Winter Edition of Preaching Fourth

 

Sister Katelynn Morris

Henderson, Nevada

May 2025

Sister Morris is still on tour. Six months in Kirkland, then she moved to the Henderson Nevada Mission. Her first area was in Arizona (a shout out to her brother serving in AZ). But, she lived in California. She recently got to attend the temple. Her Mission president and his wife came and took her and her companion to the Redlands temple.

She was serving in a community that in the summer has about thirty active members. However, in the winter, there are almost four hundred. Sister Morris loves serving in the mature community. Her family teases her that they are “her people”. Before the mission, she worked in a retirement home and loved every minute of it.

She just got transferred to Henderson Nevada. Her area is the largest retirement community in her mission. Who would have guessed that she would be transferred there. Just more people for her to love. She still loves her friends from her old area and excited for those committed to baptism. 

She was surprised to know that Brendon Urie’s parents are in her new area (the lead singer for Panic at the Disco). They have a dinner appointment soon.

Sister Morris is learning to appreciate different types of companions. She just found out that she will be in a trio this transfer.

She loves studying the Book of Mormon and is reading the Old Testament. She wants all the prayers that she can get from her family and loved ones.

Elder Joonho Lee

California Anaheim Mission

June 2025

I've served in Compton for the first 3 months on my mission, and just concluded my 4 months in Yorba Linda. It's been a really fun time in that area! I've seen the miracles of bringing one of our friends to the waters of baptism, and the change in his countenance, his appearance, and his attitude. It truly shows that he has that gift of the Holy Ghost, and the blessings of great joy that the Lord promises each of us as we strive to learn, remember, emulate, and align with His example. 

Now I'm serving Korean-speaking in the Korean Branch, and it's probably expected that I'll be here for another 4 months or longer! Love you 4th ward! 

 

Elder Seth Rindlisbacher

Brazil Belem Mission

August 2025

Well, this whole mission thing is a lot harder than anyone ever said it would be lol! However, I've done a lot of praying, a lot of studying, a lot of working, a lot of service, and I can truly say that I've never been happier. It's so hard in ways that I never expected, and it's the most rewarding in ways that I never expected. The work is going well. A few weeks ago we had zone conference which was so wonderful. I just love my mission president!! Transfers are next week, which is so crazy to me. If each transfer continues sto speed up like my they have been, my mission is already over haha! I'm currently in the second area of Brazil (Abaetetuba) with my second companion, Elder Pereira. Elder Pereira and I had around 6 baptisms lined up and they all fell through this transfer! Can you believe it? We must be the worst missionaries out there ;). Other than that, I don't think there is much to report. I miss all of your smiling and beautiful faces! I wish I could share this love, joy, and these wonderful experiences with you all. I love you all! AÇAI!!! 

Elder Nicholas Morris

Phoenix Arizona Mission

Elder Morris was surprised how much he liked the MTC. He had a great MTC district where they shared their testimonies and studied together. The food wasn’t bad, but it did give him a surprise when he helped to clean the kitchen. It was a wonderful time.

Brothers and sisters, Elder Morris has left the building. Well, the MTC at least. After a short flight, he arrived in the Pheonix Arizona Mission. They spent the first day hiking in the hills around the temple. Got to know his mission president and his wife.

He found out that his president will go home in May and his mission will be split. He is kind of torn about this but will look forward to the opportunities.

His trainer is Elder Washburn. He is a good elder. Their area is Madison which north of Phoenix. They have a few friends that are progressing towards baptism.

Elder Morris is learning about personal prayer and being voice in blessings. He sends a big “Hello” to his Plano fourth ward family.

Plano 4^th Ward

Sister Nickel & Sister Chapin

Our ward is blessed with two sisternaries right now.

Sister Nickel  from St. George, Utah and Sister Chapin from Phoenix, Arizona.

These Sisternaries are GO-Getters!  Nothing slows them down.  Sister Chapin’s first week on her mission, Plano was treated to a week of ICE and SNOW! They were not allowed to drive their car and so they were on foot slipping and sliding all over Plano 4^th ward. We LOVE having them in our ward and LOVE the friends they invite to come on Sundays. We LOVE that we are invited to go to lessons when they have a friend to teach.  We get to take turns going and always look forward to our turn. Our ward Missionaries get to help them teach a Book of Mormon Class on Thursday evenings which is always a full house.  Sister Higbee is a great teacher there.

