Week 28 In Fort Lauderdale....

Well I got the rest of the patches this week Dad and they are plenty I don't think that I will need any for a LONG, LONG time. I did think it was interesting that last week Dad you called the package of goodies that was sent "Mom and Leah's". I thought what difference would there be in a package that Dad and Garret put together, then I realized it would be sunflower seeds and Gatorade. That's probably the only thing the two of them have time to buy together, with how busy they must be with Baseball. Its great to hear that things are going so well at home with all of you. I can tell you that things are amazing here with the excitement of the temple and Conference this week it was hard to sleep. ( No I have NOT been to the temple yet, we haven't been able to arrange members and investigators to work together! ) This week I realized that I need to really begin to figure out how to get around on my own in this area my companion and I often get lost and turned around, and he knows this area like the back of his hand! I realized this yes because transfers are coming and there is a 50-50 chance that I am staying or leaving and if I stay my companion and I will be lost HOPELESSLY! I might need to ask you if I can borrow Falula (our GPS) if I can't get this figured out.

So, I told you that I got the bike computer thing figured out. Well, this week I really got it dialed in and I was going to start sending you my stats, well, I crashed while biking and it reset it! So I have no stats! But I did learn how to true a wheel because of it! It's super easy. But it got me thinking Dad, on spoked bike wheels am I hanging from the top spoke or sitting on top of the bottom? I can't Google it so I was hoping you would know.

So I am going to follow up on a conference commitment. Do you all have plans to get Preach My Gospel? We are supposed to talk about that in our emails! I want to hear what you are learning!

What a great Conference we were a part of, I want to tell you a story about the power conference has. We invited a family to come and visit and see what conference is like, to expiriment on the words, and they came to the last session, At first they were looked bored and sat as if it were un-interesting, but then as the speakers spoke their interests rose, they began to quote bible scripture along side the prophets and their eyes widened as profound doctrine was unfolded before them, after conference Jeanette shared that she was touched by Elder Corbidge's statements that opposition will surround truth. She said, "Your Church is nothing like they told me, it's just like the one man said bad comes around good." This dear old Jamaican lady is now set with a baptismal date, even for this coming Sunday. It's amazing to see how the spirit teaches so clearly to each persons needs.I can honestly say that there was something in every talk that struck a cord with me. I never realized how truly lucky we are to have this opportunity. As I have studied in Preach My Gospel I have been understanding alot more about the Apostasy and the Restoration so it was wonderful to hear those topics also addressed in the sessions. But often I read the words of Paul about the "grevous wolves" and the "falling away" that must happen before the coming of Christ and I wonder why the people didn't understand the clarity of those words that after the Apostle's passed that the Gospel would be distorted and lost. As you look at the saddness and darkness that that entails it makes the beauty of the Restoration that we are living in more brilliant. I cannot wait until the Gospel is spread to every nation, and language. How glorious will it be when there is no more spiritual darkness on this earth that everyone who desires to know and hear the truth can access it and receive the blessings of eternity and family.

 We invited a family to come and visit and see what conference is like, to expiriment on the words, and they came to the last session, At first they were looked bored and sat as if it were un-interesting, but then as the speakers spoke their interests rose, they began to quote bible scripture along side the prophets and thier eyes widened as profound doctrine was unfolded before them, after conference Jeanette shared that she was touched by Elder Corbidge's statements that opposition will surround truth. She said, "Your Church is nothing like they told me, it's just like the one man said bad comes around good." This dear old Jamaican lady is now set with a baptismal date, even for this coming Sunday. It's amazing to see how the spirit teaches so clearly to each persons needs. 

Also I realized that I don't think I ever really explained what "Harvesting" is so I am including what I wrote to a member (Bro. Beck) about it. Harvesting is a tracting method that we use here that attributes to 75% of our finding, we instead of offering a lesson or a message offer a simple prayer or blessing for the home, people are a lot more willing to accept a prayer and then after the prayer accept return visits because of the spirit. That is the main purpose of harvesting to invite the Spirit into the homes and lives of these people. We spend alot of time trying to learn how to find desires and ask questions that we can learn what matters most to theses people so that the prayer is powerful and impactful, each time making it specific and individual to the person. This helps us know what to teach them and how was can connect their desires to the gospel, after each blessing we invite the person to be baptized right then and there while the spirit is the highest. 

This week has been a good week and we ate plenty I love you and can't wait to hear what you are learning as you use Preach My Gospel! it will help me 5X what I am getting out of it because I will be able to get 5X the amount of studying it done!

