Zone conferences have become one of the highlights of our mission.
During zone conferences, which we call multi-zone conferences because at least
three zones come together for one conference, we learn so much from the missionaries, and they learn so much from each other.
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| Jurupa Zone |
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| Corona Zone |
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| Temecula Zone |
The July multi-zone conferences were held July 17-19 in Menifee,
Riverside, and Moreno Valley to accommodate all of the zones, including three new
zones—Murrieta, Ontario, and Temecula. Zone and sister training leaders from
all those zones presented in each of the three multi-zone conferences. The
presentations were impressive, and the Spirit of understanding, learning, and
spiritual awareness flowed. It was wonderful to see the three new zones combine
with the other seven zones to become one mission in learning to fulfill their
purpose to invite people to come unto Christ.
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| Lake Elsinore Zone |
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| Moreno Valley Zone |
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| Riverside Zone |
The topics focused on skills training from
Preach My Gospel. We reviewed
a survey the missionaries took in May from the Missionary Department to
determine what areas they felt they needed additional training. We then took
those topics to our Mission Leadership Council (MLC) and assigned them to the
zone and sister training leaders, three to a topic so they could develop common
trainings for each topic. Then those leaders presented their training in the multi-zone
conferences.
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| Hemet Zone |
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| Murrieta Zone |
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| Menifee Zone |
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| Ontario Zone |
We also invited the Mission to read, study, ponder, and rediscover the
Book
of Mormon and continually ask to find the answers to the following
questions:
How is the Book of Mormon the keystone of our religion?
Why is the Book of Mormon so powerful in the conversion process?
How does the Book of Mormon build my faith and the faith of
others while helping us all to come unto Christ?
How does the Book of Mormon testify of Christ and His Atonement?
What questions do I need answered to
obtain a firmer conviction of the
truthfulness the Book of Mormon?
We then asked them to use their study journals to record their
thoughts, revelations, and inspirations and be prepared to share some of these
during the upcoming multi-zone conferences.
Yes, we had some incredibly spiritual conversations throughout all
three multi-zone conferences. We also ate well. The Relief Society
sisters from the Corona, Hemet, and Riverside stakes prepared incredible meals
for our missionaries. They ate heartily—and hopefully—healthily despite two
days of root beer floats as part of the meals.
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| Food is a staple of multi-zone conferences |
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| Hemet Stake Relief Society |
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| Riverside Stake Relief Society |
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| Corona Stake Relief Society |
Plus, the musical numbers were superb! We have extremely gifted and talented
missionaries in our mission, and they are more than willing to share their talents with
all of us!
We celebrated lots of birthdays from last transfer.
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| Happy Birthday, Elders Ottman, Gordan, Brimhall, and Bates! |
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| Sister White, Elder Dickinson, and Elder Nelson |
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Happy Birthday, Sisters Grant, Freeman, Tanner, Andersen, and Durham;
Elders Abraham, Robinson, Wise, and Jacobs |
Ah, the Golden Plunger Awards. Sister Davis “reconditioned and
refurbished” the golden plungers, so they looked golden and new. The housing
inspectors said it was a challenge to select the cleanest apartment because they
were all looking great. The missionaries are learning that cleanliness is next
to Godliness, which we hope extends into their post mission life.
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| Elder and Sister Troxel; Hermanas Cardiel and Ledford |
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| Hermanas Hammon, Brown, and Hernandez |
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| Hermanas Smyer and Kaiser with Elders Samuelson and Powell |
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| Elders Newey and Carlisle and Sister Hammon |
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| Elders Tye and Lambert with Sister Hammon |
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| Sisters Miles and Tobler |
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| Elder and Sister Dickinson and Elders Emery and Tippetts |
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| Sisters Davis and Hammon; Elders Lewis and Beddes |
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| Sisters Davis and Hammon; Elders Barnes and Lowry |
Sister Hammon and I sat in awe as we listened to the missionaries sing,
present, comment, bear testimony, listen intently to their fellow missionaries
teach, do role plays with each other, and learn from each other the true doctrine
of Christ. These missionaries are some of the best in the entire world! We love them!
