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.