Let's Watch My Favorite Part Again, Shall We?

Dear family,

Wow!  What a week!

We finally got in contact with J.  She is scheduled to be baptized in December.  She's been really sick, so hasn't been able to meet with us.  We think and feel that her progress will be slow due to all the chaos that's going on in her life right now.  But she loves coming to church, when she can, and so do her kids.  And she loves what she's learning from us, when we can meet with her.  I have a lot of hope for her and her family.  My goal is to teach her family and baptize them.

Sister Wallace and I talked about C this morning.  He's scheduled to be baptized next month, and we don't feel he's really repenting.  Yes, he's quitting coffee, and reading, and coming to church, most of the time, but we feel he's not doing it for God.  He's not changing for himself, but for another reason.  So we're going  to have to teach him in more depth about repentance and what that means.  It's hard to teach him because he can take offense very easily.  But Sister Wallace does a really good job teaching him.  He seems to learn more from her than me, which is fine by me.

Sister Wallace is doing a great job too.  Her teaching and communication skills are growing.  She is improving, and has grown more confident since she's been out on her mission.  It's still hard sometimes.  But I'll get over it.  I'm just glad that I pick my eternal companion.

I can't remember if I told you, but Don is now a ward missionary.  He gives us wonderful insight on what we need to do with people, how we can help them have spiritual experiences.

A.. is amazing!  We're going to set her for date this Friday.  She LOVEs coming to church and loves it when we come over and teach her.  We're bringing over RS members so she can get to know the women in the ward more, and she's loved everyone that we've brought over.  She's praying and she sees the blessings that come from it.

We taught her the Atonement last time we went and how through the Atonement we can overcome our sins and weaknesses.  We brought a woman with us that is very aquatinted with the addiction recovery program and she invited A.. to attend that.  A.. wants to obey the Word of Wisdom and is so willing to try out this program to help her overcome her problems.  She has called and texted us a million times thanking us for what we've done for her.  The funny thing is, is that we feel we've done nothing.  We know it's all the Spirit.  That's one of my favorite things about the mission--when people thank you for helping them change their life, but you know that you didn't do a thing to help them, you just delivered the message and the Spirit did the rest.

A.. is sent from God!  And people at church think she's a member because she dresses just like one!  It's awesome!

Mom, I'm not sure if Sister Gillespie emailed you some pictures yet.  They were of Ayla's 1st birthday.  Sister Gillespie accidentally signed up to feed us on her daughters birthday.  We had Ayla's favorite finger foods, and then the cake!  Oh man!  It was great!  It was falling over before they cut it, but as we were eating it just plop!  Split right in two and fell!  We were all laughing so hard!  It was such a fun night.  I love the Gillespie family.  One of their boys calls us Primary Girls.  I don't know why.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I had this amazing energy that allowed me to work, work, work.  Rejections didn't bother me.  I knew I had to go out and find the elect.  It was a really neat feeling.  I know that the elect are out there.  I know that Heavenly Father will lead me to them if I ask Him to and then go out and do.

That's the problem with mainstream Christianity.  They don't understand what Nephi did.  If the Lord commands something then we need to go do it.  We can't just say, "I've accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior and so I'm saved."  FALSE DOCTRINE!  Or they ask for something then do nothing themselves to achieve it.  Elder Ellis (the 70) said it perfectly.  "We have to have the faith to ask to baptize, then go out and find those who are ready.  They're not going to come knocking at your apartment and say 'I want to be baptized.'"  Well that's just paraphrasing, but you get it.

On Saturday we had a really good lesson with D, who STILL isn't reading the BOM.  We took the senior missionaries with us, the Martins.  I was unsure of that, not the mission field kinda Mormons.  Little did I know that Elder Martin's conversion story (who knew he was a convert!) was exactly what D needed.  He wasn't looking for the gospel, but he found it.  D's not looking for the gospel, but she's finding it...if she'll read!  The Spirit was so strong.  I hope she'll read.  She didn't come to church though :(

Funny tracting story.

We go up to this man who just got home.  His wife said, "I bet those are Mormons"  then went in.  We introduced ourselves and the man said, "I'm so sorry you don't believe that Christ is our Lord and Savior, the Son of God."

"We do believe that."

"No you don't."

"Says who?  I do believe that Christ is my Savior, He is the Son of God."

