Dear Families of the Amazing Spirit-Filled Hungary/Romania Missionaries:
The first four paragraphs are an excerpt from our weekly letter sent to Missionaries yesterday:
President Nelson declared at the April General Conference: "The increasing darkness that accompanies tribulation makes the light of Jesus Christ shine even brighter. Just think of the good each of us can do during this time of global upheaval. Your love of and faith in the Savior may very well be the catalyst for someone to discover the Restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ....We live in the day that our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation. We have front-row seats to witness live what the prophet Nephi saw only in vision, that 'the power of the Lamb of God' would 'descend 'upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.' "
YOU are the catalyst! Do not underestimate the power of the work you are doing. One great key to the continuing Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the work you are doing today. We have been asked to learn to use technology in righteous ways to bring about the gathering of scattered Israel. You were born in a time to do this and we must use our best creative thinking to connect with the elect of God.
'The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one'. (D&C 93:36,37) As we use our newfound ability and privilege to FIND, TEACH and BAPTIZE we will bring forth the light and truth, which is Jesus Christ. Make no mistake, only light and truth forsake the evil one. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that the adversary is cast out of our presence. Use your creative powers for good!
You are bringing forth a marvelous work and a wonder! You found 166 new people to teach last week! Each day is brighter and brighter! Keep up the outdoor workouts morning and evening. Take a break at least each hour (every half hour could be better). Follow the Safeguards for Using Technology! Take your vitamins! 'He that keepeth the commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.' (D&C 93:28)
We love you! We admire you! Hallelujah! Hosanna!
We are so thankful for the wonderful General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ. Our missionaries are working hard and are doing beautiful online work teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, teaching English classes and ministering to members. This is a challenge for our hard-working missionaries who love to be outdoors. We have adjusted our schedule to include a one-hour morning and evening run/walk for people are allowed outdoors for exercise by law in each country. We also have required a 5-10 minute break every hour and a full hour for both lunch and dinner. It is amazing how much great work is happening with meeting new people online. The missionaries seem invigorated and excited!
We have found that our 'Zoom Calls' are just as effective and Spirit-filled as our 'in person' meetings and the young missionaries are quite adept at keeping the meetings interesting and compelling. We are improving with breakout rooms, coming and going into virtual meetings and sharing screens. So far, we have had two Return and Report meetings with our new missionaries (from 7 weeks ago), a Mission Leadership Meeting, a Senior Couple call, three Zone Conferences, various Sunday church meetings and over 60 individual interviews all of which are going surprisingly well!
To help the missionaries stay connected we have daily District Council check-ins for 15 minutes each morning in addition to the weekly 1.5 hour District Council. The District and Zone 'WhatsApp' groups are active with missionary work ideas from each missionary each day. We have a Mission-wide Facebook group where we share ideas, hold a 'live' mini-fireside each night to encourage and inform and to feel the Spirit. We still have leader exchanges with missionaries. These exchanges are done online and still maintain an effective connection and training between leaders and missionaries.
We joined many of you in the worldwide fast and prayer on Good Friday. President Nelson's words as he called for this fast bear repeating; 'God has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on His name.' (see Alma 26:35)
We feel a great peace from this fast and feel the arm of the Lord will be revealed in the days and weeks to come. Both Hungary and Romania think we may be inside here for a while - we are thinking we may have some loosening of the quarantine by mid-May, but we are only guessing. The number of individuals with the Covid-19 virus are still growing in Hungary and Romania, but it appears that social distancing measures are helping - so we are hopeful for an easing of the virus soon. Missionaries seem to be communicating well with their families. They report feeling support and an even more encouraging and Spirit-filled time with you. They love and appreciate your prayers, good examples and support during this challenging time. God Bless you for your faithfulness and goodness as loving and prayerful families!
Our work has not ceased. Our purpose has not changed. We were foreordained for 'a time such as this', and your amazing Missionaries have answered the call and risen to the challenge. Praise the Lord, God of Israel and the universe!
We love you,
President and Sister Hettinger
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