Josh's letter Oct 26

This week was a miraculous week. We got 8 new investigators. Some of them are really promising and I think will be baptised. This community has so many people on disablility it is refreshing to find healthy people who will be a support to the ward. We started in this area with 1 investigator and now have 16. Most of them aren't going to be ready for baptism for sometime but they are on the track. It is the biggest thrill when a lesson goes really well. People need so desperately the gospel. So many people are lost in this world of opinions. They are good people often but they are unhappy because they don’t understand the difference between opinion and truth. I heard a wonderful conference talk that I encourage the family to listen to about the influence of society on our thoughts. It was a talk given in general confrence a few years back. I remember the talk but I really enjoyed hearing it again. It was by David R Stone and it might be intitled Zion in the Midst of Babalon. 
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> I had an experience with a less active member of the church in this area who told us about how angry he got with the bishop for telling him and his fiancee that they shouldn't live together until marrige. He was married by another church because he was so offended and is now divorced. He sees now the wisdom of the bishop. He mentioned how it is important to do the right thing and the right time in the right way. It is not just the marriage that can be split up or hindered by doing things in the "wrong way." Families are broken up, trust in each other is hindered, a guilt eventually emerges, and questions stay submerged until the tulmult of romance is calmed. Then questions arise. As the Wife perhaps misses her family that has been replaced for a time by her new boy friend, and now when some struggle between the boy friend and his new wife makes them question if they should have replaced their families so easily. Looking back on their marriage they question their motives, their foolishness for jumping into something so fast.  They question their partner and the marrige crumbles all because they didn't do things in the right way. If they had it wouldn't have been eaiser but they wouldn’t have the family strife. They wouldn't have the questions about,  did we jump into this too fast?, or whether they did it for the right reasons or in the right way. They would have trust in their spouse that and so many many other things are solved by doing things at the right time and in the right way. Then Divorce happens and they return to thier families like the podigal son.  The family still loves them but they love themselves a little less and so are a little less able to give love. The world really does need the gospel. 
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> I bear my solemn testimony to my beautiful family that Jesus is the Christ. That his gospel is not about gaining the right philosophy but becoming the right person. So many many churches teach the right philosphy of being kind. But the church of Christ is the way to become. It is not as influeced by the ethos of society because it has prophets and Apostles who teach truth that sometimes goes against the tendenies of society. But Christ too went against society. Let us be strong in our testimonies. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Let us be the people we should be to think the things we should think rather than visa versa.
> 
> Love, Elder Sabey

Motherhood a type and shadow of Christ?

Here are my ideas that I would like anyone to comment on.  I'm thinking through a seminar that the Stake RS will give during ward conference and I want to be sure I am theologically sound:

Motherhood is a type and shadow of Christ.
1.  Christ is the creator of the earth on which life could form.
      It is through a mother's globe (womb) that individual creation happens
2.  Christ delivers us through his own blood and water
     It is through a woman's own blood and water that a child is delivered.
3.  Christ is the living waters
     It is through the living milk of mothers that a baby is best nurtured
3.  God is love.  
      I've heard it said that motherly love is closest to Godly love.
4.  Christ uses motherly images in describing his role  "As a hen gathers her chicks"
5.  Christ was rejected by his own
     The mother role is  the role that is most often "despised and rejected" by its own
6.  A  mother "is as happy as her saddest child"
     Christ's atonement was individual and personal.

Josh's letter Oct 19

So Rachel got her dance suit-uniform-outfit-dress-thing. I'll bet she's excited. But she hasn't written me so...jk. Sounds like life at home is going well. Busy as always. January is not very far away. That sounds really close. Is this a professional competition or gold or bronze? How is “So you think you can dance?” I Is Rachel showing them up yet? 

