Elder Ballard Training

Dear Sisters and Elders –

 

We were blessed to hear from Elder Ballard, Bishop Davies, and Elder Nielsen this past weekend. Certainly, they shared many important thoughts and concepts with us. Hopefully, you were able to receive personal revelation from the Spirit concerning the things that were most important for you. Today, I would like to summarize some of the principles taught by Elder Ballard that I feel are especially important for our mission at this time. Some of the quotes below came from the tri-mission meeting and others from meetings with Elder Ballard that took place later in the day with area priesthood leaders.

Building the Ward

"Build a strong relationship with the bishop, ward mission leader, and ward council. Help them to lift and build members of the ward."

“Be a resource to the bishop.”

"Bishops should invite the missionaries into the first 15-20 minutes of ward council and PEC in order to discuss the names of part-member, less active, and new member families. Missionaries should engage the ward council to find solutions to the needs of those they are teaching."

"Leave each ward better than when you arrived."

Gaining the Trust of Members

"To gain the trust of the members, you must be men and women of dignity."

"At church, don't group with other missionaries. Reach out to the members."

"A missionary's personal presentation makes a huge difference in the ward's willingness to use them."

"No member should get into the chapel for sacrament meeting without first being greeted by a missionary."

Finding People to Teach

“You will find, teach, and baptize more people as you are anxiously engaged in lifting, building, and inspiring others.”

“Find opportunities to teach people who need a spiritual lift.”

“What they feel matters more than what they know. Help others to feel the power of the gospel.”

On Teaching

"Teach simply, with love, and by the Spirit."

"Have an excitement for the message you have to share."

"It is critical for missionaries to teach every day. If missionaries do not have an appointment with an investigator, they should arrange to teach the first lesson to a member of the ward." This lifts the member and also helps the missionary to improve their teaching skills.

Personal Consecration

"Once you internalize your love for Christ, you will do anything to bring souls to Him. You will do anything to extend the blessings of the Atonement to others."

"There is a greater urgency to preach the gospel than ever before."

"Don't do anything to dull the promptings of the Holy Ghost."

"Commit today to turn the balance of your mission over to the Lord. It is not your time, it is His."

These are words from one of the Lord's chosen witnesses in our day. The Lord explained: "Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:38). I testify that as we strive diligently to apply the principles taught by Elder Ballard, we will be blessed and the Lord will hasten the work in our area.

I sure love you,

President Pingree

 

Tri-Mission Conference

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Bishop Dean Davies of the Presiding Bishopric visited Houston this weekend to meet in special conferences with area priesthood leaders, young single adults, and the youth.  This morning, they also spoke to the three missions in Houston, which include almost 500 missionaries.  Their messages focused on the divine role of Jesus Christ, teaching simple doctrine by the Spirit, and working closely with the bishop and ward council to help build up the wards.

 

Elder M. Russell Ballard

Bishop Dean Davies

Focus on Finding

It has been a great week!  The temperatures are cool and we have received some much needed moisture here in Houston.  Zone Leader Council was held on Tuesday morning, New Leadership Training on Wednesday morning and on Friday morning, individual zone meetings were held in respective areas.  Unfortunately, we can't seem to upload any pictures from the computer, so we will post President Pingree's weekly letter to the missionaries for now.


Dear Sisters and Elders –

We need to renew our faith in God and strengthen our resolve to find those ready to accept the gospel. As explained in Preach My Gospel, “Strengthen your faith that God is preparing His children to receive the message of the Restoration. As you do all you can under the guidance of the Holy Ghost to find people to teach, the Lord will place such people in your path” (p. 167).

“Strengthen Your Faith” to Find

God has prepared people in your area to accept His gospel. This is more than a motivational statement. It is truth!Every person in your area is a child of God. God loves them.He has a specific plan for them and is preparing them to receive the restored gospel. As the Lord promised: “I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you” (D&C 31:7).

It is important to understand that not every person is prepared at this specific time. However, many are ready right now!We are told to find “them that will receive you” (D&C 42:8). These individuals will recognize you as God’s servants and will be willing to act upon the things you teach them. They will pray.They will read and pray about the Book of Mormon. They will come to Church.They will repent and change. This is how you know if someone is ready to accept the gospel.

Pray with faith that you will be led to those the Lord has prepared to receive the gospel. Pray with faith that they will find you.Then, do all you can to make it happen.

“Do All You Can” to Find

While we need to pray and rely on the Lord to find those He has prepared, “[our] faith to find people to teach is demonstrated through [our] actions” (PMG, p. 168).We not only need to “thrust in our sickle” with all of our “heart, might, mind, and strength” (D&C 4), but we must also be wise in the activities we choose for finding.

What are some of the most effective ways to find people to teach? Let me suggest the following priorities in our finding efforts:

1. Work with part member families;

2. Work with new and less active families;

3. Seek referrals from active members;

4. Seek referrals from current and former investigators; and

5. Find people through your own efforts.

Part Member, New, and Less Active Families: Strive to develop a very close working relationship with the bishop and each member of the ward council.Work with them to identify part member, new, and less active families you can contact, serve, teach, and invite to come to Christ. As you help these families, ask them for the names of their family and friends that would benefit from the gospel message. This is one of the very best ways to find people to teach and to energize missionary work in any area.

