Second Wave of Approved Blogging LDS Missions: A Call to Help

Earlier I wrote about the New York Rochester Mission being the first to pilot LDS missionaries officially blogging. This week a second wave of missionaries from five other mission the California Santa Rosa Mission, Connecticut Hartford Mission, Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission, Michigan Lansing Mission, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission, and a special branch of the   Referral Center Mission (RC) Provo MTC  joined the approved blogging network.

Seven mission groups in total have come on board under the new blogging czar Michael Hemmingway.The RC missionaries are not an official mission yet so there are six missions participating and one branch of the MTC. There are about a dozen missionaries anticipated from each mission blogging or soon to be blogging and Facebooking.   The missions are in various stages from just beginning to having blogs and Facebook.  They are used a variety of methods from general Facebook pages to Facebook notes to single person blogs to group blogs. The blogs are mostly Blogspot but there are a few Word Press blogs. One mission the California Santa Rosa hasn't had time to put up any blogs. The California Santa Rosa Mission only has the mission president on Facebook so far.

LDS Online Missionaries: Michigan Lansing Mission

There were twenty-five missionaries involved in the LDS Online missionary pilot.  On December 13, 2010 President Marc Jones decided to reduce the missionaries down to six.  He left the ones on the university campuses which consists of six elders still using social media. The missionaries are Elder David Adams, Elder Jonathon Curley, Elder Tyler Merrill, Elder Ky Ransley, Elder Ryan Swapp, and Elder Joshua Wood. The other nineteen missionaries took down their Facebook pages and discontinued blogging.  I left the links to Facebook  and their blogs so you could see their involvement who actually participated.

As far as I can tell about nineteen of the twenty-four Michigan Lansing Mission missionaries had blogs.  Only six are active:

• Elder David Adams *
•  Sister Sara Barras
• Elder Hayden Ballard
• Sister Nicole Evelyn Bartley
• Elder Jonathan Curley *
• Sister Mary Beth Davies
•  Elder Nick Fugleberg
• Elder Chadd Johnson
• Elder A. David Meldrum 
• Elder Tyler Merrill *
• Sister Stephanie Miner
• Elder Spencer Riley
• Sister Elise Smith
• Elder Lloyd Sutton *
• Elder Ryan Swapp *
•  Sister Ashley Webb
• Elder Arrin Wray 
•  Elder Joshua Wood * 

*active blogs

 The following Michigan Lansing mission persons used social media:

President Marc Jones (Facebook)

LDS Online Missionaries: Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission

There were only four LDS  missionaries from the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission on Facebook who tried out the pilot program.  President William G. Woods decided to not continue the program after a couple of months:

I didn't respond because we are no longer using the online missionaries program in our mission. We had several missionaries using it but met with limited success. We are implementing the "Fundamentals of Preach My Gospel" plus we are one of the pilot areas for the mormon.org campaign. this was too much for the missionaries all at one time. The facebook became just a distraction to the missionaries. The value of facebook would be with the members to share the gospel with their friends and then invite the missionaries to teach. In our experience with the four missionaries over two months, it didn't generate one teaching opportunity in the home.

I feel at some point it will have value, but for us right now in our mission, there are other focuses that we need to have our missionaries involved in. May the Lord bless you and make your efforts fruitful.


Sincerely, President Woods

William G. Woods (Facebook)

The RC Missionaries: Special MTC Chatting Missionaries

During the last two months I have been in contact with Gideon Burton, a professor of rhetoric and a consultant to the Referral Center Missionaries at the MTC.  I had not heard about the RC missionaries but my daughter who served a couple of years ago was aware of them having run in to them at the MTC in Provo, Utah. I knew that there were links around the Internet that said "Chat with a Mormon Missionary" but I didn't know who was actually chatting with people.

Greece Athens Mission

Greece Athens Mission

Mission Website(s)

Facebook Greece Athens Mission

Missionary Site(s)

MissionSite.Net--Elder Jeff Potter 2008-2010

Pictures

Facebook Videos 

President(s)

“New Mission Presidents Begin Service,” (Christopher Charles) Liahona, July 2009, N6–N7

“New Mission Presidents Begin Service Worldwide,” Ensign, July 2009, 78–79

Shaun D. Stahle, "Mission reflections: 'Sweet experience' in Greece Athens Mission, " (Discusses President John Ludwig  mission experience) Church News [Saturday, 22 September 2006]. 

“New Mission Presidents Now in Place,” (John Galanos) Liahona, Aug. 2006, N4–N5

"New Mission Presidents Prepare for July," (John Galanos) News from the Church [21 July 2006].


“New Mission Presidents Receive Assignments,” (John Galanos) Ensign, June 2006, 72–74

"New and Returning Mission Presidents: Assignments for 108 Missions Described," (new mission president John Galanos, former mission president John B. Ludwig) Church News [Saturday, 4 March 2006]. 

"New Temple President," (former mission president John Rogers Stone called as president Manhattan New York Temple) Church News [Saturday, 24 April 2004].  

"New Mission Presidents," (John Banks Ludwig) Church News [Saturday, 15 March 2003].

"New Mission Presidents for 105 Missions," (new mission president John B. Ludwig, former mission president John R.Stone) Church News [Saturday, 8 March 2003].

