Dear Elders and Sisters,
Sister Ostler and I are really looking forward to being with you this week and next for zone conference. Our hearts are filled with love and respect for you. This will be our first zone conference as mission president and wife. We and the assistants have been praying, preparing and seeking the Lord's guidance. D&C 43:8-10 gives the direction for our meetings, as well as a promise:
"And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall INSTRUCT and EDIFY each other, that ye may know how to ACT and direct my church, how to ACT upon the points of my law and commandments...and be sanctified by that which ye have received, and ye shall bind yourselves to ACT in all holiness before me. That inasmuch as ye do this, glory shall be added to the kingdom..."
Please notice how often the Lord says the word "ACT." As you come to the conference, be prepared to act on the things you hear. The promise at the end is significant: "That inasmuch as ye do this, GLORY shall be added to the kingdom..." What is the glory of the kingdom? "For behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39). In other words, if we will meet together and are edified, and then act on the things we receive...more souls will be brought to eternal life. God's glory is bringing His children to eternal life. We, as full time missionaries, have the privilege of working full time to bring about His glory. We must be men and women of action.
Remember:
"Talk is cheap."
"Knowledge without action is like clouds with no rain."
"Actions speak louder than words." "Knowledge without action is all smoke but no fire."
"When all is said and done, there is a whole lot more said than done."
"Not every one that saith unto je, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of God." (Mt. 7:21)
"We show our faith by what we do."
We must be men and women of action.
There are some scriptures we would like you to read and study and "unpack" before you come. Some of those who were confined to their apartments on Luzon during the storm this week had the chance to start on these scriptures. We would like everyone to take the time to study these verses and discuss them in companionship study or in your house:
Malachi 4:1-6
Joseph Smith History 1:39
D&C 110:13-16
Moses 1:39
1 Nephi 8:2-38
D&C 128:8-24
D&C 138:27-54
May the Lord bless you and strengthen you. May He bless you to be a man or woman of action. May He guide your steps and answer your prayers. May he bless your families because of your faithful service.
With love,
President Ostler