May 16, 2016

Hey Elder Red Rocker,

It was so awesome seeing you! You look so good and your language skills sounded amazing!
How did the doctor go? What did they say about your eye?
Guess what? Chad called me and said Cole wrote me. He asked if I wanted to hear it and then he
said ok, if I can make it through it.
Your letter was amazing!!! So inspired. You know what it reminded me of, only better! When I
was preparing to go through the temple, right before my mission. I called Harold and invited him
to go through the temple with me as he had never been through. He said no, but thanked me.
It took years after my invitation but he did eventually go through the temple and mom and I were
there with him. To tell you the truth, I don't know if my invite helped, but like you I followed the
spirit and acted upon it.
I'm so proud of you!!! Chad was so touched by your letter that he cried all the way through it.
All he kept saying was how much he loves you and how awesome it was that you wrote him,
what a stud you are....thank you Cole. You're amazing. It was such a good letter and inspired.
You are so good at writing and expressing your feelings!
I asked him for a copy to read it to mom. Chad took a picture and sent it to me. I loved the
handwriting too! It looks familiar. Haha stud!!!!
In my study today I was reading the Joseph Smith history. He writes: "I was one day reading the
Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him
ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
"Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to
mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again,
knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I
could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different
sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the
question by an appeal to the Bible."
"At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do
as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to ask of God, concluding
that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might
venture."
"It occurred to me how the Lord teaches us through others experiences. Joseph had a question and
needed to know how to live his life. So he did what we are taught to study things out, pray and study the
scriptures. Just like the experiences that you have had lately, the Lord knew him and answered him in a
way that would be special to him, directly to him."
Think about that....Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this
did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I love that! It's
how I feel when I see the Lord directly in my life! When you know that you just saw His influence!

May 16, 2016

"So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt.
It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was
the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet
made the attempt to pray vocally."
"After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and
finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely
done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such
an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered
around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction."
There is so much to learn from this section. Satan trying to stop the Lord's work (I know you've seen that
on your mission), trials and tribulations and how difficult situations can appear. Sometimes in life, it seems
like the end, like it's time to give up. Like everything is going wrong!
But in those times, you are not alone Cole!
Heavenly Father is letting you grow, but He has not abandoned you....then just when it's too much to bare
and you are using all your faith....Joseph said "at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair
and abandon myself to destruction" the Lord demonstrates his endless love in our lives!
"But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had
seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to
destruction--not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who
had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being--just at this moment of great alarm, I
saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually
until it fell upon me."
"It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the
light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing
above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other--This
is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"
Such an amazing story! Reread it many times! There are so many lessons! Heavenly Father knows you!
He loves you! He knows your name and is guiding you to his elect! You are doing so good! You are
such an amazing example! Every week in church I hear the ward praying for you! I pray for you daily,
always!!!!
Thank you for being so amazing. Thank you for helping Chad and setting a loving, righteous example for
him, for CJ, Cobster, Wyatt....so many more too!!!
I love you more than my words can express. My patriarchal blessing states, "as you teach your children
and see their positive responses, you will come to understand true happiness".
Thank you for teaching me true happiness, Cole!
Remember, have fun and work hard while doing so! Keep smiling and always ask yourself, what is
Heavenly Father trying to teach me?
Saying....Give it all you got, Never let it stop. I've got everything you need.
Give it all you got, Never let it stop I'll do anything you wanna Anything to please!

