May 11, 2014 - Clark

Dear Family,

We just returned from a testimony meeting with the other senior couples at our training conference.  There are 15-16 couples who serve 23 countries.  We feel so privileged to be among such wonderful people.  Our feelings are still so close to the surface that we are continually on the verge of tears.  the comforting thing is all of the more experienced couples continue to tell us we will love it.  

I have thought a lot about my mother today and how compassionate, understanding and loving she was to me and anyone I loved.  Your mother is living a life worth  emulation and she is so proud of her (our) children and grandchildren.  I know I feared disappointing my mother much more than a hide-tanning from my father.  Mom thinks you can do no wrong, so don't disappoint her.

I know we're not perfect but we're imperfect together working on our joint family project of "no empty chairs"  I have felt so vulnerable and weak but scripture reading, prayer and testimony bearing are strengthening me.  

We had the most amazing Sunday schedule of meetings by attending  a small branch about 45 miles from Johannesburg.  The members were so friendly and welcoming.  I quickly realized how superior to me they were in so many ways.  Their depth of character and their knowledge and thirst for spiritual conversion are readily apparent.  

For sacrament meeting a new convert of 3 weeks spoke for 10-15 minutes and had us all shedding a few tears with his conversion story.  He wrote his own talk, blessed the sacrament after receiving the priesthood just last week and participated in all three meetings.

The Sunday School Gospel Doctrine teacher was marvelous and engage both whites and blacks with her theatrics.  She stopped mid-lesson and spoke in Swahili to encourage the black portion of the class to express testimony.  She was a joy to listen to and shed a tear or two with. 

For priesthood we had the branch president absolutely make the Joseph F. Smith lesson jump off the page in his practical examples of applying the principles in our own lives.  I got to sit next to the new convert, Brother Prince.

They held their meetings at an elementary school.  It was pretty humble, cinder block, broken windows, questionable toilets, etc. but the spirit was so strong we hardly noticed the conditions of the facilities.  I did have to ask the gospel doctrine teacher to borrow her toilet paper roll which she gave to me.  

All in all a great Sunday with primarily black saints and they truly were saints today.  It felt so good to renew covenants and sing songs.  They had no piano but the singing was unbelievable.  

Just to close, I want you to know that the Church is true and our testimonies of Jesus Christ and his doctrine is our most important possession.  I pray daily that you will all work daily at improving your testimonies so that we might be able to share sacred experiences and sacred sealing covenants together.

Love, Dad