Mission Tour - Elder Shayne M. Bowen

Here are my notes from Mission Tour when Elder Bowen spent several days with us.

 Alma 5:14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

His image will be visible in our eyes.  The Holy Ghost makes us beautiful. As missionaries, you can choose to be anything you want.  Don't just be the person you were before you came.  You can decide right now to be bold and not to be shy.

Is your mission more difficult than you thought it wou0ld be?  God is preparing you through trials to return to Him.  If you don't get discouraged on your mission, you're not doing it right.

Be careful not to open a door to Satan, even a crack.

(He asked Sister Bowen to come and stand beside him)  Everything is embodied in Sister Bowen.  Body, trials, all that the Father has he promises to us.  An eternal companion.  Eternal covenants.  Their deceased son will be theirs for eternity.  All of these rewards are because of covenants they have made together.

When you love people you're teaching you can change their lives.  They need what you have.  Never give up.  

Why are you here?  (He called on some missionaries to tell what led them to this mission.)  You're here because you understand the doctrine.  Your friends who didn't go on missions don't understand the doctrine.

When working with an investigator, ask: What doctrine does this person not understand?  The Holy Ghost will tell you the answer.

WE TEACH PEOPLE, NOT LESSONS.  If he came to watch you teach Lesson 1 on three different occasions to different people, would he see the same lesson? 

 There are three skills that will change your mission.  (more later on this)

He said, Elders, we're both called "elder", what's the difference between your calling and mine?  Seventies are ordained; young missionaries are set apart.

What's more difficult:  finding, planning, or teaching?  Finding

Obedience with exactness + work + faith = miracles.

Why do we have rules in missions?  Obedience enables the Holy Ghost to be our companion.  Obedience to rules gives us spiritual and physical protection.

Is God a planner?  Examine Moses 3:5.  There were two creations.  God planned the creation before He executed it.  

Which are the less important rules in your mission?   (Just a side note.  Everybody is special, but nobody is special.  Satan likes to tell us that we're we're special and an exception to the rules.  They don't apply to us.

What's the easiest rule to keep?  (If you don't have a prompting to repent in this meeting, you haven't been listening to the Holy Ghost.)  How many of you have been up and out of bed by 6:30 a.m. every day for the last 30 days?  (He asked for a raise of hands.)  See how much power we are missing in the mission because of the lack of exact obedience.  If you are teaching an investigator and asking him to make commitments he might say, "What time do you get up in the morning?"

Make these commitments:   

1. I will arise every morning at 6:30.
2. I will plan with exactness every night from 9 to 9:30 p.m.  Chapter 8 in PMG  (He had asked how many had planned from 9 to 9:30 p.m. every day for the last 40 days.) 
3. I will talk to 20 people per day - OYMing about the Restoration.  Just chatting about the weather or even testifying of Christ doesn't count.

We need to have faith to find.  Will the Lord put them in our path if we're being obedient?  We're not called to judge who is ready and who is not.  We don't eliminate them because they're smoking or if they have tattoos.  We must talk to everyone.

Wherever Elder Bowen goes, he asks pretty much the same question when he OYMs.  "Are you a Mormon?  You look like a Mormon".  He often asks if they know any Mormons.

When sharing the Gospel becomes a way of life rather than an assignment, you have power and your mission will change.  Unless you're face to face with someone, you're unemployed.   You need to say, I testify that Jesus Christ and God the Father have prophets on the earth again and there is a living prophet today.

The Parable of the Fleas
How many have had trouble with fleas? (They don't have fleas here, so he had to describe them and tell about them.)  If you put a bunch of fleas in a jar, they'll jump out.  But if you put a lid on the jar, after a while the fleas will learn to stop jumping so high so they don't keep hitting the lid.  Now you can take off the lid and the fleas will no jump out because they've been conditioned to jump lower.  How does that pertain to a mission?


Roger Bannister was a runner who broke the 4 minute mile on May 6, 1954.  Up until then it was an accepted fact that no one could run a mile in less than 4 minutes.  It was considered "impossible if not fatal".   Even scientists affirmed it.  After Bannister broke the record, in the next year there were 6 others who broke the record.  How could that be?  You set mental limitations on what can be done.

