Elder Andersen's Talk from General Conference

Four favorite parts of Elder Andersen’s talk from General Conference:

President Thomas S. Monson has said: “Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together … to bring souls unto Him. … He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work.”  The divinely appointed responsibility that once rested primarily upon the shoulders of full-time missionaries now rests upon us all.

Process For Convert Baptism Ordinances

Hi Ward Mission Leaders,

The purpose of this post is to explain the process for convert baptism ordinances.

Light The World - November 25 to December 25, 2016

 

Dear Presidents, Bishops, and Ward Council Members:

 

The Church has prepared a Christmas initiative to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. As you plan your Christmas gatherings and activities, we want to make you aware of the initiative and the resources that will be available for your use.

 

This year's initiative, entitled #LIGHTtheWORLD, focuses on celebrating and sharing the Light of Jesus Christ with others. The initiative will begin Friday, November 25, 2016, and run through Christmas Day.

 

Resources for Local Leaders Include:

"Light the World" Video The video will be available on mormon.org and in the Gospel Library app beginning Nov‌ember 25 for viewing and downloading.

Advent Activity Calendar Each day in Dec‌ember we will focus on a different Christlike behavior and provide suggestions for ways we can emulate His example. You may find it useful in generating ideas for ward Christmas dinners and gatherings. While the complete advent calendar will not be available until Nov‌ember 25, a planning version is available for download.

Pass-Along Cards and Posters Pass-along cards and posters are available for downloading and printing on mormon.org/download.

We invite you to use these resources both in your missionary efforts and as you plan Christmas activities and events for your congregation.

2016-Nov-4 3rd Semi-Annual Musical Fireside - Utah Orem Mission

The Holy Ghost Provides Personal Revelation

My favorite parts of Elder Hales’ talk from last General Conference:

• The Holy Ghost provides personal revelation to help us make major life decisions about such things as education, missions, careers, marriage, children, where we will live with our families, and so on. In these matters, Heavenly Father expects us to use our agency, study the situation out in our minds according to gospel principles, and bring a decision to Him in prayer.

Five Favorite Parts Of President Uchtdorf's Talk From April 2016

·         If man can take the ruins, rubble, and remains of a broken city and rebuild an awe-inspiring structure that rises toward the heavens, how much more capable is our Almighty Father to restore His children who have fallen, struggled, or become lost? It matters not how completely ruined our lives may seem. It matters not how scarlet our sins, how deep our bitterness, how lonely, abandoned, or broken our hearts may be. Even those who are without hope, who live in despair, who have betrayed trust, surrendered their integrity, or turned away from God can be rebuilt. Save those rare sons of perdition, there is no life so shattered that it cannot be restored.

Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts - Missionary Broadcast, January 20, 2016

Our Messages for Missionaries

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Broadcast Video: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/missionary-broadcast/2016/01?lang=eng&vid=4724962668001

1. Introduction

Last month our Missionary Executive Council posted a two-hour broadcast to all mission presidents and their companions.  Now we have this unique opportunity to speak to all of our 75,000 missionaries in the world.  We love you as servants of the Lord and welcome this opportunity to help you in the great work you are doing.

Today we have been taught fundamentals from Preach My Gospel.  Elder Neil L. Andersen taught our purpose as full-time missionaries, which is to teach the doctrine of Christ.  As he taught, always keep your testimony of the Savior and His gospel as the most important part of your work.  Elder David A. Bednar described how conversion comes through the Holy Ghost as you and your companion do what is necessary to assure that the Holy Ghost testifies to those you teach.

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell taught that investigators must act in order for the Holy Ghost to teach them and that missionaries must invite investigators to act and then follow up to be sure they are moving forward on the road to conversion Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson reminded us that we teach people, not lessons.  We always prepare and we are constantly “treasuring up,”1 but as we teach, we carefully listen to the Spirit, which will lead us to teach what each investigator needs.

Finally, we cannot teach if we don’t have investigators.  A major part of your work is to find.  President L. Whitney Clayton and Elder Brent H. Nielson taught that we should always find when we teach.  All missionaries must develop the faith and skill to find.  The best finding is done when we work with members.  As President Thomas S. Monson taught us, “Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together.”2 Your best success will come as you work with ward councils and ward mission leaders and as you are seeking to retain and to activate.  Behind each reactivated contact are family members and friends who are golden prospects.  The more people we find and teach, the more we will baptize.