STAY STRONG, PUSH ON

ELDER PARK

Letter From The President, April 6, 2014....

Dear Missionaries,

Missionaries, what a wonderful weekend to listen to the words of our “Prophets” and to feast on the instructions to get closer to our Savior. To reflect on His great sacrifice and to celebrate His resurrection; to know that He lives, and that we represent Him is truly an honor and a privilege. Now we have the obligation to live and apply what was taught. Elder Hales has taught us:

“The greatest blessings of general conference come to us after the conference is over. Remember the pattern recorded frequently in scripture: we gather to hear the words of the Lord, and we return to our homes to live them. We accept the Savior’s invitation when we ponder and pray to understand what we have been taught and then go forward and do His will.” (Elder Robert D. Hales, General Conference October 2013)

President Kimball couldn’t wait to start applying the principles of General Conference:

“I have made up my mind that when I go home from this [general] conference … there are many, many areas in my life that I can perfect. I have made a mental list of them, and I expect to go to work as soon as we get through.” (President Spencer W. Kimball, General Conference ,October 1975)

President Monson’s reiterated the importance of studying the talks:

“I encourage you to read the talks … and to ponder the messages contained therein. I have found in my own life that I gain even more from these inspired sermons when I study them in greater depth." (President Thomas S. Monson, General Conference, October 2012)

We had a revelatory meeting with the leaders of the mission last Friday and I am excited for them to share the amazing things we counseled on, in particular, bringing our investigators to Church and to the Temple Open House.

We saw so many miracles this week with the Mission and the Temple and we are anxious to watch for continued miracles in your areas. Every missionary needs to get someone to the Temple. If you have been, then go again with a different investigator. If you can’t get a reservation, come anyway; you won’t need a reservation because the flow is working so efficiently. This will require that you plan well so that your areas don’t suffer. It will also require that we coordinate extremely well with investigators and members to get to the Temple. Some of the comments of the missionaries have been amazing:

“I knew the temple would be such a miracle for missionary work but just having the opportunity to serve at the temple open house, especially in the reception tent after everyone has gone through the tour, I never could've imagined everything that I've experienced or heard. People literally come up to us and ask ‘how can i become a member?’ Every single person I talked to felt the spirit in the temple and they cannot deny that. I approached these two ladies and asked how they liked the temple. One was a less active member and the other was a non-member. The non-member told me it was a miracle in itself that she was even here. She said she would never come and that every time the Elders came to her house to see her Sister, she would run them off and slam the door in their face; or if they were there she would never sit in the same room as them. Then she looked at me and said ‘After today, that will never happen again’. When she said that, the spirit was so strong and she went on about how she was going to always let them in and be a part of their lessons and then she added ‘I’m not a member now, but that will change.’ And I knew those words were true. The Temple is speaking for itself and I know that we will reach our goal ... The Temple is the key!”  

The Temple is solidifying our investigators baptisms:

“... we had the unique opportunity to take her to the temple on Saturday.  It was so amazing to see the affect on her.  Once she had gone through, nothing (and I mean nothing) could have stopped her from being baptized the following day. She was even handed anti-material as we were leaving the temple, and when we told her that it was other people, speaking badly about the church, she folded it up (in a bit of an offended manner) and handed it to us saying she didn't want it.”

People are pleading for more information:

“It was amazing to see people’s hearts so touched by the spirit. I am sure many of them did not plan on feeling that way, or expected to love it so much. The Lord truly softened so many hearts through the temple. Two women came up to me and began asking me questions, all sorts of questions. I answered everything the best I could. They were loving every minute of it. Then they asked about the Book of Mormon. So I told them about that; then one of the women revealed to me that she had three friends who were Mormons. I told her ‘Well if you would like to see the book you should ask your friends to show you.’ She said okay, but then she said ‘can’t you give me one?’ I told them I really can’t give them materials unless they ask for it. In unison they said ‘Can we have one?’ They were so excited.”

The Spirit of the Temple is piercing their hearts:  

“We had so many people come up to us at the end of the tour and ask us, ‘What do we need to do to become members of your church?’ and ‘Can I have a Mormon Bible?’ The power of the temple is REAL. Everyone is feeling it and it's so cool to see them at the end of the tour converted through the Spirit of the Temple. There was this man  who was one of these miracles. His really good friend woke him up Saturday morning, ‘Get up, We're going to see the Mormon Temple.’ He hadn't heard anything about Mormons or the temple at all before his friend invited him. He hadn't even seen the temple before this time and at first he didn't want to go but then decided to in the end. For the past couple of years he told me that he felt very lost, like he didn't have a purpose in life. He'd been praying to God every single day to help him know where he needed to go, but he didn't feel like God was leading him anywhere. As he went into the temple, he said that he felt like God was calling him to come to Him through this church. He told me, ‘I want to be baptized. What do I have to do?’ It was such an incredible testimony to me that the Temple is God's House on earth and that he will call on His elect to receive His blessings.”

