News Item: Iron Rod June 2009
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Missionaries,
It is a great privilege to serve in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission (“Only True Mission”) with each of you as representatives of our Savior Jesus Christ. What a blessing it is to set aside the things of the world and focus for the period of our missions on performing “the greatest and most important duty” God has given us to accomplish on this earth! This has been one of the most precious and life-changing experiences of our mortal existence thus far.
In Preach My Gospel we are taught to leave our area stronger than we found it. We came into a great mission and we have tried to advance it to an even higher level. As we turn over the leadership of the mission to President and Sister Merkley, we know it will continue to improve, not only because of their influence, but because of your diligence and testimonies.
It has been our hope and prayer since we arrived to have at least one hundred baptisms performed in a month and then to continue to perform at that level. We want to thank all of you for your wonderful efforts in helping us reach that goal in May. We hope and pray that this will continue in June and beyond so that you can tap into the power that God has given each of you to bring many souls unto Him. As we obey all the rules we have been given as missionaries and strive to become “Preach My Gospel” missionaries to a greater degree, and as our testimonies of Jesus Christ continue to grow, we will be more effective instruments in the hands of the Lord and His work will continue to progress in this part of the vineyard. Remember to talk to twenty people per day; plan to teach six or seven lessons every day; set baptismal commitments the first appointment; and use as your primary teaching source the Book of Mormon. This will enable you to fulfill your mission in a manner that will please your Heavenly Father and bring you many rich blessings and great joy.
President Spencer W. Kimball taught a very important principle in the following statement: “Diligence in daily tasks develops character. The great calamity, as I see it, is when you or I with so much potential grow very little. That is the calamity–when I could be so much and I am so little; when I am satisfied with mediocrity in proselyting, in dentistry, in teaching, in whatever I am going to do with my life; when I am satisfied with this, oh, that is a sad, sad day because it has an everlasting and eternal influence upon me.” (President Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 173.)
Our fondest desire is that each of you will reach your greatest potential and that you will live with an eternal perspective always before you so that your choices will be the ones that will help you return to live forever in our Heavenly Father’s presence.
We want you to always remember that we have a testimony of Jesus Christ as our Savior, the Only Begotten Son of God, and our perfect Elder Brother. We are so grateful for His Atonement, for the peace and joy it brings into our lives and the ability it gives us to continue to change and to bring our will into alignment with our Father’s will. We know Heavenly Father is our Eternal Father and that He loves us and knows us personally. He blesses us far beyond anything we could hope for. We love Him and our Savior! We are especially grateful to be members of His church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We know it is truly the Kingdom of God on earth. Our membership in His church brings so many blessings into our lives. We testify that Joseph Smith was foreordained to be the prophet of the Restoration and was among the noble and great ones referred to in the scriptures. We love him for his willingness to give his life so that we might have the blessings of the gospel in our lives today. One of the important things he did for us was to translate the Book of Mormon so that we would have the guidance and inspiration it gives us every time we read it. It is, as Joseph Smith said, the most correct of any book on earth and it continually brings us closer to God as we study and ponder its pages. It is convincing evidence that the Church is true. We continually thank Heavenly Father for blessing us with a prophet who receives guidance through His Son for each of us who will heed his voice. Without a doubt, we know President Thomas S. Monson has been called of God to lead His church in these last days. As we follow his counsel, we will survive the storms of life that might otherwise overwhelm us.
We love each of you so much. We will always be interested in your lives and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. May our Father in Heaven bless you to feel His love and to live His gospel for the rest of your lives.
With our deepest love,
President and Sister Seal
Speed, a Senseless Killer
A Message from your Vehicle Coordinator
Elder Bear Bowers
In this world of fast paced-living, speeding on the roads is something that almost everyone does from time to time. But here in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission, as well as all missions of the church, speeding is not acceptable.
What is a safe speed? It depends on road conditions, visibility, traffic congestion, and traffic speed. You need to reduce speed before you go around curves so you don’t have to use your brakes. You’ll also need to slow down if the roads are wet or if there is wet leaves on the road. When driving in traffic, always be aware of the traffic around you and adjust your speed accordingly. Leave additional following distance.
Posted speed limit sign of 60 mph means 60 mph, not 62 or 64. If we are to be exactly obedient (which each missionary should be), we will not go over that limit. In doing so, we are not only breaking the law of the land as set forth by our government, but are being disobedient to a commandment given by our Heavenly Father (See Article of Faith 12).