2014 April General Conference - Elder Ballard - Following Up

Following Up

By Elder M. Russell Ballard

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Preventing Suicide, with Dr. Greg Hudnell of Hope 4 Utah

We are pleased to announce the following ministering workshops to be held this fall. We ask that you share this information with your bishops, and with stake and ward council members. 

"Preventing Suicide," with Dr. Greg Hudnall of Hope 4 Utah 

Thursday, September 15, 2016, 7:00 pm

Alpine Tabernacle, 110 East Main Street, American Fork

“Helping Members with Anxiety and Depression” 

Thursday, November 17, 2016, 7:00 pm

Alpine Tabernacle, 110 East Main Street, American Fork

PG Manila Stake - Convert Baptisms How To Schedule The Font At The Stake Center

Dear Ward Mission Leaders

In recent weeks we have been blessed with several convert baptisms in the Pleasant Grove Utah Manila Stake.   What a wonderful joy to be witness to these miracles in our midst.

We have also recognized a need for information regarding  the process for convert baptisms and hope this reminder helps us in scheduling and implementing this sacred ordinance.

After having received proper permission to baptize form the Stake President and Bishop, Ward Mission Leaders should contact Brother Ken Knapton  of the High Council to coordinate the use of the Baptismal Font.   He can be reached at 801-367-7901 or Ken@KnaptonFamily.net.   

Brother Knapton will contact the Stake Mission Coordinators who currently are Fred and Trudi Levin.   The Coordinators will contact the Ward Mission Leaders for the necessary clothing sizes for all participating in the ordinance and fill the font for the baptism.     If Brother Knapton is unavailable, the Levins can be reached directly  at 801-735-4797 or trudilevin@gmail.com.  

It is also the responsibility of the Ward Mission Leader to schedule the Stake Center.   The schedulers for the Stake Center are currently Brother William and Sister Linda Winder.   The Winder’s can be contacted at 801-692-7773 or william.winder70@gmail.com.

The Baptismal Service should then be carried out as described in Handbook 2 Section 20.3.  

Brother and Sister Levin also wanted me to relay the following information:    

*At no time should the building be unattended while the font is full or filling.   It is the responsibility of the Ward Mission Leader to arrive when directed and stay as directed by the Baptismal Coordinators until they arrive to empty the font.   Those participating in the ordinance should be given instructions to put all wet clothing in the plastic bag provided in the dressing rooms and return that bag to the Ward Mission Leader.  The Ward Mission Leader then returns the bag(s) to the Coordinators for laundering.     

We sincerely hope you find this information useful and pray that it will be needed often.   On behalf of the Manila Stake Missionary Committee we would like to express our heartfelt thanks for all your efforts as it relates to inviting others to come unto Christ and partake of the fruits of the Gospel.

Manila 8th Ward - President Livingston Sacrament Meeting Closing Remarks

President Scott Livingston – Manila 8th Ward Sacrament Meeting Closing Remarks Sunday, August 21, 2016

Earlier this morning had a 3-hour training with the Seventy and this was the information they trained on:

1. What did we do this morning to prepare for the Sabbath Day?
2. How do you keep the Sabbath Day after church is over?
3. Carefully plan what we can do on keeping our time.
4. Using devices during the time of partaking the sacrament. Can ye not watch with Him for one-hour?
5. Give all our heart to him.
6. To use the time to repent; make it regular. I invite you to repent.
7. Those who brought problems today; the Sabbath Day is to help you to resolve.
8. Receive the promised blessings.
9. This is the work of the Lord.
10. Become a Latter-day Saint. 

Elder Tompot Shared Ideas Of A Ward That Was Effective In Missionary Work

Elder Tompot

Having served in over 14 stakes, and over 120 wards, I've only seen one Ward with more than 10 effective lessons with high activation and retention percentages. The Ward mission leader was key. However, the success could not come without the efforts of the Ward missionaries.

The title Ward mission leader does not imply being the only one in the Ward responsible for missionary, which we all can agree to. Ward missionaries should and can be the secret to a busy Ward regarding missionary efforts.

