Halloween

31 October 2012

Utah Ogden Mission Conference

This was our first opportunity to attend a Mission Conference.  Besides, President Hiers, Elder Falabella from the Quorum of the 70 was there to speak and teach. 

President Hiers started the conference.  Emphasized looking for the Holy Ghost in the Book of Mormon.  He mentioned it might not always be in the words, but in the spirit.  We were asked to think about and share "I have felt the most love from someone when _____."  Consequently, it is showing love to others that we find and feel love.  President Hiers referred to President Monson's talk about the sweet experience of feeling a prompting, acting on it, and being the answer to someone's prayer.  We were encourage to do likewise.

Sister Falabella spoke next.  She spoke in Spanish and one of the missionaries translated for her.  She shared the conversion story of Elder Falabella's father.  Two ministers had come to his door in Guatemala and told him that he was living in darkness.  Two elders from the Church came shortly after that and were inspired to tell him that "they were bringing him some light."  He was curious about this light and invited the missionaries in to explain.

Elder Falabella asked what the missionaries had expected from him and had it written on a chalkboard, then asked what questions they had come with and put those on the chalkboard also.  He explained that he would use this information to guide what he would share.  He had us looking up quite a few scriptures and talked about what they meant.  In Moses 1:4, 6-7 Moses is repeated called "my son" by Heavenly Father.  In Moses 1:12 Satan refers to Moses as "son of man" trying to confuse his thinking.  Satan is trying to confuse our thinking so that we forget we are children of Heavenly Father.  We are being "proved."  In D&C 124:15, 20 we are to have integrity of heart.  We are a "covenant" people that are being tempted by Satan.  2 Nephi 2:14 speaks of agency.  We have a choice.  Things can act upon us or we can act upon everything.  Satan has limited agency because he is only a spirit.

Sister Hiers was the first speaker after a wonderful lunch of taco soup.  She had chosen for her topic "Sharing Faith."  Many stories in the scripture talk of faith:  brother of Jared, woman who touches the hem of Christ.

Elder Falabella spoke last.  He spoke to how to baptize more people.  He used the example of Ammon.  First give service; second teach the father first; third teach the mother.  The father and mother will teach children, family and friends.  Invite family, friends, neighbors, co-workers of investigator, ward members, and missionaries' neighbors to the baptism.  And ask for referrals from everyone.  He also said that doing temple work for ancestors will help to retain new members because it is a special spiritual experience.

The Mission Conference was very fulfilling.

Happy Birthday Bekah

It was Bekah's 6th birthday.  We did a video chat and she showed me how she dressed for Halloween and some of her presents.  I just love being able to video chat with my grandchildren! :-)