Newsletter July 2021 Gathering Scattering Israel

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Lawton Oklahoma Stake

Newsletter July 2021

Gathering Scattered Israel

Inviting ALL to receive the blessings of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ

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Recent Convert Temple Trip, June 2021

Welcome

Happy to have you here! Thank you for serving in our Savior’s restored church and building Zion on earth. We know, as leaders in the Lawton Oklahoma Stake, that EVERY effort counts! God’s children around the world (and in our Stake) are blessed to have your positive influence. Let’s enjoy Loving, Sharing, and Inviting together. We hope you are encouraged and inspired by our Newsletter. Please forward to all within your organization. Email new missionary experiences to: michaelhenderson22@gmail.com

Lawton Oklahoma Stake, Gathering Israel Newsletter

STORIES

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The Early’s Family Fire

June 2021

Mark Early, a convert of 1 year, along with his wife Stephani and daughter Asa, attended the recent convert temple baptism day. This was Mark’s first temple experience! He was baptized for his Dad and Grandfather, and his wife was baptized for his mother, which Mark was able to witness. The spirit of Elijah was palpable, along with the glowing testimony that families can be together for eternity.

Mark has more family members’ names prepared and set two more temple baptismal dates, July 7th, and 24th! The Early’s continue to find and baptize members of their family. The fire of temple and eternal families is glowing bright in the Early’s home.

Early’s, thank you for your amazing example of gathering Israel! Members and friends of the Lawton 2nd ward, thank you for all your work helping the Early family.

“Do you want to come to Church with us?”

Brock and Nicole Wagenen, Wichita Falls Ward

A story in Nicole‘s own words: “It is pretty simple. I was making muffins one Sunday and we had no eggs so we went over to our neighbors! We knew this couple from the Airforce and had become friends with them really fast. They lent us eggs and mentioned how they missed church because they slept in. We invited them to come with us and they have been attending with us for over a month now. They also invited their friends to come! Brock and I had the missionaries over for breakfast and when Cece and Christian (the friends) found out, they also wanted to feed the missionaries which resulted in them receiving lessons.

They have met so many people from the church that have treated them with kindness. They are currently reading the Book of Mormon (they were skeptical at first, but are feeling good about it now). They even came with us to the [Ward] pancake breakfast [4th of July weekend].

Things that they have told us they love: everyone so welcoming at church, different people speaking, going to Sunday School, learning from others, no one getting kicked out when their baby is loud, and what they know about the gospel so far.”

Van Wagenens you loved, invited others to serve (asked for eggs), and invited. Perfect example. So cool your friends are already loving, sharing, and inviting too--even before their baptism!

Encouragement from our Prophet

“Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God... you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that”

(Russell M. Nelson, “Hope of Israel,” worldwide devotional for youth, June 3, 2018, churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts)

Resources

Worldwide Broadcast on Sharing the Gospel: Love. Share. Invite.

Church’s website for sharing the Gospel

Lawton Oklahoma Stake, Gathering Israel Newsletter

Statistics

Our Stake and Missionaries are tracking all we can to hasten the Gathering. Below you will see our progress.

Stake standards of Excellence

All units with active Mission Plan
80% of all lessons taught by missionaries are with members
Weekly coordination discussion with youth and adult leaders over missionary work.