Crabs in a bucket  If you put a crab in a bucket, he will climb out.  But if there's more than one, the others pull the one climbing out back down.  Don't be the crab.

Set a new level for numbers of lessons taught.
 

Mission Conference

I'm going to try to transcribe my notes from Mission Conference that was held today with Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy.  We were honored to have his wife and Elder Ian Ardern of our Area Presidency and his wife also.

Sister Sperry spoke briefly, then President Sperry, who quoted 2 Nephi 29:9  And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.  His work is not finished and we are part of that work.

Elder Christensen spoke next.  He asked the sisters to stand and told a story from when he was mission president in Mexico about the power of sisters' smiles and how we should always be positive and happy.

He told a story about how he was at dinner somewhere with several members of the seventy and L. Tom Perry.  The waitress came and made the mistake of offering them the wine list.  Elder Perry said, "We don't drink wine.  We're the healthiest, happiest people in the world.  Do you want to know why we're the healthiest, happiest people in the world?"  She made the mistake of saying yes and this apostle of the Lord gave her the first 3 lessons.

He had us recite the 9th Article of Faith, We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.  He said that the Lord is revealing many new things which are hastening the work.  He quoted 2 Nephi 15:19  Let him make speed, hasten his work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it.  He stressed that "hasten" implies not only speed, but magnitude.  We need to work faster and broader.

We are being assisted from the other side of the veil.  He showed how the missionary work of Alma and Amulek was originally the work of one missionary and one member who testified at the lesson.  He testified of the power that comes of having members bearing witness at the lessons.  We should go to our bishop or ward mission leader and ask what we can do to help them.  But first we as missionaries have to prove ourselves to the members.  They might give us a hard referral first to test us, and then when we've shown that we will contact them and try to teach, they give us the golden one, a member of the family or a special friend.  Support and love the members.

He talked about President Monson, that he is always looking for someone to greet and lift.  He ministers to those around him.  He said that President Hinckley was in the habit of always starting a meeting when everyone was there, and the meetings got earlier and earlier.  But when President Monson became the prophet, they had a meeting where President Monson was late, and it got later and later and he still hadn't shown up.  Finally he arrived about half an hour late, exclaiming, "You won't believe the missionary experience I just had!"  He was willing to keep the Quorum of the Twelve and Presidents of Seventy waiting in order to talk with one person about the Gospel.

He reminded us that we are each called by a prophet to be in THIS mission at THIS time and there are things to do here that only we can do.  Alma 13:3 . . . being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works . . .

Sister Christensen spoke next.  She talked about Joseph Smith, saying that he was 1) virtuous 2) committed 3) filled with the fire of God.
1) Virtuous is being filled with the power of God because of the Atonement.
2) Committed means holy.
3) Fire of God - light filled the grove during the first vision and it also filled Joseph.  It purified him.  The fire of God can be there to fill us up.  D&C 135:3 is a tribute to the prophet, Joseph Smith.

Sister Ardern has a wonderful accent.  They are from New Zealand.  She asked us how people would remember us and told a story about her brother exploring an empty apartment and finding on a wall, yellowed and worn, Elder McConkie's My Missionary Commission.

My Missionary Commission

by Elder Bruce R. McConkie

I am called of God.
My authority is above that of kings of the earth.
By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him--to stand in His place, to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me.
My voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts; my doctrine is His doctrine.
My Commission is to do what He wants done; To say what He wants said; to be a living modern witness in word and in deed of the divinity of his great and marvelous Latter-day work.
How great is my calling!

Elder Ardern - During your mission you have 18 to 24 months to labor and  serve, and the rest of your life to remember how you labored.  Create positive memories through diligence and obedience.

• Diligence - Moroni 9 tells of the encouragement that Mormon gave to his missionary son.  PMG p. 121 defines diligence.
• Obedience - A chemistry lesson: O³ or O cubed:  Obedience Opens Opportunities.  Obedience in small things does matter.  Obedience precedes blessings.  Enjoy the joy that results from your obedience.

Questions and Answers:  Elder Christensen was the moderator but he might call on any of the people on the stand to answer a question.

Q. D&C 58 says to teach the educated and well-to-do (I can't find the verse), so how do we do that and still bless the poor who are ready to listen?