The Ward Mission Leader took it upon himself to be the manager, not the dictator, for the missionary efforts. Just like in any workplace, each employee has specific responsibilities. He adopted this into his missionary efforts. He had 2 or 3 couples called in to be Ward missionaries, along with a few others. Each Ward missionary received a specific assignment, and they would get together every week for no more than 30 minutes. In this meeting, they would report on last week’s assignments, talk about concerns that were brought up, and discussion improvements that could be made as a team. The Ward Mission Leader presided, and he would ensure the meeting was timely and effective. There was an agenda. There was also a Ward missionary assigned to take minutes and go over them in the next meeting. Because this meeting was a very productive 30 minutes, the Ward Mission Leader was able to take this information back to the Ward council, which occurred every other week after the Ward missionary coordination meeting.

You Can Pray To Know His Will

Use The Book of Mormon

Dear Brothers & Sisters -

I don't typically send out the text or notes of talks I've given unless they've been requested. I feel to make an exception in sharing with you the attached notes from my leadership meeting talk from stake conference. I believe there is an urgent and ongoing need to increase our use of and teaching from the Book of Mormon as a way to strengthen faith and deepen conversion. In your review of the attached notes, I would suggest you focus on the scriptures and teachings of the prophets. You are welcome to share with other leaders as you feel to do so. I invite all leaders to ponder ways that we might use The Book of Mormon in all of our teaching, counseling and training activities.

For example:

• Members could be encouraged to use The Book of Mormon in Sacrament meeting talks.
• Home and Visiting teachers could prayerfully consider ways to use the Book of Mormon in teaching each family, especially those struggling with activity or other challenges.
• Leaders could encourage those they are counseling to read specific passages from the book.
• Teachers could be encouraged to use the Book of Mormon in all of their teaching.
• Prospective missionaries could be encouraged to read from it and to practice teaching others using it.
• Families could be invited to memorize passages from the Book of Mormon.

Many many other ideas could be shared. No doubt you have many wonderful ideas for using this remarkable book.

I pray you will be guided in your efforts to use the Book of Mormon as the Savior intends for us to use it.

Gratefully,

President Livingston

Institute Of Religion - Utah Valley

Helping Members Who Have Questions Or With Church Policies or Doctrines

Sheri Dew - Will You Engage in the Wrestle?

It is a privilege to be here-especially with President and Sister Gilbert. They are dear friends and remarkable exemplars.    

Now, we are not here today to listen to me speak. We are here to receive revelation. I invite you to invite the Holy Ghost to speak to you so that you hear what you need to hear.               

A couple of years ago a reporter from an international broadcasting network visited Salt Lake City researching a story on women in the Church. She was intrigued that a female was leading a Church-owned media company and asked me for an interview.            

A Call To Be A Missionary Minded Family

In the last two years, I have come to understand as never before how close the Savior is to His work and to His servants who are called by Him to lead and to preside. I am also learning how much our Father in Heaven loves each of His children. He is our Father. We are His work and His glory. His greatest hope is for each of us to come home and to live forever with Him as families. I know these things to be true.

With this understanding, it’s clear that our Father and Savior are inviting us to assist them in inviting others to receive the blessings of the gospel. The need is more urgent because time is running out. The Lord has spoken through His servants the prophets to tell us that He is hastening His work, and to invite us to participate.

Implementing Teaching in the Savior's Way

Preach My Gospel Continues To Bless Lives Worldwide

Contributed By Jason Swenson, Church News staff writer

In late 2004, President Dean R. Burgess was serving as a counselor in the Young Men general presidency when he attended the formal introduction meeting of the Preach My Gospel missionary guide.

As a former mission president, he immediately recognized the power of the 230-page manual for the Church’s growing missionary force. As a youth leader charged with developing Aaronic Priesthood holders across the globe, he rejoiced at its potential to change lives.

More than a decade has passed—yet his enthusiasm for Preach My Gospel only grows.

A Model For 'Hastening The Work'

President Scott Livingston

As I have pondered preparations for a upcoming meeting with our Bishop's and Ward Mission Leaders, I've been reminded of this article and its impact on my thoughts and feelings about our opportunity to participate in the hastening of the work. I invite all to read or to read again with a focus on how you feel the principles it teaches can be likened to your roles and responsibilities.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865599941/Maryland-ward-becomes-model-for-hastening-the-work.html?pg=all

Deseret News article published by Jason F. Wright, Tuesday, April 1, 2014 12:10 PM MDT

On June 23, 2013, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were treated to a historic Worldwide Leadership Broadcast on "Hastening the Work of Salvation."

