The Work of Miracles in Samoa

#ShareTheGift

Savai'i Missionaries

Upolu Missionaries

Tutuila Missionaries

We are not a social media mission, so we were not able to participate in the Church's social media campaign of "He is the Gift." However, we shared the gift and joy of Christmas with the children of Samoa. We organized and held three children's carnivals/parties on each of the three islands, complete with games, chasing of a greased pig, and a Santa! I am not sure who had more fun, the missionaries or the children. It is summer here and very hot and humid; that did not deter the children from coming or the missionaries from entertaining them. Please see all of the photos on the Life with Missionary page. I tried to get enough pictures that you can get a flavor for the fun that we had. I got a call from a friend of ours following our final carnival. He said his sons got into the car after the carnival had concluded and together said, "This is the best Christmas EVER!" It was thrilling to watch the missionaries and the children participate in the joy of the Christmas season.

Following our fun, we gathered for lunch and a devotional. Each missionary received a mission shirt. The saying on the back of the shirt means "even on the darkest night" and features the Southern Cross constellation. The stars shine the brightest on the darkest nights. Our emphasis was that even on our darkest night, in our darkest hours, the Savior is ever watchful and present. Even on the darkest night, we don't give up hope. We asked the missionaries to let their shirts and the stars at night be a reminder that He never gives up on us and is ever close.

When we struggle with "dark night" events, we cannot trust our feelings about what God may or may not be doing in our lives. We can only trust the doctrine and the witness of the scriptures. There are hundreds of statements made by the Savior himself regarding His efforts in our lives:

"Behold, I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands."

"Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you."

"For all flesh is in my hands; be still and know that I am God."

"Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee."

We know that the Savior's most important concern is to sanctify us and redeem us. Sometimes it means things will get hard and dark as we are tutored under His watchful care.

We never give up hope in our "dark nights" because He has promised that He will rescue us. President Tolman taught that the word used for faith in the original Greek scriptures meant trust in another person. If we truly have faith/trust in the Savior, then we don't have expectations about outcomes. We simple do what He has asked, never give up hope, and allow the Lord to work in our lives.

At times when we struggle, we find ourselves praying with greater intent, studying more diligently, and seeking direction from the spirit with open hearts. Why would the Lord want to change our circumstances when it is those very circumstances that have caused us to draw closer to Him?

In the Church's Christmas video, we are taught that HE is the gift and then invited to discover the gift, embrace the gift, and share the gift. He guides us to discover and embrace Him through our darkest nights; it is in these moments when He is the closest.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland helps us understand God's efforts in our mortal lives: "In striving for some peace and understanding in these difficult matters, it is crucial to remember that we are living--and chose to live--in a fallen world where for divine purposes our pursuit of godliness will be tested and tried again and again. Our greatest assurance in God's plan is that a Savior was promised, a Redeemer, who through our faith in Him would lift us triumphantly over those tests and trials, even though the cost to do so would be unfathomable for both the Father who sent Him and the Son who came. It is only an appreciation of this divine love that will make our own lesser suffering first bearable, then understandable, and finally redemptive." (General Conference, October 2013)

We invited the missionaries to discover and embrace the gift. We hope you will join with them in this effort. May this next year be filled with trust in Him who is the Gift.

Have You Learned for Yourself?

Elder Moe, Elder Hodges, Elder Shepherd

We said good-bye to an assistant this week, Elder Shepherd, and welcomed a new one, Elder Hodges. These young assistants learn and grow at a very fast pace while they serve and lead other missionaries. Elder Pearson taught our missionaries last month that their missions are meant to teach them to be powerful leaders. It is a joy to watch as missionaries learn the skills necessary to lead. It is profoundly remarkable to see them lead by the Spirit and do as the Savior would have done. As I have watched this happen for so many of them, I have come to a greater understanding of why God chose a 14-year old boy to be the Father of the Restoration. These young hearts are easy to touch and influence. They listen a little bit better than those of us who are a little older. Once these young missionaries determine that they are going to give their entire will to God, heavenly direction comes in fascinating ways.

There is something instructive in Joseph's words as he visited with his mother immediately following his visit with the Father and the Son. When his mother asked what was wrong, he replied, "I am well enough off." And then this statement that should teach each one of us something profound, "I have learned for myself." God has not put us here on this earth to follow blindly; that was Satan's plan. We have the opportunity to choose good or evil, life or death, happiness or misery. In order for that choice to hold real meaning, we must learn for ourselves. While God's plan is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man," He has an individual plan for each of us. We agreed to and chose to come and follow that plan and path, but if we don't learn for ourselves we will never receive all that He has for us.

