February 2013 Focal Point (From Pres. Crawford)

As I mentioned in my last e-mail, Sister Crawford and I were very pleased with the progress of the mission.  We have seen strong growth in baptisms. January continued to be a strong month for the mission in relation to baptisms and reactivations.  For the month we saw 40 people join the church, which for this mission is a wonderful month.  I am equally pleased that your loved ones were instrumental in reactivating 48 people.  I couldn’t be more pleased.  We are trying to build up Zion by strengthening wards, branches and stakes. 

Our focus is relatively simple.  When we are not teaching, we are finding.  When we are teaching, we are inviting investigators to make commitments that will bless them and help them grow in the gospel.  We are working to be creative in our finding and not just follow past routines.  Our desire is to improve our ability to teach the gospel simply and clearly so that the Holy Ghost can bear witness of truth.  Often times with young missionaries, they are so excited with the doctrine that they pursue many different directions in lessons which in turn makes it hard for the Holy Ghost to bear witness to truth.   Last month and for the next three months, we are focusing district meetings on perfecting our understanding of Chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel which are the lessons.  For each principle we teach I am asking them to understand:

1) what are the one or two key points of that principle,
2) what are one or two powerful scriptures that will lend credibility and invite the Spirit to confirm the principle;
3) what inspired questions can we ask to determine if the investigator has understood the key points;
4) what inspired questions can we ask that lead the investigator to think of ways the principle affects them and their family. 

As we master those points I believe we will see great results in the mission and our missionaries will find greater joy in their work and accomplishments.

We are already a young mission but we will be getting younger as we start to receive missionaries in greater numbers.  For example, over the next two transfers we will receive forty missionaries and return eight.  That trend will continue throughout the summer.  It will require all the existing missionaries to step up and take  greater responsibility to be a great example for the younger missionaries.   Please encourage your loved one to be an example of what the you and the Lord expect.  Encourage them to be obedient and faithful to  mission rules.  Encourage them to study more faithfully than ever before.  Share with them blessings you feel you are receiving because of their faithful service. 

We are grateful for our call to serve the Lord in T.H.E.Mission.  We would not want to serve anywhere else but in The Great State of Texas and Louisiana.  We are thankful for your son, daughter or loved one.  We love them and we love you for your faithful sacrifice to support them while they serve the Savior and strengthen their own testimony and dedication to His church.

President Crawford