June 9, 2013 Zone Conference, Nauvoo Illinois Mission

When it is hot, and you are tired, please remember that everyone else is, too. So be
flexible and adjustable with each other. Err on the side of compassion, rather than
criticism.
When the going gets tough, there is great counsel in the words of the hymn, “When
Upon Life’s Billows”. Counting blessings is a great antidote for negative feelings
which would otherwise rob you of the spirit and even your physical strength.
Please receive changes, schedules, cast assignments and the like with flexibility
and adaptability. If you are asked to mop the green room floor rather than be on
stage where you would love to be, please make it the cleanest, holiest place,
sanctified by your faithful, obedient service. If you are replaced in a part or a site you love, so someone else can have a chance
to grow, please joy in their opportunity and be their best supporter.
Learn to roll with the punches -- let things roll off you like water off a duck’s back!
If you go into a new situation with your mind already made up that you are going
to be miserable, you are right – you will be! To be flexible and adaptable opens
the door for new discovery, enlightenment, and joys you would have never known.
Don’t take ownership of a part, assignment, or stewardship and forget whose
service we are in. It is not about us, it is about Him and what He has done for us.
There is one who opposes this work every day
 He will work on your attitude
 He wants you to be hard hearted and stiffnecked
 He wants you to murmur
 He wants you to second guess everything
 He wants to move your focus from the things that matter the most
When we are flexible, able to adjust easily to change, and
when we are adaptable, able to change easily to meet new circumstances,
then our hearts are wide open and ready to receive that which God has in store for
us, through the manifestations of His Spirit.

Brian Taylor's Letter, May 9, 2013

I love these days!

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Brian L Taylor <bjt087@gmail.com>	Sun, Jun 9, 2013 at 5:44 PM
To: Wilford Scott <scott.wilford@gmail.com>
Dear Elder and Sister Scott,             This has been another of those Sundays that a grandfather looks forward to.  Danny got his "turn" when he got up behind the microphone in church and gave a good accounting of himself.  At the end of his talk he sorta smiled and said he knew his talk was a little bit short, but by the time the bishop made just a few remarks and Pres. Watson  gave a few favorite scriptures and mentioned how proud he was of our new missionary, the meeting was just long enough.             Two long rows of future missionaries--most of them in dark suits and white shirts--made an impressive sight in sacrament meeting--and in the Taylor home afterward.  As Pres. Watson mentioned that the Church has 80,000 missionaries on the books and plans for 100,000 to be in the field soon, I could not help having a thrilling feeling in my heart.  Then when we learned that instead of Danny's going to the missionary training center in Guatemala on Tuesday, he will be leaving on Wednesday for a brief stay at  the Provo training center on Wednesday instead, we realized more fully how the great growth in missionaries is taxing the Church training facilities.  What a thrill!  Surely an "armada" of young men and women is needed to carry the message of the true Gospel to the prepared souls who  need to hear the message of truth.             When Michael mentioned to his family that so many young girls are planning to serve missions that the field of dating material is severely shrinking, I sent word to him that now he can save up some money so he can pay for his education and possibly start buying a home at an earlier date.             My youngest grandson Braydan was seated by me in Danny's living room after the sacrament meeting.  I asked him if he were planning to be wearing one of those dark suits and white shirts in a couple of years when he reaches the right age, he responded that he didn't know.  I let him know that it is a worthy goal.  I won't pressure him, but I pray that he will decide NOW that it will be a part of his future program.                         I'm going to shift gears and pass on to you some words which may be of help to someone in our  ward missionary army.  These words came from Elder Orson F. Whitney, one of the "greats" in church history.  They are intended to bolster the faith of any who may be encountering a few rough roads in missionary highways.  He begins, "No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted.  It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility.  All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially if we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God. . . and it is through sorrow and suffering, oil and tribulation, that we gain education that we came here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven."                         Elder Whitney's phrases "ministers to our education" and "that we came here to acquire" are particularly stimulating to reflect upon.  How many of us will sit down at the end of the day and analyze our experiences to decide which ones have been sufficiently noteworthy to enter in our journal for the future reference of ourselves and our posterity?  One reason I include these words is the fact that I have been asked to take part next week in sacrament meeting, relating experiences which show how my Dad was led by the Spirit in making some of the important decisions in his life.  I have already decided on a couple of significant ones; perhaps I will include those in my letter to you next week.                         Rest assured that each day this week you will be remembered in my prayers.  Yours is a wonderful opportunity  in building the Lord's kingdom!                         Love, Brian