 

A New Apostle is in the Land

Elder Clark G. Gilbert

 

 

It's Autumn Time at Preaching Fourth

 

Sister Katelynn Morris

Kirtland Temple Visitors Center

May 2025

I'm now in Henderson Nevada mission. I live California, but I proselyte is in Arizona.

It was hard to say goodbye to the beautiful Kirtland Temple and visitor’s areas.  I loved taking visitors on tours. 

The second half of my mission is proselyting in Henderson Nevada. I’m sure you already know this but Arizona doesn't do daylight saving. That is something we have to work around for all of our zoom meeting. 

I got to open up an area, it hasn't had missionaries in 5 year. The last ones were senior couples. It's a really fun place, it's mostly trailers, and 5 wheelers. Not a whole lot of houses out there. A lot of people that come here are snowbirds that are retired. We don't even have a ward, it's a branch. There are 34 people in the summer, but they said it will grow to over 400 people. 

Elder Joonho Lee

California Anaheim Mission

June 2025

1 Nephi 4:6-7

6 And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. 

7 Nevertheless I went forth…

As I was rereading from the beginning of the Book of Mormon, I came across these verses again and realized I overlooked “led by the Spirit.” Nephi is led by the Spirit because he first sought the Spirit. If you watch the video of this scene, you'll see that Nephi takes a moment to pause and listen to the Spirit. I have no doubt that was an inspired decision from whoever was in charge of directing that video. Lately in my missionary work, I've been “[going] and [doing]” but totally forgot about the element of the Spirit. Faith is not just “go and do” despite not knowing what comes next, but seeking the Spirit for that direction. I invite you to pause when you come across a decision, listen, and seek the Spirit to guide you this week!

Elder Seth Rindlisbacher

Brazil Belem Mission

August 2025

 

EU SOU BRAZILERO

Well, I'm here in Brazil, can you believe. Yeah, me neither. Life here is very different, but I have to say, given the heat, humidity, sweat, and constant walking, I quite like it here. I am in Belem proper, covering the bairros (or neighborhoods) of Jurunas, Condor, and Batista Campos. It's a pretty cool area bordering the river which flows into the Atlantic. We live about a 20 minute walks worth outside of our area in the Sisters area. On the road to get to our area is a very pretty park (the nicest part of Belem I've seen yet). The people here are very nice and anytime I say I don't speak great Portuguese but I still would like to testify of Christ with the little bit of broken Portuguese I do know, they always cut me off and say I have great Portuguese and then again when I leave they remind me that my Portugues is very good. 

 

Plano 4^th Ward

Sister Boyer, Sister Nickel,

Sister Fisher

Our ward is blessed with three sisternaries right now.

Sister Boyer from Raleigh, North Carolina, Sister Nickle from St. George, Utah and Sister Fisher from Meridian, Idaho near Boise.

These Sisternaries are GO-Getters!  Nothing slows them down.  We LOVE having them in our ward and LOVE the friends they invite to come on Sundays. We LOVE that we are invited to go to lessons when they have a friend to teach.  We get to take turns going and always look forward to our turn. Our ward Missionaries get to help them teach a Book of Mormon Class on Thursday evenings which is always a full house.  Sister Higbee is a great teacher there.

Sister Urling just returned to Idaho Falls a few weeks ago.  She served in our ward for 3 transfers and in that time she found a place in all of our hearts.  We miss her.  

A New Apostle is in the Land

Elder Gerald Causse

Summer Time Edition of Preaching Fourth

 

Sister Katelynn Morris

Kirtland Temple Visitors Center

May 2025

Sister Katelynn Morris departed for the MTC after a week of at home MTC and then on to her first mission assignment of the Kirtland Temple Visitors Center in Kirtland, Ohio.  She is loving being there and has found many opportunities to share the gospel with visitors that come.  I loved this photo of her with the snake.  She is still the very brave Katelynn

brave Katelynn

Elder Joonho Lee

California Anaheim Mission

June 2025

Elder Joonho departed for the MTC and then on to Anaheim California I loved when he shared in a recent letter about the war chapters found in Alma 57:3 It became expedient that we should wait, that we might receive more strength…

Honestly, at first I didn’t know what to take away from the war chapters of Alma (because where are the Gospel principles??). BUT they're EVERYWHERE. What I've learned is that sometimes we have to wait, endure the tribulations, and prepare. The army of Helaman always prepared. They didn't just wait to receive aid, but they were always looking ahead. I invite y'all to do the same! When it gets hard, look ahead and prepare! Which means study yo scriptures 🫵🙂 Joonho is loving serving the Lord.

