To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,
One of great messages the Savior teaches about His sheep is that they "hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Our primary objective in the very first lesson is to help an investigator learn to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd by helping them understand what to "listen" for. If we make sure we teach clearly how to hear an answer to their prayers, we will increase the number of "sheep" that follow Him.
Our objective in modifying the way we teach the "How to End Teaching" outline in zone meeting was to focus both on being sure we are taking the time to make sure our investigators know what they should be listening for as well as giving them a reason for us to return after every lesson. Please make sure you are confident in role playing these skills.
In our mission we talk a lot about shepherding. We often cite Ammon's experience in Alma 17 as the example for us to work with members to "encircle" our investigators to lead them to the water. Interestingly, we see that the Savior, consistent with his role as the Good Shepherd also encircles us. In D&C 84, we read:
87 Behold, I send you out to reprove the world of all their unrighteous deeds, and to teach them of a judgment which is to come.
88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
He has angels encircling us and is trying to help safely lead us to the water...the Living Water which is back to Him. In order for that to happen though, we need to be sure we, like our investigators, know what we are listening for. The best way for that to happen is to be sure we are observing the morning schedule by having meaningful personal and companionship studies. It seems that the greatest casualty of the new schedule is companionship study. Elders and Sisters, we must plan to have companionship study, counsel together about what we studied in preparation for companionship study and HEAR his voice as we will qualify for the revelation and direction we so desperately need.
Our invitation to each of you is to make sure you can be called His sheep because you are doing what is necessary to hear His voice and follow Him as He will lead us to those who He has prepared.
Love,
President and Sister Mortensen
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| Bear Creek Zone |
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| College Station West Zone |
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| College Station East Zone |
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| Cypress Zone |
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| Houston North English Zone |
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| Houston North Spanish |
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| Houston West North Spanish Zone |
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| Houston West South Zone |
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| Katy Zone |
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| Klein Zone |
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| The Spring Zone |
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| The Woodlands Zone |
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| Mission Leadership Council |
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| Role Plays |
We held the 8 Week Follow-up Training for the missionaries who arrived last January. It was so good to see them all together again and hear them teach. We love to see such growth in all of them!
We attended Zone Meeting in the Houston West English Zone last Friday. We were uplifted by the training and inspired by the wonderful discussion among this group of missionaries. What a blessing to serve among them!
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| Sister Fisi'ihoi in action |
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| Sister Halliday trains on shepherding |
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| Elder Berry get's us all in for virtue |
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| Elder Jones trains on Unity |
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| Role Plays |
