Mission Leadership Council was held on April 5th. At Mission Leadership Council we give training based on what we want the zone leaders to train on throughout the rest of the transfer. We had zone leaders come from all over the mission. Those who came from the outer branches and other countries, stayed at the mission home over night. It's always nice to have them stay and interact with them. It helps us to get to know them better and get a feel for the issues they may be facing in their specific areas.
As part of my training, I asked the missionaries what they remembered from Elder Stevenson's visit. They really had an amazing opportunity to spend a few hours with him, where he taught according to their needs. Here are some of the things they remembered from his visit:
- Promise Blessings when we extend invitations. It will give people motivation to change. Learn in the scriptures the blessings that come from obeying specific commandments, then don't be afraid to promise those blessings to those you teach.
- When we Baptize someone they join the house of Israel and have the blood of Israel. We should work with them to share the Gospel with their family members and friends.
- We need to study and use Preach My Gospel daily. Elder Stevenson set the example by being a Preach My Gospel Apostle. We need to be Preach My Gospel missionaries. Elder Stevenson challenged us to all study Chapter 9 & 11.
- We need to be a witness of Jesus Christ at all times and in all places. Even in our weekly communication home we should be sharing special experiences with our family.
President Collings training focused on listening to the Spirit. He also gave his top ten desires for the missionaries:
2 Nephi 28:30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
- Strive to always act upon spiritual promptings, immediately when you receive them. If you hearken to counsels you receive from the Lord, He will bless you with more of it. When you do not hearken to counsels, eventually you become spiritually numb.
- This general conference, listen and act upon what you will be taught by the prophet and apostles and what you will learn from the spirit.
- We need to show greater respect to the people we teach.
- As we help the people we teach keep commitments, we prepare them to keep covenants with the Lord.
My top ten desires for missionaries:
1. Always remember why you are here on a mission.
2. Make and keep covenants
3. Find your Cornelius (Acts 10)
4. Focus on receiving all the necessary ordinances for your salvation and exaltation.
5. Keep in mind the two great commandments;
6. Love God with all your heart, might, mind and strength. Love your neighbor especially your companion when he or she is struggling.
7. Be an example to others
8. Each day, strive for the companionship of the Holy Ghost
9. Work hard
10. Always remember the importance of spiritual preparation
We also wanted to share what our Assistants to the President taught during the Mission Leadership Council.
Elder Ankrah: Our Missionary Purpose
The joy we feel in missionary work largely comes from seeing those you serve repent, receive priesthood ordinances and enjoy the blessings of the gospel. (Alma 29:8-9)
As our understanding of the Savior's atonement increases, our desire to share the gospel will increase.
That understanding will come as we focus on our missionary purpose and apply the atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives through repentance and righteous living.
How we can help those we teach come unto Christ?
1. We should not be casual about helping people make and keep commitments.
2. Rarely should we teach a lesson without extending commitments.
3. Do your best to help people gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon.
4. Work with members to help new members of the church adjust to their new life and continue their spiritual growth.
You can know you have been a successful missionary, when you are obedient, live righteously, and do your best in helping others live the gospel.
Elder Hall: Representing Jesus Christ.
What do we Represent as missionaries?
· Our Country
· Our Family
· The Prophet
· The Savior
Live worthy of what your represent at all times and in all places. Even at your apartment at night.
So how do we best represent? Well just like most representations, we need to exhibit the characteristics of the Original.
· Obedience: Luke 22:42. Not my will but thine be done. This handbook contains the father's will for us and how we should act. Do we follow the father's will even when ours is other wise? Is the father's will done in how we act. Truly the best way that we can represent Jesus Christ is being obedient to his commandments.
· Diligence: Peter 3 18-19. Jesus Christ was diligent, even in death. As a mission 55% of us are over 1 year. We need to remain diligent. Even as Jesus Christ did, through death. We need to continue to Represent him as we continue on mission.
· Charity: Luke 7:13 This is probably the most Important attribute we can exhibit as representatives of The savior. We Should treat everyone as they are important. We need to show true love and concern for those around us. We should not spread or participate in rumors. We need to love members, missionaries, and the people we serve. We need to exhibit that love. We truly represent one who showed that to everyone. We should do the same.
Everything we do has consequences. Let's assume that 100 people see us a day, over the course of a week 700 People have seen us, that is 700 people now have an idea of the church based solely on our actions. We need to always represent our Savior, and our families.
Throughout the month, the zone conferences were all based on these teachings
Kampala North, Kampala South, and Masaka Zones
Uganda East and Jinja Zones
Rwanda Zone
Uganda North Zone
Ethiopia Zone
I just LOVE these pictures. This is our entire mission! We are so blessed! We love going to zone conferences and seeing the light in the missionaries eyes. They are truly doing their best to serve the Lord.
Our mission scripture is Omni 1:26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.
When we travel for zone conferences, We see their enthusiasm for the work and their desire to "offer their whole souls". It brings us so much joy!