Matt sounds like he is having the senior year I had. Always busy with a thousand different things. It makes it hard to have an established group of friends. My soccer, track, singers and Mormon groups were so different that I just stayed on the edge of them for the most part. It wasn't very comfortable but it was good I think. I'm glad cubby got a goal. I remember seasons where it felt like I hardly ever scored. But being a good team mate is more important. I still haven’t heard anything about Ali. How is he? I was thinking about Tom Tyndale the other day. Just tell him I miss him and love him. He was a really good friend to me. There are some memories I will never forget with Tom. As I grow up my perspective has matured and I respect Tom now more than ever as well as my parents and family. I hope he is well. One of those memories is his creative nature. I loved the cake he'd make cubby on his Bday. Speaking of Cubbies Bday... I think that's tomorrow.

HaPpY BiRtHdAy CuBbY! I got you a bike but I can’t tell you anything about it. It's being shipped....in two years. Anyhow, Cubby how are you? There are a few things that are indelibly tender when I think of you. One is your relationship with our mother. I love both your independence and your physical and emotional closeness with Mom. That is how a true mature man should be. You perhaps matured a little faster than me. I love your goodness. You truly want people to be happy. You do things to be nice. You are aware of those around you. You seldom have ever lost your temper. Always remember that it takes far more courage to be kind than to be mean or rude or sarcastic. I learned this again this week. We are teaching a boy who is 18. He is in trouble with the law. He and his brother got into a fight. They beat up a kid real bad. The kid wanted to fight, don’t get me wrong. But they fought. He told the story of him kicking and stomping on the head of the boy. When the boy finally got up they hit him with a club. He told it with no tears, no deep regret or sympathy. The fight was caused because the boy called the boy we were teaching's girl friend a slut. The one sign of regret was when the boy we taught said that he broke up with the girl so the whole fight was pointless. I was sickened physically. They felt justified in fighting. They didn't want to fight originally but the boy they beat up taunted them and hurt their pride. The reason they eventually grabbed a club was because the boy had gotten the best of one of them originally--before the rest of them joined in and gang beat him. He didn't die--it seems he will actually be fine. But what a sacrifice. Always remember to be kind. Remember to be brave, to have courage, to live deliberately. Don’t follow the crowd but take the road less traveled by--and that will make all the difference. Cubby I know you are kind and brave and courageous. Help your friends be as well. I love you Daniel. Don’t you ever forget that. And the only way I am able to love is because I am able to accept love. One of our investigators--Who has the appearance of a 6 foot Tominocker said, "Mormons out of all the churches I have gone to are the kindest and most loving. I think it is because they know that god loves them. If someone knows they are loved they are far more capable of giving love." Amen and amen. Stay Gold Daniel.

So Winter is cold here. I will be spending some money on my credit card if that’s okay. I need some winter supplies. If there are any issues let me know. I assume that will be okay. Thanks.

So I am a traveling elder. That means that I am in an area for 3 months and try to get the area started. It is either an area that has been closed for a while or that is suffering. There is a large chance that the area will close again if we aren't successful. It is a lot of tracking. That’s my calling right now.

The 6 foot frizzle haired tommyknocker U described before is an extraordinary man. He suffers some kind of depression. The city of Brainerd is full of people who are living on some sort of government hand out. They all have some sort of medical condition either mental or physical. I have come across several people with severe schizophrenia  and bipolar disorder. It is sad to see and I feel helpless. But Tom Carolson said that one of the foremost psychoanalysts said that a severe mental condition is far rarer and almost entirely absent in people of secure faith. This is not the same as going to church. He is off all medication because I feel like they are very similar to the "street cure" aka illegal drugs. They don’t solve the problem at the root. I think I to a large extent agree with him. A vast amount of mental conditions are caused by faith or lack thereof. If someone wants some medical explanation, it is not a stretch to see that how we think and how we act affects our brain and affects the chemicals that are realized into our body. I assume mom will take difference with this stance but realize I am not talking about out all conditions. Alzheimer’s for example happens to the best and most faithful minds. I do believe however, that Religion and faith do play a large part even in our physical well being.

The work continues and I think will be picking up. Hurrah for Israel!

ps Dad I loved your letter. I cant remember everything so I probably do a terrible job answering any questions.

pps good luck David and Brian with girls. I have no advice and am out of the loop anyhow.

