2009-09-03 Letter from President McConkie

Dear Brother and Sister David Fitzgerald,

Sister McConkie and I were so pleased to welcome your son, Elder Adam Fitzgerald to the South Carolina Columbia Mission and want to thank you for all you have done to prepare him for the wonderful experience of missionary work. We promise you that as the spirit of missionary work settles upon him, his experience here will be a highlight of his life. Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ as a missionary is a

special privilege reserved for a select few. Elder Fitzgerald has been recommended as one worthy of such experience by his priesthood leaders and we are honored to have him serve in South Carolina.

As you can see from the included picture, Elder Fitzgerald arrived at the mission home on 8/31/2009. We have spent several wonderful hours together discussing missionary work in our mission with him and believe he has a great potential to be a most marvelous and dedicated servant of the Lord. Through prayerful consideration I have assigned your son to begin his missionary service with an outstanding missionary companion, Elder Matthew R. Smart.

The next few months will be a great transition time as Elder Fitzgerald adjusts to the rigors of missionary life and service. I urge you to join us as we pray for his success and happiness during this training period. I would also ask that you limit your correspondence to one letter or e-mail each week. This will help our missionary leave the cares and interests of home at home and fully devote his attention to the work of the Lord. I have also asked that he communicate with you faithfully each week sharing with you his successes and growth as well. Our mission policy is to allow each missionary to call home twice each year, once at Christmas and again on Mother's Day.

We consider it a great blessing to be called to work with your son and pledge to you our unqualified love, care, and support to him as we serve together in this great cause.

Sincerely,
Stephen L. McConkie, President
South Carolina Columbia Mission