A late final note....We were transferred!

A late final note.
Last year we were called to new assignments. (Transferred so to speak:-))What a blessing this calling was to us.  We have seen many young men and women desire to serve a full time mission and also just learn how to share the gospel with their friends and family.  We have been witnesses of the growth they have had as they have returned.  They learned how to love and serve their fellow men!  It has been our sacred privilege to watch this process. They have learned for themselves that the Book of Mormon is true. What a blessing these young adults will be to the world.  We are so grateful to have been part of this hastening.
We have kept this blog up because we have seen that it is still being viewed by many throughout the world.  We wish you to very best in your missionary preparation efforts and will always be happy to share anything we have put online that would help you.  We bear our witness that this is God's church here on the earth.  He sent His Son Jesus Christ to show us the way to be happy in this life and to prepare for eternal life with our families.  The atonement makes that possible.  We know we are not perfect but are so grateful to have a perfect example to learn from and are blessed to be members of His church here on earth and partake of the promises he makes with his covenant children.  May we always be on the Lords side serving his children!
In the Name of Jesus Christ
Amen

Our Sister Missionaries Are Returning

What a wonderful thing to be here to see these amazing Sister Missionaries return. This is part of the first group of sisters that left from our stake with the first wave after the age change. 

 We were privileged to hear from 5 sisters this day and a senior couple.

This is Sister Hansen.  She served in Chili. 

Flash back 18 months ago to these girls getting ready to go.

This is Sister Hooker. She is our daughter who returned from the Argentina, Salta Mission.

Here is Sister Clegg who returned from the Australia, Sydney mision

And Sister Bate, from Germany Frankfurt Mission.

Sister Tebbs served in the Canada Toronto Mission

Bro and Sister ?  I lost my notes so I will add it later:/ 

They served as building facility directors in Palmyra, New York and assisted with many things including the pagent, feeding and loving missionaries and building maintenance. They shared how the Lord blessed their family with miracles while they served.  

All these missionaries bore powerful testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ. They each came to know Him through trials and adversity when it seemed like there was no one else to turn to.  He was there for them.  The gospel is true and it blesses us every day to be happy and have hope.

Bro. Hooker and I are grateful we have been able to be in this calling long enough to see these missionaries return.  What a blessing to hear their testimonies and see the growth and understanding they have gained by their dedication to the Lord and his children.  We know you will continue to do this throughout your lives.

This Sunday we will introduce you to the NEW TEACHER!!!  Dont miss it.  We have been transferred!!!  My final post will be this coming sunday.

Plan of Salvation Lesson- Get The Big Picture

Love this class!  Michael Johnson announced that he received his mission call to Bogota Columbia!  He leaves on November 5!  Congratulations! We are so excited for you.

   In this picture each person is studying for a few minutes how they would teach the plan of salvation lesson to the "investigator" listed on their teaching record.  They are finding scriptures, think of questions, etc.  Then we broke up into 3 groups and each group discussed their ideas and came up with a group lesson plan to teach this investigator.  You could feel the inspiration in the room.  The class came up with some great ideas....

...however, we will have to wait until next week to role play teaching the lesson plan to the class because we got to hear from these 5 wonderful returned missionaries.  From left to right...Bro. Pollard,  Morgan Durocher, Alex Stulce, Nick Goodman, and Daniel Hancock.  Simon had each one share an experience or testimony they had with teaching the plan of salvation.

Bro. Durocher served in Honolulu Hawaii.  His testimony was strengthened when their car was being repaired and they had to walk to an appointment to teach the plan of salvation 1 hour away and would be late.  Their mission president just happened to be driving by which rarely happens and offered them a ride and sat in on the lesson they taught.  He learned that God is aware of him and to trust the spirit.  When you teach you will find the words will just come that you need to say if you have the spirit with you.    

