Going to the Temple

Mount Timpanogos Temple

On Thursday, April 8th Ryan was able to go through the temple for the first time. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful experience to be there with him, as well as with family and friends.

Jeff, Teri and Ryan

Ryan and his friend, Kevin Olsen

Will he go to Mongolia?

(Early Spring) Word has been circulating and Ryan has found out that a lot of the missionaries being called to Mongolia are being reassigned. There wasn't a lot of clarity or understanding on our part as to exactly why, but this is what we do know. Yes, missionaries are being reassigned. Due to entry restrictions in conjunction with obtaining visas, Mongolia is putting into place certain restrictions in order to receive entry visas. It is not unusual. The U.S. has had strict entry requirements for a long time, too. Most countries do. So, the changes are not directed strictly to missionaries or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but due to general visa restrictions put in place by the country. We do understand that negotiations are in the works with the church and Mongolia to work things through.

So.... we aren't sure what will take place, but will move forward and figure that "no news is good news". Most importantly we know that where ever Ryan ends up—that is where the Lord needs him.

A New Mission President

Published in the LDS Church News Saturday, March 13, 2010 — New mission presidents and their wives have been called by the First Presidency. They will begin their service about July 1, 2010.

Stephanie and Kris J Mecham

Kris J Mecham, 56, and Stephanie Bessire Mecham, five children, Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission; Ashley Park Ward, Sandy Utah Granite South Stake. Brother Mecham serves as a gospel doctrine teacher and is a former bishop, stake executive secretary, high councilor, ward Young Men president and missionary in the Scotland Mission. President and chief executive officer, Deseret First Credit Union. Born in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Alvin John and Nina Anderson Mecham.

Sister Mecham serves as a ward family history consultant and is a former ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, stake 25th anniversary history compiler and tri-stake family history center director. Born in Rupert, Idaho, to Duane Merrill and Carole Ann Cahoon Bessire.

Learning more about Mongolia

We became aware of some of the hardships taking place in Mongolia. This first story was reported by KSL TV News on the Dzud Disaster, February 27, 2010:

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

The second is a similar story reported by The New York Times:

A Bitter Spring for Mongolia's Nomads

The Mongolian Ulaanbaatar Mission

WELCOME TO THE MONGOLIA ULAANBAATAR MISSION

A welcome from President and Sister Anderson, the current mission president and wife:

20 February 2010

Dear Elder Jolley

We were thrilled when we received notice that you have accepted a call from the Lord to serve as a missionary for the Church in Mongolia. We know you will have an experience that you will never forget.

Ulaanbaatar is an interesting city with varied and unusual architecture. The countryside is some of the most beautiful in the world. This land is very special. You will love it all, especially the people. They are sincere, kind and are so ready to receive the blessings of the Gospel in their lives.

Mongolia is relatively new to organized missionary work. The first missionaries actually began their service in September of 1992, prior to Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s dedication of the land to missionary work in 1993. There are now nearly 9,000 members in Mongolia with one stake, two districts and 21 branches or wards.

This is likely one of the more challenging missions in the world. That is why we believe that some of the very best and most qualified missionaries come to serve here. Missionaries are only allowed in Mongolia under the direction of Deseret International Charities, a foundation directed towards teaching English in schools, businesses and government offices. All missionaries are required to teach English 12 hours per week. One cannot mention the Church while teaching English, but if people ask about it outside the classroom, the missionaries may teach them....

Mongolia, commonly known as the Land of Blue Skies, is located between Russia on the north and China on the south. It is a developing country, after having been under Soviet dominationfor nearly seventy years. Since 1990, Mongolian has seen dramatic changes with new businesses,new products, new ideas and new government. Ulaanbaatar is the capital city with approximately one million people living either in ger districts or in apartments. The rest of the 2.9 million people live in the countryside — in small cities or out in open spaces.

The dominant religion in Mongolia is Buddhism, but Christian religions are taking hold. The membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is growing steadily. Two new chapels were dedicated in January 2007, bringing the total number of LDS-owned chapels in Mongolia to ten. We have two districts and twenty-one branches in the cities of Ulaanbaatar, Baganuur, Nalaikh, Sukhbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet, Moron, Zuun-Kharaa, Khovd and Choibalsan. Our mission’s compliment is 170 young missionaries and 14 senior couples.

MISSIONARY NEEDS: You are probably most concerned about what to bring (and what not to bring) with you to Mongolia. You will experience four seasons, but primarily short summers and long winters. The clothing list sent by the Missionary Department covers basic needs, but we will add a few insights. There is an old Russian saying: “There is no such thing as bad weather, there is only bad clothing.” Winter can begin quickly, usually in September and it can still be quite cold into April and May.

Things learned from LDS Church News:

Jan. 1, 2009: Est. population, 3,041,000; Members, 8,444; Missions, 1; Stakes, 1: Districts, 2; Branches, 21; Percent LDS, .28, or one in 360, Asia Area.

