Hello All!:)

"In my journal tonight, I shall write, “This has been one of the most inspiring sessions of any general conference I’ve attended. Everything has been of the greatest and most spiritual nature.” I ABSOLUTELY LOVED CONFERENCE. Especially Pres. Thomas S. Monson's talk in which that first sentence comes from. He truly is a prophet of God. I loved it! Are they usually that good? I think I have neglected that special experience long enough now. I feel so bad looking back now as I remember I always fell asleep during conference and not realizing the true power that we feel and receive from General Conference. I guess that's what repentance is for, right? We had the opportunity to watch it in English, and we watched all of it. The sessions went so fast! And I still feel depressed that it's over and won't be back on for another 6 months. I'm almost tempted to put in a petition to Salt Lake and ask if they could do them every weekend;) Thank goodness for the internet and the ability to review them online. We are so blessed in this day and age. I loved loved loved Pres. Monson's talk about his sweet wife. It is now my goal to have that much love for my wife. You could just feel the Spirit thick when he talked about his love for her and their experience as she "slipped into eternity". I felt that they really focused on three main subjects. 1. Covenant keeping and repentance, 2. Missionary Work and 3. The Role of Women and Marriage. All three of these subject, I feel like is what the world needs to hear right now. Us missionaries don't receive much information about the outside world, but what I have heard about the United States right now scares me to death. I've heard about the Congress shutting down, gay rights passing, and all forms of wickedness coming forth. I also heard that Pres. Monson had an opportunity to meet with Pres. Obama and talk for a few hours. All this makes me think that the end is not too far off any longer and the need for repentance and convenant keeping is ever so important.

This past conference has also solidified my testimony of Pres. Thomas S. Monson being a true prophet who hears revelation for all of the Church. He is such a good man. These past few months I have had an opportunity to read his biography "To The Rescue" every so often and I'm about 1/2 through it. If you need a new book to read or want to reread something, that is the book for you:) It never ceases to amaze me how much of the gospel he live in his life. He doesn't just say what he believes, but he has shown time and time again that he acts whenever The Lord says to go and do. I want to be just like that. I want to be close with the Lord all the time like he is. I was reading one day and found a sweet poem in the book that applies perfectly to missionary work. It has inspired me, and I hope it will inspire others as well. This is the poem:

"Father, where shall I work today?"

And my love flowed warm and free.

Then He pointed out a tiny spot

and said, "Tend that for me."

I answered quickly, "Oh no, no that!

Why, no one would ever see,

no matter how well my work was done.

Not that little place for me."

And the word He spoke, it was not stern;

He answered me tenderly:

"Oh, little one, search that heart of thine;

art thou working for them or for me?

Nazareth was a little place,

and so was Galilee."

It doesn't matter where we serve, but how we serve is what I've learned. I think Elder Dube talked about that in Conference. He kept telling his mom, "Mother, look how far we've come, look how much we've done!" But his mother answered to not look back, but to look at the work ahead of us. We all have a work in the service of the Lord, no matter if your the prophet or a missionary in Thailand. 

I'm so glad Hayley received my letter this week. It got there way faster than I expected haha. Thank you for the updates with Grandpa. I'm so glad he is continuing to grow stronger and stronger. I don't know much about moves/transfers until later today or tomorrow. I have a good chance I will be in this same area for another 9 weeks but I am most likely getting a new companion, but I will let you know what happens. Watching conference made me miss you guys. I'm so blessed to have been born in the gospel. I look at these Thai people and think that that could have easily been me, not knowing Jesus Christ and His tenderness, living in sin and filth all the time. I really am blessed infinite times more than I deserve. I am forever grateful for a mother and father who know their roles as nurturer and a provider and who have taught me the truth all my life. I love you guys and pray for you! Until next week:)

Much love,

Elder Tanner

PS - the pictures I am sending are of a Less Active family that we are working with who are so ready to come back to the church. Their father hasn't been baptized yet. Another is a picture of a sister who got baptized last week in the other branch. The other pictures are of my Zone leaders who live in my house, Elder Terry from Brigham City, UT and Elder Appleyard from London, England. Elder Appleyard finishes his mission in 3 days. They are both great guys.