President Beardall:
This has been a really good week. Our entire zone has gotten so excited and been so driven
this week. Everyone worked together really well to hit the stretch goal. We took some good
steps this week to become more unified.
President, thanks for everything that you taught me during my interview. It really helped. If I
am being completely honest, the previous week I had been a little distracted by all of the
rumors that we might go back to Brasil. This week, Heavenly Father blessed me with two
back-to-back experiences that taught me lessons that I will always remember and that have
completely changed my perspective. The first happened last Monday when I was talking with
my parents. I was expressing to them all of my concerns. At that point, I was really
conflicted. I was debating declining going back to Brasil if I was given the opportunity so that
I could stay here to keep the Portuguese group going. I was really worried that I would have
to make that decision because it would be really hard. My dad reminded me that it is not my
decision, and that I need to go where the Lord calls me to go. I need to trust in His plan. He
used Elder Bednar’s talk “Called to the Work” to show me that all assignments and
reassignments come through prophetic revelation. He also gave me Jacob 4:10 to read. He
then told me that it is now my responsibility to trust the Lord and work as hard as I can and
do everything I can to help this group and the people we are teaching right now so that the
Lord can work the miracle. If I get called back to Brasil, that is where the Lord needs me,
and if I don't, then the Lord needs me here. The only thing that matters is what I am doing
right now, not the future.
The second experience was my conversation with you. At that point, I had already received
confirmation that I just needed to trust in the Lord’s plan for me, but I was still concerned
about the chance of the Portuguese group collapsing should we get sent back. What I
perceived as obstacles and roadblocks was at that point weighing heavily on my mind. What
you taught me about focusing on the positive, trusting the Lord’s plan, and focusing on faith
over fear really helped.
I have total clarity of mind now because of these two experiences. The Lord reminded me
once again that He knows me perfectly. These things that He taught me through both you
and my dad were exactly what I needed to have more faith in the Lord and His perfect plan.
The only thing I am worried about now is working as diligently as I can and doing my best to
help those people that we are working with progress towards baptism. Whatever happens in
the future is in the Lord’s hands and that is how it should be.
President, thank you so much for all that you and Sister Beardall do.
Love,
Elder Dudley
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President Beardall’s response
Thank you for a wonderful letter and for sharing your heartfelt concerns and insights.
Learning to "trust in the Lord' sounds simple, but it is the quest of our lifetime. It is one of the
main reasons we are here in mortality--to learn to live by faith. If we can learn to truly trust in
the Lord, we can enjoy a peace that "surpatteth all understanding." It sounds like you are
experiencing wonderful progression in this regard. Carry on! We love you!