Bro. Pollard served in Los Angeles, California spanish speaking.  He shared the importance of teaching simply.  Its is very important to study preach my gospel but you really only share a small portion of what you know.  A very important thing to teach them is how to recognize the spirit.  Explain to them how they will feel it and when and why they will feel it.  As you teach simply and speak truth, the spirit will be there.  Explain to them that you may not be the best teachers or that they may not understand everything you teach, but make sure they can recognize the spirit.  He also said that the best missionaries are the best human being.  Just be a good kind person and love people and you will be a great missionary.

I didn't get another picture of Nick Goodman.  He served in the South Africa, Durban mission.  His favorite lesson to teach was the doctrine of the atonement.  He loved helping people realize they can have hope and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  He said it's scary to teach in front of people but if you embrace Preach My Gospel and trust in the Lord, you will figure it out.  

Here is Daniel Hancock.  He served in the Fiji Suva mission. He loved wearing skirts in the very hot weather there!  He explained that there is nothing more difficult than a mission, and also nothing more rewarding.  He said that the first lesson which is the Restoration is the most powerful, however in his mission many people did not have a christian background.  So many times he taught them the plan of salvation first to help them get the big picture.  Then they could see the need for the restoration of the gospel and what the purpose of life truly is.  

He is pictured here demonstrating that he would often take of his tie when teaching the plan of salvation and put his tie clip in the middle of the tie after it is stretched out.  The tie clip would represent us here on this life compared to our life before here on earth and our life after death.  He said that was a great visual for this lesson.

Morgan Durocher also explained a door approach used on his mission using prayer.  They would knock, introduce themselves and ask them if there was anyone that could use a prayer right then.  They would offer a prayer for them and bear their testimony.  The power of prayer was a great tool for helping people feel the spirit.

 After these missionaries left, the class commented on how they had the missionary glow!  Thank you for your great example and love of missionary work!

And then we got to hear from Jack Taylor...his last time with us.  He leaves on wednesday for the MTC and will be serving in Bulgaria and Turkey.  Oh how we will miss Jack but know he is ready to leave and prepared to teach the gospel...now he just has to learn bulgarian:-)  We will be praying for you and know the Lord will be with you every day!  Good luck.

 Here he is after his Sacrament meeting talk.

Next weeks assignment:  We will be teaching the "Plan Of Salvation" lesson to each other so continue to study and find scriptures to teach this lesson.  Remember to teach simply and from the heart.

The Restoration Lesson Role Play

In class today we read part of a letter from one of the missionaries from our stake.  It is very inspiring and shows how important the message of our Savior Jesus Christ is to those you might not think would be interested.

He wrote:  So I have a miracle of miracles for you guys... Remember last week in my email where I said,, Okay well im gonna get off now because there's a man sitting next to me listening to satanic music and screaming Satan is my master?? Yeah that??? Well before I left that internet shop I planned I was going to change that mans life, I wanted to know how God saw this man and how He felt about him. As I sat there thinking the spirit came to me and told me I needed to show this man the "Because of Him" Video... I was scared outta my mind and quite frankly shocked but I felt it again. So next thing I know I'm in-between him and his computer telling him that I was going to show him a video. I opened the video then walked outta the shop. As soon as I took my first step out I knew I had to go back in there... but I didn't want to, I had already mustered up all my courage to put myself between him and his antichrist satanic videos. I thought my part was over then suddenly as if I had no agency my two legs started moving again and I was walking back into that internet shop. Completely confident I sat down next to him put my arm around him and watched the video with him. At the end he turned his head at me about in tears saying that was Jesus Christ. I bore testimony of the Savior and that its all because of him that we are here and that we will live again. Because of him we don't have to suffer. Jesus Loves us. The spirit was hitting him hard and before I could even say who I was he was asking for a book of Mormon and if we could stop by and help him get his life in order. Now let me just say... When we think we have done enough we must be willing to go and push even further! God expects great things from us, specially those of us who have this wonderful Gospel. We have the wonderful responsibility to bring that to others. I want you to think about this... In one moment a man went from Satan to Christ, from the darkness to the light. From saying Satan is my master to Please help me come closer to Christ In one moment... and its all Because of Him. God sent Jesus Christ to save us all, we don't have to fear if we trust in the Spirit and share this Gospel. Robert is going to be baptized and I will never forget him. Matter in fact later that night he sent us a text saying he is reading the book of Mormon and is going to finish it so we can visit with him. The next morning he sent us a morning text about how its a great day because Christ is our savior... Amazing. Thats all I have to say and its all because of Him.

