"The Mission of Miracles" - We have qualified for His blessings, by demonstrating our "powerful faith", based upon our "vision". The Lord has also demonstrated, that He wants to bless us, by granting unto us the many miracles we have all witnessed, this past month, in this "The Mission of Miracles".

8 Zone Records Broken - 305 conversions resulted. 8 Zones broke their previous "Best" records (2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, and 15), with 2 others equaling (4 and 10). The Sign Language Zone in addition equaled their record of 9, but in their last month to-gether, I believe it stands as a new record, as only 8 were in the Zone compared to 12 previously. Special thanks to the members of all Zones. I wish to mention Zone 6, who broke their long standing 12 month old record of 36, in June 1996 with 39, and immediately broke it again with 47 this past month. With 11 of the 17 Zones with records of 20 and above, 30 and above is now their goal.

Bushwick Spanish - 47 - To place this achievement in perspective It was pointed out to Elders Meikle and Garza, that in the North America North East Area, there are 27 Missions. Their achievement as a Zone of 47 conversions, with 12 missionaries, has them leading 19 of the 27 missions in total monthly baptisms, where each mission has numbers of total missionaries, of 150 - 200.

One Companionship - 20 - Another major hurdle has been passed, that of one companionship reaching 20 conversions in the one month, Elders Edward Christensen and Derek Taylor, as a part of Zone 6. The combined sisters equaled their previous monthly record of 47. The number of companionships that baptized was also a record of 84%. Special appreciation to all AP’s, ZL’s, DL’s and missionaries, that through "Zone Sweeps", splits and working investigators, many companionships who were "dry", were able to share in the blessings of the month. I have never seen such "Mission Unity". All should feel equally proud. Of the 16 companionships who did not baptize, for the first time ever, it was clear that those companionships, had focusing or obedience difficulties, that precluded the Lord from granting them the opportunity to share in those same miracles.

Momentum to Continue in August - The enthusiasm continued with many missionaries refusing the option to take a full P-Day on Thursday August 1, and were out "finding and baptizing" for the next month. What continuing focus and vision. Such will merit the continued blessings contained in the "second mile!" Let us all learn that this is His work, that it is all "For His Glory", and that we are to continue with this focus.

Records Established - The month began well with 63 conversions the last week of July, our second highest week ever after 64 during November, 1995. The first week of July became our highest first week ever of 51 with 22 mid-week baptisms. Our third week became a record week with 68 baptisms of which 37 was a record for mid-weeks. Our fourth week continued to be a record setting week with 74 baptisms, with 34 mid-weeks. Who can describe the feelings felt by all who participated in the last three days of the week, where 67 souls were baptized, 14 on Monday and Tuesday, with 39 on Wednesday. The excitement of those three days, rivals only the last two days of February 1995, when we baptized 25, to establish the first record over 200, of 215.

It took us as a Mission 7 months to achieve our goal of 200 in February, 1995. As a Mission President, after 12 months of pursuing 300 in one month, I could never give up the vision that it’s achievement was not only "possible", but that the Lord approved of it? Thank you to all missionaries, for working and exercising faith, to make this vision become a reality. I thank you one and all, from the bottom of my very appreciative heart, and on behalf of the Lord.

"He is in Charge". He Gave us the Record - Almost without exception, each companionship in President’s letters and vocally, have confirmed, that they had exhausted almost every avenue of converting their own contacts. They were clear in their declaration, that the Lord then took over and placed prepared people in their paths, for baptism. We believe that as missionaries, with partial faith, we are able to bring some 180 into the church. The Lord then took over, demonstrating to us that "It is His work and that He is in charge!" This is what He similarly did in February, 1995 and November, 1996. I bear testimony, with all solemnity of heart, that I know that He is in charge!

He Gave us the Record One Month Before Our Goal - A clear example, is that in February, 1995 we had the interim goal of 160, to be a stepping stone the following month to 200. The same applied this month, that we had the interim goal of 250 to be a stepping stone to 300 the following month. When the Lord recognized our faith was sufficient, He intervened, and just to show us that He was in charge, took us beyond our interim goal and gave us our ultimate goal immediately. Never doubt again!

3,000 for 1996? - For the area of the New York New York South Mission, 692 souls were baptized in 1992, 974 in 1993 (under President Child), 1,347 in 1994 with our goal of "thousands" achieved in 1995 with 2,073. In December 1995, as we could see that 2,000 would be reached, we asked "Is our yearly goal for 1996, 3,000. At the end of July 1996, we stand at 1,398. Is it the Lord’s will that we reach beyond "ourselves" and continue exercising that "powerful faith" to be instruments in bringing an additional 1,602 into the church within the next 5 months, or 320 per month. Is it possible? Is it the Lord’s wish? Will He assist us to achieve that goal? Seek your own personal confirmation from the Lord.

Pres & Sis John Bailey