Mark Vickers, Houston, Texas Missionary: January 9, 2017

The Hastening (and "the Fight") Intensifies in the New Year!

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

We look forward with great anticipation to the miracles that the Lord will work work in this new year. As you are now aware, we are on the road to 630 baptisms in 2017. We have great reasons to believe that 2017 will be the greatest year in the history of the mission. These reasons include:

1. A shared vision to establish Zion (first within the mission as has happened in 2016 and now with the stakes and wards) by accomplishing our purpose and strengthening and establishing the church.

2. An expectation of all missionaries to get 6 days of at least 15 ITLs each week.

3. We enter this year for the first time with each missionary committed to do all they can to baptize with personal goals to baptize

4. A focus on and understanding of the need to commit people to church every Saturday night (Operation Church and Rescue)

5. A full year with the entire THM Toolkit

The Adversary is well aware of what is happening here and he is going to fight. We need to be prepared to do the same. In the Book of Mormon, we read that when the Lamanites came against the people of Limhi. The fight became intense and the Lamanites fought like "lions for their prey." We then read that despite the fact that the Nephites (missionaries) were not "half so numerous", they did have a righteous cause: they fought for families! We then read that because of their cause, the Nephites "exerted themselves and like dragons did they fight" (Mosiah 20:10-11) prevailing over the enemy.

If we are going to prevail in a similar way as the people of Limhi did we need to be prepared for the fight. In the New Testament, Paul teaches us what that will require. We would like you to read the following verses and determine what changes you need to make to be prepared to prevail:

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Eph 6)

We look forward to the fight! Personal righteousness will be key. Truth and righteousness will always prevail! We feel so humbled to be able to work along side each of you assist in this great work!

Love,