Texas Houston Mission: True Disciples

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

When the research teams from the missionary department were here, they met with us and one of the greatest tributes to you they made was that the missionaries in this mission are "true disciples." They said in the way they observed you teach, interact with members and investigators, your language, your appearance, everything reflected true discipleship. We are grateful to be among you.

As we have been reflecting on this interaction last week, we were struck by the description of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies in Alma 24. If you recall, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies had buried their weapons (v19) as a symbol/testimony to God that they were entering into a covenant with the Lord that they would rather serve Him than use their weapons to take the lives of their brethren.

Their commitment to this covenant was quickly put to the test as the Lamanites came against them to war. The interesting part of this account is that although they knew they would suffer, they didn't waver in their commitment to God. Elders and Sisters, Mormon included this in the Book of Mormon for us. It is not always easy to remain committed to do what is right when everything in your mind tells you not to. This is the essence of true discipleship. We see it growing in you and many lives are being blessed as a consequence just as happened with the faith and commitment of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. We read of the great blessings that come as a consequence of this kind of discipleship:

26 And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were saved.

27 And there was not a wicked man slain among them; but there were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the truth; thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people.

These blessing of salvation will continue to be the result in our mission as well as we remain committed to our Missionary Purpose even when the temptation is to do otherwise.

We hope that each of you will be committed to daily and weekly planning so we are sure we are planning to succeed particularly in light of the new standard of excellence for Investigators with a Date.

We would like you each to be sure and plan to meet with each recent convert if you haven't already and remind them of Lehi's reaction as he partakes of the fruit and challenge them to do likewise. Find your Amuleks!

We promise you that the Lord will pour out His choicest blessings as we are united in "fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of th souls who knew not God." (Alma 6:6)

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen