Dear Family,
We just returned late last night from our last visit to the branch in Perm. The trip home took several hours longer than normal. Now that the weather is warm the road repairs are going full speed. That means that just about everywhere there are men dumping hot tar in amazingly deep potholes. The Siberian temperatures do so much damage to the roads. The weather for fixing them is short and only the very worst ones get "fixed", which will prove to be quite temporary when the freezing temperatures return. Oh well in the meantime it employs a lot of men. And brings a lot of traffic to a standstill!
Saturday there was a wonderful baptism of two women. Somehow during the night the hot water for filling the font turned off. When we arrived at the chapel, we found barefoot missionaries frantically carrying buckets of water from the bathrooms and dumping them into the font. Luckily Russians seem to always run a little late for meetings and this time we were glad for that.
This was one of the most memorable baptisms of our mission. Galina is a concert pianist, about 65 years old, and walked into the church a couple of weeks ago because she heard we understood what happens to us after we die. The missionaries couldn't teach her fast enough, she is so eager to get to the temple and begin doing the work for her list of over a hundred relatives. In addition to Galina, Olga was baptized by her husband Sergei. This was deeply touching to witness a newly reactivated husband baptize his wife. The last time we were in Perm we visited them in their apartment. They have a new baby girl We took a gift of several outfits for her. They have terrible legal problems. They are living in an apartment that her ex-boyfriend bought for her. He is apparently a very rich and influential person in Perm. Now he has decided that he wants the apartment back and is doing everything he can to make life truly miserable for them. He is connected to all the power in Perm and influenced the judge to rule against them. They are so poor and desperate. The husband, Sergei, joined the church several years ago in Moscow and then became inactive rather quickly. His good friend in Moscow notified their friend in Perm that he was here and the missionaries contacted him and found that he was now married and they were having all these problems. We were so touched by their honest and sincere hearts and their sweet love for each other and for their little daughter. We bore our testimonies to them about how the Lord could bless them with peace and with the blessings they needed. We especially talked to Sergei about his need to return to activity and to learn how to honor his Priesthood and use it to bless his wife and little daughter. It broke our hearts to see how desperate and destitute they are. We left them with some cash and with our testimonies and love.
So it was just wonderful, two months later, to see them walk into the chapel. And then to see them sitting together on the front row, both dressed in white, their faces just glowing with joy and peace. As I sat there waiting for the chapel to fill and watching them, my heart just filled with happiness. This was an amazing thing to see – for a reactivated husband to baptize his wife! I motioned for them to step forward (my crutches keep me less mobile than I would like) and I shared my feelings tearfully. It meant a lot to them. As everyone stood to go into the baptismal room, we had them leave their little daughter with us and told them we would watch over her. We placed her at the front of the glass so they would see her during the baptism. The baptisms were beautiful and the rest of the meeting had such a sweet spirit. Dad continued to hold the baby on the stand in her carrier while the parents beamed from the front row. It allowed them to focus on the talks and feel the spirit. After the meeting we all gathered in the relief society room for refreshments and rejoicing. There was such a wonderful spirit there that no one wanted to leave.
Sunday was our last day in Perm. These last visits are pretty tender for us. When it was announced just before the opening song that this would be our last Sunday in Perm, one woman on the front row began to cry and then covered her face with her open hymn book while her shoulders shook with sobs. She inspired the whole row of babushkas that sit together and after a moment they were all mopping up tears and sending kisses to us. It touched my heart. These members have become so dear to us. What a privilege it has been to serve here and come to know and love them so much.
We love this gospel and have witnessed so many times the joy and peace it brings to those who accept and embrace it. This is truly the Lord's work!
President's Letter May 29, 2016
Dear Elders and Sisters,
It was such a wonderful experience to be with each of you this past week in our zone conferences. We are experiencing more miracles in finding, teaching and baptizing children of our Father in Heaven than ever before because we are becoming a mission of clean, consecrated missionaries who speak with as many people as possible every day. This past week, we found 27 new investigators. We have 36 progressing investigators, 9 of whom have baptismal dates. We once again experienced over 460 Ammon conversations. Seven people who were miraculously brought to us because we are opening our mouths will have been baptized during the month of May.
As I continue to study the miraculous missionary stories of Alma, Ammon, Aaron and others in the Book of Mormon, I become more and more convinced that we will become more powerful instruments in the hands of the God in bringing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to His children in Russia as we focus on becoming pure and unspotted from the world, seek the constant direction and power of the Holy Ghost, strive to become improved speakers of the Russian language, build loving and confident relationships with members, and continue to open our mouths throughout the day.
I testify, Elders and Sisters, that opening our mouths, as uncomfortable as it may be sometimes, is the key to the miracles we are experiencing. I promise you that if you will initiate as many conversations as you possibly can each day, having a sincere desire and prayer in your heart to find the elect, you will experience greater heavenly help and greater joy than you have ever experienced in your life. This is a promise from the Lord, the truth and reality of which I firmly testify.
This past week, as I have expressed my gratitude to the Lord many times for miraculously placing His elect sons and daughters in the paths of our missionaries, I once again felt strong and clear impressions through the Holy Ghost that we are surrounded by and receiving the help of unseen angels who are actively ministering on our behalf. I have felt impressed that there are many thousands of deceased Russian children of our Father in Heaven who are working tirelessly from the other side of the veil to influence the hearts and minds of their descendants whom they desperately need to accept the gospel and then perform their ordinances in the temple. I testify that many of your Russian spirit brothers and sisters who have passed on to the spirit world, and who know and love you, are anxiously trying to help you.
Elder John A. Widtsoe testified: "Whoever seeks to help those on the other side receives help in turn in all the affairs of life." Elder Widtsoe promised that "help comes to us from the other side as we give help to those who have passed beyond the veil."
Elders and Sisters, I am confident that as you open your mouth throughout the day you are assisting precious sons and daughters of God on the other side of the veil who will in turn help you "in all the affairs of your missionary life." I assure you that miraculous help does in fact "come to us from the other side as we give help to those who have passed beyond the veil." I testify that the Lord allows the spirits of those who have passed on before us to surround us, lift us, protect us, guide us and comfort us. It is thrilling and encouraging to know that thousands of deceased parents, grandparents, and great grandparents, etc., of Russian people we meet during the day have already accepted the gospel in the spirit world and are now desperately trying to help us help their Russian descendants accept the restored gospel on earth by baptism and then progress to the temple in order to perform saving ordinances for them.
The following are just a few of the statements made by Apostles and Prophets in General Conferences since 1970 that teach how real this principle is:
President Boyd K Packer taught that "angels will coach you" as you prepare to find and teach and testified: "I know that angels minister unto men."
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf offered comforting assurance to those who labor without success or experience trials: "Though it may seem that you are alone, angels attend you."
Elder Jeffery R. Holland taught that angels are real and are actively providing help to God's servants: "From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. … Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times."
Elder Holland taught on another occasion: "[W]hatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you." He testified: "My testimony today is of the angels and ministers of grace who will always defend us if, as the prophet Alma commanded us, we 'take care of ...sacred things,' we 'look to God and live' (Alma 37:47)."
President Henry B. Eyring testified concerning the unseen help of angels to support and sustain us: "I know that the promise of angels to bear us up is real."
Elder Robert D. Hales bore his personal witness of the reality of angels and their loving assistance: "I also learned that I would not be left alone to meet these trials and tribulations but that guardian angels would attend me."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught how angels work with us: "The ministering of angels can also be unseen. Angelic messages can be delivered by a voice or merely by thoughts or feelings communicated to the mind. President John Taylor described 'the action of the angels, or messengers of God, upon our minds, so that the heart can conceive . . . revelations from the eternal world.'"
Neal A. Maxwell also testified of the role of angels to help and protect us: "All over the world, faithful Latter-day Saints are protected from the powers of the evil one and his servants until they have finished their missions in mortality."
President Ezra Taft Benson declared, "I promise you, dear children, that angels will minister unto you also. You may not see them, but they will be there to help you, and you will feel of their presence."
Elder Mark E. Petersen taught the reality of angels and their role among those in mortality: "Many people no longer believe in the ministry of angels. But God does! He has used this means of communication from the days of Adam. Is there any reason why He should not continue the procedure in our day?"
Elders and Sisters, I testify that thousands of angels are ministering to us and to others on our behalf in this great work. I testify that what Elder Widtsoe taught is true: "Whoever seeks to help those on the other side receives help in turn in all the affairs of life." I know that "help comes to us from the other side as we give help to those who have passed beyond the veil." I feel confident that the Lord frequently uses the help of unseen angels to "place people in our path" as we do all we can do to find people to teach.
We must always act in harmony with angels who seek to assist us by being clean and worthy of their presence and influence. We must constantly open our mouths so that their efforts on our behalf will not be in vain. Remember President Hinckley's warning that "you cannot afford to do anything that would place a curtain between you and the ministering of angels in your behalf." Please live worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost so that you can enjoy this promised assistance of angels, which I testify is available to you every day.
I assure you that as you become a clean, consecrated, loving servant of Christ who devotes all of your time and efforts to finding, teaching and baptizing your Russian brothers and sisters, you will experience the following specific angelic help promised by modern apostles and prophets:
• Angels will coach you, minister unto you, and actively provide help to you.
• Angels will convey love and concern for you, warn you, and comfort you.
• Angels will provide merciful attention and guidance in difficult times.
• Angels will watch over you, defend you, bear you up, and always attend you.
• Angels will deliver messages to you by voice or by thoughts or feelings communicated to your mind.
• Angels will protect you from the powers of the evil one and his servants.
I add my witness to the witness of President Benson: "You may not see them, but they will be there to help you, and you will feel of their presence." Always remember that when you are clean and constantly opening your mouth to find those in mortality who will accept your message, you are acting in harmony with departed spirit children of our Father in Heaven who are seeking to help you and will provide great assistance to you.
I testify that God is truly the Father of our spirits. We are engaged in the work of bringing the restored gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ, and the saving ordinances made possible by His Atonement to all of God's children, both those living on earth and those who have passed on. I pray that you will receive the comforting and thrilling witness and assurance that you are entitled to the assistance of angels who depend on you and are anxious to help you. I pray that you will be motivated by your love for the Savior to do everything you can every day to become His loving and submissive servant who has repented of your sins and have consecrated your thoughts, time and actions to the sacred work of salvation occurring on both sides of the veil.
I express my love to each of you,
President Christensen
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