Josh's letter Oct 12

First off, so I dont forget: Dad I enjoy getting your letters. They come either Monday after my email or Wednessday. I really like gettting them on Wednessday because It is always fun to have a letter halfway through the week. I might not do a good job at answering your questions though because I read it and then several days go by before I respond. I enjoy hearing about your work. Good job on the summary judgments. I hear David is thinking about going into law...someting I was actually thinking about the other day.

Next in importance come the matters of the heart. I hear Brian and Dia are pretty much...what is it called...oh yeah, falling in love, as it were, if you will. Anyhow Brian expressed to me that she is similar to me in her ability to carry on intellectual conversation and in her writing...in which case, if this were true (or even possible) I would have to strongly urge against continuing the relationship. As someone who knows myself, no one deserves such a fate as being married to someone like that... So for what its worth, If you continue the relationship dont say I didn't warn you. But sense that is not possible I have nothing against it. It sounds like there is more passion in this relationship than there was with Arisa and that is probably a good thing. Probably the most important thing in relation to future happiness is her testimony so I'll let you be the judge of that--and maybe he mother. She is fairly young but I have come across alot of people here in Brainerd who are 18 and living together and even have a baby so... If the winter’s cold enough, I guess age isn't as important. We are actually going to be teaching one of these couples. They were very nice and didn't go to church. They seemed mainly courious and missed our first appointment but what can you say, they are only 18. I still have faith that something good might happen with them.

That is one of the real blessings of the mission so far. I have been givin a chance to see intimately different cross sections of people’s lives that have been formed from different choices. I use to think, not to long ago, that I could think hard enough and discover truth. I think we dont realize how influenced our thoughts are by society and family and friends and things that we have taken for granted. An example would be The Bible being the ultimate source of knowlege. This idea was started by some reformer and has become a given in so many people’s minds. They dont even realize that they are putting faith in something that has no substance. Another example is the renaissance that was invented by 17th centry historians in France I believe. Now we assume that the dark ages were dark and then suddenly the renaissance came and everything became modernized and a boom in learning and the arts etc. This is something we don’t realize we have been putting faith in something that someone told us that is not true. So it is with our own development of philosphies. It has been so interesting to me to hear different people’s philosphies of life. I wonder how long their philophies will last them. I talk to people who are doing what too many kids and adults out here in the country do. Smoking, living together, just having "fun" in what can be a boring and cold place. I was talking to a LA last night who says that he doesn't like being told what to do by a prophet who says he talks with God so he can controll people. He says he perfers a freer life style. This is such a sad pittiable statement. Could anyone in their right mind truly imagine the prophet of Christ's church, President Thomas S Monson, trying to gain power over people and control them? Fair is fowl and fowl is fair. The truth is that Christ's way, The prophets way, the church’s way, Mom and Dad’s way have always been the way of freedom not chains. It is the freedom of the rope swing in the back yard. It is the freedom of gravity. It is the freedom of standards, of self respect, of happiness. It is the freedom to choose eternal life rather than giving away your choice to someone who would have you his.
It is a sobering thing to see people put faith in a philosophy that is as insubstancial as the freedom they seek. It is not hard to know that this church is true. It is not hard to see that it is the way to ahppiness. Just look at people around us. Be observers of the world. Be part of others lives and we will easily see who is happy and who is not. The hard thing to do is do it. I dont really know why but I think it must have somthing to do with our greatest fear--that we are powerful beyound meausre.

Last off, Happy Bday David. You’re old. So is Brian and so am I. I don’t like it. You and Brian will probably be all married when I get home. Lame. But I guess I can put my greif behind me for one second and express my gratitude to you. You have always been the frame of the siblings. You held us all together. Who can be mad at David? I could a few times but for the most part David is the Sam-wise-gamgie of the Sabey family. Thanks for being the friend that is the hero behind the scene. If everyone in the world had a friend like David It sure would be hard for people to feel alone and misserable. Let us all strive to be a friend to those who need it. A friend like Mr Scrooge became, (insert the last lines of a Christmas carol--something about he was true to his promise, he became the best friend the best man the world had ever seen.) I glad you'll be with me,dave, there at the end of all things

Brimhall Essay by David

In Colorado, we are proud of our fourteeners. A fourteener is a mountain which is at least fourteen-thousand feet above sea-level. There are fifty-four fourteeners in the continental United States and fifty-two of them are in Colorado. For years now, Dad has taken us to climb these fourteeners.  I used to dread those excursions. We got up early in the morning, drove for at least an hour to reach the trailhead, stepped into the frigid mountain air, and, fueled by power bars and preserved meat products, began our ascent.