Brian Taylor's letter, May 26, 2013

Remembering

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Brian L Taylor May 26 (8 days ago) to me Dear Elder Willie and Sister Judy,                                     Today and tomorrow our people will be flocking to the cemeteries to place flowers on the graves of loved ones.  At the same time many of us will be taking some time to reflect upon the lives of those we hold dear.  We may be recalling fond memories of the lessons we have learned from them.  Or we will bow our heads in gratitude for the service they have provided for us.  I own a cemetery lot on which my great-grandfather Joseph Taylor is buried.  I remember his life particularly because he served in the Mormon Battalion, which led to his having a special military recognition on his grave each year.  He also served in the Utah War during he led a contingent of sixty men up Weber Canyon to do everything they could to hinder members of Johnston's Army from coming into the Salt Lake Valley.  He was captured by that army and on at least two occasions they tried to take his life--once by building a smoking fire at the entrance to his tent, and another by feeding him and his companion poisoned soup.  When threatened by the smoke, he instructed his companion to scoop some soil out of the ground and breathe into that hole.  Joseph later suspected the soup of being poisoned, so he instructed his companion not to eat it.  The companion just tasted the soup and became deathly sick.  Later Joseph told his companion that he was going to try to escape.  He pretended to be cold and asked his captors to throw more wood on the fire.  They did so.  He took off his shoes--I suppose to make the army think he would stay close to the fire to stay warm.  Then as two guards came together and turned to walk in opposite directions, Joseph dashed between them and into a herd of cattle, trying to stampede them.  His captors shot at him, but he escaped and was able to return to Salt Lake City and give valuable information to the commander, Daniel H. Wells.  Joseph later became the first settler in our home town of Farr West.  I shall never forget his sacrifices to make it possible for me to enjoy this home in which I have raised our family, including some missionaries.                                     These past few days I have been thinking of my older brother, who joined the Air Force and did his part in the Pacific theater of operations to bring World War II to a successful conclusion.  But I am especially proud of him that as a returned missionary he was called to lead out in spiritual affairs--meetings and such.  In that assignment he continued to be a part of the Lord's Army to bring about much righteousness.                                     I will be decorating the graves of others who have had such a positive effect in my life--my dear companion of 59 years, my loving parents and grandparents, and even three great-grandparents, one of whom knew personally the Prophet Joseph Smith.  The other Greats were personally acquainted with Brigham Young.  These great leaders had a very positive effect on the lives of my extended family--and indirectly on me!                                     You, too, will likely be thinking of loved ones who have helped make a difference in our country--and in the Church.  Tomorrow will be a day of remembering and appreciating.  In our meetings today we discussed the rapid growth of the Church, which enables the Church to erect temples at an ever increasing rate around the world.  Today we have a temple so close that we can perform dozens of ordinances each year for those who have made it possible for us to be here.  I wish you could see the stacks of temple name slips that my grandson has on hand for us to take to the temple.  Somehow it is more satisfying to do work for our own relatives.                                     In a different way of remembering, I am thinking of all our missionaries and the great contribution you are making to save souls, bring more tithe payers into the Church  and thus enable MORE temples to be built   We all have so much to do, but it is so wonderful to be engaged in the RIGHT work for the RIGHT reasons.                                     God bless you.  I send you my love, Brian

