To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,
As we sat in our meetings today, we couldn't help but feel grateful knowing we were united in our fast to express gratitude for the many blessings we have received from the Lord. We have witnessed mighty miracles in our time here and seen His Kingdom roll forward in this brief period we have been allowed to serve.
One of the tendencies we all battle is the tendency to be more focused on what we lack and less aware of how richly blessed we are. The Lord has cautioned us against this tendency when He as says:
"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things..." (D&C 59:21).
During the Savior's earthly ministry, Luke shares an experience the Savior has when He encounters 10 lepers. In that day, leprosy was one of the most awful conditions that was endured by society. People who contracted leprosy were viewed as "unclean" and therefore cast out of society and forced to live in colonies. We read in Luke 17:
11 ¶ And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Interestingly Elders and Sisters, for the people of Christ's day, leprosy was a real physical ailment, but for us it is a symbol of sin. Our "leprosy" is our own sins. Just as they pleaded for mercy, so must we. Our hope is that we will always be found as the one who realizes he was healed and turns back to glorify God. We hope that as we partake of the sacrament each week, we will reflect on the great blessings we enjoy beginning with the opportunity to repent through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. If we realize this, we will be happy and cheerfully "go our way" and share this with every "nation, kindred, tongue and people."
We love you and are GRATEFUL for each of you and the way you have blessed our lives and the lives of our brothers and sisters who reside in this great mission!
Love,
President and Sister Mortensen
 |
| Bear Creek Zone |
 |
| Add caption |
 |
| Conroe Zone |
 |
| Cypress Zone |
 |
| Houston North Zone |
 |
| Houston West North Zone |
 |
| Houston West South Zone |
 |
| Katy Zone |
 |
| Klein Zone |
 |
| Spring Zone |
 |
| Tomball Zone |
 |
| The Woodlands Zone |
 |
| Mission Leadership Council |
 |
| Elder Child in action |
 |
| Wonderful role play |
