Saturday, August 23, 2014
It's time to say goodbye once again
I can't believe that 6 weeks have come and gone and it's time to say goodbye to some wonderful missionaries! These are our Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders who are saying goodbye after serving for 18 to 24 great months in our Leadership Council. One of our "Visa Waiters" who is also a zone leader is going to Brazil on Tuesday. It is tradition to sing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" - lot of tears shed.
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| Elder Casdaneda - A former assistant leaves today. (First and only hug that is permitted with the me, Mission President's wife). |
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| Leadership Council |
Monday, August 18, 2014
President's weekly letter August 18, 2014
Elders and Sisters,
It was so wonderful to see all of you at our Specialized Training this week. What a privilege and blessing to serve with you in the Lord's Vineyard as we seek to do His work His way in accordance with His will as communicated by the Spirit. What a blessing to be part of the Hastening of the Work! We look forward to our next Zone Conference where we will be doing Role Plays on teaching from the Pamphlets and Personal Experiences as well as other topics we will advise you of in advance.
I wanted to share a few quotes from our Training on the Godhead. I trust this will bless the work:
“There is no salvation in believing any
false doctrine, particularly a false or unwise
view about the Godhead or any of its
members. . . . It follows that the devil would
rather spread false doctrine about God and
the Godhead, and induce false feelings with
reference to any one of them than almost any
other thing he could do. The creeds of
Christendom illustrate perfectly what Lucifer
wants so-called Christian people to believe
about Deity in order to be damned.”3
It was so wonderful to see all of you at our Specialized Training this week. What a privilege and blessing to serve with you in the Lord's Vineyard as we seek to do His work His way in accordance with His will as communicated by the Spirit. What a blessing to be part of the Hastening of the Work! We look forward to our next Zone Conference where we will be doing Role Plays on teaching from the Pamphlets and Personal Experiences as well as other topics we will advise you of in advance.
I wanted to share a few quotes from our Training on the Godhead. I trust this will bless the work:
“There is no salvation in believing any
false doctrine, particularly a false or unwise
view about the Godhead or any of its
members. . . . It follows that the devil would
rather spread false doctrine about God and
the Godhead, and induce false feelings with
reference to any one of them than almost any
other thing he could do. The creeds of
Christendom illustrate perfectly what Lucifer
wants so-called Christian people to believe
about Deity in order to be damned.”3
“We believe in God, the Eternal
Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the
Holy Ghost.”12 That is where we start, and if
all goes well it will be in Their company that
we end. We can be absolutely certain that it
Please do not let the missionaries slide over
that requirement. Furthermore, have them
keep giving “headlines” to the nature of God,
the reality of God, the role of God in our lives
as they teach the rest of that first lesson and
every lesson that follows, in what is greatly
and largely and generally called the doctrine of
Christ.
Without our help, these people cannot gain a
testimony of Jesus Christ and His
preeminence in the plan of salvation,
including His pre-mortal role as Jehovah, His
birth, life, and death, His atoning triumph
over death and hell, His resurrection unto
eternal life and such matters as why the holy
priesthood bears His name and is the only
authority given of God for the authentication
of saving ordinances in time and in eternity.
Missionaries and members alike need to know
what is required to be true disciples of Christ.
They and we must grasp the full measure of
why Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the
life.”10
Elder, sister, and investigator alike must
appreciate more of the remarkable breadth of
His majesty. For example, in what ways He
can be at one and the same time the good
shepherd, the door of the sheepfold, and the
lamb who was slain for the sins of all
mankind. All must come to appreciate that He
came to show us the way of the Father and to
do the will of the Father. Indeed, He is the
only child in the human family of whom that
Father can fully and completely say, “This is
my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased.”11 The world, if it is to be saved,
must bend its knee and with its tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is the living Son of
God.
Regarding the Holy Ghost, our fish of the far
flung net need to know that this is the
member of the Godhead with whom they will
have their most frequent and most intimate
relationship if they will acknowledge His
divine role and seek that companionship.
Missionaries must carry that Spirit with them
at all times. Their investigators must be taught
to recognize it when it manifests itself
repeatedly in the lessons the missionaries
teach.
These investigators then must be motivated to
desire and seek the Spirit when the
missionaries are not in their home, and they
must be taught to anticipate the supernally
precious gift of the Holy Ghost, which will be
given them at their time of confirmation and
which they must strive to “receive.” No other
promise of divine companionship is so
universally available to every member of the
Church, and yet we fear that many
missionaries, many new converts, and many
members of the Church generally may take
this gift too lightly and will undoubtedly stand
under some condemnation if they do.
Understanding this doctrine should help our
missionaries as they strive to delineate our
beliefs and explain our position,
acknowledging readily that save for common
embodiment of the Godhead, the members of
the Godhead are much more united, much
more alike, much more the same, much more
one than many Christians think we believe
and much more than we have sometimes
adequately explained.
Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the
Holy Ghost.”12 That is where we start, and if
all goes well it will be in Their company that
we end. We can be absolutely certain that it
Please do not let the missionaries slide over
that requirement. Furthermore, have them
keep giving “headlines” to the nature of God,
the reality of God, the role of God in our lives
as they teach the rest of that first lesson and
every lesson that follows, in what is greatly
and largely and generally called the doctrine of
Christ.
Without our help, these people cannot gain a
testimony of Jesus Christ and His
preeminence in the plan of salvation,
including His pre-mortal role as Jehovah, His
birth, life, and death, His atoning triumph
over death and hell, His resurrection unto
eternal life and such matters as why the holy
priesthood bears His name and is the only
authority given of God for the authentication
of saving ordinances in time and in eternity.
Missionaries and members alike need to know
what is required to be true disciples of Christ.
They and we must grasp the full measure of
why Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the
life.”10
Elder, sister, and investigator alike must
appreciate more of the remarkable breadth of
His majesty. For example, in what ways He
can be at one and the same time the good
shepherd, the door of the sheepfold, and the
lamb who was slain for the sins of all
mankind. All must come to appreciate that He
came to show us the way of the Father and to
do the will of the Father. Indeed, He is the
only child in the human family of whom that
Father can fully and completely say, “This is
my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased.”11 The world, if it is to be saved,
must bend its knee and with its tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is the living Son of
God.
Regarding the Holy Ghost, our fish of the far
flung net need to know that this is the
member of the Godhead with whom they will
have their most frequent and most intimate
relationship if they will acknowledge His
divine role and seek that companionship.
Missionaries must carry that Spirit with them
at all times. Their investigators must be taught
to recognize it when it manifests itself
repeatedly in the lessons the missionaries
teach.
These investigators then must be motivated to
desire and seek the Spirit when the
missionaries are not in their home, and they
must be taught to anticipate the supernally
precious gift of the Holy Ghost, which will be
given them at their time of confirmation and
which they must strive to “receive.” No other
promise of divine companionship is so
universally available to every member of the
Church, and yet we fear that many
missionaries, many new converts, and many
members of the Church generally may take
this gift too lightly and will undoubtedly stand
under some condemnation if they do.
Understanding this doctrine should help our
missionaries as they strive to delineate our
beliefs and explain our position,
acknowledging readily that save for common
embodiment of the Godhead, the members of
the Godhead are much more united, much
more alike, much more the same, much more
one than many Christians think we believe
and much more than we have sometimes
adequately explained.
Love to you all,
President Clark
Specialized Training
Specialized Training aka Zone Conference was the best! We love it and the missionaries love coming together to receive instruction, role play, see each other and they especially love to see President and Sister Clark. It was a little overwhelming to feel how much the missionaries love us and so many of them had not seen us since we first arrived so our reunions were especially sweet. They just soak it in and then go back to their Districts and Zones and teach it all again. We simply love, love, love them. Their love and energy is over-the-top gratifying and energizing.
Senior Missionary Dinner
The President and I hosted the Senior Missionaries for dinner at our home. They are wonderful missionaries. They quietly do so much for the mission, we can't thank them enough! We would be lost without them. We love our Senior Missionaries!
A few wonderful Baptisms
There are approximately 20 baptisms a week in our mission. When possible the President and I attend those baptisms. The baptisms are like icing on a cake! The missionaries are so amazing. They organize the baptism, normally give talks, perform ordinances, lead the music, play the piano, whatever is asked of them, they do. Oh, we love our missionaries! And these wonderful converts have such sweet testimonies, this is my favorite part of my mission.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
President Clark's weekly letter to all of our missionaries
Dear Elders and Sisters,
As I attended a baptism Saturday evening (an 8 year and an 80 year old which was very cool) I was listening to the Baptismal Prayer which was given so well, clearly enunciating the distinct names by and of whom we perform that ordinance. It reminded me of the distinct nature of each member of the Godhead and helped me reflect on their individual as well as combined purpose.
Since then I have been thinking of a quote I once memorized by Elder Holland about the love of the Lord as manifested through the life of His son. "Of the many magnificent purposes served in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, one aspect of that mission often goes uncelebrated. Many of his followers did not understand it at the time and many in modern Christianity do not grasp it now. It is the grand truth that in all He came to say and do, including and especially in his atoning suffering and sorrow, He was trying to show us who our Heavenly Father is and how completely devoted He is to his children in every age and nation. In word and in deed, Christ was trying to reveal and make personal to us the true nature of His Father, our Father in Heaven, and God in His Ultimate effort to have us know Him, sent to the earth His only begotten Son."
The Savior often said: "I only do the things I see the Father do" and then would say: "Come follow me" Or; "Do thou likewise". Clearly the Father's purpose is to reveal to us who He is and the Holy Son's purpose is to be exactly like the Father and through His life give us a personal pattern to follow. The Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead, will be our constant companion if we are worthy and will reveal and confirm these truths to us. It is with him (the Holy Ghost) that we will have our most constant and intimate relationship as he teaches us "the truth of all things."