Tree-line is about twelve-thousand feet—that is the elevation at which trees generally stop growing because of the harsh conditions. I never blamed the trees for not growing near the summit. At that altitude, your body is unsatisfied with even your most sincere gasps for air, and your head violently expresses its displeasure by beating the inside of your cranium.  Trees do not grow at that altitude, but Dad believed that young men could.

As we climbed, he would quote Henry V, the Gettysburg Address or the American Crisis. Echoes of Honor, Dedication and Glory rang in my ears as I urged my almost-mutinous legs to keep going. I was climbing Mount Agincourt, Gettysburg Peak and the Heights of Trenton.  Like warfare, a mountain climb is not as glorious as it is sometimes made out to be. It is painful and primitive; tedious and trying. Yet as our superfluous exoskeleton is scraped off by the extremities of a tall mountain, our inner qualities are exposed, naked and raw. 

It seems that modern society attempts to avoid at all costs anything painful or difficult.  Rugged wilderness recreation has been mostly replaced by comfortable video-games. Commandments are being disregarded because they are hard to obey. Students of BYU are not immune to this disease. Around this campus, you can hear students saying, “Oh, take Professor So and So, it’s an easy A.”  

In 1912 Eugene L. Roberts, then the chairmen of the Department of Physical Education of BYU, organized the first annual hike up Mount Timpanogos. This practice was apparently lost in the 1970s.  I fear that one of the reasons for its discontinuance is our societal phobia of pain and difficulty.

Classes, church activities, leisure activities and maybe everything that is truly worthwhile should not always be pleasurable and easy. They must not be. Eugene L. Roberts hoped that the students of BYU would “reach for the summit” of Mount Timpanogos, not because it was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.  It was, and still is, a long and demanding hike.  It is difficult and often it is painful. Which is why we should climb it.

Now, I am not endorsing masochism. There is nothing innately good about pain and difficulty, but they may create certain conditions in which virtues can be forged and reinforced.  A mountain is a refiner’s fire. 

The ancient prophet Malachi famously asked, “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” I like to think that the offering which we may offer in righteousness is ourselves—our refined and pure selves. We can choose to be refined, even though it is painful.  We can choose to climb mountains and to reach for the summit even though it is difficult.

The Psalmist asks and responds to a similar question: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? … He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.” To phrase it conversely, “Who hath clean hands and a pure heart? He that shall ascend into the hill of the Lord.”  I do not believe that total refinement and purification are prerequisite to the ascent. We are refined and purified as we ascend.

Timpanogos is a high mountain. It could be a refiner’s fire. But we must choose to ascend in order to be refined. We should climb mountains, both literal and metaphorical, like Timpanogos—even though it is hard, indeed because it is hard—or we will never become who we can and must become. We will not abide the day of His coming, we will not stand when He appeareth, and we will not have clean hands and a pure heart if we have not chosen to pass through the refiner’s fire, to reach for the summit.

When I have children, I will take them to climb fourteeners. And here at BYU, I’ll go and climb Mount Timpanogos.

