YOU Can Make It Better

Dear Sisters and Elders –

Successful people do not blame their problems on circumstances, but instead change their circumstances for the better. 

Have you ever heard someone say the following? "This is a difficult area; no one is interested." "My companion is too hard to get along with or doesn't want to work; I'm just going to wait it out until transfers."  “The members in this area just aren't supportive." Or, “It’s just too hard to get up in the morning, why try.” When we believe these types of statements, we become victims to our circumstances. 

God made us superior to our circumstances. He commanded us "to act…and not to be acted upon" (2 Ne. 2:26). What does it mean “to act”? It means that when we confront difficult circumstances, we do something to make our circumstances better. We also pray to God and rely upon Him to strengthen us.

The scriptures are filled with examples of those who were not willing to be victims, but instead chose to "act" and overcome difficult circumstances. Nephi, Ammon, Alma, Abraham, Elijah, Peter, Paul, and Joseph Smith all confronted very difficult circumstances.  Instead of falling victim to their circumstances, they decided to rely on God and "act" in faith in order to bring about God's purposes. Of course, Christ is our best example. Through the Atonement, He acted in order to change the circumstances of the Fall of man.

This week I invite you to evaluate your current situation. Are you facing any difficult circumstances? Are you allowing yourself to be a victim to those circumstances? If so, determine what YOU can do to improve the situation. Share your plans with the Lord, plead with Him for strength, and then move forward in faith. He will provide you with the capacity to improve your circumstances.

With God's help, we can change any circumstance for the better! We can make a difficult area productive. We can make a challenging companionship effective. We can build enthusiasm in a ward where it did not previously exist. We can live the morning schedule.  

God expects us to "be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness" (D&C 58:27).

With much love and respect,

President Pingree

Elder and Sister Gaughan

A fantastic senior couple, the Gaughans, arrived this week. They have been called to serve in the LDS Employment Resource Center for the Houston area. Both are converts to the Church and raised their family in California. We welcome them to Texas! Aside from the usual activities, missionaries each had the opportunity to attend the temple with their districts. Please find a few pictures taken during the week (and always feel free to send us others).  

Elder and Sister Gaughan

Fairfield Sisters with member and recent convert

Sister Lane, an amazing cook

President Pingree with Elder Lane

Conroe District

Disruptive Distractions

Dear Sisters and Elders –

As missionaries, we have committed ourselves to Christ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the Missionary Handbook it explains: “You will be…expected to devote all your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs” (4).

The adversary works hard to distract us from doing the Lord's work. A distraction is anything that prevents us from giving our full attention to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though not an exhaustive list, several of Satan’s preferred distractions include:

• Worldly forms of entertainment (MH, 24-27)
• Unauthorized use of cell phones or Internet (MH, 20, 37)
• Casual attitude towards the daily schedule (MH, 13-15)
• Forgetting the purpose of member visits and staying too long (MH, 35-36)
• Casual relationships with members of the opposite sex (MH, 33-34)
• Preparation day activities that dull the Spirit (MH, 19-22)

As a companionship, please review the list of distractions (and references) above. Discuss other tactics the adversary uses to distract us. What distractions keep you from being a more focused missionary for Jesus Christ? Please set goals and take any necessary steps for improvement.

I promise that as you avoid Satan’s distractions, you will find greater joy and satisfaction in the Lord’s work. You will feel the Spirit more strongly. You will become a more powerful advocate for Him. You will be able to help more people.

Thank you for your sincere efforts to “attend upon the Lord without distraction” (1 Cor. 7:35).

With much love and respect,

President Pingree

In Memory

Recently, Milt Brinton passed away after a brief battle with cancer.  Since moving to Houston, he has been a huge help and resource to the missionaries serving here. We are grateful for his time, selfless service and medical expertise. Thank you, Dr. Brinton!  (see obituary below)

Milton H. Brinton, longtime Wenatchee, WA resident, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2014 in Houston, Texas. Milton was preceded in death by his son, Hyrum; and is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara; and daughters Alyson (Kim), Christine (Andrew), Mary Ann (Alan), Julie (Doug), Amy (Chris) and Suzanne (Mike). Milt had twenty grandchildren.

Milton was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Milton Howe and Leah Ritchie Brinton. He was the oldest of six children. Milton was raised in the Bay Area of California and attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil. After his mission, Milton met and married Barbara Haslam in the Oakland LDS temple on August 12, 1972.

Milt loved the challenge and complexities of being a surgeon. He took a personal interest in his patients and often made house calls. Milt loved adventure and was an enthusiastic outdoorsman. He loved skiing on any surface, even slalom skiing in the canal behind his cousin’s truck as a boy. After long hours at the hospital, he often spent his evenings white-water rafting on the Wenatchee River or water skiing on the Columbia with his family.

Milton had a tender devotion to Barbara that served as a foundation upon which they built a strong family. Despite a busy schedule, he always made it home for family dinner and included his children in all his adventures. He organized and hosted ambitious annual family reunions for his extended families.

Milton was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He spent untold hours serving as a scout leader, teacher, youth leader and administrator. Milt’s favorite assignment was serving as a missionary with Barbara in Brazil for five years. His greatest joy was found with his family and serving in the church. His faith helped him face his passing with courage and peace.

