Written by Carter. We had a wonderful visit to the gannet (bird) colony at Muriwai  Beach on the west coast of New Zealand yesterday. What a beautiful and amazing experience!

Faye and I had a wonderful experience listening to Elder and Sister Bednar during the weekly missionary devotional. They talked about patterns in the scriptures. One of those patterns is that we often do not know beforehand the things we should do. This gives us the opportunity to prepare beforehand, then trust God in the moment of decision. Their counsel to the missionaries was this: “Be good and do good. Be a little better today than you were yesterday and a little better tomorrow than you were today. That’s enough!” Love it!

This week, I studied Elder Quentin L. Cook’s talk, “Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity.” A takeaway for me: As I strive to be one with the Savior, I will be one with Faye, my family, and other covenant keepers. I very much want this blessing of unity with Faye.

I also studied President Russell M. Nelson’s talk, “Let God Prevail.” I enjoyed discussing this talk in our church’s “men’s group” (elders quorum) today. 
What a treat to listen to God speak through President Nelson yesterday as he gave a message of hope and prayed for the world! How inspiring! I know that President Nelson is a prophet of God! In his message yesterday, President Nelson encouraged everyone in the world to share something on social media every day for the next seven days for which they are grateful. This is what I shared on Facebook today: 

I am grateful to be Ashton Richardson Mayberry’s dad. I am grateful for everything I learned during his lifetime. I am grateful for everything I learned from, since and because of his suicide, on January 28, 2014. I am grateful for what I will yet learn from my grief, whether it be from Ashton’s suicide or whatever other sorrows and tragedies life will bring me…and I am grateful that I don’t know now what those will be. I am grateful for the opportunities to choose how I will respond to my challenges, weaknesses and setbacks. I am grateful for the opportunity to choose to trust God and the knowledge that that is one of the very purposes of life and its trials. 

I am grateful for the “enemies” I have had, now have and will yet have in my life (people who don’t like me very much and people I don’t like very much). My “enemies” give me the opportunity to be introspective about my personality and how my response to a given situation may have been less-than-ideal. My “enemies” give me the opportunity to forgive…and to ask forgiveness. My “enemies” give me the opportunity to look at situations from another person’s perspective. My “enemies” give me the opportunity to repent and strive to improve where I have made mistakes. 

I am grateful for the people I have met and the experiences I have had because of Ashton’s suicide and my other trials: they have helped me become a better person. One of those people I have met…is Carter Mayberry: my trials have helped me get to know myself better. Another person I have met (more deeply, that is) is Faye Richardson Mayberry: she is one of life’s true “warriors” who is a wonderful travel-companion on this life (and grief and healing) journey. Our marriage has been strengthened in spite of…and even because of…Ashton’s suicide. Most of all, I have met more deeply my Heavenly Parents. I have felt Their perfect love for me and for Ashton. I have felt Them grieve as I have grieved and weep as I have wept. I have met my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I have felt Him gladly and willingly shoulder, lift and bear my burdens. I know that He knows perfectly what I have felt…because He has felt it all (and more) personally and intimately Himself…more completely than I can comprehend. I have met the Holy Ghost, one of Whose titles is “The Comforter.” I have felt that comfort in very personal and real ways.

In summary, I am grateful for this invitation to choose gratitude. #GiveThanks

I solemnly testify that God calls prophets to teach His gospel in every dispensation (periods of time when prophets have taught the gospel, or “good news” about Jesus Christ). Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and other ancient prophets all taught the gospel. All previous dispensations have ended in apostasy, where the people rejected the prophets and the gospel. 

I humbly invite all to choose to stay by the tree of life.

Written by Carter. We had a nice video chat with our children and grandchildren. It was wonderful to see them and hear from them. We asked them what they would like us to pray for…in their behalf; they also asked us the same question. It’s wonderful to feel that mutual support among the family.

I was home when a 40-year-old apartment inspector had his appointment with us. He was a very nice Maori man who was raised with friends who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I asked him if his friends shared their beliefs with him and he said they had. I told him that, if he ever wanted to know more, I could arrange that. He said, “I’ll bet you can!” I said, “Yes, that’s why we are here.” We had a nice chat about his family. His three children are very interested in sports, including baseball, which is rare here in NZ. In retrospect, I should have been more “bold” in asking him what he knew and if he wanted to know more…rather than speaking generally.

For some reason, Saturdays tend to be a “down” day for me. As I was partaking the sacrament (like a communion) last week, I asked God, “What do I need to start doing that I’m not now doing? What do I need to stop doing that I’m now doing?” I felt like I should plan something specific I to do on Saturday to serve someone else. When Saturday came, I did a couple of small, deliberate acts of service…and my day was much better! Imagine that: as I strive to follow Christ’s example, I feel better!

I had a video chat with one of my Venezuelan “sons” who lives in Peru. It was his birthday. He, his wife and son are all doing well. It was wonderful to see them!