I have had the opportunity and privilege to go through with ministers from other religions and the positive feedback has been amazing. In fact, a Rabbi went through a few days ago and sent this message: “Thank you so much for hosting us earlier this week at the Temple. We are interested in learning more about the Mormon teachings.” I will be visiting with them this week.

Those that are going through the Temple are feeling the Spirit of Elijah, perhaps the influence of their own ancestors:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”(Malachi 4:5-6)

They are being pulled towards the ordinance of baptism as they view the magnificent baptistery and feel the Lords command:

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”(John 3:5)

They are feeling the power of binding families together for eternity as they enter the Celestial room and the sealing room:

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)

The Spirit is at the Temple, what an amazing opportunity to help our investigators to feel it’s tremendous power and influence. The Temple is a beacon to the world, and a beacon to South Florida. Have the faith to bring your investigators to the Temple Open House; organize with your members, and I know you will share in these miracles!!!

 Our resolution is to achieve 175 Baptisms !!! April is now our Vision month! Prepare for the Prophets this week! We need 200 dates and 200 I@S this week. All must contribute!

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, Elders and Sisters, We can do this!!! We have work to do!!! “Armed with the Power of the Temple, Let’s Do It!!!”

President Don E. Anderson

Week 27 In Fort Lauderdale....

Sorry Dad, I haven't seen ANY gators, other than investi-GATORS. The animals I deal with on an every day are worse, much worse. They have a close association with the devil in his efforts to thwart salvation and the spirit. They are the creatures much worse, they roam free here, their names are many mutt, Chihuahua, and more. They come from NO where and then there they are trying to bite your tires! Chasing you multiple blocks, barking every time you begin to pray and man! I am beginning to really not like dogs. Like Mom always says "I love them I just don't like them right now". (I haven't ever said that about dogs, just kids! hehehe!) Another animal I have already talked about that is a real problem in my life at 5:30 in the morning, every morning is THE STUPID CHICKENS! They laid eggs in our yard this week... They rotted before my companion could collect them and he cracked one outside to make sure there wasn't a chicken inside... It exploded on him! It was awful, my companion doesn't always think things through, jajaja. (Really?!? His companion? That comment could totally be said about the Elder Park that I know!) AND FROGS They are in the weirdest places and they get in the way and never move. Last week we were walking and not looking down and I STEPPED on one! (Ewwww!) They are all over the road!

Well it is a disappointment that *** & ***are going through this, but something that you said Mom, struck me. "The medical advancements give more and better opportunities than before." How amazing is that? I have recently in my studies been coming across repeatedly how amazing it is that by "small and simple things" great things can come to pass. This might be a delay or a bump in the road, and even when it comes to little things. Great things are coming to pass every day according to our individual and simple actions. I know that what ever the reason is that these difficulties are in our path, is for our betterment and improvement. I know that the Lord is there and is listening to our prayers! I can witness to The Refiners Fire, God puts difficulties in our life to burn out the imperfections to purify and strengthen us. Everyday we should strive to become more and with each hill in our road we should be strengthened and up lifted.

