December 2019 Multi-zone Conferences: Powerful and Spiritual! North Zones

We just finished our December multi-zone conferences. Instead of having three or four of them, we decided to divide the mission into two conferences: the north zones with Riverside, Corona, Jurupa, Moreno Valley, and Ontario zones; and the south zones: Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, and Hemet. This blog will focus on the north zones.

Riverside Zone

For the Christmas zone conferences, we focused on becoming disciples of Jesus Christ and discussed "Seven Principles of Discipleship," which principles come from the new Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ," a new version of the old "Missionary Handbook, Preach My Gospel, and from discussions with missionaries. The Assistants discussed planning and the importance of setting and accomplishing goals. Also, Sister Hammon discussed a new project for the mission: Temple and Family History. Over the next transfer, missionaries will be able to do temple and family history research one hour per week as part of their companion study time. They are to research their families and begin writing their own personal history.

Moreno Valley

Zone pictures are a great to remember who was serving where and when. It takes us a bit to get everyone organized and smiling, but it happens.

Corona Zone

One of the highlights of these multi-zone conferences was the culmination of our Book of Mormon challenge. Beginning in July, we asked the missionaries to do an in-depth reading of The Book of Mormon: Here was the invitation:

As you read, study, ponder, and rediscover The Book of Mormon, 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?

The testimonies of the missionaries were powerful and spirit-led! 

Jurupa Zone

Ontario Zone

Lunch is always a highlight of every multi-zone conferences, especially since the missionaries are not eating with members during the week any longer. The Relief Society sisters are always so incredible and make delightful meals for our missionaries. Plus, there is always seconds and often thirds for those who still have room left. Oh, and then there is always dessert.

Elders Vance, Hallsted, Josie, Heaven, Reeves, Higbee, Lea, Larsen, and Herrick

Elders clifford, McLaughlin, Campbell, Lea, Tran, Contreras, Eskelsen, Lawlor, and Aamodt

Elders Bunn Farr, Rowe Peterson, Rice, Jones

Elders Murri, Smye, Jacobs, Hobson, Jackson, and Spenlove

Sisters Moody, Copling, Reed-Caswell, Freeman, Gaughan and Lifferth

Elders  Abraham, Bailey, Li, and Stewart

Elder and Sister Franks, Sister and Elder Miskin, Elder Doutre and Emry

Elders Thomas and Talataina, Elder and Sister Dickinson, Elders Hall and Robinson 

Elder and Sister Hunt, Elders Rich, Olson, Carter and Sister Hammon

Sisters Thompson, Longshore, Andersen, Briggs, Martin, Corolel, Goss and Gugelman

Elder Phillips, McCammon, Atanasio, Bisline, Panter, Webb, and Chapman

Sisters Westerby, Linton, Salmon, Gamez, Huffaker, and Tobler

Sister and Elder Glaus, Sister Coronel, Sister and Elder Troxel 

For the north zones, the Riverside Relief Society sisters who fixed us a delicious lunch

Riverside Stake Relief Society Sisters

Birthdays since last multi-zone conference: Happy Birthday to you all!

Elder Hall, Jones, Contreras, Heine, Thompson, and Frehner

The coveted "Golden Plunger" award for the cleanest apartments. (upon inspection) is truly one of the highlights for the multi-zone conferences. The "Golden Plunger" is a traveling "trophy" that the winners are able to keep for a transfer until the next multi-zone conference. Only a few win it two transfers in a row.

Sister and Elder Dickinson, Elders Bisiline and Atanasio

Elder and Sister Hunt with Sisters Moody and Copling

Elder and Sister Hunt with Sisters Frehner and Butikofer

A four-man apartment with Elders Schultz, Harp, Talataina and Thomas with Elder and Sister Hunt

Elder and Sister Troxel with Sisters Searle and Martin

The spirit was very strong during our multi-zone conferences in December. The missionaries came prepared to have a spiritual experience, and it truly was. We were able to view the Christmas video full of pictures that the missionaries had submitted of them doing missionary things. It was full of baptism, service, P-Day and companionship love. Sister Hammon did an incredible job of arranging the photos--all 184 slides of them. Just precious and memorable!

We have been greatly blessed this year serving with our little band of God's Army in the California Riverside Mission! We love them dearly.

President and Sister Hammon

President and Sister Hammon