Unity of Faith and Zone Meeting Follow-Up

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

It is exciting to see the fruits of increased unity within the mission. As we are all striving to find more consistently in order to have two baptisms by the end of the year, we are seeing a significant surge in baptismal dates. It is remarkable to see that as we share a purpose/vision and an understanding of what is required to achieve it, miracles happen. This will always be the case no matter the organization of which you are a part. Unity is essential in marriages, families, wards/branches, workplaces, sports, etc if we are going to accomplish our objectives.

We reiterate our challenge to you to be sure you are getting at least 6 days of ITLs. We need to allow our efforts to find define us and our discipleship. The promises the Savior makes to His disciples is that the "seekers will find." We are seeing that here. Let's hold one another accountable to be sure we qualify for the blessings the Lord promises to the faithful.

We trust you had uplifting zone meetings and that you came away feeling like you are part of a team that is focused and committed to the Lord and to each other. As you know, we role played a way of how to effectively read with an investigator. We worried that because we chose 1 Ne 8 and because you have already role played that, maybe our focus and concentration wasn't where it needed to be to really understand the principles we wanted to teach. Instead, it seemed as though we reverted to what we have always done and may have missed the point. 

Elders and Sisters, we are not reading with them to explain to them a story about someone else. We are reading with them to "put them in the story" which is to do as Nephi did when he says "I did read unto them that which was written...; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." Interestingly, he says that he read the scriptures with his people to, "more fully PERSUADE them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer" (1 Ne 19:23). We must do likewise.

With this in mind, we request that each of you read together as companions the tips described on pages 110-111 in PMG about how to help investigators read and understand. Note: reading with investigators should happen throughout our teaching experience with them, NOT just after the first lesson. 

Consider the following principles of reading the scriptures with an investigator:

1. Stop frequently. If we read too much without a break to keep us together, we lose them.

2. Stay together. This means as you stop, discuss what you read to ensure understanding and be sure they are reading along. 

3. Put the investigator in the story. Make sure you are not explaining someone else's experience, but rather you are reading someone else's experience because it relates so well to what the investigator is going through.

We promise you that as we read The Book of Mormon more effectively, those we teach will begin to feel the spiritual power associated with that book and the chances of them experiencing a "mighty change of heart" will increase dramatically.

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen 

Bear Creek Zone

College Station West Zone

College Station East Zone

Cypress Zone

Houston North English Zone

Houston North Spanish Zone

Houston West North Zone

Houston West South Zone

Katy Zone

Klein Zone

Spring Zone

The Woodlands Zone

Mission Leadership Council

We attended Zone Meeting in the Cypress Zone last Friday. We loved being in that great zone and learning from each other. Here are some pictures taken that day.

Role playing

Cypress Zone

Senior Missionary Conference at the Chappells (not pictured: the beautiful Sis. Chappell)

Our Duty to Convince and Persuade

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

As we have been studying The Book of Mormon, there are two words that have been standing out to us lately. Those words speak to our duty to "Convince" and "Persuade." It may be that those words have had a negative connotation for you in the past, but we want you to consider them in a different light; in a way that suggests that people need a reason to change and even need to be persuaded that they must change/repent. In this context, we would like you to reflect on how effective you are at "convincing" and "persuading" in your teaching. These are important words and we find them throughout The Book of Mormon.  As early as the title page of the Book of Mormon, we read that it's purpose is to "Convince Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ." Toward the end of Nephi's writings, Nephi teaches that the Lord "hath commanded His people that they should "persuade" all men to repentance.

These words are more powerful words than to simply "explain" and "invite," which is often the way we teach. While it is true that we must invite (in fact it is the way we accomplish our missionary purpose) it is the WAY we invite people to repent or keep commitments that we would like you to consider. How do we develop the ability to transform our teaching from simply "conveying" information, to teaching it with such power that those we teach are "persuaded" of the need they have to change. The difference can certainly be found in our voice and in our eyes. Fortunately the scriptures give us several additional suggestions.

