The Butterfly
Effect
Dear Elders and Sisters:
As I have now completed all interviews over the past two
weeks I just want to offer my deep appreciation to each of you for your love,
your constant prayers in our behalf, and your trust and confidence. I am truly humbled by your sustaining support
and consideration. What an honor to
serve you and to serve with you!
In 1963, Edward Lorenz made a presentation to the New
York Academy of Sciences and was literally laughed out of the room. His theory,
called the Butterfly Effect, stated that a butterfly could flap its wings and
set air molecules in motion that, in turn, would move other air molecules–which
would then move additional air molecules–eventually becoming able to influence
weather patterns on the other side of the planet. For years this theory remained
an interesting myth. In the mid-1990s, however, physics professors from several
universities, working in tandem, proved that the butterfly effect was accurate,
viable, and worked every time.
While many of you have heard this story before it bears repeating
and is currently very applicable to us.
Many of you in our interview wondered what effect the three things you
were going to do differently, more of, become better at, or laying down a
weapon of rebellion could have on this mission.
It is the Butterfly Effect! What
you do (or don't do that you should) has a profound effect on your companion
and your area, your District and your Zone, and this Mission. So I thank you for what you have been willing
to place on the altar and promise you that it will have a great effect on this
Mission. So please, as stated by me,
proceed forward doing these things or laying these weapons down. Doing so will bless this great Mission.
In order to reach the goal of 1,000 baptisms we will need
miracles. Miracles are preceded by faith
and many, many good works. As you plan,
plan to exercise great faith. As you
work, work in a manner that God will be required to bless you (D&C 82:10).
I know that one of the great blessings of serving a mission now is to serve
under the hastening of the work. The
Lord is doing so much to prepare so many and we have been blessed to
participate and should seek to better keep pace. To better participate and keep pace, we have
been granted the great tools of fulfilling our Missionary Purpose and Living
the Mission Culture in Exact Obedience, working through the Lord's Vision,
Talking with Ten, being Complete Missionaries with our Lines in the Water, striving
for the Power of One each month, and Loving and Serving the Members. How well we do all of these things is a
direct reflection of our Love for the Savior, Jesus Christ. I love Him!
I know He loves you and appreciates all you are doing but He desires
more, not for HIs sake but for your sake.
All He and the Father want to do is to bless the Father's children and
they have called us to assist. Oh “the
merits, mercy, and grace” of a loving Heavenly Father and His Son!
What will the butterfly effect be of what we do here and
now? I think of changing lives in a way
that only the gospel of Jesus Christ can change lives. I think of changing
generations as new and recent converts become “grounded, rooted, and settled”
in the gospel of Jesus Christ, receive ordinances, make and keep sacred
covenants, and return to their Heavenly Father – forever! And I think of the Butterfly Effect they will
have on others as this work rolls forward to “fill the entire earth”.
Sister Clark and I pray for you in earnest and have every
confidence what we seek (1,000 baptisms to assist the Branches, Wards, and
Stakes) is good and righteous and can be done....but only with Him and in His
way.
With
much love,
President
Clark
