Friday, November 5, 2010


Sister Buhler, in green, Sister Woffinden in white, Sister Wright in black

Sister Buhler and Sister Wright have found 2 new investigators following the counsel of Elder Hinckley.   At nightly planning recently, they looked through the area book and found a couple in their potential former investigators --- Anna and Bernardo.  They are Spanish-speaking missionaries.  The next day they followed their plan and went to the apartment complex to check on Anna and Bernardo.  However, the neighbor said they had just moved out, and there was no was of contacting them.  So they went on with the rest of their night, following their plan. Their plan was to go to an apartment building by a less-active and contact there.  Since there was no close parking, they contacted EVERYONE on the was, as they had been instructed.  They stopped a hispanic man and were having a great conversation with him --- he seemed to know about the church.  Then they found he was named Bernardo.  He said he was.  They asked if his wife was Anna.  It was.  They had gone to the wrong apartment complex.  But they feel since they used their AREA BOOK, FOLLOWED THEIR PLAN and CONTACTED EVERYONE, they were blessed to find Bernardo.  They taught this family, had a wonderful short lesson and have a return appointment.  They have found 6 new investigators so far this week, have received 2 referrals (one with a dateset for November 20th before Sister Buhler goes home!)

September 19, 2010 Mission President Fireside above
October 5, 2010 Zone Leadership Conference below

September 19, 2010 Mission President Fireside

September 2, 2010 Zone Leadership Conference above
September 19, 2010 Mission President Fireside

September 1, 2010 New Missionaries above, New Missionaries with their Trainers below

Mormon ad experiences:

Mormonads www.boncom.com/mormon/ are changing the image of the church, Elder Sweetland --- delivering a Book of Mormon media request in the country, the woman said, “I thought you all lived in Utah and had 500 wives; I saw your Mormonads, realized I was wrong and looked at Mormon.org.  I want to read your book!”

YOUTH AND MORMON ADS:
One of the groups most impacted by it are the youth –youth in all the schools are going up to  their MORMON friends and asking about the ad campaign because they’ve been on mormon.org and like what they see.

Elders Evanson / Berns
One member brought her friend to Young Womens and said she is thinking of joining. She had seen Mormonads and talked to her Mormon friend about them. Missionaries have since talked to her mom 3 times.  She keeps telling them how much her daughter loves their church --- “Candace is on Mormon.org all the time. She’s never been baptized --- what do we have to do to get her baptized into your church?”

Youth cannot profile themselves so Pres. Toronto (counselor in the Anoka Stake Presidency) profiled his family within his profile, so they refer their friends to their dad’s profile.

Elder Lambert / Elder Haponen
Had some time left one night, were contacting down a street and ran into a young couple who had  just barely gotten engaged.  They asked them about the Mormonads, gave them a Mormon.org card, got their information.  The missionaries were going to call them the next day to set up an appointment. 

But Katie called them the next morning to make an appointment. An investigator calling them first to make an appointment never happens they said.  Ford and Katie, this young couple, had checked out mormon.org the night before.  (Then they weren’t in their area.  They were referred to Cedar Lake Elders Long / Lue.  They have had an appointment, the spirit was really strong.  Ford knelt down and prayed at the end; they have a return appointment.)

Elders Berns / Evanson
They on were on exchanges and an appt. fell through.  They felt they should 10 X 10 the neighborhood.  A woman came out and asked them, “are you Mormon?  I’ve seen your ads and have some questions.”  They taught a short lesson right then on her porch. Two days later they went back and taught her again, with a member.  She went to church that Sunday and was baptized the 9th of October!

Another of their investigators has a date set  ---- was on the internet went to mormon.org web page --- before they talked to him he knew this is what he needed to do. (This was a mormon.org referral from a member. The member said he was looking to meet with missionaries.)

Elders Jensen / Elder Ralph
They received a call from the online missionaries that teach from the MTC.  They had been teaching a young woman named Kayla Thompson. They had been teaching her because she saw a commercial on TV and before she knew it she was on the internet, where she found the tool to contact the missionaries.  After having 2 or 3 lessons on skype with the missionaries, they referred her to Elder Jensen and Elder Ralph.  She has a boyfriend who was a less active member, saw the commercials, got online. She’s a new investigator --- taught her one lesson. She went to church, had a date set, has run into a lot of opposition.  We fasted and prayed for her with these Elders, need to check on her progress.

