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missionmisscon050717 (May 2017 ** )

Mission Conference – May 7, 2017


Sister Lords

  • President Gordon B. Hinckley said that we often pray as if we were picking up the phone to place an order for groceries.  We must do better than this. We need to meditate, contemplate, ponder upon the things we say. We need to pray like Enos.

President Lords

  • I offer some cautions about learning to recognize the spirit:
    • Don’t talk too freely about spiritual experiences.
    • Learn to separate spiritual experiences from emotional experiences.
    • Revelation is only for you and those over whom you hold priesthood keys, never for anyone above you.
    • Don’t try to change Heavenly Father’s mind or will.
    • Learn the Father’s will in all things.
    • We run the risk of diminishing subtle spiritual experiences by emphasizing the grandiose experiences.
    • Revelation must always square with the scriptures, our leaders, and Preach My Gospel.
    • If a prompting blesses, inspires, lifts, or edifies then it is of God.
    • Have faith in the subtle but sublime whisperings of the spirit.

President Gilbert

  • The purpose of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son.
  • Nephi said that he desired, then believed, then pondered before his experience with the Spirit.
  • What desirest thou?  Do you believe? The words in 2 Nephi 32:5 tell us that we will know, by the Spirit, what to do.
  • In the Book of Mormon, the witness came to investigators before their baptism.

Sister Gilbert

  • Jesus often asked questions to help people ponder upon and then apply principles.
  • His questions prompted thoughtful soul-searching and then commitment.

Sister Martino

  • Read Doctrine and Covenants 9:8-9.  Substitute the words ‘the decision’ for the word ‘it’ and consider the significance.
  • What does the spirit feel like?  The spirit brings good thoughts and good feelings.
  • Some have described the feeling of the Spirit as a warm blanket, a fire, a voice, a burning, enlightenment, or peace.  At times this is too much information!  All we need to remember about recognizing the spirit is found in Moroni 7:13 (it invites and entices to do good).
  • Teach simply.

President Martino

  • I like to ask missionaries what they have enjoyed most about the Missionary Training Center.  The most frequent response is how often they have felt the spirit during their time here.
  • What is required for a person to receive revelation? 
    • Ponder [gather information, search]
    • Have real intent 
    • Be careful about telling others what they are feeling and how they are feeling.  Let them describe it to you.
  • Focus more on who Jesus was.  God himself will be your tutor.

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