Miracles, Trainings, and the Power of the Word of God through the Book of Mormon!

What a wonderful, enormously busy several weeks we have had. Lots of interviews, trainer-trainee meetings, Mission Leadership Council (MLC), multi-zone conferences, baptisms, miracles, and lots of traveling around the mission. It keeps us busy and feeling of the spirit. There is nothing we like better here in the California Riverside Mission than being with the missionaries. We love them!

 

President and Sister Hammon, Elders Steiner and Simpson, and Brad Wilcox
who came to our area to talk at firesides and attend Elena's baptism (great story!)

All fifteen new missionaries with their companions converged on the Grand Building a couple of weeks ago to participate in a wonderful training. Sister Hammon, the Assistants, and I did the training. Five companions also participated in discussing five topics relating to their training. They did an incredible job! These new missionaries already have shown their propensity to be wonderful missionaries.

New missionaries and their trainers

Our Mission Leadership Council (MLC) was truly a revelatory event. The MLC set a very high goal and then discussed whether we should lower it, but they were unanimous in their resolve to accomplish this stretching goal. In fact, we unitedly kneeled in fervently prayer to know whether this was the most appropriate goal. The answer was swift: “YES!” These emerging leaders continue to amaze and enlighten us.

 

Mission Leadership Council (MLC)

Multi-zone conferences (MZC) leaped upon us this transfer. What an incredible, revelatory experience we had. Sister Hammon, President Norman and President Hansen from the Mission Presidency, the zone leaders, the sister training leaders, and I trained each day on the following topics:

Jurupa Zone

“We make Christ our Center by partaking of the Sacrament each Sunday and keeping the Sabbath Day holy”— President Hansen and President Norman’s discussions hinged on listening, testifying, validating, and inviting people through scriptures to attend Sunday meetings and keeping the Sabbath Day holy. President Hansen said, “You don’t have to know everything to testify.” Both discussed the importance of teaching, testifying, and inviting to act/commit in helping people come to understand the Sabbath Day and its importance in the gospel by reading the scriptures. We need to be straightforward and testify to the blessings they will receive from obeying the Sabbath Day, and then invite them to participate in church services, particularly Sacrament Meeting, where we partake of the Sacrament and renew our covenants.

             

Corona Zone

“The Power of the Word in the Book of Mormon”—This was my topic, and we discussed the following truths about the Book of Mormon”

1. The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ.

2. The Book of Mormon converts people and persuades them to come unto Christ.

3. Through the Book of Mormon, we become intimately acquainted with Christ.

4. The Book of Mormon teaches us the attributes of Christ.

5. The Book of Mormon teaches us about the Atonement of Christ.

6. The Book of Mormon teaches us about the Plan of Happiness.

7. The Book of Mormon teaches us the love the Father and the Son have for us.

8. The Book of Mormon teaches us what kind of people we need to be.

9. The Book of Mormon teaches us of the blessings that will come to us because of obedience.

             

Riverside Zone

“Sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father—Yes, you are good enough!”—The sister training leader taught this principle in all three MZCs. I love this topic. Sister Hammon taught this in MLC. They based some of their thoughts on Elder J. Devin Cornish’s  talk “Am I Good Enough? Will I Make it?” (Ensign, October 2016). He said, “If we must compare, let us compare how we were in the past to how we are today—and even to how we want to be in the future. The only opinion of us that matters is what our Heavenly Father thinks of us.”

Mt. Rubidoux Zone

“Grow in faith that we may experience mighty miracles”—The zone leaders taught this concept each day. They all stated: “The day of miracles has not ceased.” One of the zone leaders used this quote: “"Those who are impatient, uncommitted, or careless may find faith to be elusive. Those who are easily discouraged or distracted may hardly experience it. Faith comes to the humble, the diligent, the enduring. ... It comes to those who pay the price of faithfulness. " (Elder Uchtdorf, Fourth Floor, Last Door, Oct. 2016)

Moreno Valley Zone

“Elevated Home Visits”—The questions about what constitutes a home visit was put to rest during the MZC. Everyone now knows what an elevated home visit is. We shall see the outcome of these soon. We love working with members.

