PRESIDENT'S WEEKLY - Highly Favored of the Lord

Highly Favored of the Lord

Dear Elders and Sisters:

Isn't it a great day to be a Mormon Missionary!  And a great time to be a Member of the Lord's Kingdom here upon the earth blessed with Apostles and Prophets to lead and guide us in this great work.  I felt our World Wide Missionary Training was such a blessing and trust you did as well.  While many of the things taught seemed to indicate we are on the right path, I heard many things we need to do different, better, or more of and some things we need to lie down and leave behind.  We will endeavor to translate all of this into action items in our MLC this Friday and it will be the topic of Zone Conference in the following week. 

I want to make just a brief comment about some changes we have just made in the Mission.  These are things we are laying down and leaving behind.  All good things come to a change.  While the Departing Missionary Fireside has been a long standing tradition in this Mission, we have received counsel and instruction to leave it behind, and we will.  I know the Lord has something in mind we should do differently to better participate with Him in the hastening of His work and we will seek to know what that is and follow His will.  We learn in the Book of Mormon from the example of Nephi that those who do not murmur are "highly favored of the Lord".  We want to be highly favored of the Lord and so therefore, upon receiving instruction from the Brethren to make this change, we like Nephi will respond very simply and faithfully that we will "go and do!"  We encourage you to approach this likewise and be positive.  Do not murmur but choose to follow, to go and do and allow the Lord to place you on His right side and highly favor you. 

Sister Clark and I have loved being with you in interviews this past week and look forward to meeting with the rest of you this week.  Thank you for being so diligent and obedient.  Thank you for striving to do the Lord's will in all things.  Thank you for desiring to live your Missionary Purpose! 

With much love,

President Clark

TRANSFERS - New Missionaries 1-2016

It just never gets old to receive the new Missionaries from the MTC into the great California Fresno Mission and with each new transfer in we become more and more confident in this generation's ability lead this great work forward.

(New Missionary video may be viewed on Facebook:  bonniecampbellclark)

Our new missionaries and their trainers

TRANSFERS - Departing Missionaries 1-2016

It doesn't matter how many missionaries we say goodbye to every six weeks, it is still so hard!!!  We love our missionaries and these missionaries are some of the finest, you will be missed.  We love you!

While California Fresno Missionaries will sing "Called to Serve" CFM style again and again, this was the last time they will sing it for the departing Missionaries and their guests.  After a long tradition of gathering departing Missionaries to share their final testimonies with invited Member and Investigator guests (other attending Missionaries must have an Investigator to qualify to attend), we will seek another avenue to bring Investigators and Members together to hear the pleasing word of God and feel the spirit.   

President's Weekly - Active in the Gospel Through Repentance

Active in the Gospel Through Repentance

Dear Elders and Sisters:

My message will be short today as we anticipate the counsel and training we will receive this Wednesday from Elder Oaks and Members of the Missionary Executive Council.  Please come prepared to receive their counsel and teachings and be willing to follow each and every aspect of what they suggest, even, and perhaps especially, if it means making changes. 

I continue to be touched and uplifted by Elder Oaks inspired direction to "Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts!"  It just says so much about the "How, What, and Why" of our Purpose.  In the Doctrine of Christ taught by Christ himself in 3 Nephi 11, He states the need and manner of baptism 13 times. Four of these instances are coupled with the admonition to "repent and be baptized!"  As we better teach repentance as a condition to and a qualifier for baptism, our Recent Converts will better understand how to repent, a much needed and commanded action as a Saint and a Disciple.  Too often RCs fall away quickly from activity in the Church because they don't know how to repent.  They experienced a remission of their sins as part of their baptism but when they return to sin, something we all do, they may not understand how to repent and then deem themselves unworthy to be in, or even come to the Church.  As Elder Maxwell said: "The Church is a not a sanctuary or monastery for the righteous and perfect but rather much like a hospital for those afflicted with sin."  We must better prepare our Investigators for activity in the Church by teaching them how to stay active in the Gospel through repentance.

Our Transfer Calendar is as follows:

Tuesday, January 19th, 10:00 am  -   Fresno West Zone interviews, Fresno West Stake Center

Wednesday, January 20th, 9:00 am   -  Worldwide Missionary Training, each Zone to gather at their Stake Center

Wednesday, January 20th, 12:30 am   - Fresno North Zone interviews, Fresno North Stake Center

Thursday, January 21st, 11:00 am  -  Hanford Zone interviews, Hanford Stake Center

Friday, January 22nd, 8:30 am  -  Porterville Zone interviews, Porterville Stake Center

