Teach the doctrine to support the pictures

First we must tell all who attended how impressed we were to see you SO VERY EARLY on sunday morning!  Daylight savings made it extra hard to make it to class, but you did it!  We hope you will feel the Saviors love as you prepared and came even though it was difficult.  What great missionaries you will be!!!  Your mission presidents will love you.

This is Michael Martin.  He just returned from Antofagasta Chile and came to our class to share his testimony and answer questions and give valuable insights.  Some of those included:  1. Get to know the bishops, relief society presidents and ward mission leaders.  Meet with them every week.  They will help you the most with your investigators and coordinating member help.  2. The best way to get along with any companion is to serve them every day- shine their shoes, make their bed, make breakfast.  As you serve them, you overcome differences.  3. Plan with the spirit.  Then stick to your plan.  4.  Even if you don't get into a home to teach, you have let them know you are there and want to help- don't get discouraged, you are still doing good.  5.  Leave your fears behind you and the Lord will help you.  6. Strive to be your first convert.  GREAT WISDOM.

Thank you Michael!  We felt your love of missionary work and the power it has to help us become like the Savior.  

As a review:  We discussed that the pictures serve as common ground to use as you introduce the lessons.  However, by themselves, they are not enough to keep someone on the path toward baptism.  If you let go of the pictures held up by only one straw, it will fall.  So it needs multiple straws from different angles to support it.  This is done by helping your investigator learn the doctrines and principles that support the pictures in the pamphlet.  We discussed resources to find the doctrine including the topical guide, bible dictionary,  scriptures, Preach My Gospel, the Pamphlet, Ensign conference talks, and True to the Faith, your own personal experience and testimony, your investigators personal experience and testimony.

So your invitation to study this week is to 

1.  look at this picture in the Restoration Pamphlet and come prepared to share the doctrine and principles you found to support it.

2.   Read 3 Nephi 17

3.   Read  "The Atonement",  by Elder Boyd K. Packer  Oct. 2012

4.   Another talk to read suggested by Missy Roberts is "The Enabeling power of the Atonement" in the current March Ensign.  

Please come prepared to teach us what you have discovered.

Now for the missionary news!!  We have 5 sister missionaries leaving this week or next.  This is Sister Allie Bate.  She gave her talk today and will leave next week to serve in Frankfurt Germany, where her father also served.  So exciting that her family will continue to share the gospel in Germany.  We know she will touch the hearts of the people there!  Good luck Allie.

Ashlynn Clegg also spoke in Sacrament meeting today and will enter the MTC on Wednesday.  She will be serving in Sydney Australia. She will be missed in class but will make a real difference wherever she goes!

Lindsey Nicholes got away before I could take her picture but we have enjoyed getting to know her and her sister and will miss her great comments.  She also leaves this week to the MTC and will serve in Seattle Washington.

This is Missy Roberts.  She will leave next week for Sacramento, California.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts today.  We felt the power of your testimony about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  As you share that on your mission, many will come to know for themselves, that it is real.  

This is Kaitlin Hooker- our daughter :-) and will also leave on Wednesday.  She will be serving in the Salta Argentina Mission.  As a mom, I have a special love for all of our sister missionaries, and elders as they go forth to serve.  We will miss your smiles, but know without a doubt that we are turning you over to the Lord and you are now in His Hands and that gives us such peace.  See you all in 18 months and we look forward to hearing your testimonies and mission experiences.  You will all be in our prayers.