A Reflection of the Year 2024

December 31, 2024

A Reflection of the Year 2024

Dear Elder Yu,

This is a brand new experience for you to celebrate New Year in a different country. I do not why I feel you are a little bit stressed out and down during the last Monday video call. I hope you are not.

For these past few days, I kept on reading this unknown author’s article about what he/she has been through for the past year of 2024. I don’t know if it’s because of the algorithm or because the text is so pertinent. I feel it is so resonant to me and my current situation:

I do not hate you, 2024, but you were a difficult year, full of challenges, changes, and learning. You showed me that life can change in the blink of an eye, and taught me to trust myself more. But above all, you made me understand that my health, whether physical, emotional, or mental, is what really matters. You showed me that not every question needs an immediate answer, and not every ending is a loss. You taught me that stillness is not stagnation. Sometimes, it is just like life making space for something new.

So no, I don't hate you. But I won't forgive you either, at least not yet. You dragged me through truths I did not want to face, through loss I was not ready to feel. You left me with wounds that have not closed, with breaks that have not settled into anything I can understand. I do not see light pouring in, not yet. But maybe that is the lesson. You did not come to fix me or redeem me. You came to strip away the illusion that life is anything but unpredictable, relentless, and brutally honest.

You did not rebuild me. You left me with the choice to do it myself. So thank you, 2024. You were not easy, but you were necessary.

我不恨你，2024年，但你是艱難的一年，充滿了挑戰、變化和學習。

你讓我明白生活可以瞬間改變，教會我更加信任自己。

但最重要的是，你讓我明白到不論是身體、情緒還是心理健康，都是最重要的。

你讓我知道不是所有的問題都需要立即的答案，並不是所有的結束都是損失。

你教會我寧靜並不代表停滯。有時，它只是生命在為新的事物騰出空間。

所以不，我不恨你。

但我也不原諒你，至少現在還不行。

你把我拖入了我不想面對的真相，讓我感受到我還沒準備好的失落。

你讓我留下了尚未癒合的傷口，和尚無法理解的破碎。

我還沒有看到光明湧入，尚未。

但或許那就是教訓。

你不是為了治癒我或拯救我而來。

你來是為了剝去對生活任何幻想的假象，

生活是多麼不可預測、無情且殘酷的事實。

你沒有重建我。你留給我選擇，讓我自己來重建。

所以謝謝你，2024年。

你並不容易，但你是必要的。

Honestly, I couldn’t agree more with this and I am not denying Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were always there when I was knocked off by the challenges. I can feel Their presence. There are lessons to learn and to grow. Just that, the speed I learning is not as fast as what my husband wanted to be.

I am grateful for 2024 too, because I saw both my children grow stronger in the gospel and start to live in it; because I know they know God loves them and they learn how to rely on the Savior; because I know things happened for a reason which the Lord will unfold and reveal to me when the time is right; because I know that we are in His good hand. I say this in the name of my beloved Savior, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love,

Mommy

Scripture Central Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon – Ether 1

December 28, 2024

Scripture Central Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon – Ether 1

Dear Elder Yu,

Ether 1 - Ether’s genealogy

In chapter one, Moroni begins telling us that he's going to tell us about the ancient inhabitants, he says, of this northern country, which is where the main Jaredite geopolitical center was. So, he's somewhere up north as he's writing this story, and he's abridging the 24 Jaredite plates. And, he describes how he got those. He sees an account of the creation of Adam. He sees all of the things that have happened from Adam down to that great tower, he says. And then, from the tower down until they were destroyed.

And then, he gives you a long list of 30 generations, 30 individual names. And, they're listed in order, starting in verse 6 with Ether and ending in verse 32 with Orihah, who was the son of Jared, number 29 and 30 in that list. What you have is 30 names starting with Ether, listed in order down to Jared.

So, some of you are thinking, "Well, this is boring. It's just a list. It's a long list of names." This isn't just a list. You're seeing the fingerprints of God through the history of time. You're seeing the importance of family. You're seeing God's plan moving forward, generation by generation. You're seeing intergenerational connections that span, in this case, well over a thousand-year period.

So, you have the Tower of Babel, just to put us in the context of the timeline for the Old Testament. You have Adam and Eve, and then you have Enoch, and then you have Noah, the major dispensation heads, and then we have Abraham, and then Moses, and eventually you'll get Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith. So, the timeline is the Tower of Babel comes in Noah's dispensation. So, we're going way back in time before Abraham, way before Moses. And, this is where we get the departure to the new world of this group, the Jaredites.

