THM Storm Recovery Update Thurs. 9/7 11:00 pm

Missionaries in the THM are getting back to proselyting and teaching when they are not doing service.  We are working to balance our efforts so that we can make the most of the time and resources we have.  Many missionaries I have talked to are loving the service but they also value the structure of being a missionary.  This includes daily personal study, companionship study and planning.  We will be introducing some more protocols and modified schedule next week to create this balance.  

This weekend coming up will be another where we provide clean up for thousands of affected homes.  We expect to have 10,000 volunteers coming from other stakes in Texas.  There have been many logistical plans made to accommodate them and when combined with the local members and missionaries, a lot of great service will be rendered.  The THM missionaries will stay in the mission boundaries, even if their local wards are traveling to areas further out.  There is plenty to do in our stakes.  

We are hearing many experiences of the work crews and missionaries giving hope and inspiration to those we are helping.  We are starting to compile some of those experiences.  I'd like to share a couple of them tonight from our wonderful missionaries.  

"After talking to a man that we did service for we asked if we could say a prayer because he was going through a lot and he replied by saying that he wasn't in good standings with religion but that he didn't mind. After concluding the prayer the man looked at us nearly in tears and thanked us. Then he asked if we would be able to meet with him after we finished the service because he has always wondered if God is truly there. We know that the Lord will help us find His prepared children through everything that has happened."

"After spending a few days helping a couple with their house, we had a chance to talk to them about the gospel. They are Buddhist, but the wife told us she that the Mormon Helping Hands was an answer to her prayers, so she knew God was real. They came to church the next day and told us it felt like family and they were going to come here forever. We know without this disaster we never would've met them. Heavenly Father truly prepares His children through all things, including disasters."

Tomorrow we will have our district meetings all over the mission and counsel together on how to answer the questions of the soul for Houstonians as we meet them in service, on the streets, and at their homes. People have questions about life's purpose and where we go from here. Many will be prepared to listen to the answers from the missionaries. They have the Solution. 

- President Peterson