President's Weekly - Active in the Gospel Through Repentance

Active in the Gospel Through Repentance

Dear Elders and Sisters:

My message will be short today as we anticipate the counsel and training we will receive this Wednesday from Elder Oaks and Members of the Missionary Executive Council.  Please come prepared to receive their counsel and teachings and be willing to follow each and every aspect of what they suggest, even, and perhaps especially, if it means making changes. 

I continue to be touched and uplifted by Elder Oaks inspired direction to "Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts!"  It just says so much about the "How, What, and Why" of our Purpose.  In the Doctrine of Christ taught by Christ himself in 3 Nephi 11, He states the need and manner of baptism 13 times. Four of these instances are coupled with the admonition to "repent and be baptized!"  As we better teach repentance as a condition to and a qualifier for baptism, our Recent Converts will better understand how to repent, a much needed and commanded action as a Saint and a Disciple.  Too often RCs fall away quickly from activity in the Church because they don't know how to repent.  They experienced a remission of their sins as part of their baptism but when they return to sin, something we all do, they may not understand how to repent and then deem themselves unworthy to be in, or even come to the Church.  As Elder Maxwell said: "The Church is a not a sanctuary or monastery for the righteous and perfect but rather much like a hospital for those afflicted with sin."  We must better prepare our Investigators for activity in the Church by teaching them how to stay active in the Gospel through repentance.

Our Transfer Calendar is as follows:

Tuesday, January 19th, 10:00 am  -   Fresno West Zone interviews, Fresno West Stake Center

Wednesday, January 20th, 9:00 am   -  Worldwide Missionary Training, each Zone to gather at their Stake Center

Wednesday, January 20th, 12:30 am   - Fresno North Zone interviews, Fresno North Stake Center

Thursday, January 21st, 11:00 am  -  Hanford Zone interviews, Hanford Stake Center

Friday, January 22nd, 8:30 am  -  Porterville Zone interviews, Porterville Stake Center

Friday, January 22nd, 1:30 pm  -  Visalia Zone interviews, Visalia Stake Center

Saturday, January 23rd, 11:30 am  -  Fresno Zone interviews, Fresno Stake Center

Tuesday, January 26th, 10:00 am  -  Fresno East Zone interviews, Fresno East Stake Center

Wednesday, January 27th, 10:00 am  -  Trainer/Trainee and District Leader Training

Friday, January 29th, 10:00 am  -  MLC, Mission Office

Saturday, January 30th, 11:00 am  -  Merced Zone interviews (except Los Banos/Mercy Springs, Merced Stake Center

Saturday, January 30th, 4:00 pm  -  Los Banos/Mercy Springs Sisters interviews, Los Banos building

Tuesday, February 2nd, 10:00 am  -  North Zone Conference, location to be announced

Wednesday, February 3rd, 10:00 am  -  Fresno Zone Conference, location to be announced

Thursday, February 4th, 10:00 am  -  Southern Zone Conference, location to be announced

Tuesday, February 23rd, 9:00 am  -  Transfer Hub, Mission Office

Tuesday, February 23rd, 10:30 am  -  Departing Missionary Temple Devotional and Session, Temple

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2:00 pm  -  Departing Missionary Transfer Chores, Mission Office

Tuesday, February 23rd, 6:00 pm  -  Departing Missionary Dinner, Testimony Meeting and Fireside, Mission Home

Wednesday, February 24th  -  Missionaries Depart and New Missionaries arrive, Open Your Mouth, Mission Office

In regards to Interviews, please come one District at a time allocating 60 minutes for Districts of 3 companionships and 90 minutes for Districts of 4 companionships.  The first District of the day should arrive early and go directly to the interview area to meet with Sister Clark while interviews are conducted.  The follow on Districts should arrive at least 10 minutes before their scheduled interview time and congregate in the Chapel, quietly reading and studying and waiting for Sister Clark to come and get you.

We really look forward to this week for the great instruction we will receive from Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other General Authorities to assist us in fulfilling our Missionary Purpose.   We also look forward to these next two weeks during which time Sister Clark will be able to instruct you and I will be able to sit in interview with you. Please come prepared to share, to learn, and to listen to counsel and guidance.

We love you and love serving with you.

President Clark