Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission - Newsletter

Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission 

Sunday July 24, 2016 

Message from President Miner 

Dear Pioneers,

As we seek to find a new path for the Church to grow in Russia we can now aptly be called pioneers — those who go before to lead the way or forge a new path. As we write this, July 24, we mark the 169th anniversary of the arrival of the first Saints in the Salt Lake Valley. Being a pioneer necessarily means some level of uncertainty because, after all, we are traveling where few or none have tread before. It takes some experimentation to find the best path, some trial and error. We have to be willing to explore new routes, even make a few mistakes. It isn’t for those who prefer to be told exactly how to do things, those who would rather not act but be acted upon. Being a pioneer is for those with an adventurous spirit who, when presented with a challenge, respond with, “Hey, this is going to be fun and interesting. Let’s do it!” 

It’s now incumbent upon us to find a new path, a better path. We will learn incrementally, step-by-step. We will learn from one another. It may take some time to establish this new path but we are the ones chosen to do it. Remember Mordecai’s words to Esther when he presented her with a plan to save the Jews, "and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) Do you think it is a coincidence we were sent to Russia at this time? I don’t think so. 

I feel to stand and shout like Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball did when they left their families to commence their mission to Great Britain. They were so sick they were being carried off in the bed of a wagon. The families they were leaving behind were just as sick. They had travelled a very short distance when they told their driver to stop. Gathering their courage and all their strength they muscled their way to their feet, waved their hats over their heads three times and shouted as loudly as they could, “Hurrah, hurrah, for Israel!” Such is the spirit of a pioneer.

With love,

President Miner