A.  Don't worry too much about the balance but let the Spirit guide.  Poor might refer to poor in Spirit.  D&C 84:106 And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also.

 

Q.  How can I cleave unto God so that He will cleave unto me?  

 

A.  Sister Christensen said that desire is the main thing.  How hungry are we for God and His goodness.  As we cleave, the distance between us and God will diminish.  As we seek Him, He will seek us.  Cleave means loyally, unwaveringly hold onto. (Sister Ardern from the dictionary)  Cleave is different than cling.  Elder Christensen demonstrated cling as hang on by fingertips, whereas cleave is with the whole arms, just as in a marriage where we cleave to our mate.

 

Q.   How do I know who to drop in my teaching?  

A.  If the people aren't keeping their commitments and acting upon the things they're learning, invite them to church, make notes in your area book, and let someone else in the future follow up to see if they're ready yet.

Q.  How can I gain perfect faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

A.  Having all knowledge is perfect faith, which we probably can't have in this life.  Faith is the first principle of the Gospel, but also the last.  Alma 7:14 ...therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God...  We have stronger faith after spiritual experiences, so pray to have those.  Help your investigators to have those faith-building spiritual experiences.

 

Q.  How can we keep the Spirit when we're in a difficult teaching environment, such as when children are crying or noisy?

 

A.   Set expectations.  Let the people know that you're planning to have a spiritual discussion and where you're going with it.  Have them turn off the TV and minimize distractions.  If needed, stop the discussion and deal with the problem.  Keep exercising faith.  Stay calm.

Elder Christensen left us with a thought from Sister Echo Hawk, whose husband is also in the area presidency.  When you visit someone who has been offended or has stopped coming to church for some reason, ask them:  What happened before what happened, happened?  Take them back to their original conversion.  Invite them to ACT.  Treat them with love and understanding.  And always remember that you have the power within you to find any answer to your questions through the Spirit.

President Sperry - Three Great Trurhs

At our Zone Conferences this round, President Sperry's final training was about the Godhead.  He started by dividing everyone into 2 groups (Fairview Zone vs. SJDM Zone).  SJDM were to argue that God exists and Fairview had to argue that God doesn't exist.  It was a lively and pretty funny debate.  When it was done, President talked about Alma 30 where Alma meets Korihor, the anti-Christ.  Korihor was apparently both an atheist and an agnostic.  President loves that Alma challenges Korihor to prove that there's NOT a God.   Alma 30:40 And now what evidence have ye that there is no ^aGod, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.

Then President Sperry presented a concept from Bruce R. McConkie in which he shows three great truths established through Joseph Smith, as well as three great heresies. President put them on the board like a chart.


See how for every great truth about the Godhead, Satan has spread a lie that is now universally accepted by the world. <br /> <br /> President talked about the impact of these truths and heresies on individual lives and how clever Satan is in perpetrating these lies on the world.  Then he bore down in pure testimony telling us that we are the only religion in the world who know and teach the truths of the Godhead, and if we don't teach it, no one will.  Even the Jews now believe that God is an unknowable being without substance.

Oh, he brought out how Elder Holland had spoken about the Godhead vs. the Nicene  Creed in conference twice in a row, and how people accept the lie that the heavens are closed and there can be no more prophets, but also accept the idea that a bunch of guys who never claimed prophecy or inspiration got together in the 4th century to decide what God was like.

I wish I could teach it with the power and testimony that President Sperry taught it.  We have 2 zone conferences left.  Maybe I'll go watch him teach it a couple more times to really imbed it in my head and my heart.

Resurrection

Resurrection

Resurrection vs Reincarnation

What would you want to be reincarnated as?

What do you want to be resurrected as?  John 5:28-29

[Life / Just / 1st                                                                     ]        

1 Corinthinians 15:20  firstfruits (footnote firstling)

Collosians 1:18  firstborn

Matthew 27:52 (tells it out of order) tells of Christ being

   first to rise from the grave

John 20:16-17 Hold me not (don't detain me)

D&C 88:95 - When Christ comes, those worthy shall be

   caught up to meet Him

1st Trump - Morning - contiues into Millenium - the Celestial

   will be resurrected.  They are first fruits.

