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.
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| Found these great elders at Trunk R Treat! |