More emails from dad part 2 Jan 2023- Decermber 2023
1-14-23
> On Jan 16, 2023, at 6:50 AM, Miles Miller <miles.miller@missionary.org> wrote:
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> Hey dad! Hope youve had a great week! Thanks so much for your email this week. I needed it! This week I studied President Nelsons October 2019 address titled the second great commandment. It was a good talk that President showed a lot of statistics in the churchs help across the world. There were a few parts I really liked that I wanted to share with you...
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> This paragraph really stood out to me,"When we love God with all our hearts, He turns our hearts to the well-being of others in a beautiful, virtuous cycle". I love that! If we love God and want to do all we can to help in his kingdom, then he will turn our hearts to others. That is something I have found out here. I feel like my whole life before the mission wasnt centered around me. Maybe it was I hope not, but it has been hard to totally turn my thought process to others. Making their problems my problems and just always concerned about my friends. Its been super cool though to have experiences where I am sitting down with them and I just feel an overwhelming amount of love for them. Seeing how much God loves them makes me so happy. Its been pretty neat, but I am still definitely working on being better at turning out.
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> He briefly talked about fasting as well and gave a pretty powerful example of a town in Africa that a bishop had to consider families who could afford 2 meals a day stable and families who could only afford one or less would get help from church. He said almost always though the fast offering contributions would exceed their expenses. That is crazy to me. Makes fast sunday a little moree meaningful.
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> The last paragraph I really loved was this one,"Giving help to others—making a conscientious effort to care about others as much as or more than we care about ourselves—is our joy. Especially, I might add, when it is not convenient and when it takes us out of our comfort zone. Living that second great commandment is the key to becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ". That first part I think President Nelson wrote specifically for me. Making a conscious effort to care and stepping out of my comfort zone. Then the end really stuck out to me too. LIVING that second commandment. Thats one thing I need to do differently, just live it. I know that takes time but not feeling like its a temporary mindset and just making it my life for ever but to a different point for these two years. Year and a half actually. Thats crazy.
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> Anyway, great talk. This next week I will be getting into covid talks from the prophet which will be cool. Can't wait to hear some of your thoughts.
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> It has been another really good week. We put another one of our friends on date and we found some neat people too. This week is a big week for our friend Benjamin. We need to meet with him three times this week and he needs to come to church again. But after that, he is ready to be baptized which is pretty exciting. This week is zone conference too. Itll be nice to mix it up and I look forward to hearing what President puts emphasis on.
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> I love you dad. Can't wait to talk to you today. Thanks for all your counsel dad. It helps me so much and always look forward to it. Miss you like crazy but doing this thing the right way is gonna make that coming home day that much sweeter.
> Love Elder Miller
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I have decided to move forward at work on a new building. We will probably get breaking ground in a month or so. I’ll keep you posted. There is a dentist in Wisconsin (his wife is from Meridian) and they are wanting to get back to the area, so I will try to bring him on once I have space for him.
I loved your thoughts shared from your study. It really is about feeding and caring for His sheep when it comes to expressing our love to God. That will never change regardless of being a full time missionary or an enduring member of His church. But its is a very special time in your life to focus on it 24/7. Keep up the great work!
I love you so much son! Can’t wait to hear all about your week on Monday. Keep smiling and finding the joy in the little things.
Dad
!♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥2-26-23
> Good morning Dad! Excited to talk to you today! It was a good week. Have way through the transfer now and probally only about 3 more weeks for me in Aruba which is kinda sad, but a change might be nice. This week I studied a great talk by the prophet and here are some of my thoughts, I'd love to hear yours too...
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It’s hard to believe that your time in Nord may be wrapping up. Think about all the people you have gotten to know and love. Isn’t that crazy? Is is a testimony of service. When we serve others is when really develop Christlike love.
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> In the very beginning he starts by saying, "Difficult trials often provide opportunities to grow that would not have come in any other way". I really liked that. He also said that in hard times is when we find an increase in our ability to Hear Him. I have found that to be so true on my mission. Those first couple of transfers were so hard.(I probably made them harder than they needed to be) but during that time is when I found out why I really wanted to be out here, and during it is when I clinged to what testimony I did have, and expand it so much more.
The Lord really does know us, and knows what is best for us. Trials are the plan, “to test them and to try them …” Our response is the key. How will we respond? When things get hard, or we make a wrong choice, will we give up, or will we turn to Him for strength and help? Satan would have us say we have failed, that we have lost, not measured up. He will temp us to think first place, or the prize we are after is out of reach, and to settle for something less. These feelings can cause a person I think to become more selfish, seeing things with less perspective, therefore missing opportunities to see ways to help and serve others. We can never lose sight of the “hope that is in us”. This hope is Jesus Christ. Through Him we can overcome our faults, mistakes, and mediocre efforts of the past. Through Him our abilities will increase, our perspective becomes clearer, and our desires to serve others guided and directed.
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> Throughout the talk he mentions becoming a more devoted, more converted man- a true man of God. I caught myself thinking about that a lot this week, especially in my study of the Book of Mormon right now. I just got into the war chapters of Alma and I love picking apart what makes each nephite commander a good leader, but also a true man of God.