In contrast to Lehi and his group that left the Old World with Ishmael and Zoram, they left in 600 BC in the dispensation of Moses. So, there's a huge difference in space and time when these two major migrations occurred coming into the Americas. So, we have these 30 30 different people carrying forth to one degree or another this legacy of the Jaredites.

Three Needs for Revelation

Three things happen here in the beginning part of the story. Three needs for revelation. So, one of the principles for you and me, as we're striving to have our prayers go further than the ceiling in our room or in our chapel, wherever we are.

Principle No. 1: Don't wait for revelation to descend upon you or to hit you blindside. There will be times when that happens, but don't expect that that's the main form of revelation or where, as Elder Bednar says, we're simply making ourselves objects waiting to be acted upon.

There's a beautiful reminder to us that connects here that the Lord gave to the Prophet Joseph Smith in Jackson County, Missouri, clear back in 1831. He says this in section 58: 26 – 29,

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

This principle is easy to understand if you translate it into normal life, either in a home setting or in a work setting. Do you want the employee who sits on a chair and waits for the supervisor or the manager to tell them what to do, when to do it, how to do it, where to do it, and why to do it?

And, only then they get up and go do it. And, the moment they're finished with that task, they come and sit back down and wait for the next job. Or do you want an employee who you can teach the principle of what you're trying to accomplish, and then that employee is going to be self-motivated and think, "What could I do to help move the purpose of this company forward or to accomplish the mission of this organization or of this war or this family, whatever it may be?"

He clarifies in verse 27,

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

So, it's very important to note that if we do sit and wait, the Lord is still capable of giving us revelation, and he probably will.

But, we multiply our opportunities to receive revelation when we anxiously engage in living the gospel, in doing the things that we think the Lord would have us do, and as we seek to follow his example, as we learn of him and do the things that we have seen him do.

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.

It's back to President Nielson's invitation. "I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation ..."

We're going to have to do the spiritual work. So, what is that?

It starts with keeping the Commandments so that we're capable of prospering in that revelatory process. But, we also seek and work towards getting more of those answers by going to the Lord with specifics.

The Language of Ours with God – Vertical Communication

One of my favorite things that President Thomas S. Monson taught when he was the prophet was that we rarely succeed when we speak in general. But, when we speak in specifics, we rarely experience failure.

The idea is that if we go to God in our prayers and say, "Heavenly Father, I'm thankful for all my blessings, and please bless me with what I need." That's general. And, we're probably going to get more of a general answer.

But according to President Monson, if we can be a little more specific, if we can counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, to quote earlier prophets in the Book of Mormon, then we're more likely to get those specific answers and specific responses.

In this case, watch what happens. With the very first request in verse 34, Jared says to his brother,

34 And the brother of Jared being a large and mighty man, and a man highly favored of the Lord, Jared, his brother, said unto him: Cry unto the Lord, that he will not confound us that we may not understand our words.

So, at the Tower of Babel, where the languages were confounded, Jared is saying, "Go and ask the Lord if He will allow us to still maintain our language, our ability to communicate."

35 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon Jared; therefore he did not confound the language of Jared; and Jared and his brother were not confounded.

Isn't that an amazing principle for revelation? Our ability to talk to God and recognize God speaking to us – translates into, I want to be heard and understood, and I want to understand those around me as well. So, we have horizontal communication and vertical communication education.

The Language of Our Friends – Horizontal Communication

In this case, Jared asks his brother to go vertically to the Lord to preserve these horizontal connections of language. And, the Lord had compassion upon Jared. "... therefore he did not confound the language of Jared;" Then, you get the second one, verse 36.

36 Then Jared said unto his brother: Cry again unto the Lord, and it may be that he will turn away his anger from them who are our friends, that he confound not their language.

He says, go, "Cry again unto the Lord, ... that he will turn away his anger from them who are our friends, that he confound not their language." It began with our language, and now it has become the language of our friends and those in our circle of influence around us.

We begin at the core and principle of revelation, begin, get our soul in the right place, and cleanse the inner vessel before we start trying to fix other people's problems is a beautiful principle of revelation here.

We focus not selfishly on our problems, but actually with an eye to becoming a better instrument in the hands of the Lord. "More fit for the kingdom, More used would I be, More blessed and holy— More, Savior, like thee."

That's the intent of asking for blessings for us. Then, we turn outward and ask for those around us to receive some of those blessings.

Place of Refuge

That leads to question number 3 in verse 38. He says,

38 And it came to pass that Jared spake again unto his brother, saying: Go and inquire of the Lord whether he will drive us out of the land, and if he will drive us out of the land, cry unto him whither we shall go. And who knoweth but the Lord will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth? And if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lord, that we may receive it for our inheritance.

