Obedience: The First Law of Heaven

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

We are filled with admiration for each of you as we witness you laboring so diligently to find the "lost sheep" of our Heavenly Father's fold. Your desires to qualify for the blessings of heaven and be directed to those sheep by the Good Shepherd Himself has strengthened our faith.

This work is hard enough in the best of circumstances, but often we make it more difficult when we forget what the Prophet Joseph Smith taught the early saints about the first law of heaven when he said:

20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 130)

Do we realize that every blessing we desire relates to the faith we exhibit when we choose to obey God's will rather than our own? Never is this more clear than as we serve as missionaries. The only way we are entitled to God's help is to live exactly according to His will. For us, that will is set forth in the Missionary Handbook. This is the model we see that the Savior chose all the days of His life even when He didn't want to. (D&C 19:16-19)

When I learned this lesson as a missionary in Puerto Rico and tried my best to submit my will completely to the Father's much like we read about the way the Savior did in the book of John, the work not only became easier, but much, much more fruitful.

In our day, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

“The windows of heaven are open wide to the faithful and righteous; nothing closes them faster than disobedience.

“… Diligent, enduring obedience to God’s laws is the key that opens the windows of heaven. Obedience enables us to be receptive to the mind and will of the Lord. ‘The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient’ are those who receive the blessings of revelation through the open windows of heaven” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 75–76; see also D&C 64:34).

Nephi prophesied of our day when he said that because Satan understands the importance of obedience that he will deceive many into believing that God will: "justify in committing a little sin" and that: "there is no harm in this." This line of thinking is in direct contrast to everything God teaches. Unfortunately sometimes we fall victim to thinking as missionaries all too often when we justify things like:

1. Getting up time on time 6 days out of 7.

2. Not keeping our area books updated daily.

3. Not planning diligently.

We invite each of your to take inventory of those areas where you may have fallen victim to small justifications to be less than exactly obedient. Talk with your companions. Set goals and help each other live worthy of the indescribable blessings promised to the faithful. We promise that when you are obedient even in the small things, you will be entrusted with great things!

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen

We held another Mission President's Fireside tonight for the surrounding Spanish Speaking areas. It was another uplifting experience for all who attended. We had a special musical number from a quartet of hermanas: Hma Reese, Hma Sumsion, Hma Bohn, Hma Medeiros accompanied by Hma Provost. We also heard a beautiful solo from Elder Mitchell, and a stirring duet from President Vasquez and a friend. Wow! Such great talent! Our missionary choir sounded amazing singing in Spanish. What a wonderful evening.

The following are pictures taken at the fireside.

Found these great elders at Trunk R Treat! 

Spiritual Power

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

We wish each of you could understand just how much of this work is completely dependent on us qualifying for the Spirit individually. Because this is so, we must be very careful about those things, as innocent as they may be, that can "quench the Spirit" or deprive us of that power as we teach the gospel. Without it, no one will be "quickened" or "enlightened" in a way that allows them to understand. The result of this often is that we teach many first lessons without any follow up. If this describes your experience, please consider those things in your life that are quenching the Spirit and eliminate them. You will find that exact obedience will bring spiritual power faster than any other thing you can do. 

There are couple of powerful messages in the scriptures where we read of early prophets warning members of the church of this same thing. In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, Paul admonishes the members in his day to act in a manner that is consistent with their calling. He lists appropriate attributes and behaviors and then in verse 19 Paul warns them with these four simple words: “Quench not the Spirit.”

Similarly in the Book of Mormon, Jacob asks his people: “Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye … deny the good word of Christ, … and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit?” (Jacob 6:8). 

As we are engaged in this great work, we too must be careful not to hinder or quench the Spirit in our lives. The adversary labors to dull our sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit because he is well aware of the difference the Spirit makes in the work. 

As I have been interviewing the last couple of weeks, I have been pleased with the efforts so many of you are making to qualify for the Spirit. We are proud of you. There are some of us who don't quite understand the importance of this yet. This will likely always be the case, but we each have the responsibility to help one another have a clear vision of our purpose. If we want to help others come unto Christ, we need to be moving that direction ourselves :). 

At the conclusion of King Benjamin's sermon he says: "And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them." (Mos 4:29) While it is true that we can't number all of them, We would like to identify one. We need to be using our iPads EXCLUSIVELY for that which they were intended (for RIGHTEOUS, APPROPRIATE and in MEASURED WAYS). When we do, they will enhance our study and preparation thereby increasing our power. When we don't, the opposite takes place. File sharing of pictures and messages that are not consistent with our purpose quenches the Spirit. If you are participating in this practice, we will likely give you a break from your iPad so you can regain your focus on your purpose. 

Our great desire is to help each of you qualify for the Spirit in such a way to allow you to not only return to the presence of God, but to lead many back with you.

It is a privilege to serve the Master as He hastens His work!

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen

And the Winner of the Special Zone Activity is the 

Cypress Zone!

Last P-day we had a great time playing volleyball, soccer and ultimate frisbee in the park together. Congratulations on your excellence.

 We attended a District Meeting in the Spring Zone last Friday. It was great to be together and counsel with one another about baptism and the importance of this vital covenant. We felt a great spirit together.

Elder Hansen on the piano :)

Elder Beck teaching with great power.

So fun to have Elder Barlow back for a couple of days.

A Challenge!

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

It was great to have so many reasons to see so many of you this week. At our most recent 8 week follow up training for the new missionaries, we had our largest group - 60. We have been so impressed with your preparation and ability to teach after the manner of the Master in such a short period of time. 

We are always grateful to see many of you at the temple ground tours tonight. We had approximately 300 people in attendance again. It is inspiring to see the numbers of people willing to drive long distances to go visit the grounds of the Lord's house and to learn of the ordinances that are performed therein. 

We would like to give you a challenge this week for you to read during personal study over the next week or two. Please read the Gospel of John with an eye to how many times the Savior says, "I came not to do mine own will, but to do the will of Him that sent me (or some variation on that idea). This exercise may be one of the most rewarding and uplifting study sessions you have. It will be most helpful if we remember that we each are types or symbols of the Savior with a duty (representative agency) to do as He did or as He would do. 

Please be diligent to invite people to come unto Christ. Find in faith. Teach with Power and lead others to the safety of the covenants just as the Savior himself would do if He were here. WE WANT EVERY AREA TO HAVE A DATE SET FOR NOVEMBER BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH! The miracles will follow.

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen

We held the 8-week Follow-up Training for the missionaries that arrived in August. It was such excellent meeting! These new missionaries are doing so well and are really great teachers. We are blessed to have such a dedicated group of missionaries. Here are some pictures from that day.

The assistants provide valuable training

Pres. Mortensen gives insights

Don't they look great? We love them!

President Mortensen and I attended a District Meeting in the Klein area last week. Elder Iosefa provided great instruction and leadership.

Elder Brittain left us last week. We will miss him!

Sister Broadus and Sister Winterton at their baptism yesterday. Looking SO happy

We held Temple Grounds Tours again yesterday. It was a beautiful evening with almost 300 people attending to feel the spirit of that sacred place. Many investigators were there and felt the spirit. We love to see the temple.

Our capable tour guides. They are awesome!!