Heres the Because of Him video if you haven't seen it.

https://www.lds.org/church/news/church-to-launch-because-of-him-easter-initiative?lang=eng 

What a blessing it is to hear about the experiences that are awaiting you as you serve your missions!  

Lets make sure we are ready now!  

We studied and role played teaching the restoration lesson to an investigator that is a widow, 60 years old, lives next door to a member family and loves Jesus Christ.  The lessons are always taught at the members home.  Now you get to teach her the restoration lesson for the first time. Are you ready?  I think so!!!

Here are Spencer and Jacob teaching Hunter.  

Geneva and Emily are teaching Saige, Sarah and Kylie

Tanner and Cameron and teaching Bro. Cox

Tyler and Hayden are teaching Jack and Taylor.

It is amazing to hear them teach with such power and testimony.  We can see their confidence increasing and also their ability to open up and talk about the gospel in a natural way.  Way to go!  We didn't get a chance to switch off  because we had a wonderful returned missionary come and share his testimony and advice with the class. 

Meet Travis Bergen.  He served in Capetown South Africa.  He spoke english and learned some click which was fun to hear.  He explained that Sister missionaries are not called to serve here.  Even though it was a dangerous area he always felt safe and protected from harm and shared an occasion where he was spared from danger.  He told us that you are here for a reason.  That reason is to share the message of the restoration with the world. Joseph Smith was a prophet and his message is true.  He said that the mission saved his life and that serving the Lord has brought him more joy beyond anything you will have at home.

The class asked him questions.  One was what was the one thing that you would suggest we know before we go.  He said with much thought....humility.  Have a humble heart!  Be humble and willing to be taught.  Submit your will to the Fathers will and you will do fine.  He also shared that best success comes when the people realize and feel you are really sincere and want to help them.

His final advice he gave with much energy was this...KNOW WHY YOU'RE GOING BEFORE YOU LEAVE!  Dont wait until you are out there to figure that out.  You do not want to wait the Lord's time or hinder the work.  If you know your purpose, and feel it, you will be prepared to serve.  That purpose might change or be added to, but have a purpose you can hold on to when it gets hard and don't lose sight of that.  Thank you Elder Bergen.  We are so glad you have returned safe and we wish you well in your next adventures!  Keep the missionary spirit alive in all you do!

Later today we met and tracted in the 12th ward.  What a great experience.  Thank you so much to the families that opened your doors to our class and let them teach and share this message with you.  They had great learning opportunities and felt the spirit and gained some great experience!  This is an amazing group of dedicated youth!!!!  We feel confident they are gaining the experience to help them hit the ground running!

Anna Lisa,Geneva, Emily, Kiera, Sarah, Preston, Jack, Tyler, Hayden, Brandon, and Hunter (thumbs up!)

thank  you for making the extra effort to go tracting today.

Next Week's Assignment:  NO CLASS...its fast sunday already.  But the following week we will be back studying the Plan of Salvation.  So please read that lesson again and find scriptures that will help you teach that.  Also ponder the pictures and think of inspired questions about them to help discover what they believe and what their concerns are.

Have a great week.  We will see you August 10th!

Using Scriptures to Teach The Plan of Salvation

The big announcement today.....Tanner Stufflebeam received his mission call to the Birmingham Alabama Mission!!!  He leaves September 3rd.  Congratulations.  We are so happy and know the Lord will bless you as you prepare to find and serve and teach the amazing people in Alabama!

