A NEW GAME PLAN . . .

The young women in the Chesapeake Ward held their annual New Beginnings Program on February 15th at the Church. The program, which was based upon a sports theme entitled "A New Game Plan," included Sarah Ellison who is a member of the ward as the featured speaker. She is a talented writer and employed as a publicist (official website blogger) for the Baltimore Ravens professional football team.

Her wonderful presentation, which included an actual film clip from the recent league post-season championship game between the Ravens and the New England Patriots, showed how the Ravens came within six inches of winning the game. Suggesting that the difference between winning and losing in many competitive events is measured in mere inches, Sister Ellison pointed out that in real life whether we are six inches, six feet, or six miles from evil, we must make good decisions in order to always stay away from danger.

She encouraged the young women to follow the counsel of Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who has taught us that decisions determine destiny. As a part of the program, each of the three Young Women's classes performed a special cheer-leading routine that they created for the evening, and they were recognized individually by the youth advisers in front of their families.

Sarah Ellison, featured speaker at Young Women's activity

One of the great strengths of this Church is its continuing emphasis on providing our youth with positive instruction based upon obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our young people may have to live in this world with all of its evil influences, but they don't have to live like it! The inspired statement made by Joesph Smith in the early days of this dispensation still applies: “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves,”

The Lord uses that pattern with us throughout our lives. Correct principles are found in the life and teachings of the Lord, His prophets and apostles, as well as in the holy scriptures. Finding correct principles is not the difficult part, however. We must be determined to live the truth that we know once we have located it. At first, this might seem difficult; but over a period of time, the decision to live in harmony with correct principles becomes second nature with us as we consciously choose the right while repenting when we make mistakes along the way as we are sometimes going to do because we are imperfect beings.

GO TEAM!

MISSIONARIES LEARN TO SERVE

In the 1990s while I was serving in The North Carolina Charlotte Mission Presidency, there were many opportunities to observe and interact with young elders and sisters as they arrived fresh from the Missionary Training Center for their first proselyting assignments. Some of them expressed a great desire to begin working as soon as possible, because they sincerely felt that they had much they were capable of giving to others.

After six to nine months of experience in several locations including assignments with two or three different companions, these same elders and sisters tended in most cases to have reached a new and more mature understanding about themselves and their missionary calling. Now, they were more inclined to express these thoughts:  "I am beginning to see how much I have to learn in order to be able to serve others!"

President Spencer W. Kimball, a prophet in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this final dispensation, has wisely observed, "It is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves! In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves!"

Called to serve . . .

As teaching missionaries, Sister Lindsay and I have been instructed by the Holy Spirit to know that the single most important thing that we can do in order to bring souls to Christ is to simply love them for who they are by acknowledging that they are each sons and daughters of Heavenly Father regardless of their present circumstances. Treating other people, whether they are members of our Church or not, the same way we wish to be treated allows individuals to be comfortable just being themselves around us. This creates a bond of trust that allows the Holy Ghost to speak through us thus enabling the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be taught spirit to spirit. We humbly understand that we are only the voice and not the source of the truth that we speak as we teach.

George McDonald observed that “it is by loving and not by being loved that one can come nearest to the soul of another.” Of course, we all need to be loved, but we must be giving and not always receiving if we want to have wholeness in our lives and a reinforced sense of purpose. We have been called to serve our mission as authorized representatives of the Lord; and as such, we know that it is greater to be trusted by Heavenly Father and the people we serve  than to be loved.

LIGHT AND TRUTH

The classroom of life here on earth includes some difficult lessons; and there are bound to be occasions when there is an unannounced, timed, multiple choice test. Such was the case with last Thursday night's totally unexpected and difficult encounter that we had with an armed robber immediately in front of our apartment.

