December 2015

     Our December dearly departed are pictured with the Eatons--front: Pres. Eaton, Elders Johnson, Alcazar, and Green;back: Sisters Eaton, Hill, Sonasi, Halford, Lee, and Clement.

     And our December incoming elders and sisters with the Eatons--front: Pres. & Sis. Eaton, Sisters Mickelson, Souza, and Baker; back: Elders Pinckney, Stoker, Ovard, Sisters Pope, Erickson, and Whitney.

Being a Witness at Christmas 

     How fitting it was that God called shepherds to be among the few who witnessed the newborn Savior, the Good Shepherd. Surely one reason God sent angels to these particular shepherds was because he knew how they would react. After the heavenly messengers announced where they could behold the newborn Christ, the shepherds wasted no time in responding. “They came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:16).

     After seeing the Christ-child for themselves, what they did next instinctively made them worthy witnesses: “when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child” (Luke 2:17). They had no key indicators, no ward mission plan, no one pressuring them to open their mouths. These humble servants simply couldn’t keep such Good News to themselves. They knew they had seen the Savior, and they wanted to share that message with others.

     Nearly 34 years later, others would react similarly after being allowed to see and feel and know the resurrected Savior personally. At the end of one of the most miraculous days in scriptural history, the 2500 saints gathered at a temple in Bountiful prepared themselves for the Savior’s return the next day.

     What would you have done that night after experiencing the events of 3 Nephi 11 – 17, knowing that the Savior would return the next day? These faithful descendants of Lehi also could not keep such Good News to themselves. We read that “it was noised abroad among the people immediately” what had happened and that Christ “would also show himself on the morrow unto the multitude.” In fact, “even all the night it was noised abroad,” which resulted in many people who “did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude” (3 Nephi 19:2 – 3).

     The next day, great multitudes were able to be taught by the Savior because of those messengers who labored through the night. I cannot help but wonder how he looked on those who sacrificed so much through the night to bear witness of him and invite others to literally come unto him.

     I like to think that the Twelve Jesus called to be his special witnesses were among the messengers who spread abroad the news of his coming. Perhaps it was with awareness of such sacrifice that the Savior looked upon his disciples so fondly that next day: “his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them” (3 Nephi 19:25).

     Before my mission as a young man, Christmas mostly meant being with my family and getting presents and eating so much fudge I got sick and occasionally getting a good present for someone else. But as a full-time missionary I discovered another whole layer of meaning to Christmas—a layer filled with deeper significance and greater joy. I discovered the joy of being a witness at Christmas.

     What kind of witness will you be this Christmas and this year? Will you be a reluctant, distracted, halfhearted witness? Will you be a dutiful but mechanical witness? Or will you follow the example of the shepherds and the people at Bountiful, sharing with others your witness of the Savior out of the love of your heart with holy haste and a sense of purpose, “glorifying and praising God for all the things that [you have] heard and seen”? (Luke 2:20).

     This Christmas, I invite you to be a giver of the best gift of all—the salvation made possible by Jesus Christ. Be a witness this Christmas. I bear you my witness that as you do, his countenance will smile upon you and your efforts on his behalf.

November 2015

     What a privilege it was to hear the departing testimonies of these missionaries--front: Elders Lewis & Buchanan, Pres. & Sis. Eaton, Sis. Peacock, and Elder Andrasko; back: Elders Gamble, Downing, Holtry, Bennett, and Holden.

     We welcomed this outstanding group--front: Sisters Huhem, Hammond, & Zavala, Sis. & Pres. Eaton, Elders Meyer, Lloyd, and Palmer; back: Elders Pyper, Mitton, Tripp, Jolley, Lesh, Higginson, Kofford, Fullmer, Payne, and Chugg

     We had zone conferences this month.  We opened by memorizing together our ponderizing verse for the week from Alma 6:6--Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God. Our goals for the conference were to do the following:

· Help missionaries understand what mighty prayer is and choose to use it in their own lives.
· Help missionaries seek, recognize and act on revelation on their mission and throughout their lives.

     Missionaries completed the preparation assignment below and we were taught by the Spirit together.