We deviated this week from the Restoration.  Bro. Andrew Wadsworth, who served in the Moscow, Russia Mission joined us today to help us boost our study of "The Plan of Salvation" lesson.  He shared that many great minds are still trying to find the answers to the questions that the plan of salvation teaches us.  This lesson is universal and helps everyone understand why we are here, where we came from and what is our purpose and what happens after we die!

The class helped explain the overall plan as Andrew wrote it on the board.  This is a familiar diagram.  However, what is missing is CHRIST!  It is very important that as we draw or explain this diagram that you emphasize that every part is because of Christ.  For example: In the pre-existence we choose to follow Christ. Because of Christ we can come to earth (which HE created) and use our agency to choose to follow Him, Because of Christ we can be resurrected, etc.....Always point out that Jesus Christ is central to this plan.  

We were reminded that everything you read and will teach in preach my gospel can be found in the scriptures.  As you study on your own, and come across a sentence that you don't know where it would be taught in the scriptures, go find it!  Then use it when you teach the lessons.  The better you know and use the scriptures when you teach, the more the spirit will be present (your third companion) and you will demonstrate how your investigator can find their OWN answers in the scriptures.

So Andrew gave each companionship either a paper with a challenge an investigator had, and the other companionship a scripture from the plan of salvation.  A few minutes were given to those with the scripture to read it and study it and then use that scripture to teach with.

Here are the Scriptures:

Job 38:4-7

Moses 1:39

Romans 8:16-17

1 Peter 1:18-20

Jeremiah 1:5

Genesis 1:26-28

Abraham 3:22-28

Moses 4:1-4

2 Corinthians 5:6-7

2 Nephi 2:6-8

2 Nephi 2:14-16, 19-25

2 Nephi 2:26-28

Alma 34:31-34

Romans 3:23

2 Nephi 9:6-13

Alma 11:42-45

Alma 40:11-14

Luke 24:1-10, 36-43

Alma 7:11-14

Alma 34:8-10, 15-18

John 3:16-17

1 Corinthians 15:20-13

Alma 42:13-15

  They had to ask questions to find out what challenge their investigator had. 

Here were the Scenarios:

Spouse recently passed away

Recently diagnosed with a terminal illness

Recently experienced the birth of child

Recently married

Believes in reincarnation 

Struggling to find any purpose or meaning in life

Desires to some how make up for past mistakes

Close family member suffers from crippling disability

Struggling with an addiction

Recently divorced 

Atheist

Agnostic

Desires to know why bad things happen to good people

Wonders if there is life after death, or if we simply cease to be

Struggling with recurrent illness and depression

Struggling financially, has a family

Then they taught about the plan of salvation from the scriptures.  Then they were given new scriptures and a new scenario and switched and the other group taught.

After, we came together and discussed what we learned.  

Some learned that you really need to ask more questions to get to the heart of their questions or the questions of the soul.

Another group, sometimes the concerns they have are better met by teaching another lesson.  Its ok to switch to another lesson if that is what they need.

There is power in teaching from the scriptures.  Make sure your lessons are not just your words, but come from God and His words.

Thank you to all the new sisters that joined class today!  We love meeting new people and welcome all who would like to get a head start on your missionary preparation.

Next weeks assignment:

We will be continuing with "The Restoration" Lesson.  Please put into practice what you did today.  Find scriptures that you can use to teach with.  The full lesson plan on page 42 is a great start!  If you are short on time, please read Joseph Smith History and be prepared to share what you learned next week.

Also we will be tracting and teach this lesson to a ward in our stake next sunday the 27th from 4:30-5:30.  This is a great opportunity to practice.  We hope you can make it and bring your friends!

Using the Area Book and Teaching Record

Its always a great day to come to Mission Prep!  Today was no exception.

Simon gave some background for the Area Books that you will all have for each area that you serve in.  It includes information about the people that the missionaries have been teaching.  It also includes a map of your area and other important information.  Today we focused on the Teaching Record below.  