"New and Returning Mission Presidents," (new mission president John Roger Stone,  former mission president George Mavromatis is being transferred to the Brazil Brasilia Mission) Church News [Saturday, 11 March 2000].

"New Mission Presidents," (John Roger Stone) Church News [Saturday, 12 February 2000].

"Center Stage: New and Returning Mission Presidents," (new mission president George Mavromatis, former mission president Tagg B. Hundrup) Church News [Saturday, 6 March 1999].

"New and Returning Mission Presidents," (new mission president Tagg Hundrup, former mission president Blaine C. Tueller) Church News [Saturday, 16 March 1996].

"New Mission Presidents," (Tagg B. Hundrup) Church News [Saturday, 9 March 1996].

"New Mission Presidents," (Blaine C. Tueller) Church News [Saturday, 6 March 1993].

"Worldwide Missions: 122 Leaders Assigned," (new mission, new mission president R. Douglas Phillips) Church News [Saturday, 31 March 1990].

Blog(s)

Elder Eric Paul Mortensen 2008-2010

Greece Athens Mission (President and Sister Christopher and Rashida Charles, 2009-2012)

Articles


"Country Profiles--Greece," Newsroom


“Greece,” Liahona, (In 1972 Elder Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated Greece for the preaching of the gospel. Since that time several developments have encouraged Church membership growth, including the publication of a Greek translation of the Book of Mormon in 1987, the creation of the Greece Athens Mission in 1990, and the dedication of the first meetinghouse in Greece in 1999.) Apr. 2010, 9

“Greece,” Ensign, (In 1972 Elder Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated Greece for the preaching of the gospel. Since that time several developments have encouraged Church membership growth, including the publication of a Greek translation of the Book of Mormon in 1987, the creation of the Greece Athens Mission in 1990, and the dedication of the first meetinghouse in Greece in 1999.) Apr. 2010, 71 

"Celebrating Goodness," Church News [Saturday, 2 July 2005]. 

Jason Swensen, "LDS Paralympians: Full-time missionaries expected to continue volunteer duty," Church News [Saturday, 11 September 2004].

"Missionaries in Greece Clean Mars Hill," Church News [Saturday, 14 May 2005].

“Missionaries’ Olympic Efforts Are Golden in Greece,” Liahona, Jan. 2005, N5–N6

Jason Swensen, "LDS Volunteer Corps: Full-time missionaries in Greece helping Summer Games, Paralympics succeed," Church News [Saturday, 14 August 2004].

“Church European Areas Realigned,” Liahona, Jan. 2001, 128

“LDS Scene,” Ensign, (The Church’s first meetinghouses in two nations were recently constructed. In Athens, Greece, Elder Charles Didier of the Seventy, President of the Europe East Area, dedicated a new meetinghouse before about 200 onlookers, including an estimated 40 investigators. Three of Greece’s four branches—Halandri, Ilisia, and Pireaus—are meeting in the new building; the fourth branch is located in the city of Thessaloniki.) Sept. 1999, 77

"Meetinghouse is Dedicated, First in Greece," Church News [Saturday, 12 June 1999]. 

Dennis B. Neuenschwander, “Reflections on Establishing the Gospel in Eastern Europe,” Liahona, (In July 1990, five new missions were established: Poland Warsaw, Czechoslovakia Prague, Hungary Budapest, and Greece Athens. Moscow, which had been in the Austria Vienna East Mission, and Leningrad, which was administered from Helsinki, formed the fifth mission—the Helsinki East Mission. By July 1991, missions had also been established in Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Russia.) Oct 1998, 38

John Kinnear, "First Meeting House in Greece," Deseret News [4 October 1997].

John Kinnear, "Bearing Testimony Where Paul Preached," Church News [Saturday, 4 October 1997]. 

Janet Peterson and Dennis B. Neuenschwander, “Friend to Friend,” Tambuli, (In 1987 I was called as president of the Austria Vienna East Mission, which was created to work with the countries in Eastern Europe. The mission began with just a very few missionaries, and the number of baptisms was small. Now many missionaries are serving in countries like Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, and Greece, where people only a few years ago could not worship Heavenly Father as they wanted. Many people are listening to the missionaries and are accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ.) Sep 1994, 6

“Cyprus Dedicated for Preaching of Gospel,” Ensign, (As the sun rose on the morning of Tuesday, September 14, 1993, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve dedicated the Mediterranean island of Cyprus for the preaching of the gospel.) Feb. 1994, 74–75 

Spencer J. Condie, LeGrand R. Curtis, and Joseph C. Muren, “Mediterranean Area: New Challenges and Growth,” (We have thirty-five countries in our area, and they provide great contrasts. France has fifty-five million people; we have members in six stakes and six districts there. On the other hand, we have only four branches in Greece, which has more than ten million people, but the Church has been there for a comparatively short time.) Ensign, Oct. 1992, 78–79

John K. Carmack, “Unity in Diversity,” (With the opening of new missions in South and Central America, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Hungary, and Poland, and with new countries dedicated for the preaching of the gospel, we continue at a breathtaking pace to become a Church serving most of the world. Racial, cultural, and national diversity will inevitably continue.) Tambuli, Aug 1992, 27