Elder Brooks / Elder Howard
Habtamu Mamo is from Ethiopia and grew up as a Christian. He was baptized on Saturday, Oct. 9.th  In Ethiopia he was imprisoned and released 1 ½ weeks later; he is a political torture victim.  Escaping from Ethiopia, he paid to be smuggled into Mexico, then America.  The border control caught him, and gave him asylum because he was a torture victim.  He came to MN, saw the Mormonads  --- at the very end they would say “I’m a Mormon!”  He wondered what that was, checked out mormon.org, the missionaries on mormon.org. told him where to go to church.  But the missionaries saw him the very next day on Friday and stopped him on the street.  On Saturday they taught him a first lesson; the spirit was really strong --- he pointed out the spirit himself and on Sunday; it was stake conference.  Elder Gong was the visiting authority. If the missionaries hadn’t met him on the street Friday before stake conference, he would have gone to an empty building for church; they gave him the stake conference address. He found the missionaries and told them he had heard the word of God that day! They taught him again later that week. His wife is waiting for him to gain asylum, then she will come and be taught here, as well.  She is in Greece.

Elders Berns / Evanson have been talking to employees at Walgreens about the mormonads and tracted into one of these employees the other day. “I love your commercials” --- she wants them to check back with her --- 

Elders Hoskins / Birkel  West Bloomington
A member invited Kerri Conte to come to church, but he was scared.  Elder Hoskins and Birkel pulled up a member, Ryan Kraus’ profile; he wanted to meet him.  Ryan met him at the door on Sunday. 

Crystal ward Elder Dearden:
Terry rice came back to church after seeing the ads.
Samson came to church and wanted to be baptized, after seeing the ads.
Natalie, a 16 year old girl, saw the ads and biked to church on her own, started filling out her personal progress sheet in Young Women’s --- have to get to the parents interested!

Elder Sabey’s President’s letter:
Darrell (our Date set) is being baptized on the 30th of October. He is a self-referral. He requested a Bible from Mormon.org. He thought he was getting the Mormon Bible (aka the Book of Mormon.) But we showed up with the King James version of the Bible. But we found deep with in ourselves the charity and let him also have a copy of the Book of Mormon... He has come to church two weeks and is loving it. He says his friends are all negative about the church. It is amazing how much negativity there is about the church in the U.S. I'm not sure I ever understood or will understand. I am constantly amazed at people’s hesitation to learn about the church.   Everyone has walls unless they know a member that has broken down the walls. The Mormon campaign is brilliant because it is attacking the walls that are put up when the word "Mormon" is said.

October 20, 2010
Elder Willis / Elder Ferguson
Called with a Mormonad miracle.  They received a media referral for a Book of Mormon.  They called several times, didn’t catch them home.  So they stopped by Sunday, after church.  The young family was at home.  Neil Rado, the dad, said he didn’t realize the missionaries came with the book, nevertheless, invited them in.  They weren’t interested in organized religion.  The missionaries talked to them about prophets anciently, how you could trust them and how such prophets are on the earth again today, also referencing family values.  They have a return appointment.

October 30, 2010
Elder Draper / Elder Long
They received a media referral requesting a bible from mormon.org.  They called; he didn’t answer.  Called back, left a message.  Finally, after exchanging messages, they connected, and scheduled the first chapel tour.

Elder Long / Elder Dearden did a chapel tour with him.  They taught him again on October 23rd. He wanted another chapel tour because he really liked that.  He is looking for a different church.  We taught him the plan of Salvation.  They taught him about the sacrament, asked him to be baptized --- November 20th is his baptismal date.  He doesn’t drink or smoke --- they’re not sure if he drinks coffee, don’t think it will be an issue.  Asked him how he felt about being baptized, never felt so peaceful in his life.  He came to church on Sunday, Oct. 24th !!!  His name is Charles Anderson!!

