President's Weekly - Why Should My Heart Weep?

Dear Elders and Sisters,

I am so pleased with the great enthusiasm the Book of Mormon reading challenge has generated in you. This is clearly "for a wise purpose in Him" and I thank so many of you for sharing your spiritual discoveries. They are in there in such abundance and I continue to marvel how the Book was written for us, in our day.

One of the sweetest parts of the Nephi books has to be what is known as the Psalm of Nephi, 2 Nephi 4. Lehi, Nephi's beloved father, has just passed away and Nephi is once again faced with his hard of heart, bitter brothers. It was a low point to be sure and Nephi is pouring out his soul in prayer. After sharing his deepest feelings of frustration and despair, Nephi's feeling began to change. He began to share some of the most poignant and deep questions in the Book of Mormon - one of which was: "Why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?" (2 Nephi 4:26)

There are times when each of us can relate to Nephi's discouragement. Adversity arises, circumstances change, challenges come, and those we love make choices that break our hearts. We feel alone and we are filled with despair. In such moments, it would be well for us to echo Nephi's rallying cry: "Why should my heart weep?" Nephi chose to recognize the Lord's blessings to him and the support and strength he had received through all of his trials. His desperate cries turned to praise for the Lord and rejoicing in His goodness.

Focusing on our blessings can help us avoid self-pity, doubt, and feelings of hopelessness. Counting our blessings creates a humility in us that aids us in being able to better recognize the abundance of blessings we have received. Expressing gratitude in moments of despair may provide us a great spiritual boost and help us move forward with improved perspective and hope. Nephi focused on the goodness of God towards him in the past and he also did something else. He turned to God for strength in the present saying: "May the gates of Hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!" I would hope that Nephi's great example will serve to remind us that we may, and should, turn to God even when we are in the depths of despair.

That we may continually have broken hearts and contrite spirits allowing us to turn, and focus on Him who has all healing to offer, all strength to offer, all solace to provide, and an infinite willingness and ability to carry our burdens. Wow! Was the Book of Mormon written for us in our day or what? Thank you for making it an integral part of your daily studies and approaching it's study with intensity and a great hungering and thirsting for its teachings, doctrine, and spirit of revelation.

With all my love, prayers, and sustaining blessings,
President Clark

Zone Conference 9-2014

Zone Conference is always the very best time of each Transfer.  We are humbled on a daily basis as we know how many prayers are sent Heavenward on our behalf.  And as though this isn't enough, and it could or would be, when we arrive at Zone Conference we are received with so much love by the missionaries.  They are in their seats one-half hour before we begin and when we walk in they all stand up with the brightest, shiniest faces full of love, respect, and devotion.  They are always so prepared to receive and each and every one have such great "teachings" to add to everything that is taught.  They are so full of the spirit and such wonderful Representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ.  While each of these pictures may remind you of your school class picture, each and every one is a treasure because it represents who was there then and in those particular companionships, Districts, and Zones - each period of time representing the best work and effort the California Fresno Mission has to offer.

President's Weekly - And My Father Dwelt in a Tent

And My Father Dwelt in a Tent

Dear Elders and Sisters,

Well as I began the Book of Mormon again, inspired to do so, it popped out at me again. "And my father dwelt in a tent." Did you ever wonder why Mormon, the Prophet editor, was inspired to put that in there? Of what significance could that possibly have for us other than telling us their living accommodations which we really already knew based on their description of what they took? I think the answer has significance for us. Go back to the very first verse - "I Nephi, having been born of 'goodly' parents...". Goodly is so much more than "nice people". In this sense it means or points to the rest of the verse - "therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father...". Clearly, Lehi was a man of substantial means and high education. Much of this is supported by the account of Nephi and his brothers returning for the Brass Plates and using the "gold and silver, and all manner of riches" in an attempt to obtain the plates. What really is being made clear here is that Lehi was a man of substantial wealth and the fact that he "dwelt in a tent" indicates what he was willing to do and give up to follow the Lord. I think it teaches us something powerful about discipleship. I think it is applicable to us and what we leave behind, only for a few short years, but nonetheless we are willing, like Lehi, to leave it all behind to follow the Lord. Thank you for doing so. This does so much to bless your ability to serve in a consecrated way.

This is why I love reading the Book of Mormon. There are so many teachings for us and it is truly written for us and our day. Thank you for taking the challenge to read it with intensity. I know it will not only bless your lives but the lives of those we've been called to serve, here, now.

I loved seeing all of you at Zone Conference and am still basking in the spirit of the inspired teachings. I am so grateful to those who taught and to all of you for receiving the way you did. I trust you left more than entertained but rather changed.

