A Day Never to be Forgotten..

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

This past Friday we experienced the fruits of the vision we hoped for when we introduced our "Faith Meets Families" initiative. That evening we gathered with many of you, more than 60 recent converts who brought their own family names and countless angels who rejoiced that their work was finally commencing! The rejoicing of the angels is justified as we consider that they were undoubtedly influential in you finding their posterity!

What a blessing it was to see the baptistry full on a Friday evening with recent converts on both sides of the font lining up, their faces full of anticipation and their eyes just beginning to see the vastness of this work. Many committed to return soon with their own names. Elders and Sisters, this is what Ammon must have meant when he exclaimed to his brethren after beholding the fruits of their labors:

5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.

6 Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them.

While this is a wonderful beginning, it is only just that. There is much more work to do. We hope you will be diligent in focusing on those recent converts who have not yet had this opportunity to help them have similar experiences. In coming weeks, we will show all of the pictures of those who have been to the temple (no names included) at THMtendermercies.blog.com. If your recent converts have any inspiring experiences they would like to share they can email them to Sister Nelson (2011239-FIN@ldschurch.org) and she can post them at this blog as a record of those tender mercies. We will protect their privacy.

A couple of reminders:

     1. These fourth Fridays are reserved by the temple for RECENT CONVERTS who are bringing THEIR OWN names for the FIRST time.

     2. No convert should come unattended. This should be a time where members of the ward can If they can't make it one month, they can come the following month.

     3. Any less actives, recent converts who wish to go again can go during normal temple/baptistry operating hours

We love you and feel so richly blessed for the great privilege it is to serve in this mission with you!

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen

We had the blessing of attending a Worldwide Missionary Training via Satellite from Salt Lake City last Wednesday. We were instructed by members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities of the Church. We learned more about our purpose to Preach Repentance and Baptize Converts. We were inspired and edified!

Singing the rest hymn

Some final words from President Mortensen

President Mortensen and I also attended the District Meeting of the Melbourne District on Friday.

Elder Borman provided great training and leadership

We always improve with role playing!

The most wonderful event happened on Friday Night! We had our first "Faith Meets Families" at the temple. We invited the most recent converts in our mission to find families names and bring them to the temple. They in turn we able to perform saving ordinances for their family members in the House of the Lord. It was one of the highlights of our mission experience thus far. It touched us so deeply to witness the spirit touch the hearts of these new members as hearts were turned to their Fathers (Malachi 4:6). Here are a few pictures the Nelsons took that evening. They will post all the pictures on our THMtendermercies.blog.com.

We also held another Mission President's "Why I Believe" fireside last night. It was a wonderful event with amazing music and testimonies. We enjoyed hearing a beautiful rendition of "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" from Sister Packard and Hermana Bohn with Sister Ita'aehau on the piano and Hermana Beaty on the flute. We were pleased to hear a musical quartet with Elder Griffith, Elder Backstein, Sister Pinster and Sister Bates singing "Israel, Israel, God is Calling". We also enjoyed a medley of hymns performed by Elder Taumoe'anga and Elder Berry with Elder Mikesell on the guitar. Wow! The missionary choir brought many to tears as they sang the EFY medley of "Sisters in Zion and Armies of Helamen". Goose bumps all the way! We had many investigators and youth present and it was a spirit filled night.

Here are some pictures taken before the fireside