That has been my motto this week that the Lord is preparing me. We have experienced this week some success and some trials. At the beginning of the week we received a media referral, someone that gave their information on Mormon.org or some other method. This referral wanted a Book of Mormon. On our way to visit this person, we Opened Our Mouths and spoke to some ladies on the street. They invited us to say a prayer at their home after they had finished their walk. They gave us their address, it is right across the street from the Media Referral. So off we went to the Referral, they said they we searching for the truth and had heard from a relative that was getting baptized about this "new scripture" and how it changed lives and they wanted a copy to study and read. WHAT A MIRACLE! That doesn't happen very often! So we gladly got them a copy and started teaching them. After that appointment we went over to the 3 ladies across the street and said a prayer with them and their whole family, all 10 of them, all with those cool fun names like Shantefana and Latisha. And they all wanted specific and different things. That was a difficult one. But after we said the prayer we invited them to be baptized and the kid in the corner just said, "I am ready, I been in da skareet for to long." and sat down... All I could think was "Yes you have, yes you have, let's get you baptized." And these miracles were so exciting and we went in there for the return appointments ready to help all these people receive salvation.... And we have not been able to contact any of them since! WHAT A BUMMER!! BAH!!! Often we can tell they are home, but just aren't answering the stinking door! In those moments when steam fills your ears, your knuckles are numb and disappointment begins to have a taste (metallic with a hint of garlic and Windex) is when you realize that God is testing you and making you stronger. And what must you do? STAY STRONG and PUSH ON! As a missionary I have begun to feel the pain I imagine my parents (and all parents) felt when I didn't listen to them or follow their council. When you knock for 4 hours and repeatedly hear, I'm catholic, not right now, I am cooking, the babies in the bath, DO YOU KNOW THE NAME OF GOD?, and many other replies repeated and doors shut. Or when an investigator doesn't come to church, read or pray, there is a sadness and a disappointment. But that can't be what we focus on. We must focus on the joy of seeing them in white, entering the water's of baptism. The joy that's felt as you watch them make those covenants with our Father in Heaven and they are confirmed. The peace that enters the room, those are the really important parts.

We had some amazing and inspiring miracles as we continued to work with recent converts and new investigators we were able to establish strong member friends and lasting relationships, the members provide such a strength as they help these individuals understand the culture of being a member. Which is something I imagine to be frightening. New members don't understand; to always pray before meals, what a testimony meeting is, or even what a talk is. Member's with more experience can help them feel comfortable at church and answer their questions. I re-read a lot of talks from last conference and it was expressed repeatedly that members can help people enter and come back to the church and actually they said it was their duty. The members here are beginning to really step up to this call as the Temple draws nearer.

Anyway wish I could say more bye!\
STAY STRONG, PUSH ON!
Elder Park

Letter From The President, March 31, 2014....

The missionaries on the corner that the President is talking about, are us! That was Sister Klien bragging about us to our President! (Love that!)

 Dear Missionaries,

The Temple Open House has kicked off in miraculous ways here in the mission. Experiences, miracles and stories are flying everywhere. Some of them are:

“We had an Awesome Wonderful 1^st day at our Ft Lauderdale Temple Open House.   The spirit was there in abundance.  People were in awe and tears were flowing.”

 “Missionaries were requested to come and teach.  Others asked where do you meet on Sunday and at what time?”

“Children asked ‘Mommy when do I get baptized?’  Another ‘Mom when I get married, I want to get married here’.  The Mother said ‘We would need to join this church’.  Others said ‘It is so beautiful!!!’”

 A non-member wrote “This was very beautiful.  It was wonderful learning more about the Mormon faith and I'd love to learn more.” Another non-member “A little bit of heaven! Absolutely beautiful. Our Father is well pleased.”

We even saw miracles through the internet. I received an email from the Florida Fort Lauderdale Temple website:

“Hello... My name is ________ and I would like to join/become a member of Jesus Christ of LDS. I am relocating to Florida In a week and your assistance would be greatly appreciated. I can be reach at ____. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you. Have a great day!!”

The Spirit and power that is flowing here is absolutely amazing. I know many of you are part of this great surge of excitement and inspiration. While at the Temple a member came up to me and said, “I have to brag to you about your missionaries. I was driving down the road when I saw at the intersection two of your Elders. They weren’t just standing there or trying to cross the street, but they were talking to three different people at the same time, one missionary faced one way and the other faced another. As I looked at them in amazement, I became so proud of what they were doing in sharing the Gospel and I couldn’t help myself and began to cry. Your missionaries are incredible.”

The power that comes from Temples is becoming evident with all of the great blessings we are experiencing.  Last week I spoke concerning this power, the power of the temple that all of you have brought with you to this mission to “bear exceedingly great and glorious tidings, in truth, unto the ends of the earth”(D&C 109:22-23). That power also has a source here, right here in the middle of our mission. Elder Hales teaches us the Temple gives us power of protection, fortification and preparation:

“For believing and faithful Latter Day saints, the endowment means being endowed with power, the power of godliness, the power that prepares us to live in the presence of God. That same power prepares us and fortifies us for our journey through life. Just as the early pioneer Saints were protected by the endowments they received in the Nauvoo Temple before a long and difficult journey across the plains, we through our endowments, are protected in any trial and tribulations on the long journey back into the presence of our Heavenly Father. In some ways, temples are the armory of the armor of God – they are an essential part of that whole armor of God meant to protect us in this last dispensation when we know that Satan has been loosed upon the earth.” (Elder Robert D. Hales, “Return”, page 251-252)