After about 2 months, I finally finished another 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle. It was much more challenging than the first one, but it was so satisfying to finish it! It’s a beautiful photo that I relish even more because I feel like I contributed to putting it together!

Yesterday, I attended my first rugby match. The son-in-law of a man who works at the area offices is on a semi-pro team and got us complimentary tickets. That man sat by me and explained the rules. What an interesting game!

We listened to two missionary devotionals this week: one was by President Ballard and Elder Holland, who both spoke prophetically on the power of the Book of Mormon. Another one was by Mark L. Pace, Sunday School General President (and his wife), who both spoke about the Holy Ghost and prayer. I’m grateful for the Holy Ghost, who has helped me know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and, along with the Bible, is Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

I’ve been gradually writing my life story. A grateful memory: when we considered potential medical residencies (30 years ago), one of the main criteria we used was whether they were a “reasonable” distance from a temple. I’m grateful for God’s help in selecting that criterion. Keeping that focus on the temple has been symbolic of my efforts to keep my focus on God and the covenants I have made to keep His commandments. He has blessed me beyond measure for those efforts…and has strengthened me in those efforts.

This week, I studied Elder Bednar’s general conference talk, “We Will Prove Them Herewith.” I’m grateful for his reminder that my priorities cannot be defined by the world; if the world thinks “x” is important …it’s probably not that important. I need to keep my priorities aligned with God.

I also listened again to a talk by Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge, “Stand Forever.” What a powerful talk! He talks about the different ways to learn truth. He emphasizes the difference between “primary questions” (of which there are only a few) and “secondary questions,” which are endless. Four primary questions that he asked are profound; I am grateful for God’s help in knowing the answers to these questions: 

1. Is there a God who is our Father?
2. Is Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Savior of the world?
3. Was Joseph Smith a prophet? 
4. Is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the kingdom of God on earth?

I solemnly testify that God is our loving Heavenly Father; we are literally His children, created in His image. He loves us and will help us make right choices. Through Jesus Christ, we can live with God again.

Written by Carter. I have been reviewing Michelle D. Craig’s General Conference talk this week. I am grateful to know the truth from God—that I am His son and that I have a divine nature and eternal destiny. As you ask Him sincerely, He can also help you to know those same truths for yourself.  

We watched the Pacific Area Youth Devotional, broadcast from the area office in Auckland. Bonnie H. Cordon and Steven J. Lund participated virtually from Salt Lake City. It was very inspirational. I’m impressed with the musical abilities of so many of the Polynesian youth! During the devotional, I was reminded of a commitment I had made mentally to myself, but am now putting in writing: I will always have a current temple recommend until the day I die.

As I mentioned last week, we attended the Mission Leadership Seminar in Taupo Monday-Thursday. It was a blessing to be a “fly on the wall” as these leaders were taught, and to feel guided as I contributed briefly on a few medical topics. Here are some highlights for me:

1. Returned missionaries: Find your replacement with you return home…and have it be someone who was not already planning to serve a mission.
2. The best invitations are tailored for the person…I thought of my suits that were tailored in Lima and of my racing bike, which was custom-built for my needs.
3. The temple is the reason for becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint. Generic “goodness” alone is not enough. We also need ordinances and covenants to return to the presence of God.
4. One morning, we visited nearby Huka Falls, which was a very impressive example of the potential power of water that is unleashed as it rushes downhill. Specifically, it can be used to generate electricity, grind wheat, etc. One of the mission presidents compared the water in the calmer portion of the river to the of authority of the priesthood. When that water is channeled through the falls, it can be compared to the power of the priesthood, where God can use us to bless others as we strive to keep His commandments and look for opportunities to serve in His name. 
5. One of the area presidency taught, “What is the simplest thing I did (when I served as mission president) that gave me the largest return? Building relationships with the young missionaries by teaching them doctrine of Christ.” I think that can also apply in families and in relationships with others we encounter in our lives.
6. One of the mission presidents encourages missionaries who are being disobedient with this thought: “I cannot change you; I can only love you as you change.”
7. Another thought-provoking question from a member of the area presidency: “If all that my children knew of the gospel came from me — as their only source — how much would they know?” He then referred to 3 Nephi 7:18, emphasizing that it is possible to have so great faith on the Lord Jesus Christ that our children and grandchildren cannot disbelieve our words. Of course, they still have their agency and can choose to act in accordance with their beliefs — or not.
8. Being in the South Pacific, most of the young missionaries are Polynesians. Part of the training was on how to understand and love them as they serve…since their culture and upbringing is different than for most Pakeha (the Maori word for those primarily of European descent).
9. One of the area presidency said, “Missionaries serving during the COVID-19 pandemic are the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies of this century!”

I testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration of Christ’s New Testament church — and act in faith — will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.