Bro. Parker, June 13, 1990
Hello! How are things going in Mesa? How’s the Youth Guide Program doing? I’ve been in France for 6 weeks now and I really love it here. The French people are very nice, but sadly, not very receptive to the Gospel. It’s hard sometimes to know that the Second Coming is very near, and that the majority of this country is living in sin. It makes our job even more urgent, because we know the Lord has prepared many people and there are many who are ready, but we must find them and we can’t waste our time with a lot of people because we must find the “elect.” It’s very sad to listen to someone flat out say that he doesn’t even believe in God, or anything. It’s very sweet, however, when you do come across someone whom the Lord has prepared. We are baptizing a family of 4 whom the Lord has prepared. It is a 39-year-old woman from Martinique and her 3 kids. She has had about 3 dreams that the Lord has given her to answer her prayer and strengthen her testimony. She is already one of the strongest members in the ward and she gets baptized tomorrow. It’s incredible to see her life changed by the Holy Ghost, prayer, and the Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon can convert people and the power of prayer and faith.
Brother Parker, there’s one thing I’ve really realized since I got here. There’s no time to dink around; the Second Coming is near and we must find the people who are ready to listen.
“Behold, I send you out to reprove the world of all their unrighteous deeds, and to teach them of a judgment which is to come.
“And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” D*C 84:87-88.
Bro. Parker, I love you and the “GUIDElines.” It’s awesome.
Love, Elder Ben LeSueur
Brother Parker, 7/9/90
Thank you so much for the copies of the GUIDElines!!! And thank you, too, for your patience with me. Contrary to popular belief, I am still alive and well in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission. As to why I haven’t written, I’ll give no excuses; please accept my sincere apology.
Once again, I’ve sure appreciated the newsletters…it’s a tremendous blessing to read the latest happenings and thoughts/feelings of the Guides. My thoughts are often with them (and most especially, my prayers). Many times, as I read, my eyes begin to water and my heart swells with the love I have for all of them. I know my life is profoundly better simply for having been associated with the Visitors’ Center program; it’s really hit home to me after going on a mission!
I was very touched and impressed with David P.’s thoughts in the last issue. What we do truly does depend upon how we feel about what we know. It would benefit each of us, I feel, to sit back and determine whether or not we are satisfied without life’s (or our mission’s) progress. Our actions are an excellent reflection of the state of our testimonies!! And when something is found in our life that slows our progression, let us not be overwhelmed or wallow in discouragement—that is what the Adversary would have us do. Rather, let us simply make a genuine resolve, and change.
Recently, in one of our Zone Conferences, I heard a statement concerning goals: “A goal is a task that you will accomplish.” This is an excellent definition; however, in my experiences working with many kinds of missionaries, I feel that something else is necessary in that quote. You see there are those who will set lower goals—goals that they can achieve almost automatically, without stretching themselves too far. They feel that it is better to aim low and hit the mark than to aim high and miss, for the latter could bring discouragement at not succeeding. They do not realize that: A high goal attempted will bring more growth than a low goal achieved! How else are we to progress if we do not consistently strive for things that are “out of reach?” Now, this may seem like a pretty strong stand, but I have observed too many missionaries that could have been mighty servants settle for mediocrity. I in no way profess that I’m a “model missionary” or something; I simply have realized more fully the importance of overcoming our natural limitations and excelling with faith. Another question: Who is our role model? He is Jesus Christ. Our goal is to emulate Him and someday reach perfection. Now that’s a pretty lofty goal! But would it not be a shame to find a less-than-perfect role model and try to become like him/her, just to increase our chances of “hitting the mark?” Sure, perfection is a tremendously long process, and not all of us will quite make it, but it’s definitely worth a try in my book! There are bounteous blessings that come to those who are earnestly striving to follow the Savior that do not come any other way. So maybe our definition of a goal should be something more like: “A goal is a task that you will accomplish only after exceeding desire and unusual effort, with undying perseverance until its realization.”
It is my testimony that when we show a willingness to magnify our capabilities the Lord will guide and sustain us. With faith we can set the “unreachable” goals and ACHIEVE GREATNESS!