Josh's letter Oct 5

Church has become my solace. I love Church and Conference was just like sitting at Jesus's feet. I love those men that lead this church. What absolutely marvelous talks. I'm excited to read them. I will have to work on my charity for Sister Dibbs though. Her smile is just so distracting I have a hard time taking her seriously but that is in every way my fault. I had several favorite talks. Hollands, Christophersons, and I don't remember the ones name but I'm sure youll remember the talk: It was the masterful restoration talk. I also loved President Monson's. I realized two main things during confrence. One is the purpose of church is as was said not to fill a bucket but to light a fire. 
We do not attempt to create biblical scholars, though that is not a sin by any means, the church seeks to do as Christ suggests, become perfect. The Church is a community of progression in truth. There is no other society in which progression is so readily available. Truth is Marching on, Glory glory halleluia. I received a vision in my mind of this marvelous work that is among the children of men. It was in no way a spiritual manifestaion like unto Lehi it was mostly of my own creation. It was of children being raised in the face of history, Seeing that epic Book of mormon story of a fallen people. The Bible is the story of Christ but the Book of Mormon is the story of humanity. Only it is not the ultimate story. for I had a moment of hope where these children stopped the great stone that had been rolling from Cain--from adam perhaps. The legacy of violance and suffereing that has been past from one generation to another and multiplied as the atrosities continued within the human family. Then the youth stopped the stones one by one as it had begun. I saw a picture of a Dad who had experienced some sexual abuse growing up and then saw him defending a sexual abuser in a court case. I remember clearly a converstaion I had with him about sexual crimes. I was expressing how perverted it was and that those people should be locked up for life and that they deserve what they have recieved with guards treating them rudely and the inmates shunning them. I was appalled by my father defending a man who was guilty but more than that I was surprised at his opinion that society carries so much of the blame--we are the ones putting the sexual images into everyone's head all day--we are the ones that abused them as children growing up. We are the ones that let them go hungry so they had to steal a loaf of bread. We were the ones that did not teach them the truth that would save them as they grew up. It was us from the beggining. And we judge ourselves. It was man that called man guilty. It was man that convicted Christ. It was man that scorged him and crucified him. For he truly was guilty. He was guilty in as much he truly represented mankind. And man judged him justly. But it was Christ that took mercy and declared them innocent if they would but look to him. I see the hero my Father is as he had stopped a pebble of this great stone. Let us all stop this stone and never let our stubble begin its cascade down the mountian side. That was this vision. The stone was stopped as the gospel spread and declared the way of the lord. The world was baptized in fire as the wrongs and the sinns that were being multiplied were ended and a new stone began. This was of righteous parents teaching righteous children. Improving from one generation to the next as Zion the New Jerusalem is built. And Jesus will come again and this time we will not condem him who never condemed us. But we will say hurrah for Israel and Horrah for Karamazov. I truly have a hope that this church is that great stone rolling that is the opposite of the first stone. It is as if the stone is rolling back up the mountian as we push it together--some pushing and some pulling with the yoke of christ--joyfully joyfully marching to our home. The other Idea I had was of how greatful I am for my parents. What marvelous saints they are. We could all be better children and take more responsibility for the family. As I heard the prophets speak about parenting I thought it could have been sumed up to my ears as, "Josh be as your parents were." I love you, Mom. I love you Dad. I love you Brian. I love you David. I love you Matt. Iove you Rachel. I love you Daniel. I love you Ali. I know you love me too and I will not be startled to hear it announced at a sacrament meeting I promise nor will I me ashamed. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.

I loved hearing from Daniel. WOW 1:03 that is rediculously fast. good job. your going to break a minuet before the years up. Weather here is getting cold. We've been in full winter garb the last few days. I got transfered up to Brainerd. It is alot different then waconia. I was white washed here with someone who came out from the MTC with me. It has been alot of fun. It was too bad though because we didn't get to watch a singal session in a members home with an investigator like the presidnet suggested we do. we only had one investigator come. We are pretty far north and our area is huge. Brainerd is the biggest city around and its not that large. Everyone nearby knows who the missionaries are. Being white washed is hard. but my companion is a hard worker and we are going to baptize someone here. I had my first baptism in my last area. It was a girl named Charlette. She was 9 years old and her parents were less active but hopefully that will stay changed. I Miss Waconia. I hope a few of my past investigators will be baptized in the comming weeks. 

Brian and Dia thats kind of wierd. She is my age...just think about that. ha ha well I want to hear about it. where when why and how serious?
Have you recieved any of my mailed letters (weird poem and CD)?