Among other things, the meeting unveiled how full-time missionaries would soon be invited to use technology, including social media, to share the gospel and interact with members, less-active members and investigators. Members were also counseled to better understand their roles in this great work, and as the meeting marched on, it was clear this wasn’t some flashy new program or trendy, short-term initiative.

Ward Mission Plan - Handbook 2: 5.1.8

Handbook 2: 5.1.8

Ward Mission Plan

Under the direction of the bishop, the ward council develops a ward mission plan. The plan should be brief and simple. It should include specific goals and activities to help members of ward priesthood and auxiliary organizations participate in member missionary work, retention, and activation. The ward council coordinates the ward mission plan with the plans of the full-time missionaries assigned to the ward. The following steps may be helpful in this planning process:
1. 
   
2. 1. 
   Consider the needs and resources of the ward in member missionary work, retention, and activation, including the availability of full-time missionaries.
3. 2. 
   Set specific goals for member missionary work, retention, and activation to be accomplished within the next year.
4. 3. 
   Determine how to accomplish the goals. Leaders could plan ways to lift the ward’s overall vision and attitude about missionary work. They could develop ideas for activities to help the full-time missionaries find, teach, and baptize more investigators. They could also plan ways to befriend and strengthen new members and improve the activation of less-active members.
   
   Sample Mission Plan 

Book of Mormon Read With A Less-Active

Merlin Fish:

Brethren-Brad Baldwin just texted us saying Steve Olsen has finished The Book of Mormon!! YES!!!!!

Aaron Weaver:

That is great

Brent McAllister:

Wow that is simply wonderful!!  Thank you for sharing!!

Bryan Pratt:

Awesome!

Paul Olpin:

Love that!

Jim Brinton:

😎👍🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉

Weston Lunsford:

It is awesome.  Kirsten and I read the last two chapters with him last night, we focused a lot in the promise.  I invited him to sincerely pray to identify if this is a true book.  We also asked him what he was going to do now.  He said "I want to read it again, I feel that now I can understand more of it". He is doing great!!  We need to keep close and I feel we need to invite him to serve.  I believe he would accept.

Elder and sister fish thank you for scheduling us to read with him.  He actually could had finished a few days ago, but said he wanted to save at least two chapters for last night 😉

+1 (801) 450-6525:

Thank you. I texted him today and told him I'd be setting up a time for us to meet.

2016-5-16 Stake General Priesthood Meeting

On May 15, 2016 at 6:00 pm we will have a Stake General Priesthood Meeting at the Stake Center. We are anxiously looking forward to meeting together on this significant date - it was on May 15, 1829 the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Aaronic Priesthood. Bringing back priesthood power and authority required for the organization of the church on earth.  

Please begin spreading the word and strongly encourage all priesthood holders to make it a priority to come together with us at this time.  

Thank you for your incredible service.

Mark Ward
Stake Executive Secretary

Saying Goodbye To Elder Sangster

Saying Good-Bye to Elder Sangster

We thank Elder Sangster for his few months of service here in the PG Manila Stake.  He was transferred on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 to become a Zone Leader.

Below are some posts from others in the stake to wish him well:

"The stake presidency met with Pres. Killpack, UT Orem mission and ran into Elder Sangster as a new Zone Leader."

Feed My Sheep - Preach My Gospel Studies

Feed My Sheep – MTC Talk – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

This talk was given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in the Missionary Training Center (MTC) on January 11, 2011. It’s entitled “Feed My Sheep” and was a precursor to the talk that he gave in General Conference.

What a privilege to be here. I love being at the MTC. I told these people earlier in a little informal and inadequate dinner remark that there's nothing I'd rather do, and nowhere I'd rather be than with Missionaries. And in Missionary service, and in performing Missionary labor, and doing things with the Missionary department. The mechanism and the structure that, under the direction of the prophet to call you on a mission, guide your Mission while you're out there, works with your Mission Presidents. I want you to have a good experience; provide you with things like Preach My Gospel and all the other helps that we can give you.

April 24, 2016 6-7:30PM Manila Building Special Meeting with HP Group Leader, Ward Mission Leaders, Family History Consultants

Family History Consultants Online Resources

Dear High Priest Group Leaders and Ward Mission Leaders,

As we continue to see the Lord hasten His work in our stake, we are given new tools and direction to assist us in His work. The Temple & Family History Committee and Missionary Committee, acting under the direction of the Stake Presidency, have been asked to work together with you to put these tools and direction to work in our stake with a very specific objective relating to Family History and the less active members of our stake.