I love how you are learning to get lost in the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. In six short months you transformed into this “man of God”. You have learned how to become “more devoted… more converted”, and He has blessed you to love His word. Isn’t that crazy. Think of that blessing alone from your mission. Your love and understanding of the scriptures has multiplied 10 fold. I am so proud of you!
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> The first lesson we learned from covid 19 that Pres Nelson pointed out was that the Home is the center of faith and worship. I remember how neat it was in nampa and mccall to bring the sacrament into our home, and hold the priesthood to be a part of it. The prophet then brought up D&C 121:36 about the rights of the priesthood being inseparably connected with the powers of heaven. Because we hold the priesthood the power of godliness can be manifest as we keep our covenants. Made me really think of that quote you shared with the family from Elder Gong. The priesthood is pretty amazing.
I have studied this scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants a lot lately. There is so much to learn and strive to apply in learning about how His Priesthood power is controlled, “…only upon the principles of righteousness.” Thankfully there is repentance, do over after do over. Him allowing us time and forgiveness to work on these Christlike principles. I am so grateful for Him.
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> The second lesson Pres Nelson said we learned is that we need eachother. At first I was going to skim over this section of the talk, talking about helping hands during the pandemic but then I read one part that I could really apply to my situation, "So, I ask, has this shared trial drawn you closer to your neighbors". Made me think of this trial, or journey of a mission and how I am not doing this alone. My companion is going through the same exact thing. Often, I isolate in my head and just try to get Miles through it. But the prophet is asking me if I am drawing nearer to my neighbor(comp) in these times. So that is something I have recommitted to be better at.
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I really love how the Spirit has worked on you your whole mission to turn what you are learning into application of how to be a better companion. You are constantly striving to improve on how to love and serve your companions better. I think what He is preparing you for is to be that loyal husband and loving father that you stood and quoted in the young men’s theme all those years. These will be priceless experiences for your future family.
> The third lesson was about making quorums more than just a meeting, and the fourth which I really loved was, we hear Jesus Christ better when we are still. He said, "Commotion in the world will continue to increase". Even out here with everyone on island time, there is so much commotion and noise. The prophet then says finding time to be still is so vital. He says this line that I love, "Quiet time os sacred time". He says it is a time that will facilitate personal revelation and instill peace. That is one reason I have loved doing Joseph Smith experiences with all my comps.
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I shared the experience of you taking this time to “be quiet” overlooking Aruba the other day in my lesson I taught in Elders Quorum. How it gives us time to allow the Spirit to guide us in refocusing on what matters most. Yesterday on the plane down to Arizona I was sitting by Uncle Kyle. He brought up in our conversation how he liked that example of you sitting there on the hillside. He said he could picture you there doing that. It was meaningful and impactful for him, and I just thought of that as being a little miracle for Him. Thank you for that.
> He closes with this statement and an invitation I want to follow up on. "The Lord will increasingly call upon His servants who worthily hold the priesthood to bless, comfort, and strengthen mankind and to help prepare the world and its people for His Second Coming. It behooves each of us to measure up to the sacred ordination we have received. We can do this!" Thats pretty neat I think and The prophet is telling all of us to step up and rise up to the priesthood ordination we have recieved. Lets goo! Then the invitation was to write down everything youve learned from that time of the pandemic, but I am going to switch to things I have learned on my mission so far. I truely have learned so much and I dont want to forget it.
I have also in my personal studies over the past few months though a lot about President Nelson’s teaching, that part of the “gathering” is preparing a people that prepared to receive the Lord at his coming. We need to be worthy!
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> Anyway, powerful talk. I really enjoyed studying it this week. It also made me think of repentance and how that principle of the gospel is really commiting to change everyday. And that time of change is when we learn the most. It all ties together.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this talk with me. I loved every bit of it. Keep up the great work you are doing. Keep growing closer to the Savior, He is using you to be His hands.
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> One random memory I remembered thia week and for some reason in very good detail. It was one of our many fatherr and sons campouts. I cant remember exactly but I think it was one of the first times graham came too. The funny thing is I dont remember a lot about the campout itself but going up is what I remember. I remember mom packing us with sandwitches chips and each of us getting our very own A&W rootbeers and we drove up to the camp near mccall I think. But right near or past banks we pulled over for lunch. This is the part I remember so well. We went down to the river and found a big rock that was on the river side that we wanted to eat on. For some reason I remember that picnic and just how fun it was to be doing it with dad. Just made me think how grateful I am for a dad that would always make enough time to have special times with his kids. Sorry kinda random, but one morning this week it came to me and made me smile.
I loved every one of those “special” times we had together. I can remember that little picnic on that rock as well. We’ll make tons more of those memories in the future. Love you son. Have a great week! -Dad
Elder Miller,
I read over the talk you had said you are basing your district meeting training on. It goes over what we have been learning in Come Follow Me this month, and a similar message that I taught a Priesthood lesson on.
