Week 29

Querida Hermana Lutze,

We had another incredible Stake Conference this weekend. I would just think that is the best talk and then the next one would be even better. It was amazing. Friday night the topic was our covenants that we make and Sunday was on a variety of subjects. Elder and Sister Ence from Brent and Amy's ward came and he presided over the meetings. We served them, the Stake Presidency, the Bishops and their wives dinner on Saturday evening. 

Covenants We keep our covenants according to where we have set our hearts. In Emily's class this week we discussed Ezekiel 47:3-5. I love these verses that talk about the water issuing forth from the temple and healing everything it touches. We gain more and more power through the priesthood as symbolized in these verses with the height of the water as it flows from the temple! Remember the power you felt as you were in the temple! The temple brings us love, knowledge, and light in abundance.

Perfect vs. Worthy It's not about being perfect in this life but being worthy! Elder Ence talked about a pasture he was tilling and how he kept digging up all these rocks. He compared this to our lives and how we should be constantly throwing the rocks out of our lives. He emphasized the importance of being strong in the gospel and everything else will take care of itself.

Service  Is our service good, better, or best? Our salvation depends on the level of our compassion. President Lyman said to ask ourselves, "Have I done what I could? Do I make space and time for others?" When we are serving others we should study out what we should do, pray for revelation on the subject, and then show up and do! He said, "Perfect courage is to do acts of kindness that are unwitnessed."

Conversion This is a change in our very nature. We cannot lift others if we are not on higher ground.

Trials 2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight"

Sacrament When we partake of the sacrament He wants us to write His name in our hearts. Is the sacrament a Passover for you? He offers us tender mercies through the sacrament. When we partake of the bread and water it is symbolic that we are making Him a part of ourselves. When the veil (table cloth) is lifted off the bread and water it is an invitation to commune with God. The bread is broken. It is symbolic that we can be healed too when we are broken. The priest prays for us and the deacon extends the arm of mercy to us as he offers us the bread and water. The first prayer we covenant that we are willing and the second prayer we covenant that we do it. The sacrament is so beautiful and we take it for granted most of the time. Do we truly give it the time and attention that it deserves?

Living Water D&C 1:30 "And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased..." We talked about this scriptures in Emily's class and again in Stake Conference this weekend. Those not of our faith are often angry with us when we say we belong to the only true church. We discussed the importance of quoting this scripture correctly. We belong to the only true and living church because we receive the living water of revelation through the prophet and the apostles. Other churches have truth but they are not living because they do not receive revelation from God. The other part that was impressed upon me is the "...with which I, the Lord, am well pleased." Elder Ence went on to talk about the Woman at the Well and water that Jesus offers which is the living water. He spoke of wells that he has dug and that it is so important that there is enough water coming into the well that you don't burn the water pump out. We must fill our lives with the living water so that we don't burn out. So we can endure to the end.

Life here is crazy. I spent over fifty hours at work last week with our go-live for i-Centra. I also attended Emily's class and the temple. I find I really need these moments to feel the spirit when my life is so hectic. Hannah went to Prom last night with a group of 12 girls. They had a great time! Marissa did her hair for her. :) Hannah is singing tonight in the world wide devotional for single adults! I'm excited for her. I received an e-mail from the mission office Friday that they had received your debit card. They promised me they would get it to you this week. When you have it let me know and I will activate it. :) We're looking forward to talking with you in a week. Do you know what time you will call? We love you and pray for your success!

Love,

Mom