Russell M. Nelson, “Drama on the European Stage,” (Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander of the Seventy was recently released after serving four years as president of the Austria Vienna East Mission. His pioneering efforts have been monumental in nearly all the nations of this report. Of eleven new missions created in Europe in the past two years, six (Czechoslovakia Prague, Finland Helsinki East, Greece Athens, Hungary Budapest, Poland Warsaw, and Bulgaria Sofia) have been created from districts of his mission during his period of presidency. No doubt more will come. That is a remarkable record.) Tambuli, May 1992, 8


Russell M. Nelson, “Drama on the European Stage,” (Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander of the Seventy was recently released after serving four years as president of the Austria Vienna East Mission. His pioneering efforts have been monumental in nearly all the nations of this report. Of eleven new missions created in Europe in the past two years, six (Czechoslovakia Prague, Finland Helsinki East, Greece Athens, Hungary Budapest, Poland Warsaw, and Bulgaria Sofia) have been created from districts of his mission during his period of presidency. No doubt more will come. That is a remarkable record.) Ensign, Dec 1991, 7

John K. Carmack, “Unity in Diversity,” (With the opening of new missions in South and Central America, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Hungary, and Poland, and with new countries dedicated for the preaching of the gospel, we continue at a breathtaking pace to become a church serving most of the world. Racial, cultural, and national diversity will inevitably continue.) Ensign, Mar 1991, 7

Thomas S. Monson, “Days Never to Be Forgotten,” (As the year 1990 moves inexorably toward its close, all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can pause and reflect on the momentous happenings that have occurred in our time, in our day, and in our lives. In the month of May, my wife and I were in the historic city of Berlin. We boarded a taxi and asked that the driver take us to the Berlin Wall. When the driver failed to respond to the direction provided, again the desired destination was given. Still no movement. Then he turned toward us and, in halting English, explained, “I can’t. The wall is kaput—gone!” We drove to the Brandenburg Gate. We viewed its restoration. We gazed from West Berlin to East Berlin, now one Berlin, and reflected on the events which followed the wall’s demise: a new mission of the Church established in Poland, another in Hungary, yet another in Greece, and a mission reestablished in Czechoslovakia. And now, official recognition of our Leningrad Branch in the Soviet Union. Who, except the Lord Himself, could have foreseen these historic events?) Ensign, Nov 1990, 67

“Six Countries Dedicated, Recognition Granted in Another,” (Greece Athens Mission Established) Ensign, July 1990, 78–79

“Church Creates New Missions in Europe, Asia,” (Greece Athens, from the Austria Vienna East Mission: no stakes, about 470 members, a total population of more than 100 million in the nation of Greece.) Ensign, July 1990, 79

“Elder Spencer J. Condie of the Second Quorum of the Seventy,” (Elder Condie’s Church service throughout his schooling and career included work as a Young Men president, as a bishop and a stake president, and, from 1984 to 1987, as president of the Austrian mission that included Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Greece.) Ensign, May 1989, 94 

Justus Ernst, “‘Every Man … in His Own Language’,” (A missionary in Greece, who returned to that country after his mission to work for the U.S. State Department, translated the Book of Mormon into Greek in his free time. His work has been described as “so beautiful, it is just like Shakespeare.” It is now being used as a basis for the new Greek translation of the Book of Mormon.) Ensign, Jul 1974, 23

“Mormonad--Date Mission Opened or First Missionaries Sent,” New Era, (Greece 1894) Mar 1974, 41  

"As We See It," (Swiss Mission has established branches of the Church in Crete; Athens, Greece; Kuwait; Beirut, Lebanon; Poland; Bagdad, Iraq; Asmara, Ethiopia) Church News [27 August 1968].

Stories

Sarah Jane Weaver, "No Greater Love: Uncle Becomes Donor," (mentions Jed Parker former missionary) Church News [Saturday, 5 July 2003].

"Family History Moment--Lost But Guided," (Sister Garces) Church News [25 December 1999].

James Max Adams, “With ‘Patience of Hope’,” (Vartoui (Roza) Dimopoulou) Ensign, Aug. 1999, 69


Susan B. Mitchell, “Ryan’s Home Teachers,” Friend, May 1995, 20

Elder L. Tom Perry's Revelation Results in Outreach Program for European Young Adults

I discovered a very interesting program that is revitalizing the activation and retention of young people in Europe. I read about it a year ago on  in Denmark but I didn't know the details of the program nor the back story. Apparently it was the brainchild of Elder L. Tom Perry who had a powerful revelation and created the program for the European area of the Church he presides over.

M. Russell Ballard Fires Up the Brussels Belgium/Netherlands Missionaries

Elder Ballard with  Netherlands Missionaries (courtesy Jillian Fritz

Last week on Tuesday, 9 September 2010 and 10 September 2010 Elder M. Russell Ballard accompanied by his wife Barbara were in Brussels, Belgium for church meetings.  Elder Ballard addressed the Belgium Brussels/Netherlands missionaries on both days.  On the  first day the Lille zone of missionaries from France Paris Mission, who border Belgium and the Brussels Zone from the Belgium Brussels/Netherlands Mission came on Tuesday. The next day the rest of the missionaries from the Belgium Brussels/Netherlands Mission went to be instructed.

