From Elder Gomez:

So you know the challenge you issued at zone conference?  We gave it a shot.  On Saturday we attempted to contact as many former investigators as we possibly could.  We got a couple that might be worth following up on.  So we were thinking... where is this person who is ready for the gospel that Sister Bassett promised us?  We had a baptism that night, which by the way was amazing, and the sister of the baptizee (is that a word?? :) ) really felt the spirit and decided that she wanted to learn the gospel as well.  So there you go, your faith was not in vain.  We did find somebody who is ready for the gospel... even though we didn't exactly find them the way we would have expected.

Dear sister bassett

 

First, last Friday Elder Parkin and I were feeling a little discouraged because we haven't found any one in a while.  We had two potentials in the area book. So I took the time to get down on my knees and say a prayer. I talked with the Lord. "We are talking to a lot of people. We are trying to do as you wish but where are the blessings?" The answer I received was to wait. The Lord has his time. So being pacified, the next day we had a baptism for our investigator named Amy, which is a miracle in and of itself. Low and behold one of our members brought their friend to the baptism and she wants to learn more. How sweet is that.

 

See you Thursday

 

Love Elder Thomas 

Sis Bassett

Well I have some amazing miracles, and one of them was the fulfilling of the promise that you made to us in ZLC, about the former investigators. We went through them and found a couple that we wanted to visit. The first one, Alma and Juan accepted us in their house, talked very highly of the missionaries prior, and we were able to teach the first lesson. It was amazing how much easier it was because they were already familiar with it, but also how willing they were to do things, such as read or pray. It looks like with the change in economy, they now don't work on Sunday and will be able to go to church. Also through other experiences they see more of a necessity to be baptised and come closer to God. It was amazing to see how just a few months later, so many changes can come into someone's life to make them more receptive to the gospel. Thanks so much for leaving that commitment with us, I know that we wouldn't have found them again if we weren't looking through the formers of our area book. It's been great to see the excitement in their eyes. 

 But, one of the biggest miracles and one of the best things that I have heard on my entire mission is that the family Parra, who Elder matsunaga and I were teaching back in July/August, now will soon be getting baptised. They were living on the streets, and the bishop found out and put them in a hotel, the relief society provided breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday for 2 weeks, and we passed by just about everyday, and at the end, the mom Margarita had a baptism date. But they had to leave, and lost contact, they got some other apt. and I never heard of them. I kind of felt that those 2 weeks were just wasted. But, then I heard that some sisters in Pioneer zone had found them and were teaching them, and now, the mom and son are getting baptized, and I get to baptize the son! When I heard that it was literally one of the most tender moments of my mission. It put to life the section of Preach My Gospel that says "No effort is wasted"  And I know that it was through the amazing help that they received through the ward relief society/bishop that their hearts were touched, and the spirit was able to enter their hearts, and now, they will be getting baptized. It's amazing. I just can't believe it. It's just really interesting how people get put in the right place at the right time. 

 

Elder Gleaves

Dear Sister Bassett,

               On monday we were out contacting a potential investigator in an apartment complex.  We were getting out of our car, and we heard a voice say, "Hello!"  We looked around and asked "Hello?"  Then we heard a voice from the balcony above us say, "Hello!"  We looked and it was a woman.  We said hi, and she replied "Are you the new management?"  We told her no, but that we were the missionaries.  She said "Oh, that's great.  My sister is a missionary for her church."  We visited with her for a bit, and she said we could come back.  We taught her on Wednesday, and then we set a baptismal date with her on Saturday!  Her name is Sarah.  She told us at church on Sunday that the reason she yelled out to us, was because she had a plumbing problem and thought we were the managers.  The Lord works in mysterious ways.  She told us last night that she knows that the Lord sent us to her.  I love this work.  It is of God, and He will make miracles happen if we just have faith, and do our best.  Thank you for all that you do Sister Bassett.  We will see you soon.

Sincerely,

Elder Christensen

Dear Sister Bassett,

Here are a few miracles for this week.