Bro. Parker, I appreciate you allowing me to express some of the feelings I have had lately. My constant prayer is to my Heavenly Father is that I will be able to carry out my commitments and become the missionary He knows I should be. I dearly love each member of the Youth Guide Program (even the ones I don’t know—and that number seems to grow each month!), because of their desire to please God before pleasing men. Never let them take for granted the sacred opportunities they have at the Visitors’ Center! I’m sure they won’t. Well, I need to sign off. In my next letter I’ll include more “news.” Know that I’m happy, and that the Lord is blessing us with success. May He also bless you abundantly for all your missionary efforts!!!
Love, Elder Lance Williams
P.S. As you can see I haven’t quite mastered typing yet.
P.S.S. – The reason people fall out of the Church is the same reason people fall out of bed: they are not in it far enough!
Brethren: I used both of you as examples of excellence on your missions. It took you awhile to write Lance, and without apologies, I appreciate you letter and its teachings. It is particularly apropos at this time because we have just reached a tremendous 50 referral goal in July and are trying to decide if 30 is a good one for August. I hope that each of the guys will read your letter carefully and put your ideas into their lives. I don’t want to single out one letter over others in the GUIDElines; however, I do believe that because you have been out so long, and the fact that before you left you could put together a powerful message, that we need to hear from you regularly until, and perhaps after, your return. Haven’t decided what we will do when you guys get back, it has been such a trauma getting you out! Trauma for me, that is.
Ben, I especially appreciate your letters for their solidarity and because I believe you write well. I know when I get a letter from you it will contain testimony of the trustfulness of the work and I am bolstered by that fact.
The Second Coming is very near and I believe each of you will have a dramatic part in preparation for it. I have read some Patriarchal Blessings that make me cry in sadness for the trials that are to come, that you guys will have to endure. I just heard yesterday from Trevor that several of his friends have been called to Russia on four-year missions. They have to personally contact President Monson to accept. They will spend six months in the MTC learning Russian and the culture and then 3 ½ years there. I imagine one of our Guides will get a call there soon. You guys have more than a two to one chance of getting calls outside of the U.S.
I would hate to stiffle any of your letters in any way, but I think that between now and Christmas if we could have some thoughts about Christmas’s past and what worked and didn’t and suggestions for the future, it would be good. You know me, always structuring the play. Of course, write what the Spirit dictates, but I think if we set up some themes for the coming months it would help. Can you tell this idea is formulating as I write. How about this: I’d like to hear from all of you, young and old, out a long time or a short time, in the months of September and October on ideas for Christmas. Then, when all your letters have arrived, I will put them together during November into a special CHRISTMAS MESSAGE to the Guides, both here and throughout the world. You see if we increase our goal by 15% over last year we are going to be obligated to receive 412 referrals for Christmas. Now, don’t lose you mind over this, but I am thinking more on the lines of THOUSANDS!!! (David Porter would say, sound like Bro. Parker!) I believe that with the proper training and some innovations we have been thinking and working on that we can do it! That would equal what we do the rest of the year. One thing we are going to get is a permanent table near the ROCK for people to use, with lighting and everything, to write on their comment cards. There is also the possibility of having stations throughout the Gardens using the Book of Mormon and other things to create referral centers. Each Christmas we get a little better at doing those things that work.
Ben, keep us updated on your baptism from Martinique. I appreciate that you realize there is no time to dink around. Keep that thought, because you’re going to have to not only convince people on your mission, but when you return to the States and home you will still have to do it. I expect you guys to hit the wards you live in running when you come home just like you did when you left for your missions, but with wisdom and experience that is so desperately needed in leadership here. I appreciate your faithfulness in writing, Ben. You will never know how much your letters and those of your brethren mean to me. Sometimes, it is as though I am on the mission and you guys are home. I watched the mailbox daily for the latest message from around the world. I worry about Bushman this week. He wrote someone that his companion tried to kill him and was sent home. I don’t know whether it got garbled and he said, “My companions lack of work is killing me,” or what, but I am anxious to hear form him. (In fact, I’ve been to the mailbox 7 times already today hoping for a letter from Chile that I can include in this month’s GUIDElines.
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