We learn a little about what is required to teach with power in Alma 17 when we read of the missionary efforts of Alma and the sons of Mosiah. Of them it is written in v. 2 that "they waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth for they were men of sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently that they might know the word of God." Continuing in v. 3 we read that "they had given themselves to much prayer and fasting" so that when they taught, they taught with the "power and authority of God." We know that because of their ability to teach with power, thousands were brought to a knowledge of the truth.

We also learn about the keys to obtaining the power to convince from the Lord's teaching to the prophet Joseph Smith when he says "Behold this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength. Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the CONVINCING of men." (D&C 11:20-21).

Elders and Sisters, the Lord is teaching Joseph Smith that obedience ("keeping the commandments") is the way we "obtain" His word. He reveals His word by the Holy Ghost to His disciples on conditions of obedience. (1 Cor 2:9-14)

If we consider these things together we learn that we can succeed in our duty to convince and persuade on the following conditions:

1. We are diligent in taking advantage of the hours set aside for personal and companion study (search the scriptures diligently)

2. We pray and fast with sincerity and purpose

3. We are as exactly obedient as we can be

We testify to you that as we do these things and use The Book of Mormon as if it were our sword in this battle to reclaim the souls of the children of God, miracles will result and we will find power, even the power of God unto the convincing of men. That we may do so is our great prayer for each of you. If you succeed in this effort, we promise you that not only will you bring many to a knowledge of the truth during your full time missionary service, but you will also do the same after your missions particularly those of your posterity.

We love you and are inspired by the growing power within you!

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen

Saying goodbye to Elder Moon

We will miss you Elder Moon!

We held the 8 week follow-up training for the missionaries who arrived here last August. They are doing great and teaching so well! It was great to see them all again and counsel together and practice how to teach effectively. 

Best lunch companions!

College Station Elders

Role plays

Role plays

Role plays

We attended district meeting in the Louetta District last Friday. We enjoyed the great unity in that district and sharing some of the answers found in the Book of Mormon for the questions of the soul. Elder Marquez is a great leader and great things are happening. 

Elder Marquez in action

The Louetta District 

Reading AND Understanding

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

This last week I had the opportunity to teach a woman along with the missionaries in their area. We read from the Book of Mormon together and I was reminded of a principle that I don't know if we have taught as effectively as we should. In PMG, we read that:

"Many investigators either do not read the Book of Mormon or do not understand what they read. Those who do not read or understand the Book of Mormon will have difficulty receiving a witness that it is true." (PMG p.110)

Please note that while it is important that investigators (and members for that matter) read the Book of Mormon, it is equally important that they understand. If we cannot insure that they are reading AND understanding, we limit the power that is available to them from The Book of Mormon to both enlighten their minds and change their hearts.

Elders and Sisters, we must take the time with EVERY investigator to read with them and check for their understanding. When you read, stop regularly (even after every verse if necessary) to ask questions about what was read and what they understand it to mean. By so doing, you will help them grow in their confidence that they can understand and it will serve to increase their motivation to read.

Last night at our Mission President's fireside, we listened to one recent convert tell about how he never felt he could understand "religious books" until his missionaries read with him and helped him understand what he was reading. As he was able to understand 1 Ne 8 and how it applied to him, he felt a desire grow within him to do what was necessary to "make it to the tree."

We testify to you that as we help each investigator read AND understand, we will see them become filled with light which will have a transforming effect on them and lead them to greater hope and happiness. Schedule time to read with them. Give them assignments before each visit that are meaningful both in terms of length and application and then spend enough time to talk about what was read and what it means. Miracles will take place and we will unleash the power of The Book of Mormon in the hearts and minds of those we teach.

We love you!

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen

We attended District Meeting in the Huntsville District last Friday. It was so great to be with the wonderful missionaries in that area. Elder Jones lead an inspiring meeting as we learned more about the the power of the Book of Mormon. 

Planning for investigators to have a great experience at church

Elder Jones training his district.

Hunstville District

Elder Tweedie and Elder Berry at the Ward Trunk R Treat

We held a Mission President's "Why I Believe" Fireside last night in the College Station Stake. It was a Spirit filled fireside with testimonies from recent converts and beautiful music from our missionaries. What a blessing for all who attended! Here are some picture taken that night.