Dear (names of parents),
Thank you for your continuing efforts to help your son (name) in a very difficult situation. We appreciate very much his willingness to be totally forthright with you and to fully repent. As you know, repentance is a process that takes time, especially when deceit and sin have spanned years.
We especially appreciate you taking the time to help him on this difficult, but worthwhile, journey to full and complete forgiveness so he can go forward in life with a clear conscience and the guidance of the Spirit.
In our most recent phone conversation, you suggested that he is stagnant (or “lost”) here in Oregon and the best thing that could happen is for him to go off to school, specifically BYU where he would be in such an uplifting and spiritual environment. I agreed with you…once local priesthood leaders can issue him an ecclesiastical endorsement.
I’ve since learned that he is hoping to enroll at one of the BYU schools as early as winter term (early January). While that would be wonderful, I need to explain that it is not realistic. As you’re well aware, only students with an ecclesiastical endorsement can be considered. Both President Westover and myself do not feel comfortable in giving him such an endorsement so quickly.
We hope that he will take seriously the charge he has received to become more engaged and diligent in daily scripture study, daily prayers, journal writing, Addiction Recovery study, Institute class attendance, etc. Use of his idle time and personal worthiness become very important in determining where he is going in his daily “walk with the Lord.” Until he demonstrates that he’s serious about walking that path, we cannot remove his informal probation thus precluding him from applying to a Church school.
We look forward to him working very closely with both of you, demonstrating faithfulness and accountability, and meeting regularly with President Westover and myself so we can consider him for an ecclesiastical endorsement around the end of January with the intent he would apply for spring semester before Feb 1. It will depend totally on him and his efforts as to whether his informal probation can be lifted at that time.
We wholly concur with you that there is wisdom in getting him into higher education as soon as possible so he’s on a productive path. You may want to consider MHCC or even Utah Valley University in Orem. We, of course, would prefer to have him nearby where we can all continue to work with him, but we certainly respect your decision.
I hope this is helpful in clarifying where his priesthood leaders stand. If I suggested anything otherwise in our phone conversation, please forgive me.
We love you and your family and are honored to work with you in helping your son return to full fellowship in the Church and living the gospel.
President Lewis
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