In 1984, Monte J. Brough, who would later be called to the Seventy, traveled to Mongolia on a hunting trip. During his visit, he developed a love for the Mongolian people. Eight years later, in May 1992, Elders Merlin Lybbert and Monte Brough, members of the Asia Area presidency, traveled to Mongolia to explore the possibility of the Church providing humanitarian aid. Prior to this trip, the Mongolian ambassador to United States had traveled to Brigham Young University, which had paved the way for Elders Lybbert and Brough by providing positive contact with the Mongolian government.

After several months of negotiation, permission was granted to send six missionary couples to assist the country's higher education program and to teach others about the Church. The first couple, Kenneth H. and Donna Beesley, arrived on 16 September 1992. Kenneth Beesley, former president of LDS Business College, was designated as lead elder. The first sacrament meeting was held on 20 September 1992 in the Beesley's apartment. The five other missionary couples to follow were Royce P. and Mary Jane Flandro, Richard G. and Anna M. Harper, Stanley B. and Marjorie Smith, C. DuWayne and Alice C. Schmidt, and Gary and Barbara L. Carlson.

The Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission was officially established on 1 July 1995. The first mission president, Richard E. Cook, and his wife were serving as missioniaries in Mongolia when he was called as mission president. President Cook would later be called to the Seventy and serve in the Asia Area presidency. Before the establishment of the mission, Mongolia was overseen by the Asia Area presidency.

Membership in 2002 was 4,358 organized in two districts and 21 branches. In 2003, there were 5,455. In 2005, membership reached 6,735.

The "Call" Came!

On Wednesday, January 27th came the "call" that has been anticipated by us all. It is a strange moment.... the reality sets in and a flood of thoughts and memories filled my mind. I received an email from Jeff stating that he felt sick to his stomach. A little confused as to exactly what he was referring to, I continued to read on. Jeff is currently the ward mission leader in our ward and had been having conversation with the bishop about an upcoming baptism. The conversation turned a little to Ryan and as to whether the bishop had any information as to when he thought the call might arrive. Jeff was questioning because he has to be out of town on business the entire next week. The bishop returned the response saying he had received word that the call had been mailed this past Friday, January the 22nd. We didn't know whether Ryan's papers would even be viewed until this week because of the 100 day mark....apparently they were! Now I knew why Jeff was feeling a little sick to his stomach....I had now joined him with those feelings. :) Needless to say, his call arrived in the mail.
Ryan was at work so I strategically left the package in the mail so I could have him find the call (and also to try get it on film). As Ryan got home a little after 3 that afternoon, I got him to get the mail! I believe he now was feeling a little sick to his stomach too! Holy cow, it's here! Excited, anxious, his next 2 years was sealed in this white package that now lay on our kitchen counter. It become the "intriguing" object as it sat there on the counter. Ryan didn't quite no what to do with himself...so he went and worked out for a while. :)


We started spreading the word of the arrival and had a number of family and friends come to share in his news. Nervousness, excitement and emotions filled the room as he opened the large envelope. He started to read.... you have been asked to serve in the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission, to speak the Mongolian language and to report to the MTC on June 9, 2010. Wow! Mongolia! We can hardly believe it. Mongolia! He is (and we are too) excited to serve the Mongolian people, to share his testimony of our dear Savior, Jesus Christ. Wow, Mongolia!

Yes, he will be half way around the world!

Taking a guess??

Since Ryan's papers have been submitted, we thought it would be fun to do a little guessing as to where we think he's going. Here's what we have so far:

Jeff: Italy
Teri: Portugal
Ryan: not guessing :)
Brayden: Africa
Skyler: Russia
Kendyl: Brazil
Andraya: France
Margene (Jeff's Mom): Australia
Doug (Teri's Dad): Chili
Barb (Teri's Mom): French-Canada
Jill (aunt): Australia
Kelly (aunt): New Zealand
Todd (uncle): Peru
Jeff (uncle): Philippines
Cherie (aunt): Argentina
Dave (uncle): Japan
Suz (aunt): London
Erin (cousin): Peru
Ethan (cousin): New Zealand
Dean (family friend): Japan
Shannon (family friend): Brazil
Blake (family friend): North Carolina

Linda (aunt): New Zealand

Claudia (aunt): Mongolia
Haley (cousin): Canada
Kylee (cousin): Switzerland
Tanner (cousin): Uruguay
Allie (cousin): Germany
Ty (cousin): Ireland
Natalia (cousin): Nevada
Anthony (uncle): Nevada

100 Days out!

Today (January 25, 2010) it is officially 100 days until Ryan's 19th birthday! 100 days also marks the official time as to when mission papers can be turned into the church. Ryan had his Stake President's interview last Tuesday evening. The Stake President actually turned them in last Wednesday.....so now we wait! Ryan has done a lot of preparation since the beginning of the year and a "change" has and is occurring. There have been lots of doctor appointments to check off the list. He has been attending a missionary prep class each week and has been very diligent in his studying. He is feeling ready, is excited and a bit anxious now as he waits for the "call" to come. Wow! Are we really here??