President Nelson really helps us understand that perfection is the end game in the Lord’s plan. That is His work and Glory, for us to have immortality (resurrected bodies) and eternal life (to live in His presence and have all that He is and has).
The doctrine of Christ is faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. This is the cycle that leads us back home. We demonstrate faith in Christ, by choosing to actively follow Him. As we fall short, we repent, renew our baptismal covenants each week, and receive from Him the Gift of the Holy Ghost to continue to bless us along this cycle of growing more like the Savior.
I loved this part - “His hope for us is crystal clear! He declared: “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” Thus, our adoration of Jesus is best expressed by our emulation of Jesus.” As we act in faith to keep His commandments, striving to love as He loved, we are emulating Him. When we do this to the best of our ability, “then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ.”
- One of Satan’s greatest tools is to make us feel like we are not measuring up. He knows he is not going to win against those who have a testimony of Christ by getting them to doubt their faith, so in his deceitfully ways he tries to get Christ’s followers to feel inadequate in their pursuit to emulate the Savior. If he can break them in this way, he’s got them.
Maybe you could correlate this though to be like a basketball game. You get all excited to play this big game. You know you can win, you know the game plan inside and out. You have done all the preparation work, and you are ready to put it into action. The game starts and things aren’t going as planned. You make a couple quick turnovers and bad decisions, your shot isn’t falling, and you find yourself down 30 at halftime.
Where do you go from there?
- quit, and just go through the motions until it’s over?
- Take out your starters and live to fight another day?
- Get one stop at a time, do your best to take care of the ball, stick to the game plan, grind it our to the very end?
Correlation to missionary work - we aren’t going to be perfect, that’s not what He is asking. He is asking us to see the end of the road picture and live the doctrine of Christ in our everyday lives with this end in sight. Then is His grace sufficient to win the prize. But Satan would have us give up trying because we aren’t being “perfect” in our discipleship, or in our efforts, or in our perceived measure of success
- things don’t always go as planned. Friends stand us up and no show their appointments
- people say they will come to church and keep commitments but don’t
- Missionaries get down on themselves because they don’t see the progression they thought they would or should in others and themselves - they can get caught up in going through the motions
- You stop giving your best efforts (take out their starters)because at times it doesn’t seem to matter or make a difference
- Give up and wait for the grass to be greener when things “change”. Change of area, change of companion, change of ….
Vs.
One day at a time, one hour at time. (Hymn, I need Thee every hour). Follow the Spirit in all our decisions (take care of the ball), Do our best being exactly obedient (grind it out to the finish), sticking to the daily plan, being prayerful for help and guidance. Endure the challenges with hope and love along the way. Before you know it the scoreboard no longer says we are down 30. We feel the joy and peace of living the gospel of Jesus Christ. We build on this line upon line, giving thanks along the way for His goodness and mercy in helping us be our very best. This is the road to perfection in Christ.
Just a some thought or an idea you may be able to build off of. Sure love you son. So proud of the missionary you are. Keep after it, follow the Spirit, and enjoy this time to wear His name on your chest as one of His full time missionaries.
Dad
This one is super good. Gave me mixed feelings though because I miss being able to go to the temple and doing ordinances there. Man, I'd even love to just be on the grounds of the temple. But it also showed me how much more I can be doing to be implementing my temple covenants in my life now as a missionary.
He starts the address out with a neat video of the renovations in the salt lake temple and then invites all of us to reinforce our spiritual foundations for the time ahead. Just like the temple they are preparing for the millennium, I need to be strengthening my spiritual foundation for the days ahead. He then pointed to the song "how firm a foundation". I love that song and there are so many ways I can be fortifying my foundation.
In my life now, and I can bet on for the rest of it too, there are many unknowns and anxieties hurling at me in a world that is becoming ever more black and white. I love this quote from the prophet, "those who build their foundations upon Jesus Christ, and have learned how to draw upon His power, need not succumb to the unique anxieties of this era". Makes me think of what I can be doing to learn how to better draw on His power.
Something that is really neat about the timing of me reading this talk is in it, President Nelson brings up how there were adjustments made to temple ordinances and how that in no way effects the doctrine and covenants made in the temple. Just recently changes were made to more focus the endowment on Jesus Christ. I don't know all the changes but that is what I've heard. So just cool timing I thought but he then went on to quote an Elder Harold B. Lee quote, "There will be no end to this work (revelation) until it is perfected". I loved that. Continual revelation received by prophets for us to better understand our temple covenants will always be present until the day Jesus Christ comes and shows us otherwise. Have faith and trust in the prophets. Like the scriptures say, "Their words are my words".
He then goes on to talk about always seeking guidance from the Lord in all of our decisions. There was a mission devotional recently that an elder in Guyana said something that I really liked, he said, "the definition of insanity is doing something over and over again expecting a different result". That can apply to me in missionary work in so many different ways. But relying on the Lord and changing things if the desired results arent coming is so huge!
