Letter From Uncle Daniel

My Uncle Daniel, Bishop Beck

Elder Hackleman,

How are you this week? I have to say, the work you are doing is amazing! I am so excited each week to read the happenings of Vera Cruz. It brings back great memories of when I was in Texas. Except for the fact that I was not nearly as prepared as you are, or as bold, but just as handsome. haha. 

Anyway, I have attached an article in response to your question to Amy. I'm sure she will have a better answer, but it was fun studying that while looking into it. By the way, the car with the speaker idea is genius. I did something similar in San Angelo Texas. Our ward mission leader in that area owned the Mexican radio station, and a tortilla factory, so for service, we started teaching English at the church each week, and he would announce it several times a day on the radio. He also put up fliers in the tortilla factory. Guess what station every Mexican listened to? And guess where they all went if they didn't want to make their own tortillas? That's right, we had a captive audience. After the first week of advertising, the first night of teaching was overwhelming. We had between 30-40 people on our first night, show up to the Relief Society Room, just begging us to teach English. 

We taught it just the same way we learned Spanish in the MTC. The next week, we involved our whole district as there were too many people to handle for just the two of us. We started that about 3 weeks before I was transferred to Fort Worth, and shortly after came home. We had about 10 sincere investigators in that 3 weeks, and many more to follow after I left. On a side note, there is a Beck family that moved into our current ward about two months ago. He is a few years older, but served in the same mission as I did. He was also Spanish speaking, and was the one that converted the ward mission leader mentioned above. How cool is that? Anyway, when I heard about the car/speaker driving around town, I thought it might be something to have them announce English lessons? Not sure how many people there care to learn, but I would imagine there are several. It is a pretty non-threatening way to get them into our building. Then, the spirit will take over from there as you already know. Just a thought. Just keep letting the spirit guide you with all of the strange ways of finding. 

I love the random name idea. Who would of ever thought a less active member would be found doing that? It just proves that the manner of finding isn't as critical as the desire to find. 

"If you have the desire to serve God, 

You are called to the work." 

"Knock and it shall be opened unto you." 

I know how true that statement is. And also know the blessings that come from being a doer of the word. I have one more thing to share. When you get a chance, sooner than later, read and study the word Ministry in the Bible Dictionary. There is a lot of doctrine taught in it. It starts out like this: 

"The work of the ministry is to do the work of the Lord on the earth- to represent the Lord among the people, preach the gospel, and administer the ordinances thereof. The chosen servants (you) and appointed officers in the Church of Jesus Christ are put on earth by Him to conduct the work necessary for the salvation of mankind. A minister called of God, as was Aaron, and endowed with the holy priesthood, represents the Lord when he is performing his official duties and is the Lord's agent." 

Elder Hackleman, I know that you are worthy of this work. I also know that you are the Lords agent, and when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, it is the same as if He were doing it. It is hard sometimes to understand that, but it is true. I have no doubt that he is guiding your work, and that you will bless the lives of so many people. Even more than you will know in this life. You are blessing the lives of my family by being such a great example and a guide for all of us to follow. May the Lord continue to bless you as you serve. I love you and think about you often. I have to say, I am a bit jealous and wish we could go knock some doors together. Or rather, clap outside of the fence and say some random name. haha. Love you buddy, have a great week.

Answer:

D&C 45:24–30. What Are the “Times of the Gentiles” and When Are They Fulfilled?
President Joseph Fielding Smith explained that “the times of the Gentiles commenced shortly after the death of our Redeemer. The Jews soon rejected the Gospel and it was then taken to the Gentiles. The times of the Gentiles have continued from that time until now. The Lord said: ‘But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.’ In that day the Gospel was given first to the Jews and then taken to the Gentiles. In this dispensation it was taken first to the Gentiles and afterwards it will go to the Jews.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:196.)

The times of the Gentiles began with Peter’s vision and the baptism of Cornelius (see Acts 10). Paul and the other Apostles then began the greatmissionary work to the Gentiles, since the Jewish nation, for the most part, had rejected Jesus. As President Smith indicated, the times that the major gospel effort would be with gentile nations continued with the Restoration. The times of the Gentiles will be over, or fulfilled, when the major efforts of gospel teaching begin to focus on the house of Israel: the Lamanites, the Jews, and the ten tribes.

In the Olivet Discourse, the Savior gave four signs to indicate when the times of the Gentiles were over. Three are given in section 45, and one is given in Luke’s account of the great discourse.