"The Trinity."  Now he was right up close to us.  Saydi would have pushed him out of her bubble.  "You don't believe in the trinity." 

I wasn't going to put up with it.

"We believe that they are three separate very distinct beings.  And that is truth."

"No it's not.  And we'll see at judgment day who is right."

"Okay then, we will.  I’ll be looking forward to it."

"And I am going to be praying for you.  Praying that you will not have any success in this neighborhood in the name of Jesus Christ."

"Good luck with that sir.  My name is Sister Ostler by the way, nice to meet you."  He introduced himself as Satan...oh wait, no he didn't I forgot his name.  Unimportant.  I just know that at judgment day I'm going to ask permission to reply this part of his life again.  "Let's watch my favorite part again, shall we?" 

Name the movie! 

It'll be great.  That really didn't bother me, and his prayer was in vain.  Cuz we met a sinner that really wants a BOM to read and find out more.  Sadly we didn't have an LDM with us.  So on Sunday we're going back.  We even got his number!  Yay for the Holy Ghost!


I'm not sure that these will go through.  But the other night Sister Wallace said that she felt good about tracting Brighten.  I did too.  So we went. . . . and the pictures showed what we found . . . nothing!  NO houses!  It was super funny, since we both felt prompted to tract it.  Maybe because our other choice was downtown Sycamore and Heavenly Father didn't want us to go there in the night time.  Not alot of lights.

Okay, well time is almost up!  I love you All!

Sister Ostler

And I haven't received your letters yet.  Prolly cuz you all wrote them late, cuz my email was late.

Words of Action

In comp study this week we've been reviewing lesson four with all the commandments.  Let's all turn to preach my gospel, shall we?  and review the commandments

Obedience

Pray OFTEN

STUDY the Scriptures

KEEP the Sabbath Day Holy

FOLLOW the Prophet

KEEP the Ten Commandments

LIVE the Law of Chastity

OBEY the Word of Wisdom

KEEP the Law of Tithing

OBSERVE the Law of the Fast

OBEY and HONOR the Law

Notice how the bolded words are action words.  It simply doesn't say The Word of Wisdom, but to OBEY it. 

Truly the Lord's church is an action church.  We cannot be saved unless we do something.  And by doing something we become someone. 

Love Sister Ostler

Perfect Brightness Of Hope

Dear family,

What a great week!  So much to tell!

Yes mom I did get the right letter this week...it was great.  I also don't care who you send the spiritual thought to...just not the prophet, he'd prolly have me taken out of the mission.  It's prolly all false doctrine, but whatever.  haha!  I did read Leda’s email!  It was great!  I love that girl.  What a gem!  I prolly won't have time to write her.  So many letters, so little time.  I did find out how Brother Outzen died.  I guess a tire exploded on him at work and he died instantly.  So sad, oh so sad!  Harrison at homecoming?  No way!  And he invited someone to church!  Yes!  Go boy!  Who?  I love being a missionary!

So there's some good stories from this week!

And they deny the power of God, the holy one of Israel 2 Nephi 28:5

For some reason Frank was on the potentials list.  So we went over there.  Funniest atheist I have ever met!  Born in Italy, saved by the grace of God countless times, and he doesn't know why and doesn't care to find out.  I was bearing testimony to him and he said, "You can't know that!  That's just a belief."  I laughed and told him that he can't tell me what I know and don't know.  It was a really funny conversation, not arguing at all.  I loved it.  Hard to explain.  Then he said what the most important thing in this life is.  I said, "I really want to align my will with Gods." 

"That's not important!  Health!  Health is the most important thing!"

"No it's not!"  Sister Wallace said that too.

I told the Story of Harrison and his knee and how for 2 stinking years a teenage boy couldn't do what other teenage boys do and he was HAPPY.  He didn't have anything to say to that.  It was a really great conversation.  Nothing really was done, but it was just great!

Ask and ye shall receive 3 Nephi 14:7

We went to visit Ronald on Monday morning.  He wanted a Book Of Mormon.  Before getting out of the car I said, "Heavenly Father, please let us place a Book of Mormon and get a return appt.  Well he wasn't home.  It was a duplex and I decided to knock on the back neighbors door to see if she knew where they were and to contact her.  She accepted the Book Of Mormon and we had a return appts with her!  Cool huh?  The appt feel through, but God still answered that plea.

