Happy Birthday Dad!

Loved Ones,

Salutations! How is everybody? Thank you for your letters and emails. It's always so good to hear from each of you. Each letter of support is like a piece of light that I can add into my "light pouch" and call upon in moments of distress or difficulty. I have been greatly benefited by having a full light pouch, thanks to each of you. Without all of the love I feel, I would be truly lost. The most important and lifting love I feel is the love of my Father in Heaven that I can experience by virtue of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I encourage each of you to seek this love, for it is "most sweet" and it "[fills] my soul with exceedingly great joy." I know that each of us can feel that love if we will but be willing and obedient.

It looks like there was some good celebrating going on last week. Congratulations Dad! In the hopes that I can dull some of the pain that is induced by the relentless encroachment of old age, I want you to know that I've been telling everyone you're 42. That's what I legitimately thought. Everyone who sees my family pictures always comments on how young my parents look. So don't listen to what your birth certificate says! You're young. You're so young. Speaking of parents, I want my mom and dad to know how grateful I am for their tireless efforts in raising me. While fulfilling some of the duties of a zone leader, I've had occasion to experience a taste of what you two must have felt from time to time as you worked to raise me in the ways of truth and righteousness. I now partially understand some of the difficulties that must have come, and the challenges I must have brought upon you at times. I want you both to know that I am very grateful that you kept trying, no matter what. I have been richly blessed because of your efforts. So, thank you. I am learning so much and receiving so many blessings each day. Mom, I'm trying to think of what I could say to give you a summary of what goes on out here. Elder Cutshall and I are teaching this really cool guy named Jimmy. He is awesome. He is eating up the Book of Mormon, and I think he really wants to change his life. He's been searching for the truth for a long time, and it is great to see how he has responded upon encountering the endless and eternal truths found in the Book of Mormon. We are really trying to unite our efforts with the members here. Missionary work does not work without the members of the Church. It's so important to reach out in love and share what you know. There are many simple, friendly ways to do this, and I know that the Lord will help us as we strive to do our part. If we can develop charity, the pure love of Christ, everything will change. Love is so powerful. I feel like I just go on all day about love, but I can't help it. I'm convinced that there is nothing that love cannot overcome. I want to share a quote from President Calderwood that really puts charity into perspective for me. He said, "Charity is a sacred virtue because it is the character and nature of Jesus Christ." Isn't that cool? If we develop charity, then all of the other Christlike attributes become a part of us - they are included in the "charity package". I suppose I should include in my update the news about next transfer. Elder Cutshall is being transferred, so I will have a new companion. We've had a great time together and become good friends. He's taught me a lot, and I'm grateful that the Lord has once again placed me in the situation I needed. So, I will tell you all about my new companion next week! In summation, I am happy and healthy, and I'm loving life. Life really is wonderful, isn't it?

I just want to mention a few thoughts that have really helped me lately. I have begun to understand how much power there is in simplicity, and how we can achieve that simplicity that I believe we yearn for, even though we may not always realize it. I think of the quintessential "old-timer" who laments the demise of the "good-old days" when life was simpler. Well, we can make today a "good-old day" by simply being obedient to the Lord's simple commandments! Simple, right? President Monson said, "Obey the laws of God. They are given to us by a loving Heavenly Father. When obeyed, our lives will be more fulfilling, less complicated." So, not only will obedience make our lives simpler, it will make them more fulfilling. The idea of simplicity bringing more fulfillment almost seems counter-intuitive, but I believe this is an eternal truth. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication," in the words of Leonardo da Vinci. I've also learned that simplicity also brings ultimate sophistication. In Doctrine and Covenants 98:28, we read, "He that keepeth [God's] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things." So simple obedience will ultimately result in a fulness truth and light. Everything becomes so much easier when we choose to obey. We avoid so many "what-ifs" and so much heartache if we just make the decision now to be obedient. Obedience is easy if disobedience is not an option. In a paradoxical way, exact obedience makes us free. I know that if we will obey, our lives will be simple, beautiful, and free. I need to be much better at this, and I know that if I will be more obedient, I will find lasting peace and happiness and eternal success.

I love you all so very much. Thank you for all that you do, all that you say, and all that you are. I am very privileged to spend my life in the company of such wonderful people. Have a great week!

Love,
Elder McDonald