May 16, 2016

Love you stud!!!! Well, OK one more for you...remember driving through Idaho with the fam and you and
me singing this over and over again?
A crazy world, a crazy dream
A lot of people don't know what I mean
We're right and they're right too
Let's get it right together
I know a lady, I know a man
They got a lot of problems and demands
They lose if they don't win
That's why the story will end and not begin
Stop the lightning
Don't want no more fighting
No more fighting
Stop the lightning
I was the hunter, she was the game
But she left me singing in my own rain
I fight and she fights too
We made some lousy weather
I know a lady, I know a man
They threw a lot of love into the trash can
They lost what could have been
That's why the story will end and not begin
Stop the lightning
Don't want no more fighting
No more fighting
Stop the lightning
No!
Stop the lightning
Don't want no more fighting
Stop the lightning
(Stop the lightning)
Don't want no more fighting
Stay obedient, stay close to Heavenly Father. Stay true to Him who's name you bare!
Love you!!!!!
Dad
So awesome Cole!!!!
About your blessing....I know! I heard that gift the night you got your blessing!!! It stuck out to me! That's
why I was so excited!!!!

May 16, 2016

Your blessing tells you exactly what to do to accomplish all! You have a very special gift just as apostles
and prophets!!! So cool
Bud!
Also it says that you will have sufficient money to care for your family. "As you seek a career you must put
forth effort so you can be successful, making a sufficient living to take care of your family, and pay your
tithes and offerings."
Think about what is taught about money in the temple by Peter, James and John. They were God's
elect, inheriting all of his gifts!!!
Next time you go through, listen to what they teach, nearly word for word your amazing blessing!!!!
Love you!
Dear Elder Zesiger aka Cole....
It was the best Mother's Day gift ever to see you and talk with you! You looked so good and your Tagalog
was awesome! Coming from someone who doesn't speak Tagalog! Everyone loved seeing you!!
This week was good. Grandma Hill was here so we did stuff with her. Kim and Gary bought a new house
so I went down and helped them pack. Their new house is in a nice area and it's bigger but it needs a lot
of updating. It was built in the 70s and has stayed the same. It has a cool backyard though with a
basketball hoop. Dad and Caden and Coby went to bishops cabin with the ward and Shelby went to a tori
Kelley concert so me grandma and Bridget hung out. We went for a hike on that trail by the bountiful
temple. I also went to Carolyn golds wedding reception! Her and Caleb are married crazy huh?
We have the youth fundraiser this week and Shelby and Caden are making a cake and Coby is doing
some kind of service.
I sent off three packages to the lady in Oregon yesterday. One of them is your birthday package. So when
you get it don't open it until your birthday! Next time you get a package take a picture of it and send it to
me if you remember. Julie Hess (the one who mails them) always likes to post them on Facebook.
Oh! Chad showed your dad your letter you sent him and then dad showed me. I am so proud of you. It
really meant a lot to Chad. I'm sure you were promoted to write him. Hopefully it will help yo have a desire
the return to church. And even if it doesn't right now it might in the future. And he will know your testimony
and that you love him and his family.
I hope everything is good with your eye! And that your stomach problems are gone!
How is it going with your companion? Have you been trying to have a little fun with him. I'm sure I've told
you this before but when someone is struggling in life or anytime really it's always good to try and lift them
up. Even if it's hard to see the positive in them. You can try and notice even little things that he is doing
well and compliment him on them. I try to do that with you kids but I'm not very good at it haha!
Your dad and I are going to Phoenix for two nights this week. I'm excited because I am going to get to see
my friend Carrie that I haven't seen for 10 years!
How is your 14 year old investigator that you told us about?
Tell us everything!
I love you so much!!
Love,Mom

May 16, 2016

Wow! You had an awesome week with awesome miracles!! Very very cool!! I'm so happy that you are
finding joy in serving the Lord!! And you are learning patience with elder Magno!
Marshall has a room he is renting in slc now.:)
I'm so glad your eye is getting better!!
I love you have another wonderful week! I hope you are trying to enjoy every minute because I think it is
going to continue to go faster and faster and you will be home before you know it!!
Also I felt bad that I told you Jared had 8 baptisms. I wasn't trying to compare you. I hope you don't dwell
on the numbers! Each person is so important and even bringing one soul into Christ is Amazing!!!
Love you!!
Did you see Cobys email from him...not me? Maybe tell him something cool about the Philippines if you
can think of something. For his report.
I knew you were sad when I told you Jared had 8 baptism. You're face kind of fell for a second. :( and I
wanted to tell you all week not to compare yourself!! I'm glad you remembered what president told you!! It
is so true!! Comparison is the killer of joy! We should never do it...but it's hard I know!
Love you!