I also really loved this paragraph, "Under the Lord’s direction and in answer to our prayers, recent procedural adjustments have been made. He is the One who wants you to understand with great clarity exactly what you are making covenants to do. He is the One who wants you to experience fully His sacred ordinances. He wants you to comprehend your privileges, promises, and responsibilities. He wants you to have spiritual insights and awakenings you’ve never had before". The lord isnt trying to hold anything from me. He wants me to learn how to use it and be worthy of it so I can have access to His covenantal power!
Then the prophet mentioned what saints should be doing if a temple is not a current possibility. I felt like this was directly for me, "Should distance, health challenges, or other constraints prohibit your temple attendance for a season, I invite you to set a regular time to rehearse in your mind the covenants you have made". REGULAR TIME. That is something I have committed to start doing. This is just an idea I might try out for awhile, but I am going to make friday nights when I get home, my temple night. I am going to sit down and either study, ponder/pray about my temple covenants and make sure that I am always remembering them. I know you had already sent me an email on our temple covenants but I cant find it anywhere. Would you send it to me again?
He goes on to give young adults pointers if they struggle to love the temple and how important it is to date and marry someone you can be sealed with in the temple. It cracked me up when the prophet said "Will it make a difference?(marriage in the temple)" then he said, "only if you want to progress forever and live together forever". So true though, it is literally a matter of exaltation!
He ends talking about agency and it is so good, "I love you, dear brothers and sisters. These truths I know: God, our Heavenly Father, wants you to choose to come home to Him. His plan of eternal progression is not complicated, and it honors your agency. You are free to choose who you will be—and with whom you will be—in the world to come"! God wants me to choose to make my temple covenants, my spiritual foundation, the center of my life! I have to choose it!
Great talk. I learned so much and cannot wait for the day I can enter the doors of the temple again. But there is so much I can be doing here and now, to continue strengthening my spiritual foundation.
This one is super good. Gave me mixed feelings though because I miss being able to go to the temple and doing ordinances there. Man, I'd even love to just be on the grounds of the temple. But it also showed me how much more I can be doing to be implementing my temple covenants in my life now as a missionary.
He starts the address out with a neat video of the renovations in the salt lake temple and then invites all of us to reinforce our spiritual foundations for the time ahead. Just like the temple they are preparing for the millennium, I need to be strengthening my spiritual foundation for the days ahead. He then pointed to the song "how firm a foundation". I love that song and there are so many ways I can be fortifying my foundation.
In my life now, and I can bet on for the rest of it too, there are many unknowns and anxieties hurling at me in a world that is becoming ever more black and white. I love this quote from the prophet, "those who build their foundations upon Jesus Christ, and have learned how to draw upon His power, need not succumb to the unique anxieties of this era". Makes me think of what I can be doing to learn how to better draw on His power.
Something that is really neat about the timing of me reading this talk is in it, President Nelson brings up how there were adjustments made to temple ordinances and how that in no way effects the doctrine and covenants made in the temple. Just recently changes were made to more focus the endowment on Jesus Christ. I don't know all the changes but that is what I've heard. So just cool timing I thought but he then went on to quote an Elder Harold B. Lee quote, "There will be no end to this work (revelation) until it is perfected". I loved that. Continual revelation received by prophets for us to better understand our temple covenants will always be present until the day Jesus Christ comes and shows us otherwise. Have faith and trust in the prophets. Like the scriptures say, "Their words are my words".
He then goes on to talk about always seeking guidance from the Lord in all of our decisions. There was a mission devotional recently that an elder in Guyana said something that I really liked, he said, "the definition of insanity is doing something over and over again expecting a different result". That can apply to me in missionary work in so many different ways. But relying on the Lord and changing things if the desired results arent coming is so huge!
I also really loved this paragraph, "Under the Lord’s direction and in answer to our prayers, recent procedural adjustments have been made. He is the One who wants you to understand with great clarity exactly what you are making covenants to do. He is the One who wants you to experience fully His sacred ordinances. He wants you to comprehend your privileges, promises, and responsibilities. He wants you to have spiritual insights and awakenings you’ve never had before". The lord isnt trying to hold anything from me. He wants me to learn how to use it and be worthy of it so I can have access to His covenantal power!
Then the prophet mentioned what saints should be doing if a temple is not a current possibility. I felt like this was directly for me, "Should distance, health challenges, or other constraints prohibit your temple attendance for a season, I invite you to set a regular time to rehearse in your mind the covenants you have made". REGULAR TIME. That is something I have committed to start doing. This is just an idea I might try out for awhile, but I am going to make friday nights when I get home, my temple night. I am going to sit down and either study, ponder/pray about my temple covenants and make sure that I am always remembering them. I know you had already sent me an email on our temple covenants but I cant find it anywhere. Would you send it to me again?
He goes on to give young adults pointers if they struggle to love the temple and how important it is to date and marry someone you can be sealed with in the temple. It cracked me up when the prophet said "Will it make a difference?(marriage in the temple)" then he said, "only if you want to progress forever and live together forever". So true though, it is literally a matter of exaltation!
He ends talking about agency and it is so good, "I love you, dear brothers and sisters. These truths I know: God, our Heavenly Father, wants you to choose to come home to Him. His plan of eternal progression is not complicated, and it honors your agency. You are free to choose who you will be—and with whom you will be—in the world to come"! God wants me to choose to make my temple covenants, my spiritual foundation, the center of my life! I have to choose it!
