Philippines Cebu Mission Christmas Letter

Dear Elders and Sisters, Sister Schmutz and I want to wish you all a merry merry Christmas. We hope and pray that you will feel the joy of Christmas in your hearts and feel the Savior's love for yourselves and for all the precious children of God that are here in our mission. We are so blessed to have revealed knowledge about our Savior and his atonement, the reason for his birth. Even though we are far away from the snow of Christmas that whitens the fields and rooftops of our home, we have received a marvelous blessing of joy to enjoy this first Christmas in the heat of Cebu. Even though we are far from our home and family, we feel as if we have our family all around with the many many sons and daughters that we have found in the mission. Thank you for your love to us, and your prayers in our behalf. We really feel it. Two Thousand Years ago, an angel announced to Mary that she would be blessed to be the mortal mother of God's own son. Her heart leapt with joy at that great news. When the time came that she was with holy child and knew that the Savior of the World was growing in her womb, she needed to share her joy with another person and so she traveled to share her joy with her cousin Elisabeth, who was also carrying a godly child, John the Baptist. When the two women greeted one another, and Mary saluted Elisabeth, the babe who was John "leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost." Mary exclaimed, "MY soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior." (Luke 1:46-47) The two women rejoiced together at the wonderful experience they were sharing. I think in some ways it is the same today. When we greet others with the news of Jesus Christ, those who are prepared will be filled with the Holy Ghost and filled with joy as was Elisabeth. And we rejoice together in the news that the Lord has restored his church and brought revelation back to the earth. This is his gospel. We love sharing it. At this time of year, i want to express my great love for Jesus Christ, who so long ago came to earth as a holy infant in swaddling clothes. He brought joy and the hope and promise of resurrection and eternal life. How special it is to know that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that all who might believe in him and keep his commandments can have life enternal in his righteous kingdom. I feel that He is smiling down upon our mission now, a resurrected perfect God. He has accomplished his work, and his work continues to roll forth. This mission is a part of his vineyard. I feel blessed to declare his word and bring his love to those in need. All our love to each of you in this Christmas season. We are so excited to see you for the Christmas program. Until then, All our love, President and Sister Schmutz

Hello from Florida/Georgia!

Hi! I am Sister Prettyman and I am from a small town in Utah. I am currently serving an 18 month mission for the Lord in the Florida Jacksonville mission and I LOVE IT! I was asked (quite a while ago) to write something pertaining to online missionary work and my purpose as an online missionary. I'm sorry it has taken me so long! :)

Here in the Florida Jacksonville Mission we quote a scripture and our 'vision' every single day. They define who we are, what our purpose is, and who we want to become.

It goes like this, "Behold, I [insert your name] am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been ^acalled of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life" (3 Nephi 5:13). "I am a diligent, obedient, worthy, powerful, and holy disciple of Jesus Christ now and forever" (FJM).

As a missionary online and in the 'real world' my purpose is the same,
to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism by immersion, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end" (Preach My Gospel).

I absolutely LOVE being a missionary and one of my favorite things about sharing the gospel with my brothers and sisters is being able to witness the miraculous changes that take place in their lives as they accept our Savior and His atonement and do all they can to follow him no matter what their vice may have been. I LOVE it!!! There is nothing better!

My favorite quote from one of the Twelve Apostles is "My chief responsibility, my primary responsibility, and in a sense my total responsibility, is to bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Jeffery R. Holland). It is SO true and this quote should define everyone's responsibility and duty. We have each been commanded by God to share the gospel with those around us and to help our brothers and sisters along the path that leads to Eternal Life.

I love this gospel and I do my very best each day to fulfill my responsibility as a missionary, as a disciple, and as a daughter of God. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and my Father in Heaven with all my heart. I love sharing the love that I receive from them with others. I am so grateful (words cannot describe) for this opportunity to give 18 months of my life to serving the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. It is so worth it.

I am grateful to have been called to the Florida Jacksonville mission and to labor with others who have been called to this great work as well. Thank you for this opportunity to share why I am here doing what I do and I pray that each of you has a wonderful day! And always remember, no matter who you are,GOD LOVES YOU and is aware of you no matter what situation you may be in. I say these things in the sacred name of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

If you'd like to hear more from me please visit/follow my blogs http://missionarystudies.blogspot.com/
http://sisterprettyman.blogspot.com/
Thank you!