Elder Hodges, Elder Moe, Ashleen, Elder Shepherd

We were blessed to watch a young woman find her path and God's plan for her. Ashleen was baptized yesterday morning. She was taught the Gospel by Elder Moe and Elder Shepherd. We were privileged to have her in our home for one of her lessons. She spoke at her baptism and shared that she had many years of experience with the Church. She attended Sunday meetings for a long time, participated in many activities, and had many friends who were members. It wasn't until she wanted to learn for herself that she understood God's plan for her. She shared that the Book of Mormon changed her life; she now really understood what the Gospel, the Church and God could mean in her life. Once she learned those things, the path was clear.

"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" (Alma 5:26) It is through that mighty change of heart, Ashleen learned for herself. It is the same for each of us. If we want to learn for ourselves we must seek and ask. It is required of us to find God again; to awaken our memories to that which we knew before we came here. He know us each, He knows our names, He stands ready to guide us if we will do the work necessary to learn for ourselves. What a joyous message it is. He came to offer life and safety and peace.

"When we understand the character of God, and know how to come to Him, he begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to him, he is ready to come to us." Joseph Smith

PS Stayed tuned next week--our version of #ShareTheGift.

United We Stand

Every mission president is different. They each have their own style and priorities. Their wives are different, too. Some have children with them in the field, some do not. Each mission president couple must work out together how their mission will operate.

I am very grateful that President Tolman and I work as equal partners and a team. The only thing he does on his own is worthiness interviews. We work together on everything else. We have always been a good team, but working together for the good of God's missionaries has been an incredibly sweet experience.

When we work side-by-side in the work of the Lord, remarkable things happen. I believe it is part of the reason that our missionaries have companions. We learn to love others who are different from us. We become friends with someone who under different circumstances we may have never even talked to. We find power in each other's strengths and discover ways to change weaknesses. Testifying of the Savior as authorized representatives sent two-by-two invites the Spirit, who really provides a tender and God-filled testimony.

Do you remember Elder Oaks talk entitled "The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood" given in April 2104 General Conference? He said this, "We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman-young or old-is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood. Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties."

As President Tolman and I exercise our authority together and with the Savior, powerful things occur. It is impossible to articulate what those things are, but it is a clear communication through the Spirit directing the affairs of this mission.

Serving in this way, together with shared authority, has given me a glimpse of the heavens. There is no other church currently organized that has the same deep, rich and clear doctrine regarding women. Sometimes we, as women, shy away from the notion of carrying and acting in authority. Let us remember that during the Savior's ministry "women were not just bystanders but engaged contributors to his ministry." (Nyla McBain) We must be willing to be engaged and lend our spiritual power and authority to His work, in His way, and in His timing.

Failure!

Hi all. We have had a couple of incredibly busy weeks. We welcomed new missionaries and said good-bye to some returning. We had another Mission Leadership Council, which was remarkable, as always.

The failure occurred because I did not do a good job with the pictures. I am sorry! I know how important it is to parents to see their missionaries in their new environment. Please forgive me. Here are the pictures I did take. There are more on the Life with Missionaries page.

Our Mission Leaders

Our New Missionaries

Some of Our Departing Missionaries-forgot to get the whole group.

Failure is an interesting thing. We angst and worry and ultimately in the end somehow we come to grips with our shortcomings and hopefully change and grow in the process. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk in the priesthood session of the most recent General Conference. He said: "None of us likes to admit when we are drifting off the right course. Often we try to avoid looking deeply into our souls and confronting our weaknesses, limitations, and fears. Consequently, when we do examine our lives, we look through the filter of biases, excuses, and stories we tell ourselves in order to justify unworthy thoughts and actions.

But being able to see ourselves clearly is essential to our spiritual growth and well-being. If our weaknesses and shortcomings remain obscured in the shadows, then the redeeming power of the Savior cannot heal them and make them strengths. Ironically, our blindness toward our human weaknesses will also make us blind to the divine potential that our Father yearns to nurture within us."

Serving a mission strips away many of our excuses and helps us look "deeply into our souls and confront our weaknesses." It is truly a privilege to watch these young men and women wrestle through things and discover their strengths and weaknesses. I have experienced much of the same thing. We get to a certain place in our lives and think that we kind of have it all figured out. Serving here in this capacity has taught me very clearly that the Savior is never done tutoring and sanctifying us. It is humbling to realize that He continues to be busy in our lives; why would we think we are ever done growing and changing? I have experienced a greater gratitude for and power in the Atonement as my weaknesses have become clear through this experience. I know that many of our missionaries have experienced the same thing. It is a blessing to watch their progress and witness even their countenances change.