Brian Taylor's letter, June 2, 2013

My best to you

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Brian L Taylor 8:00 PM (11 hours ago) to me Dear Elder and Sister Scott,             I believe I have mentioned in some previous letters that some of my grandsons have been coming to my home on Saturdays to record my remembrances of different members of my ancestry.  This little exercise causes me to reflect upon their tribulations and wonder how they ever endured their trials and emerged as stronger individuals.  Just like the saints of old, they did not get to choose the time of their adversity so they could never plan for it.  And a number of my ancestors experienced all of the major persecution that we read about in church history.  When we read in 2 Timothy 3:12, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," we know that a wise Father is not allowing such a pattern for entertainment.             Consider the words of Elder Orson F. Whiney:  "No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted.  It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility.  All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God. . . and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we came here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven."             I suppose we all understand that we somehow benefit from the "rough waters" that we encounter in our voyage through life, but this does not make the suffering any less intense.  Yet we can rest assured that the Lord never abandons us during our periods of adversity.  In fact, just the opposite is true; I love Elder Neal A. Maxwell's expression on the subject:  "(God's) grace will cover us like a cloak--enough to provide for survival but too thin to keep out all the cold."             I have often referred to the history of the Martin and Willie handcart companies of 1856.  Late in leaving England, they arrived in Iowa City to find supplies severely depleted by other immigrants heading westward at an earlier date.  To make matters worse for them, Brigham Young, not knowing of these late arrivals from England, had called in the resupply wagons that had been meeting the other companies in eastern Wyoming with needed assistance.             One delay after another forced the two handcart companies to leave Iowa City about July 15th, knowing that the high terrain through which they would be forced to travel was known to have some early severe weather.  But would they be safe because they had exerted their faith already in an effort to come to Zion?  Not so.             I know I have cited their experience in previous letters, but I would like you to remember one thing today:  their exhibition of faith did not exempt them from trials beyond their imagination.  Those who survived were much stronger because of their experiences, and those who were unable to complete the journey certainly inherited a great reward because they demonstrated their being willing to accept the will of the Lord.             Isn't life wonderful!  Each day brings a new experience (even for a retired person like me.)  I just had a funny thought--has anyone come to an understanding of what specific plans a person can make for post-retirement years?  I can still chuckle about it, even though I am approaching that era.  But I am still young at age 92.             Have a wonderful week.  I'm praying for you.  Love, EldER Taylor

19 May 2013, letters from the Taylor's

Letter from Farr West

David Taylor 10:50 PM (9 hours ago) Sunday, May 19, 2013 Dear Elder and Sister Scott, I hope everything is going well for you.  Bob Rauzi passed away a few weeks ago.  Our son, Danny, received the Melchizedek Priesthood and was ordained an Elder today at Church.  I ordained him an Elder.  Tonight he graduated from Seminary.  Tomorrow afternoon, he will graduate from Fremont High School at the Dee Events Center.  This coming Friday, Danny will go to the Brigham City Temple to receive his endowment.  Late Tuesday night on June 11, our son will leave for his mission to Guatemala.  He has to be at the MTC there in Guatemala on June 12and will study the Spanish language.  It will help him with all 6 years of Spanish he had in school.  He can hardly wait to go on his mission.  We have been trying to go shopping to get as much of the things he needs for his mission before he has to leave home.  I have to chuckle when my oldest son, Michael, said that since so many of the girls in the single adults ward are going on missions or are getting married, he said there is nobody to date.  I said to keep going to college, work and save his money.  After 18 months go by, there will be lots of returned sister missionaries to choose from to date.  I heard that Jordan Roe is planning to get engaged to a girl he met in the single adults ward.  He will be getting married sometime earlier this summer. We got to Skype with our missionary in the Philippines.  Jeremy was sweating a lot because it is so hot and humid there.  He looked and sounded wonderful.  He loves his mission, even though he is struggling to learn Tagalog.  We heard that Joe and his wife bought them a new house.  How are they enjoying it?  I'm happy for them.  Best wishes from me and David Jay.  Keep up the good work!  All of us Farr West neighbors are proud of you!  You are terrific missionaries. Love, David Taylor Any trials lately? 8:24 PM (12 hours ago) 19 May 2013: Dear Elder and Sister Scott,                                     I recently read an article by an ex-mission president that I found rather interesting.  While I know this may not apply to all of the recipients of my letter, I hope it may give you some ideas to use during your missionary experiences.  The article was entitled "Life is good; life is bad."                                     "So there is the paradox: Life is good in so many ways.  We are blessed in so many ways.  There is joy and peace and happiness to be had.  But just around the next corner, even lurking close by, we may find, as Brigham Young said, 'sorrow, grief, mourning, woe, misery, pain, anguish and disappointment.'                                     "This is because we were sent to earth  to gain experience and to prove ourselves.  Unfortunately, the strongest and most resilient plants grow outside of the hothouse.  That means that the Garden of Eden just wouldn't do as a proving ground.  Or, to use another metaphor, the most precious metals are refined in the fire.  As the Lord said, 'Behold I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work.                                     "For those who desire to become an instrument in the hands of God, those are sobering words.                                     "Elder Bruce R. McConkie tied adversity, in its many forms, to this testing, purifying process:                                     "I say that this life never was intended to be easy.  It is a probationary estate in which we are tested physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually.  We are subject to disease and decay.  We are attacked by cancer, leprosy, and contagious diseases. We suffer pain and sorrow and afflictions.  Disasters strike;  floods sweep away our homes; famines destroy our food;  plagues and wars fill our graves with dead bodies and our broken homes with sorrow . .                                     "Temptations, the lusts of the flesh, evils of every sort--all these are  part of the plan and must be faced by every person privileged to undergo the experiences of mortality."                                     George q Cannon of the First Presidency explained it this way:                                     "The Saints should always remember that God sees not as man sees; that he does not willingly afflict his children, and that if  he requires them to endure present privation and trial, it is that they may escape greater tribulations which would otherwise inevitably overtake them.  If He deprives them of any present blessing, it is that He may bestow upon them greater and more glorious ones by-and-by.             Threshing is the process whereby the edible kernals of various cereal grains, such as wheat or oats, as separated from the inedible  chaff that surrounds them"  The ancient Romans had a threshing sled that in Lain they called tribulum.  Do you see its similarity to "tribulation?"  So often our trials do not come in a steady streams of trial, but in short bursts.             Someone once quipped, "The thing about life is that it's so daily"  We must recognize that  tribulation and adversity are "equal employers" in that they come to both rich and poor.             Tribulation will not always be a part of our lives.  We live with the hope--as indicated by the scriptures--that if we have been faithful in this life, we will enter into a state of happiness.             We should really be grateful that the Lord trusts us enough to send a few tests. Let us vow to meet the trials with a smile and thank the Lord for His confidence in our ability to meet life's challenges well.             All my love,  Brian

