Matt's email 11/14/2011

Hello my dear family! I am glad to hear that all is going well and that you are all enjoying yourselves being pregnant and going on vacations and "working" and all that good stuff. It makes me happy to know that you are all happy. I'm also pleased to find out that Cameron and Ashley are having a boy! That should be really fun for them. I swear they just had a child, but hey, when the prophets command, we have to obey right? I love the story in first Nephi when Nephi and his brothers have to return AGAIN to Jerusalem searching for Ishmael and his family so that Lehi's lineage could continue. I especially like the part when they are in the desert on the return trip and Laman, Lemuel, a few daughters of Ishmael and the two sons begin complaining against Nephi and he begins to drop the cane on them in a very loving way. Many times we find ourselves like Laman and Lemuel, questioning the words of the prophets, but I love what Nephi said in chapter 7 verse 15. He basically says that if they want to go back to Jerusalem, they could do so, but he also promised them definite destruction. He promises them that they will perish. I love that theory. It is up to us to decide if we are going to follow the prophets or not, but if we choose not to follow them and "return to Jerusalem" we are for sure going to perish.
Things are going really well here on the mission. Elder Menocal and I are keeping our heads above the water and we are having a fantastic time. This weekend I was surprised with some awesome news. I found out that 2 families that the Lord had guided me and my companion to were baptized! It made me so happy to find out that amongst many planted seeds, at least two have begun to sprout. I was such a happy man on Saturday night when I found that out! There is nothing that brings me greater joy than finding out that people that I love and care for decide to follow Jesus Christ.
I love you all. I thank you for your support and your prayers!
Love,
Elder Burr