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 3rd. The difference being that the 3rd 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.
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