Friday, January 22nd, 1:30 pm  -  Visalia Zone interviews, Visalia Stake Center

Saturday, January 23rd, 11:30 am  -  Fresno Zone interviews, Fresno Stake Center

Tuesday, January 26th, 10:00 am  -  Fresno East Zone interviews, Fresno East Stake Center

Wednesday, January 27th, 10:00 am  -  Trainer/Trainee and District Leader Training

Friday, January 29th, 10:00 am  -  MLC, Mission Office

Saturday, January 30th, 11:00 am  -  Merced Zone interviews (except Los Banos/Mercy Springs, Merced Stake Center

Saturday, January 30th, 4:00 pm  -  Los Banos/Mercy Springs Sisters interviews, Los Banos building

Tuesday, February 2nd, 10:00 am  -  North Zone Conference, location to be announced

Wednesday, February 3rd, 10:00 am  -  Fresno Zone Conference, location to be announced

Thursday, February 4th, 10:00 am  -  Southern Zone Conference, location to be announced

Tuesday, February 23rd, 9:00 am  -  Transfer Hub, Mission Office

Tuesday, February 23rd, 10:30 am  -  Departing Missionary Temple Devotional and Session, Temple

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2:00 pm  -  Departing Missionary Transfer Chores, Mission Office

Tuesday, February 23rd, 6:00 pm  -  Departing Missionary Dinner, Testimony Meeting and Fireside, Mission Home

Wednesday, February 24th  -  Missionaries Depart and New Missionaries arrive, Open Your Mouth, Mission Office

In regards to Interviews, please come one District at a time allocating 60 minutes for Districts of 3 companionships and 90 minutes for Districts of 4 companionships.  The first District of the day should arrive early and go directly to the interview area to meet with Sister Clark while interviews are conducted.  The follow on Districts should arrive at least 10 minutes before their scheduled interview time and congregate in the Chapel, quietly reading and studying and waiting for Sister Clark to come and get you.

We really look forward to this week for the great instruction we will receive from Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other General Authorities to assist us in fulfilling our Missionary Purpose.   We also look forward to these next two weeks during which time Sister Clark will be able to instruct you and I will be able to sit in interview with you. Please come prepared to share, to learn, and to listen to counsel and guidance.

We love you and love serving with you.

President Clark

PRESIDENT'S WEEKLY - To The Rescue

To The Rescue!

Dear Elders and Sisters:

As a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, my purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end!  And in the California Fresno Mission we: 'Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts!'

Now this account from Elders Checketts and Harolds: "“There's a sister in our ward named _______. She's been completely inactive for several years. In fact, she attempted to remove her name from the church records at one point. We put her on our scripture-of-the day text out group a few months ago and have fired away each day since. She never responded or acknowledged that she was receiving them. But this week she texted back and said something like, "Thanks. I really needed that today." Oh wow! She's been reading them?!?! Long story short, we started a texting conversation with her and got her to agree to a meeting. We had an amazing visit and she shed many tears. This Sunday she CAME TO CHURCH!! Brother Perez, our 2nd counselor, was shocked. Later on that evening at a ward potluck, he showed us a post she had made on Facebook. This is what it said: "Today was the first day back to church for me & I left feeling super uplifted. I am so excited to begin this year with a positive outlook and to see what 2016 has in store for me!!!! :)" Inactive rescues are just as important to the Lord as new-member converts! We're excited to continue meeting with her and hope and pray that her non-member friends and family will come along with her!”

What do these two have to do with one another?  It's about rescuing!  Either Pre-Mortal Day Saints or Latter-Day Saints!  I don't know if this "rescue" cited above will lead to baptisms, but it may.  But I do know that as you serve with an eye focused on your purpose and work through the Lord's Vision (which is the abbreviated way of describing how we work with/through Members) it will increase and enhance your opportunity and likelihood of baptizing converts into Latter-Day Saints and/or rescuing those who are already Latter-Day Saints back into activity and full blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for being such great leaders of your areas!  Thank you for serving "As for Years!"  As I read your letters I am so inspired by your faith, diligence, obedience, and willingness to do all that is necessary and appropriate to live your Missionary Purpose.  I think of the words of our Prophet: "I just want the Lord to know if He wants something done, He can count on Tommy Monson to do it!"  What do you think will happen to change your attitude to become like that of the Prophet's after two years or eighteen months of saying; "What will You have me do Lord to bless these people?" and then Go and Do, Go and Act in an inspired way to bless lives and seek to rescue them into full faith and fellowship into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!

Sister Clark and I love being anxiously engaged with you in this great rescue under the hastening of His work!