This next part absolutely breaks my heart to tell you. Elder Guereca's father passed away last Friday and his funeral is today. I was with him last night to share the tragic news and was so overwhelmed by the spirit of love from his companion, his Zone Leaders, and the Holy Ghost, all who will serve to share his burden in the coming days, weeks, and months. And on the deepest level, I bear testimony that the Savior will bear all of these burdens through His atonement (see Matthew 11:28 -30). Please include him and his family in your prayers. He is a missionary of great faith and will, of course, continue to serve diligently. We are blessed to have him in this mission.

I just never feel like I have the appropriate words to express how much I love you, how much I love this work, and how I know it is His work and He is moving forward to Hasten it in His way. It is just simply a wonderful blessing to be yoked with you, here in the California Fresno Mission, now. Thank you for serving and thank you for your love, support, and prayers in Sister Clark's and my behalf. We love you so much.

President Clark

My First Hmong Baptism

Yexus Khetos

We have 3 languages in our mission; English, Spanish and Hmong.  I have attended many English and Spanish baptisms, but this was my first Hmong baptism.  It was beautiful.   While I couldn't understand the language, I could feel the spirit which testified of "one faith, one baptism".  I love the Hmong people.  They are a sweet, kind, humble people.  (P.S. while I look gigantic next to these sweet sisters, I am only 5' 6")

President's weekly “Come Unto Christ…that ye can in nowise Deny the Power of God”

“Come Unto Christ…that ye can in nowise Deny the Power of God”

Dear Elders and Sisters,

It has been such a pleasure and joy to sit with you in interviews. I feel of each of your wonderful spirits and am always blessed by your goodness, faith, and diligence in the Work of Salvation. For those of you whom I haven't interviewed, we will be together the week of the 22nd and I look forward to being with you then.

As I sought guidance as to what to write this day, my mind was taken back to a challenge I issued a missionary in regards to the Book of Mormon. The spirit said: "His challenge is their challenge. Issue it to all". So here it is:

Please read the Book of Mormon with two goals or objectives:

First. Study the Book of Mormon for the theme or its teachings on the Atonement and how we are redeemed by a Savior and Redeemer. You may wish to obtain a separate, new Book of Mormon and highlight and cross-reference it throughout with notes and comments or you may wish to do this (perhaps again or anew) in your main scriptures. Seek to discover the great Doctrine of Salvation and better know and feel His sacrifice for you. I promise you it will change your life forever and build and increase your testimony as you teach and testify of that sacred Book.

Second. Put a time line on when you will finish. Make it near term so you will be pushed. The goal is not to simply read it fast (I am not trying to create a race or a competition) but with a timeline you will find the intensity of your reading will enhance your study of the topic. It will literally put you into "hunger and thirst" mode. You will find your self squeezing extra time out of your day to read and study, being more efficient and productive with your time so you can read and study, and pondering more often through the day the things you read and how they teach, instruct, and point to Christ as your Savior and Redeemer. I promise that this intensity will bless your life. I suggest one of three timelines: December 31st, January 31st, or February 28th.

If you don't want to start over reading the Book of Mormon, simply start from where you are now and in your chosen time frame get back to where you began. I just ask that you read the entire Book of Mormon during one of the time frames and be diligent in your study of the Atonement of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

May the Lord bless this great mission with the righteous desires of the hearts of the missionaries - achieving the Strength of 1,000 and Coming unto the Savior by discovering and abiding by the teachings of Him in the Book of Mormon. I ask that you include in all your prayers the Strength of 1,000 and help and encourage one another in the reading of the Book of Mormon.

We are looking forward to Zone Conferences this week and ask you to prepare as outlined by your leaders. You will receive great inspirations if you come prepared.

Love,
President Clark

President's Weekly - The Strength of 1,000, or When Does 1,000 equal 3,300?

The Strength of 1,000, or When Does 1,000 equal 3,300?

Dear Elders and Sisters,

Recently I was blessed to be in Porterville Stakes Mission Training.  President Christensen said two things that I thought were very, very noteworthy: 

1.  In all of the references to "Proselyting" or "Proclaiming the Gospel" or the "Work of Salvation" in the Handbooks, it is always referred to as Member Missionary Work - Never "just" Missionary Work.  Consequently, he put a ban on the words Missionary Work by itself declaring that you must always say; "Member Missionary Work".  I think this is inspired and so very, very appropriate. Let us follow this wonderful Stake President in our vernacular as well.  it is always Member Missionary Work!  And,

2.  He noted that over the time span of the last five mission presidents, there had been just over 1,000 baptisms in the Porterville Stake.  This may not seem like a big number over a 15 year period - the time span of Porterville as a Stake as well - but what he went on to say was so compelling.  It was the statement that those 1,000 baptisms were the difference between them still remaining a Stake or not.  Now, that's something to talk about.

