Lets Go Teach

This is Nathan Eddington.  He announced his exciting news today.  He received his mission call to the Dallas Texas Mission.  He reports next month!!  He will be ready though.  We are so excited for him and the great people he will meet in Texas!

Here we jumped right in to practicing teaching the restoration again in preparation for this afternoon when we will teach this to people in their homes.  For some this was a review, but others it was their first time.  Everyone caught on well and we felt the spirit as you shared.

Here is Caiden and Alejandro. 

Ryan and Packer

Brandon and Hunter a newcomer- very glad to have you!!

McKay and Tyler

After we practiced a little bit we were ready to go over our door approach for this afternoon.

First knock- 6 times was Simons magic number :) 

Then Introduce yourself.  Hi i'm....say your names, we are future missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from our stake mission prep class and we would like to share a message with you.

Get to know them a little bit.

If they invite you in, start by offering a prayer and invite them to say a prayer at the end.

Share your message

Commit them to do something and ask them for a referral of someone they know that you could share this   message with.

Closing prayer.

This should take only 5-10 minutes.

Now we went into the hall and practiced. Here are Brandon and Hunter 

Caiden and Alejandro.

Its so much easier if you have practiced and heard yourself and correct it before you actually do it for real.

Here McKay and Will are teaching Bro. Hooker

Nathan and Quincy talking to Tyler

Great practicing!  You are now ready to try doing it with strangers and learn even more.

Later that day we met and sent them out in twos to share the message of the restoration.  Where to start?  Use the spirit!  This is the Lords work and he is in charge.  This week we went to the 1st ward.  We will be rotating through all the wards in the stake eventually.

Here are two happy future missionaries ready to proclaim the gospel!

This can be scary but they all did so well and acted with so much faith.

What a beautiful day to do missionary work.

The scriptures teach us to open our mouth and it will be filled.  These boys did just that.

What a blessing to see our young men learning how to share the gospel.  They are following the Prophets counsel to prepare now.  

We encourage you to bring your friends to class so we can all and help each other prepare to be more comfortable sharing the gospel now and as full time missionaries.  Thank you to the 1st ward for being willing to let us practice with you.  It was very successful and we look forward to doing it next month.

Next weeks assignment:

NO class next week because it will be stake conference.  

However, please use these 2 weeks to prepare for the next lesson we will be studying and teaching.

The Plan Of Salvation.  Please read Lesson 2 in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel and the pamphlet that goes along with it.    

Teach And Testify

Today Caiden Neider gave the Spiritual Thought.  He said, "never underestimate the power of a single prayer."  He talked about the scripture James 1:5 and invited us to replace "wisdom" in that verse with anything we need help with.  He passed on a saying he liked that said "angels are a lot more willing to help us than we are willing to be helped." He testified that we are here learning to be missionaries because of a boy prophets single prayer.  Prayer works.  Thank you Caiden!!

Next we asked what was learned from the homework assignment.  Alex took it seriously and found scriptures and headings in the index that talked about the key points of the restoration. Then he put colored bookmarks in those places so he could find them again.  Way to go Alex.  You set a great example for all of us to dig deeper.

We were encouraged to really learn about the restoration on our own and understand the key points.  When you are out teaching others, this is the main thing that sets us apart from other churches including the Book of Mormon. Christs church has been restored and is once again on the earth, and He leads it today.

We committed each person to come prepared next week with reading the restoration lesson. They all said yes!!! So parents, please help remind them :-)

Here we practiced our homework assignment.  We practiced teaching and testifying of what we taught.  

Each person participated by teaching in a few sentences the key points of the restoration lesson, and then testifying of that doctrine.  The next person confirmed what they said with their witness and then taught the next point.

We covered all the points 2 times.  Then we talked about what we learned. and shared them with each other.

Here are some of them:

Had to listen to your companion and not get distracted so you could testify of what was being said.

Keep it simple.  It was hard not to give more information,

Hard to condense what you need to say- we must pick out the key points.

Everyone has a different style of teaching, different personalities, different words, but it all works.

The order of the points is like a timeline of the plan of salvation.

The order is like a funnel with the first topic being very general and broad and widely accepted and each one becoming more specific and personal.

This lesson is the gospel in a nutshell.

As these comments were made Caiden commented that we just did the same thing of teaching and testifying but in a more natural way.  But it was the same thing.  Each person's comment was followed by someone else agreeing and adding to what they learned.  

We also talked about what doctrines were harder to explain.  Most said the Apostasy.  Simon used this way below to explain about Apostasy:

So we tried it again, but now with the new understanding.

This time was a lot easier and flowed much better. We are learning and some even got brownie points for using the pictures in the pamphlet to explain what they were teaching!!  There was a wonderful spirit in the room as each one of you participated and taught with the spirit.  What a great group of youth you are!!!

NEXT WEEKS ASSIGNMENT

2 things.

1.  Please read...really read :-) Lesson 1, The Restoration in Preach My Gospel Pg 31-45

2.  Bring a friend with you to class! 

 We will be practicing door approaches and teaching the whole lesson in preparation for going to a ward and teaching in homes next sunday afternoon!

