The Power of Returned Missionaries and Real Life Experiences.

Today we had the privilege of hearing from the most recently returned missionaries in our stake.  The testimonies they shared changed our class for the better and we are very grateful for the lessons they taught us.

This is Bro. Riley Moore. He has been home for 3 days! He served in the Colorado Springs, Colorado Mission. He bore a great witness of the power of Preach My Gospel, combined with the scriptures.  He encouraged us to study it as much as possible.  We may have been taught the gospel our whole life, but on a mission we need to learn to share it very simply.  Preach My Gospel will help you do that.  Read all the scripture references- They will become your best friend, because they will bring the spirit to those you teach.  The scriptures also help investigators see they can look for answers on their own.

He reminded us that every member needs a friend, a calling, and nourishing by the good word of God.  Help them feel needed and comforted.  This is great wisdom from a great missionary.

He also suggested we study chapter 13 about working with ward and stake leaders.  Respect them and learn etiquette in talking with them about their members.  They most likely know more than you and have been there longer, so respect their ideas.

Thank you Elder and we wish you continued success in the next phase of your life!

This is Sister Wright.  She returned this week from the New Jersey, Morristown Mission.  What a sweetheart!  She got to help with the clean up efforts of Hurricane Sandy and loved every minute of it.  We also felt your powerful spirit of missionary work and wanted to run out and go find people to teach!  She gained an appreciation of the concept of enduring to the end on her mission.  It is more meaningful to her now.  She loved her mission because each day is filled with so much purpose.  And NOTHING IS ABOUT YOU!  Its all about Jesus Christ.  If you let Him, He will guide you in everything you do and everywhere you go.  Be unselfish and be yourself.  Don't compare yourself to other missionaries.  You are needed where the Lord sends you because of who you are.  Don't change that by trying to become someone else.

Her biggest growth was when she had the most challenges. 

Thank you Lindsey!  We can tell the people of New Jersey will miss you.

After our guests left, we all discussed what we heard and what we connected with.  Brady shared that he enjoyed hearing that we need to be ourselves.  That was reassuring to know that someone out there needs to hear from YOU! And that we need to do a better job studying Preach My Gospel.  

And class time flew by, but not without Ethan Reynolds amazing discovery!  His hobby is hunting antlers that have been shed by deer and elk.  A family tradition for generations.  He found this incredible pair only yesterday.  A very rare find and they are huge!  He related this experience to the gospel.....(this is what these young men and women can do so naturally if they are given the chance).  He explained that these antlers are very hard to find.  If someone that knows where to look for them tells you where to look, the chances go way up that you can find some.  As a missionary we have learned where to find answers and how to receive blessings.  We can now help others do the same.  He also compared the heavy underbrush to Satan trying to make it hard to find the answers or make the changes we need to be happy.  But if we don't give up and put in the extra work, it will pay off and we will find what we are looking for- a great treasure...eternal life!  

Some other fun trivia about antlers we learned is that they are shed once a year between March and May.  Each year they grow back bigger.  This could be compared to repentance.  Sometimes we have to start over, but if we repent and come unto Christ, our testimonies grow larger.

Thank you Ethan!!! We loved the connections you have made by tying the gospel to the things you love to do.  All things bear witness of Christ....even shed antlers!!  Great Job.  You are a natural teacher and have a pure heart and testimony.  

NEXT WEEK:  NO CLASS-  

We have Stake Conference!  

Please study Preach My Gospel Pg 47-59 about the plan of salvation and write down the scriptures and questions that will help you teach this. We will see you the following week on May 5th!

Teach To Peoples Needs From the Heart

According to Bro. Hooker, class was a "10" today.  Why?  because you participated in a meaningful discussion about the plan of salvation and how it speaks to you personally.  

We started out learning about the second pamphlet "The Plan of Salvation" by asking each person to look at the pictures and pick one they connect with and share why.  Through this we learned and were taught the doctrines of the atonement and Gods Plan for all of his children and how they apply to us.

From this picture Trevor noticed that the parents looked happy even though the child looked sad.  Our Heavenly parents know that we will struggle in life but know it will help us grow and teach us what we need to know and do in order to reach our full potential and ultimately live with Him again. Also that the parents (Heavenly Parents) are close...right there...so don't be afraid.  They are there to help you.

Ethan thought the child looked determined, not sad. On the page facing this in bold black letters it says. We have much to learn and experience during this life.  We will need help at times, but it is also our test to see if we want to learn what He would like to teach us.

Talon and Matt shared personal experiences about a time when their faith was shrinking and prayed for more faith.  They asked to know if "I have a place in this church?"  The Atonement allows us to repent and feel clean and start fresh.  The spirit witnessed to all of us that we indeed ALL HAVE A PLACE in His Church.  