The missionaries also got to hear a few other general authorities including:  Elder Gerard Causse who is the second French General Authority, Elder Ronald A. Rasband who is in the Presidency of the First Council of the Seventy, as well as Bishop Richard C. Edgely of the Presiding Bishopric, and Elder Jose Teixeira of the Seventy. Several of the brethren's wives accompanied them.

Philippines Cebu Mission

Philippines Cebu Mission

Mission Website(s)

Facebook Philippines Cebu Mission

Missionary Site(s)

LDS Returned Missionaries Alumni Philippines--Philippines Cebu Mission

Facebook Philippines Cebu Mission 

Dear Elder--Elder Kirt Ecker

MissionSite.Net--Elder Mark Abayon 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Taylor D. Bennett 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Sister Annika  Bruno 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder  Mark Gertge 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder Arkhe Pacis 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder  Julius Robles 2009-2011 

MissionSite.Net--Elder Jeremy Smith 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder Cody Stirland 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder Brandon Young 2007-2009

LDSMission.Com

LDSMission.Com--Elder Erik Acorda 1986-1988

 LDSMission.Com--Elder Michael Addington 1996-1998

LDSMission.Com--Elder Dale Allred 1997-1999

LDSMission.Com--Elder Glen Andrus 1979-1981

LDSMission.Com--Sister Lilian Muyco–Aquino 1982-1984

Pictures

Facebook Philippines Cebu Mission

Facebook Cebu Mission Reunion 2009

Facebook Merille Martin 1996 Zone Conferences

MissionSite.Net--Elder Taylor D. Bennett

MissionSite.Net--Sister Annika Bruno

MissionSite.Net--Elder Arkhe Pacis

MissionSite.Net--Elder Julius Robles

MissionSite.Net--Elder Jeremy Smith

MissionSite.Net--Elder Cody Stirland

MissionSite.Net--Elder Brandon Young

President(s)

“New Mission Presidents Now in Place,” (Darrel Parke Hansen) Liahona, Aug. 2008, N4–N5


“New Mission Presidents Now in Place,” (Darrel Parke Hansen) Ensign, July 2008, 77–78

"New Mission Presidents," (D. Parke Hansen) Church News [Saturday, 29 March 2008].

"New and Returning Mission Presidents," (former mission president Leonard M Anderson, new mission president D. Parke Hansen)  Church News [Saturday, 1 March 2008].

“New Mission Presidents Begin Service,” (Leonard M Anderson) Liahona, July 2005, N3–N4

“New Mission Presidents Begin Service,” (Leonard M. Anderson) Ensign, July 2005, 75–76

"Mission Presidents for 122 Missions," (former mission president Brent M. Wadsworth, new mission president Leonard M Anderson) Church News [Saturday, 26 February 2005]. 

"New Visitor Center Directors," (former president Ralph Layton Cottrell Jr. called as Hawaii Temple Visitor Center," Church News [Saturday, 2 November 2002].

"New and Returning Mission Presidents," (new mission president Brent M. Wadsworth, former mission president Gerald Dwayne Abram) Church News [Saturday, 9 March 2002]. 

"New Mission Presidents," (Brent M. Wadsworth) Church News [16 February 2002].

"Deaths," (A. Roy Boulter president of the Philippines Cebu Mission 1985-1988) Church News [Saturday, 16 February 2002].

"Obituaries," (A. Roy Boulter president of the Philippines Cebu Mission 1985-1988) Church News [Saturday, 16 February 2002].

"New Mission Presidents," (Gerald D. Abram) Church News [Saturday, 13 March 1999].

"Center Stage: New and Returning Mission Presidents," (new misison president Gerald Dwayne Abram, former mission president W. John Whatcott) Church News [Saturday, 6 March 1999]. 

“President Hinckley Visits Asian Saints, Dedicates Hong Kong Temple,” Ensign, Aug. 1996, 74–77

"New and Returning Mission Presidents," (new mission president to be announced, former mission president Lawrence A. Haines), Church News [Saturday, 16 March 1996].

"New Mission Presidents," (W. John Whatcott) Church News [Saturday, 24 February 1996].

"Missionary training centers leaders -- presidents called to serve in five locations around the world," (former mission president Ralph Layton Cottrell Jr. called as president Philippines MTC) Church News [Saturday, 14 January 1995].

“Q&A: Questions and Answers--I’ve never had a prayer answered. Everybody tells me it can’t be the Lord’s fault, so it must be mine. What am I doing wrong?,” (Elder Alfonso Cabudo) New Era, Apr 1993, 17
 
"New Mission Presidents," (Lawrence A. Haines) Church News [Saturday, 6 February 1993]. 

"World Wide Missions: 122 Leaders Assigned," (new mission prsident C. Elliott Richards, former mission president Ralph L. Cottrell Jr.)  Church News [Saturday, 31 March 1990].  

"Ten New Mission Presidents Called," (Ralph Layton Cottrell Jr.) Church News [Saturday, 27 January 1990].

"Assignments Announced for New Mission Presidents," (new misison president Lowell L. Leishman, former mission president A. Roy Boulter) Church News [Saturday, 19 March 1988]. 

