I was able to receive answers to questions which have been weighing on my mind. Such a place is a great setting in which to receive revelation, and that which I have received clarified much for me. I have also attached some pictures from the trip to the temple - one is the outside of the temple itself, and the other is the view of the Salt Lake valley from where the temple is.

Anyway, there is my week. I enjoy typing these E-mails, and being able to keep in touch with you. I love you all, and hope you have a great week!



From,

Elder Bryce Petersen



Challenge: If one is to maintain his/her testimony of the Gospel, one of the most important facets of this is the reception of personal revelation. God wants to speak to us - we are His children, and any father would want to be able to speak to his sons and daughters. Even so, there are prerequisites which are needed in order to receive these words of wisdom, and more ways beyond this to make it easier to do so. We must first have the Holy Spirit with us - if he is not present, then we cannot receive revelation. To have him with us, cleanliness must be present (see Helaman 4:24). This surely applies to spiritual cleanliness, the importance of which cannot be understated, but this actually applies to temporal cleanliness to some extent as well - though it is possible to receive revelation in a messy house, who would want to spend a lot of time in a house whose owners did not make an effort to make clean? Once this is done, one must be in the correct mindset to receive revelation. This can be done with prayer and uplifting music (see D&C 25:12). Once this is done, revelation can take place. However, the Spirit cannot draw from an empty well. Therefore, one must have resources to study - this can be scriptures, the words of modern prophets, other inspired writings, or even reflection upon personal spiritual experiences. During such study and reflection, one must ask for answers from God. This is when revelation happens. This will likely not come as a marvelous vision from heaven, or as a light flooding the room, but rather in "a still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:11-12). This is my challenge: follow the described steps to receiving personal revelation. Following such steps will open the windows of Heaven, and one can know the will of the Lord for his or her current situation, as well as their life as a whole.

Unexpected arrivals

 

Hey everyone!

First off, I must share with you a story which happened last Saturday. I would have included it in my General, but it happened as I went shopping for my groceries for the week - this happened after I had sent the General. Anyway, it was a bit of a stressful shopping trip. First off, I had signed up for a much later van than I usually take due to my tardiness in signing up for a vehicle. After this, we got to the store, but it took quite a bit longer than I would have liked - when I reached the check-out line, I had tried to choose a shorter line. I failed at this, and ended up in line for what I believe was 15 minutes. However, this was perhaps meant to be. I had returned to my van, and those of us who were out shopping were talking to a man parked next to us. He asked us questions about our beliefs - not critical questions, he wasn't looking to start an argument at all. Instead, he seemed spiritually lost. He did believe in God, though he had led a difficult life. Long story short, we had answered his questions, and I had given him my pocket-sized Book of Mormon which I had carried everywhere in my suit for a while, and we had invited to attend an LDS worship service the next day (Sunday). I have learned from that experience that one never knows when he will be given an opportunity to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. Therefore, one must always be prepared spiritually always, just in case such an event comes up. I have also learned that the Lord has a hand in the work of his servants so they can be in the right place at the right time - I had signed up for a van for a time I don't usually shop, and I had waited much longer than normal in the checkout line at the store - now, I don't believe that was an accident.

Anyway, now to the happenings of this week. I must say, this week is the week - my one-year mark had passed by last Tuesday! One year ago that day, I had said goodbye to the family in the lobby of the building which I now visit every Mondayfor the devotional. Of course, due to the missionary schedule, I have not been able to celebrate yet, but now that it is Saturday, I will be going out to Tucano's for the third time during my mission. It was either that or the Garden restaurant on the 10th floor of the JSMB - both were about the same price, but I was hungrier for Brazilian cuisine than the American fare served at the Garden. I may eat there in the future sometime though. Either way, I look forward to being able to celebrate a year's worth of service, and kick off another great year!

Now, I had not expected this Monday to be much different than your typical Monday - there were still a week until the third Monday of the month, which is normally when new young elders arrive on the mission. However, tradition was set aside for this week, and we got exactly two new young elders this month - Elders Shaw and Hollingsworth. I guess this means that transfers will be happening this next week. However, I do not believe much will change for me here - I have had my monthly interview with President Fenn earlier this week as well. He had told me that he plans on keeping me in this zone for a bit longer, and that he plans on keeping me as a district leader for a while longer. So, the only change I could see coming is that I would lose my companion. Even that is unlikely though. So, you should be able to expect me in the same zone, and receiving E-mails from me on the same day as always.