As we approach these last four months of the year and with our goal of 1,000 baptisms this year, we need to focus.  We need to work harder, exercise more faith, be more obedient, more committed, and seek the spirit at "maximum strength" in order to reach this goal.  I know this goal was set by inspired leaders of this mission and the Lord's commitment to us in achieving this goal is very clear.  He has been so good to us. We must do our part that He continue to be able to bless us with this worthy goal. 

Let us continue to be worthy that The Lord pour down this blessing upon the Stakes in the California Fresno Mission.  It will bless their lives more than we know for as pointed out by President Christensen, it isn't just about any one given year but the string of these baptisms together year after year and how they bless the Work of Salvation among the Stakes and Wards.

I won't bore you with the math but just taking marriage rates and birth rates among Mormons you end up with over 1,650 people in the equation, two-thirds of whom will be married and having children and the other one-third whose children will do the same. 

So.....the Strength of 1,000 from Convert Baptisms this year now easily becomes 3,300 members of the Church over the next 15 years.  That is a Stake! 

So when does 1,000 = 3,300?  When they are Convert Baptisms in the California Fresno Mission.   How the Lord Multiplies us!  How He hastens His work!  I am just grateful to be a part of this great work.  Aren't you?  Thank you for your committed service and fasting to seek the Lord's assistance in bringing this very worthy goal to pass!

Love,

President Clark

President's Weekly - Week 8

Dear Elders and Sisters:

Yesterday I was blessed to be in a Sacrament Meeting where a convert of eight months spoke. I would never have guessed she was a convert. I was sitting on the stand next to one of the speakers and noted there was another speaker yet to arrive. I watched a nicely dressed woman stand up in the audience and leave her husband who was holding a little baby and their son of probably 4 clinging a little bit to "Mommy" and come toward the stand. The meeting was about to begin and so I was only able to shake her hand. When she stood and spoke I was really quite astounded to hear they had been baptized about 8 months ago after investigating the church for over 8 months and she having had touches (most of them negative) with the church all her life. Her conversion was powerful as noted in her testimony and I was also very impressed with how versed she was in the doctrine and the vernacular (the way of speech of members referring correctly to principles and people, particularly the Godhead). After the meeting I just wanted to hug her. She had blessed my life so much.

I felt guided to ask her if she and her husband had been to the temple yet to do baptisms for the dead. Oh what an answer. I am writing this letter through tears even now as I recount what she told me. With excitement and reverence combined she shared that she had done family research on many names and had been baptized for her grandmother and great grandmother along with other relatives from the era. I could tell what a strengthening and converting experience it had been for her. She went on to share that her husband had been baptized for her grandfather and great grandfather and other relatives as well. It was simply touching to feel what a strengthening experience this had been for them as a new members of the church. I would say it had accelerated their conversion to the gospel in a manner that is probably indeterminable.

As I pondered this wonderful experience last night as I was traveling from a Stake Mission Leader Training in the Porterville Stake where I had shared with them the church's new study that getting new converts to the temple to do work for the dead within weeks or months of their baptism increases their retention rate by over 2X, I remembered a story from the scriptures that I think is very illustrative. In 2 Kings the King of Syria had waged war against Israel. The King of Israel sought Elisha's help to protect them and help them avoid the Syrians. In his anger the King of Syria sent "thither horses, and chariots, and a great host; and they came by night, and compassed the city about." The King of Syria wanted to eliminate this one man that was helping the Israelites avoid him. "And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my Master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."

Yesterday I saw a glimpse of this when this young convert shared her experience with me. When these new converts go to the temple with family names they enlist the assistance of their relatives in their strengthening and conversion process. I grew in testimony that if our Stakes and Wards will do this, with our assistance if and when asked, they will enlist hosts of heaven to help and assist in the conversion of the saints - especially new converts. So I simply say, "Fear not, for they that be with us are more..."

I am so pleased with the work all of you are doing. Our baptisms look excellent for the month and September is setting up to be great as well. We are headed in a great trajectory toward our One Thousand Baptism Goal. I believe as we move forward doing the things we have discussed in our recent Specialized Training, we will exceed it. I know the Lord will bless us as He hastens His work if we seek to know His will and do His work in His way.

Love,
President Clark