Another comment- no one wants to be the last one picked on a team.  We are always on the Lords team!!!

And another reference to the puzzle pieces from last week...everyone wants to be a piece of the puzzle, but wonder where do I fit in?  

Our charge as representatives of Jesus Christ are to invite everyone we meet to come unto Christ so that you can feel His love.  Which love is the greatest gift of all.

Makelle was intrigued by the color of Mary's dress and sash.  Another person shared that he saw in this picture that the Savior is Living.  He is talking to Mary one on one.  Jesus cares about us individually.

I apologize for not writing down more of the comments that were shared about these pictures or not writing them better.  I was so engaged in what was being said that I forgot to record all of them.  

The power of class came from your speaking from the heart and talking about real needs.  

That is how we share the gospel.  Its that simple!

Next week:  We will have class

Yes it is fast Sunday, but Stake Conference is the week after that so we got special permission to have class next week even though it is fast Sunday!!  We will not have class on stake conference.

Please continue to study this pamphlet and share its message with your family.  

Also review page 175-177 in Preach My Gospel about "How can I improve my teaching skills" All the important keys are in this powerful book!  

We encourage you to follow the pattern suggested on pg 17 of Preach My Gospel:  "Effective daily study must always begin with prayer.  Study is an act of faith requiring the use of personal agency.  Many missionaries struggle to know how to study effectively. Some rely heavily on others or on structured programs to tell them what and how to study.  While learning from a good teacher is very important, it is more important for you to have meaningful learning experiences on your own.  Getting good results from your study depends on having a strong desire to learn, studying with real intent (Moroni 10:4), hunger[ing] and thirst[ing] after righteousness (Matt 5:6) and searching for answers to your investigators questions and concerns".

Discussion = Ask questions..then LISTEN MORE, TALK LESS

Thank you for your insights that you shared from Conference.  Some of them were: Pres. Uchtdorf- Individuality is important in the church.  Elder Holland- God puts up with us when we are imperfect.  We should do the same with others. Use Social Media as a missionary tool to reach out to friends and create a mormon.org profile.  Elder Cook- The doctrine of peace- Only found in Christ. This message of Peace is the greatest thing we  have to offer as missionaries. Elder Ballard- The potential of tomato seeds planted and then the plant almost died.  Don't get discouraged- keep watering the plant and give it sunshine and it will revive!

Today we learned how to have a discussion with a family about the Restoration.

This is a puzzle turned upside down to generate interest in the topic.  Explain to a member family you are teaching that you want to have a discussion about the restoration.  You would like them to share an important truth about the restoration, or a significant event that happened because of it. Such as- God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.  They have a body of flesh and bone.  God answers our prayers.  The priesthood power was restored to the earth, etc.  As each person comments, have them turn over a piece of the puzzle.  Great thoughts were shared by these amazing prospective missionaries like:  Churches had pieces of truth, but were missing the fullness of the gospel.  If a piece was missing from their church and they didn't know the answer, they just painted in what they wanted to fill that spot.  By small and simple things are great things come to pass.  Investigators don't understand the gospel- its our job to help them flip over the pieces so they can see what it is. Turning over a piece of the puzzle is like asking a question.  When we ask a question, we allow God to give us the answer.

                                               
                         After the pieces are all turned over- the class worked to put them all together.

And this is the completed puzzle.  This is a copy of an original watercolor painting we were given for a wedding gift 30 years ago!! A priceless treasure.  Next we had a discussion about what the restoration meant to each of us personally.  How has knowing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to earth affected your life?  

Now your invitation for this week:

You were given a small version of this puzzle.  Have a similar discussion about the restoration with your family and 2 other families. Leave them a copy of the Restoration pamphlet and invite them to use it with their family to learn more about the critical pieces of the Restoration.  This might also include the families you home teach. Come back and share your experience.

We also passed out the next pamphlet.  This and all the pamphlets can also be viewed online here.  

Read through this and we will be discussing this next week and work together to find the doctrines you will be teaching with it. 

One of those doctrines is the Atonement.  We gave you a rubberband to put on the backside of your hand around your pinkie and thumb below the knuckles.  They tried to get it off by just using that hand.  Compare this experience to the Atonement and invite your family to participate in this experience and share their thoughts about how this could teach about the atonement.  You will be amazed what the spirit will teach you if you ask the question!

Finally, here is what all our learning is all about....going and serving and teaching the world!  This is Sister Caroline Stewart.  This was her last week with us in class.  She has been a great blessing to us and has shared her testimony of the gospel in profound but simple ways.  We will miss her.  She will be serving in Melbourne Australia!  She is a prepared missionary and will teach with the spirit.