Leave for your destinations early. Plan travel time in to your schedule. This will help you from being tempted by the adversary to push the pedal too hard. It will help eliminate stress that can drive the spirit away. It will help you to arrive safely and on time.
We LOVE you and desire you to be happy and enjoy your mission. Don’t let a needless accident spoil your day.
Light and Hope
"I delight in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Like Nephi, 'I glory in my Jesus' (2 Nephi 33:6), in His ministering and saving roles upon the earth. He provides light and hope and has given us the Holy Ghost for further guidance and comfort along the pathway we should go. It is only through Him that we can return to our Father. 'Salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ' (Mosiah 3:17)."
Susan W. Tanner, "My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the Lord," Ensign, May 2008, 81
Baptisms for APRIL, 2009
Ft. Smith
Ft. Smith Courtney Nicolle Hamrick
Richard Darrell McDonnar
Cassidy Ann Risenhoover
Gore Kristen Michelle Humphrey
McAlester Thomas Craig Barton
Sallisaw Sarah Elizabeth Bryant
Eugene George Dale
Ann Marie Ernst
Joplin Stake
Carthage Wade Anthony Scott
Ft. Scott Ramell Devant Taylor
Miami Christian Taylor Hughlett
Deanna Lynn Hughlett
Nicholas A. Hughlett
Monett Brandon Michael Vasey
Nevada Elisha Marie Nicholas
Andrea MayLenn Reveal
Parsons Lori Ann Rice
Mickey Wayne Rice
Webb City Joseph Luna Castillo
Rogers Stake
Little Flock Zach R. Taylor
Rogers 1stJeremy Andrew Harnishfeger
Rogers 2nd Antonio Lopez Jr.
Springdale Stake
Fayettevlle Univ Michael Reed Bollero
Springdale 1st Cindy Marie Palacios
Springdale 3rd Marshallese
Patrick Menke
Jaycie Jokna
Tahlequah Thomas Dwayne Marshall
Springfield Stake
Bolivar Charlee Esther Jean Smith
Paige Elizabeth Sorensen
Marshfield Victoria Lynn England
Springfield 1st Jason Lindell Mowery II
Springfield 2 Katherine Jane Ann Bunch
Tabbytha Louise Bunch
Brian Duane Scobee
Stockton Abby Lea Pulsipher
Springfield South
Mtn. Home James Earl Blount
James Earl Blount Jr.
Kayla Maria Blount
John Henry Gadow
Jeremy Scott Nichols
Springfield 3rd Joseph Guillermo Ochoa
St. Robert Stake
Eldon Ace John Hudson
Ft Leonard Wd Sheldon Colt Childress
Lonjino Rene Gastelum
Wesley Clark McNeil-Zuck
St. Robert Tyler James Martin
Makayla Lynn Suzumu
Tulsa Stake
Cleveland Robert Dale Cheek
Independence Christopher R. Tabares
New Haven Devon Marcus Charrier Sharon Marie Colson
Sapulpa Bryson Jack Meyer
Tulsa East Stake
Cedar Ridge Victoria Hall
Candida S. Venzor
Claremore Bobby Gean Wilson
Leslie Diane Wilson
Henryetta Ned Eugene Posey
Indian Springs Floyd J. Hendrix
BAPTISMS-APRIL, 2009
(COV) Convert 8
(MD) Media Referrals: 1
(MR) Member Referrals: 15
(PM) Part-Member Family 24
(T) Tracting: 0
(Mil) Military 3
(OTM’d) 6
TOTAL 58
Member Referrals = 71
June Birthdays
03 Elder Blunk
Sister Howard
09 Elder Ian K Anderson
11 Elder Jensen
12 Elder Ashford
12 Sister Ashford
19 Sister Wilson
21 Elder Reese
22 Elder Spencer Johnson
22 Elder Nokes
23 Sister Seal
25 Elder Pack
29 Elder Black
29 Elder Simakov
29 Elder Thomas
30 Elder Lay
July Birthdays
01 Elder Gass
07 Elder Meteer
08 Elder Josephson
09 Sister Morris
13 Elder Grover
13 Elder Nelson
14 Elder Jacob M. Smith
15 Elder Nash
15 Elder Pulham
18 Elder Bradford Davis
20 Elder Gore
22 Elder Cordell
23 Elder Cosgrove
25 Elder Gregory
25 Elder Rittel
29 Sister Bowers
29 Elder Erbe
31 Elder Robinson
Departing Missionaries
Elder R. Nathan Barnes
Sister Monica Bates
Elder Jonathan Bird
Elder Ryan D. Brimhall
Elder Jeremy Griffiths
Elder Bryce Jurgensmeier
Sister NaDene Lemmon
Elder Gregory G. Shaw
Elder Parker J. Whitney
Elder Derek S. Williams
Return with Honor
New Arrivals
Elder Carson E. Babbitt – Morgan, UT
Elder Jordan John Bracken – West Valley City, UT
Elder Aaron A. Deason – Vancouver, WA
Elder Dylan S. Grigg – Moses Lake, WA
Elder Kyle A. Lang – St. George, UT
Elder Ben C. Morrison – Vernal, UT
Elder Adam V. Peterson – Pleasant Grove, UT
Elder Spencer T. Troseth – Holden, UT
Elder Cole S. Warner – Cokesville, WY
5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
4 Tablespoons flour
4 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 Tablespoons milk
3 Tablespoons oil or butter
3 Tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
A large mug
Add dry ingredients to mug. And mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high (1000 watts). The cake will rise over the top of the mug but don’t be alarmed. Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate, if desired. Sister Bowers
