June 19, 2019

Elders,

Hello from from sunny, muggy, hot Louisianna. I’m down here on business and had an opportunity to enjoy a real crawfish bol (not boil). It was quite an experience. The good people down here are very welcoming and kind. I hate being away from home and in the sweltering heat, but the sleepy town of Baton Rouge right next to the Mississippi isn’t all that bad.

We continue to hear good and positive news from our heart patients. Pam Oka’s surgery went well and she’ll be in the hospital for about a week. Brad Woolley is making steady progress as well. We are 2 for 2 on heart surgeries this month. We are grateful for skilled doctors and nurses, faith, and prayers that are so needful in situations like this.

This week in Come Follow Me, I’ll have to admit, I haven’t been able to study and read. My work has drained me – from the redeye flight Sunday night until now there has been very little stopping or sleeping. I was going to just crash on the bed tonight and not create the message this week, but I am glad that I made an effort to study. The rewards are great. This week’s study is about the final hours of our Savior’s life. It includes the mockings, trials, scourgings, and ultimately the crucifixion. There is a lot there to make us sad or frustrated. On the other hand it can give us hope as well. We see great examples of charity and love from the Savior even during this impossible situation.

One scripture that was called out in the manual is Mark 15:39 and the question associated with it is “How has reading about the Crucifixion strengthened our testimonies that Jesus is the ‘Son of God’?” The scripture says: “And when the centurion  which stood over against him , saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God”. 

As difficult and dark as that experience was, the spirit and power of Jesus Christ was able to reach out and touch the heart of this roman guard. My heart too was touched by reading even just a bit of the account. I can testify with the centurion that Jesus is the Son of God and the atonement of Jesus Christ allows us to anchor ourselves to God and His son. 

The scriptures are powerful witnesses and testimonies of the Savior. I hope that you can make the time; take the time, to follow the Come Follow Me outlines. They are a fantastic way to study and learn more about the relationship that Jesus has with our Heavenly Father and the relationship that we can have too. Even a little bit of studying is inspirational, uplifting, and testimony building.

This Sunday Ken will be teaching us from President Nelson’s conference talk: “We Can Do Better and Be Better”  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/36nelson?lang=eng I know it is a talk that has been mentioned frequently since conference, but I believe I still have nuggets of wisdom to gain from the talk and the process of counseling together over the talk seems to bring them out for me – and I thank you in advance for your comments and insights.

Thank you for your love and support. I quite often am reminded of my limitations and inadequacies, but I feel of your strength and it makes me a better person.

Thanks,

President Oldroyd
801-573-6828

P.S. Now I can go get some sleep.