January 24, 2011

Dear Family,

Well this week we had double the church attendance! 15 people showed up, which was super awesome, and part of it was some of the people that we had Home Taught during the week, so that was pretty nice to see some immediate fruits of our labor. In Preach My Gospel at the end of the first chapter it has quotes from all the Prophets on missionary work and one of them is really good. It says something like: "Missionary work is Home teaching to those that are not baptized yet, and Home teaching is missionary work to those that have already been baptized." I guess I always knew that Home Teaching was important, but when a prophet of God says something like that, it kinda makes you think a little bit more. Out here in most of the wards I’ve been in (especially this little branchito) there has been hardly any Home Teaching, which I think explains the low retention rates. It is soooo important! Elder Bednar said that Home Teaching is part of what it refers to in D&C when it talks about the keys to the ministering of angels. As Home and Visiting teachers, members get a chance to be ministering angels for other members. What an amazing principle! What a blessing for all that participate! I’m pretty sure that that is a large part of what president Hinckley referred to when he said that every new (and active and inactive and returning to activity) member needs a friend and to be nurtured by the good word of God. Moral of the story: Home Teaching is awesome and it totally works!

Elder Mayhoffer and I are also preparing a "General Conference Night" activity where we are going to watch 5 or so talks from this last General Conference. Out here they don’t have cable, or internet in the church, so only the Members who can afford the 2 ½ hour trip to the capital city get to see General Conference. :( Sad, huh? General conference is so awesome!

Anyway, short on time, but I love you all tons! I got lots of Christmas letters in the mail this week. Thanks sooooooooo much! I have the best lookin’ family out there! (You probably inherited it from me ;) ) The church is true!

Love, Elder Spencer