 

[ Damnation/ Unjust / 2nd                      ]

2nd Trump - Evening

Terrestrial

Happens part way into the Millenium

3rd Trump - Second resurrection

Telestial

Happens at the end of the Millenium

4th Trump

Sons of Perdition

Training From President Sperry

Scriptural Ponderings - Scriptures

President Sperry asked, What were three things that happened during the administration of Spencer W. Kimball that changed the church?

·         The Priesthood was given to all worthy males.

·         The LDS edition of the scriptures was published.

·         The quorums of the Seventy were organized.

Which of those three things was most important?

President Boyd K. Packer said:  The coming forth of the LDS edition of the scriptures will be the crowning achievement in the administration of President Kimball.

He went on to train about the Bible Dictionary and all the answers that can be found there, and encouraged us to use it.

Declare Glad Tidings

 D&C 19:29 And thou shalt ^adeclare glad tidings, yea, ^bpublish it upon the mountains, and upon every high place, and among every people that thou shalt be permitted to see.

 30 And thou shalt do it with all humility, ^atrusting in me, ^breviling not against revilers.

 31 And of ^atenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and ^bfaith on the Savior, and ^cremission of sins by ^dbaptism, and by ^efire, yea, even the ^fHoly Ghost.

This is the mandate for a missionary, to declare glad tidings.  Some zealots have got it wrong and thought their job was to frighten people with death and fire and destruction and brimstone. 

The scripture does say to declare repentance, but I think that when we teach faith in the Savior first, as the 4th Article of Faith orders them, that the other things fall into place.  If we truly have faith in Him and understand true principles, we automatically want to be clean before Him.  If we love Him, we want to have Him in our lives, but we are embarrassed and grieved to have Him see our sins, so we work to repent of them.

So I would say that we need to declare the glad tidings of Christ - His love for us, His sacrifice for us, the glad tidings of His Atonement.  And the scripture says to do it with humility, trusting in Him.  Proud missionaries do more damage than good, because pride is an enmity towards God and our fellowmen.  We must love those we teach, have humility, and trust Him and the Spirit to do the actual teaching.

Alicia Arce told us a story in Relief Society about teaching her little granddaughter about Jesus.  The child isn't getting any religious teaching in their home, so Alicia decided it was up to her to share her love for the Savior with the child.  She must have done a good job, because when Oscar came home, Alicia told the girl, "Tell Grandpa about Jesus."  And the little girl said, "Me and Grandma are crazy about that Guy!"

If we are crazy about that Guy, we'll want to share His glad tidings and bless those around us to know Him and love Him too.  That's what missionaries do.

Wherefore You Know That They Are True

 D&C 18:2 Behold, I have ^amanifested unto you, by my Spirit in many instances, that the ^bthings which you have [learned] are ^ctrue; wherefore you know that they are true.

 I've changed the scripture given to Oliver Cowdery a little.  It actually says "written", but that doesn't apply to me.  But the things that I've learned and the things that I've experienced and felt are deeply imbedded in my heart and I know they are true.

It such a blessing to me to have this testimony!  I was blessed to have a believing heart and a desire to follow and a love for the Lord.  Some of this probably is part of my personality, but some of it was taught by my faithful and devout parents.  How can I ever thank them?  Their example of sacrifice and service fills me with gratitude and love.  Oh, they weren't perfect, but they worked so hard to live the Gospel and stayed faithful and devoted to the end.

Of course, they were taught also by the example of their parents, who were taught and trained by their parents.  At this time of year (tomorrow is Pioneer Day) I'm thinking about those great-grandparents who made the trek across the plains and mountains, who left the European countries and sailed in cramped and miserable conditions across the ocean to go to Zion.  They went because the fire of the Gospel burned bright in their hearts and they were obedient.

And because of them I am here and I have that same fire burning in my heart.  

The Lord has also blessed me with many faith-building experiences.  He blessed me with Gospel teachers and examples, with the opportunity to attend college and institute classes, to be a teacher myself so that I could bear testimony to the truth.

So I feel so strongly that the Lord's words to Oliver are also meant for me.  Because He has manifested to me by His Spirit in many instances that the things which I have learned and experienced are true, wherefore I do know that they are true.