Elder Zachary Andrews: FROM PH: Leaders, No Hugging

THE VISION OF THE SOUTH

"Make no small plans: This is the vision I have for the South. I believe that one day the South will baptize more people into the church than all other English speaking missions in the world together....We will see the time when we will baptize hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands...In your day you will see a million members of the church in the South. There will be temples plural in the Southern States. What a great call you have to serve with these marvelous people." President Spencer W. Kimball

Monday, February 9, 2015

FROM PH: Leaders, No Hugging

LEADERS-Let's change the mission culture.
Sent Date: Monday, February 9, 2015
Author: President Hansen

Dear Leaders in the Lord's army,

I feel like we have some amazing leaders in the mission. I want to thank each one of you. I have been so impressed that the district leaders are setting goals for finding teaching and baptizing. In every area where the goals are being set they are also being achieved. Congratulations for all that is happening. We have seen many districts with district goals of 15 to 20 lessons per companionship.

That is awesome!

Some of the senior missionaries told me after the transfer meeting that they saw missionaries hugging each other(elders and sisters). I certainly didn't see that but if I did, I would be very disappointed in those missionaries. Let's follow the guidelines of the white handbook. Handshakes are appropriate between genders while we are missionaries. Always stay by your companion so you can see and hear everything that happens and encourage the companions to be obedient. Let's make sure our Zones and Districts are safe and appropriate. Make sure the elders and sisters don't lean on each other or flirt with each other. It is wrong! It is embarrassing for other missionaries. It makes them less effective as missionaries. It makes members doubt our commitment. Lets focus on serving the Lord not ourselves. Let's not plan district or zone activities for finding in each others areas or social activities or any other activities that is not in the basic schedule. See that after district meeting we go back to work not hang out and take another unofficial p-day. You are responsible for these missionaries. Teach them to be focused and purpose driven. Lets make our district meetings training days, not play days.

As leaders we are accountable to the Lord for those in our charge. We have been called to this calling because of the Lord's confidence in us. Lets help our missionaries to be better more committed missionaries.
I love you all and know that this message can only come from you with the power it needs.

Deepest Respect and Love,
President Hansen

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Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission

The first branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in New Orleans with 334 members in 1841. The prophet Joseph Smith sent the first missionary to New Orleans in March of that year. After reaching 169 members in 1849, the New Orleans branch disbanded because of the threat of serious disease in the area. The Southern States Mission, which included Louisiana opened in 1878, but the first missionaries were not sent to the state until nearly 20 years later. Missionary work spread throughout the state during the early twentieth century and by 1930, there were 1500 members. The first ward was established in Shreveport in 1953 and the first stake in New Orleans in 1955.In 1975, the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission was created and by 1980, there were over 12,500 members in the state of Louisiana. By 1989, Louisiana had 22,000 members in seven stakes. In 1998, the First Presidency announced the building of a temple in Baton Rouge. That temple was dedicated on 16 July, 2000.The Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission extends from Natchitoches South to the East and West borders through the state including the Gulf of New Orleans. The mission also includes the South West corner of Mississippi including Natchez, Liberty, and Macomb.