Great talk. I learned so much and cannot wait for the day I can enter the doors of the temple again. But there is so much I can be doing here and now, to continue strengthening my spiritual foundation.
| Mon, Mar 20, 9:42 AM (7 days ago) | | ||
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*Discovering the joy of daily repentance
*Learn about God and how He works
*Seek and expect miracles
-Elder Miller
On Apr 17, 2023, at 10:56 AM, Miles Miller <miles.miller@missionary.org> wrote:
Hey Dad! It was so good to talk to you this morning! I never got to tell you how neat your miracle that you shared with the family was. So sweet, I hope she went! Here are just a bunch of my thoughts from what I studied this week. I'd love to know your thoughts and any ideas for better losing myself... Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. We are often times our greatest critics. As long as we allow this to be constructive criticism, then we are constantly learning and growing from it. I see that in you. I read a talk the other day by Sister Craig that she gave to the Sisters of the Church called Divine Discontent (you should study it this week if you can, I think it will really help you). These feelings of not being exactly who we want to be humble us to seek for help. Inspired feelings from the Holy Ghost can then move us closer in that direction. I love this thought that Sister Craig shared. “We should welcome feelings of divine discontent that call us to a higher way, while recognizing and avoiding Satan’s counterfeit—paralyzing discouragement.”Keep up the fight, I see you becoming like that 4th missionary every week. Remember it is a “line upon line” process, rather than waking up one morning having figured it all out.
You were given the nickname of “Sloth” because you were slow motion man :) not because you were ever hesitant in choosing the right.I read a talk mom had sent me with to the MTC. Titled "the Fourth Missionary". Super good talk where He goes into which attributes and work ethic each four of the missionaries have. The first is disobedient and goes home early, the second is similarly disobedient but sticks out the mission and saves himself the public shame at least. The third and fourth missionaries are very similar. They both are worthy and obedient, they both do good and change people's lives, but the third missionary never changes himself. He never fully gives his will over. The talk said he "bites the bullet" and makes it through his mission because he knows it is what he needs to do.
There is a good chunk of the talk on each missionary. While I read about the third missionary, to my frustration he reminded me a lot of myself. Out doing it, but not totally letting go of myself. There were so many good scripture references in this talk but here are some of my favorite...
D&C 4:2
Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
By being out here on my mission and doing the work needed I am serving with my might and strength but I can be out here and not be giving all my heart and mind. I like this phrase he used, "Don't count the cost". I find myself doing that. Oh I remember my life back then, or Ill be happy when... .Just not being all in. The only way I can truly change my nature is by having all my mind and heart in this work too.
Alma 37:46-47
46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever. 47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.
There is a difference in having these thoughts of “time” come into you mind vs letting them come to stay and fester. Dwelling on how much time is left in the day, week, transfer, or mission will bring discouragement because that is not what He wants you to focus on. Having the thoughts are completely normal or “natural”, acting or dwelling on those thoughts are the problem. I think it was a talk by Elder Stevenson I was studying the other day where he said something like, “we learn the most about who the Savior is from these five words… He went about doing good.” Go one day at a time. Make today great by focusing on doing good to others. That could be your companion, your branch members, your friends you are finding and teaching, everyone. Just one day at a time.
Every time I hear that word in the scriptures it stings me. "Slothful". Probably because it was My nickname for so long but sometimes it truly fits. I catch myself finding the parts of the day where I can relax and I can worry about myself and how I feel. There seems to always be a thought in the back of my mind about how much time I have. The way is set before me, I can either mope through or take full advantage of it. So easy to type, but harder to put in action.
I love this scripture. Half hearted discipleship doesn’t make sense. I was doing Initiatories in the Temple the other day and was reminded of the garment we “choose” to wear. That they are a symbol of us literally putting on the “name of Christ”. Try to remember the meaning of the symbols in your individual garments. There is no room for half hearted when we are earnestly seeking to follow Jesus Christ.2 Corinthians 9:6-7
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
That is a great thought. I guess that’s why Mosiah 3:19 will always be my favorite scripture. It literally applies to every scenario because the natural man in us is just that, “natural”. It’s not going away in this life. Our only hope is that we learn to live worthy of the CONSTANT companionship of the Holy Ghost. That we are always finding ourselves striving to feel and hear Him. Then we are faithful in not just hearing Him, but listening to Him by following through on the promptings we receive. We may never be able to “kill”the natural man in us, but we can through our agency and divine spiritual heritage keep “putting him off”. Then one day, when the Savior comes again, that natural man will no longer just be put off, but banished. Keep kicking him down the road. :)
At a certain point in the talk he mentions how you can go and serve and see so many lives change, but if yours never does than it's like none of it is accounted to you. "It's the only intelligent thing to do" came up a lot throughout the talk. Might as well develop myself in these two years or what have I done?
D&C 58:29
But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.