“Mission President Assignments,” (A. Roy Boulter) Ensign, June 1985, 73–74

“New Mission Presidents Called,” (Lee Vern Bracken) Ensign, June 1976, 86 

Blog(s)

The Adventures of Sister Annika Kamaleilani Bruno 2010-2012
 

Cebu City Philippines Temple Mission (Elder and Sister Wallace and Shauna Cummings

Adventures from Cebu (Sister Cari Leigh Robison, 2010-2011) 

Elder Brandon Richard Treadway 2009-2011

Articles 

Gerry Avant, "One Faith, One People: Different Islands and Cultures Join for Celebration," Church News {Saturday,26 June 2010].

Gerry Avant, "Celebrating Filipino culture through the ages: Thousands gather at 'tremendous celebration'," Church News [Saturday, 19 June 2010]. 

Gerry Avant, "Cebu's pioneer missionaries return for temple dedication," (Richard Thorson, Paul Wright, Tom Pearce) Church News [Monday, 14 June 2010]. 

Gerry Avant, "Pres. Monson: Cebu temple 'shines as a beacon of righteousness'" Church News [Saturday, 12 June 2010].

Gerry Avant, "Cebu temple open house concludes, area readies for upcoming dedication activities," Church News [Monday, 7 June 2010].

Gerry Avant, "Former Missionaries Return to Cebu," (Quivido Origines, Mirerlinda Enriquez, Tess Abangaan Ellingsen, Ester Sol Browning and Edmund Enriquez) Church News [Monday, 7 June 2010].

“Manila Philippines Temple,” Liahona, Apr. 2010, 8

“Manila Philippines Temple,” Ensign, Apr. 2010, 70

"New Mission Presidents," (former missionary Sister Galvez Hernaez wife of William Apostol Hernaez called as president Philippines Cagayan de Oro Mission) Church News [Saturday, 27 February 2010].

"Country Information: Philippines," Church News [Monday, 1 February 2101]. 

Kay Bay, "Philippines visit by Elder Cook boosts members: He speaks of the nearly completed Cebu temple," (Mission Presidents' Seminar, 12-15 November 2009) Church News [Saturday, 12 December 2009]. 

"Angel statue is placed atop Philippines' second temple,' (D. Parke Hansen mentioned) Church News [21 November 2009].

“Elder David A. Bednar Visits Cebu Saints,” Liahona, Mar. 2009, N3–N4

“Groundbreaking Held in Cebu for New Philippines Temple Complex,” Liahona, Apr. 2008, N6–N7

“Groundbreaking Held for Cebu Temple Complex,” Ensign, Feb. 2008, 79–80

Cherry Baluyot, "Cebu temple — Groundbreaking in Philippines: Nation's second temple will serve central, southern areas,' Church News [Saturday, 17 November 2007]. 

“New Temple Announcement Answers Members’ Prayers,” Liahona, Sept. 2006, N2–N3

"New Mission Presidents," (former missionary Eleazer Salipot Collad called as president Philippines Baguio Mission) Church News [Saturday, 6 May 2006].

"Temple Announced," Church News [Saturday, 29 April 2006].  

"Notably Progress in the Philippines," Church News [Saturday, 30 April 2005]. 

Lenore H. Pilobello, "41,000 Filipinos hear words of leaders: Elder Dallin H. Oaks, others address members in historic satellite conference," Church News{Saturday, 24 July 2004]. 

"Obituaries," (Margaret Farnsworth Richards, wife of C. Elliot Richards who presided over Philippines Cebu and Cebu East Missions 1987-1990). Church News [Saturday, 22 May 2004].

"New Mission Presidents," (former missionary Edgardo E. Fernando called as president Philippines Cayagan de Oro Mission) Church News [Saturday, 6 May 1995]. 

Sheridan R. Sheffield, "As Church Grew, He Grew in Gospel," (brother of Augusto A. Lim served in mission presidency) Church News [Saturday, 15 August 1992].

"Translations in Philippine languages moving forward," (Translation of the Book of Mormon into Cebuano, which is spoken on the island of Cebu and Mindinao, was completed by a group of members under the direction of Pablo Codina, a member now serving in a stake presidency. About 12 million people speak Cebuano, including some 37,300 members.) Church News [Saturday, 30 November 1991]. 

"Returned Missionaries Learn Business Skills," Church News [Saturday, 21 July 1991].

“Typhoon Buffets Philippines, Floods Hit Washington,” Ensign, Feb. 1991, 78–79

“Church Creates New Missions in Europe, Asia,” (Philippines Tacloban, from the Philippines Cebu Mission: no stakes, almost 4,500 members, a total population of more than 3.1 million in an east-central portion of the Philippines.) Ensign, July 1990, 79 

"3 new missions in Japan, Philippines," (The Philippines Cebu Mission will be divided to form the new Tacloban mission in the Samar and Leyte provinces. The new mission will have 4,500 members in five districts, and a population of 3.1 million. The Cebu mission will be left with 7,500 members in two stakes and one district within a population of 3.3 million.) Church News [Saturday, 17 February 1990].

