America!

Loved Ones,

Happy President's Day! One thing that hopefully Elder Booth will
remember about me after we're companions is that I love America. I try
to say "America" at least once a day after doing something that is
manly like running on the treadmill (that's manly right?). Elder Booth
will also remember my deep love for gorillas, but that's a
conversation for another day. Though I am jokingly over the top about
my love for this great land, I genuinely do love it. What a phenomenal
country we live in! I'm grateful to George Washington and all the
other valiant patriots who sacrificed so much so that we don't have
to. I hope that everyone is enjoying some sort of a patriotic activity
today. Apple pie, anyone?

It was a week of much snowfall here in New York. This winter has been
uncharacteristically snowy and cold. It's been white an experience
(autocorrect turned "quite" into "white", so I thought I'd keep the
pun). Snow shoveling is something else. We've been discussing the need
for a missionary snow plow. That would be great. We've had to be
inside more than usual because of the snow, but that led to the
creation of a little video that you'll probably see within the next
few days. And, it's great to help people out with shoveling. So, life
is good.

It seems like all is well on the home front. I love to see pictures of
your smiling faces. Have you all emerged from the chocolate comma
induced a few days ago? Here's a new chocolate combo to try: peanut
butter and Nutella oatmeal with just a hint of sour cream. It's good!
Mom, I want to thank you for teaching me how to cook. That skill has
been a huge asset out here. This may be a good time to mention (maybe
I have before) how much I wish I would have been more diligent about
practicing piano. There have been many times when I could have used
that skill out here, but I've had to pass the opportunity by because
of my lack of proficiency. Oh, how I wish I would have made better use
of the opportunity I had to become skilled at piano! There is a lesson
there. We've all been given time and talents, and we all have so much
we can accomplish and share. May we not die with most of our music
still in us. Just as I regret not taking full advantage of my piano
lessons, we will most assuredly regret not using the precious
resources of time and talents to their fullest. There is still time
for me to learn from my neglect toward piano practicing, but when the
time comes for us to regret the under-utilization of time and talents,
usually it is night, and no more labor can be performed.

Last week in a trainer and trainee meeting, President Calderwood
shared with us his testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He made me
really excited to pass through some of the moments of Joseph Smith's
life during our little tour of Upstate New York this summer. But more
than that, his testimony reminded me of my own. I just want to make it
very clear that I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the
Restoration. What does that mean? That means he was the chosen servant
through whom God restored the fullness of truth and the proper
authority and power by which we can live that truth. What does that
truth lived look like? It looks like the glowing smile of someone who
has come to feel the love of God in their life. It looks like the
peaceful countenance of one who has been freed from years of burdens
and guilt by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It looks like a family,
happy at home and rejoicing in the knowledge that they can always be
together. It is absolutely beautiful. It is pure and precious above
all other things. And it all started when a humble 14 year-old boy
asked a question. I know that Joseph Smith did see God the Father and
His Beloved Son Jesus Christ. They did in reality speak to him,
calling him by name. Joseph Smith was entrusted with the great
restorative work of these latter days. He was called to be a prophet.
He translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. Oh, how
I love that book! Any honest seeker of truth will come to know that
that book is good and true if they will just spend time prayerfully
studying it. Joseph Smith gave so much, even to the sacrificing of his
very life, so that the smile could appear on the face of the one who
found God, so that the burden of sin could be lifted from the heavy
shoulders, and so that families can have joy together through all
eternity. I love that man. I am grateful to him. I do not worship him,
but I rejoice that he did so much so that I can worship the true and
living God.

I love you all! You are all absolutely amazing! Please be happy! Thank
you for your prayers, your thoughts, your letters, and your love.

Love,
Elder McDonald

America!

Sunset over the Great South Bay. Notice the ice in the water.