2017 Seminar for Mission Presidents: Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC)

2017 Seminar for Mission Presidents

The famous world missionary map: pointing to our mission

Since Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 2:35 p.m., we have been at the 2017 Seminar for New Mission Presidents. We said good bye to Christiaan, Emiline, and William, which was very difficult. After huge hugs and kisses and tears, Emiline said, “You know, I’ll be 11 when you arrive home.” We hope to see her often during the next three years.

Darrel, Joanne, and Anna Rose: The Drop Off at the MTC

Anna Rose drove us to Provo and dropped us off at the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC). People swarmed the car, took our luggage, tagged it, and then hauled it away for safe keeping while we checked in. One of the helpers there took our picture. We shed a few more tears as we said good bye to Anna Rose. We love her and thank her for her generous support these last few weeks. We could not have done it without her and her sweet family.

 

The Worth of Souls.....

The moment we walked into the MTC was magic. Everyone knew our names. We received our name tags and then headed to check in, which was simple and easy. We then boarded a bus for the hotel. Our rooms were not ready so we boarded the shuttle and headed back to the MTC. Then the incredibleness began!

Elder and Sister Cook, Elder and Sister Hallstrom, and President and Sister Hammon

What a marvelous four days. From inspiring talks and conversations with the Twelve Apostles to lunch, dinner, and breakfast with them and other General Authorities to meeting with the sole missionary still at the MTC heading to our mission to a missionary fireside with Elder Bednar to a tour of the new buildings at the MTC to meeting many of our new missionary president colleagues to studying and pondering the numerous teachings we received—all of it and much, much more have inspired us and taught us what we are about.

 

The Seminar Room 

A few of the topics of the sessions included:

The Brethren....

A Vision of the Work

The Faith to Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts

One Together in the Work

Preparing to Teach

Interacting to Edify

The Divine Companionship

Treasure up the Words of Life

The Power of the Book of Mormon

Balancing Family and Missionaries

Teaching Missionaries the Power of the Word

The Power of His Word Which is in Us

Mission Leadership

Caring for Your Missionaries

A Christ-Center Mission Culture

Personal Priorities and Holy Purposes

Elder Bednar. Photo from: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865683877/A-diverse-group-of-new-mission-presidents-gather-for-annual-seminar.html

One of the phrase that Elder Bednar used to introduce President Eyring was this: “Isn’t it important that the Lord trusts us to do this hard thing.” We know Heavenly Father trusts us to do His work in California with all of His/our missionaries.

The Seminar was phenomenal! We enjoyed it thoroughly. After we arrived home last night from our final meal and testimony meeting with Elder Ballard, Joanne and I just sat here, quiet, trying to absorb everything that has gone on this week. One thing we do know is this: We love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and we love our missionaries even though we do not know them—yet.

We know that we “can do….we must do it.”

Stay tuned. More to come!

P.S. For more information about the Seminar for Mission Presidents, click on http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865683877/A-diverse-group-of-new-mission-presidents-gather-for-annual-seminar.html.