20 May 2013, a note from Sister Ballard

We had district meeting last night. It started at 6:00 pm and ended at 8:55 pm. Although a little long, it was very enjoyable. Everyone participated and seemed to be enjoying themselves. This is a note from Sister Ballard about it.

Kristene Ballard 7:57 AM (15 minutes ago) Dear Sister Scott, Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and encouragement last night.  I really needed them.  I have been struggling with putting my trust in the Lord and Holy Ghost.  I worry that I am not worthy for them be with me and so I doubt, but I am on the Lord's errand and I know He won't fail me.  I admire you so much and you have been such a good example to me and been so kind and patient.  Thank you for your friendship and love. I love you dearly, S Ballard

David Taylor's letter, April 30, 2013

         Letter from home

David Taylor <tdvdbtylr@gmail.com> 10:02 PM (8 hours ago) Tuesday, April 30, 2013 Dear Elder and Sister Scott, The first news I wanted to tell you about home was that Bob Rauzi passed away last week.  His viewing was last night at the Poplar Stake Center; his funeral was today.  I couldn't go to the funeral since I had to work alone at Jimmy's Flower Shop.  My oldest son, Mike, just graduated with an Associate Degree of Arts at Weber State University last Friday.  He also graduated from Weber Institute of Religion last Sunday night.  Our youngest son, Danny, will graduate from Fremont High School on May 20 and from Seminary on May 19.  He will leave for his mission to Guatemala on June 12.  During General Conference earlier this month, we were told that there will be a new temple built in Cedar City.  Delbert and Doris Dabb's friends, the Shirley's live there.  I hope all is going well with you.  I know you are very busy.  Your mission is a wonderful place to serve the Lord.  Your blog site is very popular.  Keep up the good work!  You have told me that many people, members and non-members alike, have enjoyed following your blog.  That is a great missionary tool you have.  Our prayers are offered every day for you.  May the Lord bless your efforts. Sincerely, David Taylor