President Uchtdorf went on to counsel, "Those who want to improve and progress, those who learn of the Savior and desire to be like Him, those who humble themselves as a little child and seek to bring their thoughts and actions into harmony with our Father in Heaven-they will experience the miracle of the Savior's Atonement. They will surely feel God's resplendent Spirit. They will taste the indescribable joy that is the fruit of a meek and humble heart. They will be blessed with the desire and discipline to become true disciples of Jesus Christ."

This mission experience for these young missionaries is meant to change them. It is meant to teach them to be good fathers and mothers and leaders. It is meant to teach them how to create eternal families. It is meant to teach them to be disciples of the Jesus Christ. It truly happens that way for the ones who are willing to look deeply into their souls.

The Blessings of a Mission Tour

We had the powerful experience of spending three days with our missionaries and Elder and Sister Pearson of the First Quorum of Seventy. Elder Pearson is the Pacific Area President. They met with our missionaries, provided training for them and for us, assessed the spiritual strength of the mission, and lifted every one of us. It is an experience that I will treasure. There are so many blessing that come from serving a mission; this one, however, doesn't come very often. The combination of being set apart from the world to do His work and the spirit they carried brought about remarkable learning and growth for all of us.

I could share their teachings every day between now and the end of the year and not cover everything. Sister Pearson helped us understand that becoming a powerful missionary is very different than acting like one. She gave us some assignments to help us become. She asked us to be willingly obedient; this is how we will find success. She asked us to read the Joseph Smith Story once a week for a month and apply his experiences to our own lives. I invite you to do the same.

Elder Pearson explained that as we come to understand our identity, it changes everything we think and do. Ultimately, our reality is shaped by our identity. We act based upon our beliefs and who we understand we are. As we come to know that we are all children of our Heavenly Father, it reshapes our reality. As His children, we will want to pray to Him and to follow Him. Our actions always align with our identity. The first thing that missionaries teach new investigators is they have a loving Heavenly Father who wants to bless their lives. For many, this knowledge alone brings a great desire to change.

Nephi states, "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." Elder Pearson asked us if we were missionaries who used to be something else or were we still our old selves on a mission. As His disciples, what must we let go? He asked us to fill in the following statement: "Because I am a disciple of Jesus Christ I am no longer . . .." He gave some examples like lazy, disobedient, afraid, homesick. After we had considered that statement, he asked us to finish this one: "Because I am a disciple of Jesus Christ I . . .."

It was enlightening and somewhat troubling as I searched my heart. Am I truly a disciple? Am I acting like a great missionary or becoming a great missionary? Elder Pearson counseled us that the most important decision we have to make is will we become a disciple of the Lord, Jesus Christ. As each of us considers if we are His disciples, we have to consider what is holding us back. Is it our lack of obedience? Is it our pride? Is it being selfish with our time? Is it fear? Is it doubt? Not everyone can be a missionary, but each of us can be the Savior's disciple. I invite you to search your heart. Are you a disciple? What do you need to let go? What do you need to change? The hastening of His work involves so much more than missionary work. He needs strong disciples raising strong families. He needs strong leaders prepared to support the people who will flock to the Church as the last haven of safety. He needs us, every single one of us.

Elder Pearson reminded us that disciples carry as their motto, "I never give in. I never give up. I never give out." I want to be that kind of disciple. I want to "stand blameless" at the last day. I want to stand shoulder to shoulder with each of these wonderful missionaries knowing that we never gave in, never gave up, and never gave out!

Savai'i Conference

Upolu Conference

Tutuila Conference

Hope

We met together for another Mission Leadership Council. I cannot believe how quickly the month passes and another meeting is upon us. These missionaries represent the very best of the mission. We are grateful for their courage, obedience and dedication. They are valiant in their testimonies of Christ and full of hope for His promised blessings. Every month, we have new leaders. They bring new insights and desire to help. It is exciting to watch them grow and learn from those more experienced. We see future leaders in His kingdom, future fathers and mothers and committed disciples of the Savior.

I love the war chapters of the Book of Mormon. Embedded in the record are life-saving and life-guiding principles. When I look at these missionaries who are part of the Mission Leadership Council, I see brave warriors who are willing to carry the cause of Christ full of hope for a better world.

Helaman teaches this great principle of hope. In the 58th chapter of Alma, we read an account of a time of great discouragement and despair. He shares they were without aid and provisions for many months. "And we did wait in these difficult circumstances for the space of many months, even until we were about to perish for the want of food." In fear for their lives and their homes, full of grief and fear, they began to pour out their souls to God, "that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people. Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him. And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a determination . . .."