ASSISTANTS’ MESSAGE
Elders and Sisters,
In Ether 6, the people of the brother of Jared, after being carried across the waters to the promised land, “bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord…because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.” These people recognized that their success came from the Lord and none else. As we look back to the miracles we have experienced in the month of May to reach and surpass our goal of 100 baptisms, let us never forget the source of these blessings. What an honor it is to be part of a brotherhood of elders and sisters who saw a vision and put their faith into action.
As we see the potential we have in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission, we must increase our faith and our vision for the future. We must never settle for what has been done in the past. As we have laid the foundation in the month of May, may we remember that the Lord is anxious to bless us “line upon line, precept upon precept.” We know that all blessings are predicated upon our obedience. At times we can become lax in adhering strictly to the missionary time schedule. In the month of June, we would hope that each of us would seek for ways to improve our obedience to that schedule. We know that as we do so, “[God] is bound.”
It’s a great time to be a missionary in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission. Let us look at the month of June and the months to follow as opportunities to build upon the miracles we have seen in May. In the talk given by Elder Holland, “Mediocrity,” he speaks of what expectations we should have as missionaries in terms of our own hopes and dreams. For the upcoming months, we would echo the challenge given by Elder Holland, “How comfortable are you?!!!!!!!!”
Yours Truly,
Elder Patterson and Elder Jensen
MISSIONARY MAIL
Please tell your family and friends when addressing your letters to the mission office to please use your first and last names. We have several missionaries with the same name and this will help eliminate confusion.
Thank you from the office staff.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Weekly Missionary Letters written to the President for the week of June 22nd to June 28th should be addressed to President Merkley. We thank you for your cooperation in making this transition to our new mission president.
“My Most Memorable Spiritual Experience”
Two years of consecrating myself to the Lord’s work will be among the most memorable times of my life. Since my first evening in Ava, MO, I have had countless experiences with my companion and others which have helped me to come to know my Heavenly Father, my Savior, and the Holy Ghost even more.
My last day in the New Haven Area, January, 2008, we were taking new missionaries out with us. We knocked 2 – 4 doors and got in all but one. Everyone wanted to hear about the gospel being restored. We were then to meet with a lady that I had taught previously. I remember feeling really nervous because I knew from my prayers that this would be an influential lesson. I remember going to the lesson with a great prayer in my heart that Heavenly Father would help her recognize how important the restored gospel is. Her mom was against the church. .She wasn’t home! After some more prayers, she showed up but her mom was with her.
We started the lesson with a prayer, pleading even more for this lesson to go well. She began to speak about how thankful she was for us “bringing the gospel into her life”. She spoke about the first day she met us, and of how we seemed to have a light about us. We all turned to Ether in the Book of Mormon. After reading a little bit – my eyes were swimming so I could barely see. I then asked her if she would be baptized. The spirit was so strong. After she said yes, her mother said she now knew this was a good church and she was going to tell others.
The rest of the day, I was in a great mood, and we found many new investigators. I learned the power of attitude and faith with a sense of urgency. Heavenly Father has helped me keep that attitude. No matter the area, He has blessed me with that feeling of assurance. I have seen it affect others’ desires to hear and act upon the restored gospel. And yes, she was baptized. Elder Bryce Jurgensmeier
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