"A WEEKLY LETTER TO YOUR MISSIONARY," by Jeffrey Erickson, Cedar Fort, $15.99, 220 pages (nf)
Author, former bishop and father of five, Jeffrey Erickson obviously has good intentions in his book titled "A Weekly Letter to Your Missionary," which is full of advice for missionaries.
He includes admonishments and stories about using time wisely, waiting patiently on the Lord, following missionary rules and avoiding distractions. Erickson suggests preparing well ahead so a missionary can make a good start, stay focused and finish well.
Erickson groups his missives in sections with several messages in each so they can be used as fodder for individual missionary letters by parents and family on topics such as prayer, service and others.
It's all fine counsel, even if it comes across as somewhat simplistic and obvious (which is not to say it's not worth repeating).
Many examples and anecdotes come from his own interaction with his children. Most others come from often-told scripture stories involving Alma, Abinadi, Mormon and Moroni from the Book of Mormon. Several are from talks by the LDS Church general authorities.
"A Weekly Letter to Your Missionary" is more of a series of mini-lectures than letters and can be useful as springboards for parents trying to write effective letters.
It can serve as a reference for times one is trying to recall a particular story or example of faith, endurance and optimism.
This book points out that missions accomplish more than bringing up membership numbers; the missionaries grow spiritually and physically.
Throughout, Erickson is gentle and friendly, even closing each chapter with, "Your friend, Brother Jeff Erickson."