January 17, 2016

Good afternoon from a wintery, windy day in Missouri.  A rather abrupt change in temperatures occurred this past week, sliding from 58 degrees only a couple of days ago to nearly 0 this morning.  The cold northerly wind that must have brought the front our way persisted, making it feel like 11 below.  The weatherman is predicting more snow Tuesday, followed by a warming trend.  We are grateful for that!  But even in winter, with a covering of glistening snow, the property is beautiful – especially when enjoyed from the inside of the partly frosted windows.

We have really enjoyed the vivid colors of the sunrises and sunsets. 

Beautiful Sunrise

Each day here has been full of opportunity and enjoyment as we have worked in this sacred setting and enjoyed those with whom we have been privileged to serve.  It seems that each visible rising sun serves as an invocation and each setting its benediction.

Preparations are being made for the new group of missionaries that will arrive on March 16^th.  Mentors have been assigned and communication is flowing regularly to assist them in their preparations.  We can sense of their excitement and, at the same time, remember how we were feeling a year ago.  My how time has flown.  As we look at the volume of work we know the coming spring, summer and fall will bring we are grateful to know helpers will arrive in time to share the load.    And as we review the talents and skills they will bring and the attitudes of willingness and devotion we are most anxious to become better acquainted with them while working at their side.

Early in the week, after unloading some firewood donated to a needy couple in Hamilton, Elder Day and I visited the J. C. Penney museum on Main Street.  While there we noticed a framed document on the wall, written by Mr. Penney and entitled “Faith Not Shaken”. 

Mr J. C. Penney

Faith Not Shaken

 That night, while reviewing the document, we learned more of the man who led such a large and successful company.  Hamilton Missouri was his hometown.  His father was a Baptist minister.  In the document he wrote of being “reared by parents whose faith in God and belief that right will triumph” offered him an abiding hope.  He wrote of this being “too deeply engrained” in him to not have stayed with him, influencing his thought patterns since.  We learned that (in addition to his retailing career) he had become very involved in farming and ranching and had owned much land in Missouri and a farming operation in Florida that covered 120,000 acres.  The framed thoughts displayed in the museum were a copy of an article written in the Freemasonry magazine of his day.  He spoke of his faith in God, his faith in his county, and his cause for optimism and hope.  Let me quote him directly, in regard to these feelings.  He wrote:

“Recent events have not shaken my faith in the ultimate triumph of Freedom and Justice… (it being) too deeply engrained in me to doubt its final victory.  I do emphasize the words ‘ultimate’ and ‘final’ for I am not at all sure we may not have to pass through a period of great trial.  I am of the opinion we are in prophetic days, when for a time Evil is to hold sway and apparently to override the Good…

“We have been told plainly that such a state would exist and I believe we must accept these conditions and possibly greater tribulations as part of the world’s destiny without losing faith that in due time right will triumph over Might.  As long as we believe in the existence, in the justice, and in the Holiness of God, we cannot believe otherwise… We should recognize them for what they are – times of tribulation, but not as an occasion for pessimism.  Such experiences should cause us to examine our faiths and reestablish our convictions more firmly, resolving to acquit ourselves like men who have a deep and abiding faith that cannot be shaken by outward events… As long as we have faith at all in God, we must know that He is All-Powerful, that His Will for the world is Justice and Right and that eventually His Purpose will be establish here on earth.  Good emerges slowly, but we must not doubt it final victory.”

He continued, writing of his faith in American, its people and its way of life.

“America was founded by our forefathers in prayer, in faith, and in the heroic spirit of sacrifice.  Lives of comparative ease in their own country might have been theirs had they been willing to surrender their convictions.  They chose the hard right rather than theeasy wrong and were ready to lay down their lives for freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their consciences… 

“Yes, our country is great.  It could have been mightier than it is had not some throughout every period of its history retarded its growth by greed, corruption in high places, petty partisanship in crucial periods and by individual selfishness.  Selfishness, of course, is the festered spot in every evil situation whether world, nation or individual… As a Nation, and as individuals, our fate will be determined by our choice of the hard right over the easy wrong.  Softened by comfortable living in easy-going periods, our spiritual and physical muscles tend to become flabby.  We need reversions to difficulties to toughen us up.  Periods such as the present are testing times.  The harder they become, the more determined we should be not to be swept aside by the fears and doubts that bedevil the world.  We must return to the right principles in our thinking, in our beliefs and in our practices, putting aside negativeness and self-indulgence… In such times those who are too soft, who lack the courage and stamina to strive, slacken effort.  Real men tighten their belts, throw their full weight into the harness of their daily activities and pull with all their might and main… Let us choose for ourselves the hard right.  If individuals in sufficient number will gird themselves and play their part as men, our America will be made safe for its own people and will stand as a beacon light of Hope to this war-torn and war-weary world.”

Good advice, from a well-known and (evidently) good man; and certainly applicable in our day.  We were uplifted by his viewpoint as we hope you likewise will be.  It speaks also of the faith of others impacting ours, and of it giving hope and encouragement.  We thank you each for that impact upon us. 

Elder and Sister Christensen will be arriving tomorrow afternoon.  We are looking forward to their visit.  They always bring wonderful spirits and share inspiring messages.  Also on the docket (Tuesday morning) is another (and hopefully final) court hearing for the man from Iowa we have written of before.  We hope he can return to his home and take his colorful car with him, and that he will be able to receive the help needed in his condition.  Sadly, the lessons he learned from his Missouri experience were painfully instilled.  To have seen him go through them has been a new and challenging lesson for us too. 

We hope you have a great week, that you stay warm and comfortable, and that you remember our love an appreciation.