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