We have had our Young Elder's conference this week. President Fenn was the first speaker here, and the very first thing he did was ask if everyone had a pencil and a pad of paper with which to take notes. Now, I carried a couple of pencils with me in my suit pocket, but I did not have any paper. He then had some paper and pencils passed out to everyone who was lacking. Of course, I was not well prepared, but now, I no longer plan on making such a mistake again. Anyway, President Fenn only spoke for a few minutes due to schedule constraints. After this, we heard from his assistants, and next from the counselors in the mission presidency, as well as their wives. The messages shared, as always, were great. I will cover one thing which stood out to me in my challenge below. 

Finally, the choir has been practicing for an Easter program. I am excited to be able to perform with the choir more than I have been as of lately, and I don't want to ever stop attending as I have before. I don't remember the songs which we will be performing for the Easter concert, nor do I remember the one which I performed last Monday. However, performing with the choir is still good. It makes me think of what I will do when I get home - I will definitely have to continue making music of some sort then.

Well, it has been good to be able to E-mail you again this week, and to hear from you as well. Thank you all very much for your support. I hope you all have a good week!

From,

Elder Bryce Petersen

Challenge: During mission conference, we were given a message from the assistants to the president, as we always are. They had spoken to us on an issue which I have noticed is quite prevalent in the mission - specifically, some Elders have not been overly thrilled with their assignments, and quite a few feel under-utilized. In speaking of this, one of the assistants, Elder Evans, had shared with us a story from his childhood, where he would take long car rides. To entertain him, his dad had asked him to count all the trucks which passed by on the road. As he counted them, he began to realize that there were many of them on the road, and they seemed to be the only thing that people would drive. However, when he began counting cars instead, he realized that there were a lot of cars as well, and they now seemed to far outnumber the trucks. In reality, the amount of cars and trucks was about the same throughout the entire experience - there were never any more or less. His looking for one or the other did not change how many were on the road - just how many he perceived to be there. Such is the way with everything in life - if we are to look for problems, lack of competence, injustice, and just bad things in general, then we will be sure to find them, and they will seem to far outnumber the good things. However, is the problem truly in the environment we are in, or is it within ourselves? President Monson has said, "We cannot control the wind, but we can adjust the sails". So, instead of looking for the bad, "count your many blessings, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done". I, personally, think this is a great mission - what a blessing it is to serve in the family history library and around Temple Square! What a blessing it is to be able to serve in the first place! There is a lot of good in this mission, and though one should not simply tolerate certain situations, there are many times where the solution may be to simply count trucks instead of cars, or blessings instead of problems. That is my challenge to you - when you look for the good, you will find it. The best way to find happiness is, quite simply, to look for it!

General - I ran out of General names a long time ago

Hey everyone!

Before I begin, I should probably let those of you who were previously serving in this mission know what the new assignments of last transfer are. You who fall in this category know these people, and may wish to know of the new responsibilities they have been trusted with. They are as follows:
The new trainers are Elder Hartner,  Elder Roy,  Elder Clark, Elder Hall, Elder Desotel, Elder Hunsaker,  Elder Walker (who had just finished training himself), and Elder Keeley. Me and Elder K. Young have been released from being exercise coordinators (the latter has finished his mission). The new coordinators are Elders Hunsaker and Coleman. We have one new district leader, Elder Gale.

Now, this week has admittedly not been quite the most eventful. However, there are a couple events which I feel are worth writing down in this E-mail. They generally have to do with happenings at zone. Now, for the first time in a while, we have finished all the web cases which we have been assigned to do. Of course, new ones come in all the time, but the queue has been worked on to a point where we can finish all that comes in within an hour. This is a huge achievement for the zone, as for a while, there has been a ton of work to be done here, which hasn't been getting done quite as well. The only problem with this that I can see is that there is now less work to be done.

Fortunately, our leadership knows about this issue. Our administrative supervisor, Todd, has been advocating for us with the other staff members to get us more to do. He says that there is a lot he is trying to get lined up for us, which I am hopeful about. Then again, this is the message which I have been getting for a while. I do remain hopeful, especially since he says that he will tell us a bit more about some of these changes this next Tuesday. He hasn't told us anything regarding this yet - just that we will learn Tuesday. However, what he has done is given us a new queue to learn how to work, which pretty much handles cases related to FamilySearch's Family Tree. He has given us a link to a bunch of training videos, which we are to use to learn about doing the work. When we build up enough confidence with this work, we are to begin working the cases here. This makes me excited and happy - the zone could use more work to do, and more projects to work on.

