October 7, 2013

Dear Mum, 

    What a powerful experience conference was! We had many of our less-actives and investigators attend. That only comes through diligence and the good grace of God. Saturday morning session was especially good; elder Dube (the african) was an enthusiastic speaker wasn't he? A lot of the missionaries wanted to stand up during his talk and shout "hallelujah!". When he talked about the field work he did with his mother: "Edward, don't look back, see what we still have to do!". 

   President Uchtdorf's talk in Saturday session was even better! The man going down the hall of religions and asking what our church requires of its members. I laughed along with everyone else at the comment "now I'm confused...why would anyone do all of that?" to which the reply was "I thought you'd never ask!"

   Jeffrey R. Holland probably saved someone from taking their own life with his words on depression. I hadn't expected him to speak on that! Interestingly enough, although it was so different the same message of endurance came across. After that session Elder Poulino and I talked about it with a member over dinner. Apparently depression is becoming a plague among the YSA in the church! 

   Of course, the most powerful talk I heard was the one I needed most. I haven't seen the Sunday afternoon session yet. Our prophet Thomas S. Monson spoke his heart and the Spirit touched me. It was in His closing testimony, when he said something like "I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that God lives..." that a warm shock hit me from my crown down. Immediately after I received further witness and more conviction that, yes, My Heavenly Father is there, He has been watching over me. Just after that I gained more testimony that President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's Prophet and has been appointed by Him to lead us. The mantle rests on him. I wrote it down in my journal last night to be a reminder that at one point I felt a firm witness of this truth.

   This week we saw many miracles and met many with plenty of miracle stories. I could write a book with all of the people I meet, stories they have and things I experience. The only big wish I have right now is to be able to attend the temple! I could ponder the things spoken even better there. i guess life is another way to learn it all firsthand. Here's a quote from an investigator that was inspiring: "trials before testimony". 

    Great job with the family history work! That's the work of salvation right there as well! It's all one work. You'll probably get my letter today, hope you enjoy it! Oh I got a new camera charger, so you'll now be able to get more pictures (the last one disappeared!). 

    Heather I hope you like the comic! I'm practising to become an artist. No, actually Elder Poulino and I are practising singing "Oh Divine Redeemer" (wasn't it awesome? We just need to get the words, none of us know what they are singing between the choruses). I'm forming a scheme to get into the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. 

   Love you both! I'll write more this week (this last week I did the comic and wrote some other friends, so that's why I was bogged down in responding, it's amazing to find the time!).

 The American Brit Boy,  

     Elder Cooper

P.S. Have fun on the date Heather!