Luke 11:11

My beloved Nephews,

I wish to open your understanding to something I have learned. The scripture say...

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask an fish, will he offer him a scorpion?

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke chapter 11)

Has the Savior only given you bread and fish? No, but a stone a serpent also. You may wonder how it is so, so I will explain. Who is the bread of life? Who has asked you to be a fisher of men? (Also noted, Jesus name in Greek means fish)? Who is the chief cornerstone? Who was represented as a brass serpent later nailed to the cross? The easy stuff that was easy to ingest in the mind and heart was quickly represented. Jesus fed the thousands with loaves and fishes, but he was also the stone which the builders refused and the serpent that the unbelievers would not look upon and live.

The gospel is a easy and simple thing to live with us being in the way of its success in our lives. Were we David against the lion and the bear, if we had thought it too hard, we would not if seen Goliath, but David did. Were Nephi thought that the trip to Jerusalem too hard, he would of not seen the promised land or the plates of brass. Your missions may be tough at times but when you dig deep you will see Christ at the root of your experiences. 

 My dear nephews, God is at the helm though you may not see him. He wants you to succeed. However you may believe, He will not do all the work. You must give your 100%. You have all the resources to succeed but it is up to you to become aquanted with the Father, with the Savior and with the Holy Ghost. You cannot be passive.

Story time. Your Grandfather, as I know the story and your parents can correct me, when your father, my brother, wanted your mother to be his bride and sweetheart for eternity, well your grandfather was concerned. The young man had potential but he wanted to insure that his daughter was never cold nor hungry, so he layed a path full of opportunities to my brother. He could of given him metaphorical fish but he wanted to teach my brother how to fish. These days, Jacob has a wonderful marriage, great kids, a dog, a home and cars. He has a career because he has learned to be self driven. Hopefully you are chips off the old block.. er... Rock. 

Your Grandfather layed the course for your father but your father had to choose to go down the path. He same is for your Father in Heaven. He has given you so much but you must seize the day every day to make those gifts count. The Atonement, the Gospel, your testimony, these must be tried and tested so you can be strong. Search the scriptures, ponder them and pray daily to your Father. Don't just talk at Him but converse with Him. Could He pluck it from your mind, yes.Does He want to, no. He wants you to voice your hopes and fears. He wants to celebrate with you your success and comfort you in sorrow and anger. You are God's sons. Remember that 

Again, I love you and pray for you my nephews. 

Your beloved Uncle Nate 

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