I guess whenever I saw the word damned in the scriptures I just thought a straight shot to hell. But that doesn't make sense. It literally means that persons progression is damned, or stopped. And that's the whole reason why I am on this earth, why we are all here. To progress. To not change my nature and just "bite the bullet" through is literally going against God's plan for me.
I love that you have learned this principle! Seeking further light and knowledge, or truth, is what allows us to grow. When we choose to stay as we now are, when we stop seeking further light, ways to improve, them our progress is halted. Happiness is replaced with eventual misery. That might be miserable in the moment, in the situation we find ourselves it, but it is ultimately in our eternal state.
Matthew 16:25-26
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
I really love this scripture as well. Selfishness only brings temporary pleasure. It will only carry us so far. When you’re in the moment of serving others it is so easy to see where true happiness lies.
I have heard this scripture so many times but never really put too much thought into it. It makes me think of my patriarchal blessing, and all God wants to have in store for me. But unless I don't lose myself in this and change me nature than I can't reap those blessings.
Helaman 3:35
Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.
After reading these scriptures and this talk I realized how important it is to have my heart in this work too. And I mean I have good days and bad days, but a player is only as good as his consistency. Putting aside my wants for the Lord's wants.The last thing that really stood out to me was when the natural man came up in the talk. This quote I loved (personalized it a bit) "I came out on my mission and really my life not to torment or fluster my natural man, but to kill it." I loved that. To literally rise above and live a higher, holier way. Lets gooo! Reminds me of John 8:29 "I do all those things that please him". That was Christ's theme, and it should be mine too.
I love you buddy! You are doing great things. I know you want to see these transformations occur in your life. It is clear as day to Mama and I that they are happening. Focus on coming closer to the Savior by serving others and I promise you that you will end up exactly where it is you want to go and to what it is you want to become. We are so proud of you!Sorry a little all over the place but some really good scriptures! I love you dad! Excited to study President Nelson's talk with you this week. Hey, cheer on the Lakeshow for me this week, oh ya! Have a great week at work!
-dad-Elder Miller
♥♥♥♥♥♥
Email from Miles to dad 4-24-23
That "operation room incident" story at the beginning of the talk was so funny to me. I love President Nelson! One thing that stood out to me was when he said, "the operation is already difficult" after the eruption by the surgeon. Life is hard. Sometimes certain setups are already tough and adding to it with more contention is just not the way to go. It is always going to make things worse. I too am committing to president Nelson's promise about no matter what happens to never lose control of my emotions. We'll see how it goes but it's a good goal!
When he was talking about the operation procedure it made me think of you at work! No joke, whenever I have been to your office there is a nice mellowness about it. I am sure that is because partly it is a dentist office but also because that is the kind of vibe you make it. Anyways, random but it definitely made me think of you!
I loved this quote, "One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people". Charity is a defining attribute of a true disciple of Jesus Christ. At the end of the talk the prophet gives a promise that goes along with this verse, "the best is yet to come for those who spend their lives building up others. Today I invite you to examine your discipleship within the context of the way you treat others. I bless you to make any adjustments that may be needed so that your behavior is ennobling, respectful, and representative of a true follower of Jesus Christ". It is so vital! It made me think of a scripture in Moroni 47:7 that says something like it will be well with them who develop the gift of Charity. I know in my patriarchal blessing that one of the main things I need to work on in this life is developing the gift of Charity.
Early in this talk President Nelson lists off somethings that are contentious. One of them was he specifically said, giving the silent treatment". I find myself doing that sometimes. Maybe not completely shut off but only speaking enough to the least amount of effort on my part. I always thought handling my emotions that way is better than lashing out and maybe it is but the prophet says that it is still contentious and unchristlike. To whatever degree I think it is okay, it isn't. I'm going to be better about that.
Yet again, in another one of his talks I have found a reference to Mosiah 3:19! Must be a pretty good scripture.
4-30/23
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Watching and Preparing 8/14/23
Hello Family,
It’s crazy to me that another school year is upon us. Our little Lainey moves past Elementary school into Middle School, can you believe it? No more little ones to send out the door. You are all growing up so fast. Too fast! Mama and I try not to think about it :)
I am just finishing the book I’ve been reading over the past few months “The Millennial Messiah”. I have shared some thoughts from it before, but as it wraps up, one of the end chapters is about disciples of Christ preparing and being watchful for His return. How are we individually preparing ourselves, and in what ways are we being watchful?
Yesterday in our Sacrament Meeting there were three missionaries reporting home from their missions. One missionary shared that close to the middle of his mission he found himself having a personal faith crisis. He talked about the area where he was then serving being a struggle for him. It was an affluent area and people there were showing antagonism toward the missionaries and the church. He was being posed questions about church history and criticisms that he had never heard before, which led to this missionary doubting his beliefs. The fascinating and miraculous part of this story is that he could identify that along side his faith being challenged and dwindling, was the the realization that his personal efforts in sustaining his faith were also absent. He had stopped praying. His morning scripture study time was used for sleeping.
This isn’t a unique story. It likely happens to people all around the world everyday. It happens to full time missionaries, and long time members. None are exempt or immune to losing or doubting their faith. We read about it in the scriptures going all the way back to the beginning. People listening more closely to critics and to naysayers rather than to the still small voice of the Spirit.