He that seeketh, findeth 3 Nephi 14:8

B has so much truth!  We had an appt with him at M's (a ysa) on Monday.  He really wants to know what happens after this life, although he has a pretty good understanding of it.  Here it is.

After we die our spirits go somewhere.  A good place, or a bad place.  There is not just a heaven or hell.  There is an in between place because there are spirits on this earth, trapped on this earth.  We will receive a new body one day.

Look at how much truth there is?  So much!  I asked him how he knew this.  "God told me." 

"How?"

"Well he didn't appear.  It was like a voice, or a feeling...”

"What did it feel like?"

"All warm all over my whole body."

um...that's called the Holy Ghost people!

He's reading the Book Of Mormon right now and praying to know if it's true.  Awesome awesome!

He granteth unto men according to their desire Alma 29:3

Tracted into this lady who knows about the temple.  Mentioned stuff that I won't.  Knows about everything and the "ceremonies" she called it.  She said of it, "It's not for me, I just can't do it, I can't go through all that stuff."  She said that when she gets to heaven she won't be with her husband.  They will have a brother sister relationship.  It hit me when we were talking.  That is exactly what she will have.  And do you know what?  She even told us that she doesn't want to participate in any of the saving ordinances, so she doesn't have to.  But she won't obtain the highest glory.  I told her that and I said, "But I do want to be with my husband forever, so I will be able to be with him."  It was an eye opening experience.  People are happy with Terrestrial Glory, and there is nothing we can do about it.  Sad, so sad.  But what can you do?  Darn agency!

Taught from on High

Amazing zone conference yesterday!  So cool!  Elder Ellis of the seventy came!  Here are some things that I learned.

We have to have faith to see miracles.  It's true, there are miracles happening everyday around us, but are those the miracles when we're just crying out for help and someone comes and saves us, or are they the miracles that we ask the Lord for?  Are they the braking of the bands kind of miracles?  I loved that teaching from Elder Ellis.

I can ask God for great things and He will give them to me according to my faith.

The Lord will comfort us and give the peaceable things of His kingdom.

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

We had an awesome lesson with C.  We didn't know what we’re supposed to teach him.  We had heard some things from the bishop about him that troubled us a little bit, and we weren't sure that he had gained a spiritual witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  We had an idea of what we might teach him, but no solid lesson plan. We prayed that the Lord would direct us to the things that we were supposed to say.

After asking a few questions we realized that he had not had a witness from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon was the word of God.  So we started to teach him about the Holy Ghost and how it testifies truth to us and what it might feel like, etc.  Well then C went off on this what seemed to be tangent about a not-to-pleasant experience he had earlier that day.  We were then able to teach and testify to him about the comforting role of the Holy Ghost.  The member who was with us then taught him about how the Holy Ghost testifies of Christ.  Before we knew it we had just taught a beautiful lesson on the basic roles of the Holy Ghost.  Wow!  I was amazed!  The Holy Ghost wrote that lesson plan!  And C was even taking notes :)

The Grain of the Mustard seed

J, our Recent Convert, just had her baby last Sunday.  The RS has been amazing with helping.  Giving her meals and encouragement.  Her Visiting Teachers are amazing too.  They are the ones keeping us updated on her instead of the other way around.  We went to visit with her last night and she said that she was going to come to church.  She's amazing!  Not many life-long members would come to church 2 weeks after their baby was born.  J is elect!  She's got so much potential!  And she has a great desire to raise her children in this gospel.

Don's amazingness!

We haven't had any contact with J for over a week.  They moved and then didn't show up for church.  But Don H met with them last night and talked with them about coming to church (which they plan on doing) and about baptism and what not.  If everyone, missionary and member alike, had the fire that he has then the baptisms would triple. Out of the 4 four referrals he's given us, two of them have been golden.  Simply amazing!

Open your mouths and they shall be filled D&C 33:8

We walked into L's home the other day and knew something was up (she's a LA).  Her "adopted" daughter and her fiance were fighting and she was lecturing them.  After she threatened to kill them she turned to us and wanted us to help her.  Um...I've never been married!  But I opened my mouth.

"Well, I’ve never been married, and all my relationships have lasted less then 2 months, but" and here is where the Spirit talked, "I have been with a comp for the past year, and every week we have what's called a comp inventory."  And then I proceeded to tell them that we have to build each other up instead of tearing each other down.  We have to help each other and ask for help.  Relationships take humility and patience.

