To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,
With it being Fast Sunday today our thoughts have turned to reflect on the Lord's view of fasting. We are grateful for the opportunity we have to fast. In D&C 59, He uses the term "fasting" interchangeably with "joy" and "rejoicing" (v. 13-14). Given the way most of us were raised and our resulting attitude about fasting, the Lord's view of fasting seems strange. Once we understand the power of fasting, we begin to understand the joy that results from it.
In Matthew 17, there is an interesting account of the Savior being approached by a man who asks Him to "have mercy" on his son because he was possessed of an evil spirit. He goes on to say, "I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him" (v. 16). Jesus, frustrated by the lack of faith of his disciples, immediately casts out the evil spirit. The disciples seeing him do what they couldn't do, asked "Why could not we cast him out." The Savior's answer is instructive. He first says, "because of your unbelief" and then goes on to tell them that "this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting" (v. 21).
As we have the righteous desires of our hearts granted after we exercise our faith through fasting, we experience great joy and have cause to rejoice. In our missions, we inevitably are confronted by circumstances that are more difficult than what we have previously experienced. These may include things like us having difficulty finding new investigators or progressing those we have found or getting along with a companion, etc. Often, these circumstances are given to us for the very reason the early disciples encountered difficulty in their ministry. They had to realize that they couldn't deal with their problems or challenges unless they sacrificed a little more so that they could exercise greater faith so the power of heaven was at their disposal.
In the Book of Mormon, in one of the few places that talks about how the church was run, we read, "Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God" (Alma 6:6).
What a blessing that the Lord doesn't just give us difficult circumstances, but also gives us the tools to deal with them and ultimately we not only overcome our challenges, but do so with stronger faith. We testify that it works!
We love each of you and are grateful for the acts of faith we are seeing in you as we strive to bring to pass His purposes!
Love,
President and Sister Mortensen
 |
| This picture was taking just before Elder Davis and Elder Nixon went to the airport to begin their service in Argentina. |
 |
| We wish we could have kept them! |
 |
| Departing missionaries gather at the mission home. |
 |
| Temple trip with departing missionaries |
 |
| Signing the flag |
 |
| Elder Louder is the first to depart |
 |
| I will miss these three together! |
 |
| We will sure miss these faithful missionaries |
 |
| Final Good-byes |
 |
| Our wonderful Assistants, Elder Croft and Elder Visser |
 |
| Here come the new missionaries! |
 |
| It's so good to finally meet them! |
 |
| All of the new missionaries (minus Hermana Beus) |
 |
| We finally pick up our last missionary Hermana Beus! She came from the Mexico MTC. |
 |
| Field trip to the Houston Temple to help us remember that the temple is the goal for all those we teach. |
 |
| Awesome Assistants |
The next several pictures are the new missionaries with their trainers. They are all in such great hands
On Friday, President Mortensen and I attended a District Meeting in the Woodlands. It was such an edifying meeting! We were impressed by the insights of Elder McCoard and those in the district.
 |
| Elder McCoard teaching |