How can we prevent this happening to us? The same way this missionary found his way again. By developing that relationship with our Savior and Heavenly Father through person prayer and scripture study. There lies the magic formula. The formula that we sometimes rationalize away as tooth simple and too insignificant to really matter.
Miles sent me a sweet email to me this morning. It was an overview of a few different talks he has been studying this past week and the meaningful points that inspired him. I don’t think he will mind me sharing this, but here is what he said at the end of his email. “Don’t feel like you have to read all these talks, I know I am the only one who gets an allotted time everyday to study. I just found them to be super good and I wanted to share it with you.”
You returned missionaries know about that “allotted” time you took as missionaries to study. BUT we all need this “allotted time” everyday. Not just missionaries. Our missions helped us learn to make really good habits of scripture study, but those habits were meant to endure for a lifetime. That is no doubt one of the many blessing of missionary service, learning how to communicate with Heaven, and how God communicates with us. How are we each doing? How can we improve? I have a strong testimony that each of us can feel that same spiritual strength Elder Miller feels as he studies and prays. We need those feelings to fuel our faith.
Invitation: Let us recommit to do the small and simple things that strengthen our faith. The very things that keep us “watching and preparing” for the Saviors return.
I love you so much! Dad
Hey Bud,
I’ve been thinking about your email all week and it has bee fun to ponder on. I look forward to the times ahead where you come sit on the bed and talk. That thought makes me happy!
I think one of my favorite parts about Mosiah 3:19 is what you mentioned, that as you read it, this verse of scripture becomes “very personal” to you. It becomes very personal to anyone who has a desire and ‘eyes to see, and ears to hear” how to become more Christlike. Each one of us has the natural tendency to be self-centered and seek the things the world. It’s all part of living in this fallen world, it’s part of the plan. But the central piece to this same plan is to learn to follow after Jesus Christ, and to obtain the Holy Ghost to teach us how. Any good person with a desire to come closer to Christ will recognize this truth, that the Holy Ghost will help us fight this natural man tendency. That is why this scripture resonates with me so much. It has universal application for all of His children, in every aspect of any righteous pursuit of Jesus Christ.
Here are some thoughts about the Christlike attributes mentioned in this scripture. Keep in mind that only through the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ can we really become what it is He wants us to become.
I love that each of these attributes are related to a little child. So pure and untainted from the pride of the world.
Submissive - A pure faith that our Heavenly Father knows best, wants the best, and has all power to give the best to each of His children. And we have the ability to choose to accept this divine truth wholeheartedly. It is not blind faith. It is pure faith!
Meek - When I hear this word, I often think of the scripture about those who believed because they were compelled to believe. They finally came around to truth after struggling to find it. Meekness is not weakness, but spiritual strength to feel, hear, and quickly follow divine truth. The meek are easily imposed to follow truth, because righteousness flows from them so genuinely.
Humble - Someone who is aware of their imperfections, yet has a desire to always learn and grow. Never having all the answers and is willing to ask for help. Knowing that all that they have has been given to them, and that without God they are nothing.
Patient - Willingness to try and fail, try and fail, never giving up, always hoping. This is what a child does. Never getting too frustrated, willing to let others also make mistakes while being quick to forgive. Always giving themselves and others the opportunity to try again. I like to step back and try to see “us” through His eyes. This is patience personified.
Full of Love - One of my favorite things about being a parent to a small child, is showing them that you are hurt or sad. Thy without fail want to come and love you. They want to make it better. This is an innate attribute in all little children, because it is God given. Only as we grow and become more self focused does this attribute begin to fad. When we can put others needs above our own, or what for others what we want for ourselves, then is when we can be full of love
Read if you can the message given by Elder Gong in this past months Liahona called Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. He describes very well how we each as individuals come to God through covenants. These covenants give us the power to “change our very natures, sanctifying our desires and actions and help us put off the natural man or woman as we yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit” This is what you are doing as a full time missionary. Teaching about ordiances tied to covenants that help us overcome and return. I love how simple and powerful this plan is! I love that you are finding its application in all that you do. I love you.
Final thought from Elder Gong: “As we live our covenants, we lose our self-centered selves and find our best Christ-centered selves.” This is what you are learning, teaching, and becoming. I’m so thankful that you have this special time to be His full time missionary.
Love,
Dad
I really loved reading that talk tonight. I can relate to so much of it, because I feel like you and I have that same kind of relationship. And because I failed so many times as a dad, but you were always so quick to forgive.
My favorite part was how he and his son are best friends, and he would rather be with him more than anyone else. I feel like that about all you kids. I love that both you and Graham enjoy the same things I do, watching sports, going golfing, shoot hoops, all of it. It is so fun to have your kids as your best friends (and mama of course)
I never wanted to force you into dentistry, especially if you have a real desire to do something else. But it has always made me smile to think that one day we would work together. That sounds super fun.
Anyway, thank you for always being so forgiving of my impatience. There are many things I would take back if I could, but I am so thankful for all the special times we have had together, and I can’t wait for more of those times. Love you son, more than you know.
