Taiwan Taichung Mission, 2013-16

Monday, October 19, 2015

10-19-15 President's Weekly Letter

As your mission president, I am continually trying to understand how we can better understand our missionary purpose, what we can do to more effectively achieve our goals, and who we are becoming in the process. Like you, I was greatly inspired by general conference. I came away with greater desire to love and serve others, to be more obedient, and to keep the covenants that I have made.

This week I have especially pondered the phrase “real intent.” These two words appear together only five times in the scriptures, four of them in Moroni’s writings and once by Nephi. Moroni implores us to repent, give of ourselves and seek truth with real intent. Nephi teaches us to follow the Savior, “with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent” (2Ne. 31: 13).

In the gospel of Jesus Christ, the results we desire and the methods with we use are equally important. We continually fill our days with tasks that help us accomplish our missionary purpose AND we must carry them out for the right reasons. We need to have real intent in all that we do. We must constantly examine the why of what we are doing. Moroni explained it this way, “For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing” (Mor. 7:6).

Each day of our mission is an offering unto our Heavenly Father, putting our time, talents, and all that we are on the alter of sacrifice. At times our zeal to do what we have been asked to do may distract us from our true missionary purpose. This can easily happen in striving to accomplish mission standards. Last month in MLC, I shared a story about a companionship who was one lesson short of hitting mission standards that week. It was 8pm Sunday night and they had their last lesson scheduled. As the lesson began, it was quickly apparent to the senior companion that the person whom they were teaching had no real interest. At 8:15pm, he was faced with a decision: should I stay and finish this lesson so that we can achieve mission standards, or should I spend the last 45 minutes of my proselyting week striving to find someone who is searching for truth? This missionary quickly ended the lesson and proceeded to leave. What would you have done in this circumstance?

Our mission standards are one way of measuring our diligence and are designed to increase our faith. As we go about our work with real intent, we will often be led to do things that cannot be measured or reported, but will result in great good being accomplished. On the other hand, we may be tempted to “suan” things count towards mission standards but do little to bring about conversion to Christ. Teaching a quick principle and having a roadside prayer with someone can be a means of spreading truth, or can simply be a way to report more lessons. One of our ZLs suggested reporting only “progressing“ investigators attending church (those with whom we are working) so as to more accurately project those who have the potential of being baptized.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has taught, “My dear friends and fellow priesthood holders, if Jesus Christ were to sit down with us and ask for an accounting of our stewardship, I am not sure He would focus much on programs and statistics. What the Savior would want to know is the condition of our heart. He would want to know how we love and minister to those in our care, how we show our love to our [companion]” (On Being Genuine, Apr. 2015 gen. conf.). Let us strive to do all that we do because we love God and we love our fellow man. May we have real intent.

President Blickenstaff

Mentor of Champions

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

10-13-15 Departing Missionary

We only had one sister depart from her mission this transfer, but let me tell you, her absence will be felt.

She is a powerhouse missionary!

We took a leisurely train ride together to the temple:

Because this sister actually lives within our mission boundaries, we can look forward to seeing her often!

Always fun to see other returned Taichung missionaries serving at the temple:

And parents of missionaries currently serving in our mission:

It is just bliss to serve a mission with your parents!

Monday, October 12, 2015

10-12-15 President's Weekly Letter

Dear Elders and Sisters,

During our most recent round of interviews, I was struck by something that one of our missionaries said to me. She commented that she wished there was less gossip in the mission. As we discussed her impressions she noted that there seems to be a spirit of competition and a tendency to judge other missionaries. Many of our missionaries are high achievers, accustomed to doing well in school and learning things easily. There is an almost natural tendency for our foreign missionaries to compare and compete as to who speaks Chinese most fluently. Another common source of comparison are positions of leadership, ranging from senior companion to AP. If we watch and aspire to such assignments, we will become crippled with pride, which is Satan’s tool to undermine us. Pride will prevent us from humbly following our Master’s example, being servant to all. Such pride can cause us to become unhappy or discouraged with our current assignment and lead us to aspire to positions, authority and the honors of men.

If we are not careful, every transfer can be a source of gossip. When you receive a new assignment, do you look forward to a new start, and afford one to your companion? Or is it difficult for you to avoid finding out from other missionaries what they know about your new companion? How might starting out each new companionship with pre-conceived ideas hinder companionship unity? I have recently seen some great examples of missionaries in our mission who have overlooked the obvious outward flaws and imperfections of their companions and instead focused on the inner goodness and eternal worth that is only visible to those who possess the gift of charity. I have been amazed to observe the kindness, patience and brotherly love exhibited by these missionaries and the noticeable effect it has had on their companions. These missionaries are truly becoming disciples of Christ and learning to see others as He sees them.

Some time ago a missionary who made a few regrettable choices near the end of his mission subsequently found himself in an embarrassing and unfortunate circumstance. We have all been in similar situations at some time in our lives. I tried to handle this situation in a way that would not draw attention to anyone. A few months later, after the missionary had returned home honorably, another missionary boldly asked his former companion, “Did he really do [such and such]?” I was so pleased to hear that the former companion responded, “I really don’t think we should talk about this!” In Proverbs we read, “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter” (Pro. 11:13).

As we seek to be more consecrated missionaries, let us put aside all gossip, comparisons, and competition, and focus on serving others with all of our hearts. Let our hearts not be divided by envy or comparison. Let us follow the example of the Savior, who taught, “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matt. 12:36).

President Blickenstaff

Mentor of Champions

Sunday, October 11, 2015

10-11-15 October Visitors!

President's former assistant met his wife shortly after returning home from Taiwan, on a humanitarian aid project in Africa. Blessing from giving service!