On April 24th from 6 - 7:30pm at the Manila building, we will be holding a special meeting to discuss this objective. We invite all High Priest Group Leaders, Ward Mission Leaders and all Family History Consultants (adults and youth) to join us in this meeting to discuss how family history work can engage prospective elders, less active members and new members by introducing them to family history work. If you cannot attend, please send a representative from your organization to attend in your place. We would like representation from every ward's High Priest Group Leadership, Ward Mission, and Family History consultants to participate in this discussion.

We ask that High Priest Group Leaders reach out to ward family history consultants (adults and youth) and invite them to this meeting.  Ward Mission Leaders should bring a list of prospective elders, less active members and new members in your ward to this meeting.

We thank you for your dedication to the work of salvation and look forward to the blessings that will come to members of our stake as a result of your efforts.

Sincerely,

Brother Ken Knapton - Stake Family History Committee Chair

Brother Weston Lundsford - Stake Missionary Committee Chair

2016-June 4-5 Stake Conference Meeting Schedule

Stake conference will be held on June 4th & 5th, 2016.

We will be holding the following meetings:

3:00pm Saturday, June 4th - Stake Leadership Meeting:

• Stake Center. All members of the stake and ward council, counselors and secretaries are invited to attend. Additionally, all YM and YW advisors are invited to attend as well.

7:00pm Saturday, June 4th - Adult Session:

• Stake Center. All members 18 and older are invited to attend.

10:00am Sunday, June 5th. General Session. 

• Broadcast to all buildings. 10am.

We look forward to this joyful weekend with you.

Gratefully,

PG Manila Stake Presidency

Assisting Individuals Struggling With Pornography

Dear Priesthood Leaders,

All of you are assisting individuals struggling with pornography. There are also no doubt members in your ward of whom you are unaware that are also fighting this fight alone. One of those groups are the spouses of those fighting this fight.

Here is a great resource that I learned about today that might be very helpful to share with individuals in need of ministry: http://www.hopeandhealinglds.com/

I also read this great article today reporting on a recent forum held at UVU on the boundaries in Mormonism. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865652045/LDS-Church-boundaries-more-expansive-than-restrictive-Michael-Otterson-says-at-UVU.html

I know that there are members in our stake struggling with questions of faith, doctrine and testimony. Perhaps this will be helpful to share with those in need.

You are wonderful.

With love,

President Livingston

Our Messages for Missionaries - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts

Missionary Broadcast, January 20, 2016

Our Messages for Missionaries

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Watch Missionary Broadcast:
- Missionary Purpose and the Doctrine of Christ
- The Role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion
- We invite, They Commit, We Follow Up
- Teach People, Not Lessons
- Working with Members, Retention, and Activation
- Teaching Repentance and Baptizing Converts

1. Introduction

Last month our Missionary Executive Council posted a two-hour broadcast to all mission presidents and there companions.  Now we have this unique opportunity to speak to all of our 75,000 missionaries in the world.  We love you as servants of the Lord and welcome this opportunity to help you in the great work you are doing.

Today we have been taught fundamentals from Preach My Gospel.  Elder Neil L. Andersen taught our purpose as full-time missionaries, which is to teach the doctrine of Christ.  As he taught, always keep your testimony of the Savior and His gospel as the most important part of your work.  Elder David A. Bednar described how conversion comes through the Holy Ghost as you and your companion do what is necessary to assure that the Holy Ghost testifies to those you teach.

Bishop W. ChristopherWaddell taught that investigators must act in order for the Holy Ghost to teach them and that missionaries must invite investigators to act and then follow up to be sure they are moving forward on the road to conversion.  Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson reminded us that we teach people, not lessons.  We always prepare and we are constantly “treasuring up,”1 but as we teach, we carefully listen to the Spirit, which will lead us to teach what each investigator needs.

Finally, we cannot teach if we don’t have investigators.  A major part of your work is to find.  President L. Whitney Clayton and Elder Brent H. Nielsen taught that we should always find when we teach.  All missionaries must develop the faith and skill to find.  The best finding is done when we work with members.  As President Thomas S. Monson taught us, “Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together.”2 Your best success will come as you work with ward councils and ward mission leaders and as you are seeking to retain and to activate.  Behind each reactivated contact are family members and friends who are golden prospects.  The more people we find and teach, the more we will baptize.