We have now had some time the past few days to quietly reflect upon what happened and to prayerfully ask Heavenly Father what He wants us to have learned from this experience. It also seems important to share any light and understanding that has been provided to us through the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

In our Church we often speak of light and truth, but just what do these words mean? The assailant came to us out of darkness, and there was no light about him. Empowered only by the possession of a lethal weapon, this man's crude language while he was speaking to us was filled with menacing threats and vulgarities revealing that no light shown within him either.  Such it is with Satan and those people who willingly follow him in this life. Their secret combinations of evil works are by choice often performed in darkness and shadow. 

God’s realm of light contrasts to the dark realm of Satan

In comparison, our light even the spiritual Light of Jesus Christ, was within us even as we stood in the face of physical danger between the backdrop of a street lamp and the front door light of our apartment building. Sister Lindsay and I both knew that we weren't really alone that night even though the protection we were receiving at that moment was not visible to us or the robber. As servants of the Lord, we can't help but wonder how anybody could willingly prefer darkness and misery over light and warmth? Yet darkness, cold, and misery will be the lot of those who willingly and knowingly reject the Lord.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  (1John 1:5)

Theodore M. Burton of the First Quorum of Seventy shares this spiritual insight pertaining to the light of Christ. "The light of Christ therefore includes not only spiritual light but also physical light, and is a key to understanding that form of energy which is represented by the light we see all around us. Satan is that wicked one who comes and takes away light and truth from the children of men through their disobedience and because of the traditions of their fathers. But the Lord has commanded us to bring up our children in light and truth. The opposite of light is darkness, and the opposite of truth is falsehood."

My wife and I share a sense of sadness concerning the young man who robbed us. We had attempted to tell him that we are Church missionaries and don't carry much cash; but he was so focused on obtaining what little money we had in our possession at that moment, he could only make demands and threaten our lives. Little did he know or care that what we really could have given him might have changed his eternal destiny.

ALTHOUGH A BIT SHAKEN . . . WE'RE OKAY

It was a dark and dreary night . . . but Heavenly Father was watching over us!

We had just returned from a missionary appointment to the parking lot of our apartment complex. It was just a few minutes before 9:00 pm. The front door was less than 75 feet away as we locked the car and walked steadily towards the entrance. We saw a lone man walking in our direction on the sidewalk but didn't particularly think anything about it. As he came closer, I cheerfully said, "Good evening."

And then, we both saw him slowly begin to raise a large handgun from his side as he said, "Give me everything you've got, or I'll blow your heads off!"

"We're missionaries and don't carry much money," Sister Lindsay replied as she handed him a few dollars. He then made a second demand for me to give him all that I had repeating his intention to blow my ____ head off if I refused to comply. Recognizing that life is worth much more than money, I turned over what limited cash I had in my wallet. Without touching us physically or requiring us to turn over credit cards and car keys, the armed robber turned away from us and strode purposely at a brisk walking pace across the parking lot towards the main road.

Baltimore County Police K-9 Unit at the crime scene

As soon as we were safely inside our apartment, we called 911 to report what had happened. In less than 5 minutes, the Baltimore County Police Department responded with at least 6 police cruisers and 2 special K-9 units. Just a few moments later, a police helicopter with a strong searchlight was circling overhead. We met with two uniformed officers and provided them with as much information as possible regarding what had happened together with a description of the armed assailant.

In spite of their best efforts working with their two K-9 dogs and the helicopter, the thief was able to get away. Later, the policemen told us that this was a random armed robbery, probably someone wanting money for drugs; and we were the first ones that the thief spotted as he walked through our apartment complex. I thanked them for their prompt assistance and kindness and said that we appreciated the efforts of their dogs, too. The K-9 officer smiled and said, "My dog had a wonderful time in the woods." And then these men told me that they were very sorry that we had to go through this ordeal tonight.

Sister Lindsay and I are thankful that Heavenly Father provided the protection that we needed to escape with our lives tonight. Without his loving support, this encounter might have had a very different ending. After things had settled down, I called our mission president to report what had happened to us. He was stunned by what I told him but also grateful that we were not harmed.

We live in a degenerate world with lots of desperate people. But still, the gospel of Jesus Christ will ultimately prevail. Meanwhile, good and evil exist side by side in the place where we have been called to serve the Lord. When we submitted our mission applications, we promised that we would go where He wants us to go. So here we will stay unless and until He calls us elsewhere!