Dear Elders and Sisters,

     In the last few weeks, as a mission we’ve discovered some of the blessings that can come from mighty prayer.  That’s why I am excited for next week’s zone conference, in which we’ll talk about receiving revelation through prayer—as missionaries, as disciples after our missions, and for our investigators.  We believe that one of the most important keys to being able to fulfill our missionary purpose and mission goal and baptize far more people on a consistent basis is for each missionary to discover the power of mighty prayer and the blessings it can bring, including revelation that can guide you in every aspect of missionary work.

     As always, how much you get out of zone conference will hinge in great part on the faith you exercise in preparing for it.  To prepare, we’re asking you to do several things spread out throughout your week.  Take some time in personal study, companionship study, and in your conversations as you travel and during meals to do these things:

·              Read Chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel.  Choose your favorite three sentences.

          

           Read one of these three talks:

o   Elder Richard G. Scott, “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer” (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/using-the-supernal-gift-of-prayer?lang=eng)

o   Elder David A. Bednar, “Ask in Faith,” (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/04/ask-in-faith?lang=eng )

o   Chauncey Riddle, “Prayer” (Brother Riddle was not a General Authority but a philosophy professor at BYU; some of you will love this one and some of you will . . . not) (https://www.lds.org/ensign/1975/03/prayer?lang=eng )

     In addition to those resources, use the scriptures to prepare a 3-minute talk on one of these three subjects:

• ·         The Keys to Making Prayers Mighty Instead of Lame
• ·         Keys to Receiving and Recognizing Answers to Prayer
• ·         How We Can Use Mighty Prayer to Receive Revelation That Will Help More People Get Baptized in the Lord’s Way

     Finally, take the test on p. 95 of Preach My Gospel.  Use a scale of 1 – 9 to grade yourself on each question, with 1 being fair and 9 being good.  Add your total score and keep it some place.  Be honest and candid in your answers.  We will have you confidentially submit your total score at zone conference for this pre-test about your prayers.  Then, at the end of the transfer I’ll ask you to take the test again and send me both of your scores to see if you improved.

     We look forward to learning with and from you next week!

October 2015

     We had two mission leadership council meetings this month.  One was in a "place set apart."  We went on a Mt. Rainier hike and discussed prayer, revelation, and the Book of Mormon.  The picture shows--Front: Sisters Sonasi, Wright, Dodson, Halford, Goodman, Baxter, Hill, and Singer; Middle: Pres. Eaton, Elders Noh, Christiansen, Jones, Lewis, Nelson, and Sis. Eaton; Back: Elders Graham, Holtry, Johnson, Willardsen, Downing, Tavo, Brown, Taliauli, Andrasko, Berkheimer, Maekawa, Anderton, and Wagstaff.

     Our second leadership council was under the direction of Elder Larry Lawrence of the Seventy. He led the council in outlining steps to achieve a missionwide goal of 40 baptisms during the month of November. He counseled us to pray in every prayer for 40 baptisms during the month of November and to find out what the Lord would have us sacrifice in an effort to reach this goal. In addition, we are ponderizing a scripture together as a mission each week that focuses on the doctrine of Christ.  The picture shows--front: Sisters Goodman, Baxter, Sonasi, Wright, Hill, Sis. & Elder Lawrence, Sisters Singer, Dodson, and Halford; middle: Elders Berkheimer, Nelson, Noh, Tavo, Johnson, Jones, Pres. Eaton, Elders Lewis, Nelson, and Holtry; back: Elders Willardsen, Andrasko, Christiansen, Maekawa, Graham, Anderton, Wagstaff, Taliauli, Brown, and Downing

     During his mission tour, Elder Lawrence taught about increasing our faith (summarize below) and giving our committed investigators intensive care treatment (coming next month).  Sister Lawrence taught about the gathering of the House of Israel.

