News Item: Iron Rod November 2009
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
One of the most often asked questions Sister Merkley and I hear from our missionaries is, “What kind of music can I listen to?” If you ask me that question you will get my personal preference which is, “Hymns of the Restoration,” which means those hymns found in the green hymnbook of the Church and those from the Primary Children’s Songbook. If you do not like that response, don’t bother asking Sister Merkley because I got that answer from her!
The principle that guides our music selection should really be, “if there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” Primary among our decision as to what we listen to is whether or not the music helps us to accomplish the purpose of our mission, which 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.
Page 25 of the Missionary Handbook says that we are to “listen only to music that is consistent with the sacred spirit of your calling. Music should invite the Spirit, help you focus on the work and direct your thoughts and feelings to the Savior.” It is guaranteed, hymns of the restoration will always do that for you.
Anyone who has been to an athletic contest will see the athletes preparing themselves for the game by stretching, warming up muscles, and honing required skills. But beyond the visible physical preparation is the mental preparation that takes place. Plays to be run, strategies to employ, assignments to be filled and the overall game plan must be pondered, rehearsed and firmly planted in the minds of each athlete. A missionary preparing to enter into a teaching situation should prepare in the same way. I know of no better way to prepare mentally and spiritually to teach than by listening to sacred hymns, unless it is listening to an inspired talk by one of the General Officers of the Church. If I am going to be teaching about the converting power of the Book of Mormon, I would like to go into that teaching situation with the same conviction of its power and truth that is felt from hearing Elder Holland’s most recent Conference address on that subject.
Note this from the Missionary Handbook: what we listen to or see on any electronic device is not to “merely entertain.” Remember, “[We] are on the Lord’s errand; and whatsoever [we] do according to the Lord’s will is the Lord’s business.” (D&C 64:29) In the spirit of being on the Lord’s errand, I would invite any missionary that is in possession of any electronic device that can be used to share the message of the Restoration, to be diligent in so doing. If there are electronic devices that can gather a family around a television set to view a Church-produced video or General Conference address, let it be done. If, however, it is learned that a missionary is in possession of music or videos that are not conducive to accomplishing the purpose of our callings, let that missionary lose his/her privilege to use such devices.
Our world is full of marvelous inventions that can be used to help carry the message of the Restored Gospel with more power, thoroughness, and effectiveness than ever before. The thought that these instruments might be used unrighteously should not deter the righteous from using them for good. Let us recognize correct principles and be governed by them rather than exhausting ourselves by listing and searching for rules.
What we are talking about here is the need to be led by the Spirit. “Joseph Smith taught that revelation is vital for [our] daily work. ‘This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed.’” (PMG, p. 89)
We are placed in a circumstance where we can use the blessings of the earth for good or ill. As agents, we have power to control our thoughts and actions and be righteous instruments in God’s hands to fulfill the vision of the prophets concerning the last days.
As companions, may we always be united in the vision of our purpose and allow the Spirit to be the directing force of our performance while we are on the Lord’s errand.
As a post script: the Missionary Handbook says, “Listening to music must never interfere with your personal preparation or proselyting.” I interpret that to say “no music during personal or companionship study.”
“I NEED MORE MILES!”
A Message from your Vehicle Coordinator
Elder Bear Bowers
Many missionaries are not always thrifty in conserving mileage on their vehicles. Towards the end of each month, I can look forward to hearing from several missionaries who have used all of their allotted miles . They call, pleading for extra miles, to finish out the month.
Planning is the Key. Plan your work and work your plan. Here are some ideas to help you always have miles when you need them:
o Our mission policy is 4 “No Drive Days” a month. Spread these throughout the month. Plan for one each week and work one in when the weather is good.
o Preparation Day – Don’t drive the car unless it is absolutely necessary.
o Use member’s cars when they go teaching with you. They can pick you up at your apartment.
o Ask members to drive you to appointments that are long distances from where you live as much as possible.
o Have members come to your apartment to pick you up for your dinner appointments, then go with you teaching that evening.
o Schedule your teaching by area to avoid backtracking and wasting miles and time.
o Have a “Fast Day” for cars. That means no driving on that day. (0 miles)
“Make not thy gift known unto any save it be those of thy faith. Trifle not with sacred things." (our vehicles) D&C 6:12
Sacrifice is necessary to make it work. Remember your vehicle is a blessing, not a convenience. As we remember our Savior’s sacrifices, ours will seem very insignificant.
A Great Work
“We cannot and we must not allow ourselves to get distracted from our sacred duty. We cannot and we must not lose focus on the things that matter most.”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Ensign, May 2009, 60
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November Birthdays
01 Elder Evans
01 President Merkley
02 Elder Dill
04 Elder Ellison
07 Elder Woodward
08 Sister DeCoursey
08 Elder Hirshfeld
11 Elder Brostrom
18 Elder Shea Phillips
18 Elder Wall
23 Elder Painter
December Birthdays
06 Elder Holmes
06 Elder Rawlins
07 Elder Jeppeson
08 Elder Bustamante
12 Elder Garff
12 Sister Nielson
14 Sister Jones
16 Sister Jensen
17 Elder Alex Miller
19 Elder Jared Bennett
20 Elder Kirk Jones
28 Sister Merkley
29 Elder Raleigh
Departing Missionaries
Elder Shadrack Gore
Sister Samantha Hawkins
Elder Cameron Kimball
Elder William Lachausse
Elder Nicholas Nelson
Elder Christopher Perry
Return with Honor!
