Elder Jörg Klebingat came to the California Riverside Mission for multi-zone conferences!

Multi-zone conferences are always special in any mission, but our multi-zone conferences were extra special in April. Elder Jörg Klebingat, General Authority Seventy joined us. We were completely and spiritually enlightened by his words and by his presence.

 

Elder Jörg Klebingat and President and Sister Hammon

Elder Jörg Klebingat is from Germany and has been a Seventy since 2014. He is a member of the Northwest Area Presidency under which the California Riverside Mission is organized. His wife Julie grew up in Riga, Latvia. They have three children.

Elder Klebingat gave an exceptional talk at the October 2014 General Conference, titled, “Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence” which all the missionaries were asked to read prior to Elder Klebingat’s arrival.  

We split the mission into two. The south zones—Hemet, Lake Elsinore, and Menifee—met on Friday at the Menifee Stake Center. Our Mission Leadership Council (MLC) also met after the conference where Elder Klebingat shared ten leadership principles.

 

South zones--Hemet, Lake Elsinore, and Menifee

The north zones—Corona, Jurupa, Moreno Valley, and Riverside—met on Saturday in the Grand Building and also home to the Mission Office. 

North zones--Corona, Jurupa, Moreno Valley, and Riverside

I cannot begin to write down everything that he taught in this blog, but I will bullet a few concepts that caused me—and, I know the missionaries—to pause, contemplate, and ponder. In fact, that’s one of the invitations that Elder Klebingat extended various times during the two days.

• Law of the Harvest—You only get out what you put in to it.
• There is nothing we do in the mission that doesn’t help you with life skills.
• If you are struggling, welcome to mortality.
• You must latch on to people who love the Lord.
• There is a big difference between being on a mission and serving a mission.
• Missionary purpose: 1) save your own soul; 2) help others to come unto Christ; and 3) teach repentance, and help people be baptized.
• You always leave your companionship and your companion better than when you arrived.
• Anything you do in secret and try to keep quiet is part of a secret combination.
• You can never step off the strait and narrow path without having to overrule several warnings from the Holy Ghost.
• You are always your brother’s keeper, especially your companion’s.
• In the pre-mortal relationships, we knew Heavenly Father and Christ intimately.
• We are here to fulfill our pre-mortal commitment to help gather Israel.
• It’s how you choose that determines your path.
• All of you are fit for missionary duty. Don’t ever limit yourself as to what you can do. 
• He asked us to ask ourselves these questions: 1) “What should I be putting upon the altar to realign myself with the covenants I have already made? 2) Am I fulfilling my pre-mortal purpose here on earth? 3) Am I creating and participating in Celestial environments and pursuits?
• If you really want to change, become better, stronger, you must walk forward toward what you fear the most.
• You will never use the Book of Mormon if you are not excited about it.
• If you want to be precise, quote the scriptures.
• You have to go on record that you are willing to pay the price.
• Teach the gospel and not be ashamed of it.
• Do everything as part of your will to let Heavenly Father know how much you love Him.
• What’s going to make me different: 1) I need to re-invent myself to become more Celestial; 2) I need to learn/apply/ponder the word of God; 3) I need to take note of where I am and where I need to be; 4) I need to focus on Christ and eradicate the distractions; 5) I need to do Celestial things, speak in a Celestial way, and act in a Celestial way.
• If you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly; If you sow bountifully, you will reap bountifully.
• The transforming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ will turn you into a new human being.
• What the Atonement of Jesus Christ has healed, has been healed. Do not short change the impact of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Throughout the conference, he extended numerous invitations. Here are just a few:

• Envision an altar and the things you can put on the altar and then do it.
• Don’t walk out of here [your mission] unchanged. If you leave without being changed, you have held your hand over the cup of blessings.
• Please have meaningful prayer and scripture study.
• Elevate our Book of Mormon use.
• Be excited as you teach and testify.
• Make repentance a happy, healthy thing.
• Be loyal and faithful.
• Up your studies now, and after mission, you will have meaningful scripture studies.
• Exercise every day. Sweat every day.