LOOKING AFTER YOUR COMPANION

Full time missionary elders and sisters are responsible to be with their companions 24 x 7 every day! From the time they arrive in the mission field until the day they return home after completing their proselyting assignment, these young men and women are expected to remain physically close to the person with whom they have been paired to labor together on their errand for the Lord.

Working together as one, two missionaries make effective teams

This Church-wide missionary requirement to work in pairs is for their protection and well-being. Missionaries share an apartment, eat their meals together, travel by twos at all time, study with each other, and teach investigators side by side. Although senior missionaries have some flexibility in this regard (for instance, Elder Lindsay can be engaged in providing service at the bishop's storehouse on a Saturday morning while Sister Lindsay might be helping someone else at the Church), we generally are found together whenever we are engaged in our missionary-related activities.

As parents of eight children who all served full time missions as young adults, we have been grateful for what the Church has done during their missionary years to teach them the principle of looking after those for whom they have significant responsibility. Now, years later, that sense of personal commitment for watching out for their spouses, their own children, and others is both understood and accepted in their role as responsible, mature adults.

As an example of how important this commitment to look after your companion can be, we had a dangerous situation unexpectedly develop with two of our young missionaries last Sunday evening. Without any warning an elder became ill while he and his companion were walking alongside a busy roadway after dark. Having been trained to look out for each other, the healthy young man led his fellow elder safely away from the street and had him sit down on a metal grate while calling Sister Lindsay and me for assistance.

After getting both elders back to our apartment, we contacted the mission president; and due to the serious nature of the problem, we were instructed to telephone the Church doctor assigned to oversee missionary medical emergencies. Within minutes, the four of us we enroute to the emergency room of the local hospital. With the elder flat on his back undergoing multiple tests and a thorough examination by the medical staff, his faithful companion stayed right beside him until the young man was released many hours later at about 2:30 am.

  Ironing his companion's dress shirts . . . an act of love

The nature of the young elder's illness was serious enough that upon examination by other physicians, it was determined that he needed to return home to his family in another state for additional medical attention. Sister Lindsay and I stopped by the missionaries' apartment the day before he was scheduled to fly home and found his ever faithful companion cheerfully ironing the elder's dress shirts and packing his luggage, so the elder could rest up for the journey. It was a voluntary act of love that would make any mother and father proud!

As a footnote . . . the elder has safely returned home, and his medical needs are now been addressed.

DID SOMEONE CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT?

There was some unexpected excitement during the Maryland Baltimore Mission zone conference in Annapolis on Tuesday morning when the local fire alarm in the Church building suddenly went off while we were assembled in the chapel participating in our training program.

A young missionary was standing at the pulpit speaking to the group when the emergency strobe lights and loud buzzers associated with the fire alarm system went into action accompanied by a voice recording directing everyone to immediately leave the building because a fire had been detected. As the missionaries arose from their seats and began to comply with the instruction, one of the women of the Church who were preparing our lunch rushed into the chapel and announced that there wasn't actually a fire but only some smoke caused by some food that had been left on the heating element in one of the ovens from an earlier meal.

Anne Arundel County firemen on the scene

There were two problems, however, that still had to be dealt with as a result of the alarm having been activated:

• The alarm automatically alerts the Anne Arundel County Fire Department that there is a possible fire in progress at the Church building; and even though the women had immediately telephoned the firemen to tell them what happened, they are required by law to respond to the scene and verify that there is no fire.

• No one in the building had a key to access the equipment closet downstairs to reset the alarm, so the missionary conference could not continue due to the flashing lights and loud buzzers that were sounding throughout the building.

In less than ten minutes the firetruck and crew arrived, and the firemen went to the kitchen to ascertain whether or not there was any danger of fire. Then they proceeded to the lock box outside the building to retrieve the key that opens the equipment closet in order to reset the alarm. Only then did we collectively learn that the key in the box wouldn't give them access to either the building or the closet. Apparently, the Church leaders had recently re-keyed the building; but in so doing, they failed to either notify the fire company or place a new master key in the lock box.  Fortunately, one of the local Church leaders lives nearby, and he rushed over with the correct key, so peace and tranquility were then restored.