Religious Discussion: Lisa and Pastor Dave

Dear Pastor Dave,  

This is Lisa Sabey, Rachel's mother.  I had communicated with Pierce about having lunch sometime with you and him to discuss your feelings about our church.  We hold no hard feelings whatsoever, but I would like to understand your feelings.  I suspect, as with all teenagers, he is focused on many other things and so has not replied.  That is fine.  He has explained also that you can be incredibly busy with work, and your business is not always predictable.  At a convenient time for you, would you be comfortable if my husband and I took you out to lunch to talk?  Pierce would be welcome to come to, that would be up to you.  The purpose of our lunch would be to understand each other, not to argue or prove anything.  In this world of much division, taking time to understand others is powerful.  I look forward to your reply.  Thanks, Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Yes it is true my work is quite hectic right now.  I have been working 60+ hours a week for over a month with plenty of late nights and weekends.  In fact I can barely even make it out to lunch with my wife one time each week.  So I really do not have time to schedule another lunch date.  I am also heavily involved in helping to relaunch a small church in Centennial.

Please understand, I had nothing directly to do with Pierce breaking up with Rachel.  In fact I did not know he was planning to do so until he told me after the fact.  I did caution him before officially asking Rachel out not because I suspected anything, but merely because as a Christian father I always stress two things about dating:

1) Dating is preparatory for marriage and should not be taken lightly
2) Shared religious beliefs is absolutely critical for a healthy relationship

Pierce really liked Rachel and he kind of glossed over these at the time, but when he realized how far apart he and Rachel were in their beliefs, he did the wise thing in breaking it off before they became too involved.  It is true I am no expert in Mormon theology, however, I do know there are enough deviations from the Christianity I follow to advise my children that a dating relationship outside our faith is neither healthy nor advisable.

You are probably wondering about these deviations, so I will provide only one as there is no reason to debate at great length.  In an 1897 speech, fourth LDS President Wilford Woodruff told how at a meeting in Kirtland, Ohio, a “leading man in the church” had admonished his contemporaries to confine their revelations to the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants. Mormonism’s founder Joseph Smith responded by asking Brigham Young, who later became the second LDS prophet, to give his position on the matter. The story continues:

Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible, and laid it down; he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down; and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said: “There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day.” “And now,” said he, “when compared with the living oracles those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books.” When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation: “Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth.”

Even if this were the only difference between our two faiths, the mere suggestion the teachings of "living oracle" such as "Joseph Smith" are superior to the Bible is enough for me to steer clear.  Please understand this has nothing to do with Mormonism, but everything to do with Christianity.  I advise all of my kids to date no one but a committed, Bible (only) believing Christian.  This means no Mormons, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses,  non-believer, etc.  This also rules out a large number of people who claim to be Christians (make believers), but deny Jesus Christ by their very lives.  Simply attending church does not meet my standards, which in this case I take from the Bible.

Also bear in mind I do not ask my kids to avoid being friends with people of other faiths.  In fact, I advise precisely the opposite; we cannot reach the lost and the sick unless we do hang out with them.  In the Air Force I had a great Mormon friend I worked with for many years.  I play rugby with many guys who are foul mouthed, beer guzzlers.  Serving, helping, praying for, and hanging out with all people is at the very core of Christianity.  However, dating and marrying within the faith is also core.

I would like to meet you someday, but lunch right now is a bit of a stretch until I can return to a normal forty hour week.  However, I would love to continue this dialogue via email in the meantime.

Peace and blessings,

-- David

Hi Pastor Dave,  Thanks for your email.  You impressed me with your timely, clearly written response.  I sensed no guile in your response, and I trust you as a person even though I have not met you.  Pierce impressed me with his faith, goodness and desire to do what is right.  I know that it was Rachel and Pierce that decided not to continue dating, and not you.   Pierce was very kind and gentle to Rachel, and we appreciate that.  Your schedule sounds daunting, but relaunching a small church sounds exciting.  Good luck on your endeavors.   I know God is real and I'm grateful that you are doing what you can to help others feel His love.