As you prepare for Specialized Training this week, consider the doctrine of the Godhead and its significance that we teach as part of the Restored Gospel. Be prepared to learn spiritually, in the Lord's way, deep abiding doctrine of the nature of your Heavenly Father, the Holy Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
Thank you for being such Complete Missionaries wholly consecrated to the work of salvation. I can't tell you how privileged I feel to serve with you in His work.
Love,
President Clark
As I attended a baptism Saturday evening (an 8 year and an 80 year old which was very cool) I was listening to the Baptismal Prayer which was given so well, clearly enunciating the distinct names by and of whom we perform that ordinance. It reminded me of the distinct nature of each member of the Godhead and helped me reflect on their individual as well as combined purpose.
Since then I have been thinking of a quote I once memorized by Elder Holland about the love of the Lord as manifested through the life of His son. "Of the many magnificent purposes served in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, one aspect of that mission often goes uncelebrated. Many of his followers did not understand it at the time and many in modern Christianity do not grasp it now. It is the grand truth that in all He came to say and do, including and especially in his atoning suffering and sorrow, He was trying to show us who our Heavenly Father is and how completely devoted He is to his children in every age and nation. In word and in deed, Christ was trying to reveal and make personal to us the true nature of His Father, our Father in Heaven, and God in His Ultimate effort to have us know Him, sent to the earth His only begotten Son."
The Savior often said: "I only do the things I see the Father do" and then would say: "Come follow me" Or; "Do thou likewise". Clearly the Father's purpose is to reveal to us who He is and the Holy Son's purpose is to be exactly like the Father and through His life give us a personal pattern to follow. The Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead, will be our constant companion if we are worthy and will reveal and confirm these truths to us. It is with him (the Holy Ghost) that we will have our most constant and intimate relationship as he teaches us "the truth of all things."
As you prepare for Specialized Training this week, consider the doctrine of the Godhead and its significance that we teach as part of the Restored Gospel. Be prepared to learn spiritually, in the Lord's way, deep abiding doctrine of the nature of your Heavenly Father, the Holy Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
Thank you for being such Complete Missionaries wholly consecrated to the work of salvation. I can't tell you how privileged I feel to serve with you in His work.
Love,
President Clark
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Trainer/Trainee
Trainer/Trainee Training - there's a mouthful. It was a wonderful day and they are all doing so great. The Trainers are so diligent and desire so much to bless the lives of their companions and the Trainees simply want to learn and become great missionaries overnight. Sometimes that presents a little challenge between them but they are all doing wonderfully and love being missionaries in the California Fresno Mission. (The "trainees" are our new missionaries - in the field for 3 whole weeks.)
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| Insta-Choir I love music, and have added an "Instant Choir" (Insta-Choir) to our program. Because we had so many eager, new missionaries in this meeting, most of the missionaries came up to sing whether they knew how to read music or not. It was great, I loved their enthusiam and willingness to participate. - we sang to about 5 people left in the audience! |
Fresno West Zone Meeting
President Clark and I were invited to our first Zone meeting. What a privilege to witness what has been taught by us filtering down into the Zones through such wonderful leadership. It was also very enjoyable to help them with role playing and teaching. We are blessed with great teachers from a base, doctrinal/Preach My Gospel standard. Thanks Zone Leaders! Great meeting.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Elder Palupe
I was very inspired by a wonderful missionary today. I share his picture and comments with his consent.
Elder Palupe was on an "exchange" when his Doctor called our nurse and said that he would like Elder Palupe to be admitted into the hospital for some tests. I called Brother and Sister Thompson (two of our wonderful senior couples) and asked if they could bring Elder Palupe into the hospital since they were helping with the exchange. Sister Besser (our nurse) and I met Elder Palupe at the hospital where he was admitted and sent up to his room.
The nurse came in, asked him to change into a hospital gown, when I came back into the room - this is what I found. Cute Elder Palupe had put his tag onto his gown!! I love it. He is a dedicated, wonderful, sweet missionary!
Elder Palupe was on an "exchange" when his Doctor called our nurse and said that he would like Elder Palupe to be admitted into the hospital for some tests. I called Brother and Sister Thompson (two of our wonderful senior couples) and asked if they could bring Elder Palupe into the hospital since they were helping with the exchange. Sister Besser (our nurse) and I met Elder Palupe at the hospital where he was admitted and sent up to his room.
The nurse came in, asked him to change into a hospital gown, when I came back into the room - this is what I found. Cute Elder Palupe had put his tag onto his gown!! I love it. He is a dedicated, wonderful, sweet missionary!
The nurse asked him a lot of questions, one of the questions was would he be willing to have a
clergyman come visit him. Elder Palupe asked "is he Mormon" the nurse said "no". Elder Palupe responded "then yes, I will preach to him". We LOVE our Missionaries.
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