Church members who accidentally set off the fire alarm

Those good-hearted sisters who prepared the meal for our meeting were embarrassed by all of the commotion that started in the kitchen; but it truly wasn't anything that they did to cause the problem.  Although the mission president held two other zone conferences in other parts of the Maryland Baltimore Mission during the week, only this one featured those special lighting and sound effects!

FACING THE STORMS OF LIFE

The fact that missionaries are probably the most prayed for individuals in the Church doesn't exempt us from trials, illness, and afflictions; for these things are part of life's experience for all of God's children and have been since the beginning of time.

Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has counseled, "If you don't have any trouble in your life, be patient!" We never know from day to day what sudden storms may cross our path, but for certain trials that will test our faith and endurance will come whether we want them or not.

 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

- Isaiah 48:10        

Elaine Cannon shares this valuable example:

“An old cowboy said he had learned life’s most important lessons from Hereford cows. All his life he had worked cattle ranches where winter storms took a heavy toll among the herds. Freezing rains whipped across the prairies. Howling, bitter winds piled snow into enormous drifts. Temperatures might drop quickly to below zero degrees. Flying ice cut into the flesh. In this maelstrom of nature’s violence most cattle would turn their backs to the ice blasts and slowly drift downwind, mile upon mile. Finally, intercepted by a boundary fence, they would pile up against the barrier and die by the scores.

“But the Herefords acted differently. Cattle of this breed would instinctively head into the windward end of the range. There they would stand shoulder-to-shoulder facing the storm’s blast, heads down against its onslaught. 'You always found the Herefords alive and well,’ said the cowboy. ‘I guess it’s the greatest lesson I ever learned on the prairies—just face life’s storms’” (Adversity [1987], 133–34).

We have noted during the first five months of our mission that both the young elders and sisters as well as the senior couples get involved in accidents and experience illnesses. Some of these occurrences become mission-ending events. It is essential for us to understand that it isn't what happens to us that really matters, but what makes an eternal difference is how we respond to what happens to us. Similarly, if we face up to our individual adversities or hardships, they can become a source of blessing. God will not give us adversities we cannot handle, and he will bless us richly for patiently doing the best we can in these circumstances.

One senior couple in our mission upon discovering that the husband was faced with a life-threatening illness had no choice but to return home; but once they arrived, they set about the business of recruiting other senior couples to serve missions. To date, four couples in their home ward have begun processing their mission applications.

A spouse in another senior companionship was surprised to learn that an aggressive cancer had invaded his body. Before an operation was performed in an effort to deal with this disease, he and his wife prayerfully made the decision that they would finish their mission regardless of the outcome of the surgery. The physicians involved have termed the results of the operation to be a miracle, and the unwavering faith and determination of this couple to serve the Lord in spite of adversity has made them whole!

Neal A. Maxwell offers this profound thought:  "It is a sign of spiritual maturity when you can thank God for the trouble in your life!" May Heavenly Father bless us to recognize with gratitude how we are loved even and especially when we stand in the furnace of affliction.

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART

As senior missionaries, Sister Lindsay and I were not really anticipating that we would have much opportunity to bring new converts into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during our 18-month mission. Instead, our primary focus has been directed at strengthening the many less-active Church members in Baltimore while other young missionary elders are also working here beside us to find new investigators. We have discovered, however, that Heavenly Father had a different plan.