President Packard teaches us how the Temple endowment will enrich our lives in three ways:

“To endow is to enrich, to give to another something long lasting and of much worth. The temple endowment ordinances enrich us in three ways: (a) The one receiving the ordinance is given power from God. Recipients are endowed with power from on high. (b) A recipient is also endowed with information and knowledge. They receive an education relative to the Lords purposes and plans. (c) When sealed at the alter a person is the recipient of glorious blessings. Powers, and honors as part of his endowment” (President Boyd K. Packard, “Mine Errand from the Lord”, page 491)

President Monson teaches why people desire to come to the Temple:

“Why are so many willing to give so much in order to receive the blessings of the temple? Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. There are never too many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure. They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort.” (President Thomas S. Monson, General Conference, April 2011)

The power of the Temple will help us invoke the Spirit:

“He answered his door with his I-pad in one hand, and a study book in the other. He told us how he was too busy for us to pray. He said he was studying for a big exam coming up and needed as much study time as possible. We of course testified using 3 Nephi 13:33 ‘...seek ye first the kingdom of God..., and all these things shall be added unto you.’ He couldn't reject the spirit when he heard the doctrine, so we prayed with him. He accepted baptism, church, and a return appointment. He told us that when he answered the door, he knew God had sent us and he really needed prayer. However, he rejected us to see if we truly did care and if we were going to walk away or not. It was a good reminder to my companion and I that we need to testify NO MATTER WHAT!”

The Power of the Temple will help us open our mouths:

“My companion felt really strongly that we should go talk to him even though he was talking to someone in a car. We went and prayed with him and invited him to be baptized but he didn't seem very elect. We gave him a chapel card and invited him to church and he said he would be there. We were outside our chapel Sunday morning waiting for our investigators to show up and he comes up to me and says ‘remember me from 3rd Street?’ It took me a minute after talking to him to remember who he was but then I remembered he was the one that didn't seem too interested. We took him inside and gave him a chapel tour before the meeting started and he talked about how much peace he felt. He talked to the bishop a good 10 min before sacrament meeting and then took a seat next to our ward mission leader. After church we went to teach him and before teaching anything he said ‘I know that your church is a true church, I felt it as I walked in today and I know that God sent you to me.’ He accepted an invite to the temple open house and even more importantly he accepted baptism for this Sunday!”

The Power of the Temple will help us follow promptings and know where God’s elect are:

“We got out to harvesting after setting a vision and the 2nd door we knocked on was a nice older woman. After the prayer she said, ‘you will not believe what I have to tell you... I am going to tell you, but you really just won't believe it... truly you are not going to believe what just happened to me...’ well, this built up our desires, ‘what?!’ we asked. She said that just before we came to her she was on the computer and a screen popped up that said, ‘close your eyes and pay attention, because your guardian angels are near...’  then we knocked on the door just a few seconds later. It shocked her, she was in tears after the prayer and after testifying she accepted everything.”

I’m so excited to see the Power that comes from each of your areas because of the Temple. The miracles are already everywhere and I’m anxiously anticipating hearing your miracle. As

President Monson teaches, this Temple miracle is a “beacon to the world”:

“I express my undying gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the temple now being built... and for all of our temples, wherever they are. Each one stands as a beacon to the world, an expression of our testimony that God, our Eternal Father, lives, that He desires to bless us and, indeed, to bless His sons and daughters of all generations. Each of our temples is an expression of our testimony that life beyond the grave is as real and as certain as is our life here on earth. I so testify.” (President Thomas S. Monson, General Conference, April 2011)

A beacon to the world, and a beacon to South Florida. Have the faith to bring your investigators to the Temple Open House; organize with your members, and I know you will share in these miracles. Let us Prepare this week for the Prophets!!!

 Our resolution is to achieve 175 Baptisms !!! April is now our Vision month! Prepare for the Prophets this week! We need 200 dates and 200 I@S this week. All must contribute!

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, Elders and Sisters, We can do this!!! We have work to do!!! “Armed with the Power of the Temple, Let’s Do It!!!”

 

President Don E. Anderson

Week 26 In Fort Lauderdale....

What a great week!Nelsa was confirmed! Ricardo got baptized! An eterna-gator just told us he has decided to get baptized and wants our help to prepare! ( he has a slight problem with tithing but we can work with that) We ran into a former investigator that asked us to come by again! And a young man named Tyreek has been wanting to get baptized for weeks (his grandmother just wants to be there and she never comes we are planning to baptized him on Wednesday). So the work is definitely progressing and we have A LOT to work on. (I love when Tyler gets SO excited!)

