Dear Elders and Sisters,
We were blessed to help 60 of our brothers and sisters
receive baptism in the month of March! It took diligence, skill and especially
FAITH. On Monday of the last week it did not look very likely that we would be
able to achieve our goal. I am grateful for your prayers, obedience, hard work
and for not giving up. In the end, going forward with faith led to eleventh
hour miracles! I believe with persistent effort and enduring faith we can
witness 60 baptisms every month in our mission.
I am so grateful to see so many companionships setting
goals based on mission standards and then proceeding with diligence and faith
to accomplish their goals. I know that some areas of the mission are more
challenging than others. Baptisms in these areas are seemingly rare. I love it
when missionaries in these difficult areas set goals, have faith and work
diligently to realize their goals. They seem oblivious to the challenges and
prior lack of success. Their attitude alone exemplifies a successful PMG
missionary. In many cases, their
faith and diligence is also rewarded with progressing towards and/or achieving
mission standards.
I am working to prepare for the coming transfer next week.
Preparing each transfer takes faith, diligence and skill. It is a sacred trust
from the Lord. I fast and pray to receive inspiration and guidance. I prayerfully
consider each missionary and each companionship. It is a spiritual experience for
me. It is disappointing to hear that some missionaries consider this a time of
speculation and aspiration. Such behavior makes a mockery of something sacred.
If you have engaged in this behavior, I urge you to change by pleading with Heavenly
Father to guide and inspire me in the transfer process, as well as to guide and
inspire yourself in preparing to serve how and where the Lord wants you to
serve.
Section 51 of the Doctrine and Covenants was given in
1831 to saints from New York who were gathering in Ohio. It was a time of
transition, somewhat like a transfer day for missionaries. The Lord said to
them, “And thus I grant unto this people a privilege of organizing themselves
according to my laws. And I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall
provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence; And the hour and the
day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years,
and this shall turn unto them for their good” (D&C 51:15-17).
To each of you, the Lord consecrates an assignment (a
place and a companion) for a “little season.” We should act upon these
assignments “as for years,” meaning that we should proceed as though we may be
in this location with this companion for years. As Ammon began his mission to
the Lamanites, he stated, “I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea,
and perhaps until the day I die.” His mission lasted fourteen years and I’m
sure that he continued to care for his RCs (the people of Ammon) until the day
that he died. What a great example to us of a consecrated missionary!
Make
the last week of this movecall your best, and love the area and those you serve
enough to stay “as for years!”
President
Blickenstaff
Mentor
of Champions
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