Dear
Missionaries,
We
had a tremendous transfer meeting this past week emphasizing the blessings of
“preparing for the prophets” this General Conference, and announcing the coming
of Elder Dallin H. Oaks to our mission on October 19th. We will have
a Mission Conference with him that morning, so now we have an extension of
“preparing for the prophets” for another couple of weeks. Prepare well for the
revelatory experience we will have this weekend. The harder we work, the
greater the experience we will have.
I
recall as a young boy of 10 years old, being glued to the TV set along with the
entire world when the first man, Neil Armstrong, stepped on the moon. Everyone
knows the words he spoke, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.
Even though it was one normal step off the ladder of his space craft, the whole
world understood the huge significance this act would be as it influenced the
science and technology of man in a historic time. What seemed a small thing
physically, created a domino effect in man’s exploration and understanding of
space. Direction of lives changed, advanced and improved in an incredible
way.
When
Elijah was fleeing for his life from the wicked Phoenician princess Jezebel,
the Lord directed him to a high mountain, where he had a most unusual
experience. As Elijah stood upon the mount before the Lord, he felt:
“a
great and strong wind … ; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind
an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake
a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small
voice” (1 Kgs. 19:11–12).
Elijah
realized that great things can start from small things including “a still small
voice”. Some of the greatest miracles in this mission have come from the small
things. I know that the smallest of miracles, which could be even after
blessing someone, can be seen through the evidences of repentance as their
countenance changes right before our eyes and they embrace Who we represent.
They recognize the Spirit is from God and can feel the influence of the
Atonement of Jesus Christ. The small miracles we experience are the beginnings
of great things, even great miracles. From the still small voice that we feel
at the harvest blessing to the enormous change and conversion that takes place
with those we teach and baptize.
Elder
Ballard teaches how Alma taught his sons the importance of how small miracles,
such as the Liahona, can direct our lives and the lives of others:
“Great
and marvelous events seem to motivate us, but small things often do not hold
our attention. Noting that the Liahona worked by faith, Alma stated,
‘Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means … [the people
of Lehi] were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and
then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey.’
(Alma 37:41) Is our journey sometimes impeded when we forget the importance of
small things? Do we realize that small events and choices determine the
direction of our lives just as small helms determine the direction of great
ships?” (M Russell Ballard, General Conference April, 1990)
Small
miracles such as the Spirit will change the direction of lives:
“As
we were heading back to our car after harvesting...we heard a huge whistle
about 3 times. At first my companion and I didn’t think anything of it until we
heard a little yell. As I turned around I see this man limping as fast as he
could towards us to get a hold of our attention. Now, he was a man that told us
straight up ‘no’ to our invite in leaving a blessing upon his home and even
shut the door on us! He told us, running out of breath, ‘I felt the Holy Ghost
push me and told me to get off the couch and go after you two to receive the
blessing, so, I want it! I want it now please.’ We were amazed and so happy
that this man came out running after us! He accepted baptism and accepted to
come to church even! He knew we were sent to him at that time because he truly
is going through some things! I know that as we continue to press forward no
matter what, we can touch people in ways we didn’t think they could be
touched!”
Small
miracles such as prayer and testimony will change the direction of lives:
“Week
in and week out she would have an excuse that held her back from baptism, but
she really wanted it. There was always just something that held her back. I
have been praying and praying that she would make the right choice day and
night sincerely before God. This week my prayer was answered. Last week she had
disappeared and we had no idea what to do to help her. She wasn’t answering the
phone or her door. Finally on Wednesday I had a prompting to go back to her
house. We got there and the door was wide open. Not only that but her daughter
who moved to New Jersey was there (we had taught her too before she moved and
she is being taught by the missionaries up there). We had a member with us also
that really helped the situation. I spoke to her boldly about baptism and told
her she is ready and she needs to make this step. Then the excuses came. I was
feeling a little crushed for a moment but then her daughter who is not baptized
yet stepped in and told her mother.... ‘I don't get it. Why don't you get
baptized? I want you to be baptized this Sunday. You always look so gloomy and
so sad. This baptism is only going to help you. You need it. You need to be
baptized this Sunday." Right after that our member jumped in and bore his
testimony and then asked her, ‘Which of us three do you want to perform the
baptism?’ He didn't even give her time to reject. She then chose, and on Sunday
she was BAPTIZED!! The best part is that yesterday we saw her and she bore her
testimony of baptism to people she didn't even know. I am so thankful for God's
miracles. I know this is his Work! I am so glad to be a part of it.”
Small
miracles of working hard, being obedient, and following promptings will change
direction of lives:
“[Our
investigator preparing for baptism] told us about the day she met us and the
miracle that it was, which we had NO idea about! It turns out there was a
family that used to be in the ward who lived with her a couple years ago. Last Tuesday,
she was on the phone with them and was telling them about how she was really
struggling and just needed a lot of help. The member on the phone told her,
‘... you need to find the missionaries. Find the missionaries and go to
church with them.’ It was at THAT EXACT MOMENT that we walked up to her
and contacted her, introducing ourselves as representatives of Christ and
letting her know that He had sent us to leave His peace and blessing with her.
It is so amazing to see how the Lord can use us as instruments in His hands!
When I walked up to that woman on the phone, I had no idea who she was or how
much (and how quickly) I would come to love her and her family. I am so
grateful that the Lord trusts me enough to put his prepared children in my path!”
My
Father is a convert to the Church. It was a small miracle when he was baptized;
he knew that he would never be the same again. He knew that he wanted to be
with his family for eternity. Later he and my mother knelt at the altars of the
Temple, to realize their dream to be sealed for time and eternity as a family.
Their five sons, including myself, dressed in white were ushered into that same
sealing room to kneel at the altar by their sides, to have that sealing power
and miracle made complete. Direction of lives changed, advanced and improved
in an incredible, eternal way. All five of their sons and ten of their
grandchildren have served full time missions throughout the world where
hundreds of souls have come to the Gospel and ordinances of the Temple. To
those souls, direction of lives also were changed, advanced and improved in an
incredible, eternal way. It started with the small miracle of my Father
feeling the Spirit and progressing to baptism. It has progressed currently as
huge miracles to all of those that have embraced the Truth and have been
blessed because of the Gospel. This great miracle is eternal; it will not end,
but become greater as we gain Eternal Life with our families in the presence of
God. You will encounter many “one small step for man, one giant leap for
mankind” miracles in your mission.
Let us get 1500+, 8 by Wednesday, 5 dates, 5 to
Church, 500 N.I., 400 MPL, 250 to Church. 200 Dates & 175 Baptisms !!!
You
are Amazing!!! You are Incredible!!! You are Wonderful!!! And you are in the
“Exciting Mission”!!! Remember our promise and that our names will be sealed
in the Temple!!!
We
Love you, We Pray For You, We can do this,
We have work to do!!! Let us “Prepare for
the Prophets”!!! Direction of lives will be changed even through small
miracles!!!
President Don E. Anderson
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