Called and Ordained Servants of Christ - May 6, 2013

Can you believe it has been 9 months already? Because I sure can't!

This last Saturday we as a mission had the incredible opportunity to be taught by Elder Neil L. Andersen, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. We were also taught by Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy, Elder Edward Dubea newly called member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and our Mission President Couple President and Sister Jergensen. Elder Michael J. Reall, our Area Seventy, was also in attendance. It was incredible!

Elder Andersen spoke on the merits, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ and how we can better understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ and allow its enabling power to enter into our lives. Elder Clayton told us to “work hard and be good!” Be ‘whole’ saints, not just inbetweeners. Elder Dube spoke about love and the importance of members. Sister Jergensen spoke about the importance of love and how it should be the driving force behind everything we do. President Jergensen spoke on the importance of diligence.

Last week we found an investigator. She is a friend of Aung's family. Aung is awesome and he is always willing to help! He speaks Karen, English, and a little Burmese. We had initially taught her once. They way we met her is pretty funny! We were going to visit a potential investigator family with Aung on Elder Sierra's first day in the mission field.. When they weren't home, he opened the door of the next door neighbor, talked to them, then turned to us and said "Do you want to teach her?" We answered yes, and we proceeded to walk in and taught her about the Restoration. Aung was translating, and he doesn't speak a lot of burmese, but the Lord blessed him and he was able to help us communicate with her. She said she wanted to become a Christian and what does it take to be one. She told us something about being Hindu or speaking Hindu, but we were excited to help her come to the truth without having the concern "I've already been baptized." That is a concern that we have found with almost every Karen person we have met with.

We were meeting with her for the second time Saturday night when we found out she was Muslim. Our Mission President must interview the person and approve their being taught before we can teach a Muslim and prepare them for baptism. Thankfully we had stake conference yesterday that President Jergensen would be at. She came with Aung's family, and after the Conference was interviewed by President. President gave the ok, we met with her last night, and she is preparing to be baptized on May 25th! Please pray for her and that it will all work out with her, her daughter and that she will get a job that won't work on Sundays.

Things are going great! Thank you for your prayers and your love! A scripture that I found this week that is wonderful is Mosiah 4:5-13. It helped my understanding of the Atonement of Christ and what we can do to improve. I hope it helps you as well!

Love,

Elder Zachary R McKenzie

Iowa Des Moines Mission

    D&C 6:34, 36

Doubt Not, Fear Not.
Nothing Less than 550