Menifee Zone 

“Generating enthusiasm and motivation to accomplish and reach goals”—One of the conclusions of the sessions on this topic came from this quote: “It all depends upon you and your attitudes, for your altitude, or the height you climb, is dependent upon your attitude or your response to situations.” (President Kimball, Ensign, November 1974, p. 80.)

Lake Elsinore Zone

Sisters Hackley and Grillone--Twins for the day!

“Are you Sleeping Through Your Mission?”—Sister Hammon’s topic evolved into trusting in the Lord and doing His will. Her invitation was this: “Will you have the faith to turn your mission over to the Lord and expect miracles? How are you going to do this?

Hemet Zone

“Developing Teaching Skills”—One of areas we can all improve on is developing teaching skills. The Assistants gave a great presentation on how to begin teaching; the importance of having unity in a companionship; listening as a tool to help us understand more about our companion and the people we teach; and always leaving something behind, like a gospel resource, an assignment, pages to be read in the Book of Mormon.

Learning concepts

We have the greatest Relief Society sisters in our mission who take care of us.

Incredible Relief Society sisters!

Relief Society sisters provide delicious meals!

Revised Mission Goals, Mission Invitation, etc.—We discussed the new mission goals the MLC developed in the August 2, 2018 meeting. We will work on them as a Mission. We also committed to fulfill President Russell M. Nelson’s invitation to read, study, ponder, and discover the Book of Mormon. So, from August 17, 2018-December 17, 2018, we will follow his invitation found in his talk “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” (October 2017).

Golden Plunger Award  for the cleanest apartment goes to
Sisters Ashby and Peterson with Elder and Sister Powell

Golden Plunger Award  for the cleanest apartment goes to
Hermanas Schmutz and Stettler with Elder and Sister Powell

Golden Plunger Award  for the cleanest apartment goes to
Elders Guymon and Akana with Elder and Sister Dickensen

Golden Plunger Award  for the cleanest apartment goes to Elders Saxton and Tippetts

Perhaps, the highlight of the multi-zone conferences is the testimonies of those who are new to us and those who are going home. While I would love to publish every word, I will say this: Often we worry about those who are leaving. They are and have been our leaders. What will happen when they go? Will the new ones be able to fill their shoes? Will our Mission continue to grow and develop? What we continually discover with those who are new is that they come prepared and ready to walk in their own shoes and create their own footsteps. We will be fine.

 

Birthdays

Birthdays

Hermana Schmutz displays her award for having the cleanest apartment!

We had several miracle baptisms in August so far. More to come.

We love what we are doing. We are refreshed every day because of watching these young men and women, truly representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, grow and develop and mature and become effective leaders and teachers. We love them!

President and Sister Hammon

New missionaries are here!

Incoming missionaries: July 16 and 17, 2018

Change is always delightful and worrisome. As the outgoing missionaries returned to their homes and families, we received incoming missionaries who have left their families and the MTC. With 27 missionaries leaving and 15 new missionaries arriving, our Mission changed drastically, and this transfer was an extensive transfer. Here are some data points:

1.  Twenty-seven (27) missionaries went home.
2. Two (2) zones collapsed: La Sierra into the Jurupa Zone; San Jacinto into the Hemet Zone.
3. Eight (8) areas collapsed.
4. Fifteen (15) new missionaries, five of them visa waiters.
5. Fifteen (15) new trainers.
6. Two (2) new trainers to finish training.
7. One (1) new assistant.
8. Three (3) new zone leaders.
9. Four (4) new sister training leaders.
10. Seven (7) new district leaders.
11. Thirteen (13) double ins (new companions, new areas)
12. Sixty-five (65) missionary changes

We welcomed 15 new missionaries to our Mission. It is good to see all of them: Hermanas Brown, Christensen, and Ruben came on Monday night from the Mexico MTC and began working immediately. Sisters Grant, Andersen, Rane, Schmutz, Tanner, Weston, Ashby; 

Elders Davis and Briggs, Assistants holding the Banner. Front: Sisters Ashby, Weston, Grant, Schmutz,
Rane, Andersen, and Tanner; Back: Elder Tippetts (back from an illness), President Hammon, and Elder Chapman

and Elders Flint, Pyper, Sharp, and Wilkinson all came Tuesday evening on two separate flights.

