Monday, March 17, 2014

Friday night dinner and devotional

Elder L. Tom Perry and President Eberhardt...these men radiate everything that is good.
Elders Hawton and Gebler...they are lighting our stake on fire.
Since our responsibility is to help investigators learn by faith and by the power of the Holy Ghost, this work is never about me and it is never about you. We need to do all in our power to fulfill our missionary responsibility and simultaneously “get out of the way” so the Holy Ghost can perform His sacred function and work. In fact, anything you or I do as representatives of the Savior that knowingly and intentionally draws attention to self—in the messages we present, in the methods we use, or in our personal demeanor and appearance—is a form of priestcraft that inhibits the teaching effectiveness of the Holy Ghost. Becoming a Preach My Gospel Missionary...Elder Bednar
We sat with a couple who are serving at the Park City visitor's center.
Sister Willis loves her mission and is always full of enthusiasm.
These two couples have tremendous responsibility.

Regardless of how earnestly we serve, you and I simply cannot push or force truth into the hearts of investigators. Our best efforts can only bring the message of truth unto the heart (see 2 Nephi 33:1). Ultimately, an investigator needs to act in righteousness and thereby invite the truth into his or her own heart. Only in this way can honest seekers of truth and new converts develop the spiritual capacity to find answers for themselves. Becoming a Preach My Gospel Missionary...by Elder Bednar

photos courtesy of Elder Cluff...

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Elder L. Tom Perry

We had a zone conference dinner last night and met with Elder L. Tom Perry

 He had encouraging words for the Elders and Sisters. 
It was also nice to get better acquainted with other senior couples.
 There was a great spirit there.
Nothing quite like being in a room filled with 199 missionary's and 21 senior couples.
President Eberhardt and his wife with the mission leaders prepared a very meaningful zone conference for us.
I was looking forward to this and it did not disappoint.

...

Friday, March 14, 2014

our weekly planning meeting

As representatives of the Savior, you and I have the ongoing responsibility to work diligently and to implant in our hearts and minds the fundamental doctrines and principles of the restored gospel, especially from the Book of Mormon. As we do so, the promised blessing is that the Holy Ghost will “bring all things to [our] remembrance” (John 14:26) and empower us as we teach and testify. But, elders and sisters, the Spirit can work with and through us only if we give Him something with which to work. He cannot help us remember things we have not learned.


This work is never about me and it is never about you. We need to do all in our power to fulfill our missionary responsibility and simultaneously “get out of the way” so the Holy Ghost can perform His sacred function and work. In fact, anything you or I do as representatives of the Savior that knowingly and intentionally draws attention to self—in the messages we present, in the methods we use, or in our personal demeanor and appearance—is a form of priestcraft that inhibits the teaching effectiveness of the Holy Ghost.


Preach My Gospel missionaries know we do not teach lessons; we teach people. We do not merely recite or present memorized messages about gospel topics. We invite seekers of truth to experience the mighty change of heart. We understand that talking and telling alone are not teaching.

Quotes taken from Elder Bednar...Becoming a Preach My Gospel Missionary

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Becoming a Preach My Gospel Missionary...Elder Bednar

Preach My Gospel missionary is a servant of the Lord, called by prophecy and authorized by the laying on of hands, who proclaims the Savior’s everlasting and restored gospel (see D&C 68:1) in His way (see D&C 50:13–1417–24).~Elder Bednar

Preach My Gospel missionaries understand that the responsibility to represent the Savior and to bear testimony of Him never ends. When the day arrives for an honorable release as a full-time missionary, you will depart from a field of labor and return to your family—but you will not cease being and becoming a missionary. A release as a full-time missionary is a call to serve as a lifelong missionary. And Preach My Gospel missionaries honor, always, this sacred obligation. ~Elder Bednar

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

humility leads the list

 We had our first zone conference today. 
It was inspiring to see the youth...their goodness and leadership.




Monday, March 10, 2014

for whatever reason


 I was a little discouraged this week with my role in missionary work. The work felt too big and I felt inadequate. At our district meeting on Friday we had the Elder's teach us how to have effective companionship evaluation and then we broke into our companionships to practice. I think it was a beneficial practice for us because it opened the door for me to share my concerns. Luckily I have a receptive companion who is understanding and kind which was a big help to me. Since that experience I can tell that Heavenly Father is trying to help me keep a proper perspective concerning my role and helping me have a willing heart to do the hard things.
Today we went to the Salt Lake City Temple with most of our mission. I was inspired seeing those faithful young men and women all dressed in white...the army of God. The spirit of the Holy Ghost was there teaching us and I was blessed by my attendance.

I have just completed reading The Book of Mormon for Carter and now starting to read it for Eli. It is always amazing to me just how much this scripture applies to my life today. As I was reading of Nephi's faithfulness and even in spite of trial and tribulations he praises God and manages to see the bright side of a grim situation. I want to be more like Nephi. I want to have a CAN DO attitude about this missionary service. I want to be friendly, helpful, kind, obedient, cheerful, filled with faith and willing to submit my will to whatever is asked of me.

Tomorrow is a zone conference. I have not experienced that before so I am eager to see just what it is all about. Meetings, meeting new people, being friendly, listening to far-fetched ideas...those things are difficult for me. I am being stretched and I will try to put off this natural man.