Elder Seth Rindlisbacher

Brazil Belem Mission

August 2025

Elder Seth spoke in Sacrament Meeting in the Plano 4^th Ward on Sunday morning.  He nearly filled the chapel with visiting family and friends and LOTS of cute girls.  I’m so glad I was there to hear his story of his last four years of becoming converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It was soo powerful.  You are going to rock the mission field Elder Seth. I love this photo of his family at the Dallas Temple.

Plano 4^th Ward

Sister Urling & Sister Lauritzen

Our ward is blessed with two sisters currently.  We are loving having Sister Urling from Idaho Falls and Sister Lauritzen from Arizona.  This month of Pioneer Day they learned to walk and walk and walk as their miles were used up and they had to practice walking instead of driving.  We are so grateful a new month of miles begins on Saturday.  We love these sisters They work and walk hard.  They have a friend ready to be baptized next week!!!!

 

Summer Time Edition of Preaching Fourth

 

Elder Jacob Mass

North Dakota Bismarck

HOME!!!

It’s great to have Jacob back home.  He is getting ready to head to BYU Idaho in Rexburg in a few weeks.  What a great missionary he was.  Welcome Home Jacob!

 

Sister Becky Bryant

Australia Melbourne

HOME!

Sister Bryant returned at the first of the month and  has put her house on the market and sold it and bought a home up on Lake Texoma.  Oh how we are going to miss her.  She’s been a great example to so many of us.  You will be missed Becky!

Elder Albert Marrero

Texas Dallas East Mission

Spanish Speaking

 

Since I transferred from Idaho, I've had no shortage of service and teaching opportunities! My assignments have taken me from Melissa to Rowlett and even to the Philippines! (Via Zoom teaching English to other missionaries!)

I serve the Plano 2nd ward on Sundays, teaching the youth Sunday School class and helping the Spanish missionaries teach English classes. I also join them for lessons with their friends.

I serve weekly at a clothing warehouse, Trusted World, and a food pantry called Life Message, both help the ]community incredibly with the service they render.

The weekends are my favorite as I serve at the Temple! I have seen so many miracles and have felt the Spirit so strong in helping others make sacred covenants that bind them to our Heavenly Father.

Nearing the end of my missionary service, I’ve reflected on my time both teaching and serving. I can say with certainty that my mission has been the best mission ever! Though it hasn’t been without difficulties, I have grown so much, especially as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

There is no replacement for the two years I’ve spent dedicated to the Lord and though I wish it didn’t have to end so soon, the Lord expects us to continue to live in faithful service to Him through all chapters of our life. And so as I enter into my next chapter, I say ¡Adelante, con fe! Elder Marrero

 

Elder Marrero was the Grand Marshall in the July 4^th Parade, see photo below

Sister Brianna Day

Taiwan Taipei Mission

Mandarin Chinese Speaking

Hello Hi! 

 

Hello everyone! Everything is SO GOOD on this little island and I can't believe I only have 2 weeks left. To say we've seen some miracles would be undercutting it. I think in my last transfer, I'm confident to say that I see miracles every. day. it's when we put faith to action, compromising our own will for God's, that miracles begin to abound. I've learned so much and I can't wait to come back and share them with you! lots of love from Taiwan !!! 

 

xoxo Sister Day

 

 Plano 4^th Ward
Elder Stroud and Elder Little

 

Our Elder Stroud, served with our Elder Guzman in Durant Oklahoma.  They found this golden couple to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to and the baptism was earlier this month.  Elder Stroud got to travel to Durant for the baptism.  Brother Thiot and I got to drive them.  We loved getting to meet these new converts.

Our Elders are working hard and have several awesome friends taking the lessons.  We love getting to help to bring them to Jesus Christ

 

 

Spring TIme Edition of Preaching Fourth

 

Elder Matt Baker

Brazil, Belo Horizonte Mission

Portuguese Speaking HOME!!!

Elder Matt Baker is HOME and got to give TWO homecoming addresses in his new ward in Allen first and then he returned to 4^th Ward to Report.  Oh how we loved feeling his great spirit and hearing all the valuable lessons he learned while serving.  We couldn’t be prouder of these awesome 4^th Ward Missionaries when they return home to us.  He is making plans for summer and then will return to BYU in the Fall!  WELCOME HOME!!

