Hope Amidst Perilous Times

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

In 2 Timothy chapter 3, Paul describes the last days in this way:

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

This weekend saw the largest massacre in US history in Orlando, Florida. An armed gunman, allegedly from ISIS, entered a nightclub and killed 50 people. It was a senseless and tragic killing. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. The gunman was also killed. Although these kinds of events shouldn't be a surprise to readers of the Book of Mormon, they have many looking for hope and peace. 

I met one such man this weekend when out teaching with Elders Hanks and Stringham. When asked why he felt prompted to let the missionaries in, the investigator mentioned that he has experienced an increasing sense of hopelessness when he watches the news, politics and current events. He felt like he ought to turn his thoughts to God. 

We testify just as the prophet Joseph Smith did from Liberty jail when he said: 

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.

Elders and Sisters, we not only know where to find it, but we possess it. Recognizing this, we must follow Joseph's counsel when he then admonishes us:

13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven--

14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.

17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

Let us do all we can do to help those "searching for the truth" so they CAN find it or find us. We love you and testify that His arm will be revealed as strive to qualify for His power.

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen

Lunch with departing missionaries

Temple Trip with Departing Missionaries

If you look closely our sisters are sharing the gospel with visitors on the temple grounds.

Departing Testimony Meeting

We will sure miss you

The Wagners came to pick up Elder Wagner

We are sure going to miss these faces

Departures from the airport

Here come our new missionaries straight from the MTC

They made it! They are ready to work and happy to be here

They already love Blue Bell ice cream :)

Begin with the End in Mind

We love our Assistants

Waiting to be paired with their trainers

The following are the new missionaries with their companions. They are all in great hands!

New missionaries in the Texas Houston Mission

On Friday we attended District Meeting in the Melbourne District. We loved being with such diligent missionaries!

Elder Okleberry led a wonderful meeting

Role play

Great teachers

Melbourne District

Summer is Upon Us!

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

The great news of school being out is that many more people are at home during the day. This dramatically improves the number of things to do during the day. Take advantage of these summer months to be out in the neighborhoods finding and sharing our message that the world so desperately needs.

Hopefully you had inspiring zone meetings and learned how to teach and invite to church and invite people to be baptized in ways that help them understand the blessings that come to them now (not just in eternity) as they enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost more abundantly in their lives. We realized that there was a mistake on the invitation to church outline. Please consider beginning that message with a description of the events of surrounding Luke 22 (i.e. toward the end of the Savior's life, He gather the apostles knowing that it would be one of the last times to be with them), then ask the question to liken the scripture to whomever you are teaching. You will notice that it will flow smoother this way. We will give you an updated outline the next time we meet.

When you teach about the "Why" of these ordinances, don't assume that they know how or why having the power of God in their lives will be a blessing to them. Teach them. Once they understand, they will have greater and deeper motivations to act and to change.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “Being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances.” In other words, ordinances are the means by which we can access the Spirit or power of God in our lives. We need this power. Those we teach need this power. We would invite you to read or reread Elder Bednar's last conference address entitled, "Always Retaining a Remission of Your Sins." In it, he addresses the critical nature of Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the Sacrament. As we understand these ordinances better, our ability to teach them with power will increase.

We are grateful for the focused efforts you are making to help those you teach SEE the kingdom by doing all we can to get to church. Your efforts are bearing much fruit resulting in 200 investigators at church this Sunday. That is a 50% increase over where we were a month ago! We love you and are grateful for your faith and diligent service!

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen

Elder Croft teaches us about the church matrix he created. 

Mission Leadership Council

On Friday we attended Zone Meeting in the Katy Zone and enjoyed the instruction and counseling in that zone. 

Katy Zone

Elder Yanzon provides valuable training

Sister Watson trained on working with members. We were inspired with so many ideas!

It's always a treat to hear from our mission president.

Elder Jones trained on how to achieve our goals

Role Plays

 We had the great privilege of having a Special Tri-Houston Mission Leadership Council on Saturday with President Lynn G. Robbins of the Presidency of the Seventy. It was a powerful meeting and one that will bless us well beyond our missions. Here are a few pictures taken at that meeting.