We were able to help Ricardo get baptized. He is an incredibly humble man that has really turned to the Lord. He used to have a serious drinking problem. He realized that was wrong and that he needed help, so he found it in AA. Through AA, he found a member that also attended and through her, he found the Church. He wanted to meet with us but the people that he lived with wouldn't allow it. He decided that it was important enough that he would take time out of his work to meet with us. So we would meet him at the corner where he sold oranges and flowers and teach him, while it wasn't the ideal location, they were some of the most spiritual lessons. He had such a desire to learn and know more about how he could grow closer to God.

We did have some struggles finding new people to teach and that means that we have to really focus on finding this week if we want to continue being as busy as we are right now. At church yesterday we were slightly disappointed because the only investigator to show up was the man that was getting baptized. But one of the awesome things that happened was that Nelsa, the sweet old Cuban lady, that we baptized last week, made some of the most amazing comments in class about following the prophets and how having prophets here today helps her know that God still loves his children. That was really amazing.

This week we also spent a lot of time "above the canal". There is a canal that runs at a diagonal across our area that has only 2 crossings and they are very hard to get to. The canal divides the HIGH income area from the LOW income area it is an EXTREMELY drastic line. While it is harder to find people above the canal they tend to be way more solid and they understand a little more about what we are talking about and can get themselves to church.

This week was an interesting week, I learned a lot about how I am just a tool that the Lord uses, and for more difficult situations he uses a better tool. And that has become my goal to become a tool that he can use in more situations.

In my studies I have been focusing on the facets of the Doctrine of Christ that Elder Scott left us in a Stake Conference Broadcast that we had a little while ago mixed with love like Elder Kopishke talked about. As I did. I realized that my desires to share what I was learning grew. It was amazing to see that these simple parts of the Doctrine could help people so much! 

STAY STRONG, PUSH ON!!

ELDER PARK

Letter From The President, March 23, 2014....

Dear Missionaries,

I am enclosing the music “Faith in Every Footstep” for you to download (MP3 file) and learn if this will help you do so for the “Cultural Event”. This will be the second to the last song and we will remain standing in our places to sing “High on the Mountain Top” Hymn # 5 which is the finale. Please learn this Hymn as well. We will descend along the sides of the mezzanine instead of in front of the General Authorities. We will talk about other details later, but please learn these songs.

With the Temple dedication at our doorstep, there is much to do and prepare for as missionaries. The power that has and will come because of this Temple influence will bring about a tremendous Spirit and many miracles. It will bless us with not only power, but also knowledge and understanding of the “mysteries of the kingdom”:

“And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the odinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest... For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.” (D&C 84:19-20,22)

When Joseph Smith dedicated the Kirtland Temple, he certainly saw our day:

“ And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them; And from this place they may bear exceedingly great and glorious tidings, in truth, unto the ends of the earth, that they may know that this is thy work, and that thou hast put forth thy hand, to fulfil that which thou hast spoken by the mouths of the prophets, concerning the last days.” ( D&C 109:22-23)

This scripture helps us understand why we need to receive the ordinances of the Temple before we are set apart and sent out as missionaries, full time “Representatives of Jesus Christ”. We go forth “armed with power”, with His name upon us, bearing “great and glorious tidings” to the world. What a wonderful opportunity and blessing as the Temple ordinances aid us is in this responsibility.

Part of that power comes from obedience, which are important instructions and covenants that we learn and make in the Temple. When I was a Stake President, we had a beautiful Temple built in Juarez, Mexico in the year 2000 that was only about 22 minutes from our home. What a Great blessing it was not to have to travel 7 hours or 400 miles before this Temple was built. Several years later, the drug cartels in Mexico began to declare war on the government and on each other and Juarez quickly became the most dangerous city in the world with an average of 15 murders a day. Our city, El Paso, Texas still maintained its status of the second safest city in the United States, so we felt safe and protected. Many of the Saints refused to go to this city across the border in fear of their safety and the intimidation of military soldiers with their machine guns, and tanks lined along the roads. I felt inspired to tell our members that if they went straight to the Temple and back, (no shopping, eating, stopping) that The Lord would protect them. Gradually the volume of Saints going to the Temple began to grow and we never had any incidence even to this day. I know the Lord protected us as we remained obedient to His promise, and the blessings of the Temple gave the entire area a surge of power.

