Elder Ballard Conference

Last weekend, we had the opportunity to attend a tri-mission conference held at the Stake Center adjacent to the Washington DC Temple. The missionaries in attendance hailed from the Washington DC North and South Missions and the Baltimore Maryland Mission. We had the pleasure of hearing from: 

Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, of the First Quorum of the Seventy

Elder Wong first addressed us, and focused on the importance of members as we seek to help "the one". He paralleled how our missionary work should function similar to the miracle found in Mark 2, where Christ heals the man with palsy. The four people that together carry this man to Jesus can represent some of the auxiliary members in Ward Council, such as the Elders Quorum President, Relief Society President, Young Men or Young Women Presidents, and of course, the missionary. In order for the full weight of that man to be lifted successfully, ALL four people needed to act in UNISON. If one were to fall or not be included, the one in need of assistance would not make it to His Master. Elder Wong quoted Mark 2:5, "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Christ desired the faith of all four members, not just the faith of the one being healed. For a true miracle to occur, let us all be faithful and equally yoked so that we can bring more of God's children to Christ!

President L. Whitney Clayton, of the Presidency of the Seventy

We then heard from Elder Clayton, who expounded on the powerful statement heard by the young boy, Joseph Smith: "This is my Beloved Son, Hear Him." Though God was specifically talking to Joseph at that sacred time, Heavenly Father continues to invite ALL of us to, "Hear Him". As missionaries, we "Hear Him" when we choose to be exactly obedient and heed the counsel of the bishops (and mission president) we serve under. The people we teach "Hear Him" as they open their hearts and minds to the Spirit and let the words we speak encourage them to change. 

Elder Clayton acknowledges that following Christ and His teachings has “never been easy." However, we have the most important thing in the world! And we know that with His help, it will change people… one person at a time.  


Elder M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Finally, Elder Ballard started his straightforward address by stating, "We've got to baptize more people." He gave us two suggestions on how to do that:

1) Talk to more people. He commissioned each missionary to speak with at least 10 people a day. This number is independent of appointments, lessons, or tracting. Just sharing the great message of the gospel with everyone! He said we shouldn't be lulled in by the rescue or the focus on member work. Helping those that are less-active shouldn't slow down our own finding. And if we get referrals from the ward, consider it a bonus! With our companions: we must keep each other in the work. Walk together, watch together and look for opportunities to share. If we desire to be better teachers, Elder Ballard advises us to, "Get somebody to teach. Never have a day you don't teach."

2) Do they REALLY understand the message? We don't need to have so much chatting or questions about their interests beforehand. He said, "Just ask questions about what you taught. May we have a word of prayer? Let us tell you who Christ is; how He taught, and how His Church was lost and then restored." We are taking these friends on a great journey. Sympathize, empathize, and be REAL. When we do these things, we allow the Spirit to be the TRUE teacher. Elder Ballard reminds us, "Conversion or reactivation ALWAYS starts with what people feel. Not what they know."

If we come to a point of any hesitancy, just think of Gethsemane. Elder Ballard carries a picture of the Savior with Him and when He needs help, he looks at it! He boldly declared, "This is not Gethsemane to me - it's a privilege to preach His gospel." He gave us a special blessing on our families and invited us to do more than we ever thought we had capacity to do. He invited us to CHANGE. "When? Today. Why? Because we've been together. Champion His cause." Let us be excited to fight for Him - after all, we're on the winning team!

Zone Conference For You (May 2014)

In our mission, every other transfer (roughly every three months) we have the opportunity to meet together for Zone Conferences. This is a great opportunity for every zone in the mission to receive training from our mission president, mission mom, assistants to the president; as well as the zone leaders and sister training leaders respective to that geographic area.

Each zone is taught the same overall content, while still receiving the material in a way that's guided by the Spirit for the specific needs of those missionaries in that particular meeting.

President Riggs taught us the importance of owning our area. We only have one chance to set a good first impression. Without us missionaries our friends won't know the truth. Don't tell yourself that another missionary after you will handle it, or that person on the street will have their chance to accept the gospel in the next life. We have the answers for them here and now! We learn in Doctrine and Covenants 123:12-13 that they are, "...kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness..." We MUST own our areas in order to illuminate the lives of those around us. Let's take control. Teach them true doctrine and invite them to repent. President encouraged us, "Let them know they can trust you. Let them know that YOU are a servant of God." 

