6/8/2025

Hello All!

 We had a day this week where we felt like there was hope of getting on top of all these student requests. Then, the next day there were 99 new requests and we're drowning again. Fortunately we also got some new missionaries doing part time help so maybe we'll make a little progress. The great thing about our mission is that lots of missionaries have down time along with busy time. So, during that down time they are able to help us with the interviews but we're not taking them away from their normal jobs. 

In reading conference talks this week I got to Amy Wright's talk, Thou Art the Christ. I loved this paragraph:

 We need to infuse the Light of Jesus Christ into every corner of our lives. If we are not testifying to the veracity of His premortal godhood, His divine mission, and His prison-bursting Resurrection in our homes and in every single meeting of this Church, then our messages of love, service, honesty, humility, gratitude, and compassion can become nothing more than a jaunty pep talk of thoughtful living. Without Jesus Christ there is no power to change, no purpose to aspire to, and no reconciliation of the travails of life. If we become casual in our discipleship of Jesus Christ, it could be catastrophic for our children.

I feel like this is what these Pathway students are learning as they take their religion classes. So many are telling us how much more they are learning about Christ. They are learning that He really is their Savior and that He really does love them so very much. They are discovering that with His help, they can change and their lives can become so much better!

Construction continues non stop in Salt Lake and this week's adventure is the new way we get into the Church Office Building auditorium for our devotionals and choir practice. There is a door directly to the outside from the auditorium section that we have been told to never, ever use. So, of course that is the one that we now have to use while they redo the floor in the main part of the first floor. We'll see how long it lasts before the door is forbidden again. 

Meanwhile, North Temple between the Conference Center and Temple Square is going to be closed for several days to traffic so that's fun. Hopefully we'll still be able to cross back and forth and not end up in some deep hole. It is a constant adventure!

But, the gardens are lovely as always and make up for all the construction adventures.

These flower "bowls" in front of the Church Office Building are so fun

The vegetable in the Brigham Young Park is amazing this year!

We went to the Bountiful Temple with the Smiths this week and had to squeeze it in between other things but it was a wonderful respite that we all needed. 

We like how the sun showed up nicely for this 

After the temple, we went to dinner with Gary's Mission President, Garry Mitchell, and with Blaine Zwahlen, who was Gary's companion for 7 months in Hong Kong, along with Blaine's wife!  That was wonderful!

Saturday we went with Elder and Sister Haws from Wisconsin to Franklin Idaho to visit the museum and home of Lorenzo Hill Hatch who both Gary and Elder Haws are descended from. It was a beautiful drive and fun visit to the museum. And, of course we neglected to get any pictures.

But, we also stopped to see the progress on the Smithfield Temple and got pictures there:

Another lovely selfie with me squinting at the phone

From Gary:  It was a wonderfully busy week!  We are working hard to keep up with student's requests, but we continue to have amazing experiences with the students we talk to.  About two weeks ago, I talked to a young man named Isaac who was just preparing for baptism on June 1st!  Since we cannot talk to them if they are Members of the Church, I was glad I caught him before his baptism!  He then sent me pictures this week of his baptismal day there in Ghana!

Isaac is the one second from the left!

Now with more Saints baptized on June 1st

Then on Wednesday, Isaac sent me a WhatsApp message asking if I had gone on a mission as a young man.  I told him about my mission to Hong Kong all those years ago!  He then told me that he wanted to prepare to serve a mission too!  He is 20 years old, so this is a wonderful idea!  Once we find something that changes our life forever, like the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, we all just want to share the good news!

What I keep learning is that we cannot take for granted the amazing truth that we have in our hands as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!  We are so blessed!

Have s wonderful safe week!

We love you all!

Elder and Sister Pack