Key Points of The Restoration Lesson

Today we started out class by thinking of questions we could ask the recently returned missionaries that will be visiting our class today.  This is such a great opportunity for us to learn from them and feel their spirit and love of missionary work.

Then we shared messages that touched us from General Conference. We all noted how often missionary work was talked about and specifically member missionary work! 

Next we went over the Key Points in teaching the Restoration Lesson. We encourage you to memorize this list in order.  This will help you remember what to teach.  Each topic lays a foundation for the next.

Your homework for next week comes from this list.  More about that at the end :-)

• •God Is Our Loving Heavenly Father
• •The Gospel Blesses Families
• •Heavenly Father Reveals His Gospel in Every Dispensation
• •The Savior’s Earthly Ministry and Atonement
• •The Great Apostasy
• •The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith
• •The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
• •Pray to Know the Truth through the Holy Ghost

And here are the 4 missionaries we were blessed to hear from.  We could have listened to them all day!!!  They taught us so many amazing things and we learned so much today.

This is Jeremy Pyne.  He returned last week from Washington D.C South Mission.  He invited us to never let anything stop you from serving, and to be the best missionary you can be.  As you serve you will change into something you never thought possible.  You will become your best self.  This will help you to bless Gods children.  They desperately need us.

Here is Winston Farr.  He served in the Atlanta Georgia North Mission. Winston learned that you must forget yourself and serve the people.  Emotionally leave behind things at home that keep you from focusing on the work. When you do that then you can turn your heart over to the Lord and he will help you accomplish this great work.

This is Rachel Richards.  She served in South Texas.  She shared that her mission didn't change her, it helped her discover more of who she really was.  She invited us to give over our will to God.  She loved sharing the gospel and see when someone lights up that has been in darkness for so long.

Here is Kristina Earnst.  She just returned from the England London Mission.  She told us that a mission is not easy.  You are not going on a holiday.  You are out there to learn the gospel and to teach it.  Her mission president taught her that the greatest miracle of your mission is YOU.  Who you become on your mission is a miracle.  She shared that mission rules are to help you build confidence. She said to love every part of your mission, including the awkward parts, the food, the trials, and then you will always be happy.

Next is question and answer!   We learned so many great things.  Please share in your families what you learned here.

Tyler asked them to elaborate about awkward times on your mission and how to overcome them.  We learned that your whole mission is one giant Awkward moment.  So learn to become comfortable with the uncomfortable.  Laugh at it.  Laughter is great medicine.  We grow when we are pushed out of our comfort zone.

Hayden asked what they experienced on their missions that they did not expect.  

Their responses: its was harder than they thought.  Your studies is what makes or breaks your mission.  Learn how to study by topic with an investigator in mind. That changes everything and makes your study applicable and meaningful.

Spencer asked for suggestions about how to connect with your companions.  They explained that you will get along with most of your companions.  Serve them, build trust, and communicate.  Remember we all have annoying qualities.  Be prayerful and be willing to do things their way.  Be willing to take criticism.  Its easy to get irritated because you are tired.  Don't say things to your companion that you will regret later. "One moment of patience can escape 100 days of sorrow".  Look for the good in everyone.  Instead of pointing out their faults, focus on yourself and see what your faults are and work on them.  If you are not getting along with your companion your investigators will be able to see that.  If you are miserable, they will not want to be part of it.

 Ryan asked what should we be doing now to prepare.  They all encouraged us to read our scriptures, pray, live the gospel and apply its teachings.  CPR- Church Pray Read  This brings the spirit into your life.  That is the key to missionary work.  The spirit converts.  The missionary only shares the message.  If you have the spirit with you always, it will guide you your whole mission.

Alex asked how can you help others learn to receive revelation.  In Preach my Gospel you learn that you are guides.  You cant force people.  As you help teach/guide people how to pray and how to read their scriptures and how to attend church and apply it in their life, then you will invite them to act on what they know and have found out for themselves.  Now that you know, what are you going to do?  As a missionary you commit people to act on what they have learned.  The scriptures also commit us by asking "repent ye, repent ye".  A modern way of saying that is "will you, will you"

 Other advice:  Love everyone you see!  They need to know you care about them.  The way you show that is to listen to them! Take what they said and apply the gospel to them! If you don't listen you can't teach with the spirit.

Sisters and Elders need to work together.  Its not a competition.  Be a missionary that others can trust.

Remember who you are.  You are a representative of the Savior.  Be yourself but hold yourself to a higher standard.  You represent Him.


Lots and Lots of great council!  Thank you so much.  Your spirit lifted us to higher ground and we really appreciate your willingness to share!

I forgot to put this on- Sister Kim Josse will be leaving this week for the Mexico MTC to learn spanish and then off to the Morristown  New Jersey mission.  She has a strong testimony and desire to help others come unto Christ.  We wish her well and will be praying for her.