Elders Davis and Briggs, Assistants holding the banner with Elders Wilkinson, Sharp, Pyper, and Flint

We had an incredible orientation time with them and the new trainers. After a meal of sandwiches and scotch-a-roos, we gathered in the Chapel where I made the assignments of who their new trainer were going to be. Then, the incoming missionaries bore strong testimonies of why they were here and the truthfulness of the Gospel. Here are the summaries: 

Hna. Schmutz—“I know this is where I need to be. God is in the details.”

Hermanas Stettler and Schmutz (new)

Hna. Rane—“I have always had a testimony. He has prepared a way for me.”

Hermanas Rane (new) and Peters

Hna. Grant—"“God loves every one of us. We are here for a reason. There are so many lives that we are going to bless.”

Hermanas Whitaker and Grant (new)

S. Tanner—“I love this gospel, the Book of Mormon, and the Prophet.”

Sisters Bryant and Tanner (new)

S. Andersen—“Through charity and the Spirit, we can be the most powerful teachers.”

Sisters Andersen (new) and Parker

S. Weston—“Every single doubt or question for has been answered in the MTC. I want to scream that the Church is true.”

Hermanas Weston (new) and Maxfield

S. Ashby—“I am so excited to teach the gospel in my native tongue.” Sister Ashy is a visa waiter, waiting to go to Taiwan.

Sisters Ashby and Peterson

Hna. Christensen—“I know the gospel is true with all my heart.”

Hermanas Christensen and Troncoso

Hna. Ruben—“I realized we’re not alone. The Spirit is always with us.”

Hermanas Chase and Ruben (new)

Hna. Brown—“I have been waiting to serve my mission since I was a little girl.”

Hermanas Esplin and Brown (new)

E. Pyper—“Through Jesus Christ, we can do all things. Jesus loves each one of us.”

Elders Pyper and Sanchez

E. Sharp—“I know the Church is true. Plan of Salvation is our plan of happiness and is meant for all of us. I feel I am meant to be here.”

Elders Treviño and Sharp (new)

E. Wilkinson—“God has a hand in all things. God knows us individually.”

Elders Wilkinson (new) and Jensen

E. Flint—“I felt the love of Jesus Christ. We can find hope, and I am excited to share it.”

Elders Lawlor and Flint

E. Chapman—“The Church is God’s church restored in the last days.”

Elders Gregory and Chapman (new)

Once we finished with these beautiful testimonies, we took pictures of everyone, and away they went with their new companions off to their areas of service. They were all excited to go. They will all do well.

We also had District Leader Training this week. It was good to see eight new district leaders and 12 current district leaders on Thursday. We spent a bit of time on “Becoming Leaders, Understanding the Importance of Your District Leader Calling, and Working in District Councils.” The Assistants discussed “Gaining trust of members and missionaries,” “Kind and Judicious Correction,” “District Councils,” “Personal Priesthood Interviews,” “Completing Nightly Calls,” and “Missionary Accountability.” We also worked as a council of district leaders to revise the “Mission Training Plan.” Be sure to download a copy from the portal. We ended with teaching the district leaders how to conduct a baptismal interview with all of its nuances.

District Leaders

Plus, we have had a few baptisms to top off the week. We love to see people come unto Christ! 

It truly was a week of comings and goings. Lots of tears were shed this week, both because people were leaving and coming but also for those missionaries who returned to their families. We are so happy for the new missionaries who arrived this week, despite a variety of itinerary changes. They are here, safe and sound. Despite the many changes, we have great faith and confidence in our missionaries as they move to their areas, acclimate to their new surroundings, and take on the challenges of being doubled in or receiving a new assignment or becoming a leader. It’s all new but should be exciting! It’s all about choice and doing and relying the Lord’s will.