"Thank you Elder Rivera. Elder Davis, will you say the prayer?"

Quote of the week explanation

This week we had a virtual member visit over zoom, and at the end the member thanked me for my testimony and asked my companion, Elder Davis, to say the prayer.

Greetings folks

I understand how you must naturally be wary of reading anything which originally fell from my lips (or in this case I suppose from the tips of my fingers). I understand that there is much you could be doing with your time that doesn't involve enduring the poor prose of my correspondences, and I will therefore try to spare you by not taking more of your time than absolutely necessary.

So let us begin.

We received transfer notifications this week.

Before I delve into the juicy gossip of transfers, allow me to make it known that this transfer, in many respects, has felt as if reality was put on pause. From nearly having to go home to having being transferred after one week with a new companion to not being allowed to go out and work... Definitely the most unique transfer of my mission.

Anyway, getting back to something that some of you might have mild interest in, we received a call from President Durham on Saturday morning, in which he told my companion and I what our assignments are for the next transfer. My companion is going to Walnut Creek and Lafayette. I won't bother to tell you what's happening to me since you probably don't care to know anyway.

Dum dee dum (twiddles thumbs)

*Whistles the tune from an old Motel 6 commercial*

*Looks at watch*

(Startled) Oh, you're still here? Gee, you actually want to hear something more from me?

Aw shucks, I'm flattered.

OK, OK, I'll tell you.

On that call President told me I'll be packing my bags and shipping right on over to the belly of the beast. The big dance, the heart of darkness, even Babylon the great. San Francisco. It will be a wild time. I'm going back into a Chinese branch, and because we have a shortage of missionaries right now we'll also cover two English wards. What's more, I'll be companions with an Elder I knew in the MTC, so that's exciting.

Anyway, enough of that.

So that's the week folks. We had member visits and stuff, but that's something I know you really don't care about, so I'll spare you. Have a pleasantly uplifting week.

­­–­Ben

P.S. The reason I selected that particular quote as the quote of the week is because my companions name is not Elder Davis, but Elder Barnes, and he's been in the ward for five transfers.

P.P.S. Pomp and Circumstance

P.P.P.S. Actually, during that member visit our member shared with us the words of the hymn "Let Us All Press On". If you will tolerate a bit of righteousness at the end of this letter I'd like to share it with you, because it really applies to us and to what the world is going through right now.

Let us all press on in the work of the Lord,

That when life is o’er we may gain a reward;

In the fight for right let us wield a sword,

The mighty sword of truth.

We will not retreat, though our numbers may be few

When compared with the opposite host in view;

But an unseen pow’r will aid me and you

In the glorious cause of truth.

If we do what’s right we have no need to fear,

For the Lord, our helper, will ever be near;

In the days of trial his Saints he will cheer,

And prosper the cause of truth.

Fear not, though the enemy deride;

Courage, for the Lord is on our side.

We will heed not what the wicked may say,

But the Lord alone we will obey.