General Epistle the Thirteenth

Hello, everyone!

This week was a good one, especially this weekend. Our stake here, the Spring Stake, had Stake Conference. The Adult Session was awesome. A recent convert, Sean-Michael, got to speak. He was really funny and yet bore a powerful  testimony. He also dropped the G-word a few times, which made it a little bit awkward. Luckily, the humor made that go away.

We also heard from the mission president, President Pingree.  We gave a great talk on missionary work and how we can do it. We talked about making the effort, even if the person declines. 

Others spoke on how temple work and missionary work are the same thing. They both achieve the Lord's purpose of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Truly, everything we do in this church is to bring that purpose about.

The general session the next morning was just as good. President Little, second counselor on the stake presidency, spoke about reactivation efforts. He talked about how we need to reach out as friends to those who have fallen away or have been forgotten. Consistent efforts can pay off in the end. Along with this is home teaching and visiting teaching, but he pointed out that we don't need to be assigned to a family to become their friends and help reactivate them.

I want to let anybody who reads this to know that I know our Savior lives. I know this is His work of salvation and exaltation. If you have questions, you can ask them to me. I'm serving the Lord full time and I want to be the best friend, son, and brother I can. 

I want to share a few of the miracles that got me to the field. I hope that they can uplift somebody in some way.

First is a miracle that happened on the way to the temple. I was going there after work one day because I wanted to meditate and pray. I was weighed down with sorrow for choices I had made. As I drove, I noticed that it was about to rain. I had the radio on to the Christian station. A song came on that I like. Just as the first drop fell on my windshield, the words of the song were "hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me." It hit the glass on the word "rain". I knew then that Heavenly Father was keenly aware of me and He was trying to help me.

Another miracle happened last year. I was contemplating serving a full-time mission at the church's publishing department. I would have lived at home, but gone down each day to serve. I was excited about it, and even took of tour of the building. After, I had this feeling like I shouldn't do it. It was strange, because I wanted to badly to serve, but I kept getting the feeling that I should at least wait until after my next doctor's appointment, which was a week away. I did, and it was at that appointment that Dr. Jansen said he knew I would have to move on with life, and if I wanted to move out of the state, he would be okay with it. He basically cleared me to serve. I knew then why I had the feeling to not accept the offer to serve at the publishing department. 

Another miracle occurred while determining what day to put on my papers that I was available to serve a mission. I wanted to be around for Tony's and Anna's wedding, as well as Gwen's birth. But I went to the temple and prayed in the baptistry chapel. I opened up to the Doctrine & Covenants 30 and read  "yea, you shall ever open your mouth in my cause, not^a fearing what ^bman can do, for I am ^cwith you. Amen."

I felt that I was fearing man more than God to try to stay and not get into the field. I also received a revelation on which day to put on my papers: May 22nd. I decided to do it. When I got my call a couple weeks later, May 22 was the exact day they wanted me to enter the MTC. I knew it was a small miracle just for me. 

There are others that are sacred and I won't share here, if ever. But I knew miracles happen, even if they are small. I know the Lord is guiding our lives in little ways everyday to where we need to go. Even when it seems like we are being cut down, the Gardener knows what is best for us. Even when it seems like we are going through the fires of affliction, it is only to consume the dross. Be of good cheer; He has overcome the world. 

I share this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

~Elder Murdock

General Epistle the Twelfth

Hello!

For anyone who I have not sent one of these to, this is my weekly letter to all who may be interested. Usually it is posted at my blog murdomission.blogspot.com. Weeks past are there if you want to read them.

This week has been a pretty good one. On Monday we went to the Sister's apartment complex and played pool and games. It was a good time and very needed.

Tuesday we got to go to the temple. It's a wonderful blessing that we get to go once a transfer. It recharges me for the next six weeks. It was good to just sit in the celestial room and ponder and feel the Spirit. 

That evening we got to teach a man about the Plan of Salvation. He is a coworker of one of the members in our area. He wanted to know what we believe about life after death, and this helped him understand more about what really happens when we die. He was so open and asked great questions. We felt the Spirit in the lesson, and we're sure he did, too.

Wednesday we did service all day by first mowing a sister's lawn. Then we went to a Nature Center near our area and cleared out weeds. If anyone ever has need of service, give the missionaries a call. It could be mowing, weeding, raking leaves, shoveling snow, painting, canning, just anything. I know we're always looking for opportunities, and I'm sure the elders there are also.

Thursday we planned for the next week and spent some time looking at videos on Mormon.org. 

Friday was District Meeting. We had a breakfast right before it. Sister Bonner in our district cooked Belgian waffles and there was whipped cream and strawberries. It was really good. She felt bad because she had us hauling water in a bucket during a rainstorm from outside the church to the font in the church. 

