A Spiritual Feast at November's Multi-zone Conferences!

We just completed incredibly wonderful and spiritual multi-zone conferences throughout the Mission. The spirit was strong in each one of them. The musical numbers were phenomenal, and we loved the participation and the training from the leaders and the missionaries. Here is my summary of the topics with pictures intermixed: 

Corona Zone

Winners of the Golden Plunger for the Jurupa Zone: Sisters McDaniel and Dorny

Winners of the Golden Plunger in Corona Stake: Sisters Brown and Whitaker

“Working with Members”—President Norman spoke on how we can work more effectively with members. He said, “You must exceed their expectations of you. When you exceed expectations, you breed trust and respect.” He also taught that we must be “reliable, do things promptly, and report back immediately.” Plus, he said, “You need to be patient and loving.”

Jurupa Zone

“Unto What Were You Ordained (Set Apart)?”—I shared with them the apostolic blessing we received at the Mission Leadership Seminar from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “Feel in your heart and mind that all this is truly a blessing granted unto you as a couple and to your family. Because of your dedication, your family will be blessed, and you will see miracles. Have a mind of clarity and definition of what is need with your specific missionaries in the zones and districts. You have a sacred purpose and calling. He has sent your missionaries to you for a specific purpose” (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Mission Leadership Seminar, November 2018). We also talked about teaching and listening to the Spirit as they teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Menifee Zone

Winners of the Golden Plunger Award: Sisters Rane and Troncoso with Elder and Sister Powell

“The Converting Power of the Book of Mormon”—One of the quotes given by one set of zone leaders about the converting power of the Book of Mormon came from Elder Shayne Bowen of the Seventy: “As we better understand who we are and the purposes of the Book of Mormon, our conversion deepens and becomes more certain. We are strengthened in our commitment to keep the covenants we have made with God” (Elder Shayne M. Bowen “The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion,” October 2018). Others taught: “The Book of Mormon answers questions of the soul! We all are searching for answers and people definitely need the powerful knowledge of the Book of Mormon.”

Lake Elsinore Zone

Sisters Durham and Gray--winners of the Golden Plunger Award--with Sister Hammon

“Effectively Introduce the Book of Mormon”—Several sets of missionaries showed us how to introduce the Book of Mormon. They all were powerful role plays. We also know from Preach My Gospel that “The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion. It provides powerful evidence for the divinity of Christ” (Preach My Gospel, Chapter 5).

Hemet Zone

Food is always plentiful as Multi-zone conferences. Sisters Christensen, Buitrago, Chase,
Elder and Sister Troxel with their grandchildren

“Talking with everyone, How to Begin Teaching, and Adjusting to meet their needs”—This cluster of topics generated lots of conversation about how we should be teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the principle of teaching comes from Alma 29:8: “For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.”

Riverside Zone

“Unity in Companionships: Listening, Asking Questions, and Using the Scriptures”—This was a grand topic for everyone.  One of the companionships used a quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “More important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right, you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more. … If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us—by the Spirit and by our friends” (“Witnesses unto Me,” Ensign, May 2001).

Mt. Rubidoux Zone

Golden Plunger Awards go to Elders McInnes and Treviño and Elders McLaughlin and Rodriguez
with Elder and Sister Dickinson 

Golden Plunger awards to Elders Nielsen and Ogan and Elders Gallacher and Larsen with Elder and Sister Troxel

“Effectively and Boldly Invite to Baptize”—One of the important principles from Preach My Gospel is that we preach repentance and baptize converts. The presenters did a nice job of showing the missionaries to effectively and boldly invite to baptize.

Moreno Valley Zone

“Preparing for a White Christmas”—The Assistants introduced the “White Christmas,” which is to “prayerfully set goals that are in harmony with the Savior’s command to ‘teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost’” (Preach My Gospel, p. 146). We know we can prepare for more baptisms in our mission. That is why we are here: “To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:13-14; see also 50:17-22). We are excited to work even harder in November and December.

Relief Society sisters from Menifee Stake

“Light the World”—Sister Hammon showed the four videos from the Light the World missionary campaign that begins in a few short weeks: “Light the World,” “Light the Community,” “Light the Family,” and “Light Your Faith.” What beautifully-done videos. I especially liked the “Light the Family” video, which truly demonstrates the love a brother has for his family, especially his little sister.

 

Light the World

Overall, we continue to enjoy being with the missionaries, watching them grow and develop, hearing their testimonies, and listening to their profound answers to the questions asked by the presenter. Our Mission is in good hands with these missionaries.

The Temple by Sister Fountaine, one of our many talented sisters

President and Sister Hammon