Brantford, Week 10

July 23, 2012

Hello Family!

Sorry its a late email today. I'm pretty annoyed about it, but its a long and not very important story, so I'll just leave it at that :)

I've heard there is lots of dry weather in the U.S., and there is here for sure. Or I've heard of other extreme weather, like too much rain. People are really worried about all the crops not surviving here. Be prepared!

The past week had a couple of nicer cooler days out. It was a nice change. Just last night there were thunderstorms surrounding Brantford. So in the distance you could see lightning flashing. I counted about 20-30 flashes in one minute. I've never seen anything like that before! It was cool to see. I kind of wish it was closer!

The past week I've been trying to study more about Christlike attributes. There is a chapter specifically about them in Preach My Gospel. Attributes such as Faith, Hope, Charity & Love, Patience, Virtue, Knowledge, Diligence, and Obedience. I've been reading a talk about the Atonement also. These studies have got me thinking about God's power. And about the Priesthood. Doctrine & Covenants 121:41 says "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by LOVE unfeigned." Basically that means, that no man can say "Alright, I have the priesthood! I automatically have the power of God." No man can exercise Priesthood authority if he is a brute. I cannot be a true and effective representative of the Lord Jesus Christ unless I have a true feeling of LOVE and RESPECT for people.

I've been thinking about these things a lot. And its good, because it helps me see my flaws, past and present, and it helps me want to be better. It helps to remember that God IS a God of Love. His glory is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." What makes Him happy is when we're happy. When we choose to follow the natural laws of God, when we can be together forever with our families (eternal life). All of us will live forever, that is a gift from God. But to have eternal life with our families, that takes faith, repentance, and making and keeping covenants, and enduring to the end.

I love you all so much, and you are always in my prayers. I'd really appreciate if you could keep me in your prayers. I feel them when you do, I know you have. I will need that extra boost for the coming weeks.

Love,
Elder Brett Simper