Monday, March 23, 2015

PRESIDENT'S WEEKLY - Direct Revelation - Thank you, Elder Ballard!

Direct Revelation – Thank You, Elder Ballard!

Dear Elders and Sisters:

I trust you are feeling blessed by our Mission Conference with Elders Ballard and Hallstrom.  It was a once in a mission-time opportunity and I am so appreciative of your wonderful preparation and reverence of Elder Ballard as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Not every missionary receives this opportunity and privilege.  It is on par with Paul visiting the Ephesians, Philippians, or Colossians. And just like Paul of old, we have Elder Ballard's teachings to forever change and bless our lives. 

One of the things that impresses upon me is what he taught us to do to Teach more - talk to more people.  He promised that if each of us will talk to ten people every day then we will Find more and Teach more. He said that it would lift the Mission because we would be helping each other Find.  That's direct revelation in my book!  We don't need to stop and consider what to do or whether or not to do it.  We've had an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ give us very clear direction how to better bless the work - the work that he along with his Brethren of the Twelve are charged to do and have called us to assist in. 

And what timing!  Just at a time when we have been struggling with Finding the Lord has provided.  What a great compliment this will be to the Lord's Inspired Vision!  MLC is Friday and we will determine where to incorporate it into the Vision but it will be there.  Very simply he said: "If you want to Teach more, then talk more.  If you need courage to talk more, then kneel and pray more. And know what you teach!"  So, now it is upon you to "go and do" as instructed by an Apostle.  Thank You, Elder Ballard!

The second thing that impresses upon me is what he said relative to working with Members.  This was in answer to one of your questions.  His instruction was to determine how we can better serve with them and serve them.  He said that if we will change our attitudes towards them and not merely see them as a hurdle to the work but those we need to partner with and then figure out how to do that by serving them and considering their difficult circumstances as they juggle life, family, and work with service in the Kingdom.  Elder Hallstrom reiterated this to me as well when we were talking later that evening.  He confirmed that we need to see the Members as our partners and love and serve them and then they will serve us.  Wise counsel from two very seasoned servants of our Heavenly Father! 

Both things I have shared with you were important enough that they reiterated them to us that evening while we ate dinner at our home. At one point Elder Ballard said to me: "What I was teaching the Missionaries I am teaching you.  If you want to teach more, talk to more people."  I think these two things added to our Vision statement will serve to "complete it".  After all, they were given to us directly by His Apostle.  As for me, "I will go and do" what Elder Ballard has instructed.  Will you?

We serve because we love the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We are worthy, obedient, committed, and focused and serve with No Regrets!  Go Find, Teach, Baptize, and Rescue!  What a wonderful day to be a Missionary in the great California Fresno Mission!

With all my love,

President Clark

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