Love,

President Clark

HMONG New Year 2015

Every year, Fresno hosts the International Hmong New Year during the week after Christmas.  Hundreds of thousands of Hmong people pour in to Fresno from all over California, Wisconsin and other states, and even France and Laos.  They enjoy the atmosphere of Kwv Txhiaj (traditional poetic chants), ball-tossing traditions, and stores sporting a smorgasbord of Hmong materials.  They can buy Hmong books, traditional clothing, instruments, and medicines while enjoying performances from dancers and singers on the stage.

 

The Hmong New Year event was a remarkable success for the Hmong missionaries here in the California Fresno Mission.  Over seven days, the eight Hmong Elders alongside supportive members from the Hmong ward and the two YSA Elders with Hmong stewardship collected 1,223 names of people who were willing to meet with the missionaries.  About 400 of those names are from people here in Fresno, many from the Merced area, and 250 are being sent to other missions such as Sacramento CA, Milwaukee WI, and Anchorage AL.  Many other names only have phone numbers and the work is under way to locate them and connect them with the proper missionaries.  So rather than settling down for long winter naps, the Hmong missionaries are now excitedly contacting scores of brand new people interested in the message of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ.  And for a real treat, go to ldsmissionary on instagram to see one of our Hmong Missionaries rap a portion of the Plan of Salvation.

PRESIDENT'S WEEKLY - It’s Going to be A Remarkable Year!

It’s Going to be A Remarkable Year!

Dear Sisters and Elders:

Happy New Year!  And what a New Year it will be!  Frist I want to share how grateful I am for the rich blessings of the year that is behind us.  We witnessed many miracles - miracles of personal growth and conversion, Missionaries, Investigators and Members alike!  We were blessed to be part of a Mission split, Mission tours by General Authorities, and to receive so many new, well prepared Missionaries to serve here in the great CFM.  I think most of all, we were blessed to participate with the Lord in the hastening of His work.  I am truly grateful that He allows us to participate and points the way of how to do so.  This will be the theme that ties the two years together - 2015 and 2016.

On Friday, January 1, 2016 we held our MLC (Mission Leadership Council).  It was by no coincidence it was on the very first day of the new year as we wanted to spare no time in coming to understand and setting our course and goals for the new year.  Sister Clark and I convened with our Assistants, Zone and Sister Training Leaders and sought the Lord's direction on what we might do differently, more of, or become better at and what weapons of rebellion we must lay down in order to better participate with the Lord as He hastens His work!  Great revelation was received and here below I will share what that direction is.

But first may I take just a moment to share with you how grateful I am for the Zone and Sister Training Leaders who sit on the Mission Leadership Council.  They are so diligent, have such great faith, and have sincere desires to live their Missionary Purpose and love and serve you.  They are so well converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and so willing to do all that He has commanded in order to be successful Missionaries.  Sister Clark and I truly appreciate them and are honored by their dedicated, selfless service. 

And while I am on the topic of great leadership, may I compliment each of you for your great leadership of your areas.  Leading an area is such an important part of a call to serve. While it is inherent in being a missionary, one of the marks of a great mission are Missionaries who rise up to this call and live their Missionary Purpose by leading their area.  Thank you to all of you for being such great leaders! 

We emerged from our MLC with a strong conviction that our theme for 2016 should be: To better participate and keep pace with the Lord in the hastening of His work!  We will do this by better living and fulfilling our Missionary Purpose.  This we will do by finding more through Talking with Ten and Opening our Mouths.  We will work harder to be more Complete Missionaries, to love and live our Mission Culture, and to be Master Planners, Finders, and Teachers.  And we will strive to work better through the Lord's Vision and achieve the Power of One!  As we strive to reach the Standards of Excellence each and every week, the Lord will bless us through our faith, diligence, and Exact Obedience to better participate and keep pace with Him as He hastens His work!  And may I just add here what a strong conviction I have that Exact Obedience will be a most important component of whether we will more fully participate and keep pace with the Lord’s hastening.  We must seek with great desires this rich blessing He offers us to participate with Him in the hastening!

On a final note, under the doctrine of IWADWWADWAGWWAG and in conjunction with training and direction we've received from Elder Oaks and the Missionary Executive Council, we want to emphasize Baptism for a remission of sin and better teach the concept of repentance.  Going forward, we want to emphasize that as missionaries we:  "Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts!"  To only say we Baptize leaves behind a significant part of the doctrine of Baptism for a remission of sin.  So henceforth and forever more we shall state our Purpose and then say: "And in the California Fresno Mission we (all together now) Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts!"  I believe you will hear more on this in a worldwide training for Missionaries to be held on January 20th at 9:00 am.  I will let you know next week where you will congregate.

Well, it's been a great start to the New Year already and I couldn't be more excited to be here with you, now.  It’s Going to be A Remarkable Year! 

We love you and love serving Him with you!

President Clark

PS  Please study PMG Chapter 9 in your ASKS time.