Day to Serve

The Annual Tri-State Day to Serve Event provided opportunities for missionaries and members of the church in our mission to unite with the community in an effort to serve those in need. 

Lasting from Sept. 11 to Sept. 28, the Day to Serve consisted of many events varying from location to location. Here are some ways in which our mission participated:

Group picture of those who helped to beautify the Boston-Hoffman school

People in the Arlington area cleaned up the surroundings of three elementary schools by picking up fall leaves. Sister McKenna was excited because she got to clean around the 9/11 memorial at the Boston-Hoffman school. She said it was a great community event and that it helped the principals at the schools to want to learn more about the Latter-Day Saints. 

Sister Clegg and a little girl have fun while serving

Sister Clegg, serving in the Mananas second ward, participated by cleaning graves in the  Bradley Cemetery. Her favorite part was seeing the children in her ward involved in service. The six and seven year old girls were in charge of cleaning the head stones with the help of adult leaders. The leaders shared how this was an act of service that they would always remember. 

Bishops, President of Mount Vernon Stake, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, and others gather in service

The Mount Vernon Zone and the members who attend the Mount Vernon building assisted the Heritage Presbyterian Church in putting together meal kits and hygiene kits for needy children. Elder Liddiard said the favorite part of all who attended was being part of something that helped others who were in need. 

Ideal Studies

In our most recent zone training, we were privileged to hear the counsel given to us from the Lord through our mission president. A significant portion of the zone training was focused on having ideal studies. As missionaries, we are blessed with 2 hours of study time every morning. Sometimes the duration is increased to 3 or 4 hours when a missionary is in training or learning a language. Within this study time we strive to strengthen our testimonies and knowledge of the gospel, we prepare to teach the people we are working with, and we work on developing our teaching skills as missionaries. With all this time available to study, how do we make it effective?

President and Sister Riggs answered this question by advising us to "study in the name of Jesus Christ." Just as we do when we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, studying in the name of Jesus Christ involves handing our will over to Him. The Bible Dictionary definition of the word "prayer" reads, "We pray in Christ’s name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ--when His words abide in us" (BD, p. 707). The same applies to studying in the name of Jesus Christ. When we study in the name of Jesus Christ we put our heart and mind into our studies, we fully intend to act upon the things we study, and we strive to learn simply in order to strengthen our own and others' testimonies. In Preach My Gospel chapter 2 it states, "Getting good results from your study depends on having a strong desire to learn, studying with 'real intent' (Moroni 10:4), 'hungering and thirsting after righteousness' (Matthew 5:6), and searching for answers to your investigators' questions and concerns" (PMG p. 17).

A crucial aspect of effective studies is starting and ending in prayer. Praying brings the Holy Ghost into our studies. We learn in the scriptures that the Holy Ghost "shall teach [us] all things and brings all things to [our] remembrance" (John 14:26). Having that Spirit with us as we study is crucial for us to learn and remember all things God would have us know to be prepared missionaries. It is also important to ponder  upon the things we study. To ponder means to think about something carefully. In Doctrine and Covenants section 138, Joseph F. Smith wrote that he "pondered" and "reflected" over the scriptures. This pondering led President Smith to receive important revelation from Heavenly Father about the spirit world. We, too, can receive revelation for ourselves regarding those we teach as we ponder the things we study.

We have been commanded in the scriptures to "Feast upon the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 31:20). Our daily studies give us that opportunity to delve into the teachings of Jesus Christ and His prophets. As we are on our missions acting as Jesus Christ's representatives, we can strive to do our best to make our studies effective by truly studying in His name. As we continue to learn about our Savior and his teachings, we can take the habits and techniques we have gained on our missions and use them for the rest of our lives. We should never stop learning and our testimonies never need to stop growing!