The scenario we were given was that you and your companion are white washing an area.  Meaning that the missionaries that were in the area before you have both been transferred out.  You and your companion are brand new to this area and know nothing about the people except what the missionaries have left behind in the area book!  Hope they left you good records right!!!!  Right!!!

Then Simon gave them a filled out record of the family you will be going to visit.  All you have to go by is what was recorded on the teaching record.

Background info was given along with one entry that this family was a referral from the dads mother who is a recent convert. The family consists of mom who works alot, dad  who is interested to learn more about what his mom was taught and how his family can grow closer together and a 10 year old son who has been to church with grandma.  Also dad works for the city, rides mountain bikes, and loves soccer.   The missionaries had met the son and they talked briefly about prophets and set up a lesson.  The next entry...we are getting transferred.  We moved the lesson to friday. Good Luck! 

Now you get to prepare to teach this family the restoration lesson.

Here the class divided up into companionships and started to plan their lesson.

It is so fun to watch the spirit direct their studies!!!

After about 15 min of study, they get to role play teaching this family.

Here the sisters took turns being the missionaries and the investigators.  

Loni, Sarah, Laura and Geneva.

Berkley, Bro. Cox, Zenos, Brandon and Packer

Tyler, Alex, Jack, Kade and Hayden.

After the first group get to teach, they evaluate what they did well and what they could improve on.

Then they ideally re-teach, but because of time, they switch places and the other group teaches.

This is a great opportunity to think from the mind of the investigator and study with them in mind.  

The class is doing a great job and get right to work. 

At the end of class we had these wonderful missionaries report on their misison.

On the Left are Bro. and Sister Henderson.  They served in the Atlanta Georgia North Mission for 1 year.  They both shared that the highlight, the cream of the mission, the cherry on top was being able to work with the young missionaries.  They grew so much from watching you serve.  Their testimonies grew leaps and bounds, even at 70+ years old!  They thanked the class for your desire to serve.  You will make a big difference in the lives of many people you serve.  Sis. Henderson said that you probably feel heavy expectations as you contemplate serving.  Relax and never forget that Heavenly Father loves each one of you and will not give up on you.  He will help you every step of the way.

Next we heard from Sister Barton.  She served in the Florida Tallahassee Mission.  She said you will never regret serving a mission.  She gained confidence that Gods plan is a perfect plan.  She told us that planning is a very big part of being a successful missionary.  At night when you get home and you are very tired, don't forget to fill out your teaching records!!!  (Great push for todays activity!)  she said that the Lords hand is in everything that you do.  

Last but not least, we heard from Bro. and Sister Vermason.  They served in Washington Tacoma Mission with a Military base emphasis. They assisted the missionaries a lot and gave them rides, fed them and helped with firesides and much more.  Bro. Vermason said "I have known many of you since you were very young and know your parents.  We would not tell you something thats not true.  We would have to live with that forever." His testimony was that you will have opportunities to impact peoples lives just by putting on the missionary badge and walking into a room.  Trust that God will guide you to people that are interested in the message of the Savior and His church.  by studying, reaching out, praying, following the spirit and walking long miles, you will impact lives for eternity.  They were impressed with the quality of the missionaries they served with.  

Thank you to these amazing couples and sister missionary.  Everytime we hear missionaries return, our fears and doubts fall away and our faith is renewed that we can do our part to hasten the work of salvation.

This is Will Comin.  He gave his farewell talk today.  He will be leaving for the Ventura California Mission in 2 weeks!  Does his smile just say "Im ready and excited to go!!!"  He shared a story during his talk that I think all of you would enjoy reading.  Here is the link "Testimony of a missionary"   Will, you have waited a long time, but the wait is over and you will soon join the ranks of full-time missionaries!  God be with you til we meet again and we will be able to hear about those people you found and shared the gospel with!!