Notice this add-on, because that's a pretty general question. "And who knoweth but the Lord will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth? And if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lord that we may receive it for our inheritance." So, a place of safety, a refuge.

It's hard to receive revelation when you're surrounded by too much noise, too much commotion, too much chaos, too much misunderstanding. It's a little harder to have those open channels of communication.

And, so, it's this beautiful principle of, is there a place, a choice place, a place of safety, of refuge for us where we can go to live our life, and raise our families and build our culture.

And, the Lord, it says in verse 40,

40 And it came to pass that the Lord did hear the brother of Jared, and had compassion upon him, and said unto him:

41 Go to and gather together thy flocks, both male and female, of every kind; and also of the seed of the earth of every kind; and thy families; and also Jared thy brother and his family; and also thy friends and their families, and the friends of Jared and their families.

There's this long-term plan being put in place. We're not just going on a camping trip. This is a permanent change God going to make with these people. And, He tells them to gather the families. And verse 42,

42 And when thou hast done this thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth.

This is more than revelation.

This is a covenant connection. This is a relationship that is being built, a connection with the Lord, and He gives them step one. And, it's a gathering set of instructions. Gather people, gather flocks, gather food and provisions, gather everything you're going to need, and then begin the journey and take the first leg of the journey up to the valley northward, and I'll meet you there and go before your face.

So, God didn't tell them, "Here you are at point A, and I'm going to now give you every step, point B, C, D, and on and on and on." God didn't do that. He said, "Here you are at point A, and I will give you point B. Gather all these people and things and go northward, and I'll meet you there, and I'll continue to guide you," which leaves all of this future travel, all of these future events in the realm of the unknown.

Pulling Out Principles from Our Study

So, we're building our faith in Christ to take those first steps of a journey. So now, watch the contrast that I started with. You can bring questions, situations, and concerns into the scriptures, find principles and look for ways to approach them. Or you read the scriptures and see what they teach and then pull principles out.

So, let's give some examples of what that might look like, here. You could say, you've got people who are in an environment or in a setting or in a state of being where chaos is raining, where things seem to be getting worse, and they want more peace in their lives.

So, they're seeking direction from the Lord, and the Lord gives them inspiration of how to get out of that and move towards a promised land. All of a sudden, this starts to feel and sound an awful lot like the plan of salvation.

It starts to sound like more than just a story of a group of people clear back in the ancient world thousands of years ago on the other side of the planet who are on a physical journey. And, it starts to sound like, wow, this is our story.

And, the tower, the Tower of Babel part, could symbolize we could be a symbol of, rather, this Earth and mortality and the struggles of mortality and our efforts to come under Christ and follow His path, His covenant path, as He leads us to the ultimate promised land, which is exaltation and eternal life as a joint heir with Christ in heaven. And, that's a big-picture application that can come out of the story or off of the page.

And then, there are a whole bunch of little microcosm pictures that could come off. When you embark to serve a mission, whether you're an 18 or 19-year-old young man or young woman, or whether you're an older couple embarking on that mission, all of a sudden, Ether Chapter 1 becomes very applicable, very relevant as you say, "Wow, I'm embarking on this mission and God gives instruction of what to do in phase one, how to prepare for that mission and go to the MTC." But, we don't know all of the adventures that await. But, we move forward in faith, faith in Christ, that He will guide us.

It could apply to marriage, going into an engagement, and we're all excited and it's a thrill, and we have no idea what's going to come down the road. But, we move forward because we trust. We trust in Christ, and we trust in those around us to move forward together on the covenant path. So, these stories can come to life off of the page, and they can be motivating factors for us to give us more hope to not be governed by fear and to not be governed by what we don't know in the future. But, rather, make our decisions based on what we do know. And, the Lord gave them instructions, and I love this phrase,

42 And when thou hast done this thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth.

"... [And] there will I meet thee..." And, [there] might be a mission filled, it might be marriage, it might be parenthood, it might It might be a career, it might be an educational opportunity. It might be day one in a calling, a new calling that you've received in the church. It can be all these things.

But suddenly, when we take these kinds of approaches, the scriptures are never boring. They are never black words on a white page that are meaningless. They become a handbook for revelation, a handbook for hearing the voice of God.

We've had general authorities tell If you want to talk to God, you pray. And, if you want God to talk to you, read your scriptures. And, I would add, Listen to the living prophets. It's this beautiful principle that we don't try to make up some new way to connect with heaven. It's pretty simple. Pray specifically and then go into scriptures as we ponder and record our thoughts, specifically looking for those answers.

