Four weeks into the mission....What have they learned?

February 6, 2020
One of the most amazing training meetings we have is when we invite the missionaries who arrived just four weeks ago to return to the Mission Office and show us what they have learned. We asked some of them to prepare how they contact people on the street, how they make a door approach, how they follow up with members during an elevated home visit, how they can present the restoration in three minutes. It is incredible to watch them and see how they are truly becoming disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Newest missionaries and their trainers after four weeks in the mission field!

We began the morning off with breakfast. We want to make sure they are well fed and full of energy to be in a training for three hours and longer. Sister Shirley and Sister Davis made breakfast sandwiches, yogurt and all the trimmings for a delicious parfait. I was personally glad they put out a bowl of applesauce. 

When they first arrived four weeks ago!

Then we began. My topic was "Leading, committing, teaching, and inviting, role-playing, and becoming incredibly prepared missionaries." Four missionary companions did demonstrations with four other companionships and did extremely well. We also talked about being equally yoked with our companions.

Sisters Corder and Leifi; Sisters Mork and Durham; and Sisters Searle and Jensen

We read and discussed this scripture after likening it unto ourselves: “…. they were [the newest missionaries of the California Riverside Mission] of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

Elders Ottman and McCarty; Elders Stoddard and Herrick; and Elders Harp and Latimer

“But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:2-3).

Elders Lephart and Huffaker; and Elders Li and Searcy

Elders Abraham and Chase gave a wonderful interactive presentation on “Becoming a Preach My Gospel Missionary...One Study at a Time.” They spent a bit of time working through these questions:

• Why is it important to study the gospel?
• How will my study affect those I teach?
• Why do I need to continually treasure up the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
• How can I effectively learn the doctrine of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and prepare to teach others?
• How can I improve my personal and companion study?

They ended with these principles to remember:

• Pursuing the desire to learn is important to your salvation and your success as a missionary.
• You learn the gospel by study, faith, and the power of the Holy Ghost.
• Learning is a joy and brings many blessings.
• Daily and personal and companion study strengthens your faith and your ability to teach by the Spirit.
• Use a variety of study methods that make the experience meaningful and enjoyable.

Elders Meyers and Woo Ching; Elders Sanofsky and Higbee; and Elders Gonzales and Aamodt

Sister Hammon gave a presentation on “The Importance and Purpose of Missionary Work.” She had them do a role play on sharing the restoration. They all did wonderfully well, reminding them that our mission purpose is to “Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”

The Assistants trained on “Teaching in the Moment," teaching the missionaries on how to add power to their teaching and missionary work.

Elders Quigley and Hull; and Elders O'Connell and Jones

Finally, I discussed Expectation of Trainers, Trainees, and all Missionaries: Patterns of Learning and Teaching by the Spirit and Being Obedient." We talked a lot about how we are truly obedient because we love Heavenly and the Jesus Christ. As an invitation, I asked them "Will you do everything in your power to keep on the covenant path and follow the Savior by being diligently obedient in every whit?"

Elders Tindall and Kam; Elders Olsen and Clawson; and Elders Smith and Bryce

It was a wonderful training meeting. These missionaries are doing well and learning so much about how to become true disciples of Jesus Christ.  

We enjoy being with them and being a part of their spiritual growth and development.

Sunset near the Mission Office

President and Sister Hammon

Spring is coming to southern California!