Oh, Deer: A Story Of Crab Cakes And Campsites

Nanu Nanu! 

I spoke to a deer friend this week. I'm not sure what happened to him, doe.

Yesterday, Elder MacQueen and I were knocking in a very rural area called Grapeview: Land of Eternal Driveways. 'Tis a very unpopulated area, and I have never seen any grapes there, but there are some beautiful views. Thus, I have decided that the title "Grapeview" is only 50% justified. Maybe someone with a weird accent came there when it was first discovered and, looking over the scenic view of the hood canal, promptly said, "Wow! Dis place has a grape view!"

Anyway, Elder MacQueen and I were strutting about in this semi-uninhabited woodland when we discovered that we were standing in the middle of a cluster of deer. I'm not sure if the correct word is "cluster", but it sounded better than "a raiding-party of deer", so I went with it. Anyway, there were three deer, each on a different side of us. I think the scene evoked my baser nature, as I promptly plucked a clump of leaves off of a nearby tree and said, in rudimentary English something like: "Come here, you deery deery poofu baby. Come on. You know you want it. See the figgy wiggly leavesy weavesies?" and so on and so forth. You know, I'm not sure why we try and talk in lesser English every time we talk to an animal. They don't understand us either way. Would it have really made much of a difference if I had instead spoken in crisp, clipped British accent and said: "Ah, yes, you noble beast. Come hither, and partake of the greenery I have so ardently plucked for thee from the tender branches of a nearby sapling. Never fear, I shall not harm thee, wandering one."

 That would have been much more respectable way to have spoken to creation of God. Of course, we do the same things to each other as humans. We speak condescendingly, or we refuse to communicate altogether, or we yell and we cuss or whatever, exposing the crude ways of the natural man. We ignore the fact that we are all children of God, despite the fact that it is our most defining quality. Fortunately, no matter what nationality or background we come from, we all have a common language: The language of the Spirit. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost. He is a medium of communication between us and our Heavenly Father, yes, but he also helps us communicate with and understand others, and even ourselves. From the subtle promptings of the Holy Ghost, we receive light and understanding. I love the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Now ask yourself this: "How often do I seek the Holy Ghost in my life?" 

Do you keep all your thoughts oriented toward Heavenly Father, or do you just do that when you pray. That is what we should be striving for. Not one of us is perfect, but we should keep that in mind at all times. I can promise you that the more you seek a connection with God in your life, the more you will feel is presence drawing nearer.

Now, I almost forgot. We had someone feed us crab cakes this week, and they were simply magnificent. Absolutely blasted delicious they were. We also met as a mission at a place called Zion's camp and did some activities there. For those of you who know about AP camp, the activities we did at Zion's camp were strikingly similar to the ones we did at AP camp. Ooh... mysterious... It was a lot of fun! I love my mission. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else in the whole world at this time. Have a great week, everyone. I love you all. 

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Elder Benge