So Elder Christofferson came and it was pouring rain that day! In fact we had to change locations for the conference because the parking lot for the chapel we were suppose to meet at was flooded.
Here are some things Elder Christofferson said:
"God knows you personally and He has called you to the specific mission in which you are now serving."
"The mission is the only time in your life when you can dedicate two hours each day to study and learn the gospel. Now is the time to establish a gospel and scriptural foundation for the rest of your life."
"Companion study is a time to receive revelation--to know who to teach, what to teach, which scriptures to use, and how to teach."
"We need to teach, not preach. Teach in such a way that you listen to know your investigators' needs. Ask questions so that you know what they understand. Seek to know what is in their mind and in their heart."
"Move people forward using commitments. As a companionship, seek to receive revelation for your investigators and to know what steps they need to take to come to Christ. Identify the next commitment they need, and then teach to prepare them to make and keep that commitment."
"How do we know who is prepared to receive the gospel? The Book of Mormon is the great sifter. It is the gathering tool for our day. We should invite people to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. If they respond to the Book, then they are ready. If the do not respond, and then they are not ready yet."
"To find greater happiness, forget yourself and focus on the people you serve."
"The motivation for your mission has to be love. If this is not why you are serving, then you will not get through it. How do we develop love? As you go about serving others and as you plead to the Father for this spiritual gift, it will come."
It was a really good conference plus I got to shake his hand so woot :)
We had Jeremy's baptism on Saturday and it was so, so, so good. He was bawling the whole time! It was awesome and then he got confirmed yesterday :) We have two baptisms this Saturday for Phi and Mercedes. Also yesterday, this hispanic guy randomly shows up and asks for the missionaries so I go out to the parking lot to meet him. Turns out he isn't a member but his wife and two kids are but they are super less active. They haven't been to church in over a year or something like that. Also they are members of some Spanish branch. Anyway, so turns out his son is in the hospital and he wants us to come give him a blessing. So we go and as we are walking to his room in the ICU we find out what happened to him. Turns out he was out drinking with some friends and he got hammered and some how during the night he fell and hit his head on something. Turns out his brain is swollen and is bleeding. He has been unconscious for three days now and the doctors say they won't find out until the 5th day if they can do anything when the brain swelling has gone down. Before we get in there Elder Kelly says he wants me to do the blessing. I guess he was scared or afraid to do it, which is fine. Elder Kelly anoints him and I did the blessing. I remember in the blessing that I said that this trial will stand as a testimony to him and his family how important church and Jesus Christ is to them. It was really neat to see how calm, peaceful, and grateful they were. Blessings are truly amazing and can touch the hearts of anyone. For example remember when I told we gave a blessing to Cathy in the hospital? Well Elder Hill told me after I left that they went and visited with her and she also got a blessing from another preacher but she said she didn't feel the spirit at all when the preacher gave her a blessing. But the spirit was definitely there when we gave her a blessing :)
"God knows you personally and He has called you to the specific mission in which you are now serving."
"The mission is the only time in your life when you can dedicate two hours each day to study and learn the gospel. Now is the time to establish a gospel and scriptural foundation for the rest of your life."
"Companion study is a time to receive revelation--to know who to teach, what to teach, which scriptures to use, and how to teach."
"We need to teach, not preach. Teach in such a way that you listen to know your investigators' needs. Ask questions so that you know what they understand. Seek to know what is in their mind and in their heart."
"Move people forward using commitments. As a companionship, seek to receive revelation for your investigators and to know what steps they need to take to come to Christ. Identify the next commitment they need, and then teach to prepare them to make and keep that commitment."
"How do we know who is prepared to receive the gospel? The Book of Mormon is the great sifter. It is the gathering tool for our day. We should invite people to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. If they respond to the Book, then they are ready. If the do not respond, and then they are not ready yet."
"To find greater happiness, forget yourself and focus on the people you serve."
"The motivation for your mission has to be love. If this is not why you are serving, then you will not get through it. How do we develop love? As you go about serving others and as you plead to the Father for this spiritual gift, it will come."
It was a really good conference plus I got to shake his hand so woot :)
We had Jeremy's baptism on Saturday and it was so, so, so good. He was bawling the whole time! It was awesome and then he got confirmed yesterday :) We have two baptisms this Saturday for Phi and Mercedes. Also yesterday, this hispanic guy randomly shows up and asks for the missionaries so I go out to the parking lot to meet him. Turns out he isn't a member but his wife and two kids are but they are super less active. They haven't been to church in over a year or something like that. Also they are members of some Spanish branch. Anyway, so turns out his son is in the hospital and he wants us to come give him a blessing. So we go and as we are walking to his room in the ICU we find out what happened to him. Turns out he was out drinking with some friends and he got hammered and some how during the night he fell and hit his head on something. Turns out his brain is swollen and is bleeding. He has been unconscious for three days now and the doctors say they won't find out until the 5th day if they can do anything when the brain swelling has gone down. Before we get in there Elder Kelly says he wants me to do the blessing. I guess he was scared or afraid to do it, which is fine. Elder Kelly anoints him and I did the blessing. I remember in the blessing that I said that this trial will stand as a testimony to him and his family how important church and Jesus Christ is to them. It was really neat to see how calm, peaceful, and grateful they were. Blessings are truly amazing and can touch the hearts of anyone. For example remember when I told we gave a blessing to Cathy in the hospital? Well Elder Hill told me after I left that they went and visited with her and she also got a blessing from another preacher but she said she didn't feel the spirit at all when the preacher gave her a blessing. But the spirit was definitely there when we gave her a blessing :)
That was my week I hope y'all are doing well. I love you :) -Elder Cory Barton