Elder Hunter (Hmong missionary)
One of the members is in a diversity class on campus, which was talking about religion. They were talking about the Mormons because of all the Mormonads.  Upon the member’s suggestion, they had several Mormon missionaries to talk to the class for an hour about the church.  As soon as they came in, they were asked, “what about these mormonads?”  One of the interesting questions was, “why do you always ride bikes?”  They responded, “it’s easier to talk with people!”  They asked them lots of questions and the missionaries thought of questions of stereotypes and myths to dispel stereotypes about the church.  At the end of the class, the teachers asked, “How can I get a hold of you?  We need to do this yearly!”  

Elder Ahlander
We are working hard to find our brothers and sisters who are prepared. We have noticed that as we integrate the "I'm a Mormon" ad campaign into our contacting we see a lot of success and the conversations are better and longer. We also build a lot of trust with the people. This campaign has changed the mission in so many ways.

Oct. 28th
Elder Fonua / Elder Forsyth
They were 10 by 10ing a house, tracted into this lady.  She opened the door and said, “I’m a Mormon!”  In the conversation, they asked “Are you a member?”  “No, I saw your ads!’  She had a lot of questions about the plan God has for her ---  And she is super excited to see them again on Wednesday! 

Oct 29, 2010
Elder Muir / Elder Evanson
They had an appointment with an investigator, knocked and knocked on the investigator’s door; nobody came. They were about to leave to go back to their car.  When someone living next door to the investigator came out, they asked him, “have you seen the Mormonads?” “Yes,” he responded.  He had some questions, asked them in and his wife joined them.   They taught them right there, leaving a Book of Mormon, after having a great discussion.  There was a wonderful spirit; they were really interested and the missionaries have return appointment.  As they were leaving the investigator they had had an appointment with came out, “Are you going to teach me?”  He hadn’t hear them knocking --- though they had knocked and knocked.  They gave him a lesson; it went well; they have a return appointment.  They felt impressed Heavenly Father had arranged for them to teach this investigator’s neighbor as well!

Oct. 29
Elder Smith / Elder Peterson
Two days ago Elder Smith and Elder Peterson were tracting and came across Stephen.  He said he had seen the Mormonads and set an appointment for them to come back.  But he kept asking them a lot of questions.  So they gave him a short lesson on the spot.  They came back on October 29th.  When they arrived he had a friend there, who left as soon as they began teaching; they gave him half a plan of salvation lesson.  Apparently the friend had been giving false information about the church, as he immediately brought up polygamy. They gave him a simple explanation and that was fine.  Then he said, “You don’t drink!?”  After they gave him a simple response he replied, “Oh that’s okay, I can give that up!”  Then he told them he wants to learn, that he hasn’t been progressing much since being baptized into the Lutheran Church.  They said he is a golden investigator, asking his own inspired questions and that “he that preacheth and he that receiveth were both edified and rejoice together!”  (D & C 50:22)  applied to their lesson!

Stake Presidents’ experiences with the Ad Campaign:
President Lash Oakdale Stake---
Pres. Lash loves the mormonads! --- His stake recently held a temple fireside in Oakdale in conjunction with the Mormonads, to explain more about the temple next to the stake center.  President Archibald, the temple president, closed his remarks with a brief Mormonad-type profile of himself.  The Mormon Chorale sang; there were 40 investigators there --- people in the surrounding neighborhoods just walked in.  Some of the members brought their non member friends.  There was a very powerful spirit.  There were quite a few referrals, goals set and hearts touched. “I want to know more about this!” one investigator told President Howell.  Other investigators already being taught by missionaries set temple goals.

Pres. Paynter Anoka Stake
Pushing his members to get on mormon.org / encouraging them to do their profiles, really working on mobilizing ward mission / Pres. Toronto constantly giving out mormon.org cards / check out my profile

Pres. Smith Duluth Stake / gave out Preach My Gospel buttons for everyone who read PMG at Stake Conference / Profiling yourself on Mormon.org was also spoken about

Pres. Weiberg St. Paul Stake encouraging people to profile themselves; Elder Gong closed with his profile stake conference!

St. Paul stake Young Men’s Pres. He is using his own I Am a Mormon profile on his answering machine, others are following his example.

Pres. Weiberg (St. Paul Stake)
Had a colleague at work (he is a defense contractor) start writing a profile for him:
“I am Mike Weiberg; I build weapons of mass destruction; I am a Mormon!”