We're far more likely to receive them than if we just generically sit back on the lawn chair on the side of the path and wait for the Lord to come and get us up and tell us what to do and when to do it and how to do it. So, verse 43, he gives another promise,

43 And there will I bless thee and thy seed, and raise up unto me of thy seed, and of the seed of thy brother, and they who shall go with thee, a great nation. And there shall be none greater than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of the earth. And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me.

I'm going to raise up a great nation because of your footsteps of faith. I'm going to bless millions in the process. It's a beautiful reminder to us to not think just of ourselves and our own situation, but to pause and step back and take a broader view of life. Think celestial, if you will, and think of the effect your decisions of faith to move forward today will have on generations yet unborn.

Share and Love,
Mommy

Christmas Week in the Mission! ✨️

Well for this Christmas week it has been AWESOME! We were able to work a lot more harder and sincere. Going with my all to bring others to come unto Christ!

Best Christmas tree we ever have, well half and half. Nonetheless the funniest tree we ever had!

Zone Conference

Well this Zone Conference was just amazing! And I loved it, we learned that gossip should never be a normal way for us to communicate with one another. But that if there is anything positive, uplifting and encouraging we can speak about a person's front or back. Let us do that! It's really beautiful to be able to learn that the Lord loves us. He has never ever talked bad about you has He? If so why do that to our friends, to others who are divinely connected back to our Father in Heaven as we are. To His children.

Surely that is never the way that the Savior wants His Disciples to be. Even though it's tempting, it is not a normal habit we should have. It is NEVER OKAY! I learned that He has never exposed us of our weakness, neither judge. But He has tried to succor us, guide us and strengthen our weakness. I am grateful for His love.

He loves you no matter what, and I too am doing my best. To have integrity and live the way He wants me too and it's like insanely hard but possible!

Promised Blessings

Something I learned is that we have the authority and power Sisters or Elders, dua-dua pun Ada that authority given by His prophet to share the gospel to all His children.

To help then make an informed decision in their lives and to help invite them to Come Unto Christ through Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. Which something I learned and am applying is that, you can promise people blessings, from the scriptures or personal experiences. We an promise them in His name, that if they do the invitation we extend to them in a kind and clear language. They can see teh blessings.

How awesome is that, it's like in Spider man (Tobey Maguire) when Doc Octo said

"The Power of the sun, at the palm of my hand"

Ain't that crazy like it's soo DIVINE! We can all do that, because we all have that keys to help others in Coming unto Him. I loved it soo much✨️ now I know I'm just yapping but it's a really sacred experience. And I was able to find out Church, Prayer and Reading scriptures have soo much blessings that the Lord can bless us with! It's really amazing!

Obedience

Well ever since Elder Dubreuil has been my companion we have been working really heard, and it's been inspiring! And I want to keep improving for real! I loves it! We worked like from 1pm to 8:45pm it turned to something like 12pm to 9:00pm and beyond. Honestly I am exhausted, I am tired and fatigued it's so hard. But at the end, I have seen the blessings of pushing myself and moving out of my comfort zone. I h a very seen the growth in all aspects and lessons I can attain. It's amazing! And something I was reminded from working all the way is by President Gordon B Hinckley he said:

"Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to helping people. … Stand higher, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ”

And from that I am eternally grateful for all that I am able to do, with all my effort! 

Lastly if you ever wonder why the work is hard, just remember. It has never been easy for our Savior to give us the gift of salvation of returning back to our Father. So why should it be easy for us? Even though the Savior suffered so much more than what we can comprehend, we can face hardship because He is there to help us.

You got this, because Jesus has got you✨️. Don't worry and move onward with His work! ❤️

Agents for Ourselves

Our KI number this week has been insane, we set a 5 knowing we can achieve them and gradually one lesson cancel at a time. Until we were left with 0/5 on Friday. And that's was just depressing all the way. Yet we continued, we strive to seek for lessons and find ways how we can teach our friends, daily contacting them too. Which at the end on Sunday our Teaching KI is 2/5 epic come back from.

From that experience something that was constantly in my mind was, it's not over yet, so how can we achieve it as best as we can. There is a bunch of factors that are out of our control, yet I learned that there is always something that we can do. We are agents for ourselves, not to be acted upon. And often the things we can do are so simple and overlooked, yet it brought hope an peace from their fruits that arise from it! I am grateful for that knowledge. And I am grateful for it!!

To know that we can always do something, even when circumstances or adversary is daunting He loves us and always hears our prayers. And I know that to be true. So just keep striving and fins ways to overcome your challenges!

Preach My Gospel

That is the best book I've ever read FR, that book teaches you so many things when it comes to missionary work and it's like another scriptures except it's not. But it's so helpful and guides me to learn so much more than what I already know. I am grateful for it!