“Six New Missions to Begin July 1,” (The Philippines Naga Mission is to be created from a division of the Philippines Cebu Mission. The Naga mission will have 9,000 members in the Legaspi and Naga stakes and the Daet, Lopez, and Sorsogon districts. The mission area has some 4.6 million people. The Cebu mission will have 11,000 members in the Cebu City and Cebu City South stakes and the Calbayog, Catarman, Ormoc, Tacloban, and Tagbilaran districts. The mission area includes 3 million people.) Ensign, May 1989, 102–103.

John L. Hart, "New Missions Are Evidence of Church's Dynamic Growth," ("3 new missions in Japan, Philippines," (The Philippines Cebu Mission will be divided to form the new Tacloban mission in the Samar and Leyte provinces. The new mission will have 4,500 members in five districts, and a population of 3.1 million. The Cebu mission will be left with 7,500 members in two stakes and one district within a population of 3.3 million.)Church News [Saturday, 25 February 1989]. 

“Twelve New Missions Formed,” (Cebu East Mission created) Ensign, June 1987, 76

“Philippines: The Land of Joyous Service,” (President Carl D. Jones of the Philippines Cebu City Mission has four districts, 30 branches, and 12 groups forming a strongly organized mission. Comprising the southern half of the former Philippines Mission, the mission includes over 6,000 islands, among them the ten major islands that support most of the 16 million population. (Only 700 of the more than 7,000 islands in the Philippines are inhabited.) Property for chapel-building has already been purchased in this mission.) Ensign, Aug 1975, 58

“Mission Name Changes Reflect Church Growth,” Ensign, (New mission titles now include the state, province or country where the mission is located, the mission headquarters, and, where there is more than one mission with the same headquarters, a geographic designation. The accelerated growth of the Church and the need for a more uniform mission title system necessitates the title changes. The location of the mission headquarters now determines the mission title.The recent announcement by the First Presidency of several new missions, including the California San Diego Mission, the Philippines Cebu City Mission, the Idaho Pocatello Mission, the Japan Sendai Mission, and the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission, accompanied the announcement of the mission title changes.) Oct. 1974, 90


“New Mission Formed for Alaska, Yukon,” (Earlier this year five other new missions were created with headquarters in Sendai, Japan; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cebu, Philippines; Pocatello, Idaho; and San Diego, California.) Ensign, Dec. 1974, 75

Stories

John Crespo, “The Name on the Tag,” New Era, Mar. 2007, 63

Sister Cheryl Gottfredson and Sister Annette Burton, "The Power of One," (story about former missionary  Veneracion (Vene) Villamartin) Church News [Saturday, 16 September 2006].

R. Scott Lloyd, "A Need Boost for Fledging Entrepreneurs," (Teresita Pepito) Church News [Saturday, 4 September 2004].

Shaun D. Stahle, "Liberated by hope: Returned Filipino missionaries learn business skills to improve lives," Church News [Saturday, 21 July 2001]. 

Alan L. Olsen, “I Felt Comfort—but Why?,” Liahona, Feb. 2001, 34–35

Alan L. Olsen, “I Felt Comfort—but Why?,” Ensign, Jan. 2001, 72–73

April M. Anderson, “Daylinda’s New Shoes,” Friend, Jun 1999, 8

“Questions and Answers--Some people seem to brag about how many generations of their family have belonged to the Church. I’m a convert. Does it really matter if you’re related to those who were the pioneers of the Church in your country?,” (Sister Lailani T. Untalan,) Liahona, Mar 1998, 30


R. Lanier Britsch, “‘Faithful, Good, Virtuous, True’: Pioneers in the Philippines,” (Remus G. and Yvonne L. Villarete) Liahona, Feb 1998, 41

R. Lanier Britsch, “‘Faithful, Good, Virtuous, True’: Pioneers in the Philippines,” (Remus G. and Yvonne L. Villarete) Ensign, Aug 1997, 56–63

Laury Livsey, “I Will Go and Do,” (Sister Hilda Bactin and Sister Amy Andersen) New Era, May 1997, 30

Aurelia S. Diezon, “Would They Welcome Me Again?,” Ensign, June 1996, 55–56

Alpha R. Caluyo, “I Couldn’t Believe He Was a Prophet,” Tambuli, Dec 1994, 30

Marvin K. Gardner, “Philippine Saints: ‘A Believing People’,” Tambuli, Sep 1991, 8

Marvin K. Gardner, “Philippine Saints: ‘A Believing People’,” Ensign, Jul 1991, 32

"'Blue Book' Quenched Thirst for Truth," (Alberto C. Bulseco) Church News [Saturday, 23 July 1988]. 

