Mission Blog  June 16, 2913  Missionary conference in Munchin with E. Russell M. Nelson

So it has been some time since I have written in the Mission Blog.  A lot has happened, both positive and negative.  But I prefer to dwell on the positive.  

Last weekend –through Tuesday—was pretty busy.  We had two apostles here in Europe and three Seventies, both Quorums of the 2nd and 3^rd.  The difference being that the 3^rd quorum are Area Seventies.  But all of them have the same assignment which is to bear witness of Jesus Christ.

Saturday there was a special women’s conference in Munich with Elder Russell M. Nelson.  We had to be in Salzburg for the special YSA broadcast from Stockholm, Sweden with M. Russell Ballard.  His talk was being translated in Several of the European languages, although the whole broadcast was in English.

I would like to address a little of his talk.  Now he was in a YSA meeting mind you.  He asked for all return missionaries to arise.  There were quite a few.  I saw a lot of beautiful young women in that audience but only young men arose.  Many appeared old enough to have been home a few years.  He first addressed them.  He reminded them that the first commandment was to multiply and replenish the earth.  This can only happen if they take themselves a wife.  So after their missions that is their first obligations.  And he reminded them also of the eternal blessings that come with obedience to that commandment.

The rest of his talk dealt with missionary work and all member’s obligation to be involved in missionary work.  He gave some wonderful counsel and how too.

 Then Sunday Morning we would listen to Elders Fingerla, and Texiera and their wives.  This was a special stake conference as we had just had one in March or April.  Here again the addresses were about member missionary work.  The brethren are really pushing this subject hard.

Then on Tuesday we were on the train by 6:09 am for Mϋnich to listen to Elder Nelson, these two seventies as well as Elder Kuran and also Sister Wendy Nelson, Elder Nelson’s wife.  Of course their talks were addressed directly to the missionaries and were all wonderful.  But in this blog I want to address Sister Nelson’s.  We heard her last October when she visited with E. Nelson and she is a power house as an inspiring speaker.

She began with the example of a gift card, that someone sends us.  It costs us no money and we can purchase anything in that store by it.  Sometimes we forget the gift card and it is no use to us.  But then we find it and it will still make the same purchase for us. 

In life the Savior paid for that gift card with the Atonement .  (There is only one reference to the Atonement in the Bible.  But the Book of Mormon has 39 references to it, and teaches us to understand it.) and the Holy Ghost brings us the gifts.

That gift card is prayer.  Just as a gift card, there is no end of the gifts of the spirit.  They are just as eternal.

She addressed prayer.  We can pray for anything, and request any righteous gift.  Our end  goal is to become like our Savior.  And the gift of prayer will help us get there.  She had a suggestion of three scriptures.

All of this represents truth She quoted George Q. Cannon, “Speak reverently, diligently,---.  Prayer is the power of speaking.  (D & C 46:  Gift of the Spirit---1 Corinthians 12-14, Gift of Wisdom, and Moroni 10  Faith and Charity.)

Pray and know what to pray for.  Here are the examples she gave.

Pray for the power of speaking

If we struggle with anger pray for charity.

Temper- gift of mildness or understanding.

Discouragement- persistence

Gift of listening

Cheerful countenance

True conversion’

selflessness

Forgiveness

Wisdom (of the ages)

We are never alone as long as the spirit is with us.

Think of one weakness to ask for.

Do not be discourage and pray unto the Father with all energy of heart.

Silent Obediece is not enough.

Take our weakness and turn them into a strength.

Have that burning desire to do so.  Seeking ---All focused on obtaining the gift of the spirit.

She quoted Elder Holland, “I need that gift of the spirit.  Seek to become more like the Savior

Then Elder Nelson in his remarks began by telling us one of the first and important people as missionaries we should make friends with in each Ward is the Family History director and he went on to explain how to use that person to help us in the missionary work.  I felt that comment was directed personally to us, as that morning before we left I prayed again, about using Norm’s gift and writings of learning how to read the old German Script in bringing souls to the church.

We now need to talk to Sister Kunnert.

Elder Nelson always has a question and answer period with the missionaries.  One young Elder asked, “If Peter had a witness that Jesus was the Christ, where does he stand having denied him.  Why did he deny jesus Christ,.  The answer came quickly and simply, “Obedience.”  Christ told him that he was to deny him.  That was the first time I remember ever hearing that.  However, it seems to be one of those points I missed in reading , “Jesus the Christ,” for Talmage also addressed that.  As Norm and I discussed it, we looked at Peter’s character and that he had already cut of a man’s ear, which was another point I always wondered about.  Why did Christ tell them to arm themselves, and then chastise Peter when he came to his defence.  I believe it was to test Peter and show him that he was not to come to his defense.  Peter had a work to do and if he made the fourth man on a cross that day it would have been a bit of a different story.

So all in all it was a wonderful spiritual learning day.