Spiritual Thoughts

Well for this week it's Christmas! And it was the most awesome thing I've ever seen. Christ the Child was a divine film. But more than that I remembered I had the desire to find our what does the Savior's birth meant to me. But something I found was, it's okay to not know anything. Trust in Him and His prompting and act on it. He loves you and will never abandon you. In 1 Nephi 11 it's my favorite scripture as it talks about the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Yet it was also interesting how Nephi was seeking for the Lord's help and heed upon the council and vision that the angel had visited him. And I loved it.

1 Nephi 11:20-23

20 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.

21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul

I know that Jesus is the Christ, He is my Savior and my Lord. He loves me and so does He love you too. And I say all these in the sacred name of Jesus Christ Amen.

My new Son Larry

Bob Marley Christmas Tree

Mahjong

Me and Elder Ramos!

Icelandic Ancestors & Welding Link

December 25, 2024

Icelandic Ancestors & Welding Link

Dear Elder Yu,

Icelandic Ancestors

This is the final inspirational thought from my Social Science Statistics instructor shared with us this semester. It is about his ancestors' stories. Like many multi-generation Mormons with roots based in Utah, his ancestry is not exciting. He has some good pioneer stories sprinkled in there, but the countries of origin of his ancestors are quite typical. A few branches go back to England, Scotland, Wales, and one great-grandmother from Norway. But he does have one side of his family that is rather unique. His Great-Great Grandfather and Grandmother immigrated from Iceland.

Now there are relatively few Icelandic-Americans out there. The reason is, that during the time that people were leaving the European nations in droves to come to America, very few Icelanders ever felt the need. Except for one group. A handful of them found Mormonism in the late 1800’s and moved to Utah. Thorstein Peterson was one of them. He was not even from ‘mainland’ Iceland. He was actually from a tiny island off the coast of Iceland called Vestmann Island. And this is actually where most of the converts were from.

When the Icelanders arrived in Utah, they were almost all sent to Spanish Fork to settle, and they maintained a nice little community. Today there is a monument to the Iceland pioneers in that town, and that is where my instructor stopped with his family on a trip through Utah a few years ago.

Now this might seem like a nice little story on the importance of Family History and the learning of ancestry. However, my instructor prefers to look at the present and future. While he was talking with his children about the sacrifices that these people made and the blessings that he has today as a result, he was struck with a thought.

Each of you can imagine your hometown. Now imagine what it could look like 100 years in the future. Now picture a family on vacation and stopping in your hometown. Perhaps they are traveling in an amazing hovercraft powered by water or maybe garbage. But this is a family that is full of solid citizens. Temple covenants bind this family. They are not perfect but are trying and they are built around love for each other. As they stop off in your futuristic hometown, the parents point out that one of their ancestors lived here. And because of the choices made by this ancestor, they can enjoy the blessings and covenants that they have.

A Welding Link

My instructor’s sharing reminds me of Elder David A. Bednar’s talk years ago, “A Welding Link” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2017/09/a-welding-link?lang=eng which I would like to share with you. He discussed with the young adults the importance of being a “welding link” in their past and future posterity and active participation in the Church. The first time I listened and watched his devotional, I could feel the Spirit so strong that echoing in my mind that I needed to be the strong link, and the urge to do the family history work. The thing that I unanticipated was that I would be facing what I am facing now – my divorce. It needs both hands to clap. I think to be fair, your daddy is not the only one who is wrong in creating this in our marriage now.

As I restudy the talk, I feel an urge for you to learn from this simple and powerful devotional that might influence you and Annabelle in your good marriage, your own family, and every aspect of your lives:

“The very fact that I had not experienced righteous family patterns in my boyhood home created in me a strong desire to work diligently with Susan to make sure such patterns were always a part of the home we created together. As we counseled one another and pleaded for help in our prayers, we were inspired and blessed to help our children learn the principles of the Savior’s restored gospel. We certainly were not perfect parents, but we received the spiritual gifts we needed and found “help … beyond [our] own.”

“You and I are not trapped in our past experiences. We are not wholly and totally victims of our present circumstances or captives of our environment. The Holy Ghost will teach us all things that we should do, including patterns of family righteousness in which we have not previously participated. It begins with you! And with the Lord’s help, you can do it.”

“Some of you have had your hearts broken by family members or respected leaders who have not honored sacred marriage covenants. You may ask yourself, “If my parents or other couples I have known were sealed in the temple and their marriages did not succeed, what hope can I have that my marriage will last forever?”

