Date
March 26, 2020
Sent By
Europe Area President
Update from Europe Area President
EUROPE AREA PRESIDENCY
Porthstrasse 5-7
Frankfurt am Main 60435 Germany
To all Missionaries in the Europe Area
Dear Elders and Sisters,
26 March 2020
Thank you for taking a few minutes to read this message. We know you currently have time to do this! We hear of wonderful ways you are using this time of isolation to fortify and deepen your faith through personal study and introspection and to pursue new on-line missionary possibilities.
You may be aware that some missionaries from certain international areas have been returning home to be released or reassigned. This may lead one to believe this is a Churchwide missionary directive, but this is not the case. After reviewing various factors, the decision was made for missionaries in the almost 50 countries comprising the Europe and the Europe East areas as well as Taiwan to remain in their countries and shelter in place. Some near-term release dates, however, may need to be moved up slightly because of reduced airline schedules. Our situation could change, but we feel at peace with this current course under the direction of Elder Uchtdorf who supervises Europe and chairs the Missionary Executive Council for the Church globally.
Elder Uchtdorf spoke of Joseph Smith’s experience in Liberty Jail in his recent message to the missionaries of the world. Sections 121, 122, and 123 of the Doctrine and Covenants illuminate how Joseph was spiritually tutored in the midst of his difficult trials, emerging even stronger. Please take some time to prayerfully read these sections and you will gain a greater appreciation of this wonderful prophet of the restoration who wrote these sections by candlelight in a dark and frigid jail.
Elder Uchtdorf also reminded us that through the aid of amazing technology, we can be in communication with our families and friends and increasingly utilize this wonderful means to share gospel messages. We are encouraged to hear how you are finding, teaching, fellowshipping, reactivating, and ministering on-line.
The miracle of technology is far greater than anticipated, even by those who made it possible. Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, said that that no one would ever need more memory than 64K. This is the same amount of memory as the 1969 NASA computer which guided astronauts to the moon and back. By comparison, a smart phone with 256 GB of memory has 4 billion times more memory and is 120 million times faster than was NASA’s.
With such tremendous power comes tremendous potential as well as tremendous responsibility. At a time, long before there were personal computers, smart phones, and Google, President David O. McKay prophesied of the amazing scientific discoveries that would come in our day. In the 1966 October General Conference, he said, “They stagger the imagination. ...Discoveries latent with such potent power, either for the blessing or the destruction of human beings as to make men’s responsibility in controlling them the most gigantic ever placed in human hands. This age is fraught with limitless perils as well as untold possibilities.”
AP-SM-1112 – Letter to Europe Area Missionaries
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President Russell M. Nelson has also given us timely prophetic counsel for our day with the emphasis for home-centered, church-supported discipleship. In Doctrine and Covenants 21:6, we have this promise if we follow the prophet: “For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory.” In other words, we need not fear if we are obedient. What a great gift to be led by living prophets!
Please use this time to spiritually nourish yourself, your companion, and others through study, prayer, and the valuable Church content available on-line. The adversary knows this is a potentially powerful season for you to fortify your heart and mind and, therefore, wants to distract you from your purpose. He is good at what he does but he has no power over you unless you allow it. Please use technology only for a noble and good purpose and you will be greatly blessed.
There is a good lesson to be learned from an incident that occurred during World War II when Germany’s most powerful battleship, the mighty Bismarck, was sunk 277 days after it was launched. The Bismarck was the pride of the German navy and was thought to be almost indestructible. It had the best technology, defenses, and weapons which made it almost impervious to the attacks of the Allies. What caused it to sink was not a direct assault; it could easily outmaneuver and outfight any other ship. Rather, it was a slight hit by a torpedo to its steering rudder which slowed its speed and made steering impossible. The crippled vessel could only move slowly in circles, making it a sitting duck for those pursuing it.
This is a critical time to protect your personal steering rudder so you can be guided by the Spirit and be safe from danger. There is nothing quite so important as developing the ability to recognize the promptings of the Spirit and to have the courage to follow them. The Spirit enlightens our minds and fills us with joy and peace. It is present when we are humble, pure, kind, and loving. It flees contention and pride. Spiritual impressions or warnings come to us strongly when we error but can cease to warn us if we do not listen and become “past feeling.” The Spirit is also strongly felt when we have the courage to correct our course and repent. What a great opportunity you have on your missions to learn the language of the Spirit.
My ancestor Mary Powell came across the plains pulling a handcart in the first handcart company. In the same company was a man by the name of John Rowe Moyle, a stone mason, who often extended help to others who journeyed with him to Zion. Later, when the construction began on the Salt Lake Temple, John walked 22 miles each way once a week to help with the work. After doing this for twenty years, he suffered a terrible accident causing the amputation of his leg. When his partial leg had healed, he carved a wooden leg which enabled him to once again walk the 22 miles to continue his consecrated labor. It is his faithful and skilled handiwork high upon the east wall of the temple which reads, “Holiness to the Lord.”
My ancestor Mary also wrote in her journal of another John who was in the same handcart company but gave up on his journey with the saints once the trail was no longer flat and easy. He was unwilling to put in the effort to succeed. There may be times when we need to pause on our journey because of health, family, or other issues, but not because the trail is steep. President Eyring’s mother said to him on one occasion, “Hal, you will know you are on the right path if it is uphill.” Life is full of beautiful vistas and nice pathways, but it is on the uphill climb where we strengthen those spiritual muscles which sustain us through life and prepare us for life hereafter.
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When I think of isolation and trials, Moroni comes to mind. He was isolated for twenty years as he hid from those who were seeking to destroy him and the sacred records he kept because he would not deny Christ. I can’t imagine how lonely he must have been but look what resulted from his faith and courage: his life has blessed millions! When we read the Book of Mormon, it is humbling to know that it is a record preserved and delivered by an angel, this very Moroni, for our day and for our salvation.
You dear missionaries remind me of the courageous strippling warriors. They had suffered many wounds but were victorious in saving their brethren who were about to be overtaken by their enemies. We are all in a battle today against the adversary and his accomplices, but we know how the struggle ends. The Savior has affirmed, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” He also assured, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” What a great comfort it is to know that our Father’s plan is designed to provide us with His greatest gift, the gift of eternal life which is the life He lives.
Thank you for your courage, goodness, and faith. Please remember who you are: sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents with a divine purpose and a clear path home. Please be grateful and count your blessings for you will never be happier than you are grateful. This is a time to thank Heavenly Father each day for your many blessings: your health, your loving family and friends, and especially for an understanding of our Father’s marvelous plan and the gift of the Savior’s atonement. I bear you my witness that this church is indeed led by the Savior of the world for whose return we are preparing. There is nothing else more important or more sacred that you could be engaged in. Thank you again for your service. May the Lord bless and keep you both safe and happy.
With love and blessings,
Gary B. Sabin
Europe Area Presidency