1) Last Saturday we had a baptism (btw that's 2 baptisms in a transfer. That's something that hasn't happened in a long time and we have more on the way.) for an investigator named Chris. He was very prepared and very solid. Coming close to the baptism his Mom was nervous about him being baptised because it was so fast. She wanted to wait for a year, but she realized Chris is 18 and should choose for himself. So planned the baptism, but the day before we heard that his Dad had to work that day and couldn't be there. Never the less, Chris wanted to do it. While getting everything prepared, low and behold there is his dad at the baptism. That was cool.

2) last night because we were so far from our apartment and because we didn't have a dinner that day, we ate at burger king. Trying to keep everything cheap.A group of teenagers walked in and ordered their food and also applying for work. Then one of them started asking some questions. She had a belief in God but did understand the bible. We explained that God loves her and has rules that he wants to bless us with. Specifically she was asking about lesbianism. After her questions, her friend came over and started talking to us and said he really wants to change his life around because he now has a daughter (he is 19). He had some concerns, but we told him that he has the agency and God will help him. Then we committed him to meet with the local missionaries. By the end of our conversation with him he seemed to have a better understanding and some questions of the soul answered.

Time is short and only enough time for those 2 miracles but know we are seeing many miracles.

Love Elder Thomas

B

Sister Bassett,

 

We had a great miracle this past week that I wanted you to know about! This past week Elder Woolf and Elder McBride and I were at our church building taking care of a few things. While the other elders were busy, I took a quick break on the couch in the foyer. I pulled out a payday (it was bad I know) and started eating it. I looked out the front doors and saw a red van drive by slowly. Then I felt an impression that the person in that van wanted to come inside. I put the candy bar away and waited. A Native American lady came up to the front door, and I opened it for her. She then Introduced herself, "Hi, my name is Debbie Scott. I have been meeting with Elder Weight and Elder Tolman in Mesa and feel that I should come over here to this ward. I really want to meet with the Elders and be baptized." I felt the spirit really strong. Then Elder McBride and Elder Woolf came up and we talked to her for a few minutes. We set up a lesson with her for later that night. While we taught her, we set a baptism date for  the end February. She then came to church this past Sunday.

 

This was just one of the many that we saw this past week!! Thanks for all you do.

 

Elder Imlah

A White Christmas

January 2009, ZLC

We had such a great group of zone leaders. They were so diligent, obedient and all full of faith. I watched as they discussed possible goals for the year. I remember how bold they were. They set a goal to help find the 1200 prepared people out there and help them make their way to the waters of baptism. It was a lofty goal, a significant increase from the previous year, but they knew the Lord would help them do it. And I watched. All year long I watched.

We've always had great missionaries, and I watched as they grew and built on the faith of the missionaries before them. We went through training blitz. We practiced teaching skills and learned together how to better develop Christlike attributes.  The mission as a whole began to better at accounting for the goals they were setting. We worked at making sure we were teaching people/not lessons and preparing them to understand the significance of the baptismal covenant. And we prayed. We prayed, and we prayed. And we worked. Things started changing in a miraculous way. Our transfer standard of excellence was to help 140 people every 6 weeks make those baptismal covenants. That was a stretch, but then people started popping up everywhere; people that had heard of the restoration and wanted to know more; people that had met with missionaries a year ago or two or three and now were ready; members' hearts started to be touched. Eventually that 'standard of excellence' wasn't something to stretch for, it was happening, consistently. By summer, we were finding 100's of people and many of them were progressing. Every transfer from that time forward was in excess of 160 people. We were getting close to realizing that goal from so many months before.

(insert slide show here...I need pictures of people who were baptized! Send me some please!)

3 Months before the end of the year, we were close to being on track to reach our goal, but Christmas is a very busy time in our mission with the added responsibilities of Christmas Lights at the temple. We met with the Zone Leaders again.  Their faith led them to set a new goal for the end of the year to help us stretch even farther. The goal they were talking about reminded me of the miracle of the loaves and the fishes. Realizing this goal would let each of them know it could only have been accomplished with the help of the Lord. There was no way we could do it alone. They decided to hold a mission wide fast. We were asking for miracles. We were working for a White Christmas in the desert. Instead of snow, 100's of people dressed in white. Our gift to the Savior. Wether it was the white of baptism or the white of the temple, we were going to find all those the Lord had prepared and help them come closer to Him. What does a White Christmas look like?