“To you who have experienced the heartache of a divorce in your family or felt the agony of violated trust, please remember it begins again with you! One link in the chain of your generations may have been broken, but the other righteous links and what remains of the chain are nonetheless eternally important. You can add strength to your chain and perhaps even help to restore the broken links. That work will be accomplished one by one.”

“We are sons and daughters of God. According to the Father’s eternal plan of happiness, we are endowed with the gift of moral agency and are agents with the capacity to act. We are not merely objects to be acted upon. We are agents unto ourselves and should be anxiously engaged in bringing to pass much righteousness.”

“A fulfilling and happy marriage is not found; rather, it is created by a covenant-keeping man and woman. I fear some of you may be engaging in an endless search for something that does not exist. There is no perfect potential spouse who can safeguard you from emotional pain and spiritual anguish. But in the strength of the Lord, a faithful man and woman acting as agents can create the fulfilling marriage and the eternal family they hope and yearn to have.”

“Selflessly serving in a marriage relationship requires patience and persistence in a world that relentlessly encourages self-centeredness and selfishness. But it begins with you as you act and press forward with faith in the Savior, continually seek for heavenly help, and righteously exercise your moral agency. You can do it with the Lord’s help.”

The Promise and Blessings

“Becoming a welding link begins with you by doing the simple things Brother and Sister Call did to honor sacred covenants and teach their children to live and love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“Becoming a welding link begins with you by having the courage and faith in the Savior to turn right, just like Brother Antwi.”

“Becoming a welding link begins with you by trusting the Holy Ghost to teach you all things and illuminate your pathway, even when you do not know precisely beforehand where you should go and what you should do.”

“Becoming a welding link begins with you by diligently and valiantly chasing darkness from among you¹² and standing strong against the seductive evils of the latter days.”

“I invoke upon you an apostolic blessing, even that by the power of the Holy Ghost you may understand more fully the importance of your place in the chain of the generations. I know you will be blessed and strengthened as you strive to become a strong welding link. And I promise that with the help of the Lord you can do it!”

“Eternal family links are only welded together through priesthood authority and personal righteousness. Whatever bad things may have occurred in your family, I testify and promise that the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of the healing, renewing, and restoring that you need.”

“Weeping may have endured during the night of your adversity, but joy can come in the morning of your new life made possible by our Redeemer and Savior.”

Just remember that our choices will impact not only our own lives but the lives of many others.

Love,
Mommy

December 10, 2023. A reference to D&C 128:18. “It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time.” The blue circle represents a baptismal font; the small triangles represent the oxen; and the white circles in the background represent our deceased ancestors. Made with Figma and Affinity Photo.

#baptism #doctrine-and-covenants #family #family-history #genealogy

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From Annabelle to Elder Yu: Day 2 of FSY Asia Conference

Well starting during this week was the question "Why be a disciple of Christ?", and we had to contemplate our answers to it during the whole FSY. What better way than having morning devotionals and gospel studies with the company?

Feast Upon the Words of Christ

I learnt that the Lord will assist us through what He called us to do. 2 Nephi 32:3 is a great example of application to Nephi's life and actions when he feasted on the words of Christ. When we feast upon the words of Christ, we can know what we should do. I feel that helps us through callings we have during our mortal journey. Church callings or personal ones, we are bound to face hardships. I know that as we turn towards Him, He will help. Have you ever heard the phrase:

" If you want to talk to or ask God, pray to Him. If you want God to talk to you, read the scriptures."

Plus, it's His word, and as I echo what your trainer said to you: "God doesn't bet all that He has to a single missionary." Nor to a striving covenant path follower, He sent people we loved to strengthen each other. And as long as we have faith in Him and be meek and humble, we can be given the power to do "whatsoever thing is expedient in [Him]" ( Moroni 7:33). That because He had called us to do His work, doesn't mean He leaves it all to us. It's His work and it is our pleasure to serve Him. So we can have faith in our fun.

Words Matter

The next was a devotional with the session-directing couple, the Maitlands. He's Scottish!!! But I learnt that Words Matter! Not only to those we love and minister, the people we aren't so sure with, but also to us, ourselves! To treat ourselves and our neighbours kindly. Also! About the power of the words of Christ. No matter what time, mood or struggles you feel, the scriptures answer most of them because the verses are Living, Powerful and the Truth! They are quick and simple, but they still give power to us, if we but heed them.

Then Classes! 

