To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,
We hope you all enjoyed a happy Easter! As we put the training plan together for this month, we couldn't help but be grateful for the great teachers you have become. Your willingness to take an interest in those you teach is a Christ-like attribute. Your growing ability to listen carefully and with love allows you to adapt your teaching to the needs of those you teach. We marvel at the increasing power of your teaching and find ourselves feeling happy for your children to have you as their primary gospel teachers :).
As we think in terms of the need to teach people according to their needs, we couldn't help but consider how valuable it would be to better understand the things that appeal to those we teach. Several years ago, there was a study done by the church where they did an extensive survey of new converts to determine what it was about the Church that initially interested them. These were the results, in order of frequency mentioned:
1. The feeling of closeness to God that they wanted to experience because they could see this closeness in the lives of Mormons they knew.
2. Happiness and a sense of peace which they wanted and which they saw in the lives of Mormons they knew.
3. They wanted a better sense of purposefulness and direction in their lives. They tended to see this in Mormons they knew.
Their interest in the gospel stemmed primarily due to the fact that they saw these attributes in the MEMBERS they knew. Interestingly, only 9% of converts said that the doctrine was the main thing that attracted them to the Church. So it's not typically the doctrine that initially attracts them, it is seeing what they desire in the lives of MEMBERS. Elders and Sisters, the very presence of members in our lessons enhances the chances to teach people according to their needs. That is not to say that the doctrine isn't important, because once they are comfortable with what they "see," it is the doctrine that keeps them in the path. The doctrine is critical, but it's typically not what they are looking for at least at first. If that's the case, think about how this knowledge should change our initial interaction with people.
We need to approach people with things that matter to them. At the bottom of p. 159 in PMG we read, "Addressing the importance of the family with those you meet each day will help you find people to teach. Most people have a natural interest in families." On page 160, there is a great example of how we can quickly relate a discussion on families to the Restoration of the gospel. Allow members to share how the gospel has blessed their family. Review with the members the three things above that are the things most people are looking for.
As we learn to teach people according to their needs and allow them to "see" the way it blesses the lives of our members, we will fulfill the prophetic mandate of having "members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto him." (Pres Monson - Oct 2013 Gen Conference)
We hope we will never lose track of the need to perform this work with the faithful members who reside in the Great Texas Houston Mission!
Love,
President and Sister Mortensen
We held the 8 Week Follow-up training for the missionaries who arrived last February. They all looked great and are becoming wonderful teachers. We are so blessed to have them all in the THM!
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| 8 Week Follow-up Training |
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| More 8-weekers |
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| Great lunch company |
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| Elder Gilbert in action. |
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| Role Plays |
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| The Conroe District |
