As Children of God

Good Morning!

I hope this email finds you well. I keep adding new people in, so this is fun for me. I'm going to continue sending emails out, partly to update you on my progress and partly because it gives me something fun to look forward to on Mondays. I'm on like 15 missionary email lists, so I get enough emails that I can read two or three a day and have my week booked with inspirational missionary stuff. Then I stare at an empty inbox wondering why I read them all on Monday evening. 

I try to remember everything I send and what I say each week so none of my emails are repetitive, but I don't catch everything. For example, I have a photo below of a Mammoth skeleton on display in the Fairview Museum I took a month ago, but just forgot to add into whatever email it was supposed to be in. Now that I'm less of a missionary and more of a sort-of-home but also kind-of-an-adult-child, I take less photos of what's going on around me. Granted all my Utah photos seem to be sunsets or mountains, but my point stands. 

I've read a lot of books recently, and I'm putting my focus on spiritual books as well as fun books. My goals are to read most of the books written by James E. Talmage. He does a good job from what I've read so far, and I really enjoy his perspective and clarity on various gospel topics. He is also my namesake, if you couldn't already tell. 

One thing I've taken special note on this week is perceived self-worth. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that God is our loving Heavenly Father, and the literal father of our spirits. We are all children of God. As a child of God, we know that God loves us, no matter who we are or what we've done. We strive to have a higher mentality of self-worth, understanding that a positive opinion of your individual talents and traits is key to a happy life. 

However, it can be difficult to keep this in mind all the time. I myself have fallen victim to Satan's tempting cries, that I'm not worthy to be a Christian, or that I don't matter, or why would God love me? Look at how much of a failure I am. I also know that many people have a hard time staying positive about themselves, choosing instead to focus on perceived flaws and imperfections, rather than staying happy about the talents and beauty they do have, and striving for self-improvement rather than self-depreciation. 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an Apostle, taught:

“The first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that’s the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength.”

Even though it may be difficult, even though you may not feel like it, please remember that God knows you personally, and loves every bit of you with all his heart, might, mind and strength. We are not perfect in this life, but God knew that would be the case when he sent us here. He doesn't expect perfection, but he does expect us to strive for improvement. That doesn't mean we get it the first try, or the next, but maybe by the hundredth attempt we can look back and see how far we've come. 

Thank you everyone for your love and support. My last email was one of the most responded to I've had so far, and they were very positive. It's a lot more than I was expecting, and helped ease some of my internal stress with coming home. I'm still working on our buffalo ranch, and finding ways to enjoy my families love and friendship even more. 

Keep saying your prayers, God is listening!

- Talmage Williams

Pictures: 

The Fairview Mammoth, more buffalo, and lots of demolition!