Because God knows the hearts of each of His children and their individual circumstances, He understands and always uses the right way to prepare those who are willing to embrace the fullness of the gospel in order to become the Lord's sheep. Such individuals typically have pure hearts and humble spirits. In many instances the most teachable people are the ones having life-changing experiences that make them more susceptible to the promptings of the Spirit. Although these changes often take us out of our comfort zone, such disruptions also have the effect of causing us to search for new answers to the challenges that we are facing.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)

Colleen & Richard search the scriptures

Elder Richard G. Scott, an apostle of the Lord in the Church at this time tells us, "Humility is essential to the acquiring of spiritual knowledge. To be humble is to be teachable. Humility permits you to be tutored by the Spirit and to be taught from sources inspired by the Lord, such as the scriptures. The seeds of personal growth and understanding germinate and flourish in the fertile soil of humility. Their fruit is spiritual knowledge to guide you here and hereafter."

Colleen and Richard Dryden were introduced to us by a less-active member who hadn't been to Church for about twenty years when we first spoke with her in early December. The Spirit somehow touched this woman and encouraged her to lead her friends to Sister Lindsay and me; and from the moment we initially began to teach Richard and Colleen about Jesus Christ and the Restoration of the Gospel, the two of them became sincerely interested in everything that we had to say.

Richard who is much older than his wife is seriously ill and deeply concerned about the long term well-being of his family. He and Colleen have three precious and active little children, the oldest of whom is autistic. Colleen is a young mother with a sweet disposition wanting to do the best that she can to see that her little ones have a stable home life with opportunities to obtain an education. She has read everything that we have placed in her hands and always asks lots of questions about the scriptures and gospel principles. Both Richard and Colleen committed to being baptized on the very first day that we taught them. For their part, the children have prospered in their Sunday classes, and the little girl is even singing the Primary songs after just a few weeks attendance.

Sister Lindsay, Richard & Colleen Dryden, & Elder Lindsay

The Drydens were baptized and confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this past weekend. When Colleen came up out of the waters of baptism, she was so happy that she threw her arms around Elder Lindsay's neck. Then she quickly pulled back said with apology, "Oh dear, I got your shirt all wet!" I couldn't help but laugh since my shirt was already soaked because I was standing right beside her in the font full of water.

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOUNT VERNON ESTATE

Senior missionaries at Mount Vernon with the Washington family



The Maryland Baltimore Mission senior missionaries took a field trip on February 2nd to the home of America's first elected president, George Washington, in northern Virginia. Visiting Mount Vernon with our group caused me to ponder and reflect again upon the attributes of one of our greatest founding fathers while stirring deep feelings of gratitude to Heavenly Father for preserving this great land for all of us who live here to be able to enjoy our many freedoms.

In the Book of Mormon, the Lord decreed that America is “a land choice above all other lands” to those who keep his commandments. The scriptures point out that we remain here in this land as a free people as long as we remain in God’s divine favor.

And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.

- 1 Nephi 2:20 Book of Mormon

Beautiful Mt. Vernon overlooking the Potomac River

George Washington once described his beloved Mount Vernon property as follows:  "No estate in United America is more pleasantly situated than this . . ."  Even today, long after his death in 1799, Mount Vernon is "pleasantly situated" and a lovely place to visit. It is said that George Washington was so loved and respected by the people in his day that he could have been crowned a king, but he understood what kings were capable of becoming based upon the colonies experience with Great Britain, which led to the American Revolution. Because he knew that the government rightfully belonged to the people, George Washington retired to his home in Mount Vernon after two terms as President.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe that the Constitution of the United States was divinely inspired, and the founding fathers were a select group of men born into this world at the specific time in our nation's development when they could help to shape the destiny of this republic while ensuring both religious freedom and liberty for future generations to come.

Ezra Taft Benson, former President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has said, "America has a spiritual foundation. But today she stands at the crossroads. The crisis before her is a crisis of faith; the need is for greater spirituality and a return to the basic principles upon which this nation was founded."

Another witness, John Taylor, third president of the Church warned: “When the people shall have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States, the elders of Israel will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth, and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men, and extending the hand of fellowship to the oppressed of all nations.”

There are many today in positions of authority among our political leaders who want the government to exercise ever more power and authority over the people. Knowing that we will continue to be protected by God's unseen hand and kept free only as long as we choose to keep the Commandments, we best turn towards Him and not the ways of the world.