For Undying Mind, have you loaded the normal strike node from the Mars map on the planetary director screen? Not doing this is often the culprit for a strike not unlocking a grimoire card &/or not getting an uptick on your Strikes Introduction card's strike completion count. For the Ascendant Sword, try two things. First, load the Fist of Crota (top of director map of Earth), go to the group of praying hive acolytes, & let the summoned swordbearer kill you. Second, go kill the swordbearer, pick up the sword, and kill some enemies. If I am not misremembering, you should be able to get this card before ever stepping into Crota's End.