The Priesthood

"Shawn Fernando was given the Priesthood and ordained to the office of a Priest last week. That's pretty exciting. We're teaching him tonight at about temples and church organization. He's one of those "golden" investigators that just soaks everything up. Yesterday, Brother Griffeth, 1st counselor of the Bishopric, asked me and Wes Carter (his home teacher) to give him a blessing after church. He's been sick and is having surgery today. He's pretty scared. He's one of the coolest guys I know. He's one of those guys that just wants to be friends and have fun with everyone. He played basketball for Ricks back in the day. It's always humbling to be asked to serve a faithful member as a priesthood holder."

~Elder Maughan

A Catholic, a Jew, a convert and two Mormon Missionaries....(Sounds like and intro to a bad joke, but it's not!)

Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth.

Doctrin and Covenants 50:13-14

"We have couple of other investigators that are doing great. One woman is about your age, maybe older, she's really busy with her children and work, she teaches at a Catholic school, scary. She's way nice though. Her name is Virginia. We started teaching a Jewish woman last night. Holy cow, am I glad I've been studying abouth the tribes of Israel last week. She had some good questions about the relationship between the Twelve Tribes and the Twelve Apostles, what happened to the priesthood that was held by the Jews when Christ came. Tough stuff. Marty Oostreicher is a Jewish convert of about two years. He knows his stuff, Judiasm and Christianity. He works for BYU-I doing something, I'm not sure what. He said he'd go with us to teach, but if he can't that he'll visit with us and help us understand Judiasm a bit better, I can't wait."

~Elder Maughan

He's staying on Staten Island

Justin's letter today was upbeat and happy, as usual.

Elder Maughan and Elder Godwin are staying together and staying on Staten Island for atleast one more transfer. He seemed happy about this.

They had a baptism Sunday. A young man named Shawn. Shawn will be confirmed next Sunday.

A few words from today's letter

ABOUT THE WORK: "Everthing is great on the Eastern Front, as Grandpa refers to it. We've got people being baptized, people to teach, and ward that loves us."

~Elder Maughan

Some more from today's letter

ABOUT GENERAL CONFERENCE: "Wow! Conference was amazing! What a way to begin conference, such a powerful first session. Saturday was awsome and ended with PRIESTHOOD SESSION. It all went way too fast. Conference is a nice break from all the work but its still exhausting. It was over so soon. Every speaker spoke with such power and with such authority. I did get a bit emotional as President Monson spoke of the Living Waters that I grew up with."

~Elder Maughan

The traffic isn't the only thing moving fast in NYC!

Everything is moving so fast in this city. We're teaching all the time. We're finally getting member referals. Everything is so much better then it used to be. I love it.

I love you too.

Elder Maughan

This reminds me of a quote from Elder Bednars talk from April 2008 General Conference titled, "Ask in Faith".

"We properly pray for the safety and success of the full-time missionaries throughout the world. And a common element in many of our prayers is a request that the missionaries will be led to individuals and families who are prepared to receive the message of the Restoration. But ultimately it is my responsibility and your responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach. Missionaries are full-time teachers; you and I are full-time finders. And you and I as lifelong missionaries should not be praying for the full-time missionaries to do our work!"

What a great reminder to all of us. This has changed the way our family prays for our missionaries!

Three scheduled Baptisms!

Just to let you know, so you wouldn't mourn too heavily for me, we DID receive a letter from Justin yesterday. Apparently, it was suspended somewhere in cyber-space. Or maybe, I was being taught a lesson in patience! Either way, he sent it yesterday morning and I just barely received it today. As you can imagine, I had a million thoughts running through my "mother-head" about why he wouldn't write to his dear old mom. I won't bore you, or, in some cases, make you laugh (AT me, mostly, not WITH me) with the details. Just know, I'm very relieved! (as I'm sure are all my friends are who got to hear me whine!)

Anyway, on to more important items. Elder Maughan and Elder Godwin have THREE baptisms scheduled for October 5th, between the morning and afternoon sessions of General Conference. Two of the candidates are from Lyberia, Abraham and Ernest. The third cadidate just walked into church from off the street. He wants to be baptized so he and his fiance, who is already a member, can be married in the Temple.

Elder Maughan said that he and Elder Godwin have been very busy. They've been going through old records and looking up past, potential investigators. He said "the work is flying!"

All is well in New York!