Earlier this Monday, we have had a mission conference for the entire mission, young elders and senior missionaries alike. This is something which had been planned for a while, and I feel that it went great. This is similar to the last time we had a similar meeting in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square - we had a dinner in the lobby of the Conference Center (the same one which General Conference is broadcast from twice a year), after which we moved to the Assembly Hall. There, a message was shared by President Fenn. Last time, it was about the Book of Mormon. This time, it was about Joseph Smith's First Vision. The message shared was truly inspirational, and I was able to look at this event with new eyes as a result. I should also note that the choir did perform for this conference.

Some of you have asked about my performance in the Elijah choir, which I have not talked so much about as of lately. For this, I apologize - I have not been the best with attendance of either performances or rehearsals, though I have been better with this as of late. As I mentioned earlier, we did perform at mission conference - it was the same number as last time too, a rendition of "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" to the tune of "Come Thou Fount". I have heard before someone tell me that he liked the words, but not quite as much the tune, of the first one, and vice versa. In a sense, I agree, so the unique arrangement was outstanding - I can see why President Fenn requested it. Aside from this performance, we have also performed at the devotional on Monday morning, though I forget which song it was that we sang. We are currently working towards an Easter concert though, so there's that to look forward to. I will disclose more information as it becomes available, and if it is requested.

Aside from this, the happenings of the week are not much. But, I am not complaining - the week, in general, has been great. Thanks a ton for keeping in touch with me, I appreciate the support. Have a great week, everyone!



From,

Elder Bryce Petersen



Challenge: Wise was the man who said the following: "Watch your thoughts - they become words. Watch your words - they become actions. Watch your actions - they become habits. Watch your habits - they become character. Watch your character - it becomes your destiny." I forget who originally said those profound words, but the concept is striking - such small things as thoughts will eventually determine what you do, and what you become. This was a big theme of the Savior's Sermon on the Mount. You may recall that he gave a higher law - for example, that alongside the commandment to simply not kill, one is also not even to get angry; also, one is to not abstain simply from adultery, but also from impure thoughts. Notice how such higher commandments are admonitions to control ones thoughts, as when this is done, not killing and no committing adultery become second nature. Remember, the great doors of history turn on small hinges. If you do not control your thoughts, outside influences will. When outside influences control your thoughts, they will control your words, then your actions, and so on. As a result, you will find yourself going down a road you do not want to go. However, one should always remember that, as Nelson Mandela said, "I am the captain of my soul". You are in charge of your destiny. Why is that? Because, if you choose to do so, you control your thoughts, and all those other things build off of that. But you must first discipline your thoughts. This is my challenge to you: take control of your thoughts. When something that should not be there enters in, do what it takes to get it out. I remember a song from attending Primary in my early days, "hum your favorite hymn". Such a memory - and even action if necessary - will easily dispel dark thoughts. Remember: when you can control your thoughts, you can control your destiny.

Late arrival

Hi everyone!


I would like to start off this E-mail with an apology - I was not able to finish this general E-mail within the first hour block of my doing E-mails. However, I did plan on finishing this, as well as my other E-mails, at 6:00 that day. This is still quite a bit later than normal, because I actually had a service project planned which I had already volunteered for, which I was told was to end at about 6:00. Specifically, I was helping to move computers from Rootstech back in to storage. Simple enough, right? Well, there were over 400 computers which needed to be moved. Also, these were all-in-one setups, on which the computer itself was built in to the monitor. It turns out that the people who had organized the project actually expected it to end at around 9:00. We were actually lucky, and got finished with it at 7:30, but by then, everything was already closed down, and so I was unable to finish my E-mails. So, I am so sorry to everyone who was patiently waiting for my E-mail to come in that day - especially you, Mom. However, in the future, when I know I have a service project like this coming up, I will just take both hours for my E-mails all at once to avoid this in the future. Either way, I am grateful that I was able to get permission to complete my second hour of E-mails today. (Also, it should be noted that all except this, the last part, and the challenge was written last Saturday, so certain words, like yesterday, should be read as if today were still Saturday).

Well, things have been well this week, as they always are. I am still happy here, and I am thankful for every second on this mission. Also, by this point, I have had a lot of them - exactly ten days from now will be my one-year mark! I have just about made it to my halfway-point in the mission. Well, technically, I have already passed this point - missionaries here actually serve twenty-three month missions (due to our not spending a month in an MTC). This means that I will be released February of next year. But, no point in worrying about that just yet - I still have a calling to fulfill, lives to bless, work to be done, and a mission to serve! And though it has been - and will be - a pretty bumpy ride, that's alright - I always though of that sort of trip to be more exciting anyway!

