Working with "urgency" in the mission.

A successful missionary uses his time well. President Brinton has been focusing on having more "urgency" in the mission. For example, instead of "waiting" for 20 minutes for an investigator to arrive at the church for a lesson, he has taught our missionaries to use every minute finding new investigators...go out on the street and talk to people until the investigator arrives. Those 20 minutes used well will many times produce a new investigator. Already in January, we have had a number of baptisms reflecting this urgency. The baptismal pool is increasing.

ANGARSK

 Sisters McMurtrey and Christensen with new convert in Angarsk.

Elders Cruse, Price, Pack, Bryson with Sisters Christensen, Bryson and new convert. (Not pictured: Sister McMurtrey and Elder Laws)

IRKUTSK

Elders Salamatin and Johnsen stand with new convert in Irkutsk.

ULAN-UDE

 Elders Shepherd and Brown stand with newest member of the church in Ulan-Ude.

KHABAROVSK

Elders Laursen and Bassett pose with new convert in Khabarovsk.

VLADIVOSTOK

Sisters Christensen and Allison taught this lady (baptized 1/18) and her son (baptized in December). President Brinton and I sat next to her on an airplane when we were returning from Khabarovsk. We introduced the Book of Mormon to her, showed her pictures of our family (sharing that families can be together forever), and invited her to church in Vladivostok. Much to our delight, she came on Sunday with her little boy. We introduced her to the missionaries and the rest is history. Lesson: speak with EVERYONE as Preach My Gospel tells us to do!

Elders Crave and Malmsten, both Assistants to President Brinton, stand with their most recent convert.