[Dear family and friends, this is the letter that we received from Joseph today. We are just finishing our family trip out West - it's been sad not having Joseph with us but we are so glad he is doing well in the Czech Republic. Thank you for your positive thoughts and prayers on behalf of Joseph! Joseph's editor - BWS]
Hello Everyone,
Happy Birthday Mom. Sorry I did not say anything last week, but I forgot while I was at the computer. I remembered later that night though, so do not worry. Your were remembered by me.
Also, that hike that Weston and Daniel went on sounds like it was really fun. [They hiked over the Grand Tetons from the Idaho side to the Wyoming side!] I heard about it from about four different people and it was very interesting to see the different ways that it was described. I know hiking seems rather popular here. I see a lot of people with huge hiking/camping bags, with tents and bedrolls several times a week. Many of them also have dreadlocks, but I do not think Weston or Daniel had time to develop those.
Transfers are this week. I am staying in Třebíč...and so is Elder Peterson. We get to work together again, for another nine weeks. We are both very excited (well I am, I hope he is too). We have kind of had a slow transfer [the past 6 weeks], but we are excited to pick it up this next time. It will be sweet.
I love reading letters and e-mails.
[The next section is in answer to a question sent by our dear friend, Gina!] Also, the Restoration Film I talked about last week is a short(er) film that we show people as missionaries. It is about twenty minutes long, and is about the early life of Joseph Smith. It goes over his youth as he sought to understand which church was correct, leads up to his prayer in the Sacred Grove and his vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ, and briefly covers the rest of his life, touching lightly on the Book of Mormon. It is quite well done and it is especially effective when we meet with people who do not speak Czech or English since we have it is almost any language we need. [Gina and anyone else who might want to see this, we can send you a copy if you would like!]
Also, a normal meeting for us usually lasts for around thirty to fifty minutes, where we discuss the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of that though Joseph Smith. Often the first meeting is a lot of getting to know the people, ie their believes, background, history, family and so forth, and we often introduce the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith (hence the Restoration film is often used in the first, or second lesson). At the end we extend a commitment to pray about the truthfulness of our message, the testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Subsequent meetings usually consist of the principles of the three major lessons, The Restoration, where we talk about God as our Heavenly Father, the significance of Prophets, and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Plan of Salvation (in summary) a discussion on who we are as children of God, why we are on earth and where we are going after this life, and The Gospel of Jesus Christ, focusing on the necessity of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and remembering Christ all throughout our lives (enduring to the end). In essence, we teach people about Christ, help them develop faith in Christ, and show them that God has called a living prophet to lead and guide us in these Latter-days. Ideally, these lessons eventually lead to baptism, a significant and necessary ordinance during our mortal existence. (This is but a small condensation of our work as missionaries. If you would like to know more about what we do, my best suggestion would be to meet with the missionaries serving in your area. They would love to hear from you.) [This is in response to a question from Gina asking about what Joseph does on a day to day basis!]
I love you all. I know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Redeemer, that Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet of God on the Earth today, and that the Book of Mormon is indeed the Word of God. Please keep me in your prayers, because I need them.
S laskou,
Starší Josef Šindler
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