First, was a couple by the Bellnaps? Sister Cheryl and Elder Boyd. They taught us about the importance of our names by playing an icebreaker. We did so by taking one shoe and placing it on the table. People came up and chose a random shoe and asked whose it was, asking their name and its meaning. Then we learnt about taking upon the name of Christ and His different titles as we are baptised. We make and keep our covenants to remember Him and what He has done for us. However, as we're taking upon His name, does that mean we should just stop there? Nay! We must take action. So if we want to be a friend to others, we can't just sit and wait. This was beautifully illustrated by a song using actions and an American hat with three corners. Then slowly, the keywords would slowly disappear, but we still motioned the words. Even without the words, you could still tell what it meant. Then, we ended the class with a list of things we can do to be His disciples and take upon His name more effectively.

Second was "Boringness" or "Choose Your Adventure".  Brother Dustin. He started it off by saying that he had moved a lot during his childhood and that he was saddened at the fact he didn't feel at home. But he had the experience and comfort of the Holy Ghost that: No matter where you go, where you are right now and how far you are, you can always feel at home with the power of the Holy Ghost. Which leads to us relying on the Holy Ghost more often and our Spiritual Strength through our trials. Then, we can more fully rely and be more converted unto Him, GIVING THE APPLICATION OF:

"Because I know..., I will..."

We did this activity by writing our answer in the blank and crumpling the paper, throwing it to another person. This is what I got:

I like what this person wrote, it displaces my dread with joy because I know walking on the covenant path is hard, but it's not impossible. Which brings me to my topic:

Sometimes the Lord pushes us past our limits- more than what we had been practising for. Brother Dustin recounted his story of attempting a triathlon. He had thought it was a one-round race with 3 different activities. However! As it turns out, it was a 3-lap race with those 3 different activities. Of course, he was tired after everything but he recounted that sometimes we can be pushed above our limits - even tiring our physical capacity- but that's where we use our spiritual strength. To me, spirituality sounds like the motivation in your head that, hey you can do it because the Lord is with you. We still have to put in effort and consistent work to make a STEADY AND TRANQUIL DEDICATION OF A LIFETIME. Whether that be physical goals or our testimonies. Because we often have a powerful miracle but always let it be short-lived.

That's 2 classes, there are still 2 more but this is starting to get wordy and long. So I'll update you later. Because after the 2 classes, it was lunch! Hope you find peace today and have fun.

Sincerely,
Annabelle Yu

From Annabelle to Elder Yu: Day 1 of FSY Asia Conference

HELLO ELDER YU!!! I'M BACK FROM MY FSY IN BANGKOK!!! AND MANY ARE THE THINGS I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU!

First of all, going there. The KL youths were gathered at the airport and shot off to Bangkok with the guidance of the chaperones, Janeelyn's grandparents. Throughout the whole journey, I was a nervous wreck. Like, I knew I would at least improve my socialising with people I never knew, even if it's just a bit, but I was still fumbling and quiet as I circled on what to say. Because the thing is, Cherrie and I had planned a little project or a little secret combination. HAHAHA

No nut really cause we recalled being shy on our first FSY and wanted first-timers to feel at ease, especially with people they want to know during it all, But even so, how do you bring this up to a person? Like it sounds easy but it was definitely out of my comfort zone. Even so, we did call Janeelyn and Annabelle for help. Despite it being her first time, Annabelle was the most excited about it. So yeah, really nervous but I felt a little at ease when a kid in the front row in the plane started playing with me, the chopstick game ( remember him cause he's important).

Arriving at FSY, I was taken aback by the clapping and cheers of joy at what I would then learn from the coordinators. If I were to describe the feeling, it'd be like how Kingson described our church - being welcomed back home- cause they were so excited and so loud too! Not a complaint but shocking. I then collected the 4 cotton T-shirts ( so happy they are not nylon or polyester, my body cannot take another electrostatic), an ID which tells you which group you are and a drawstring bag with a flask, 2 bands, coloured pencils, a participant handbook and 2 pens. All with the youth's theme, quote, logo and scripture verse. Like I'm saying they're going big!!! Especially after I entered a room of youths dancing to THE OFFICIAL FSY PB&J DANCE! And when I say it's like nothing of my first FSY, I MEAN IT! It was loud, crazy BUT FUN! Of course, I felt like I lost some of my hearing with people beside me screaming cause it was part of the dance Anyway, that was just the start of orientation.

We are introduced to a simple and humble college student who loves us and wants us to be safe, named Ty and his co-ordinator Tizzy! They are the ones who usually conduct. They are so cool and SO HYPER! Especially Ty. We are introduced to the theme, safety rules and the consequences of not following and yada yada

  BUT!!! WAIT! WANNA KNOW SOMETHING CRAZY?? My company is dark blue and we have 2 counsellors, but something about the counsellors is that: *drum roll*

I HAVE THE SAME COUNSELLOR FROM MY LAST FSY!!!

