Of this we testify…
This is one of my favorite quotes from the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is from his 1842 Wentworth letter which Elder Cook says "conveys in a concise way what must be accomplished."
The Standard of Truth -- Joseph Smith
“No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing;
persecutions may rage,
mobs may combine,
armies may assemble,
calumny may defame,
but the truth of God will go forth
boldly, nobly, and independent,
till it has penetrated every continent,
visited every clime,
swept every country,
and sounded in every ear;
till the purposes of God
shall be accomplished,
and the Great Jehovah shall say
the work is done.”

This is why we are 7,000 miles from home missing out on being with my 89-year old mother in her infirmities and my sister alone having to move her far away from her home and into a retirement center, and help oversee her care.
This is why we are missing our children’s and our grandchildren’s special events: baptisms, mission farewells, graduations, plus a thousand and one other things.
This is why we are not gathering with our children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins for other special events, like putting flowers on our loved ones graves for Memorial Day.
This is why we missed one of our best friend’s funeral and the funeral of our other best friend’s father.
We are here in the South America South Area of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to help the 14 mission presidents and mission presidents’ wives keep their combined total of 2,300 missionaries healthy so they can go on in so great a cause!
We do have a Father in Heaven who loves us.
Jesus Christ is His Son who gave His Perfect Life to Atone for our sins. He is the Savior and Redeemer of all.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His true Church restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith who is the Prophet of the Restoration. President Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of God for the whole earth and the Kingdom of God on the earth.
The Book of Mormon is another Testament of Jesus Christ, and the word of God.
Of this we testify, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elder Walter R. Petersen and Hermana Eileen A. Petersen Buenos Aires, Argentina – May 14, 2009