Elder Leatham’s Talk about Faith

Elder Dan Leatham and his wife Kim, a couple from Pleasant Grove, Utah are both serving so faithfully in our mission. They are living in a small pueblito called Batuco, out in the campo. Together between them, they have years of experience serving in leadership callings in the church and are such a steady and loving influence with our missionaries...

They are great to uplift and cheer on our missionaries, as well as demonstrating such innovative and unique ways to connect with investigators. They have shared some incredible stories with us about who they meet, what they do to keep connected and how to break the ice. He even takes fotos of ugly dogs fro a funny hobby!

Pdte asked him to speak at our 2nd zone conference. Elder Leatham served Spanish speaking mission when he was younger, so he did very well as he read his talk to us and passed on his notes to generously afterwards, so they could be detailed here for the mission.

He spoke of having the job as a young boy, to warm the family home with a coal fire. He had to also keep fire hot enough to last through the night and then start it again in the morning. He talked about it almost going out every night, but found a small ember in the morning, blew on it softly, to help with the start again. Elements of building a fire are heat and fuel. If we add these elements it grows or lack of them, it will go out.

He compared building a fire like also a model for building our Faith. Alma 32:27, compared to the seen analogy, the fire is similar. It grows if we take care of it. If we add more, it will grow, just like the seed will increase if we nourish it. How do we nourish our small fire of Faith? Pres. Hinckley says we need three things: A friend, a responsibility/calling, and to be nourished with the Good word of God. Moroni 6:4. We have to show diligence, paciencia, prayer and fasting. Then our faith will grow. Also, we need oxygen for the fire to keep going, which is like our good attitude to do the will of the Lord. We will do anything He asks without wanting anything else. We will do what He asks because of our love for Him. Alma 33:23, God will help our faith grow.