     Principles of exercising faith:
1) Have a righteous desire/goal that we cannot accomplish on our own
2) Be believing, getting rid of doubt/fear
3) Plead with the Lord in every prayer, over and over again
4) Commit fully to the accomplishment of the goal, being creative to do everything you can
5) Expect trials and obstacles; then double efforts
6) Have faith and expect the Lord will bring this about

September 2015

     These beloved missionaries have returned to their families and the next steps in their salvation--front: Sisters Killingsworth, Collins, Walker, Peterson, & Flamm, Pres. Eaton, Elders Cairo & Warner; back: Elders Goodell, Anderson, Moses, Carson, Jenkins, Lemmon, Walters, Eliason, & Johnson

     We are excited to welcome these missionaries to Washington--front: Sisters Lewis, Skousen, Northrup, Thurman, Livingstone, Woolsey, Richardson, and Yost; middle: Elders Kim, Scheidell, Williams, Jensen, Pres. & Sis. Eaton, Elders Stucki, Oliva, Larsen, and Drake; back: Elders Hunter, Jackson, Perkins, Partridge, Boyack, Urey, Dalley, Simpson, Cook, and Miner

The Faith to Fulfill Our Purpose

            In preparation for zone training, Sister Eaton and I have asked you to study the examples of faith you find from great men and women in the scriptures.  Whether you choose to study Abinadi or Abish, Mormon or Mary, Ammon or Abigail, ponder their examples with these questions in mind:  

•  What evidence do you see of their faith?
• What can you learn from their example about how to exercise more faith to better fulfill your purpose?
• How can you be more like them as you strive to help others come unto Christ?

             At the risk of spoiling your own scripture study, let me share three of my favorite examples of faith in the scriptures.  First, I love the faith of Joseph Smith.  He wasn’t cocky, but he was confident in the Lord.  When he prayed, expected stuff to happen.  When he went into the grove of trees to ask God a question, he fully expected to receive an answer.  When he prayed again three years later, he said, “I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one” (Joseph Smith History 1:29).  When he and Oliver Cowdery prayed about baptism, they prayed next to a river.  Because of Joseph’s faith, the veil between heaven and earth was thin.  From his example, I learn to pray with faith, knowing that God is real and that he hears and answers prayers.

            Such faith comes, in part, from recognizing how God has answered our prayers and blessed us in the past.  When young David heard the giant Goliath taunting the armies of Israel, he had no doubt that with God’s help he could beat the giant, because with God’s help he had slain a bear and a lion with his own hands in defense of his sheep.  In fact, he seems to have been a shepherd with a bit of attitude.  When a bear took one of his sheep, he caught the bear from behind and took him down.  Knowing that God helped him in the past gave him faith that God would protect him in the future when he was on the Lord’s errand.  As he explained to King Saul:

Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

            David’s faith was not in his own abilities, but in his God.  So he was unmoved by Goliath’s giant tantrum when the Philistine saw that Israel had sent a mere boy to fight him.  In one of the sweetest bits of inspired trash talking in the history of the world, David responded to Goliath’s taunting with this bold retort:

Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.

            With that, the Philistine giant charged young David, who was armed only with his sling and a few smooth stones.  David could be forgiven if he had dropped back a few steps like a quarterback getting ready to throw as the giant charged him.  To stand his ground calmly and sling his stones would have been remarkable.  But fueled by faith, David did something that was either crazy or evidence of incredible faith: “David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.”  That’s right, David ran toward Goliath, got close enough that his sling would be deadly, and then took down the giant with a single stone:  “David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.”  Game, set, and match—David.  Actually, David would beg to differ.  The battle was not his, he would have said, but the Lord’s.  (Read 1 Samuel 17 for the whole story.)  From David’s example, I learn that when I remember how the Lord has helped me in the past, it builds my faith that he will help me succeed in his work in the future.  And when I remember that the battle is truly the Lord’s, I feel I can do anything as his soldier.

            The final example of faith I will share is of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  These valiant Israelites lived in Babylon as exiles, but through faith, perseverance, and diligence, they prospered.  They gained the trust of King Nebuchadnezzar and eventually were appointed to be governors over a province of Babylon.  Unfortunately, it was there that King Nebuchadnezzar chose to erect a 90-foot golden image.  With all the dignitaries in the land gathered for the dedication ceremony, the king commanded all his subjects to bow down to the image or be thrown into a fiery furnace.

            Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had a choice to make: whether to prolong their political careers and their lives by staying in the good graces of the king, or whether to receive eternal life by staying in the good graces of God.  They chose the real God and refused to bow down. Their act of civil disobedience was not lost on their rivals, who quickly pointed it out to the king.  The king was fond of these young Israelites, so he gave them a second chance and pled with them to bow down to the idol like everyone else.  “Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 4:14).