Elder Klebingat also had our missionaries do a variety of role plays. They did extremely well and impressed Elder Klebingat.

 

North zone birthdays

South zone birthdays

Blessings—One of the most incredible things general authorities do is that they extend blessings under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Klebingat left us with a few: 

• I bless you that if you desire—yearn—you will come to know the reality and proximity of Jesus Christ in your lives.
• I bless you that you will have an understanding that the Lord has forgiven you as you repent. .
• I bless you that you will quit listening to Satan and listen to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He means exactly what He says.
• I bless you that you will  not short-change the impact of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. If you do what you know you need to do, you will learn the voice of the Lord and have the assurance through the darkest times ahead.

Relief Society Sisters from the Riverside and Corona stakes who prepared and serve lunch

Relief Society Sisters and family from the Riverside Stake

It truly was a blessing to have Elder Klebingat come to our mission and teach us doctrine about our pre-mortal life and what we should be doing here to fulfill our pre-mortal purpose. We truly learned that we made a pre-mortal commitment/covenant to help gather Israel. The overwhelming feelings that the Lord loves us and wants the best for us reverberated through his entire comments on both Friday and Saturday.

 

Golden Plunger Award winners for cleanest apartment: Sisters Foster and Griffith

Golden Plunger Award winners for cleanest apartment: Sisters Preator and Killian with Elder and Sister Troxel

Golden Plunger Award winners for cleanest apartment: Elder Van Orman and Emery
and Elders Wilcock and Jackson with Elder and Sister Dickinson

Golden Plunger Award winners for cleanest apartment: Elders Rollins and Jacobs

Elders Clifford and Roper with Sister Hammon

Golden Plunger Award winners for cleanest apartment: Elders Davis and Tellez with Elder and Sister Powell

Now the challenge will also be is what we will do with all of the information/inspiration we received during the two days? What we must remember, said Elder Klebingat is this: “Each day represents the best day we can do.”

So, we will go out and do the best we can do.

New missionaries, new district leaders, and a new Mandarin branch--Life is never dull in the mission field!

This week has been an incredible week of new things happening in the California Riverside Mission.

Elders Heilbut (new Assistant), Ottman, Amago, Van Orman, Lambert, Heine,
President and Sister Hammon, Sister White, and Elder Moloney (Assistant)

New Missionaries

No missionaries left our mission this transfer, but six new missionaries arrived on Tuesday evening. We waited for them just a bit at the airport before they came trundling down the stairs and escalator: Sister White, and Elders Lambert, Van Orman, Amago, Heine, and Ottman. It was good to see them all. The Shirleys and Miskins met us at the Mission Home where we ate a delicious meal of chili verde, rice, beans, green salad. We topped that off with dessert of chocolate cake and/or seven-layered bars—all very delicious. 

Chili Verde and all the trimmings! Yum!

On Wednesday morning, we held orientation for them after a delicious breakfast. Meanwhile, their trainers were being trained by the Assistants. Then, lunch came upon us. We had a delicious meal of pulled pork on nachos with all the trimmings. Plus, we had root beer floats, one of my all-time favorites. Once we finished, we went into the Relief Society room where we heard short and powerful testimonies:

Trainers and new missionaries 

E. Lambert—He gave his testimony in Chinese but didn’t interpret for us. I am assuming he bore testimony of the truthfulness of the Church and that the Prophet Joseph restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Elder Lei and Elder Lambert (new)

E. Amago—“My mom is a returned missionary. I made the correct decision to come on a mission. I want to show what I know and share that by example.”

Elder Amago (new) and Elder Dalmas

E. Van Orman—"Even though I am waiting for my visa, I am going to act like I’m staying here for the entire two years. I am glad to be here. I know I am supposed to be in Riverside.”

Elder Emery and Elder Van Orman (new)

E. Heine—“I love Christ. I can show my love to everyone.”

Elder Staley and Elder Heine (new)

E. Ottman—“My mom served in this mission as an ASL missionary. I appreciate the Priesthood that I possess. I would like to share blessings with the people here.”