I know as we utilize this influence that each of us have access to from the Temple, and remain obedient in all that God and his leaders have asked of us, we will be “armed” with God’s power. Obedience will help steer us through “unchartered seas” as President Monson has taught:

“There is no need for you or me in this enlightened age, when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, to sail uncharted seas or travel unmarked roads in search of a ‘fountain of truth’... For a living Heavenly Father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing map — obedience” (Strength through obedience, Ensign, July 1996).

President Hinckley teaches us the importance to stay obedient, even when it “may not be to our liking or fit in with our ideas”:

“I give you my witness that the leaders of this Church will never ask us to do anything that we cannot perform with the help of the Lord... We may feel inadequate. That which we are asked to do may not be to our liking or fit in with our ideas. But if we will try with faith and prayer and resolution, we can accomplish it... I give you my testimony that the happiness of the Latter-day Saints, the peace of the Latter-day Saints, the progress of the Latter-day Saints, the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, and the eternal salvation and exaltation of this people lie in walking in obedience to the counsels of the priesthood of God” (“If Ye Be Willing and Obedient,” Ensign, December 1971).
Armed with the Power of God and obedience to Him in inviting everyone:
“The guy who was taking our orders [at Taco Bell] asked us who we were and we told him that we were missionaries and we share messages about Jesus...  I felt like I might as well give that guy a chapel card and invite him to church so I grabbed one in the car... walked inside and gave the him a chapel card and invited him to be baptized and he accepted...  My thoughts the rest of the week turned to our investigators and the people we were preparing to be baptized for us that weekend. Come Sunday I walk into sacrament about 10 minutes early right after getting people up for church and driving 30 minutes to the chapel and guess who is there? The Taco Bell guy!  He only had $2.50 to catch the bus to church from where he lived to the church and said he was going to just walk home after, which was a 2 and a half hour walk! Now that is showing major FAITH! We got him a ride home and he is preparing to be baptized next Sunday.”
Armed with the Power of God and obedience to Him in helping everyone keep commitments:
 “We taught our investigator Fred the word of wisdom. As we focused on the doctrine linking that to his desire of receiving the Holy Ghost he was motivated into change, thanks to the Spirit. We came back the next day and a note was on the door. ‘Sisters don't leave me. Please come back tomorrow. I will be at my uncles house,’ was plastered on it. When we were in the parking lot Fred was on his way out telling us that he has not had a single cigarette or coffee. Fred went the extra mile and went on Mormon.org watching tons of videos (in which we never even mentioned), and read scriptures we did not ask him to read. In his own words, he wanted to feel the "feeling" that he felt when we first prayed with him. He was baptized yesterday by our Bishop. As the opportunity was given Fred bore his testimony and told everyone that since we have shared the gospel, he feels like he could breathe. The tightness in his heart is now relieved. From the ashtray in the dumpster after the 2nd lesson, to kicking his friend (bad influence) out after the 1st lesson ETC... all on his own. He was able to change through the Atonement that he now fully has access to. The Lord went before us and fulfilled His promise as we prayed that night we found him, asking the Lord to place someone who is prepared to receive us.”
Armed with the Power of God and obedience to Him to know God will compensate for our diligence:
“Obviously, God is greater than us. For us to be like Him, we must also pass through our own trials and tribulations. If you picture it, when we walk/run/sprint uphill, it is not easy. There is a lot of resistance, but by the time you get to the top of the hill, you are stronger than you were at the bottom. Our trials lead us to the Lord and if we are not going the Lords way we are going downhill. This week as I was on an exchange ... we were able to experience the law of compensation. We had not really found anyone off of our own finding this week, but we were extremely diligent and we received a call from the Assistants (who were also on an exchange...exchange miracles!). We couldn't answer so they left a voice mail that said this, ‘We have our friend Tom who wants to talk to you.’ (and then Tom got on) ‘Hi, I just can't wait to tell you about how good God is. Come and see me anytime. I want to be baptized.’ It was such an amazing miracle! God is good!”
President Monson taught that obedience in a challenging and complex world will simplify our lives and give us additional knowledge and answers to our questions:
"We learn obedience throughout our lives. Beginning when we are very young, those responsible for our care set forth guidelines and rules to ensure our safety. Life would be simpler for all of us if we would obey such rules completely. …The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments.”

He then added that obedience is what has given prophets their knowledge and power:

"Obedience is a hallmark of prophets; it has provided strength and knowledge to them throughout the ages... It is essential for us to realize that we, as well, are entitled to this source of strength and knowledge.” (President Thomas S. Monson, General Conference, April 2013)

Joseph Smith simply said:
"I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 160).

