January 2nd 2012

Hello friends and family. LONG TIME NO SEE!!!

Sorry I've been a little slacker when it comes to keeping you guys

informed. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope everyone has recovered from the

Christmas and New Year celebrations. I know I have...I guess it was a

little easier for me. We didn't have any celebrations...haha New Years

Eve we had to be in by 6pm.

As usual, I would like to share something special with you from my

weekly studies. I love the book of Mosiah (as you probably already

know) especially the address of King Benjamin to his people at the end

of his life. It is from that address I would like to take today's

comments. Interestingly enough, the lesson I learned this week was not

taken from the actual words King Benjamin spoke, rather it will be

taken from 2 verses which take place prior to King Benjamin even

standing up. At the end of Mosiah chapter 1 King Benjamin commands his

son Mosiah to make a proclamatin throughout all the land that the

people should gather themselves together at the "temple to hear the

words which [King Benjamin] should speak unto them" (Vs. 18) This

powerful lesson is learned from the people and their reaction to the

call to gather. First in Mosiah 2:2 we learn that they came in great

numbers "So many that they [could] not number them." Everyone who hear

the call, came. Lesson 1.

Lesson number 2. They brought the "Firstlings of their flocks, that

they might offer sacrifice." (Vs. 3) The people were grateful to the

Lord for all He had done for them and outwardly showed that gratitude

by offering sacrifice.

Lesson 3. This is the most valuable lesson of all and the one I would

like us to focus on. Mosiah 2:6 "They pitched their tents round about

the temple...with the door thereof towards the temple." Why is this

significant? Because even with the other two lessons learned (Heeding

the call to gather, and being grateful) our lives would be worthless

if we did not do this one thing. I want you to think about the

question. "Where is my tent facing?" Are you facing the world and its

temptations? Or are you facing the temple, (i.e. The Lord's prophets)?

Before King Benjamin even spoke, we learn something from the example

of his people. They ALL faced their tents toward the temple, and they

were blessed to hear the words of their king.

At the start of this new year I want us all to contemplate that

question. Where is my tent facing. If it is facing the world, let us

seriously consider turning it around to face the prophet and his

counsel. As a messenger of Jesus Christ I want to tell you that there

is only ONE way we can receive eternal life and eternal happiness.

That is through our Savior Jesus Christ and strict adherance to his

servants the prophets. I know that Thomas S. Monson is God's living

prophet on the earth today. He walks and talks with God and brings

that message to us. If our tent is facing the other direction, there

is no way we can receive the message. TURN YOUR TENT TO FACE THE

PROPHET!!! I promise your lives will be blessed because of it.

Have a great week and a great year!!! I love you all!!!

Sincerely,

Elder Winters

Lake Victoria, I felt like I was in San diego

Baptisms. The 3 in the middle were ours



Christmas dinner!!! Notice I had potato chips and chocolate chip cookies!!!!

Courtesy of the senior couples ;)