Hope you had a good week What did the doctor say about your eyes. Are you getting use to your new
area. We sure do love you. Chad shared with the letter you wrote him it really touched him. He cried
the whole time he was reading it to me. Thank you. I think I already told you that. We had a returned
missionary speak in sacrament meeting today. He said he didn't ever think he would be home and now it
seems like his mission went so fast. He misses knowing what he was going to do everyday that is work
for the lord. Now he has to make life decisions. He thinks his mission was easier and he misses it. He is
grateful for the time he served. He said after the first six months went by the rest of his mission flew by.
So your mission should be going fast since you are passed 6 months. I mailed you a couple more
letters. Use d them to the same address as your packages. I hope you are getting them. Love you honey
have a good week love you to the moon and back.

May 16, 2016

Dear Sisters and Elders,
Sister Ostler and I are really enjoying our interviews with you during this transfer period. You bring with
you a spirit of faith, humility and love for the Lord that is inspiring to us. Thank you for serving will all of
your hearts. Thank you for striving to become consecrated missionaries. You inspire us. You are doing a
wonderful job in your calling.
Even though we are all trying very hard to do the Lord's work, we still have weaknesses. One of these
weaknesses is that we sometimes criticize, or make fun of, others who are trying to improve. When we
criticize others who are working hard to improve, we become a tool of Satan. We hurt the faith of others
and we weaken our efforts to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are speaking evil of someone who
has been called by God. This is a serious mistake.
Why do we sometimes do this?
-Is it because we feel badly that we ourselves are not trying as hard as we should?
-Is it because their actions make us feel pressure to improve... and we want to be a bit lazy?
-Is it because we think it is funny to criticize and we are trying to make a joke?
-Is it because we afraid that we are not strong enough or capable enough to do better in our lives?
Sometimes members might say: "Those people are too strict in living the gospel. I want to have some fun
in my life. I want to keep all of the big commandments but I don't want to be a so strict." Some people
feel that "keeping all of the rules" is not necessary or is too hard. They feel that they can make their own
rules.
I have even heard several times that some obedient, hard-working missionaries are called a "Robots."
When I hear this I know that only someone who is spiritually immature would say such a thing.
I invite you to consider some things...
The first king of united Israel was a man names Saul. He was chosen by the Lord through the prophet
Samuel. At the beginning of his reign, Saul was humble and obedient to the Lord. The Lord loved him
and so did Samuel. But then the time came that he decided that he would make exceptions because he
knew better.
In 1 Samuel 13, Saul had gathered together an army to fight the Philistines. The prophet told him to wait
for him before going to battle so that Samuel could offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel was late in
coming so Saul went ahead and did the sacrifice himself. Samuel arrive right afterward and asked him
why he disobeyed the Lord.
Saul had three excuses: 1-The people are scattering from me. (The people were getting impatient and
we starting to go back home.) 2-You didn't come on time. 3- The enemy army is gathering. Samuel then
told him that "thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which
he commended thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever. But now
thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart..."