Saturday we woke up way early at 5 AM for basketball. I slept on the couch in the foyer as Elder Barney played in the gym. That afternoon, we went with some members to Sports Authority and purchased a new bike, since I don't have one out here yet. I don't have any pics of me on it, yet, but I do have a picture of it attached. I also got a helmet and other stuff for it. I'm excited!

Yesterday was one of the most spiritual days I've had out here so far. We had Ward Council, which always goes well. The council here is awesome and they work hard in their callings. They follow-up with their assignments and are mostly accountable. During church, Elder Barney and I got to go into the Primary and teach the kids about missionary work. They had questions about life as a missionary and we told them what to do to prepare to serve. It was a great experience.

After church, we met with the bishop and the Ward Mission Leader, Brother Ginn. It was a very sacred meeting. We discussed what can do to get the work moving. We talked about what members can do to help. The prayers offered brought the Spirit very strongly, and I will never forget that meeting. 

We met a family we had not met yet. We shared a thought with them. Right after we left their house, Elder Barney said he needed to use the restroom. We decided to walk across the road and hop a member's fence to ask them. As we approached their backdoor, it turned out that they were celebrating the daughter's birthday. They invited us in and sat us down with chocolate cake while she opened her cards. This family is an incredible family named the Eldredge's. They have a son on a mission and the daughter just turned 18. Funny thing, the missionary son's name is Sawyer. The 18-year-old's name is Mikella (like Mikayla). We had a great time and shared a message with them.  

I know that this work is truly God's work. We are here to gather scattered Israel home. We are here to bring souls unto Christ and back to live with Heavenly Father in Eternal Life. I testify and add my witness to countless others: Jesus Christ lives! He is the head of the church. He has called again a prophet to guide us home. I know it is true! I know we are engaged in a great work, indeed, the greatest work.

If you have doubts, doubt those doubts before you doubt your faith. As Elder Holland has said "...if your faith is a little tested in this or any season, I invite you to lean on mine." Elder Holland has seen the Son of God and knows of His reality, His divinity, and His leadership of this church. While I have not seen Christ, I also have a firm testimony that he is our Savior, the Son of God, who lives and guides us through His appointed prophets. 

I joyfully share this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

With love,

Elder Murdock

General Epistle the Eleventh

Hello, y'all!

I got a new companion this week: Elder Barney. He is from Hurricane, Utah. He has been in the same zone for all 16 months of his mission prior to this area, so this is new to him. Elder Ririe went off to a place called Klein.

Transfers got moved up by two days. We found out on Sunday night instead of Tuesday. We got new companions on Tuesday instead of Thursday.  This is how it will be from now on. Elder Ririe didn't have long to say goodbye to the people who he spent the last eight months with. BTW, I hope I don't spend eight months in one area, especially one as small as this. I'd go crazy.

This is my first time taking over an area. It is difficult to schedule everything and keep track of who is home when. I also have to figure out where people live and plan how long it will take to walk there. My new companion is the new district leader for this district, and it's his first time being one. He is adjusting to that at the same time that he's getting used to a new area, so we are both experiencing something new. It's good for us and will help us grow. 

We have a couple baptism dates set! However, one investigator hasn't been to church yet, and the other has some issues we need to work through. We will trust in Heavenly Father and pray for their progress. Perhaps the dates will be delayed, but that isn't a bad thing if they need more preparation. 

The weather has finally started to cool down. It isn't burning hot and humid like it has been. I'm not sure how long it will last, but I hope it will be a few weeks at least. Maybe we've even entered into winter at last, though I doubt it.

With the holidays coming up, my thoughts are turning to how we can use these events to our advantage with regards to missionary work. Halloween may be scary and fun, but there is also great opportunity to meet neighbors and share treats. I encourage y'all to meet the parents who knock on your doors. Make this a missionary opportunity and be creative about it. 

I hope all is well on the home front. The work is picking up here. Hopefully we can all achieve the Lord's purposes as we work together, members and missionaries.

This is the work of salvation for Heavenly Father's children. We all have a part in it. We all have talents to use. We all have opportunities to do good. We can all help bring to pass immortality and eternal life for ourselves and our associates.

May we have great success in our efforts to spread this message abroad.

I share that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have a wonderful, autumnal week.

Elder Murdock

General Epistle the Tenth

Hello, all!

I can't believe how long it has been. This is the start of my fourth transfer! I'm getting a new companion tomorrow. Elder Ririe has been good, despite my being an idiot sometimes.

The area is rather small, but that just means we have to rely on the members more than other areas. It's through the members that we can find people to teach. In the latest Ensign, there was an article on hastening the work of salvation.  This is a wonderful time to be a missionary, but also a member. Here is a quote from the article:

"Full-time missionaries are trained to teach those who have been prepared to receive the gospel. They help the members with the members’ missionary work, not vice versa. Full-time and member missionaries are thus partners in bringing the gospel into the lives of those the Lord has prepared to receive it."