Holy Places

Dear Sisters and Elders –

Our missionary apartments should be spiritual safe havens from the world.  

The Bible Dictionary explains: “[The temple] is the most holy of any place of worship on the earth. Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness” (781). Are our apartments sacred places? Do our living quarters maintain a spirit and holiness similar to the temples of the Lord?

By maintaining a sacred, worshipful environment in our apartments, we receive many blessings, including: the presence of the Holy Spirit, more revelation for investigators and ourselves, increased unity with our companions, and protection from the world.

Please find below six suggestions for maintaining a holy environment in our apartments:

1. Dedicate the apartment at the beginning of each transfer with a new companion (see MH, 80-81).
2. Display pictures, objects, and quotes that invite the Spirit of the Lord.  Remove anything that distracts from the Spirit or represents the world. (See MH, 4.)
3. Listen to music that will “invite the Spirit, help you focus on the work, and direct your thoughts and feelings to the Savior. Do not listen to music that pulls your thoughts away from the work…” (MH, 25).
4. “Love and respect your companions… Pray together frequently… Contention will drive the Spirit away” (MH, 30).  
5. “Clean your living quarters each preparation day and daily as needed” (MH, 46). Make your bed each day, rinse dishes after every meal, put leftover food in the refrigerator or cupboard, take the trash out when needed, and pick up items on the floor.
6. Treat the sacred garment with dignity and respect. “The garment should never be left on the floor” (MH, 23).

In companion study this week, please evaluate the environment in your apartment. Does it invite the Spirit of the Lord? Review the six suggestions above. Discuss additional ways to maintain a holy atmosphere in your apartment. Identify things you are doing well. Take necessary steps for improvement. Develop the divine habit of keeping a spiritual, orderly environment in your living quarters.  

As you maintain a sacred, worshipful environment in your apartment, I promise that you will enjoy the presence of the Spirit more strongly and feel a greater sense of your missionary purpose. Moreover, you will develop an important ability that will help you in the future as husbands and wives, and fathers and mothers.

With love and respect,

President Pingree

The Edwards

A new senior couple arrived this week! Sister Edwards will serve as financial secretary in the mission office and Elder Edwards will be over missionary apartments. We are so happy to have them here and thank them for their willingness to serve. We are sad the Eastleys will be leaving us soon, but feel grateful for the association we've had with them. Also included are a few other pictures taken during the week.

Elder and Sister Edwards

Chet Carter and mother visit

Cypress Zone Meeting

Klein Zone Meeting (next several pictures)

MLC (next several pictures)

The Spirit of Elijah and Missionary Work

Dear Sisters and Elders –

As we discussed in zone conferences this week, we are encouraged to use family history work in our proselyting efforts. In Preach My Gospel, we read: “Family history is a powerful resource to use in finding those whom the Lord is preparing to receive the restored gospel. … In addition, convert retention is enhanced as new members are able to search their family roots and perform sacred ordinances in behalf of their ancestors” (165).

Why is family history such a powerful resource for finding and helping others come unto Christ? “People typically have spiritual feelings as they talk about families. People also feel the Spirit as they are taught about the doctrine concerning why we do family history work” (PMG, 165).  Many are now being prepared for the gospel by the Spirit of Elijah which is “a manifestation of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine nature of the family” (Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, Apr. 1998).

Moreover, there are many that have died and are in the spirit world that have accepted the doctrine of Christ, but are waiting for the completion of vicarious ordinances by their descendants still living. These too are praying for and preparing descendants to receive the message of the restored gospel. As explained by a former apostle, Melvin R. Ballard (1873-1939): 

“It was made known to me that it is because the righteous dead who have received the Gospel in the spirit world are exercising themselves, and in answers to their prayers elders [and sisters] of the Church are sent to the homes of their posterity so that the Gospel might be taught to them, and that descendant in the flesh is then privileged to do the work for his [or her] dead kindred. I want to say to you that it is with greater intensity that the hearts of the fathers and mothers in the spirit world are turned to their children now in the flesh than our hearts are turned to them” (Melvin J. Ballard, Crusader for Righteousness, Bookcraft, 1977, p. 219).

I invite each companionship to review the doctrines contained in the following scriptures: Malachi 4:5-6; JSH 1: 36-39; D&C 110:13-16; D&C 128:15-18; and D&C 138:32-34, 46-48. Review Preach My Gospel pages 163-165. Pray to be aware of opportunities to use family history in your finding, teaching, retention, and activation efforts. As you do, the Lord will lead you to more of those that are prepared to receive the gospel message and will remain converted.

In addition, I invite each of us to become familiar with the Church’s online FamilySearch program in order to use it more effectively in proselyting efforts. (Go to https://familysearch.org/ and sign in using your Church username and password.) Going forward, you may replace the 1 hour per week using Mormon.org with 1 hour per week doing FamilySearch instead. Search out your own ancestors online at a local public library or at a family history center if you have one in your area. Find the names of those ancestors that need ordinance work completed and then do their work in the temple during your assigned time each transfer.

I know that the Lord is hastening His work (D&C 88:73) at this time and that family history and temple work are an important part of that effort.

With love and admiration,

President Pingree