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missionnzhmfebruary2014 (Feb 2014 ** )

New Zealand Hamilton Mission, February 2014 — Insights, wisdom, and truths learned


Truths and thoughts from February 2014

  • February 5, 2014 — New Plymouth branch council meeting
    • President Coles recommended that the council meetings be one hour in length, and that they focus on members rather than on calendar items.
    • In the premortal existence, Christ wasn’t the only one who said, “Here am I, send me.”  We all said that at some point, and we were given a stewardship.
  • February 9, 2014 — Sunday,
    • Sister Going, the wife of the New Zealand temple president, spoke in stake conference and said the following:  “I am Scottish.  Everything is either black or white with me.  Most people have no issue with that.  Those who do get over it quickly!”  She also said, “Your families are your most important concern on earth.  Make them your most important concern for the eternities.”
    • President Going, temple president, said, “The beauties of the exterior of the temple are extraordinary, but the true beauties of the temple are to be found inside, in the covenants and the ordinances.”
  • February 9, 2014 — Notes from the Area Presidency broadcast originating from Auckland
    • We hope to save the rising generation.  We need to increase the number of missionaries.
    • We need to strengthen the priesthood brethren, through teaching and reactivation.
    • We need to strengthen families.
    • We need to sustain and motivate converts.
    • To achieve the above goals, we need to:
      • Have members more deeply converted
      • Have the priesthood leaders who hold keys be more engaged
      • Have stake and ward councils more focused on rescuing
      • Have stake and ward councils more focused on the temple
      • Have missionaries and members united in retaining new converts
    • Goals to set:
      • Increase our Melchizedek Priesthood ordinations
      • Increase our Aaronic Priesthood ordinations
      • Increase our number of young missionaries
    • The hallmarks of more spiritual conversions are:
      • Greater personal faith in Jesus
      • Live the law of the fast more completely
      • Read the Book of Mormon twice in 2014
      • Participate in rescue activities every week
    • Why do we no longer recite Doctrine and Covenants section 4 nor the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood?  Because by so doing the words become rote, mechanical, or canned.  The meaning is easily overlooked.
    • The vitality of any unit, small or large, is a reflection of the man who leads the unit.
  • February 16, 2014 —  We were blessed to have Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles speak at an All-Mission Conference.  The meeting was held in the Foster Road Chapel.  Other speakers participated as well.
    • Sister Annette Rudd, mission mother — The Atonement of Jesus heals every wound, every sadness, every problem.
    • President Charles Rudd, Mission President — He drew a contrast between two events that recently happened on the same day.  He and his assistants went into a restaurant for lunch, and they were accosted by a man who screamed obscenities at then and denounced the Church in ugly language.  That same day he had the opportunity to be in the beautiful grove where Elder Matthew Cowley studied day after day to master the Maori language.  The grove still resonated with the sacred spirit that accompanied the work of this wonderful elder and future Church leader.
    • Sister Thomson, wife of Elder David Thomson, our Area Authority — “Here am I, send me!”  We have all said that same statement as well.
    • Elder Thomson, Area Authority — I have never attended a missionary conference before.  It reminds me of Alma preparing himself to preach the word of the Lord.  He quoted Doctrine and Covenants 43:8-9 which states:  “And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.  And thus ye shall become instructed in the law of my church, and be sanctified by that which ye have received, and ye shall bind yourselves to act in all holiness before me.”
    • Sister Hamula, wife of our Area President — Elder Nelson is going to share with you matters pertaining to “The Decisions of Eternity”, and self-mastery.
    • Elder Hamula, Area President — Doctrine and Covenants 36:2 says, “And I will lay my hand upon you… , and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom;”  As Elder Nelson shook all of your hands, it was more than just a greeting.  It was an accounting.  Use this as a defining moment in your mission.  Don’t just hear his words: heed his words!  The very first word in the Doctrine and Covenants, section one, verse one, is ‘HEARKEN’.  Preach as you go!
    • Sister Nelson, Elder Nelson’s wife — Earlier in her life, she was prompted NOT to marry a man who eventually turned homosexual.  For years, as she listened to General Conference, she felt that every talk was about marriage, and she remained a single sister.  Years later, she listened to a conference and not one talk was about marriage.  Instead the Holy Ghost taught her.  She learned that obedience brings blessings, exact obedience brings miracles.  Alphabetize your blessings!  She prays to be led to individuals whose ancestors are anxious to receive their temple ordinances.
    • Elder Russell M. Nelson
      • He shared the connection between Matthew Cowley, Glen L. Rudd, and President Charles Rudd.
      • Hearken means to listen with the intent to obey.  The word ‘hearken’ is in verse 1 of 29 of the sections of the Doctrine and Covenants
      • How to open a conversation with a non-member: smile and ask a question, such as ‘Do you believe in being happy?’ or ‘What do you care about the most?’
      • Always remember the strength of your uniqueness.  Smile, tell them your name, tell them where you are from.  Many will ask you, ‘Why are you here?’
      • ‘Earn’ referrals from the members, don’t beg for them.
      • Lose your life in the service, stop thinking about yourselves.
      • Don’t say, “I have a message for you.”  That phrase implies that one message fits all.  Find out what they need specifically and deliver THAT message.
      • Enduring to the end means entering a temple and receiving the temple ordinances.
      • Your teaching needs to be crystal-clear because you will be testifying in the next life as to what you taught and how.
      • He received the assignment from the First Presidency to open the doors of missionary work in the Communist countries.  His first response was, “Why me?”  Hebrews 13:7 and 17 state: “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”  He had his answer.
      • Always ask deep questions that have profound answers.
