Generations of Happiness!

Loved Ones,

Hello, hello! I'm sorry that my salutations are always the same. I hope it's not getting too redundant. I would ask how everyone is doing, but from your reports, it is clear to see that there has been laughter and rejoicing in the land. I am so glad! You all just keep enjoying every minute of every day. Life is beautiful, and it is a shame to let even a moment of it pass by unappreciated and un-lived. I'm so very grateful that I am privileged to spend my life with such beautiful people. Have I mentioned that you all are the best? Well, you are. Unfortunately, I have a very limited amount of time to write this. The computers are being very slow today, so I have used up a good amount of my time waiting for everything to load. But, we shall make the best of it!

I was so glad to hear about all the adventures you all had! I love family St. George trips! It looks like this last one was a success. You all just keep finding cool things to do with your lives. Keep it up. Isn't it so great to renew those family relationships by reuniting with loved ones who are scattered across the globe (or just the western United States)? I can only imagine how sweet it will be when we can have a giant family reunion upon leaving this frail, yet oh, so delightful existence. Won't it be amazing to connect with all those whose hearts are knit to ours, with no consideration to space or time? Normally family reunions are just a gathering of those who are separated in a geographical sense, but we can each have the great privilege of sharing the joy of living with those who have been separated from us by generations. How great will be our joy at that supernal moment! I can imagine nothing more pure and beautiful than living as an eternal family with all of our family. Perhaps that is at least partially the meaning of the Prophet Joseph Smith's teaching that we cannot be made perfect without our dead. I want you to know that my love and prayers are with you even though we are separated for a time. I feel that a few thousand miles is a feeble obstacle for love. 

It was my pleasure to again finish reading the Book of Mormon this week. I have had my testimony of that book's divinity renewed. I love the Book of Mormon with all of my heart, and I am so grateful for the truths that it contains. I have been blessed because of the knowledge I've received from the Book of Mormon. But it is not only knowledge that the Book of Mormon offers. Beyond that, I receive a peace that surpasses understanding when I take my worries and cares to a study of the Book of Mormon. Like the dispelling of the fog by the mid-day sun, all of the gunk that can build up from long-term exposure to "the world" is washed away by the power of that book that we have been promised will draw us nearer to God than any other book. We see past the haze of the world when we look to the Book of Mormon. I just want to offer my witness of the Book of Mormon. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. This is a knowledge that has been impressed upon my soul by the power of the Holy Ghost, and I will stand by that knowledge no matter what. I know that anyone who reads the Book of Mormon will better themselves and therefore the world around them. As a servant of the Lord, I promise each of you that if you will prayerfully study the Book of Mormon each day, you will be filled with joy and peace, and you will be strengthened to resist temptation. You will find solutions to your problems and answers to your questions.

I love each of you so much. Thank you for your support, your love, and your prayers. I am loving every day out here in New York. I'm so grateful for this opportunity I have to serve the Lord with all my time, talents, and attention. Stay happy!

Love,
Elder McDonald