I wish words could explain it to you. We fasted and prayed, then exercised our faith through obedient and dedicated service to the God we love. We testified of Jesus Christ and the power of His Atonement. We invited people to come to Him. And together, we watched for miracles. We talked about them and shared them with each other. And the more we began to acknowledge the hand of God in our work and lives, the greater the strength of our vision.

At the end of the year, over 1200 people entered the waters of baptism. Many others renewed their dedication to Christ with new commitments to serve Him and prepare to go to the temple. And we know that we have only scratched the surface.

January 2010, ZLC

Knowing the power of God and understanding the work to which we have jointly been called, the zone leaders set a new goal. A goal that will continue to stretch the missionaries that serve here. One that will bless them all their lives. But more importantly, one that will restore 1500 children of God to a knowledge of who they are, who God is and allow them to draw closer to Him each day through covenants.
We love ALL our missionaries, those that serve with us now, those that will come shortly, and especially those who have completed their service here and gone home to continue their life long missions to return to their Father. We love you all and are forever grateful for your faith and patience and love. And prayers. May you continue to do those things that will help you feel close to Him. Have a wonderful New Year, where ever you are all over the world.
President & Sister Bassett

Sister Bassett,
So Sunday came around (yeah it starts out like the last story), and we still hadn't found any new investigators.  We had some spare time in the evening. We decided to try to contact one of our referrals.  We met Maria at the door, and she told us that her daughter was interested in learning about the church because she had many friends that were LDS.  We met the father of the family also and their 4 kids.  We invited all of them to sit in and participate as we taught the message of the Restoration.  We taught simply and with many questions so they all would understand and enjoy the teaching.  We also watched the Restoration DVD, and they understood everything.  Tonight we have a follow up lesson where we will read the Book of Mormon with the family.  We will certainly soft commit the whole famliy to baptism and with any luck we'll have 4 more with a date before the end of the week.  The Lord is very merciful and if we are faithful, he will make up for our inadequacies by providing miracles.
Elder Jeffrey Gomez

Everyday we have amazing testimony building experiences

Dear Sister Bassett,

We had an amazing miracle yesterday! On Sunday one of our bishops came up to us and said that he got a message from a woman who said she was an investigator. She said that she has been taking lessons for a while now, and wanted her son to start taking the lessons. She just moved into our area, and wanted to know where the church building was. Our bishop said he would get back to us on it. Then yesterday while we were in Zone Conference we got a text referral for a woman named Kara. A member from Mesa referred her. The referral said that Kara was a former investigator who was very interested. I am a little slow, so I didn't make the connection right away. So we called the member, and she told us a little bit about Kara, and we started to realize that this could be the same lady that contacted the bishop. We called Kara and left a message. She called back a bit later and said that she really wants her son to be baptized and that she needs help quitting smoking so she can be baptized! We met with them last night and they are awesome! We were amazed! Another miracle! We are so blessed to be a part of this work. We have the opportunity everyday to have these amazing testimony building experiences. I really have come to know that this is The Lord's work and that He will make things happen if we have faith, work hard, and remain obedient. I love it!

Thank you again for everything,
Sincerely,
Elder Christensen

A Tender Mercy

Sister Bassett
All I can really say is that we are still getting more and more miracles. It's so amazing. And it's always at the opportune moment. This weekend we had all our baptism dates drop, just due to problems that will take a while to overcome. It's just really hard. But just yesterday we had a tender mercy of the Lord. We had a lesson with a man named Caesar. It was a good lesson, and at the end he asked us a question, "How long does it take before I can get baptized?" It was a shocker. I just wanted to smile and shout with joy. It's like music to all missionaries ears, but I kept my composure, and we explanied the process. Then we extended an invitation to be baptized on the 26th of Dec. And he willingly accepted. He has come to church for weeks before, and is already living all the commandments, so it goes to show that there really are people out there who have been and are being prepared to recieve the restored gospel, we just have to do our part and find them. And that is just one of the miricles that we recived yesterday,

