The Gathering of Israel

Dearest Family and Friends!

How are you doing? I am doing really good and everything here has been great! Ü  We didn't have any super spiritual experiences, but it was a good week formed with many great things!  I would love to share my thoughts about Wednesday with President Smith.

It was truly an amazing experience when we had our interviews with President Smith.  Elder Huntsman and I actually had the opportunity to teach President in front of a group of missionaries.  He even filmed it on his computer, and told us that when he meets our own children, he is going to show them our mission videos.  The lesson went really well.  Elder Huntsman and I were super nervous, but we were able to teach the Gathering of Israel clearly, and in a way where we focused on the Abrahamic Covenant.  Check out 1 Nephi 15:14, 18; 3 Nephi 20:25, 1 Nephi 17:40, Abraham 2:10 and Jacob 5:71.  Now you have basically experienced our lesson Ü  The Gathering is truly so important in the work of Salvation.  Are you all Gathering the house of Israel?  There was one part of our discussion with President that really touched my heart. He mentioned the talk by Elder L. Tom Perry, "Why should marriage and family matter - everywhere?  Public opinion polls show that marriage is still the ideal and the hope among the majority of every age group - even among the millennial generation."  He was referring to us as the millennial generation.  President then stopped and told us with all sincerity in his heart, that we are the millennial generation.  We will be here when Christ comes.  Both Huntsman and I just completely felt the Spirit.  We are not too far away from the coming of our Savior...what a glorious day that will be.  Oh family, it is so important to keep people on the right track, and it is so important for us to stay on the right track!  Do you realize that as we gather Israel, we are helping with the coming of Christ?  My invitation to you would be to start thinking of the gathering of Israel in every moment so we may have more people a part of the plentiful blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the many blessings from the promise God made to Abraham.  I know that as you do it, your lives will be enriched with many blessings because as Mosiah 2:17 teaches us.... when we serve others we are only serving God.  Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-15 says.. how great will be our joy as we bring the joy of the Gospel into someone's life. I pray for you daily, that you will have the desire to share the gospel.  

Do you all know that you live in the places you do for a reason.  President talked about this, and I know that he is right.  We live in the neighborhoods we do because it is our responsibility to help those around us.  I would invite you all to think of and care for the people close by.  I love you and know that each one of you can make a difference in the lives of many.  I know this is the true church and that we are lead by a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  I know that he is a prophet of God. I know that missionary work is a work of God and that it brings absolute joy.  I pray that you may be able to find yourself in this great work.  The only way to find yourself in the work is to lose yourself first.  

I love you!  Have a wonderful week Ü 

Elder Taylor Abel