Elder Jacob Mass

North Dakota Bismarck

 I've started to make a list of things I have learned on my mission. Here are some:

 1. God is really there and he hears and will answer every single prayer that is offered to him, although that prayer may not be answered in the way we had hoped or imagined. 

2. The best thing we can do as servants and disciples of the lord is to love. In this fallen world we live in, the best thing to find but is often the hardest to find is love and compassion to ourselves and to those around us. 

3. When all else fails, turn to God. God has the power to bring about literal miracles into our lives especially when we feel don't need or deserve them. Miracles are demonstrations of the lord's love, power, and patience with each and every single one of his children. When you turn to God, you are making the best decision you could ever make.

4. Focus on your eternal identity. Often it is a question within us regarding who we really are or if we even loved or worthy to have God in our lives. God loves each and every single one of us perfectly with a white, pure love despite our many limitations and mistakes. "Yes, we might sometimes want to run away from where we are, but we certainly should never run away from who we are."-Elder Holland 

5. Always remember the spiritual experiences you have had and have a desire to want more of them. When we have spiritual experiences they shape who we are and those experiences are meant to be remembered. There is a reason the lord allows certain experiences to happen to each of us. 

6. Don't doubt the lord in his timing. Often the lord will give us a certain revelation or ask something of us, that our first instinct would be to question "why this" and "why that" but the real question should be "what is the lord trying to help me understand." Or "what miracle is the lord trying to work in my life by this revelation?"

Let me know what your favorite lesson I've learned so far is. 

Love yall Elder Mass

Sister Amanda Morris

Spain Madrid HOME!!!!

Our Sister Amanda Morris is HOME!!!  Her parents and her little sister went to Spain to bring her back home to us.  They had a lovely time seeing all her areas and meeting many of the wonderful people she was able to teach and minister too.  Amanda gave a beautiful homecoming talk and we loved learning what she had learned being on the Lords Team for 18 months.  Welcome home for a few minutes before you return to school!   

Elder Albert Marrero

Texas Dallas East Mission

Spanish Speaking

Our Elder Marrero is keeping very busy serving in many different ways each week. Every where he serves they love and appreciate the help he brings and his sweet Spanish skills come in handy too.  We are so proud of him and the commitment he has to serve.   We love you Elder Albert!!

 Sister Becky Bryant

Australia Melbourne

Australia and a senior mission are quite a combination. There are so many opportunities to help the missionaries.  We have found families for missionaries to teach.  My companion tutors people in English. I help with math.

The housing, senior missionaries are overwhelmed.  We have checked out many rentals for them. There is a rental shortage.  Many people want to rent, but the Elders always win out when we tell the landlords the Elders do not drink, smoke, party or be loud AND that we inspect their place every six weeks for cleanliness and minor repairs.

Yesterday I had to drive pretty far to collect keys from two sets of Elders that had left a home that was sold.   I delivered the keys to the realtor.  Senior missionaries get to help where needed.  I am grateful.

Sister Brianna Day

Taiwan Taipei Mission

Mandarin Chinese Speaking

早早早 Plano 4th!!! I love you all and am SO GRATEFUL for each and EVERY one of you! As many of you may know, Taiwan experienced their biggest earthquake in the past 25 years earlier this month, of a 7.2 magnitude. Of which the epicenter was right in HuaLian, my new area! I've got to say, experiencing that earthquake was something I'll never forget. Needless to say, my companion and I are safe. After the earthquake and many aftershocks, we've had plenty of service and missionary opportunities in this beautiful beach town. As scary as that experience was, it's been beautiful seeing the outcome of it. I've seen SO much love from our Heavenly Father as He blesses our friends, members, and me! God is so good. Happy Spring! 

Plano 4^th Ward Missionaries

Elder Hitchcock  & Elder Miller

These two Elders have been working hard in 4^th Ward.  We’ve loved having them and with transfer calls coming this week we are crossing our fingers that they will stay with us another six weeks.  We had a great new sister baptized on the 20^th of April.  Sister Diamond Smith.  We’ve loved getting to know her and can feel her strength in our ward already. 

 

Transfer calls came and Elder Hitchcock was transferred to Wells Point.  Welcome Elder Stroud.  Fun fact, Elder Stroud’s dad grew up in Plano 4^th Ward until 1990.  Pretty cool!