Her name is Liney!!! I love her and she's soooo cool!!!!♥️✨ And under is my other counsellor, a returned missionary called Isaac! ( it's weird to keep calling your name honestly HAHA)

So yeah, they're cool and we met up with our company and had a little Home Evening and games in the night, plus reflect and review

Company's Name

You're probably wondering why I'm creating a section for something small as a company's name but it will make sense as I write to you more in the next letters. However, I created this to keep track of my feelings about how I felt on that first day about the name. I'll give you a hint. It's in Moses 7:18. At first, I thought the name wasn't much, I felt that unity of being with other youths of the same beliefs before, so, of course, the word 'Zion' didn't stand out to me as much as it does now. So, Zion (one heart, one mind) was our company's name. Our company commitment - the company's goal - followed the theme a little with us wanting to be known as the most service-ful company during the week.

Well by then, you'll just have to wait for the other letters cause I want to keep every memory of the FSY detailed because I believe that these little details build up to my experience of FSY, which made it the most spiritual event I have experienced surrounded by youths- of whom I have no idea then, but love them so dearly now. So till we write again

Sincerely,
Annabelle Yu

My Husband and I

22 December, 2024

My Husband and I

Dear Elder Yu,

As you know, your Daddy returned and stayed with us at home on 28 November 2024, when I went to the Bangkok Temple. As I told you before, we briefly discussed our marriage. He opened up, and he wanted a divorce on the Sunday I came back from the temple trip, 1 December 2024. I agreed. He will look for a lawyer for the legislation matter. He said he would temporarily stay in the house for about a month and then move out.

Throughout the whole conversation, he blamed me for not being wise enough to be a wife and a mother. He feels that all the love and time he put into this family, turned out to be the children who respected him because of afraid of him. He kept on emphasizing that he was not satisfied with the outcome or results he got from this family because the children were not close to him and he felt he failed his duty as a father. All the efforts he put in by not going to the pub or night entertainment like other contractors did were wasted.

I could understand his point of view that being a mother does not teach both Annabelle and you well, especially since most Chinese parents would teach about virtues such as one should respect the elderly and love the young; a virtuous woman brings her husband good; a kind mother brings up children dutiful to the family; the younger brother should respect the elder brother and the elder brother should be gentle with the younger brother; passing good family traditions of having gathering or dinner when there is a festival; one should run the family diligently and thriftily; one should be learned and practice etiquette; do not be lazy or idle like your mommy in doing the household chores, etc. These are the areas which I lacked.

Your Auntie Agatha commented on all these values years ago if you remember on the dining table. Well, it was indeed your Daddy's good intention when he voiced out to both of you, but it probably in a stern voice so that both of you would remember that because he knows that all these things would be beneficial to you when you stepped into society one day to earn a living.

But, I am speechless when hearing all the excuses and comments from his mouth about the dumb words on how he felt he was not been appreciate his contributions and sacrifice to this family. I thought he was the one who betrayed me in the very first place by not obeying the law of chastity. He did say he was the one who did wrong, but I did not feel the sincerity and repented in his words. He is admitted because of the sack of saying.

He had the testimony of the Church is true and told that one day he will return to church but he has to make things right first. His retirement plan is to stay somewhere in northern Thailand after 6 years and do what he wants to do – open a homestay and a café and live a quiet life there. He did mention is with his now-new girlfriend. He hopes that one day the children and I able to visit him there.

He was expecting that I still could be on good terms with him after all this happened. I told him that sorry as I needed time to go through this time. Please do not expect me to react like nothing happened. I feel he is blaming everything about this family that he felt he is not getting what he expecting from us. My thought is why want to be calculative in your giving, sacrifice to your own family, and expect instant rewards? I feel it is just his excuse to get rid of his guilt and what he had done to this family. I cried many times ever since we had the conversation, I just kept on thinking that I have to trust in the Lord so that I can move on.

Well, he finally found a new place near his job site at Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. He is planning to move out I think next month. I plan to re-home Ally through Auntie Jessie’s help next month as well. I know both of you and Annabelle would be sad, but I do not think I can take care of Ally especially Annabelle next year she will become a teacher in Mecaje, and Mr. Heng asked her to take on tuition which would end at 6.00 pm. So, when she comes back home would be probably around 8.00 pm?

I know I should not talk much about this to you, but I do not want to paint a beautiful picture for you either. It is a burden that is hard to take on and carry, I know. You know what? I started to feel I should be forgiving and let go because this would do me good because all these are the gifts that my Savior gives me.

Love you as always,
Mommy