Our dear Grandsons, Sean, Kalob and Cody,
We write you this letter to tell you of our love and
approval. You are following in our tradition of being where you ought to
be. And doing what you are supposed to do when you are supposed to do
it. We congratulate you and tell you that it warms our hearts with love
because of the way you are living your lives. We feel that you will
receive the promised blessings for keeping the commandments of the Lord
and obeying the Prophets of the Lord. In doing this you honor your
parents and grandparents and become a strong link in the chain between
you and past generations and the future generations that will descend
from you.
We can give you no better counsel than what our loving
Heavenly Father has given his children to guide them in their
service.
- NOW behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the
children of men.
- Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye
serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may
stand blameless before God at the last day.
- Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the
work;
- For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that
thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store
that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
- And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory
of God, qualify him for the work.
- Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly
kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
- Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants Section 4:1 - 7
Find joy and happiness in your missions and in your
entire lives through selfless service to your fellow men at every
opportunity. Seek ways to serve in little ways for little acts of
service bring great things to pass and bring great joy in your lives.
Little acts of service and kindness send out ripples in all directions
even as a small rock dropped in a placid pool will send out ripples to
the farthest bank. The little ripples that you will make in your
missions will extend in all directions and never end but will continue
to grow in every direction. The Lord has established his kingdom and the
stone that was cut out without hands will roll forth until it fills the
whole earth and you will be part of this great work and destiny. You
will be helping the Lord prepare the earth for the second coming of our
Savior and Redeemer when he comes in His glory to rule and reign in the
entire universe.
Some example of little services that affect other people
throughout their lives I will take from Naoma's Journal. The first entry
is back in 1973. It reads as follows:
This year at June Conference a young man and his wife
stopped us and said, "I know you, I am one of the Sacramento Explorers
that went down to go to the mountains with you. I was a new convert to
the church at that time. I want you to know that it had a great
influence on my life. When I went to church there in Dublan I listened
to the Testimonies and the Choir. I made a vow that I would always be
active in the church. You know I belonged to the Tabernacle Choir for
three years and we never sang as beautifully as your Choir did that day.
I cried that day and expected to look up and see the angels from heaven
it was so beautiful.
A man stopped Keith in the Salt Palace and said, "I know
you". After finding out his name he said, "I was with the general board
when we went to Dublan you were in charge of the Explorer Department.
You did a wonderful Job. Then we went to your home and you served
hotcakes. I have never eaten better ones and your hospitality was
wonderful. I will never forget it.
I quote these two little incidents to illustrate that
even small acts of service in our lives can influence people's lives.
Never underestimate the value or the harm that your actions can be in
the lives of other people. If your actions are acts of kindness and
service then your influence for good will extend out. If your
thoughtless actions cause someone to get offended and leave the church
or not join it then many generations will be affected and damaged.
- Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill
cannot be hid.
- Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
- Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14 - 16
Dear Grandsons please accept this letter as an expression
of our love, concern and approval. We hope that these thoughts will be
accepted as a reminder of your old Grandparents that love you.
Love, Grandpa and Grandma Bowman