My talk given in Stake Conference

Missionary Work and Experiences
Talk for Stake Conference
January 10, 2010

Good Morning Brothers and Sisters,
I’m thankful for the opportunity to visit with you today…

When I left the MTC, Elder Johnson, Sister Ferre and I were instructed to remove our name tags before we arrived in Singapore. Missionaries were not legal in the countries we would be serving in. We were Representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our assignments were to strengthen the members and to support them in their efforts to share the gospel.

The members in Sri Lanka soon realized the importance of their involvement with introducing the gospel to their family members, friends, and neighbors and that they were to be the shepherds to those around them.

President Monson told the newly called mission presidents and their wives, "There is. . . no substitute for a member-oriented proselyting program. Tracting will not substitute for it. Golden questions will not substitute for it. A member-oriented program is the key to success, and it works wherever we try it” I know that is true from my experiences as a missionary and since that time as a member missionary.

Our family has always prayed for the missionaries…Then we changed our prayers to ask for help to be better member missionaries...As a family and individually we found our prayers changing and asking that we would be able to create missionary opportunities and then be prepared to share the gospel.

I loved the thought my mission president, Robert Houghton told us; “Sweetly, boldly, tell the right people at the right time why we are here.”

Some time ago, our neighbors had a party and invited us to attend. Before the party started one of our neighbors welcomed us to the neighborhood group…and then he let us know they knew we were Mormon and none of them were interested. Steve and I told them we had respect for what they were feeling. We haven’t tried to share the gospel with them, but that hasn’t stopped us from taking their garbage cans in from the street, picking up their tumble weeds by the fence, visiting with them and just being their friends.

Deb Parker was one of the first people I met when I started teaching at Ventana Ranch Elem. That was four years ago. We started chatting and getting to know each other, a friendship developed. I invited her to the Veterans’ Day program. The first year she didn’t come…the second year she came and really enjoyed it. During our visits I found that Deb had a love for our Savior…There were many things that Deb didn’t agree with about our church. I wouldn’t argue or debate…I would tell her I had respect for how she felt...
I made sure Deb had a Book of Mormon. Occasionally, I gave her verses that I read during my studies and visited with her about what I liked about them. A few times she would also read them and then discuss with me how she felt.

One day I was reading Elder Perry’s conference talk about sharing the gospel and being a member missionary. Elder Perry referenced a scripture found in
Doctrine & Covenants section 33 that told us to open our mouths.
He said to open our mouths three times.
· First and foremost, we should declare our belief in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
· The second time we open our mouths, we should tell in our own words the story of the First Vision
· The third time we open our mouths, let us testify of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

I continued to pray for opportunities to share the gospel with Deb and the right things to say to her. By keeping it simple… Not trying to share my whole entire life’s knowledge about the gospel… this is how I started with Deb. As I prayed; opportunities were created.
Deb started asking more and more questions.

One day I passed Deb. She stopped me and said, “I need to talk to you.” We chatted for a few moments and when others started coming in; I excused myself and told Deb I would visit with her later. But that wasn’t good enough. She followed me to another area where we continued our visit.

I felt impressed to tell Deb about the missionaries. I let Deb know that we had wonderful Sister Missionaries serving in our area. I mentioned that there were 6-10 lessons that the sisters gave and they would be able to answer all of her question. I encouraged her to just go into it with the idea of finding out answers. She agreed. I told her that the missionaries come to our home once a month for dinner. She said that worked for her.

I called the missionaries to let them know that Deb would be coming for dinner and that she was willing to listen to their lessons.

Sunday evening came and Deb arrived with her scriptures in hand. After clearing the table from dinner we went into the living room, had a prayer and started the discussion. The Spirit was so strong.

Deb accepted the reading assignment the sisters gave her and another appointment was scheduled. After talking with Bishop Fuller, we invited Sis. Lovin, the Ventana Ward RS Pres to join us in the discussions.

The next appointment, the missionaries asked Deb if she had had a chance to read her assignment. She smiled really big and said yes…5 times. We all laughed…Before we started the discussion I asked Deb if she was saying the opening or closing prayer…she chose the closing…again the Spirit was really strong. Deb could feel a change coming over her…she knew what she was hearing, reading and studying was from God…

Our lives will never be the same. Steve, Amanda and I have so enjoyed having the missionaries in our home, sharing the gospel with Deb and seeing her come to the knowledge of the restored truth that is on the earth today.
Elder Perry also said, “Missionaries will continue to do the best they can, but wouldn't it be better if you and I stepped up to do a job that is rightfully ours?”
Each Sunday when the sacrament prayer is said, I am reminded the importance of the words I hear
“That we may eat in remembrance of the body of thy son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son,
Here is the promise given …
that they may always have his dSpirit to be with them.”

I know that God will be on our right hand and on our left, and that his cSpirit shall be in our hearts, and his dangels round about us, to bear us up as we prepare ourselves to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places as we strive to share the gospel with those around us…

In the name of Jesus Christ
Amen