Day 160-Good Time at Zone Conference 09-04-06
We got a ride to Zone Conference today with Elder Barraza and Elder Chacon. They got their car back from when it got towed, but it cost them $65 each. Ah, yes…I remember it well. We’ll make sure we get them a visitor’s pass next time they come to visit. It never seemed to be a problem to park at our building before.
The best part of our trip in the car was when Elder Chacon forgot which way we were going and decided to check the map…while he was driving! Elder Barraza actually took the wheel while Elder Chacon worked the pedal. Best of all, we made it to Zone conference without dying.
The theme of this zone conference was learning how to rely on the Spirit more. We had several great talks. President W spoke and so did the AP’s (Assistants to the President). I took notes from several of the talks and kind of put them all together here. I’ll go over them now and talk about what I learned to help me be more receptive to the Spirit.
Four things you can do to be a more spiritually intoned missionary: 1.) Gratitude. When you pray, bring a grateful heart. Remember to thank your Heavenly Father for all of the blessings that you have. 2.) Obedience. Follow the mission rules to a T. Don’t waste this time. Remember, this is the Lord’s errand that you are on for the next two years (or 18 months if you are a sister)[“Let’s not forget those ladies, y’all.”-O Brother, Where Art Thou?] 3.) Sacrifice. Being on a mission requires sacrifice. We were encouraged to send anything home that might be a distraction from the work. Lose yourself in the work. 4.) Be BOLD. Witness to people that you know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world; that Joseph Smith was called of God to be a prophet in these latter days; and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and proof of the divinity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God as well as the divine calling of Joseph Smith as a true prophet. 5.) Prayer. We were taught that when we pray, we should ask our Heavenly Father what to pray for. We need to be quiet and listen and then act upon the answer you receive.
When you teach, make sure the things that you talk about lead up to Jesus Christ restoring His church through the prophet, Joseph Smith. The Restoration is our unique message to the world.
One of the AP’s talked about how important it was to be silent sometimes. Don’t feel compelled to fill in gaps in the discussion with more talking. Sometimes when you are silent for a moment is when the Spirit is able to testify to your investigator of the truthfulness of your message. As an example, he brought up my teaching experience with S on Day 106. He mentioned this because he heard me talk about it at a transfer meeting on Day 107. He said that was a great example of what can happen when you are quiet for a moment and let the Spirit speak. Don’t be afraid of silence. (Pause)
Later that day we had the mission doctor, Dr. Manwaring address us. This is one of my all-time favorite puns. Manwaring address. Man wearing a dress. I love it. I could say it all day. Manwaring address. (haha)
He said, “Before I talk to you about your health, I just want to say what a great job you are doing out here as missionaries. You are like an inverse pyramid scheme. (Pause) A pyramid scheme is for the benefit of the person who starts it, but the people you share with, the work that you do, that goes on and on and has endless benefits. It’s an inverse pyramid scheme. Dr. Manwaring told us that one baptism can lead to many conversions. Like a drop of water, the ripples it makes continue outward.
“Do you know what day of the week is the most dangerous for missionaries?” he asked. “P-day. Most accidents happen on your preparation day. Sports injuries are the leading cause.” (Not a problem for me, but most missionaries love sports). “Another problem,” said Dr. Manwaring “is service. Do you know what the most common accident is when performing service? Poison ivy,” Dr. Manwaring answered. Poison ivy will get you every time. So make sure when you are asked to clear away brush or dead leaves this fall, that you wear gloves, jeans and a long sleeved shirt.” (“You’re gonna need an ocean, of calamine lotion…) Dr Manwaring told the missionaries who ride bikes to be sure and wear helmets. Bike helmets save lives.
Happy Thing for Day 160: Today at Zone Conference, my companion was asked to give a spiritual thought. A spiritual thought on the “Standard of Truth”. He went up to the podium. On the microphone was this huge, fat fly. My companion flicked it off and was about to begin speaking when that fly he flicked, flew back to the podium and landed square-in-the-middle of his nose. The whole chapel full of missionaries started laughing. President and Sister W were seated beside my companion. At first they did not realize why everyone was laughing. My companion just stood there for a moment and did not move. Then he brushed the fly from his nose and began his spiritual thought. About halfway through his thought, the fly returned and landed on his nose again! From that point, he was pretty much done.