Yep!  I was a marriage counselor!  It was great!

What We Musts Feel

Let's open the word of God to 1 Nephi 8:12

Lehi just partook of the fruit, and we read what he feels,

"And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."

Lehi partook of the fruit, eternal life so to speak, the Atonement, being a member of this church...the only true church.  Then what did he do?  He was desirous that others should partake of the fruit.  Yes, his family, but I think this applies to others as well.  He called out to them, WANTED them to feel the same joy that he did.

Activity time.  Grab a paper and pencil, or pen, whatever.

Make a list of all the blessings you've received from being a member of this church.

An hour later. . . . 

Wouldn't it be selfish to not want to share this great joy with others?  Yeah, pretty much.  

Once we are truly converted we will go out and convert others.  It is my opinion that we are not converted unless we share.

There are countless ways to share.  Home and Visiting Teaching, visiting a less active, helping the missionaries, inviting someone to church (Wilson is truly converted!  Go Wilson!  You'll get some rejection, but the Lord sees and blesses you for your efforts), giving someone a Book of Mormon, bearing testimony, oh so many ways!  And then one day, they'll listen to the missionaries and receive a true testimony in Christ and His church.

Don't let people around you fall into that filthy river of water, or wander off into strange paths because of the mists of darkness, or worse, be so consumed with the pride of this world.  Save them.  There is only one way to be saved and that is through Christ's name, which we take upon ourselves at baptism. 

Love, Sister Ostler

5 More Planners

Thanks for the emails!  NO, I didn't get transferred.  We're still in Dekalb for another 6 weeks.  But funny about your letter.  Did you know that you sent me the letter you wrote on August 13th?  You must have hit a few wrong buttons on the computer or something.  So I read the talks instead.  Wow!  Powerful talks!  Thanks so much for sending those!  And also if you ever feel the need to do a mommy rehab thingy and send me a box, I'm getting sick of the same music ALL THE TIME.  Hilary Weeks has a Collection CD out.  It's super good.  It has Prove Me and Be Still on it, and a lot of other good songs too.  Just for your info.

Speaking of Prove Me.  That is one of my favorite songs.  "Till humility chases away the Pride" "The Love that Purifies me"  "Til my faith leads me to a grove of trees."  Wow!  Powerful songs!  It talks about turning our heart to the Lords, doing His will instead of stubbornly insisting on doing ours.  Something I"m working so hard, and failing every day to do.  But the thing is is that I keep on trying right?

I just read the letter from the boys (and dad [why does his letters always come with the kids letters?  I think it's hilarious!]) about Wilnewt smearing berries all over himself.  Did you get a picture?  Can I have it?  That kid is something else.

What's the combined activity BOM thingy Jefferson?  I'm clueless. And thank you Dad for your words of comfort and advice.

Sister Howell and I were true sisters!  And guess what?  She's getting transferred to Beloit!  That's in the Rockford Zone!  My zone!  Different district, but I'll get to see her more often!  I'm so stinking excited!

She's my best friend out here.  During comp study we just talked about what we could do for the ward, or how we needed to stop working at 9:30 cuz we would usually stop working at 10, then get up 8 hrs later and start again.  It was exhausting, but we just had so much fun!  We worked hard, and our work paid off!  I love that girl!

Last night we were at C's.  For some reason he really didn't want to listen to me and he made that clear after I explained the 3 kingdoms.  He just went, "uhhu, so Sister Wallace what do you say about these three rewards?"  And he said it in a way that sounded as if he really didn't believe me, or I was just making stuff up.  Well I got the hint that he thought I was teaching too much.  But this time.  Well she took over the lesson.  She and our member, I hardly said another word.  She taught the WOW and committed him.  She taught powerfully, simply but powerfully.  Clearly too.  It was the first time I had seen her teach like that.  I"m definitely going to trust her more.  She's going to be leading most lessons, and then committing them and inviting them to pray.  I just need to learn to take the back seat.  She'll never get better if she doesn't do right?

And Jackson's experience with the Texans.  Yep!  Say hello to America!  We got out of the car yesterday and saw an older man sitting on a bench.  He looked kinda homeless.  Sister Wallace introduced herself and he said, 'Oh no, please leave!"  He looked oh so down and out!  So I asked if there was anything we could do for him.  I really wanted to help him in whatever way I could.  "Yes, you can leave.  I'm trying to be nice, just leave."  It was so heartbreaking.  We know we have such a great gift, or we want to help someone so bad, but they can't humble themselves to accept it.  Then we met two people our age.  After the girl said, "Oh no, are you guys still baptizing dead people?  And wear magical underwear?"  I knew it was a lost cause.  Bore testimony and left.  Americans!