“Feedback--Love Is Important,” (Sister Towena Cantago) New Era, Jun 1987, 3 

“Feedback--You Never Know,” (Sister Dolores A. Quenano) New Era, Mar 1987, 3

“Feedback--A Great Friend,” (Elder Ted B. McCurdy) New Era, May 1985, 3

Francis M. Orquiola, “Gospel Flourishes in Soil of Filipino Faith,” (Dean Franklin Clair) Ensign, Sept. 1984, 78–79 

Richard M. Romney, “The Secret of Cebu,” (Benjamin Misaluchas) Tambuli, January 1983, 31 

Richard M. Romney, “The Secret of Cebu,” (Benjamin Misaluchas) New Era, Nov 1982, 23

“Feedback--Mubuhay Ang,” (Elder C. H. Nacar, Jr.) New Era, Sep 1980, 2

Frederick W. Sampsel, “The Best Eight Years of Our Life,” Tambuli, Feb 1978, 17

“FYI: For Your Information--The Lifesaving Elder,” (Elder Howard C. Morrill) New Era, Oct 1976, 39

“Feedback--100%,” (Elder D.L. Starr) New Era, May 1975, 2 

Missionary Mingles & MTC Facebook Missionaries: New Innovative Method

Yesterday I discovered that the missionaries at the MTC have been approved for Facebook use this coming Friday. Apparently the new Social Media guru Michael Hemmingway from the LDS Missionary Department has given the go-live approval.   A special MTC team of social media consultants are working with this small cadre of missionaries to get the program up and running.

Taiwan Taichung Mission

Taiwan Taichung Mission

Mission Website(s)

LDS Mission Network

Missionary Site(s)

LDS Mission Network

MissionSite.Net--Elder Kyle Beus 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder T. J. Canann 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Phillip Kuck 2008-2010 

MissionSite.Net--Elder Joshua Moes 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Blake Peel 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Sister Courtney Price 2009-2010

MissionSite.Net--Sister Kassondra Rigby 2010-2012  

Pictures

LDS Mission Network

Dear Elder

President(s)

LDS Mission Network

Blog(s)

Sister Emily Andersen 2008-2009

Elder Jeremy Bray 2010-2012

Sister Teresa DeVictoria 2010-2012

Elder Carter Durrant 2010-2012 

Brother and Sister Jim and JoAnn Greene 2009-2010

Sister Rebecca Hamilton 2010-2011

Elder Spencer Harris 2009-2011

Sister Camilla Ruth Johnson 2009-2010 

Sister Allison Mae-Ling Ko 2009-2010

Sister Amie Brillainne Morey 2010-2011

Elder William Vernon 2010-2012

Articles

Stories

LDS Mission Network

Nicaragua Managua (South) Mission

Nicaragua Managua (South) Mission

Mission Website(s)

LDS Mission Network

Missionary Site(s)

LDS Mission Network

Dear Elder--Elder Nicholas Emrich

MissionSite.Net--Elder Corey Brown 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Jacob Durrant 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder Rafael Tu'ifua 2008-2010

Pictures

LDS Mission Network

MissionSite.Net--Elder Corey Brown

MissionSite.Net--Elder Jacob Durrant

MissionSite.Net--Elder Steven Titus


President(s)

LDS Mission Network

"New Mission Presidents," (Javier F. Monestel) Church News [Saturday, 3 April 2010].

Blog(s)

Elder Braden Davis 2010-2012

Elder John Ochs 2010-2012

Articles

"New missions 10 announced in seven areas: Some missions combined with neighboring missions," (The name of the Nicaragua Managua Mission will be changed to the Nicaragua Managua South Mission.) Church News [Saturday, 3 February 2010].

"Country Information--Nicaragua," Church News [Saturday, 29 January 2010].
 
Stories

LDS Mission Network

Canada Halifax Mission

Canada Halifax Mission

Mission Website(s)

LDS Mission Network

Missionary Site(s)

LDS Mission Network

MissionSite.Net--Elder Brayden Carter 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Martin Etches 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Bryant Hendricksen 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Heath David Hoffman 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Kaj Lapot 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder Calvin Lennberg 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Cody Mertz 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder Brett Miller 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Matthew Pettit 2007-2009

MissionSite.Net--Elder Stephen Young 2009-2011

Pictures

LDS Mission Network 

MissionSite.Net--Elder Brayden Carter

MissionSite.Net--Elder Heath David Hoffman

MissionSite.Net--Elder Kaj Lapot

MissionSite.Net--Elder Cody Mertz

MissionSite.Net--Elder Brett Miller

MissionSite.Net--Elder Matthew Pettit

President(s)

LDS Mission Network

Blog(s)

Sister Ashley Lynn Crofts 2010-2011

Elder Kyle Davis 2009-2011

Elder Dale Mouritsen 2008-2010


Sister Dianna Nicholls 2009-2011 

Elder Jordan N. Rogers 2009-2011

Articles

Stories

LDS Mission Network

New Simplified Curriculum

Elder Matthew Watkins of the Colorado Denver South Mission is very enthused about the New Simplified Curriculum that is being introduced to the missionaries soon:

President Maynes and the Assistants gave an awesome 2-day training to much of the mission all day Monday and Tuesday regarding the new "simplified curriculum" that is soon to be implemented in the MTC. It's designed to (hopefully) help us become better teachers. it involves the following 8 lessons:

1. The Doctrine of Christ (Faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end)
2. The Role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion
3. Revelation through Prayer
4. Revelation through the Book of Mormon
5. Revelation through Church Attendance
6. Teach People, not Lessons (this is the main focus and purpose of the entire curriculum)
7. We Invite, They Commit, We Follow- Up
8. How to Begin Teaching

For me, it really was one of the best experiences of my mission. I learned so much and felt the Spirit teach me so well. It was kind of like a missionary's EFY. The plan is to cycle everyone through the training over the course of several months. If we implement this, it could be the most revolutionary help to our teaching since Preach My Gospel was introduced!

