We Did It! 100 Baptisms in March---and more.
30 Mar 2015
Dear Elders and Sisters of the Arizona Mesa MIssion---the greatest missionaries in the world,Like many writers of the Book of Mormon, I wish I could be more perfect and powerful in my writing, and more capable of expressing the things of my soul. Words are not completely adequate to express how I feel. I pray and hope the Spirit will assist in impressing upon you what I am trying to say. I trust that the power of the Holy Ghost will carry it unto your hearts (see 2 Nephi 33:1-3).
We will not know the exact and final number of March baptisms until later in the week, but I am fairly certain that in this past week in the AMM, 36 people were baptized and confirmed. That is more in one week than we had in the entire month of January (27) or February (32). It would bring the total number of baptisms and confirmations for March to 108. I know there is one and possibly two more people who will be baptized and confirmed on March 31, which would bring the total to 110---a mission record and more than double an average month. Our quarterly total would be brought to 169---also a record high. What a miracle!
I am humbled by what has transpired and by what has been accomplished. Above all and before anything else I say, I express my gratitude to and recognize the influence of our Heavenly Father in this effort. I am profoundly thankful for His guidance, inspiration and kindness. My first thoughts as I realized with certainty that we would reach our goal was that we participate in a Mission fast to express our gratitude to Heavenly Father for this blessing and miracle. Perhaps in your next Fast Sunday or even before, you will feel to include this. We don't build altars and offer animal sacrifices any more as an expression of our gratitude or a way to call upon the Lord. We do, as Elder Maxwell suggested, put the animal in us on the altar. We try and do better. We try and be better. We offer broken hearts and contrite spirits. We obey. We appreciate. We remember. We always remember Him.
As we started this process in late 2014, it started as a seed. It grew into an inspired vision, a goal and some very specific plans to baptize 100 people in March. As we progressed I began to see and feel that what we were really doing was to facilitate and be part of the fulfillment of the scripture promise, "Behold, I will hasten my work in its time" (D&C 88:73). I have come to realize that now is that time and you are the missionaries who are called to assist the Lord with His work. All I have ever wanted to do in this effort is to bring glory to Him, to assist in doing His work, and to invite God's childeren to come unto Christ. That is our purpose. That is what has been accomplished in a marvelous and miraculous way.
I am thankful for and recognize your efforts. You have been an unforgettable example to me, and to the members and Church leaders within the Mission. I will never forget your faith for as long as I live. I have had a particular scripture come to my mind several times over the last three months. It is the resurrected Savior speaking to the people in the land Bountiful and recognizing and complimenting them for their faith by saying, "So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great miracles, because of their unbelief" (3 Nephi 19:35). Your faith and that of the members and leaders has truly brought these miracles. I also acknowledge your diligence and hard work. You have worked unceasingly and through discouragement, adversity and opposition.
I feel to say something very important to each of you. There are certainly missionaries who have not had the opportunity to find, teach and baptize someone in March---or perhaps not in January or February either. You will be tempted to feel that you were not a part of this effort or part of the miracle. What I desire to say with all of the emphasis and feeling possible is this: There is not a single missionary in this mission who has not contributed in some way to this success and miracle---not a single one! If you have fasted for this purpose, if you have included this in your prayers, if you have been obedient, if you have labored with your might, then you have contributed. The Lord is pleased with you---each and every one of you.
I have had the feeling many times throughout this quarter, and especially as I have attended baptismal services in March that the Lord is pleased with us and with the many people who have come unto Christ. This has not been about numbers. It has been about our faith and efforts to bring an increasing number of God's children into the Church by understanding and following the doctrine of Christ. When witnessing a baptism, I have heard in my mind many times the words, "Behold, this is my beloved (son or daughter) in whom I am well pleased" (see Matthew 3:13-17).
Fifteen years ago, in February 1999, President Gordon B. Hinckley gave the historic address on missionary work, "Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep". In it he stated the tremendous number of convert baptisms that had happened throughout the Church in the previous year. He stated, "It is wonderful. But it is not enough. I am not being unrealistic when I say that with concerted effort, with recognition of the duty which falls upon each of us as members of the Church, and with sincere prayer to the Lord for help, we could double that number." That is what we did. I can't help but think that President Hinckley is also pleased with us. It has taken 15 years, but you have shown that he is a prophet and seer.
Now that we have done this, what have we learned? Please share with me in todays' email something specific that you have learned through this process. I have pondered this much in the last 24 hours. I want to capture them and put them in a 'bottle' and remember them. There are so many key and valuable things. Another even more important question to ask ourselves is "What can we continue to apply to our individual and Mission efforts in the future so we can continue to hasten the Lord's work?" I have other pressing question that greatly weigh upon me. They are: "What does Heavenly Father want the AMM to do now? Where do we go from here?" I intend to study and ponder these questions in the next week and have them on my mind as I listen to General Conference and prepare for our next Transfer. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will assist me tremendously in this process.
Sorry for the lengthy email, but my heart is full---for you and to the Lord. I didn't know I could have such feelings. May he continue to bless you and this mission. May we continue to live worthy of, expect, and facilitate miracles in this important latter-day work of salvation. Enjoy General Conference. May it be the best one of your life. Enjoy Easter. May it be the best one of your life. The resurrected Lord lives and leads this Church. He loves you and appreciates all you have done. You are truly disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. You have been called of Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life (see 3 Nephi 5:13).
Love, President Jenkins
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