Of course, it hasn't always been fun, necessarily - last week, I ran out of mission funds due to a bit of excessive impulse buying, one thing I have had a problem with. Of course, I was able to get by mostly with mission funds, but I did have to break in to my personal funds, which I regret. But, as it was the end of the month, I have gotten refilled again. So, I have now resolved to be much more careful with my money than I have been before. I have talked to another missionary here about this, and he gave me some good advise on the subject, which I plan on applying. I have also been collaborating meals with my companion, though he doesn't seem to want to do a ton of collaborated meals. That is fine by me - I understand where he is coming from. So, we have reached a compromise in which we only collaborate a couple of dinners each week. I think we can both live with that. All in all, I will be more careful with my money in the future.

I don't know if I mentioned this in my last E-mail, but another change of last transfer is that I have now been released from my calling as an exercise coordinator. It is a bit of a relief for me, now that I am released. It does feel quite different to me though - to not be as involved with the program. I am not complaining though - for everything, there is a season. I also think that mission leadership felt that it was a bit much to juggle district leadership and being an exercise coordinator. I should also note that another of the coordinators, Elder K. Young, was also released as he went home. So, that gives us two new coordinators for the program, Elders Hunsaker and Coleman (names are included for returned missionaries who have known them who are on my E-mail list). I do look forward to seeing what they do with the program. I think it was headed in a pretty good direction when I left, so I look forward to seeing what happens there.

I should also include that the Family History Library has been quite busy this week - this is because, as some of you may know, Rootstech has come to town! For those of you who don't know what exactly Rootstech is, I will describe it as such: think ComicCon, but instead of nerds, it's genealogists. More specifically, it is a family history-based convention put on by FamilySearch every year in Salt Lake City. Of course, the occurrence of such an event doesn't have direct affects on my service as a missionary - young elders have not been given permission to attend (oh well, I will be released just in time for next year). However, this sort of event does bring in genealogists from all over the world. It should also be noted that the event takes place in a convention center less than a full city block away from the family history library. As you can imagine, this means that the library is bursting at the seams with people looking to use the resources there. As a result, in other zones have been quite busy. This has some effects which will be noted hereafter.

The church's family history department has recently held it's annual appreciation events for the missionaries who serve here. The main event was a devotional held in the tabernacle on Temple Square, at which some of the people at the head of the family history department shared some messages. However, the young elders were not permitted to attend that (I guess someone had to run the other zones). Instead, we were given a pizza party in the library. So, I can't say we have been completely left out. Free food is always a nice incentive for us on the mission. There were a couple short messages shared there as well, so we didn't exactly miss out.

We have had our monthly temple session yesterday as well (I will just call it a session from now on, as we only go on an actual trip about once every third month). It was, as usual, at the Salt Lake temple. That went well, though I will say I actually recognized one of the temple workers there from a picture in the mission office - it was the former President Workman, who presided over this mission before President Tate. We didn't exactly get to chat though, which is fine, I didn't really know him at all anyway. But, it just goes to show that it is a small world (or church) after all. It was good for me to attend the temple, especially since I didn't get to come along last month due to my companion not feeling that well. Spiritual experiences like this are what remind us why this gospel is so important, so it is important to make them a priority. This is something I will have to work towards.

Well, it has been good to be able to actually get an E-mail out to everyone back home. I am still sorry for the somewhat inconveniently late E-mail, and I hope that this sort of occurrence does not happen again in the future. I hope everyone has a great week. Thanks again for the support!



From,

Elder Bryce Petersen



Challenge: A wise man has once suggested that there are some things which, when loosed, cannot be recalled, no matter how much you wished you could. Such things include a spent arrow, a spoken word, and a missed opportunity. I would like to take some time to discuss this second item - a spoken word. No matter who you are, and how important and popular you may think yourself to be (or, more specifically, to not be), your words do have power. They have power to either build up, or break down. On this note, words spoken in anger all too effective at performing the latter. For this purpose, one must watch what he says at all times, and try not to get angry over things that do not really matter. However, though a flown arrow cannot be recalled, when you do find that you have said things you regret, the next best thing that can be done is making retribution. This almost always includes an apology of some sort. It is important to note that apology has more power than earning forgiveness for something you have done - it also has the power to heal the one administering the apology. This is why it is important to apologize, even if you feel the other person has forgiven you. My challenge to you this week is to avoid anger over things that are not that important (which, in this context, includes almost everything) above all else. Also, make sure that you watch your language, that you don't say things to hurt other people, and when you found that you have done so, make an effort to apologize - even if you fell you have already been forgiven, or if you are not the one at fault. Doing so will heal the soul, and help to repair any rifts that may have been caused between people.