Elder Samuel Poulton who is briefly in the Maryland Baltimore Mission awaiting a visa to go to Brazil Manaus Mission wrote:

Currently, we are being taught new curriculum. Basically, they have pulled out the extremely important parts of Preach My Gospel and preach them like crazy to us. It is good, needful, and powerful.The Apostles have asked for a minimum of 20 lessons a week.

I like when the missionaries have a refocus they all get energized by change.  I think simplifying the discussions will allow them to lean on the spirit more in their teaching.

Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi Personally Training Missionaries in new Simplified Curriculum

This week down in the Texas Houston Mission Elder and Sister Yoshihiko Kikuchi are visiting President and Sister Todd and Sharon Hansen and all the missionaries in the mission during Zone Conference Week.  Elder Kikuchi is taking a personalized approached to teaching the missionaries.

MTC Sign Down for Construction or Is It?

Sister Amanda Ostler

Today as I was finding new mission blogs I came across Sister Amanda Ostler's blog Light Will Rise.  Sister Ostler who is going to Illinois Chicago Mission has a picture of her standing in front of the familiar sign yesterday Wednesday, 8 September 2010. Most families take a picture of their incoming missionary there.  Sister Ostler's parents reported that the sign "has been taken down permanently."  I didn't know if that was true or not.

Ukraine Dnepropetrovsk Mission

Ukraine Dnepropetrovsk Mission

Mission Website(s)

LDS Mission Network

Missionary Site(s) 

MissionSite.Net--Elder Kehnin Dyer 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Stephen Henderson 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Coleman Kuhre 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Tyler James Madsen 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Brian Murray 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Kenneth Parkinson 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder Eric Richardson 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Zach Stanford 2010-2012

Pictures

LDS Mission Network

MissionSite.Net--Elder Kehnin Dyer

MissionSite.Net--Elder Stephen Henderson 

MissionSite.Net--Elder Coleman Kuhre

MissionSite.Net--Elder Tyler James Madsen

MissionSite.Net--Elder Brian Murray

MissionSite.Net--Elder Kenneth Parkinson

MissionSite.Net--Elder Eric Richardson

MissionSite.Net--Elder Zach Stanford

President(s)

LDS Mission Network

Blog(s)

Elder Brian Anderson 2010-2012

Elder Trevor Floyd 2009-2011

 Elder Garrett Jon Roberds McClintock 2010-2012

Elder Kenneth David Parkinson 2010-2012

Articles

Stories

Thirty-Five Years Later: My Personal Conversion and Call to an LDS Mission

Frank Alan Bruno, Summer 1975

As I look back on my life it is amazing that I ever joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ever went on a mission.  Today I wouldn't be accepted since they have raised the bar.  Even back then it was either a fluke or a miracle that I went for a variety of reasons.  It is a strange story.

South Dakota Rapid City Mission

South Dakota Rapid City Mission

Mission Website(s)

LDS Mission Network

Missionary Site(s)

  LDS Mission Network

Dear Elder--Elder Peter Batemon 2008-2010

Dear Elder--Elder Colin Mackie 2009-2011

Dear Elder--Elder Richard Johnson 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder Alan Bowers 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder Joseph Bringhurst 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Nick Krupa 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Kyson Smith 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Christopher Wagstaff 2009-2011

Pictures

LDS Mission Network

Dear Elder--Elder Peter Batemon

Dear Elder--Elder Colin Mackie

Dear Elder--Elder Richard Johnson

MissionSite.Net--Elder Joseph Bringhurst

MissionSite.Net--Elder Nick Krupa

MissionSite.Net--Elder Christopher Wagstaff

President(s)

LDS Mission Network

Blog(s)

Elder William Fitt 2008-2010

Elder Michael Corey Rudd 2010-2012

Riding into the Sunset (Elder and Sister Harold and Loretta Hinton,2008-2010)

Articles

Stories

Canada Edmonton Mission

Canada Edmonton Mission

Mission Website(s)

LDS Mission Network

Missionary Site(s)

LDS Mission Network 

LDSMissions.Com

MissionSite.Net--Elder Braden Crocco 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder Gregory Denton 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Russell Fabian 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Christopher LaFontaine 2010-2012

MissionSite.Net--Elder Christian Loveridge 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Tyler Sandberg 2008-2010

MIssionSite.Net--Sister Shea B. Whitaker 2008-2010

Pictures

LDS Mission Network

MissionSite.Net--Elder Braden Crocco

MissionSite.Net--Elder Gregory Denton

MissionSite.Net--Elder Christopher LaFontaine

MissionSite.Net--Elder Christian Loveridge

MissionSite.Net--Elder Tyler Sandberg

MissionSite.Net--Sister Shea B. Whitaker


President(s)

LDS Mission Network

Blog(s)

Elder Mckay Bailey 2010-2012

Elder Lucas Alan Bodine 2010-2012


Elder Mitchell Niels Brown 2010-2012

To Serve with the Lord (President Chris and Sister Yvonne Campbell, 2010-2013)

Articles

Stories

LDS Mission Network