 Missionaries, Let's Do It!!!

Our resolution is to achieve 175 Baptisms !!! March can be our miracle month!!! We need to keep the increase in Dates and I@S! We need 200 dates and 200 I@S this week. All must contribute!

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, Elders and Sisters, We can do this!!! We have work to do!!! “Armed with the Power of God, Let’s Do It!!!”

President Don E. Anderson

Week 25 In Fort Lauderdale....

Woah, that is so very sad to hear about, I remember both John and Bryan and I can't believe it. My prayers and love do go out to their little families. It brings joy that they were such amazing men in the church. While their kids might be missing a father, I know that John and Bryan set a good example for them to follow and it is amazing that the Gospel allows us to have knowledge of the life to come.

Yesterday, that wonderful and sweet Old Cuban Lady, Nelsa, was baptized. Manuel the Old Cuban Man we baptized in February, performed the baptism. It was amazing to see that it is never too late to make those changes in your life the both of them lived long full lives, had habits of drinking coffee, smoking, and other things, but the both of them made those changes because they realized they had found the truth. And that is a miracle and wonderful. And I like what Dad said, "Now is the time to repent, do not procrastinate, you don't know when you are leaving this world" the fact that in 2 weeks they went from not knowing anything about the gospel to becoming members and committing to live the commandments is amazing. They BOTH volunteered to work at the temple open house on Sunday as well is truly amazing.

This week we had a specialized training with President Anderson. It was a much needed call to repentance for the misision. Nothing big had been happening in the mission or anything like that, but there was beginning to be pride in the mission. We have been having so much success that we weren't relying on the Lord enough and we didn't have the sense of urgency that we needed and  therefore were not seeing the success we were used to and then getting discouraged and therefore not qualifying for the success that we wanted. And as you can see there becomes a cycle and we needed to break out of it. A quote from when Elder Kopishke came has really struck me in the last were days. He applied it to missionary work specifically but it applies to all things in life. "Don't take the credit for success, or the blame for failure" now when he said this he was referring to the nothingness of man and the greatness of God. He doesn't mean that we shouldn't be excited for our successes or the effort we put in that was rewarded nor that we should be un-confident that we can do it, but that we need to look at where all the success comes from. It is a gift from God, everything in our life, our Talents, the opportunities that fall into our lap and the situations that align just right. We should always give thanks to God for those things and the difference that it makes in our lives. And so that has been the basis of my personal study lately how I can avoid pride. It's an on going battle I have found because as soon as you start to study it you find out there was a lot of pride in obscure places deep inside yourself and as you begin to work on that, you begin to feel pride that you are trying to be un prideful. So that's funny, try not to become prideful and then it happens.

It is amazing to hear that Grandma and Grandpa finally got their actual Mission call this week. The email I got from them went a little like this:

DO NOT EAT THE PACKAGES OF FREEZE-DRIED APPLE SLICES AND BANANA AND STRAWBERRY SLICES.

And that was the first email I read... haha I just thought it was funny how bold and urgent (and caring) they are! (There was a recall on the fruit slices.) But they didn't say anything about the call. I am excited to hear what all is involved in the mission! A whole week at the MTC will change a person, let me tell ya! It's like a spiritual blender, helps you see that the mission is REALLY bigger that you thought.

It's great to hear Garret and Leah are doing great, Leah's got to send me a pic of her painted glass, and that Grandpa's doing good, I hear radioactive Iodine causes tails, not glowing. (Mr. Smarty Pants! hahaha!)

Elder T***** and I had been trying very hard to get referrals from members and help them become more involved in missionary work, like we know that we are supposed to do. But, little success had been seen, we knew it was what God wanted us to do and that we would be blessed for our efforts.On Friday, we received a referral for a man named Ricardo. We showed up to teach him at the street corner that he asked us to meet him at and he was a man we had OYM'ed (Open Your Mouth, talk to someone on the street) a week or so earlier. We taught him the simple doctrine of prayer and that God wants to hear him pray and will answer his prayers, then when the spirit was highest we invited him to be baptized and he excepted! He was so excited to get baptized he didn't want to wait until next Sunday, at church he told us that he wanted to get baptized right then! As we put forth our effort to be obedient and continue doing what we had been asked to do even though it was difficult the Lord blessed us with an amazing referral.

Anyway this was a good week!

STAYIN' SCRONG n' PUSHININ ON  (spent alotta time in da hood dis week)

ELDER PARK