Pres. Bautista Minneapolis Stake / President Naatjes Burnsvilles
They are doing a I am a Mormon Fireside with the WCOO weatherman (TV station here) who is a Mormon --- Br. Fairborn, after which they will both speak briefly.

Pres. Foote & Pres. Cragun Rochester Stake
Pres. Cragun was one of the first to profile himself on mormon.org even before the ad campaign.

Stake President’s Dinner with Elder and Sister Hinckley, Mormonad miracles and observations:

Pres. Naatjes said creating profiles is slow for members; they don’t know they are supposed to do it.

This corresponded with a missionary’s comment, “The members tell us: with so many members online, why do you need my profile?”

Sister Lash, President Lash’s wife from the Oakdale stake said that she is teaching each auxiliary how to profile themselves online.  It’s easy to show them at church the profiles of ward members online and get them going.

Pres. Lash (Oakdale Stake)
Their daughters’ friends ask them at school all about the Mormonads.  One of her friends has downloaded all the scriptures onto his ipod.  He is Catholic and came to the last mission president’s fireside recently.

Pres. Lash’s new business card is now a mormon.org pass along card.  He hands them out regularly.  The other day a colleague wanted to play raquetball with him; he handed him a mormong.org pass along card, with his information on the back and said call me.  His colleague looking at the card closely said, “I already have one of your books --- I received it in Columbia!” 

Pres. Naatjes (Burnsville Stake)
His daughter has 3 friends who have seriously asked her about Mormons.  They want to come to seminary.  One of them asked her for a Book of Mormon. 

Pres. Naatjes has a friend at work who saw the mormonads.  He has worked with her for 14 years; she is an attorney.  She and her sons recently visited Utah and went to the BYU campus.  She asked him how she could start the process to become a Mormon.  Her 3 sons want to live there, attend BYU and love the church.  Her husband is not as enthusiastic.  She is working on him . . .

Sister Miller, wife of Pres. Miller, counselor in the mission presidency said that one of her Mia Maids introduced herself recently like a mormonad at an beginning musical practice at school.  Several other LDS members of the cast followed suit and introduced themselves in mormonad fashion.

Pres. Weiberg’s stake (St. Paul) recently had a Preparedness Fair with community leaders involved.  A first responder was there, realized she was actually in a “Mormon” church and couldn’t believe it.  She expressed her love for the mormonads and said she didn’t realize this church was even in her community.  After having a positive conversation with her, they sent her home with mormonad pass along cards ---

Pres. Wiberg also suggested that missionaries could follow up on the profiling in wards and branches, also making an outline of how to profile themselves.  One of our sister missionaries, Sister Hart, has already made a wonderful how-to outline for profiling --- we will share with the missionaries, to share with members. 

Branch President / Member experiences with the Ad Campaign:
Oct. 29, 2010
Catherine Howell
Our daughter-in-law talked to us today about her son’s play group (40 mothers total / all nonmembers, late 20’s to early 30 year olds).  She said several have frequently asked her about the church.  But since the Mormonads most of them have become involved in long discussions about the church.  They started by talking about the Mormonads, asking,  “are you trying to get new members?”  To which she replied, “We do have a great missionary effort in the church, but no, we are just trying to dispel false ideas concerning our church.”  They talked for some time about the Mormonads, leading into various aspects of the church.  She came to us with several typed pages of answers because she told the whole group that she would email the answers to their questions!

Elder Evanson / Muir
They received 10 member referrals October 24th from our branch president (President Naatjes --- there are three Naatjes brothers in the same stake!) Pres. Naatjes gives them the addresses of his good nonmember friends and business associates. They then tract into them, ask if they’ve seen the Mormonads? Do they like them? Do they know a Mormon?  They bring up their friends the Naatjes family, which leads to a gospel conversation.  They are already teaching 4 of his friends.  The missionaries had a FHE with one of his friend’s family October 25th in President Naatjes’ home!  President Naatjes encourages all the ward leaders to give the missionaries referrals in such a manner. Three leaders have already done it!  One leader was able to give a Book of Mormon out.  When a joint teacher comes with the missionaries, they leave his profile up for the family to check out.

