Charity Never Faileth

Loved Ones,

Hi! So, now everyone is finally back in the place where dreams come true, eh? Well, I suppose that could be several places depending on who you are. Personally, I feel that Disneyland is actually the only place that really deserves such praise, so never mind. I was a bit too hasty in my classifying of Southern California, though it is a place of wonders. But I'm sure that you are all benefiting from the vitality that seems to only come from consistent, deep breaths of ocean air. Does it feel like you came home? Are we officially a Southern California family? What adventures await just beyond the horizon? (I'm imagining these questions being asked in a dramatic manner, such as at the end of an episode of Pokemon. I seem to remember dramatic questions being asked at the end of Pokemon episodes.) But anyway, it sounds like everything is working out quite swimmingly. I am glad that happiness prevails in your hearts!

This week was not very eventful in the traditional sense of the term, so I don't have a lot of exciting stories to tell, but it was a good week that provided a myriad of teaching and learning experiences. One thing does come to mind that I'd like to share. I think that the most important lesson I learned this week is the grand, eternal importance of charity. Elder Legere and I have had a few encounters with antagonistic individuals over the past months, which is to be expected, and these encounters have taught me a lot about myself and what I can do to be more charitable and loving. I think that you all have realized that I'm a pretty passionate person. When I agree or disagree with something, I tend to do so with a fair amount of zeal. It's just my nature, I suppose. I feel strongly about those things that are important to me, and I often vocalize these feelings. This can be a good thing, but any virtue can transform itself into a vice if we are not cautious (President Packer taught us this wise counsel in his conference address). Sometimes, I think I can be a bit like the impetuous Peter. We all remember the story in which he brashly cuts off the ear of one of those who sought the arrest of the Savior. He too was a passionate man. In comparing myself to Peter, I want to be careful, and state clearly that I am only comparing one of his characteristics with one of mine. I could not with any degree of justification place myself on the same level as such a powerful man. But, my point is that I can sometimes be a little bit rash in expressing my thoughts. When people challenge my faith and even condemn it, I am moved to take a stand. I never like to be angry or unkind, but sometimes my passion can be overbearing, I've found. So, what I've learned is that passion is good, but it must be placed in the bounds of charity for the effect to be positive. I've learned that the most important thing is to love people, and then everything else falls into place. I'm now trying to slow down, and really love those who I come in contact with. Then, I can direct my passion in the proper direction. If we don't have charity, then we are nothing. I need to love more.

Speaking of love, I was able to attend a wedding last week - the second one in a month! A couple that is being taught by the Spanish-speaking missionaries in the district was married in preparation for their baptism. It was a great occasion. Weddings are just a joy. I didn't think that I would be attending one as a missionary, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to see families unite in such a tangible way. I really can't think of anything else that would be exciting to share. I'll try to have a more intriguing report next week. I can say that I am really excited for President Monson's address to the world on June 23rd. I think it will be a historic point in Church history. We really are living in such a remarkable time. It is a great privilege and opportunity.

I want to add on to the invitation I extended last week. Family history work continues to be a focus in my mission, and I've seen the power that comes from this beautiful work. I want to promise a blessing to each of you through a quotation from Elder Richard G. Scott's October 2012 conference address. In the words of Elder Scott: "Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost...Set aside those things in your life that don't really matter. Decide to do something that will have eternal consequences...Begin now. I promise you that the Lord will help you find a way. And it will make you feel wonderful." I know that what Elder Scott teaches is true. I invite each of you to engage in this work. I actually ask each of you to do so as a way to help me in my missionary efforts. I will be doing family history work weekly, and I hope that you all can join me so that we can find our ancestors who, at this point, remain undiscovered. I also ask you to prayerfully search out and select stories about our ancestors and pictures of them that I could share with others. Then, send them my way! Not only will this help us to combine as one in a missionary effort, but our family will be blessed as we learn about and connect with our ancestors. I am so grateful for all the support and strength you all have given to me so far, and I am hesitant to ask for anything more, but I know that the Lord will bless us, and that as we work together, great things will be brought to pass. I pledge to increase my efforts and to give more of myself. I pray for the strength to do so. Thank you all for all you do. I love each of you dearly.

Love,

Elder McDonald