Baptisms for OCTOBER, 2009
Ft. Smith
Ft. Smith Michael Aaron Sisco
Greenwood Billy Hamilton
Mena Shawna Michelle Holloway
Muskogee Brodee Mikeal Rosson
Joplin Stake
Joplin 2nd Hailey Nicole Gates
Neosho Linda Jean Beavers
Steven Ray Beavers
Nevada Kearston Raelyn Baze
Rogers Stake
Bentonville 1st Tony Lee March
Springdale Stake
Fayetteville Univ Sean Thomas Bradley
Marla Kathleen Strange
Siloam Springs Rylee Ann Sanders
Mason Thomas
Springdale 2nd Spanish Marina Lemos
Springdale 3rd Mars. Lucky Leo Menke
Springfield Stake
Bolivar Corey Philip Sharpe
Springfield 2nd Lelia Maye Anderson
Springfield Univ Jocelyn Ivette Posos
St. Robert
Ft. Leonard Wood Joseph Welker
Rolla Dale Burkhart
Salem Bonny Hill
West Plains Cory Martin
Winona Chloe Brianne Axelsen
Jessie Tate Elizabeth Axelsen
Springfield South
Ava Gary Wayne Simmons, Jr.
Tulsa Stake
Bartlesville 1st Welena Boren
Jenks Paul Ryan Billingsly
New Haven Charles Wyatt Wilson
Cherish Rhynelle Wilson
Forrest Moman Wilson
Tulsa East Stake
Claremore Samuel Adam Mathews
Henryetta Jamie Elizabeth Brewer
BAPTISMS-October, 2009
(COV) Convert 0
(MD) Media Referrals: 1
(MR) Member Referrals: 7
(PM) Part-Member Family 12
(T) Tracting: 3
(Mil) Military 1
(Self) Self 3
(OTM’d) 5
TOTAL 32
Member Referrals = 63
Formula for Choices
“May I provide a simple formula by which you can measure the choices which confront you. It’s easy to remember, sometimes difficult to apply: You can’t be right by doing wrong; you can’t be wrong by doing right. Your personal conscience always warns you as a friend before it punishes you as a judge.” Thomas S. Monson, “Decisions Determine Destiny,” CES fireside for young adults, Nov. 6, 2005
New Arrivals
November 4, 2009
Elder Morgan Daniel Asay – Laramie, WY
Sister Natalie Bench – Centerville, UT
Elder Aaron Bergevin – Salem, UT
Elder Marcus Blatter – Concord, CA
Elder Bryan Borrowman – West Point, UT
Elder Jacob Gonzalez – Indio, CA
Sister Ana Havea – Vavau, Tonga
Elder Chad Johnson – American Fork, UT
Elder Brendon Lybbert – Spruce Grove, AB, Canada
Elder James Mills – Rosalia, WA
Elder Stephen Navratil – Okotoko, AB, Canada
Elder Caleb Reilley – West Jordan, UT
Elder Morgan Sorenson – Lehi, UT
Sister Adrienne St. Clair – Queen Creek, AZ
Elder Iakoba Tebao – Tarawa, Kirbati
Elder Spencer David Thomas – Park, CA
WELCOME TO THE OTM!!
Elder Edwin and Sister Marsha Maughan – Farmington, UT
will arrive on Nov. 14, 2009. They will be assigned to serve in
Ft. Leonard Wood, St. Robert Zone
“My Most Memorable Spiritual Experience”
It was the first day in my new area, Little Flock. That night, we went to follow up on a potential investigator. We knocked on a door and Robert opened it. I looked right at him and said to myself, “I have seen him before.”
A couple of weeks later I finally figured out where I had seen him. About six months earlier, I had a dream where a man and his wife were in the baptism font. This was the man.
About nine weeks later, the sweetest experience happened as the dream came true. Robert was baptized. This is an event I will never forget.
I love having revelation for my area. That is how the Lord works to help us with our missionary work and our testimonies. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission. I’m thankful to have been able to serve around the “The Band of Brotherhood” and to have President Seal and President Merkley as my mission presidents. I send my love to all who continue to serve here in the OTM.
By Elder Cameron Kimball
Consecrated Work of Prayer
"I long have been impressed with the truth that meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as 'a form of work, . . . is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings' (Bible Dictionary, "Prayer," 753). We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say 'amen,' by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father. Asking in faith requires honesty, effort, commitment, and persistence."
David A. Bednar, "Ensign, May 2008, 95
ASSISTANTS’ MESSAGE
Elders and Sisters,
The prophet Alma has declared, “I know that [God] granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.” Salvation and destruction are not handed out according to a random decree given by God but by the exercise of our agency as we are placed in positions to act. This, simply put, is the principle of agency. Agency is one principle that has lasting, eternal effects. This is why Alma stated, “Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience (Alma 29:4-5).” Each of us has been placed in a stewardship to help us learn, grow, and act according to our righteous desires. The Lord gives us talents and we are to reap and sow where we have not yet reaped and sown (Matthew 25:26). The Lord trusts us to magnify these stewardships and not just to fill them. To magnify the callings with which we have been given we must earnestly seek the Lord’s counsel in all our doings. And when that counsel is received we must act upon it, and act upon it to the best of our abilities. By so doing, magnify that counsel with which God has granted. The one who uses their agency to the magnifying of their call fulfills the role of a disciple of Christ.
How are we caring for the sacred stewardships that we now hold? The Lord teaches us in Luke 16:10 “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” We all have been called and chosen. We are the faithful and we are the agents of our Heavenly Father spreading the message of the Son.
After we have touched on agency and how we are the faithful who have a righteous desire to serve our Heavenly Father, we want to pose this question, “What changes will you make to better magnify your stewardship?” As we magnify that which has been given to us the Lord promises that “we will retain a remission of our sins from day to day, [and] that we [will] walk guiltless before God (Mosiah 4:26).”
We pray by day and by night that all of us will use our agency to magnify our stewardships.
We Trust and Love You,
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