This is an easy non-threatening way to contact a member’s friends.  As church members report back the miracles, other members become mobilized!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Pictured in the above photo, from left to right:
Elder Erickson, Elder Stewart, Elder Vang

                      Pictured in the above photo, from left to right:
                Elder Waltman, Elder Lo, Elder Forsyth, Elder Vang
On July 31, 2010
Last night Elder Vang pictured in top picture and Elder Forsyth, below, were planning to find out where to tract a couple of hours the next day. In response to Zone Conference training, they prayed and picked out 5 streets or so a piece, comparing their choices and discerning through the spirit where they should go.  Elder Birkel, an assistant to the president was with them, helping them find in the area:  We had the distinct impression to tract at a street called Margaret the next day.  The area proved to be too broad, so we prayed to focus on a smaller area and knocked on the first door that we knew was Hmong, explaining who we were, and that we were there to teach the gospel.  The woman who answered responded, "I'm a Christian.  My ex-husband's friend was a Mormon and taught him about a boy ordained to be a prophet.  You want to come inside?  There were three of us, so we went inside, prayed and taught her the plan of salvation.  "Do you know where we came from before this life?" We asked her.  "Yes, I know we were with God through the scriptures --- 'before I formed thee in the belly; I knew thee,'" she responded quoting several scriptures.  Hmong people are not familiar with this concept; we were surprised and excited.  She also mentioned that Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights she usually goes to a bible study class, but she felt she needed to stay home that night.  We responded that we, too, had been praying about where to contact and felt directed to her home.  "Yes," she said, "I think God made this appointment for us!"  She had a question about where those go who do not know about Christ; she had been taught by her pastor that you could only accept the gospel here on the earth.  We explained how our Heavenly Father had prepared a way for all to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, even after this life and referred her to 1 Peter 3:18-20.  She responded, "I have read this scripture over and over and you guys answered my question!"  She set an appointment next week to teach her, after identifying the spirit during our meeting by herself!!  She's amazing, and the Lord blesses us as we follow the counsel of our leaders!!

JULY 31, 2010
Pictured in the above photo, from left to right:
Elder Farnsworth, Elder Simpson, Elder Marsh, Elder Jepsen

Elder Simpson's sister recently emailed him, expressing a desire to give a Book of Mormon to one of her co-workers, who was experiencing challenges, not certain if the timing was right.  He emailed back, saying, "Now it is the time!"  Right after, she read on the HURRAH FOR ISRAEL blogsite, where she read about changes happening in the Lutheran church and that many  are upset with such changes!  Her co-worker is a Lutheran, so she put a Book of Mormon in her bag and took it to work.  Her heart started pounding, when she took it out, telling her co-worker that she had been thinking a lot about her; that she had a book she wanted her to have that brought peace into her life; they both started to cry and hugged each other.  She's hopeful she will read it and was sure the timing was right!!!  How grateful we are for the missionary efforts of our missionaries (the best in the world) and their families!
On July 30, 2010
Elder Mangham considered his bike his prized possession.  Biking home late and extra fast, he and Elder Crawford had just read in the Book of Mormon with an investigator and set a date for her baptism.  They approached a 4 way stop, with a car following closely behind and a car going through the stop in the opposite direction.  Obviously he was in danger and quickly turned left; at this point, something picked his bike up and turned him sideways and stopped him.  His bike was destroyed in the maneuver --- his back wheel was bent and wrenched from his bike. However he was alive and startled with the event.  Normally, he would have been upset at the loss of such a prized possession, but he felt at peace and patient.  Their investigator's name is also Patience.

Sunday, July 25, 2010


Week of July 11th
Sister Lowry in the white skirt, standing next to Sister Harper above, Sister Buhler in the lavender sweater.


Miracles from Sister Lowry / Sister Harper Rochester

We were tracting today, knocking on doors.  This lady’s door we knocked on she said, “Come on in; I’ve been waiting for you!”  Later we found she had been waiting for the Jehovah Witnesses, but we came instead.  She has a husband and 4 children; they are all searching for the truth.  She is having them come back. 

