To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,
Early in this dispensation, the Lord said to the prophet Joseph Smith, "I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine." (D&C 38:27) We see this idea of the Lord's desire for His people to be "one" throughout the scriptures from the great intercessory prayer (Jn 17) to a description of Zion in describing the city of Enoch that they were of "one heart and one mind and dwelt in righteousness because there was no poor among them." (Moses 7:18). This idea of Oneness matters because it is clear that the combined faith a group is not only pleasing to the Lord, but it is what He requires. Great miracles will always follow.
Many studies have been done on companies that have had extraordinary success. One common theme among these companies is that a vision is shared by their employees and that they those employees work unitedly to achieve it. This is a true principle no matter what kind of organization it is whether it be a family, or a ward or a mission. If unity or oneness is a divine principle, then it stands to reason that the Adversary would like to cause dissension or discord. The effects of the Adversary's efforts lead to despair and destruction.
The dangerous part of dissension and discord is that we don't often notice how the Adversary is easing us off of the path. Sometimes this is manifest in disobedience and other times it is begins with just a failure to act. This is why the Lord, through His inspired servants, has asked missionary companions to stay together and to never be apart. These principles have been reviewed as we rolled out mobile devices. As we have been among you, we have noted a growing casualness about staying with your companion. More often than not it is innocent, but it is also a lack of focus and attention. If we know the Lord has asked us to "Be one" to keep us safe, we should make it a high priority to do so. Please stay together physically and spiritually. There is rarely an occasion that companions shouldn't be sitting right next to each other at church. There is never an occasion when companions aren't standing next to each other. There should similarly never be an occasion where a missionary condones disobedience in his/her companion if this principle is understood.
Be one as companionships, as districts and as zones. Set goals together and work unitedly to achieve them and the Lord will bless you openly.
Love,
President and Sister Mortensen
We held Temple Grounds Tours again last night. It was our second month in a row of having more than 300 people in attendance! We all enjoyed the spirit of the temple and many people felt a desire to know more about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as a result. Here are some pictures from the evening.
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| Smiling Ushers |
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| Tour guide mic check |
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| Tour Guides |
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| Passing out fans |
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| Elder Barlow leads a tour |
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| Elder Sua leads a tour |
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| A great group from College Station |
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| Elder Wildman talks about eternal families on his tour |
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| Elder Petersen leading a tour |
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| It's so exciting to see so many on the grounds of the temple wanting to know more about it's purpose. It's wonderful to have an army of missionaries ready to teach and explain the gospel! |
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| Elder Allen leads a tour |
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| Elder Sua explains the significance of the Angel Moroni |
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| Elder Petersen in action |
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| A wonderful evening |
