Angels Are Declaring To Prepare The Hearts Of Men

Hey Everyone, 

We have a very large Lutheran school here in Concordia that teaches their students how to bash with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In fact, they even have several classes on how to do this and each year around this time the missionaries serving in this area receive many referrals from these students as part of their class project. They have to find us online and request a meeting with us. Then we meet and they use the lessons they've been taught to bash us and our religion. It's an ongoing problem and perhaps other missionaries in other parts of the world have the same situation. Our inbox has recently been filled with "fake" referrals and it's been interesting as we've sorted them out determining if they're actual referrals or not. We've been asked not to answer those that aren't "real" referrals. It's been taking a bit of time these past weeks with this process. 

Tracting this week I found a gal named Miranda. On the doorstep I placed a Book of Mormon, shared many scriptures and the Restoration lesson with her. She was golden! She was so excited to have a copy of the Book of Mormon because she has several friends who are members and she wants to study the religion. We made a follow up appointment and after we did that Miranda's roommate came outside and said, "your dad is going to be mad that you're wanting to learn about the Mormons" Miranda said she'd call him and sort it out with him because she was wanting to attend Church yesterday. Within a few hours after returning home Miranda called and said she had spent time talking with her Dad and she isn't able to attend Church or be taught at this time. It was very interesting to me that a grown, adult woman wasn't able to make her own decisions on something that interested her and she really wanted to pursue. But, a seed was planted and I still believe she is elect. Time will tell. 

We spent Pday with me cleaning the apartment and the Marshall Elders came over to play games. 

Each week we have District Council and each week I have an assignment to teach at the meeting.

We had our apartment inspection with the senior missionaries this week and passed. They gave us a gold star and said to keep it up.

We've started taking Hapkido (Korean) martial art lessons from a less active member of our branch. We attend two lessons a week and then have lunch with the family and share a gospel message. 

A member of the branch, Shawn Morgan Jr, opened his mission call yesterday after Church and it was great to be there as he found out he'll be serving in Washington State. 

We have spent the week finding, finding, finding and have been very successful. We had several appointments fall through also this week. 

In my personal study this week I really resonated with Alama chapter 13, especially verses 21 to 24. Verse 24 says: "For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory." 

I loved the reminder that ANGELS are preparing the hearts of the people. Are missionaries ANGELS on earth? Perhaps? But I read these verses the day I found Miranda and I know that her heart was touched and ready to hear more. I hope that the seed which was planted will have the opportunity to grow one day. 

Elder Mortensen 

Pictures and videos this week:

Hapkido with Brother Levin from the Branch

A breakfast I made

Honey truck

Opening the mission call

Wolf and Witch game video with branch members

Me and Elder Shaw with branch members

Dog in the kennel...his face was funny