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!