Written by Carter. When I read the letter that Faye wrote yesterday, I felt like it needed to be all by itself. It was really good. I’m sending this out separately so her letter can stand alone.    

With recent events in the US, I’ve been thinking about what I can do to improve race relations. I participated in a webinar sponsored by The American Academy of Family Physicians on that topic, including how race can affect how people are treated in the community and even by physicians and by patients. That was eye-opening for me. I watched “Selma,” about efforts in the 1960s for Blacks to be allowed to vote. I am grateful for VidAngel, which allowed me to filter out swearing, racial slurs and sexual comments…but I didn’t filter out all the violence. After the movie, I realized that watching the violence was more disturbing to me than I realized. Then I felt grateful that it is disturbing for me: I hope it means that watching that offends the Holy Ghost and that not watching it allows Him to always be with me, as promised in the prayers said over the sacrament each week.   

As I thought of race relations, I also thought of the Prophet, Joseph Smith, who ran for president of the US in 1844. His campaign proposed the abolition of slavery by 1850. Elsewhere, he spoke of religious toleration when he said this: “I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination [as for a Mormon]; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves. It is a love of liberty which inspires my soul — civil and religious liberty to the whole of the human race.” I believe that I have as much of a duty…if not more…to advocate for the rights of other races as I do to advocate for the rights of my own race. I’m not sure yet how to do that, but I am approaching that topic with study, humility, love and prayer; I am confident that the Lord will guide me.   

I continue to enjoy Tommy Newberry’s “40-Day Joy Challenge.” On one of the days, he encouraged me to be grateful for others’ successes, which bless my life. I made a list of four individuals with goals similar to mine. I will pray for their success for the next 8 days (or more). That has been a wonderful experience, one I recommend.   

I am grateful for the “crosses” I am called to bear. They have helped purify my “dross/impurities.” They are customized just for me! I trust God. His pattern is that my burdens are made lighter as I help others carry theirs. I don’t know how that works, but know that it does.   

For a fun movie, we watched “A League of Their Own,” also with VidAngel. Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors; he is so versatile and seems so natural. My favorite quote from the movie is this: “It’s supposed to be hard! If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it! The hard is what makes it great!” Boy, that can apply to a lot of things, can’t it…including life itself!   

Last evening, we went to a Turkish restaurant, then played “Codenames” with two other senior missionary couples. Wow! The caliber of people here is amazing…and they are a lot of fun to be with!   

Yesterday, I had my quarterly goal setting day. That is always an inspiring and fun day for me…but I realize that most people don’t really like doing that…and that’s OK. The world needs all of us…all personalities!   

On Monday (Sunday in the US), all of our children called me for Father’s Day. It was a special treat to hear from each of them; I love them all so much! I am so proud of them!   

Our Venezuelan “son” has been looking for work, so did not have any missionary discussions during the past week. I am praying he will find work. He is such a good man, good father and husband. I love him so much, as well!   

A quote from sacrament meeting today: “Embrace being uncomfortable because that is when we are able to change and move forward in our lives.”   

A phrase in the sacrament hymn today was “They crucified our Lord.” This is the only occasion I can think of right now where Christ allowed Himself to be “acted upon.” Otherwise, I can only think of His “acting.” What a perfect example for all the world!   

I solemnly testify that Jesus is my Savior, my Exemplar, and my Redeemer.