June 6,2011

Thanks for the great detailed letter, Dad, and don`t worry about burdening me down with problems at home. I think I`d prefer to know things a little bit at a time than to come home and find out everything at once. I`m actually not too worried about Austin yet because I know what his heart is like behind all that wanting to be accepted by his friends. Be strict with him but encourage him to find out for himself if everything you`ve taught him is true. Remember that it`s not that complicated. He can know for himself if he really wants to. He just has to study it out (read the Book of Mormon, listen in church) and then pray and ask God if it`s true. Put it to the test yourself, even if you already believe it`s true, so that you can have faith in the promise found in Moroni 10:35. Remind him as well that the Book of Mormon is the key. If the book is true, everything else must be as well. I personally testify that the Book of Mormon is true and that anyone who sincerely desires to, can know that for himself. I can`t deny it. My testimony of the Book of Mormon has been the foundation that has allowed me to press forward with faith and stay on my mission even when all else came into doubt and my mind was filled with confusion. He doesn`t have to go to a million churches to know which one is true. He just has to really want to know if this one is true or not (read the Book of Mormon everyday, pay attention at church, pray everyday asking if it`s true) and then if he finds out that it`s not he can continue his search and investigate another one, but I can promise you that if he puts in his part he won`t have to. His search will start and end right there, because this is the truth. He also needs to remember that it`s about recieving an answer through the power of the Holy Ghost and not proving it with logic and reasoning (1 Cor. 2:10-14). I heard you bore your testimony yesterday. That`s awesome, Dad. Keep doing stuff like that. Make sure Austin, Sean, and Marc know how you feel about the church and share with them how you know that it`s true.

I attached some pictures from when we hiked the Malinche, and from that crazy hailstorm a couple of weeks ago.