And this is Troy Tebbs.  He is leaving this week to the Charleston West Virginia Mission!  What a fine young man that has a heart of gold and will do his best as he serves the Lord.  Troy has been our home teacher for the past few years and we will greatly miss his home teaching messages!  But that practice will serve him well.  Good luck Elder Tebbs!!! We will always keep you both in our prayers.

Next weeks assignment:  We have a special guest coming to teach us about the Plan Of Salvation. His name is Andrew Wadsworth.   He served in Russia and has a great lesson for us.  Some of you have seen him before in class. He asked that we come prepared by reading the lesson in Preach My Gospel Pages 47-59 and the Pamphlet that goes with that lesson by next week!  Plan to read a little every day.  Your efforts will pay off we promise!!! You can do it.  Dont procrastinate your assignment :-).  We will see you next week.

Also....Parents and class.  Here is a link to a discussion on the MORMON CHANNEL.org (Gospel solutions for families) that will help you with preparing future missionaries.  Preparing future missionaries Part 1, Part 2
As you listen, take notes because they give some really practical ideas for helping prepare your children to serve full time missions!!!  Dont miss it!

Another great thing to listen to on the mormon channel- conversations with the public affairs director of the church about how to talk about the church to friends and acquaintences.  Great practical information that will help alot!!!

Companionship Study for Restoration Lesson Plan

Today we focused on companionship study with an investigator in mind.  Simon gave us a scenario of a family that is Catholic but not active. The dad loves soccer and the world cup will be coming on in about 30 minutes.  The mom let you in because she wants to know more about prophets.  They have 3 little girls.

Our assignment is to come up with a lesson plan with your companion for this family and teach them the restoration lesson.  

We asked more questions about this family.  As you know more about someone, the spirit can start to teach you what they might need to hear.  This is very important in companionship study.  Study from the perspective of the investigator.  As you do the spirit will bring to your mind their needs and concerns.

Here are some of the groups...I am missing some pictures...sorry :-)  

After they had about 15 minutes to study and make an outline of what they wanted to teach,each group shared their outline and what they wanted to teach.

This group felt like it would be important to use the dads love of soccer as an analogy to the gospel. They connected the role of the coach with a living prophet today.  The head coach is God.  He knows the game plan.  He can't tell all the players at once so he has captains.  The captain has the authority to tell the players the plan.  This captain is like the prophet.  They also wanted to use the "How can I know section" in the beginning and ask the dad to pray.  They wanted to use the moms bible and have them read Amos 3:7 and Hebrews 13:8  Excellent scriptures!

This group felt the importance of teaching the apostasy and that God loves you!  They wanted to end with importance that you can know for yourself by reading the Book Of Mormon.  In their prayer they would pray for each person in the family by name.

These sisters felt like it would be important first to get to know them better.  And then start with what they know about prophets.  Which ones do they know and ask why they were important.

They wanted to use Jacob 4:6 and talk about how scriptures are written by prophets.  They would share what they have personally learned from prophets in the scriptures. Another scripture they would use is Mosiah 8:18  Prophets are here to benefit us.  They speak to us two times a year in general conference.  They are here to guide us and help us.  They would talk about how current prophets council has helped them personally.  An example was food storage.  His family followed the prophets council and when their dad was out of work for 2 years, they were prepared.  This family lived in Los Angeles, CA.  They felt like they would have lots of experience with traffic jams.  A prophet can help you navigate through those traffic jams of life and help you avoid them.

Once again we witness the power of these youth!!!  The spirit is the great teacher as they put their trust in Him and exercise their agency to try and find answers.  

As we listened to each group come up with very different approaches, we learned from each one very valuable ideas.  As you study every day with your companion, and share your ideas in district meetings, you will help teach each other and all will be edified and rejoice together Doctrine and Covenants 50:22

Keep up the good work.

Assignment for next time:

We will meet again on July 13th.  Please keep studying the restoration lesson with this family in mind. We will practice teaching it then.