The importance of reading the scriptures

Dear Family,

What can I say today? I think what would be good to say is the importance of reading the scriptures. You know about my goals to read the standard works of the church in Russian every three months, with the Book of Mormon every month, and I can honestly say I am still attacking my goal, and the future looks bright. I have never read the scriptures this much in my life, and I am just beginning to understand their importance. Every single day I have to read over 40 pages of scripture a day in order to make my goal. Remember this is including the work I do as a missionary in the office, which is the reason I am so late in writing, AND it is in Russian. It takes dedication and prioritization. Sometimes I get up earlier in the mornings so that I can catch up on my studies. What place do we put scripture study? I am not saying that you have to make the same goals as me, but what place are they on? One important thing is also family scripture study. A commitment that we give investigators is that they have daily scripture study, personal, and as a family. Are we being diligent in that? In order to help investigators on the road to conversion, scripture study is crucial. If we want to convert ourselves, we need to do the same. I remember in my senior year of high school, I really wanted to take early morning seminary, but that would conflict with family scripture study. I decided that family scripture study is more important, but I didn't fully understand why. I understand now. That was a very difficult time for all of us, and though I had no new insights in the scriptures, that very action brought us together, and strengthened our relationships with each other and with our Heavenly Father. The scriptures are so precious to me, and that is why I want to read them so often. Even if I am having a bad day, I can start reading the scriptures, and I don't read a passage that is the answer to my problems, but the very act allows the Holy Ghost to come, comfort, inspire, and edify. It is a conduit of revelation. I pray that we all are serious with the scriptures, because think of how many people suffered for those records to be kept, both saints in the ancient past, as well as in the early beginnings of the church. President Gibbons wants us to really use the Book of Mormon in our contacting and teaching, to have us carry the blessed book in our hands as we go our ways. In time, people will come to know that missionaries carry around the Book of Mormon. They will associate us with another testament of Jesus Christ, evidence of the Restoration. May we all read the scriptures, and feast on the words of Christ.

Well, this is why I was so late in my writing.

First of all, there is a new senior couple in our mission, the Gundersens. I don't have a picture of them right now, but I will. What is really cool is that they are good friends with the Webbs, who are the senior couple working with us in the office. Just think, being able to serve with your good friends, in the same city, in Russia! This was definitely no chance, and the hand of the Lord is in it all. They are wonderful people, and they will do an amazing job lifting the saints here in Russia. They have had serious problems with their apartment, and we had to help them as we tried to set up the internet, new furniture, and fixing the water. It was a merry welcome to Siberia, but they are wonderful. That took up all of Monday for us, and Sister Gundersen asked us what is the best thing for senior missionaries to do in this mission. What Elder Harper and I said was that they need to love the people. I remember the Huffakers, and their amazing example. They couldn't speak a word of Russian, but the people loved them nonetheless. They would hug the people, and that is what they needed. They needed love. It is hard when you might be the only member in your family, or none of your friends support the same standards. Everyone needs love, and the senior couples can give love that missionaries can't. We leave, but senior couples stay. One of the biggest things I miss here is a hug from Mom. (I am not homesick, mind you) But you can't feel so much love in a handshake, and a man hug doesn't cut it. Paternal love is so precious, and it really makes a difference.

We are on the final stages of building a stake of Zion here. Elder Harper and I are working feverishly on getting the final touches done. What we are doing is creating a chart that records all of the priesthood holders in our mission, and the number of actual members, which means getting rid of old records of people who moved and other things. It is a difficult process, and I really appreciate the gifts that we have. I remember in the movie "The Other Side of Heaven", and the mission president getting angry because there were not records made. I felt a little enmity towards him. But now I realize the importance of record keeping. His attitude was wrong, in accusing the missionary of not working hard, but the reasons were important. There is many times written in the Book of Mormon, that those who united themselves with the Church of Jesus Christ, their names were "written down". Records help us better assert the needs of our members, and how to attend to them. Poorly kept records make the administration even more difficult. I guess it is a problem everywhere, which it shouldn't be. It is the easiest thing to do, to keep records organized. You just have to do it. We are now helping the branches update their records, to better visualize our readiness to become a stake.

Members of the US embassy came to the office to evaluate our abilities to obtain visas for our missionaries. They told us great news, that we are now able to obtain 3-year visas, which means we would not have to leave the country at all! President Gibbons also got this news at a conference in Estonia. That saves the church millions of dollars, and keeps the work even progressing. We still have to leave the country, but now we will immediately return and not stay in Finland. No more visa trips. If all works well, that means that I will get a 3-year visa on my last visa trip, meaning I could easily visit Russia after my mission almost up to 3 years in the future. (I am crossing my fingers)

On Tuesday, we were in a meeting with President Gibbons while he was in Kazakhstan, about working harder as missionaries, finding, teaching, and baptizing. It is really hard, as an office elder, to listen to them talk about finding and teaching. It is so difficult to even talk to people out on the streets, because we wouldn't be able to meet with them. I bet my letters seem more boring, because I am just talking about office stuff, but Heavenly Father needs me to work in this office. I don't know why, because I have no special skills in an office at all, but I know it is for a reason. All I can do is cheer the other elders on as they find the Lord's chosen.

This next week is also visa trip for other missionaries, so we have to take care of them. They are coming in right now, as I am typing. It is so stressful, but it has to be done.

This man is named Lev, which means Lion in Russian. He is such a wonderful member of the church, and he is talented. We did a step dance together, and we performed for the Huffakers when they left. I will see if I can share that little film.

I really don't have very much else, but I love you and I pray for you. I hope all is well with your families. Remember to be faithful to the gospel, because all of the greatest blessings are from the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Elder Hoggan (The Siberian Messenger)
Старейшина Хогган (Сибирский Посланник)