FOLLOW THE PROPHET

SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

Hello my Son!!!

Hi Buddy! I hope it was a great week for you. Today is a rather deep reflecting day as it is 9-11 and we also had an amazing Regional Conference Broadcast with Elder M. Russell Ballard. This was a special broadcast for 20 stakes in the SLC to come to the conference center and 200 Stakes in SLC to Draper and up to Kaysville.

We also heard from Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, and Elder Donald L Hallstrom. I loved all of their talks but here is what Elder Ballard had to say.

Elder Ballard had many praises for the saints in this area and how blessed we are. Along with those wonderful praises he also had an Epistle to deliver just as Apostle Paul delivered to his people.

Warnings: Watchout for Spiritual dangers. Look out for those that pervert the gospel and false prophets. He spoke of a Sequoia Tree. A tree that doesn’t die of old age but other things that may cause it to die like lack of water. He likened it unto us that if we shift our focus away from the truth of the church and we don’t water our spirit then we can die spiritually.

Another Warning he gave was for our area specifically. This one hit really close to home and a good reminder of what our Prophet asked of us a long time ago in which most of us have forgotten. He said that sometimes us, who live close to church headquarters, can become casual in listening to what our prophet says. In specific, we as members of the church had been asked to not hold Open Houses after a missionary talk of a homecoming or farewell. The way the sacrament meeting was given had changed at that time as to not having the family all talk and that the Bishop was still in charge and not the family. This has been honored since this time but many of us have forgotten that The Prophet had asked us not to have the open houses.

This was a sharp stab to me because we did it. :( . It was a good reminder that even if we think we are being obedient, there is always something that we have forgotten that we need a reminder so we can be even more blessed. Even if we don’t think we have many things to repent of there are probably many. And even though I felt very uncomfortable that I had participated in being casual, I felt blessed to have the opportunity to change and to show my love of our prophet and that I do want to support him in all things. Like you were blessed that if you were obedient in all things you would be blessed, I know that if I am obedient in ALL things I can be blessed too.

Thank you so much Caden for serving a mission and being that amazing example of Going and doing what the Lord has commanded. My heart is so full to know you are being obedient. I love you so much buddy!!! Elaina posted your picture you sent her with your quote, “"In the MTC, they always told us "there is no growth in the comfort zone, and there's no comfort in the growth zone". Elder Caden Snell

Dad and the Red Rock band played on Monday. It was good to hear them but the sound guy wasn’t awesome! Lexie survived Fantastic Friday and Super Saturday! They are doing good. Tuesday is Parent Preview; I can’t wait to see them. You probably wouldn’t be able to watch the video would you? I could send it to you if you can.

I’m grateful for the call to not be casual in my efforts and to always remember who I am and what I need to be doing. Tonight we have Sister Elaine S. Dalton coming for Stake standards night. I’m so excited to hear her and feel of her light. She truly is a light unto the nation.

Love you Buddy!!! Miss you.

Love Always MOM!!!

ELDER SNELL: Hi Mom! 

The talks given in sacrament had some references to 9-11 yesterday. It was humbling for me to hear everyone's perspective of that disaster, because it happened so close to home for the people here. Some of the members were even living in or working in Manhattan when the towers were hit.

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell was one of the speakers for an MTC devotional while I was there! I really enjoyed his talk :) I actually thought about the open house thing while we were preparing for mine...I didn't know that the prophet had counseled us to not do that, but I was thinking that maybe it would've been better to do an open house the day before. I guess that's why repentance is a thing, right? Haha

 Lexie told me all about band this past week! I miss band haha. I'm glad she is enjoying high school though!

Does Elaina just post everything I tell her? Hahaha That quote from the MTC really meant a lot to everyone there :) I like it

I love you Mom!!! Let me know if you have any questions for me. Or if there is anything that I need to include in my emails that I am not currently including :)

Love ya!

Elder Snell

MOM: You are so amazing!!! Thank you for always thinking of me and making sure I am getting your answers. Elaina doesn't post everything....ha ha, she just posts things that are important to her. She's amazing, just like you!!!!

Do you need to get it looked at by a doctor? You know you can do that. :)

We saw Elaina a few weeks ago or maybe it's been a little longer. I text her almost every week just checking on her. I know she is busy. she Asked me to tell Sister Dalton last night that some random girl wanted to thank her for the advice she gave her 2 years ago. and guess what, sister Dalton remembered her! I couldn't remember at first what Elaina was referring to but then I asked Sister Dalton to invite the people who couldn't find a seat to come up front and she said, I love the front row sitters. That reminded me that that was what Elaina told us about. She told her to always be a front row sitter. I was so excited to tell Sister Dalton and she totally remembered Elaina.

Anyway, I'll send you the pics we got from the STake Standards night. It was amazing!!!! Sister Dalton has such power and love from our Savior.

ELDER SNELL: I might have to at some point...I just don't want the doctor to say that I can't serve in the city because of it......

She remembered Elaina??? That's awesome! I haven't met her myself, but Sister Dalton sound really cool to meet :) ever since Elaina told me that story, I have also sat on the front row whenever possible! It is awesome :)

MOM: oh man. I'm so sorry buddy. Have you been icing it and taking ibuprofen? What about getting some medical tape and wrapping under the knee cap? is that where it hurts?

ELDER SNELL: You are the best!!!!!! I love and miss you Mom! Did you decide on a theme for trek?

MOM: I LOVE AND MISS YOU TOO!!!!!

We decided "I'll Do It For Him". It goes with the song Troy wrote. I don't know if you are allowed to listen to a Trek song but I will send it just incase