            What is especially impressive about the faith that Shadrach and his friends exercised is that what mattered to them was not whether their God would save them, but whether he could.  In fact, they did not know whether he would save them; God had allowed many righteous prophets to be slain.  But they trusted God for the long term, no matter what the short-term result.  Here is how they answered the king:

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

(Daniel 4:17 – 18).  When we talk about but if not faith, this is what we mean.  It is what my daughter exercised when she felt inspired to set high baptismal goals and worked out her heart, knowing God could work mighty miracles, but if not, well, she would have given it her all.  It is the faith to work hard and set goals we care about and serve God whole-heartedly, week after week, even when we are not immediately seeing baptismal fruit.  From Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I learn that great faith requires humble submission and patience, pressing forward and trusting in God with faith in his eternal promises, even if I cannot be sure I’ll get the miracle I pray for in the short run.

            May the Lord bless you as you study your own faith heroes that you will learn, through the Holy Ghost, the principles of faith you most need to help you better fulfill your purpose as a missionary.

August 2015

     We had a great Mission Leadership Council this month.  The district leaders were invited to the first half where we studied charity together and discussed how we could develop that gift.  Among other things, we also talked about how an additional part of the missionary purpose for leaders is to help those in their stewardship fulfill their purpose as missionaries.

    (Front:  Sisters Peacock, Sharp, Halford, Flamm, Webb, Pres. & Sis. Eaton, Sisters Hill, Jeffrey, and Singer; Middle:  Elders Andrasko, Mathews, Johnson, Noh, Graham, Lewis, Jones, and Tavo; Back:  Elders Mousser, Downing, Willardsen, Anderson, Taliauli, Holtry, Maekawa, Anderton, John, and Lemmon)

 Zone Conferences centered on the doctrine of Christ.  We have found that preparation increases learning exponentially, so missionaries received a preparation assignment.  Each missionary studied 2 Nephi 31, chose one of the elements of that doctrine, and prepared a 3 minute talk.  They studied chapter 1 of Preach My Gospel and watched "Your Purpose" from the District training dvds.  They were also invited to ponder, pray about, and discuss these questions:  As the missionary purpose becomes written in your heart, how should that affect every aspect of missionary work?  Which aspects of your own work should it change more than it has, and how?  

     Our mission photographer, Elder Nowlin, has been released so we didn't get pictures at zone conference this time.  We did have one of the sisters in Kent/Renton--Sisters Hill, Lucky, Clement, Bailey, Ripplinger, Cauley, Frischknecht, Dodson, Lyman, Killingsworth, Stewart, Jeffrey, and Eaton.


We said goodbye to these dear missionaries--front: Sister Walker, Sis. & Pres. Eaton, Sisters Sharp and Ripplinger; back: Elders Mathews & Albrecht, Sisters Ballard, Webb, and Jeffrey.

   

We welcomed 25 new missionaries this month--

Front: Sisters Westover, Beazer, & Gafa, Pres. & Sis. Eaton, Sisters Herlin, Jorgensen, and Rimer

Middle: Elders Latimer, Fuller, Snook, Wingle, Sullivan, Larsen, Miller, Lowry, Jeong, and Willoughby; Back: Elders Duffin, Healey, Richards, Richards, Davis, Asper, Beaudette, Anderson, and Riley.

Maintaining High Expectations Even When Expectations Aren’t Met

            This month’s newsletter article is written mostly by my daughter Elizabeth Eaton, who served in the Washington Seattle Mission, Russian speaking.  Many of you have heard me say that she was one of the best missionaries I have ever known.  I judge her success not by her number of baptisms, but as the Lord does—by her commitment to find, teach, baptize and retain all those she could.  Indeed, the faith and effort she put forth when she saw little fruit was what was most impressive to me.  Here is what she wrote me recently when I asked her how she managed to keep her faith and intensity up, despite not seeing much in the way of fruit.

