Partial Email, Sent to Topher
March 3rd 2026
Despite allat, lemme be real a second. Topher, going on a mission has been an amazing experience. Ive had a blast, im so excited to share the gospel. You remember when I talked to you over the summer about my ex? I was miserable then. There was good in my life, i had friends, i had family, i had a job, but i was stressed out and didnt know what my future looked like.
In seattle i finally got to a point where i was able to humble myself and overcome weakness with and through Christ. I know that his atonement is real. I couldnt have gotten to this point without it.
I still dont know what my future looks like. I didnt leave college on a high note and im worried about the return. But ive gained so much more confidence that itll be ok as ive focused on the gospel.
I feel like everyone always says this, but its because its true. Please please please study the scriptures every morning. At the ccm i have an hour in the morning dedicated to personal study. I usually read 2-3 chapters of the book of mormon and then ive been reading saints.
Its been so nice. Genuinely, if you set aside 10-20 minutes each morning and dedicated them to serious study, not just skimming, the book of mormon, youll feel so much more happiness. Try it out, see that im right.
The other long term thing i would encourage is think about a mission. Idk what your plans are right now, and a big regret of mine was trying to go on a mission when i wasnt ready, but think about it. Talk with people that served previously and you look up to (steed, bowes, gaskin, your dad, my dad, aaron when he gets back (!)), maybe go tracking with the missionaries, prepare, get and stay worthy, etc.
Genuinely, if i got zero baptisms my entire mission but knew you went on a misison and had that life changing, character building, testimony strengthening experience at least in part cuz of me, it would be worth it.
Gosh dang this is what my dad felt like everytime he lectured me. Motivated outta love and desire for you to live your best life, i assure you.
Anyway, hope youre well. I dont really be responding to emails, but i read them all. Enjoy the last lil bit of senior year.
(Also please dont let any girls impact any life plans at all in any way, especially not in highschool, itll be okay, prioritizing your own future is healthy and will benefit you in the long term. Seriously, this is personal experience please listen and learn from my mistakes. We're both the oldest siblings so we dont really have someone to learn from (kendra is gonna do so much better than me), but take my advice please.)
A favorite scripture of mine to think about is Alma 17:1-3: "to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah... therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God."
A lil long, but i really like the idea of seeing you in a couple years and we have super strong testimonies and we're on good life paths and so on.
Okay, thats all, lil all over the place, me da igual.
Despite allat, lemme be real a second. Topher, going on a mission has been an amazing experience. Ive had a blast, im so excited to share the gospel. You remember when I talked to you over the summer about my ex? I was miserable then. There was good in my life, i had friends, i had family, i had a job, but i was stressed out and didnt know what my future looked like.
In seattle i finally got to a point where i was able to humble myself and overcome weakness with and through Christ. I know that his atonement is real. I couldnt have gotten to this point without it.
I still dont know what my future looks like. I didnt leave college on a high note and im worried about the return. But ive gained so much more confidence that itll be ok as ive focused on the gospel.
I feel like everyone always says this, but its because its true. Please please please study the scriptures every morning. At the ccm i have an hour in the morning dedicated to personal study. I usually read 2-3 chapters of the book of mormon and then ive been reading saints.
Its been so nice. Genuinely, if you set aside 10-20 minutes each morning and dedicated them to serious study, not just skimming, the book of mormon, youll feel so much more happiness. Try it out, see that im right.
The other long term thing i would encourage is think about a mission. Idk what your plans are right now, and a big regret of mine was trying to go on a mission when i wasnt ready, but think about it. Talk with people that served previously and you look up to (steed, bowes, gaskin, your dad, my dad, aaron when he gets back (!)), maybe go tracking with the missionaries, prepare, get and stay worthy, etc.
Genuinely, if i got zero baptisms my entire mission but knew you went on a misison and had that life changing, character building, testimony strengthening experience at least in part cuz of me, it would be worth it.
Gosh dang this is what my dad felt like everytime he lectured me. Motivated outta love and desire for you to live your best life, i assure you.
Anyway, hope youre well. I dont really be responding to emails, but i read them all. Enjoy the last lil bit of senior year.
(Also please dont let any girls impact any life plans at all in any way, especially not in highschool, itll be okay, prioritizing your own future is healthy and will benefit you in the long term. Seriously, this is personal experience please listen and learn from my mistakes. We're both the oldest siblings so we dont really have someone to learn from (kendra is gonna do so much better than me), but take my advice please.)
A favorite scripture of mine to think about is Alma 17:1-3: "to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah... therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God."
A lil long, but i really like the idea of seeing you in a couple years and we have super strong testimonies and we're on good life paths and so on.
Okay, thats all, lil all over the place, me da igual.
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