Elder Gleaves and Elder Phillips

Hello Sister Bassett!
I've been meaning to write you for a long while, but I'm a great procrastinator, but it would be ungrateful of me not to write and tell you of a few of the many miracles I have seen this year. Before I started writing down miracles, I felt as if God blessed me in different ways from miracles. I felt I didn't have anything incredibly amazing to share, but after thorough review, I have so much to share! Thank you for your inspiration in asking us to think of miracles. It has helped me immensely.
So, to name a few:
While I was in Scottsdale, Sister Winder and I had just gotten done with a dinner appointment and were about to go see someone on our list. Rather randomly, we decided to just knock on a couple of doors not even close to anything at all. The house we knocked at belonged to a less active family, the Jensens, who had lived in Scottsdale previously, moved to Hawaii for a while, and then came back. They had been active in Hawaii, but when they moved back to Scottsdale the year before, they didn't want to go to the ward they were assigned to, so they didn't transfer their records or anything, so no one knew about them to even stop by. But after that visit, their records could now be transfered, and they could be taken care of by the wards and missionaries. I don't know what happened to them, but I do know Heavenly Father had his watchful eye over that family.
- Sister Winder and I had been having a particularly difficult week, and had been praying for miracles. One of our bishops was particularly aware of our struggles and wanted so much to help us. One day he called us up and said, "Sisters, you're not going to believe this. There is someone who just moved into our area and wants to get baptized as soon as possible." We were stoked! We went to see the refferal as soon as we could. His name was Kris, and he had moved back in with his girlfriend after having just gotten out of jail. Kris had been taught by a couple missionary within the jail and had become truly converted. His heart was literally changed as he accepted and acted upon the restored gospel. Now his only desire was to get baptized and be sealed in the temple to his girlfriend and children. They were married shortly after and since he wasn't on probation, he could be baptized a week later. Miracle!

You are simply wonderful. Thank you for all that you do for us :)
With Love,
Sister Higbee

peoples' hearts are being prepared

Hey Sister Bassett,
It's Elder Turner. Well I wanted to tell you about the miracles I am seeing in my area right now. First I wanted to tell you about this man. He is from Georgia, and when I heard this guy talk about his life it touched me. He first told us that he is a walking miracle, because he was beat so badly the doctors though he was dead at the scene. He recovered and went over to California to try to start a new life, but he didn't like it. So he was just traveling around the states to find a place to stay. He passed over Winslow, and he said to himself that he didn't want to come here. But then he felt in his heart that he needed to go back and check out this town. He found where the nearest hospital was and come to find out that the Mormon church was right next to it. 

The next sunday was fast and testimony meeting. He just walked into church.  I didn't see him at first, but he found the bishop and introduced us to him. He told us his whole story. He also told us he has a purpose over here; he just hasn't found it yet. I was so shocked. It was amazing to see a person just walk into our church and to feel the spirit at fast and testimony meeting. Now we are teaching him. It is so amazing and true that peoples' hearts are being prepared and that they are literally walking into church. I couldn't believe it, but now I do. It makes me motivated as a missionary to find the elect. Well that's one of the major miracles, but there are more to come.
Thank you, Sister Bassett Bye

Sister Bassett,
Well, these past miracles aren't anything really specific, but it is just a miracle for us to already receive over 20 referrals from the christmas lights. It's amazing to see how many people are found through other missionaries who work diligently by talking to everyone at the christmas lights. And a lot of the referrals that we get are in  places that we would never knock if we were to go tracting. I know that God puts people in the right place at the right time to be able to accept the invitation of learning more about the restored gospel. And its so amazing to see how the Christmas spirit makes people have a broken heart to be more receptive to the feelings and impressions that come from listening to this message. It's another testimony builder to me of the truthfulness of this work.

Elder Gleaves

"God does know our cares and our concerns"

Here's an email I received from two of our zone leaders. Great story!