The trials missionaries and all of us face most likely are not of this nature. Our enemies might be the heat and humidity, the dirt, the strange food, physical illness, homesickness. We may feel abandoned by God and "wait in these difficult circumstances" for a very long time. Helaman and his band of men teach us that as we pour out our souls to God he will strengthen us and in some way deliver us from the hands of our enemies. Waiting can prove to be difficult. The kind of strength He sends may not be what we had in mind, but eventually, and in His time, it will come.

Preach My Gospel on page 117 teaches: "Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. It is believing and expecting that something will occur. When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good. Hope helps you conquer discouragement."

President James E. Faust taught: "Hope is the anchor of our souls . . .."

It is amazing to see the hope in the eyes of these missionaries. They struggle through difficult experiences holding onto the hope that He surely provides. It is a sacred moment to watch how the Savior provides His relief and in His time. It isn't always a big change or a miracle. It sometimes is as simple as noticing that when they come to meetings in an air-conditioned building they are wearing their long-sleeved shirts. The Lord has lightened their burden by blessing their bodies to adjust to the intense heat and humidity. We see them understanding and growing in Gospel knowledge. We see them being motivated to be obedient. We see them solving problems and supporting other missionaries as they struggle. They truly understand Mormon's counsel to his son, Moroni: "My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever."

"Do You Love Me?"

The past three weeks have been extremely busy. We have been interviewing missionaries. With 185, it takes some significant time! In between interview days, we have traveled three weekends in a row to stake conferences; two in Savai'i and one in American Samoa. Yes, you guessed it; I start feeling sorry for myself during times like these. Ridiculous, I know, but true, none-the-less. It always seems when I start feeling this way I get a little reminder of what is most important and we rub shoulders with one whose commitment is greater than ours. As we attended stake conferences, we accompanied two Area Seventies and their wives, Elder and Sister Dudfield and Elder and Sister Tarati. These area authorities live at home and continue to provide for their families while maintaining a rigorous schedule for the Church. We also accompanied President Pearson, Pacific Area President and a member of the First Quorum of Seventy. The members of area presidencies live away from home and devote their lives to the work of the Lord full-time. As I watch them and learn of their schedules and responsibilities, I wonder if we, as members of His Church, can even grasp the magnitude of their callings. I know I have been guilty at times believing that they have a pretty good life. After all, the area presidencies get to live in exotic places and travel the world. The area authorities live at home, but get to travel throughout their assigned areas. They are treated with great respect and honor. From a distance, their lives seem to be pretty amazing. I have come to see in a very real and personal way the sacrifice that they are making for the Lord and His work. It is remarkable, breath-taking really. It makes me think of Elder Holland's conference talk from October 2012:

"After a joyful reunion with the resurrected Jesus, Peter had an exchange with the Savior that I consider the crucial turning point of the apostolic ministry generally and certainly for Peter personally, moving this great rock of a man to a majestic life of devoted service and leadership. Looking at their battered little boats, their frayed nets, and a stunning pile of 153 fish, Jesus said to His senior Apostle, 'Peter, do you love me more than you love all this?' Peter said, 'Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.'

The Savior responds to that reply, but continues to look into the eyes of His disciple and says again, 'Peter, do you love me?' Undoubtedly confused a bit by the repetition of the question, the great fisherman answers a second time, 'Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.'

The Savior again gives a brief response, but with relentless scrutiny He asks for the third time, 'Peter, do you love me?' By now surely Peter is feeling truly uncomfortable. Perhaps there is in his heart the memory of only a few days earlier when he had been asked another question three times and he had answered equally emphatically--but in the negative. Or perhaps he began to wonder if he misunderstood the Master Teacher's question. Or perhaps he was searching his heart, seeking honest confirmation of the answer he had given so readily, almost automatically. Whatever his feelings, Peter said for the third time, 'Lord . . . thou knowest that I love thee.'

To which Jesus responded . . . perhaps saying something like: Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn't it obvious then and isn't it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples--and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I needs someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly loves me, and loves what our Father In Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter, for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally until the day in which they will do to you exactly what they did to me. . ..

I am not certain just what our experience will be on Judgement Day, but I will be very surprised if at some point in that conversation, God does not ask us exactly what Christ asked Peter: 'Did you love me?'" (Jeffrey R. Holland, October 2012)

It has been an incredible blessing to learn from those who have boldly and courageously declared their unfailing love for the Savior. They leave home, family, comforts, friends, and wards. They go to places unfamiliar and sometimes unsafe to carry His hope-filled message to all the world.

There are times I know the Lord wonders how I will answer the question, "Do you love me?" I wonder if I have enough love, enough courage--can I boldly declare "Lord, thou knowest that I love thee?" I am ever so grateful for the example of those who, like Peter, declare their love and understand that the Master Teacher needs disciples and needs them forever.