My companion then led everyone in reciting, “The Standard of Truth.” One last note for today: I got to see Elder Patton (from the MTC) at Zone conference. He seemed to be doing all right. He asked if I still carried those oils around with me. I replied with a resounding “Yes!” Manwaring Address. Manwaring Address. Good day today.
The best part of our trip in the car was when Elder Chacon forgot which way we were going and decided to check the map…while he was driving! Elder Barraza actually took the wheel while Elder Chacon worked the pedal. Best of all, we made it to Zone conference without dying.
The theme of this zone conference was learning how to rely on the Spirit more. We had several great talks. President W spoke and so did the AP’s (Assistants to the President). I took notes from several of the talks and kind of put them all together here. I’ll go over them now and talk about what I learned to help me be more receptive to the Spirit.
Four things you can do to be a more spiritually intoned missionary: 1.) Gratitude. When you pray, bring a grateful heart. Remember to thank your Heavenly Father for all of the blessings that you have. 2.) Obedience. Follow the mission rules to a T. Don’t waste this time. Remember, this is the Lord’s errand that you are on for the next two years (or 18 months if you are a sister)[“Let’s not forget those ladies, y’all.”-O Brother, Where Art Thou?] 3.) Sacrifice. Being on a mission requires sacrifice. We were encouraged to send anything home that might be a distraction from the work. Lose yourself in the work. 4.) Be BOLD. Witness to people that you know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world; that Joseph Smith was called of God to be a prophet in these latter days; and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and proof of the divinity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God as well as the divine calling of Joseph Smith as a true prophet. 5.) Prayer. We were taught that when we pray, we should ask our Heavenly Father what to pray for. We need to be quiet and listen and then act upon the answer you receive.
When you teach, make sure the things that you talk about lead up to Jesus Christ restoring His church through the prophet, Joseph Smith. The Restoration is our unique message to the world.
One of the AP’s talked about how important it was to be silent sometimes. Don’t feel compelled to fill in gaps in the discussion with more talking. Sometimes when you are silent for a moment is when the Spirit is able to testify to your investigator of the truthfulness of your message. As an example, he brought up my teaching experience with S on Day 106. He mentioned this because he heard me talk about it at a transfer meeting on Day 107. He said that was a great example of what can happen when you are quiet for a moment and let the Spirit speak. Don’t be afraid of silence. (Pause)
Later that day we had the mission doctor, Dr. Manwaring address us. This is one of my all-time favorite puns. Manwaring address. Man wearing a dress. I love it. I could say it all day. Manwaring address. (haha)
He said, “Before I talk to you about your health, I just want to say what a great job you are doing out here as missionaries. You are like an inverse pyramid scheme. (Pause) A pyramid scheme is for the benefit of the person who starts it, but the people you share with, the work that you do, that goes on and on and has endless benefits. It’s an inverse pyramid scheme. Dr. Manwaring told us that one baptism can lead to many conversions. Like a drop of water, the ripples it makes continue outward.
“Do you know what day of the week is the most dangerous for missionaries?” he asked. “P-day. Most accidents happen on your preparation day. Sports injuries are the leading cause.” (Not a problem for me, but most missionaries love sports). “Another problem,” said Dr. Manwaring “is service. Do you know what the most common accident is when performing service? Poison ivy,” Dr. Manwaring answered. Poison ivy will get you every time. So make sure when you are asked to clear away brush or dead leaves this fall, that you wear gloves, jeans and a long sleeved shirt.” (“You’re gonna need an ocean, of calamine lotion…) Dr Manwaring told the missionaries who ride bikes to be sure and wear helmets. Bike helmets save lives.
Happy Thing for Day 160: Today at Zone Conference, my companion was asked to give a spiritual thought. A spiritual thought on the “Standard of Truth”. He went up to the podium. On the microphone was this huge, fat fly. My companion flicked it off and was about to begin speaking when that fly he flicked, flew back to the podium and landed square-in-the-middle of his nose. The whole chapel full of missionaries started laughing. President and Sister W were seated beside my companion. At first they did not realize why everyone was laughing. My companion just stood there for a moment and did not move. Then he brushed the fly from his nose and began his spiritual thought. About halfway through his thought, the fly returned and landed on his nose again! From that point, he was pretty much done.
My companion then led everyone in reciting, “The Standard of Truth.” One last note for today: I got to see Elder Patton (from the MTC) at Zone conference. He seemed to be doing all right. He asked if I still carried those oils around with me. I replied with a resounding “Yes!” Manwaring Address. Manwaring Address. Good day today.
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