This weekend was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hard!  Lessons falling through, and NO ONE wanted to listen.  Tracted all day.  It felt like the beginning of my mission.  Then I think it was Friday or Saturday night when I got a letter from Kendra.  She told me that Brother Outzen had passed away.  I cried and cried.  I wished I could be in Rensselaer with them.  I have no idea what happened.  I felt what most people feel when a loved one dies and they don't have the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, they don't understand it fully.  I asked why it had to happen to him.  He was so great!  Such a great missionary, such a wonderful father.  His little girl, Seria was only 1 and half years old.  And Sister Baumgaurt had just passed away in July.  Why Brother Outzen?  Why would God take him?  I didn't understand it.

But understanding came.  Not completely.  But because he was righteous it was his time to go.  He is needed on the other side for some reason.  I knew that he would be able to hold his little girl again.  They would be reunited.  But that still didn't stop me from bawling.  I am ever so thankful for the Plan of Salvation and the complete knowledge that we have.  I just hope and pray that the Outzens and the branch members are doing okay.  I want to give Sister Outzen a big hug!  That night I wanted to go home.  Not Tri-cities or Rexburg, but to Rensselaer.  I missed it so much.  I missed the love.  I missed being me there.

Rensselaer it was different.  They loved YOU.  Any missionary who goes there and doesn't feel that love is messed up.   And it's not that I don't love Dekalb, I do.  I just love Rensselaer more...and I miss it.  Well enough of that.

Yesterday when we found out Sister Leahman was going to be training and whitewashing an area (Belvedear in Rockford Zone) I was thinking of how long she had left.  3 transfers!  Three!  That meant I had 4!  I did the math, well Sister Wallace did...24 weeks!  What the heck!  Only that long!  That's it?  Sister Wallace said that was a long time.  And it is when you're only 2 months into the mission.  But when you're over a year that’s just a blink.  I didn't want to think about it.  So instead I put another number to it 5.  5 planners!  I get to use 5 more planners, then I get on that plane.  I know that when that time comes I’ll be excited and sad.  But we're not thinking about that now.  We're just working our little rear off 'til the last day.

Next week Elder Ellis? comes to tour the mission.  I think he's from the 70s.  We have a mass zone conference in Naperville.  5 zones!  Crazy!  I'm excited though.  So many missionaries!  Sadly I won't see Sister Mondelli unless she's transferred out of the city, or Elder Dearinger.  I'm really hoping to stay in Dekalb for the rest of my mission...unless I get moved back to the Celestial Kingdom.

Super cool about the lesson though at the house.  Say hi to Elder Larkin for me!   Small world that we knew each other in the MTC.

What I’ve started to do in lessons now is to read from the BOM if they don't read.  Like with D.  It was our 4th lesson with her and she still hadn't read.  So we cracked it open and read from 3 Nephi 11.  She was reading ahead and asking questions, and I could tell that just by giving her a taste of what was in there she wanted to read more.  We're hoping she does.

I have to have faith that I’m planting seeds that will be harvested someday somewhere.  I have harvested seeds planted by other missionaries years and years ago.  C's first contact with missionaries was in 2003.  Now he's set for date.

Well I’m gonna let you go and email some pics to you of last pday and this week.

Love you all!  And thank you so much for your prayers and support!  I couldn't do it without you! 

You are the greatest family in the world!

Love, Sister Ostler

General Conference Edition

Dear Family:

OH!  Super sad about Buddy!  He was such a good dog!  Where was his shock collar?  And what a good sister Saydi is for helping out Wilson.  Yep, you'll see Buddy again!  All animals have spirits.  Except flies and fruit flies.  They don't.  But dogs do.

Thanks Dad for your words.  Yeah, it's been hard...the rejection.  And I know that they're not rejecting me.  But it's just hard to bear your testimony and have a door slammed on your face, or they say, "That's nice, but you're crazy."  Well they don't say that, but they think it.  Even Sister Doll thought mormons were crazy until she received her answer.

