Elder Brandon Winters: Oct 31st 2011

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!
I have to admit, it doesn't feel ONE BIT like Halloween today. Not that Halloween is a very important holiday but it is something that makes the Autumn season that much more exciting for us as we are growing up. I loved the anticipation and planning that went into the whole Trick-Or-Treating experience. We learned who handed out the biggest candy bars, we learned who was never home (or just turned out the lights every Oct. 31st haha) and we learned to never go to Dr. McConnell's because he only hands out toothbrushes. Haha, just kidding.

This week really flew by for me. We stayed very busy working a lot with the less-active members of the branch as well as the super strong branch members. This week was a little tough contacting people and inviting them to church because this Sunday (yesterday) we had a Special Kampala Stake Conference at the Kampala Serena Hotel. This puts a financial strain on people when it comes to coming to church. Elder Stewart and I did our best to supplement peoples budgets by taking from our allotment to help people with transport to and from Serena Hotel. So the guest speakers for the special conference were Elder Carl B. Cook of the Seventy and Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy. It was a great experience for the members and missionaries alike and I know that everyone learned something. I would like to mention two things that were spoken of during the conference.

The first comes from Sister Rasband in her testimony precursor to her husband's talk. She said something very interesting which I think all individuals who reside in North America would do well to listen to. She commented on how quiet and reverent the children in the congregation were. Then she remarked that she was very impressed that the children did not need "goodies" or "little games" to stay occupied. They were simply content to sit and listen. She said that parents and children in North America could learn something from the example of the African people. So, from Sister Rasband. Try to raise your children, or teach your children that snacks are not needed in church. Teach them reverence, teach them respect, teach them the importance of the Sacrament. As we do this, our children will be able to build their foundations in the gospel much faster than we could ever imagine.

Elder Rasband spoke to the Ugandan people and admonished them to have more faith. One of the questions that many of the Saints have every time a General Authority comes along is "When will we be getting a temple?" The answer is simple. When a people desires a temple, they must first show their faith and pay their tithing. We in Uganda were promised that when we pay our tithing we will get a temple according to the time of God. He also spoke of 5 Gospel Traditions which I won't discuss in depth but will list.

1. Personal and Family Prayer
2. Personal and Family Scripture Study
3. Family Home Evening
4. Personal and Family Self Reliance
5. Stand in Holy Places (1. Home 2. Church 3. Temple)

As we make these 5 Gospel Traditions a norm in our lives and the lives of our family members we will be more prepared to meet God. We will be more prepared to take leadership positions, and we will be more prepared to strengthen the bonds between us and our families.

May God be with you the remainder of this week. Until we speak again at the coming of yet another P-day.

Love,
Elder Winters