______________________________________________________________________________

Sometimes, I experienced days when nobody seemed to listen. Even people on the street would shut us down almost immediately. It was hard to find anyone who would be willing to have a short gospel conversation with us, let alone new investigators or people ready for baptism. This could be very discouraging, especially as we tried to raise our expectations and those expectations weren't always met.

My wonderful companion Sister Bruening thought of something that really helped us stay positive. When lessons were falling through, people were rude, and nobody wanted to listen, she'd say, "Sister Eaton, I am so grateful for today! Today is a gift day."

On days when we saw results, when we had powerful lessons or found awesome new investigators or committed someone to baptism, it was easy to remember the joy of missionary work. We could feel the blessings. But on days when nothing worked, it was a little harder to still be consecrated, to still give the Lord everything. We decided that when we worked hard without seeing results, that was when we were truly showing the Lord our faith. That is when we were giving a gift to Him.

We worked every day as if we were going to have a baptism that week. For me, that only actually happened once on my mission (my very last week). But I was able to continue hoping and working hard. I knew that if I worked as hard as I could and still exercised my faith even when nothing was working, I would be giving my greatest gift to God. (Also, if nothing's working, try something different! "To reach a goal you have never before attained, you must do things you have never before done." Elder Scott)

Being a consecrated missionary all the time, not just when we see the obvious miracles, is how we show love for God. And whether He blesses us with baptisms or not, He will bless us with the miracle of the Atonement in our lives. And He will bless us to be instruments in His hands. And, you certainly are more likely to help people get baptized if you are doing everything you can to make that happen. (As Elder Bednar taught, "Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work.")

July 2015

     In July we sent these beloved missionaries back to their families--front: Sisters Simmons and Keele, Sis. & Pres. Eaton, Elders Wilcox, Ludlow, Quackenbush, and Ellowitt; back: Elders Buckner, Meyer, Dold, Hilton, Gonzalez, Olsen, Coombs, and Loveland.

   

 And welcomed these to our mission family--front: Sister Young, Sis. & Pres. Eaton, Sisters Peterson and Edwards; middle: Elders Knight, Kidwell, Steiner, Sirrine, Duncan, Samuels, Chance, Thurgood, and Northrup; back: Elders White, Elzey, Lyon, Covington, Rex, Samuelsen, Ozburn, Rippstein, and Meads.

This summer has been unusually warm, but the missionary have taken advantage of the opportunity to talk with many more people who are outside because of it.  The Kent zone marched in the Covington Days parade and help staff a both at the festivities that followed.  Sisters Cauley, Clement, Stewart, Frischknecht, Palmer, Killingsworth, and Lyman are pictured by the tractor.
The parade announcer introduced them this way: 

Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints voluntarily serve God for 18 months to 2 years. You may know them for their signature white shirts and ties, but women serve, too. In addition to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, they serve individuals and organizations in the community, such as Northwest Harvest, up to 10 hours each week. If you have service opportunities for the missionaries, just let them know or stop by our booth at the festival.

          July is interview month.  We have enjoyed meeting with the missionaries one on one.  I have been struck by the many miracles they share with me.  These are occurring in each zone and fill me with the Spirit as they share stories of people showing up at church ready to be taught, approaching the missionaries and asking to hear their message of salvation, and more.  I so wish I had collected their experiences in a miracle notebook, but I didn't notice the pattern until we had met with a couple of zones!

June 2015

     This month is one of specialized trainings.  We held a couple of meetings to help missionaries understand how to use family history to help them fulfill their purpose as missionaries. We also held a special training for those missionaries learning a new language.  For some it is English and others it is Spanish or even Marshallese.  Ultimately, the language all missionaries need to learn is the language of the Spirit.  Preach My Gospel teaches, "The language of the Spirit comes to him who seeks with all his heart to know God and keep His divine commandments."  The group was too large for a picture, but we did get one of the Hermanas.  (Hermanas Edmonds, Singer, Palmer, Killingsworth, Hill, Moretonsen, Baird, Peacock, Soliz, and Leach)

     The Maple Valley zone participated in the Maple Valley Days parade, handing out pass along cards and candy along the way.  Here we see Sisters Davis, Linker, & Lee, Elders Lee-Wen, Bohne, Gonzalez, Clauson, Allen & Brown, Sisters Orr, Webb, and Bailey.