Also while we were tracting, we spoke with 5 girls and their mother.  Each of them wanted a picture of the temple!  We had a sweet conversation with those girls; the spirit was so strong.  We told them, “Did you know your Heavenly Father loves you?”  One little girl holding a picture of Jesus Christ said, “Is this Him?  I miss Him!”  And regarding the temple, she said, “Is this His house?”  “Yes,” said Sister Harper. The girl responded, “The temple is like a castle --- a king must live there!”  “Yes,” said the sisters, “He does live there and He is a king and if He is a king, what does that make you --- His daughter?”  And the sisters exclaimed, “The spirit was so strong --- they knew; they all knew it was true.  They knew who Heavenly Father was and who they were!”

They also found a young, single adult.  She said, “This is weird; I wasn’t going to answer the door.”  They talked about repentance and mentioned the temple.  She loved it and is having them back!

That night a family they have been teaching --- parents with three children were excited to learn about the Book of Mormon and how to pray.  The father of the home knelt down and led the family in prayer.  They came to church the next day. 

Sister Lowry spoke to a Lutheran minister (for 44 years) on the spot.  They had a 15-minute lesson with him.  He was amazed!  Sister Lowry says she has no idea what she said, but his expression was one of shock!  He said, “That was just beautiful!” He has their telephone number!


July 21, 2010
NEW MISSIONARIES w. Trainers
Front row from left to right:
Elder Browning, Sister Whiteley, Sister Sorensen, Sister Hedengren, Sister Wright, Sister Howell
Middle row from left to right:
Elder Payne, Elder Happonen, Elder Jepsen, Elder Sabey, Elder Ronstrom, Pres. Howell
Just behind Elder Sabey and Elder Ronstrom:
Elder Cornelius and Elder Hanks
Back row:
Elder Katoa, Elder Fonua, Elder Stilson, Elder Pedersen, Elder Livingston, Elder Whitehead
We welcome this great group of missionaries, including 3 from Scandinavia!  We appreciate the marvelous families that have prepared them for their service to the Lord!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

It's 9:37 pm here; there have been tornadoes here again --- in Eden Prairie, near the Twin Cities. All the missionaries are home and accounted for!

Monday, July 12, 2010


Elder Simpson 2nd from the right, front row and Elder Marsh 3rd from the right, back row reported an interesting experience. They are zone leaders of the Minneapolis Zone. In May their zone had 10 baptisms, in June their zone had 11 baptisms. On July 8th they reported having found 4 new investigators in one day. They wondered why the Lord was blessing them so much. Coming out of their last 20 minute lesson (a first lesson), they stopped a man, had a great gospel discussion with him, got his information (name, address, phone number, set up an appointment). When they asked his name, he said it was "Unity!" That was the answer to their successful day --- their entire zone was "unified!"

Thursday, July 8, 2010


Elder Blume and Elder Lemonds on the front row, 6th and 7th from the right called in with an interesting miracle:
We've been going back to potentials and former investigators and felt impressed about this certain street; we kept going back to this street. Finally we met a Lutheran pastor, he invited us in, and we spoke with him for 30 minutes (trying to keep it down to 20 minutes!) He speaks German, works as a translator on occasion. (Elder Blume is fluent in German!) We had a wonderful conversation. He is married and has four children. He asked if we could come back in the morning (today). This morning he came into the room with a big stack of papers telling us he had an agenda. Wondering what he meant, we tried to prepare ourselves spiritually. He reminded us that he used to meet with the missionaries, had had all 6 discussions; they given him a quad and had asked him to be baptized. "I wasn't ready at that time," he said! "This is what I need from you --- another quad, a reading assignment; I read 20 to 30 chapters a night and help weeding my garden!" He expressed his disillusionment with his church, that he was conservative. They talked about Alma 32 with him --- he said he had read it, that he really enjoyed it. When they were leaving, they boldly reminded him of their purpose, "we are here to help you get baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." To which he replied, "I am open to learning!" He is reading 3 Nephi tonight; they're returning tomorrow morning to teach him. He committed to pray about the Book of Mormon.

This is not a singular experience. Many Lutherans are disillusioned with changes in their church and are seeking the truth. As religions are compromising their morals, the truth is becoming more readily recognizable and many are searching for the truth.


Members and missionaries teamed up to clean up Wadena!