      • Doctrine and Covenants 31:1-2 promises that your families will be watched over.
      • Be devout disciples, lose yourself in the work.
  • February 15, 2014 — Elder Russell M. Nelson also spoke at a Priesthood Leadership meeting
    • In 1976, President Spencer W. Kimball told the priesthood leaders in New Zealand that the saints in that country should more fully participate in the temple or church leaders would have to close the temple.
    • He quoted Jacob 1:19 which states, “And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.”  He then counseled the brethren to ‘teach the covenants’!
    • He also quoted Doctrine and Covenants 43:8, which states, “And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.”  He counseled the brethren to follow this admonition.  He quoted Mormon 9:31, which reads, “Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.”
    • He gave the ‘mission statements’ or ‘purpose statements’ of each member of the Godhead, as described in scripture:
      • God the Father’s mission statement is Moses 1:39 — “For behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
      • Jesus’s mission statement is in 3 Nephi 27:13 — “Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.”
      • Holy Ghost’ mission statement is in John 16:13 — “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
    • He and Sister Nelson had 9 daughters in a row, and then a son.  He said that their son was their  ‘tithing in reverse’ son.
    • The mission statement of the Book of Mormon is found on the Title Page — to convince all that Jesus is the Christ.
    • When teaching or counseling, discuss behavior, discuss principles, and discuss doctrine.
  • February 15, 2014  — Elder Hamula’s comments in the Priesthood session
    • Elder Nelson turns 90 years of age this year.  Do you think he is the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise found in Doctrine and Covenants 89, that “ye shall run and not be weary, and walk and not faint”?  He continues to ski every winter with his grandchildren!
    • How to utilize the full-time missionaries more effectively in your units:
      • Capture the vision of the missionary work
      • Understand your roles in the work
      • Inspire others to work with you
      • Hold your council meetings
      • Visit the people with the full-time missionaries, asking the questions: “Who needs essential ordinances?  Who needs our visit?  What can we learn from these visits?
    • The Fatherhood of God is the culmination of the Plan of Salvation!
    • Elder Nelson added the following thoughts:
      • “God gives us impossible things to do, waits for us to rely on Him, and then makes the impossible possible.”
      • “Personal priesthood interviews are more for the home teachers than for those they visit.”  See Alma 32:6.
      • “Be more careful with the use of the word ‘priesthood’.  Do not use that term to refer to a group of men.  For example, you wouldn’t say “I love to hear the priesthood sing.  This manner of speaking makes our sisters feel as if they are second-class citizens.”
      • Elder Nelson pronounced an apostolic blessing upon the priesthood leaders present.  The blessing included:
        • You will have the ability and desire to be devout disciples of Jesus Christ
        • You will have an increased love for your wives
        • I bestow upon you healing and health for yourselves and your families
        • You will have the ability to be excellent missionaries
        • You will have a desire to focus on the temple
        • You will have safety in your travels and in your work
  • February 2014 — Dealing with anti-Mormon literature: Turn the tables, how much time do you spend in the scriptures?  You are spending more time reading the words of apostates and critics than you are reading the words of Christ Himself.
  • February 16, 2014 — Elder Russell M. Nelson presided over the Glenview Stake Conference in Hamilton, with Elder Glen L. Rudd seated on the stand as well.
    • An absolutely beautiful choir of Primary children sang at the conference.  All the young boys were in white shirts with matching bow ties.  They sang a song entitled, “I am a Miracle Because of You.”  Most of the congregation was in tears at the incredible beauty and spirit of the number.  Polynesian children inherit musical ability as part of their heritage.  Every speaker, without exception, mentioned and paid tribute to the choir and their talented leader in their talks.  After the meeting concluded, Elder Nelson asked the choir leader if she would have the children sing their special number again.  He said he wanted to go off the podium and stand in front of the children as they sang so that he could look into their faces.  Tears flowed freely.
    • At the conclusion of the meeting, there was a veritable reception line formed outside the chapel.  Person after person told Elder Rudd how they had blessed their lives and the lives of their families, parents, and grandparents.
    • We watched Elder Nelson go out of his way to shake the hand of a little girl.  Her older brother was in absolute shock and awe, with his eyes as big as saucers.  He took his sisters hand in his, and placed her hand on his own cheek.  He hoped to share the touch of one of the Lord’s chosen apostles.
    • Sister Thomson’s said, “The Lord can indeed move mountains, but don’t be surprised if the Lord hands you a shovel.”
    • Sister Wendy Nelson spoke and shared the following:
      • Years ago a nurse asked Elder Nelson (Dr. Nelson) why he wasn’t like other surgeons.  He replied, “Because the Book of Mormon is true!”  What a profound response.  That is a great and appropriate response to almost any inquiry from members and non-members alike when some positive is being observed.
      • I would describe Elder Nelson as an ordinary man with extraordinary talents and gifts, and I would add that he knows the voice of the Lord.
    • Elder Nelson:
      • He admonished the saints to improve in: 1) the sincerity of their prayers  2) realizing the significance of the Sacrament  3) following the prophet  4) building and strengthening your family  5) sending sons and daughters on missions  6) paying an honest and full tithing  7) attending the temple  8) living the Word of Wisdom, including abstaining from ‘stimulating drinks’  9) getting an education  10) avoiding pornography  11) being good citizens.
      • He bestowed an apostolic blessing on the saints, stating:  1) you will actually ‘feast’ upon the words of Christ as you study your scriptures  2) you will have love and peace in your homes as you seek it  3) you will have the desired health and healing you desire in accordance with God’s will  4) you will be able to focus on the ordinances of salvation.

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