September 7, 2013

Today, Erica was baptised and became the newest member of the Nauvoo First Ward. She is a wonderful young woman that is raising a three year old daughter on her own and is another one of God's miracles. She is totally committed and we have been blessed to be able to share with her the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we presented different aspects of the doctrine, she had several well intended questions that were carefully presented to us. She loves Sister Warner and it was wonderful to sit back and watch the two of them interface and resolve concerns. At one point she presented all of the health benefits of green tea and wanted an answer as to why she could not drink it. I told her that the Lord has asked us to refrain from drinking tea and that He desires that we be obedient. After some further discussion, she threw out all of her tea and so it went with each principle that we taught her. Sister Warner committed her to baptism and the two of them set the baptism date. Sister Warner is a dedicated servant of the Lord!!

 

We have a Mission Tour coming up on September 12Th, with Elder Robert C. Gay from the First Quorum of the Seventy. Many of you might remember him as the visiting General Authority that reorganized the Poway Stake Presidency, back in March. He's a wonderful man and it will be a blessing to be taught from one of the Lord's chosen servants. 

Nauvoo is slowing from its hectic pace of just a month ago. Many families have taken late vacations and have come to town and there are still many Temple weddings being performed in Nauvoo. The young Sister Missionaries have been here for almost six months. Soon, they will leave for six months to proselyte in different areas of the country. They will then return to Nauvoo for the final six months of their missions. Many of the site missionaries have begun to return to their homes, with the Temple Missionaries doing the same. President Condie, the Temple President will be released at the end of October and President Gilliland, the President of the Illinois Nauvoo Mission will be released at the end of this year. It has been wonderful to be able to work with these two great men, as they have been so supportive to our efforts in Nauvoo. 

We have been on our mission for six months now and we have learned a great deal about this wonderful work. We have learned that it is hard work, especially in Nauvoo. As we are the only proselyting missionaries here, trying to keep up with the younger missionaries in neighboring areas is an arduous task. We have learned that exact obedience brings great blessings of joy. We have learned that the key to missionary work is planning and that without a plan, one can wonder aimlessly through the mission field, as well as through life. We have learned that the Lord places people in our paths and expects us to do something. We have also learned that He will hold us accountable if we do not. We have learned that we need to see people through the eyes of the Savior and to become less judgmental. We have learned that we have to develop a relationship of love and trust with our investigators and that the only way to accomplish this is to listen and overcome their concerns. Lastly, we have learned that this is the Lord's work and that we are nothing without Him. If we do as He asks us, eventually we will find that joy and happiness that we each so desperately seek. This work is true!  We pray that you might seek the Father in all things, for He will surely answer and direct your path.

Be good missionaries! The Lord is hastening His work and He needs you!! By the end of the year, there will be 100,000+ missionaries in the mission field and they will need YOU. Feeding them dinner is commendable, but it is not enough and the Lord expects so much more from each of us. We all know that member missionary work is the only way to hasten the Lord's plan. Invite your neighbors, your friends and your family to hear the word of the Lord. Help those missionaries. The time is now!! 

Stand Strong and Be Bold!! 

With love,
Elder and Sister Warner