~Love Sister Prettyman~

His Sacred Name - An Easter Declaration

"Woman, why weepest thou?"

Mary Magdalene wept as she saw that the tomb that once held in resting the body of the Son of God was empty. The body, she assumed, had been taken. Then a voice of a man spoke from behind her. "Woman, why weepest thou?" Supposing the man to be the gardener she replied, "Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away." Oh what joy she must have felt! What hymns of thanksgiving and praise must have been sung in her heart! She heard her name escape the lips of the man behind her. It was a voice that she indeed did recognize. "Mary," said the Man. She then turned her head and with her heart swollen within her, the word "Rabboni" escaped her lips. "Master." She knew that all was not lost, but that all was about to be fulfilled.

Oh Say, What is Truth?

Oh say, what is truth? 

'Tis the fairest gem

That the riches of worlds can produce

and priceless the value of truth will be when

The proud monarch's costliest diadem

Is counted but dross and refuse.

We are all searching for truth. It is what we all aim for, it is what we want to obtain, and it is what we dream about. Truth, where can one find it? How can we obtain it? What are we willing to do to hold it in our hearts and never let go? Is there a sacrifice not great enough to obtain such a blessing? 

Jesus Christ likened truth unto a mustard seed, "Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and where unto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it." (Luke 13:18-19)  

The Truth Revealed from Out of the Earth

"Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!" (D&C 128:19) The truth of the ever lasting gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth through a prophet named Joseph Smith. The truth that has been revealed from out of the earth is the Book of Mormon. We as missionaries and representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invite all men every where to partake of that truth. Our message is one of Peace, Hope, and Happiness. May you always search and thirst after righteousness. I challenge you to read the Book of Mormon and reflect on its message, and then find out for yourself if it is not true through asking God in prayer. I promise you that you will receive an answer that the book is true.

He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ

Online Proselyting

Follow my blog @ http://www.jordonsargent.blogspot.com

Life is FANTASTIC as a missionary! My name is Jordon Sargent and I am currently serving a mission for Jesus Christ. I am serving in the "Montana Billings Mission" and, at this time, am assigned to spread the "good news" among the people of Billings. My purpose as a missionary is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel. The way we go about doing this is by helping God's children develop faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement. We then help them learn and apply repentance in their lives. Faith and repentance then lead to the ordinances of baptism and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. After they have grasped all these truths, we teach them the importance of living Christ like lives and enduring to the end for the rest of their lives.

Christmas: Elder Horspool, an LDS online missionary.

 

     It's good to be a missionary.  My name is John David Horspool Jr, and I'm a missionary currently serving in the town of Thermopolis, Wyoming.  The people here are wonderful, especially the members of the church.  They make missionary work away from home and family much more bearable during the holiday season.  Why are we away from home? Why are we here, apart from our families for two years, teaching people about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ?  Because we know it's true. We know it will bless your life.  I've met so many people while serving a mission who are struggling, trying to figure out what they're doing with their lives, wondering why they're unhappy, or what is missing.  I've met people who are directed, accomplished, and have much to be grateful for, but still aren't truly happy.  I've also met people who have purpose, who are finding great satisfaction in life, and are happy.  The common factor: They know God.  In the Montana Billings Mission, here in Thermopolis, Wyoming, I want to help anyone I can have that same purpose, that same happiness. Living the principles of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is how each of us can find purpose and have true happiness in this life.  That's why I am here serving a mission, and that's why we're all here on earth.  Learn the Gospel, and live it.

The Reason Why: Elder Eccles LDS Online Missionary

Have you ever felt strongly about something that you know has changed your life??  Whether it be the a speech, a speaker, a book, a soap opera, an acne cream, or whatever that something may be, you want to share it with everyone that will lend you an open ear. Thousands of people share their stories over the media to uplift and help others live better lives and have courage to stand for what is right. That is exactly how I feel about the message that we share as missionaries. This message has changed and sculpted my life in such a way that I know this can and will help anyone who applies it in their life. Henry David Thorough once said," Grief can take care of itself, but to have a fullness of joy there must be somebody to divide it with."