It would be great to continue this conversation via email.  Someday it would be wonderful to meet you and your family, but now is not the time.  I think the most important thing we can do is outline what we agree on.  These are what I feel are common denominators in our beliefs.  Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong in assuming these are your beliefs:

1.  God is loving, merciful and just.  

2.  Christ is the Savior of mankind.  He loves all people and understands their situation and needs.

3.  Christ has outlined standards.  Those standards are the "strait and narrow" path that leads to happiness and eternal life.  

4.  When we follow God's standards/commandments, we will be blessed.  When we do not, we have no promise.  The blessings are not necessarily in this life, but can be in the life to come.

5.  Our responsibility as believers in Christ is to "feed His sheep."  That means not only help others come to Christ, but to love them and help them in whatever way possible.  (As I understand, you have done this in California with your coffee shop.  Thank you for helping so many youth.)

6.  Baptism is symbolic of a new life.  New life (and renewed life) comes as we open our hearts to Christ's healing and live a life that shows our faith by helping others as Christ would.

7.  Family is the core unit of society and God wants us to do the best we can to secure our family in faith and kindness.  The closer aligned the husband and wife are in spiritual matters, the more likely the marriage will blossom as a rose.  Because of this, I absolutely agree with your prioritizing who you date.

8.  As told in the parable, "The Good Samaritan," and as you have lived, we are to love and interact and bless all we come across.  Just like you, I have friends who are Unitarians, Catholics, Protestants, Pentecostals, Muslims, Buddhists and agnostics.  I love each of them.  We have attended many different religious congregations and even contributed to their humanitarian efforts.

9.  God looks at the heart, and not the outward appearance.  I am so grateful for this understanding.  I love C.S. Lewis' book, "The Last Battle" because it portrays this concept powerfully.  Have your read it?

10.  God is so much greater than any of us--or all of us combined.  We do not understand everything, but we do understand He is real.

If there are common beliefs that you would like to add, that would be great.  This is a very limited list, but one I think we can both agree on.  I think understanding how similar we are before we discuss our differences is good.  

Now about the one difference that you identified:  We believe in modern day prophets.  This is true.  We also believe in The Bible, The Book of Mormon and The Doctrine of Covenants.  These are all mutually supportive. God is never changing, so his words are eternal.  However, the needs of His children is ever changing.  Just as he had prophets of old who were placed at the right places and the right times to "set his people free," so we believe he does today.  Although we are not enslaved by Egyptians, or in a 7 year famine, or besieged by our enemies, we are in a battle for our families and our faith.  One of the revelations our prophets have received is for families to try to eat dinners together and weekly have an evening set aside for only family time.  This is a time where we talk about spiritual things, play games together and laugh together.  It is a powerful time to bond our families together and with God.  I love that weekly meeting.

Pierce's first concern with Rachel's belief is when she told him she did not believe in Hell.  Now, Mormons DO believe in hell, but Rachel is trying to understand God and doesn't want anyone to suffer eternally.  Although she is doctrinally wrong, her heart is searching to understand how justice and mercy coexist.  She is searching and questioning and we are simply loving her and praying for God's help in teaching her.  However, our concept of Hell is smaller than your concept of Hell.  I would love to understand your concept of Hell.  

One of the reasons I feel so comfortable with my faith is because of my love for China.  I lived in China when I was 19 years old and feel in love with many of the people there.  Those Chinese were taught from 2 years old that a belief in God was superstitious and wrong.  They were never given an opportunity to "Come unto Christ."  But so many of those people wanted to find God.  I can't accept a loving God who is no respecter of people abandoning those billions of people because they did not profess their belief in Christ, when they had no opportunity to do such.  God is God to all people, and I believe there will be a time in the eternities when those people who did not profess Christ in this life will have an opportunity to "enter into his rest."

Well, I think I wrote too much.  I do yearn to understand any other concerns you have about my beliefs and I will listen to what you believe with an open heart and mind.

Thanks for your time in your very busy schedule.  Do not worry about answering this long email quickly.  

God Bless you, 

Lisa