Last week we were praying specifically for a new investigator, but by the end of the week we still hadn't found one.  We had to sacrifice a good chunk of prime proselyting time from our area by serving at the temple Christmas lights Friday night.  We put forth our best effort serving there and expected the Lord to make up the difference.  It was now Sunday morning, and we still had no new investigators.  We had church up until 4 pm and then we were scheduled to work at the Christmas lights that evening as well.  We were out of time.  We needed a miracle.
At our last Sacrament meeting of the day, a member of the bishopric introduced us to Brandon.  He had just walked into the building at the beginning of the meeting.  Brandon had Googled us and found out the location of the building as well as the meeting time on his own.  He very much enjoyed all three hours of church.  We set up a time on Monday to meet with him and teach the first lesson.
At the lesson, he shared with us his past, which was full of difficulties and trials.  He has a friend who is a member of the church who shared bits and pieces of Gospel truths with him when he needed it the most.  He finally decided something needed to change.  He told us of an experience he had where the Lord told him not to worry, but that he would be guided to the right path.  Brandon also said that he would trust in the Lord and rely on his feelings instead of getting caught up in trying to explain and discover things logically.  He had a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  As we discussed the message of the Restoration, he became very excited and full of the Spirit saying things like, “It’s all making sense now!”, “What is the next step?” and, “This is something that I want to be a part of.”
Naturally, we decided to set a date with him for baptism. He graciously accepted, and will prepare to be baptized on the day after Christmas. Interestingly enough, he wanted to know if it would be OK if he invited people to his baptism. Of course we said yes-he could invite his family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, everybody!  Brandon wants to be an example to his family and feels like this is the right decision.  With his example of following the Spirit, he will be a blessing to his family and help them to accept the Gospel and the blessings that come from it.
The Lord is preparing people to receive the Gospel.  When missionaries make sacrifices and give their best effort, the Lord will make miracles happen.  I am so grateful that Brandon had the courage to listen to the Spirit, and for his friend sharing bits and pieces of the Gospel with him when he needed it the most. Obedience to the promptings of the Spirit allows the Lord to work miracles, and sacrifice shows the Lord you need his help.
God bless!
Love,
Elder Gomez and Elder Crook

Elder Crook added this little bit:
Sister Bassett,
 For me this event of seeing Brandon come out of 'no where' was an experience I knew only God could do. Brandon was getting prepared and Elder Gomez and myself were also getting prepared as we worked. This miracle showed to me that God does know our cares and our concerns. We have 2 baptisms coming up but I was concerned about what was going to happen after that. In our effort to continue finding this last week we did talk to more people and did get some potentials from it. We didn't, however, find a new investigator and I was down until Brandon came into the picture. I know that it was because we were trying to find someone that God placed someone in our path in the unexpected way. I know that God does answer prayers espeically when we go out and do our best to fulfill them. This event showed to me that God is preparing people and how we just have to do our best and God will do the rest. I'm so grateful for this event. Thank you Sister Bassett for encouraging us to record miracles and look for them. Hope you and President Bassett have a great week!

Sincerely,
Elder Neil Crook

The Lord Led Him Right Back To Us!

Hey sister Bassett! 
This week we went to teach an investigator at a recent convert's house. He lives in our area, but she doesn't, and they are dating. Back about 4 months ago when Elder Coffman and I were first put together, we talked to a guy at a gas station. And it was probably one of the most spiritual TTI's of my mission, but he rejected us. I was kinda bummed but felt good 'cause the spirit was there, and I knew that guy had felt it. Anyways, 4 months down the road after never seeing him again, he shows up last night to the lesson only this time, he is prepared to hear the gospel. He is going through a rough time in his life right now and needs the Lord's help. It is a miracle. The Lord led him right back to us!

Elder Chance Pebbley

It was truly a miracle!

From Elder Colton Weight:
This week has been an amazing week, I had my first baptism, and it was the greatest thing and the greatest feeling ever!! That baptism was one of the miracles that had occured from the mission fast. Linda is her name, and she had been living down the street from President Lewis for quite some time and a member of a protestant church for around 20 years, I believe. She had turned down countless missionaries. Well a man that she'd known for a long time was converted somewhat recently. She noticed the change that the gospel brought into his life and really wanted that change for herself. So she had him set up an appointment when she could meet with us. We taught her the restoration. She was a golden investigator from the get go and is extremely knowledgable about the Bible. Later during that week, she called us and said she wanted to be baptized! So we set up an appointment with her, taught her the plan of salvation and then set a date. We started teaching her at the beginning of November and she was baptized at the end! I know that it truly was a miracle, and it was because of our mission wide fast that that was able to happen, that her heart was softened so that we could bring her unto Christ so that she could have that change in her life! It's such an amazing experience, and it'll be something I'll never forget! Thank you for the opportunity to be able to have that fast. It has truly strengthened my testimony!