May 16, 2016

The Lord expected Saul to be exactly obedient. When he made up his own rules, with his own excuses,
he lost the blessings.
Later, Saul evidently received another chance, but he was still not exactly obedient. In 1 Samuel 16 the
prophet gives Saul specific instructions for a battle, including the direction to destroy all of their enemies
and their cattle. Instead, Saul's army killed everyone except for the enemy king and they kept the best of
the cattle alive. When the prophet heard about Saul's disobedience he cried/prayed to the Lord all night
for Saul. When Samuel asked him if he had followed the Lord's commandments Saul lied and said: "I
have performed the commandment of the Lord." The Samuel asks: "What meaneth this bleating of the
sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" Saul thought he could lie about his
disobedience, but the prophet knew.
Saul then made excuses. He blamed "the people" and then he said that the real reason they hadn't
followed the commandments was because he had a better idea--he would offer everything as a sacrifice
to the Lord at a later time. This probably wasn't true.
Then Samuel give him this famous instruction: "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken
than the fat of rams."
The Lord gives us the commandments to bless us. We are blessed BY keeping the commandments and
we are blessed FOR keeping the commandments. Exact obedience to the Lord brings all of these
blessings.
Think of the example of Nephi. Was he a "robot?" His brothers criticized him and complained because of
his exact obedience to the Lord. Nephi had the courage to stand alone. He had the courage to do what
was right even when his brothers physically abused him. He had the courage to do what is right even
when it seemed impossible. If they had known the word "robot" they would have used this in criticizing
him. But Nephi and millions of people that have come after him have been blessed by his obedience.
We have the scriptures because of his obedience. His people stayed close to the Lord for hundreds of
years because of his obedience. The same thing will happen for you. If you choose obedience...exact
obedience...obedience even when others complain about it or joke about you...then you and your family
and those you teach will be blessed for hundreds of years to come.
Nephi said: "I will go and do the things which the Lord has commanded..." (1 Nephi 3:7) When they had a
setback, he said: "As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness
until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us." (1 Nephi 3:15) After almost
being killed as he tried to follow the commandments, and after his brothers beat him, he still said "Let us
be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord..." (1 Nephi 4:1)
Later in the Book of Mormon, the most legendary warriors--the warriors who fought against impossible
odds and saved their nation--were successful because "they did obey and observe to perform EVERY
word of command with EXACTNESS; yea and even according to their faith it was done unto them..."
(Alma 57:21)
I imagine that there could have been people who made fun of them for being "robots"...for being so strict
in their obedience to every single command. But, to quote another Book of Mormon prophet: "Fools mock
but they shall mourn..." (Ether 12:26)

May 16, 2016

Joseph Smith, the prophet of the restoration had to learn this same lesson. He was a good man, a great
man, but he was young when he was called. He wanted to help others believe what he was doing in the
translation of the Book of Mormon. When he succumbed to peer pressure to share some of the
translated documents, the documents were lost. (One of the things I love about the Prophet Joseph is
that he never hid his weaknesses!) The Lord chastised him with these words:
"For although a man man have many revelations, and have power to do many might works, yet if he
boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his
own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him...You should
not have feared man more than God...You should have been faithful; and he would have extended his
arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary and he would have been with you in
every time of trouble." (DC 3: 4-8)
Joseph later said: "I made this my rule: WHEN THE LORD COMMANDS, DO IT. To get salvation we
must not only do SOME things, but EVERYTHING which the Lord has commanded. The object with me
is to obey and teach others to obey God in just what he tells us to do. It mattereth not whether the
principle is popular or unpopular, I will always maintain a true principle, even if I stand alone in it."
Jesus Christ is our perfect example. He said:
"I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things...I do always those things
that please Him...I honor my Father." (John 8:28,29,49) He was faithful and exact in His obedience to
God.
Never criticize someone who is trying. Never look down on someone who is striving to live his or her life
with exact obedience to the Lord. Never use the word "robot" or "aspiring" or anything else to make fun of
someone who is trying. Pray for them. Encourage them...and then look inside your own heart... Look
inside and ask the questions the newly humbled Paul asked: "Who art thou Lord?...and he trembling and
astonished said, Lord what wilt thou have me do?" (Acts 9:5-6)
May the Lord bless each of us as we humbly see to follow the Lord with exactness and as we love and lift
each other along the way. May we adopt the motto: "When the Lord commands, do it."
Mahal ko po kayo,
President Creg Ostler