Dad
Hey Bud,
I’ve just commented below your thoughts or questions so I didn’t miss anything. Thanks for the email I absolutely love them! Can’t wait to talk to you tomorrow.
Elder Koch, I think was his name, gave a pretty awesome talk on humility that you were saying you were there for, which is so neat. Anyways it was just really needed for me. But I also got a kick out of his stories about "Do you know who I am?" I could imagine you getting a kick out of it too when he said it. But that talk hit home with me and I want to be better about being more humble, patient, and gentle/meek. I've seen myself lose some of that this last transfer with my comp that all good intentions goes overboard on most aspects of missionary life. I can do and be better though.
That was a really good talk by Elder Koch. I know what you mean about it being difficult to obtain those Christlike attributes of humility, patience, kindness, meekness…. when we are in the midst of a the day to day grind. That’s why I love the prophets invitation to “think celestial”. If we don’t stop and put things in eternal perspective the natural man takes over and we can become numb to the fruits of the Spirit. There is that fine balance we are always seeking, of confidence and meekness, assertiveness while displaying humility, and finding patience and kindness during the process. We are all in the process of becoming. Just keep going and never give up trying.
One specific question I had going into conference weekend was again, how can I improve my prayers and my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I think some of it is me going through the motions and also comparing (which I shouldn't do) myself with my comp when he is on his knees for about 15 minutes more often than not. Anyways, I wanted to break this cycle that I have been in by comparison, laziness and not giving or getting anything out of my prayers. I made sure to make specific notes to myself whenever anyone talked about prayer and I recieved so much. I think it was so neat that for a portion of his message, President Nelson talked about the power in prayer. When he said to not make our prayers a shopping list but a living discussion with my Heavenly Father. So as I continue to review what I learned to be more fervent, and pour out my heart I felt inspired to go back to an idea that I let die early in my mission. I devoted a little notebook as a prayer book where I would, if I remembered to do it, put promptings or personal revelation I received after I prayed. But to add to that, before I pray to write down maybe a few specific things I want to discuss with the Lord (definitely not a shopping list) but so I can be more focused in my prayer. My goal isn't to have these grand 10-15 minute prayers but to be edified and make my prayers more of a spiritual experience for me. But thats the plan. How do you pray?
When I read your email I was surprised to see that the one specific question you were taking into conference was about prayer. That was the same question I was taking into conference. It is something we work on for a lifetime. How can we feel more in tune with our Heavenly Father? How closely can we align our will with His? How can we exercise more faith through prayer? I love that we had the same impressions. One of my favorite parts of conference was the prophet’s message about that “living discussion” we have with our Heavenly Father while praying. It makes me really stop and think about what it is I’m discussing.
I loved your idea of a prayer book. To me prayer has been a time to express gratitude for all that my Heavenly Father has given me. When I think about my day, I have so many things to express gratitude for, and it becomes clear to me how involved He really is in the day to day of my life. But I am striving to be more in tune of what others need around me, and how my prayers can be a discussion of others needs and praying for guidance on how best to lighten others burdens.
When I receive impressions durning prayer, and I verbalize those impressions, I feel like I am making a commitment to my Heavenly Father to follow through on those promptings. I am so much more likely to follow through and to remember those I’m praying for when I voice it. I love that. One of the Holy Ghost’s roles is to bring all things to our remembrance, and I feel like that happens when my prayers are earnest and I am seeking to serve others. So it is not the length of prayer that matters, though I think they from time to time will feel longer when you lose yourself in a “discussion”, but the sincerity and desire you have to communicate with your Heavenly Father. I think the length of prayer is kind of like a patriarchal blessing. Some are long, some are short, and often that just depends on the vessel in whom it travels through. The length of our communication, sending or receiving, should only be dictated by the Spirit we feel during this special time of communicating with our Heavenly Father.
Another neat part of President Nelsons talk was that big focus on "thinking celestial". Pretty neat how he can give us a specific theme each conference to strive for. But as he was talking about it, it made me think of you dad. I know you often get the title in your family of being "too spiritual" when it comes to the way you help Kyle or the way you go about anything but it really just shows how your first thoughts in any situation are celestial ones. It makes me so happy to know that out of all 6 miller boys, I got as my dad the one who goes about life with a gospel lense. I know they all do but it's really neat how you make it important and you can tell the difference.
You are sweet for saying so son. Sometimes (probably most times) I can have better social cues in expressing my thoughts, but I really do believe that Jesus Christ is the answer. If He truly suffered for all our sorrows, griefs, pains, sicknesses, and sins, then doesn’t it stand to reason that He is the only way, the only solution to any problem we face. We shouldn’t try to dilute that.
One last thing is I had some sweet memory flashbacks seeing conference from when I just became a deacon and we made a trip down for Priesthood session. Some of my favorite memories on those trips with you down to Utah.
I love those memories too. I am now trying to make those same memories with Graham, and it takes me back. We will make so many more in the days to come, and I can’t wait! Love you son. Keep doing the great things you are doing! I am so proud of you! Dad
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