Active Members: Every member has a friend that is not a member of the Church. As you develop the trust of members, they will be more likely to share their friends with you. Members will trust you as they feel the Spirit around you and notice your efforts to be obedient and to work hard. Casualness with members reduces their trust in and respect for you. Always act with dignity and with respect for your calling. Sunday church meetings, dinner appointments, and exchanges are excellent opportunities to build trust with members. Also, I suggest that you teach the Restoration lesson to active members. They will feel the Spirit, grow in their own testimony, and become more comfortable with the possibility of you teaching their friends.

Current and Former Investigators: Current and former investigators are a valuable source for finding people to teach (PMG, p. 166). Each has a friend that is not a member of the Church. As you help these individuals, ask them for the names of their family and friends that would benefit from the gospel message. Sharing the gospel with family and friends will help investigators to come closer to Christ.

Finding through Your Own Efforts: There are many ways to find people to teach through our own efforts (seePMG, p. 167). Pray for the Holy Ghost to help you recognize finding opportunities. Throughout your days, talk to as many people as possible about the gospel. Regardless of their response, always ask: “Who do you know that would benefit from our message?”

Power Hour

In addition, please exercise the faith to dedicate from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to finding. Schedule to visit with a member a little before 6:00 PM in order to share a short, powerful message that builds their faith in Christ and in their ability to share the gospel. Invite the head of household to offer a kneeling prayer and to ask the Lord to help you find someone to teach that evening who is prepared to receive the gospel. Your dedication to "Power Hour" will build unity with the members, increase your teaching pool, and facilitate more conversions in your area. Those who implement Power Hour with faith and real intent will find more people to teach, whether during Power Hour or some other time.

Let’s remember that: "The Lord is preparing people to receive you and the restored gospel. He will lead you to them or He will lead them to you” (PMG, p. 155). I testify that this is true.

With much love,

President Pingree

 

"Leave No Man Behind"

Dear Sisters and Elders -

There is a motto used by elite military units in times of battle: "Leave no man behind." Survival depends upon the men and women of a unit showing absolute loyalty to each other, and underscores the morale and cohesion required by soldiers during times of war.

As missionaries, we are not in a military war, but we are involved in a spiritual one, and absolute loyalty to one another is just as essential. "Satan...maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about" (DC 76:28-29). Satan seeks to divide us and to conquer us. However, if we remain one in Christ, we will have protection from the adversary.

As a mission, let us strive to be "one in Christ" (Gal. 3:28) and "perfectly joined together in the same mind" (1 Cor. 1:10). Our unity and love for each other is critical to our success in the Lord's work. Please find below several thoughts about ways we can remain one in Christ, and guard against Satan's efforts to divide us:

1. Commit to live our singular missionary purpose to bring souls to Christ;

2. Recognize that each missionary has been called by God, and no one missionary is more important than another;

3. Look for each missionary's spiritual gifts and talents, seek to recognize those gifts, and allow them opportunities to use those gifts to further God's work;

4. Pray for the mission and the success of each missionary;

5. If another missionary is struggling, reach out to help him or her; and

6. Never gossip, backbite, or speak negatively about another missionary.

Sisters and Elders, let's do everything in our power to "leave no man (or woman) behind." Let's lift, help, strengthen, build-up, and inspire one another. Let's seek to become a Zion mission. As we do, we will become more powerful, effective instruments in God's hands and we will be able to hasten His work.

Sure love you!

President Pingree

 

Transfers

Transfers were a little different this month with departing missionaries leaving on December 19 and new missionaries arriving on December 26.  We were very sad to see Sisters Rivera, Roberts and Dement leave the Texas Houston Mission along with Elders Fox, Padilla, Chang and Angilau.  Each served faithfully and made significant contributions to the missionary work here in Houston!  Yesterday we were delighted to welcome eleven new missionaries who celebrated Christmas on their last day at the MTC!  The past week has been a busy one with activities and meetings associated with transfers, plus the mission Christmas conference (pictures coming soon).  We hope you were able to connect with your missionary on Christmas day and that the holidays have been happy for y'all at home!

 

Departing Missionaries at the Houston Temple

 

New Missionaries

 

 

 

 

New Missionaries with Trainers

Christmas Calls Home

With Christmas around the corner, we thought it might be helpful for you to read guidelines from the missionary department regarding calls home.

"We want to remind you that your missionaries may telephone their parents on Christmas and one other time during the year, usually Mother's Day or another significant holiday' (Mission President's Handbook, 22).  These calls should be kept 'short (preferable not longer than 30 or 40 minutes)' (see Missionary Handbook, 37) and should not distract missionaries from their service.

For many missionaries, it will be most convenient to use the mission-provided phones.  However, in some areas of the world such phone calls can be difficult to arrange and/or be very costly.  Therefore, missionaries are authorized to use Internet options, like Skype, to make their calls.  If a video option is available, they are also authorized to use the video feature in their call.

As always, these calls should not create an inconvenience to members or others.  Neither missionaries nor members should purchase any additional equipment in order to make these arrangements.  Weekly letters home should continue to be by postal service or e-mail only."

Interviews Completed, etc.

Quarterly interviews were completed this week after meeting with missionaries serving in the Spring, Houston North and some of the Houston West zones.  See below pictures taken both days along with a few others on preparation day in the employment office and peanut butter cannery.

Elder and Sister Cutler

Elders Carter and Peterson wear matching ties