Love you very much, Love  Elder Weight

Miracles in Mariposa (Liahona 4th ward)

Sister Bassett,


Wow, that's a really catchy subject name for this email; sounds like a movie or something and I wasn't even trying. Anyways, this is Elder Gibson, Sister Bassett. I am writing in response to your request for recent miracles that have occurred. We have seen some amazing miracles with a family we have started teaching about three weeks ago. They are Maria and Susana, both sisters with 5 kids in total. Just to give you some background first, both are in their 30's or so, and Maria has a 21-year-old son. Susana is not married, but has two sons and two daughters with a boyfriend currently working in New Mexico. Anyways, Susana has been Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, "Christian," pretty much everything, but she has been less than impressed with them all. She said that she had been praying to know what the truth really was, and shortly afterwards we TTI'd (talked to her on the street) and taught Maria outside their house, and began teaching her on our second visit. She told us last week that the 1st time she came to Church she knew that it was true, and wants to get baptized.

It has been an amazing experience to teach these women. They are both shy. Maria is very cautious, but they are amazing. Susana has an incredible knowledge of true doctrine, even though some of it has never been taught to her. While we were teaching them the Plan of Salvation, we asked them what they thought happened to us after death, and she sheepishly explained what she thought was only her idea, but it was EXACTLY correct. She described Spirit Paradise perfectly, and she understood everything very well. We are still teaching them, and they will be baptized soon.

Thank you for the opportunity to share these experiences, Sister Bassett, I really appreciate it. Merry Christmas!

-Elder Gibson

After the Trial of Your Faith

This is another account of the story from the post yesterday. Still a great story! If you have quesstions about the lds church and our beliefs-ask me! Or you can talk to missionaries via a live chat at mormon.org 

Dear Sister Basset,
      Let's see... For Elder matsunaga and I, we really had a tremendous week last week due to the tender mercies of our heavenly Father. Last transfer, I waited and waited for such miracles, and they never came... well they way I was expecting. And just this last week, we saw miracle after miracle. Tuesday: We found a great family who had talked to missionaries a while back and wanted their girls in the youth program and wanted comfort in an ever-so changing world. Wednesday: We talked to ANOTHER great family of 5 that had talked to missionaries in the past and is really excited about learing about the gospel. Thursday: We found ANOTHER great family through a random TTI who is searching for guidance amongst their family. That same night we taught ANOTHER family who we had just found who had a neighbor over who was really interested. Friday: We got a referral and went to contact it and right away we were invited in to teach them, and they expressed their desire to find a true church. Saturday: We got a member referral. We taught this lady at the member's house and the Lady (Patricia) is in search for peace in her life. After the lesson she held The Book of Mormon, looked into our eyes as her's filled up with tears and said, "This is the first time I've felt this peace. I NEED this in my life". That same day we tried to contact a referral, and we read it wrong, and in so doing, we found a 16 year old boy who is really confused about all the churches and sincerely wants to know where to go to.
     So for us, it was just a miracle after another... I was very grateful to just be a part of that week for us. There are many dates to be set this week and there's no where else I would rather be but here in the Arizona Mesa Mission.
    Elder Kunz

Trunk or Treat Missionary style

I don't know how many trunk or treat parties there were throughout the valley, but I do know most of them had some pretty great displays. Some missionaries decorated their trunks, 'borrowed' a trunk from a member, or decorated a couple of chairs in between their bikes. They were so creative! Elder Woolf and Elder Diaz used sidewalk chalk to draw the plan of salvation out in front of their trunk. They also had a DVD playing. They worked hard to invite the neighborhood to come, and they came.

I'm hoping the missionaries will send in some more pictures.

Can you see the pictures on these pumpkins? You have the plan  of salvation, the first vision, CTR, VC, AMM, and Lehi's vision of the tree of Life. Pretty awesome!