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Elder Nelson - October 14, 2018

Dear Family,

Week 2 in the office: I spent much of the week organizing the work to a way I can understand. I am putting most of the work on the computer and not in paper. I am also scheduling the work in Excel so I can see what needs to be done. By Christmas I hope to have this 95% down. By March I think I will be able to do everything that I know about in 4 to 6 hours per day. Of course, there are things that come up that are not on the schedule, but I don’t think this is a 8 hour a day job.

When I get things down, I will have Mom cross train me on her finance stuff. Then I will cross train her on my responsibilities. We can help each other, and the work will be more fun to do together.
I non-member called this week. She said that her brother was a member but was in jail because he killed his parents. (For sure is excommunicated.) She asked if her brother could ever be exalted in the celestial kingdom? Is there any reason he should try to repent, if he is never going to “make it”.

I told her several things:
1. We are not to judge anyone. We are to forgive and let the Lord judge.

2. The power of the Atonement of Christ is sufficient to cover all sins except denying the witness of the Holy Ghost.

3. Her brother should try to repent and rely on the mercy of the Savior. There is still hope for him. He may have to “pay” for this sin, but he can be pardoned.

I believe that is doctrinally correct. But…I have researched it some and there are some mitigating circumstances and various considerations. In any case it is always good to trust in the Lord’s love and mercy and repent.
We went to Arlington National Cemetery yesterday. The day was beautiful and the visit was very nice. It is sobering to contemplate the sacrifice made by millions to maintain our freedoms. We saw the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier, the eternal flame at JFK’s grave and the Iwo Gima Monument. It is about a half hour to the north east of us.

Rumor has is the late Elder A. Theodor Tuttle was one of the soldiers that raise the flag.

I will send some more pictures later.

Mom is at a training meeting for those recording histories for wards and the mission.

Later tonight we will go with Elder and Sister Nielson (office missionaries) to the visitor’s center at the Washington DCTemple to see a performance of a dramatic reading.

Derek and Jessica are moving to Florida in January. I hope we can find some good airfares in the coming years.

Kent saw BYU beat Hawaii in football last night from some great seats. McKay did too.

The weather has turned a little cooler. It should be in the 60’s next week.

Love you all,
Dad

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