I encourage you all to consider how you can help the full-time missionaries have people to teach. Our ward mission leader has a cousin who is a mission president in California. There is an area there that baptizes an average of 40 people a year. That's almost one a week! The members there know their responsibilities and do them. They have the spirit of missionary work, which is the same as accomplishing God's purpose of bringing to pass our immortality and eternal life. When all is said and done, the greatest duty is to preach the Gospel.

I hope everyone got to catch General Conference. If there were any sessions you missed, go and watch them ASAP. It was one of the best conferences ever. President Monson even said so. The general authorities are getting more and more clear, succinct, and bold in their statements of truth, and you can feel the power of their words. 

This week's question is this: What ideas do you have to be more involved in the work of salvation?

Send your answers back; I'd love to hear them. 

I know I haven't sent many pictures home. I'll try to be more diligent in that. However, don't be shy to send yours to me. I'd love to see them. 

On Friday I got rather excited about the work. I read a couple things that got me pumped. Then Zone Meeting just got me more pumped. Then conference the next two days has me wanting to run from door to door. This is an exciting time to see the Lord's work hastening. We can do it because there is nothing He has asked us to do that He will not make a way for us to do. This is the work of the Lord, preparing the world for His glorious return. It is a wonderful time. I look forward to and pray for the day of His coming. We can help to usher in His reign. We can do it! 

I share that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sincerely,

Elder Murdock

General Epistle the Eighth

Hi everyone!

 

 

My birthday was a good day. I got to do a bit of service for an older man in the ward. We sanded and then spray painted a couple chairs. As we were doing it, his less-active son came outside and told us some bad news. The son's wife may have cervical cancer. There was a tumor found, and they will be doing a biopsy on the 25th. We pray for them that it will be well, but perhaps this is a time to invite them back to church. Faith is critical at a time of crisis. After lunch and weekly planning, we went to dinner with the Alvarez family. They knew it was my birthday, so they served pie and ice cream afterward. I even got to blow out a couple candles. We then visited a couple of member families. One is new in the area. She played the piano as I sang "Danny Boy" and I played as she sang "Homeward Bound". It was nice to get to sing like that. Maybe, if I'm still in this area during the holidays, we can put something together for Sacrament or something.

 

I did receive a few packages, for which I really am grateful. They were awesome and I'll be sharing the sugary wealth with my fellow missionaries.

 

The area is doing okay. I realized that having a small, affluent area could be useful. Perhaps involving the members by encouraging them to do things in the community will help. Things from extra curricular activities (which are hugely popular here in Houston) to BBQs (another big thing here) to neighborhood socials. If the members involve themselves in the community and even become a central force for good, many great opportunities to share the gospel would open up. Some are already doing it pretty well. Others could use a bit more encouragement. We'll keep working with everyone to help them strengthen their testimonies and thereby strengthen the work.

 

On Monday night, we had dinner and FHE with a family. They have a son, Sawyer, who is also serving. He asked them "What increases your faith in Jesus Christ?" I ask you the same. What things increase your faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God?

 

I studied a bit about the Light of Christ this week. The Light of Christ is "given to every man, that he may know good from evil."(Moroni 7:16) It is the way every person knows what is right and what is wrong, no matter where they are born. It is given to us by virtue of the Atonement.  When heeded, the Light of Christ will lead the truth-seeker to the truth. Light enables discernment. It allows things to be seen clearly. It reveals the way when darkness surrounds. It illuminates obstacles so they can be overcome. However, although light can do these things, it is up to us to do anything about it. Just as Laman and Lemuel had an angel minister to them, yet still murmured, we have the option of using our agency to put the light we have to good use. We can let the light guide us, or we can ignore it. We can use it to overcome obstacles, or we can stumble over them by turning away from the light.

 

Also mentioned at church was the concept of Zion being a city set upon a hill. When we use the light given to us, we are then a beacon to others. They can see it and they can follow it. Again, they have their agency, but we as followers of Christ ought to let our lights shine before all. Then they'll see our works and know that, even though we aren't perfect, we are living to the best of our abilities the covenants we have made.

 

Something interesting about fire is that it is similar to a plant. It needs fuel and nourishment. We need to fan and feed the flames of our testimonies. We can do this by understanding more the Atonement of Christ in our individual lives. To understand it, we must experience it. This brings us back to the question I asked above. What increases your faith in Christ?

 

I hope each of us will nourish our testimonies and help them grow. Whether it's an ember or a flame, feed it and it will become a great beacon for those around you. It will also purify and refine you in the process. I have had impurities burned from me by the light of living the gospel. I still have many more to go, and it is a slow process, but it is worth every hour of effort. I share that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Elder Murdock