On June 17, 2010 a string of tornadoes ripped through Minnesota. The northwestern town of Wadena was the hardest hit with a quarter of the buildings wiped out. The community center was almost completely destroyed, accept the room where the church held a Dependent Sunday School.

Yet more powerful than the tornadoes that came through Wadena, are Elder Richard Murdoch and Sister Ann Murdoch, a senior missionary couple from Cleveland Utah, assigned to work there since March 20, 2010. Wadina had 12 members going to church; after the Elders had increased membership up to 50, this wonderful couple replaced them, having multiple baptisms, since arriving. Missionaries had been teaching the son of a member, but when Sister Murdock came, his wife was excited to be taught by another sister. Both wife and son have since been baptized; the family is complete!

On June 18th and 19th, 12 missionaries, the Murdochs and 22 members from the St. Cloud Stake helped dig out the town and the Dependent Sunday School was held in Murdoch’s apartment for two Sundays --- 58 being the largest group! Then Elder Murdoch arranged to use the Seventh Day Adventist building, finding they had lost their pastor because of lack of funds. He offered to teach them both Saturday and Sunday! What’s more powerful than a string of tornadoes? A humble, diligent senior couple that can love and bless a whole town!

Monday, July 5, 2010


June 20, 2010
Jose Rivera baptised! Elders Crepeau and Davis, Bro. Rivera, President and Sister Howell
Jose called President Howell yesterday (July 4th) and told him the Holy Ghost really is always with him! Recently a dump trunk was driving behind Jose on a street and the Holy Ghost said to stop! So he immediately pulled to the side of the road. Right after he stopped, the dump trunk pushed the car in front of him to the side of the road. “That would have been me! But the Holy Ghost told me to stop!” Also he said the Holy Ghost direct him and the elder right to one of his friends the other day to teach him and his family the gospel, which they’re doing! As Jose was confirmed after baptism, he was promised he would bring many people into the church and that’s just what’s happening!

Duluth Zone Activity May 11, 2010

Sister Whetton, 2nd row, third from the right and Sister Larson, 1st row, second from the left are serving together presently in Minneapolis. They arrived together April 28th --- this is a picture of their first day here. They recently reported an amazing miracle, (one of numerous miracles called in). In their own words: "Today we taught this guy named Chris. We met him last week on Wednesday in the pouring rain and had an appointment on Sunday. He actually CAME to his appointment! (It must have been in the Institute building!) We gave him the first 20 minute lesson, teaching him about the spirit, prayer and the Book of Mormon! He agreed to read Alma 32. Tuesday afternoon we taught him again. He came exclaiming that the Book of Mormon "is amazing!" He had read Alma 32 five times! We taught him the restoration, using visuals, giving him the baptismal challenge at the end of the lesson. He wanted to pray about baptism, but remarked that he felt good and why wouldn't God want him to do this? He committed to read Moroni 7. He came back today (July 2nd) for our third lesson with him. We gave him the plan of salvation lesson, using visuals. We taught him the whole plan. He was overcome. We asked him what he needed to do to receive all the the blessings Heavenly Father has for him. He responded, "Just a minute, I wrote it down in the back of my Book of Mormon." Then he read, "Have faith, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost! I feel so good about this! I've never felt so good about anything in my whole life!" His baptismal date is July 24th!

June 9, 2010 NEW MISSIONARIES
New missionaries & Trainers --- HURRAH for ISRAEL! And for your wonderful sons and daughters, their devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ and love for our brothers and sisters in MMM!


June 9, 2010
NEW MISSIONARIES ARRIVED
Elder Smith jogging to share the gospel . . .
Elder Davenport right off the plane to Dinkytown, a college campus, contacting with Elder Hale.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010



March 24, 2010
New Missionary Training meeting
New missionaries / with their trainers
Back row from left to right:
Elder Hale, Elder McCord, Elder Stimson, Elder Todd, Elder Butler, Elder Steele, Elder Bennett, Elder Dailey, Elder Hawkins, Elder Spencer
Middle row from left to right:
Elder Madsen, Elder Ridd, Elder Mangham, Elder Howell, Elder Dransfield, Elder Jensen, Elder Wiscomb, Elder Orton, Elder Thompson, Elder Whitehead
Front row from left to right:
Sister Ostler, Sister Childers, Sister Howell, President Howell, Sister Buhler, Sister Keyes

They all role-played the baptismal challenge. It didn't seem as though they were new missionaries at all!

