Where are we, Really?

Where are we, Really?

March 13, 2016

     Today, I look out the window at the fog and think of our weekend. Where are we, really? Some island? Some exotic vacation spot? It gently rained most of the day yesterday blessing this land with moisture. It seemed like Heavenly Father was aware of the special day of March 12 in Independence and was cleansing the land. Where do I begin? Can I just give you a few highlights:

*Elders Stevenson, Anderson, and Deschler preached to all of us yesterday morning in a mission conference. When they arrived, we all immediately stood in a wave and they walked into a silent chapel filled with beautiful, beautiful young people (and some older missionaries).
*Right after he entered the chapel Elder Stevenson asked all missionaries to come by, shake his hand, and tell him where they were from. So, my elder and I got a ten second interview with him. How sweet!
*Elder Anderton, one of our young missionary's, whispered, "Doesn't this remind you of 3rd Nephi?" Yes, it certainly did, Elder Anderton. It certainly did.What a place to be!
*After the conference, we went to Matalili and Jordan Jolly's wedding reception. It was a full-blown Samoan affair. We may as well have been at the Polynesian Cultural Center with the floorshows, food, gift presentations, and dancing.
*This day can only be summed up as one of the highlights of our mission. We will never forget the kindness of the good people of the Blue Mills Ward in Independence, MO. We will never forget the sweetness and goodness of these young missionaries we see so often.
*This mission will always be "part of our DNA" as Elder Stevenson said.
*The Lord's work is the same everywhere but it is different everywhere also. I just want to be a part of that work. And more than that, I want to be a part of that work with my elder, our children, and our grandchildren. I want our grandchildren to feel what we felt yesterday in a meeting with a living prophet. Someday, in a distant land, a living prophet will visit their mission, and they will stand in reverence and respect and be reminded again that as a young missionary, they are truly about the Lord's work. If they only convert themselves, that will be enough.

My love to all,
Sister Seaman

The Truth

     The pundits on Fox News are talking away about nothing and everything and I can't get the feeling out of my head that what they are talking about may not be the truth or at least only partly true.  How can that be? The other channels are far worse.  In my life time, the news has gone from strict truth to hardly true.  The prophecy has certainly come to pass that evil men are calling evil, good and good, evil and that it is hard to tell the difference.  Perceptions are becoming reality. How are we to tell what is the truth in these days of turmoil and uncertainty?  Is there a way to tell?
     Yesterday, our mission had the privilege of hearing a prophet's voice.  Elder Gary Stephenson, a new apostle, spoke in our mission conference and taught us a few things.  One of the things that I thought was most important and timely was his teaching on the Holy Ghost.  He said that through obedience with exactness and hard work (I took this to mean that through our worthiness, study of the scriptures and fulfilling our callings with all diligence) that we would have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost who testifies to the truthfulness of all things. As I consider the current state of the world, I believe that living the way the prophets are directing us is the only way we will find our way.
     I am also aware that our children and grandchildren are coming more prepared than ever before and they will be ready to assume the leadership of the church in the coming days.  But they need to be taught and prepared for their future roles.  They will especially need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.  I think that they will have times in their lives when they will yearn for sacred direction. 
     "The standard of truth has been erected, no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear; till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." Joseph Smith in the Wentworth Letter
     Nothing will stop the work from progressing.  Have faith and not fear.  It will not be easy but all will turnout alright. Teach your kids the gospel and to be obedient to the commandments and the promises they make with God. Teach them how to repent.  Teach them respect for priesthood authority and how to pray.  Teach them how to find the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. They will find the truth.  Everything depends on how you do these things. We pray for your success.

Sincerely,
Elder Seaman