Family,
I cannot believe we are halfway through November already. 2012 is almost here! But before we get there we must celebrate Thanksgiving and think of and share all the things for which we are grateful. I have noticed much more on my mission than at any other time in my life the lack of emphasis on Thanksgiving. Lights are already up for Christmas. Music is already tuned to the Christmas genre. And our minds seems to be more impressed with what we want than what we already have. I am grateful for so many things in my life it would take all my time to share them with you. However there is one that I share with others on a daily basis. That is my family. If only the world could understand the importance of a happy family or any family for that matter. I realized something the other day that blew my mind. I am not sure the exact statistics but from the many situations I have seen on my mission, the relationships, the homes, I have come to this conclusion: The concept of marriage is lost outside of those who know and understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Too often today are couples living together with no commitment. The only thing that suggests a commitment should be made is the birth of a child out of wedlock but even then, society does not seem to require that. Does the world believe in falling in love anymore and expressing that love by expressing a desire to spend the rest of their life with that individual? I have not seen this very much. That may seem like a generalization and perhaps it is, regardless, it is my perspective and what I have seen and it saddens me. It is sad to see a family who is happy, but the parents have no legal or heavenly bond between them. It saddens me because I have experienced the blessings of this type of household where the mother and father are legally married in this life and are sealed together for eternity. It makes the disagreements seem so small and the future so bright! Each day I share with people how my family has been a blessing to me and I come up with something new each day. I do not want a temporary family, I want a forever family. And I am tremendously grateful to be a part of a forever family.
I might have told you last week but I am starting the Book of Mormon over again in Spanish and English. With each chapter there is not doubt that this book is true. Countless times I have heard the sad attempts of the defacing efforts of others to undermine the Book of Mormon. They just have not read it! Any man who reads that book with the intent to know if it is of God and not merely an invention of man with realize with certainty that it is true. Anyone who does not know it is true has either not read it or has read it with the wrong intentions. We are humans and we are intelligent we can take any truth and rationalize its invalidity. However, that rationalization can only last so long until the truth comes back more boldly and apparent than before. I can understand that there are those out there who fear reading the book because of what it will entail for them and their lives if they find out it is true. The truth shall set you free, I think it was once said. And there is no bondage that I feel in knowing the Book of Mormon is true and that it came through the graces of God to our hands today. There is only freedom.
Speaking of freedom, we recently celebrated Veterans Day. Thanks to all who have served and are serving. The religious freedom we enjoy cleared the way for the Restoration of the gospel to take place here in the USA.
We had a baptism on Saturday! His name is Oscar. He found us. We first ran into him on the street but then by his own accord he showed up to church one day. We began teaching him and he wanted to be baptized but then he disappeared for a minute. He came back to church and asked us that day how he could prepare himself to be baptized! We caught our breath and shared with him a few things that would have to happen. His baptism was very powerful. See, Oscar was one of those souls who had already been baptized. And he shied away from baptism because of this. Most of our efforts with him were directed towards helping him understand the importance of authority. An ice-cream truck driver cannot pull you over and give you a ticket (unless Pat is driving) but a Highway patrol-man surely can. Why? Well, who has the authority? Exactly. God is no different. If we are to be baptized as was Christ, why would we not do as he did and be baptized by a person who hold the authority to perform the baptism? Christ walked nearly 70 miles to reach John the Baptist. Why did he not ask his neighbor or someone who was closer in distance to save the trip? Yes, he is Christ, and yes he is the Son of God, but even still he needed someone who has the authority to perform his baptism. Somehow this has been lost in translation for the world. But through prayer ans study Oscar came to know that he needed to be baptized by proper authority. At his baptism he stood and bore his testimony. The spirit was so very strong and told each of us that he had done the right thing. Our next step is to get him out to share his testimony with others that we teach.
You asked about my host family. Their name is the Slightings. And here is them in a nutshell:
Brother and Sister Slighting are both returned missionaries and BYU grads. They are the parents to four young kids, 2 turtles, a few fish, several chickens, a rabbit, a dog named Rufus who whimpers when you pet him, and 4 missionaries who life above their garage :) Sister Slighting is a stay-at-home mother who holds a Spanish class for her kids once a week. She is very practical and charitable. She has an open door policy with the missionaries so we chat often. She feeds us every now and again and sees our presence as a blessing. She is a great mother. And a great example to us missionaries of the kind of woman we need to find after our missions. Brother Slighting is an avid BYU fan and opposed to all Utes. Including me. He does it with love though. A few years ago he walked in on his son stabbing a picture of a U of U football player. He trains them young :) Brother Slighting is, despite his disdain for the stomping grounds of the Lord's prophets, an exemplary husband. He yields to his wife and leads his family very well. He is the counselor in the Bishopric in his ward and the Spirit is very strong when you are around him. He loves his wife and it is obvious. They have 2 boys and two girls. They are great kids. They love learning and participating in church activities. And they love the missionaries.
We could not ask for a better host family. They are a blessing to us. They go to Utah often so I hope to cross paths with them again after my mission.
So I have typed so much my hands are sore. The church is true and I bid you all adieu.
Love,
Elder Cronin
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