Mom, here's the deal.  I don't need anymore clothes, I promise!  Sister Bingham patched them up for me.  So we're going to play a game.  When you're at the store and you see something cute, look how much it is, write it down, then "save" that money til I get back and you can use that money on me to go buy clothes so I can try them on and stuff.

So exchanges was good.  We switched plans in the middle of the day, so that was fun.  We did a lot of tracting which was good for her.  She's pushing herself in talking with people.  I just mostly tried to lead by example like Sister Ika did.  I'll send a pic next week.  I only have 10 more minutes left.  I had to write Saydi too.

But conference was absolutely amazing!

That temple in Provo!  So cool!  And Pairs is where Sister Wallace's dad served in the 60s!  He's a little younger than grandpa.  Crazy huh?

Yeah, a ton of talks on the Book of Mormon!  Elder Calliisters was the best!  So plain!  The Book of Mormon is from God or the Devil, there is no middle ground.  And Elder Richardson's about teaching by the spirit!  I’ve been trying to figure out what that means, forever and I think he nailed it on the head.  I need to go back and study that talk.  I can't wait til you send the conference Ensign!

And Elder Packer's talk.  Oh man.  That talk could have been written to anyone.  But he specifically gave it to the youth.  Powerful words indeed.  I second President Uchtdorf's comment, "The youth would do well to follow Elder Packer."   I loved how Elder Bednar took something that the youth are doing (video games and computers) and then sayd, "Use that talent for something good."  So amazing!

Elder Arden's talk on time was so simply amazing!  As well as Elder Cook's talk on Better to look up.  I needed that.  I guess Sister Wallace did to.  She doesn't think she's a good missionary.   I think I’m being too hard on her.  She is improving, which is good.  Maybe I'm not letting her teach as much.  Maybe I'm putting too much pressure on her.  I have no idea.  Man, I don't think I’m ever going to have kids.  It's so, so hard!  I never know if I'm doing the right thing, teaching the right thing in the right way.  Maybe I'll just be a hermit and never get married!  That's an idea!

Elder Christofferson’s talk on repentance was so simple and comforting too.  So maybe I should repent of that last comment.  Sorry Heavenly Father, I will have kids, if you want me to.  But you gotta help me raise them!

Elder Perry!  Yes go missionary work!  Use Mormon. org peoples!  I’ll teach you how to use it when I get home.  Amazing website!  Share it with your friends!  Everyone you meet!  Go to it, explore it!

Elder Hales was amazing too!  So so good!  And Elder Oaks!  Oh my gosh!  I want to hand that talk out to everyone I see!  So good!  Christ is real, and thanks to the restoration we know more perfectly who He is and what He excepts of us.

Did you not see a theme throughout conference that God's standards and the worlds standards are not the same?  I did.  It's hard to be LDS, but in the end it's the only path back to true happiness.  Stick with it kids and adults and all will be well!  That's what I got from President Monson's talk.  He's just awesome!

Elder Cornish's talk on prayer!  Wow!  So good!  Do the Lord's will!  And Elder Yamushita!  haha!  What an awesome and uplifting talk.  All missionaries and rms need to reread that talk to give them encouragement and uplifting thoughts.

Okay, time is up!  Love you all and thanks for all you do.

Love, Sister Ostler

A Powerful Promise

Dear people,

So for me this past General Conference, they talked a lot about the Book of Mormon.  They testified of it, told stories of how it had helped them in their lives, the power it had, the purpose of the book, etc.  I was studying a talk by Ezra Taft Benson yesterday, and in it he said about the Book of Mormon:

"There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the MOMENT you begin a SERIOUS STUDY of the book."

A serious study, the moment.  Wow!  A Powerful Promise!  He also promised this,

I know that our family is a living witness that this promise is true.  We used to pray that the spirit of contention would leave our home.  It really only did when we began to study and read the Book of Mormon together as a family.  Didn't Saydi and Jackson used to fight ALL THE TIME?  When did that stop?  About the time that we read the Book of Mormon.  Mowing lawns did help a lot, but I believe that when we picked that book up together as a family and started reading it the spirit in our house changed.  I know that I saw it.  I use that testimony every week when I am testifying of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  It is true because it brought our family closer together.  I have seen a DRAMATIC change in our whole family life because of that Book.

So thank you mom and dad for making that a family goal to read from it's pages every day.  I know that that's what I want to do in my own family.

Love

Sister Ostler