NEXT WEEKS ASSIGNMENT

Come prepared to teach and testify of the key points of the Restoration lesson.

• •God Is Our Loving Heavenly Father
• •The Gospel Blesses Families
• •Heavenly Father Reveals His Gospel in Every Dispensation
• •The Savior’s Earthly Ministry and Atonement
• •The Great Apostasy
• •The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith
• •The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
• •Pray to Know the Truth through the Holy Ghost

We will go around the room and in order of the points, the first person will teach the first point in a few short sentences.  Then they will testify of what they said.  The next person will add their testimony of what was taught and then teach the next point and testify of what they taught, and so on and so on until all have had a chance to teach and testify.
These are listed on Page 41 in Preach My Gospel under the short lesson plan.

This is helping prepare us to have some real life experiences on the last Sunday of the month when we will pick a ward and go out in twos and knock doors and teach this lesson in homes!!!  The ward will be told in advance that we are coming.  We are excited to have this opportunity!

Prayer Changes Things

To start off class and help us engage our brains quicker so early in the morning, we invited Brandon to share a scenario that we could face when sharing the book of mormon.  He chose a scenario of a member that participates in church but really does not have a testimony.  They have only come because they are expected to.  

Then we split into small groups and talked about what we could do to help them.  

Each group was very thoughtful and used the spirit to think of inspired ways to approach such a person.

They came up with 

1.actively involving them in your activities.  Help them get re-excited about living the gospel. 

2.As their friend you can ask them casual questions about any concerns they have and invite them to read from the scriptures with you and to study together.  Caiden reminded us of the quote:  "If you want to talk to God, Pray. If you want to hear God speak to you, read your scriptures." 

3.  Help them change habits that they may have that keep them from feeling the spirit.

4. Use a physical analogy to help them see the value of reading the scriptures daily. Simon said he would use the idea of a three legged stool.  It has to have 3 legs as a minimum to stand.

 Those three legs represent Pray every day, read scriptures every day, and attend church every week.  If you are weak in one of those areas, you cannot stand strong in the face of the challenges that are placed upon us.-  this idea is very helpful- why?  because it is easy to relate to, easy to understand and remember when you are not with them.

Next we shared insights from the homework of practicing introducing the book of mormon.

Tyler learned that you should not try and explain everything you know about the book.  Let them read it for themselves and ask questions about it.

Simon said a complaint he heard from converts was that missionaries will say "We have a great message we want to share with you" over and over again, but never actually get to the message.  Why not just sit down and read from the Book of Mormon the message you want to share.  

Make sure you have them hold their own copy of the Book of Mormon.  There is power in just holding this sacred holy book!

He also shared explaining faith when you are talking to an investigator about a specific problem they are having and would like an answer to.  They need faith that God will answer their questions.  We can ask God directly for help.  If you were taking a test and you were told you could ask one person for help for the answers to the test, who would you ask?  Your neighbor, or the teacher?  God knows all the answers for us personally and loves us perfectly!  Ask him!

Which brings us to this.  We are going to start having one person each week share a spiritual thought of a principle that they have gained a stronger testimony of and why.  Simon first demonstrated this :)

He shared an amazing story of gaining a strong testimony of prayer while tracting on his mission.  They had a hard day and he got upset with someone they spoke to that just wanted to fight about the gospel.  His new companion suggested they say a prayer.  He said no, they knocked a few more doors and again his companion suggested they should pray.  So without conviction, he agreed and they stood in the street and said a prayer.  The next door they knocked on had the sign he is holding hanging on it.  When they knocked on the door, Elder Taylor just said, can I tell you about what has happened to us today. And I just wanted to know why you have this sign on your door?  The couple let them in and his wife shared her experience with praying about her terminal cancer and getting her answer.  I am leaving out lots of details to summarize, but he learned for himself and came to know that

Prayer works!  

Next we discussed a question Carissa Sears had.  What do you do when you ask someone if they say they have prayed about the book of mormon and they got a no answer.

What a great question and this sparked a really great discussion.

We talked about not giving up there but ask questions to find out more about their experience.  Ask what were they expecting for an answer- One person prayed that if it was true the paper in front of them would miraculously turn over.  Help them understand how God usually answers prayers.

Also, find out if they really read the book and how were they reading it- while the tv is on, with the kids yelling in the room.  Share that if this really is God's book and he wants to talk to you about how you can improve your life, read it with that spirit and first desire to feel him speaking to you.

Lots of text---sorry--but we did not have a lot of you there today and I wanted to make sure you could catch up on what we discussed.  Great class today and we hope you are starting to feel more comfortable sharing and discussing the gospel.  

No Class next week-

Assignment for next week- 

click on this to see what General conference has for you

Watch General Conference

And practice your missionary purpose now and invite others to come unto Christ every day.  Share your experiences when we meet again in 2 weeks.  Also make sure your three legged stool is able to stand by 1. pray every day, 2. read the book of mormon every day, and 3. Attend church every week.

Pay attention to the General Conference talks and how the messages apply to missionary work.