This trust is especially crucial with our ward members. It is in this unified effort that the Lord expects His work to be done. We build that trust and work best with members by teaching them the message of the restored gospel. "Strengthening their understanding of the doctrine of Christ will do more to increase their trust in you and to build their excitement to do missionary work than anything else you can do (Preach My Gospel, pg 161)". Teaching them will do more than anything else we can do! Missionaries, are you working with your members? Members, are you feeling the spirit of missionary work in your homes as the missionaries come by? When we come, our objective is to have powerful, revelatory interactions that renew all of our desires to share His gospel, while respecting the Lord's time and the time of those we teach. 

Every lesson - whether we're teaching a non-member, member, or less-active should begin with the How to Begin Teaching points found in chapter 10 of Preach My Gospel (pg 175). These are here for us to use. They help us 1) identify ourselves as representatives of Jesus Christ, 2) establish expectations for both parties, and above all, 3) invite the Spirit. When a missionary builds a relationship of love and trust (BLT) with those they teach they are more successful in helping them on their personal journey home to our Heavenly Father.

Are we doing enough? Are we following-up with our friends that we are inviting to change? Without follow-up, an invite is useless. Commitment: obligating oneself to a course of action and then diligently following through on that decision. When we are committed to our friends and their progression in the gospel, we are more bold in our invitations; we truly desire for them to keep their commitments and move towards eternal life (PMG, pg 195). Pray for help from our Heavenly Father to find those ready to change.

"It would mean a lot to me if..."

 

Our Savior has given each of us clear mandate to share His gospel. Whether or not you wear the official black name tag, the commandment is the same, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:19-20)".

This has become a Prophetic priority. President Monson said, "Now is the time for members and missionaries to work together" (October 2013 General Conference). As the pace has quickened for declaring the gospel, Elder Bednar posed this question, "The Lord is hastening His work. Are we keeping up?"

Many of us members are having gospel conversations with our friends. And that is so awesome! It is now time for us to bridge the gap between us missionaries, you great members, and your should-be-but-aren't-members-yet friends.

Our mission president, Matt Riggs, has taught us how to help bridge this gap. We hope this post will take you from good gospel conversations to having your friends meeting missionaries in your home and feeling the power of this great work.

Pretend for a moment that you're talking with a good friend or co-worker of yours and a topic of the restored gospel comes up. Now before you panic and think "What do I do now?" Take a breath and say these words:

"..That's so interesting that you bring up (insert random gospel topic here... ie: living Prophets, the Book of Mormon, birth control, not drinking coffee, family night, modesty, the priesthood, women's rights, etc), because missionaries from my Church are coming over in a week and a half TO TEACH MY FAMILY about why (blank) is important. IT WOULD REALLY MEAN A LOT TO ME IF you came and listened while they taught us. What are you doing in about a week and a half?"

When you're done talking with your friend: call the missionaries. Make the appointment official. Some of you may be thinking, "Is this dishonest?" It is not dishonest. The missionaries WILL be there, and we WILL teach your family. (Ideally with your friend there, too.)

Put these simple and loving words in your mind. Let the Spirit bring them to your remembrance while you talk with those in your life. These words are for you. They will guide you in inviting others to hear the beautiful truths of the gospel from the full-time missionaries who are set apart to be master teachers.

It's hard to say no to an invitation from a friend, especially if you make it clear that it will "really mean a lot" to you for them to be there. Pray for the Lord's enabling power to help you. He has promised to help us, and He always keeps His word.

"Step onto the Mount"

At the start of 2014, the Washington DC South Mission strived to "Step Out of the Boat" in order to become the missionaries God desired them to be. They removed themselves from their comfort zones and put their complete trust in the Lord. Success and accomplishment followed, preparing them for what was to come in this "Hastening of the Work of Salvation". 

For this second quarter of 2014, the mission seeks to "Step onto the Mount". What exactly does this mean? Let us remember our dear prophet, Abraham, who headed to Mount Moriah to follow God's commandment in sacrificing his son. The journey was long and the idea unfathomable, yet Abraham did not falter. He knew the Lord's promises and understood what was required of him.

As we choose to sacrifice our temporal desires and focus on God's work, we, like Abraham, will be blessed "...because [we] have obeyed [his] voice" (Genesis 22:18). 

The Washington DC South Mission has "stepped out of the boat" and "onto the mount" and will continue to climb to find those that are waiting!