March 27, 2010
The spirit was so strong at the baptism of the Farata Family!

Sunday, April 4, 2010



March 21, 2010
A wonderful couple talking to President Howell about temple marriage . . .
March 23, 2010
An tremendous new missionary couple arrive --- Elder and Sister Murdoch!


March 21, 2010 Mission President's Fireside
Elder Dransfield, Elder Ridd, Elder Mangham, Elder Jensen
Wonderful members ---


March 21, 2010 Mission President Fireside
Brian Seidling and Ken Lewis also spoke, each giving outstanding talks. After these wonderful three speakers, no one wanted to leave --- the spirit was so strong!
Brian Seidling, Ken Lewis with Elder Livingston.


March 21, 2010 Mission President's Fireside
from left to right
back row:
Elder Kingston, Elder Jensen, Elder Emrich, Elder Lemonds,
middle row:
Elder Simpson, Elder Farnsworth, Elder Mangham, Elder Glenn, Elder Livingston
middle row:
Elder Peteron, Elder Howard, Elder Richmond
front row:
Elder Hepworth, Elder Stewart, Elder Ridd, Elder Vance

Sister Shurtliff with Edith and Edwardo Osorio. Edith did a wonderful job speaking at the fireside.


March 16, 2010 WONDERFUL group of GOING HOME MISSIONARIES in front of the St. Paul Temple
left to right
back row
Elder Keller, Elder Hafen, Elder Hill
middle row
Elder Fernandez, Elder Maughan, Elder Fawson
front row
Elder Nickel, Sister Hope, Sister Howell, Pres. Howell, Elder Hadlock

March 17, 2010 WONDERFUL group of NEW MISSIONARIES in front of the Mississippi River with Minneapolis in the background!
left to right
back row
Elder McCord, Elder Todd, Elder Orton, Elder Dransfield, Elder Madsen, Elder Doyle
front row
Sister Keys, Sister Children, Sister Howell, Pres. Howell, Elder Whitehead, Elder Thompson, Elder Bennett, Elder Stimson, Elder Ridd, Elder Spencer


March 9, 2010 Zone Conference Oakdale, St. Paul, North St. Paul
Elder Butler, Elder Dahle, Elder Bates, Elder Lutes, Elder Poole, Elder Pilcher
Elder Anderson, Elder Vaughn, Elder Peterson, Elder Bott, Elder Waite


March 9, 2010 Zone Conference Oakdale / St. Paul / North St. Paul
Elder Madsen, Elder Bott, Elder Jensen, Elder Vaughn, Elder Andersen, Elder Butler (with the table), Elder Doyle (with his eyes closed)
Elder Sorenson, Elder Daley, Elder Nelson, Elder Reber, Elder Spencer


March 3, 2010 Minneapolis / Burnsville Zone Conference
Elder Olsen, Elder Livingston, Elder Stewart, Elder Holden, Elder Jurca, Elder Whitehead, Elder Lue
Elder Boehmer, Elder Reupena, Elder Palanite, Elder Farnsworth --- preparing for a scripture shoot out.


February 23, 2010 Missionaries who attended Elder L. Tom Perry Conference
March 1, 2010 Zone Leadership Conference
from left to right
back row:
Elder Doyle, Elder Fisher, Elder Hawkins, Elder Emrich, Elder Hoskins, Elder Vaugh, Elder Bott, Elder Richards, Elder Farnsworth
middle row:
Elder Henderson, Elder Lemonds, Elder Reece, Elder Birkel, Elder Madsen, Elder Richmond, Elder Kinikini, Elder Wardle
front row:
Elder Spencer, Elder Bluem, Sister Howell, President Howell, Elder Smith, Elder Howell

At Zone Leadership Conference, a new mission goal was discussed and set. That every missionary companionship would baptize one person by the end of April. This is always a personal goal for each companionship. But it was set as a mission goal to help everyone baptize, to unify the mission and to really take the goal of baptism seriously.


Feburary 21st 2010 Mission President's Fireside
Elder Mangham, Elder Bond
Elder Hale, Elder Grondel