Elder Steiner and Elder Ottman

S. White—“I am excited to serve here. I know the Savior lives. I am grateful to be here” (said in Portuguese).

Sister Moore and Sister White (new)

S. Hammon—“It’s through the scriptures that the Lord speaks to us. The enlightenment is how God talks to us. When we reach out and touch the hearts of the people, we will feel blessings. It’s the only way to find peace." 

Elder Ottman placing his name on the transfer board!

Elder Heine placing his name on the transfer board!

What a wonderful testimony meeting. I stood and shared mine with them and told them we have high expectations for them. I shared with them my thoughts about companionships and used Alma 8 and Alma and Amulek as examples of a great companionship. Both Alma and Amulek shared that which they had with one another.

 

Sister White placing her name on the transfer board!

Elder Lambert placing his name on the transfer board!

Once they finished, we sang and prayed. Then, we went into the cultural hall where we took lots of pictures—one with us and one with their companions. Plus, we took one with everyone, including companions. We love these missionaries already and know they will do well. Now Adelante!

 

Elder Amago placing his name on the transfer board!

Elder Van Orman placing his name on the transfer board!

District Leader Training Meeting

We had an incredible District Leader Training Meeting on Friday. Eight new district leaders—Elders Contreras, Newey, Larsen, Webb, Hull, Mackay, Rich, and Saxton—joined the rest of the district leaders. Topics included: “Teaching Repentance: The Powerful Combination of the Scriptures and Preach My Gospel,” “District Leader Responsibilities,” “Fundamentals of Baptismal Whites,” “Emergency Preparedness,” “Integrating Safeguards for Using Technology in District Councils,” and “The Fundamentals of a District Council.” We role played an entire district council and a baptismal interview. Those who participated did a wonderful job.

District Leaders

One of the amazing things that occurs when young, emerging leaders come together is that you watch them grow from the beginning of the meeting to the next. Then, as you watch them continue to mature as leaders, it is wonderful to be a witness to the growth and development.

New district leaders: Elders Contreras, Newey, Larsen, Webb, Mackay, Hull, Rich, and Saxton

One of the principles we continuously teach missionaries, including emerging leaders in our Mission is the importance of being obedient. The following is a passage from King Benjamin’s speech in the Book of Mormon: “And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you” (Mosiah 2:22).

 

The ones who make the Office work and the ones who prepare the food:
Elder and Sister Shirley, Sister Davis, and Sister Miskin

Missionaries singing and reciting

That is how we progress and grow and develop. It’s all about obedience in doing what we need to be doing and what Heavenly Father would like us to do. And then we go and do. Diligently! Persistently!

Orchard Park Mandarin Branch—A historic day in the Jurupa Stake!

On Sunday, the Jurupa Stake in our Mission organized its first Mandarin Branch. Sister Hammon and I attended the Eastvale Ward where President Jergensen, Stake President, with Elder Kevin Miskin, Area Seventy presiding, organized the Orchard Park Mandarin Branch. President Miao was called as the Branch President with two counselors, executive secretary, ward clerk, and an Elder’s Quorum president. All of our Mandarin-speaking missionaries were there: Elders Lai, Bailey, Chase, Stewart, Yeh, and Lambert. Elder Willis, a former missionary came from Provo Utah, to be a part of this historic event.

 

 President Harris; President Jergensen; Presidents Miao, Jiang, and Chang (New Orchard Park Mandarin Branch Presidency; Elder Miskin; and President Tolley

The spirit was strong during this meeting. President Miao and his wife and his two counselors bore strong testimonies. Elder Miskin gave the analogy of the Orchard Park Mandarin Branch being a branch being grafted into the natural tree. He said, “You are witnessing part of the restoration.” He told a story from a couple of years ago when President Nelson said in a meeting with the general authorities, “The Spirit of the Lord is brooding upon the Chinese.” He then promised them after reading Doctrine and Covenants 97:8, that the Lord “will make you goodly and fruitful trees.” It was truly a blessing to be a part of the incredible event.

We love our mission and what we are doing. Our missionaries are some of the greatest in the world! We love and appreciate them.

Lily found just down the road amidst some shrubs

President and Sister Hammon