5 Zone Conferences-Sept 27 thru Oct 4, 2017

We attended five Zone Conferences in (Maddison& Huntsville), Bessemer, Birmingham, Tupelo, and Montgomery that each lasted 7 hours; one each day Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Tuesday, Wednesday.   President Sainsbury and Sister Sainsbury carried such power as they walked in, all the missionaries stood up. (President carries all the Priesthood keys for the entire Mission). 

They all sang “Called to Serve” in an upbeat strong voice with missionary zeal.  Sister Sainsbury adapted the third verse, “Called to love our sisters and our brothers, Love of Christ has called us to the South.  Blessed with truth, we share it with another, Bringing souls to Israel’s house.(Chorus) Onward Alabama, we are called to spread the word; Onward, Mississippi, share the truth that you have heard.  Forward, missionaries hear the songs of souls set free.  God our strength will be; press forward ever, called to serve our King!”(The song was wonderfully stirring before the opening prayer)

Recitations ( From Preach My Gospel)The missionaries purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.

3 Nephi 5:13-Behold I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

“We are Preach My Gospel and White Handbook Missionaries, and we are STEADFAST IN CHRIST!”

 Steve and Rosie were introduced as the new apartment specialist and the mental health nurse and asked to bear their testimonies.

Each testimony, Steve and Rosie felt impressed to share different things.  Elder Barfuss shared his Australia Mission experience when the Savior comforted him about the news his baby sister had Downs Syndrome in a vision like a dream. As he related the story, Brother Barfuss wept and bore a powerful testimony of the reality of Jesus‘s love for each of us and His power to heal us and give us hope.  Sister Barfuss  related a little about raising five children and missing the almost 18 grands.   

Rosie told the story about one of the grandson’s; Dawson wanting to learn to crochet and be able to make things immediately. She taught, “Crocheting is a little like learning to play the piano, beginning with very basic notes (stitches) and building on it until the gift creates something beautiful.  Your missions are a talent that can build on itself one daily skill at a time until the oil in your lamps (like the 10 virgins) is more than enough to carry your testimony and love of the Savior throughout your lives.  It is alright to be patient with yourselves in the process.  The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is true and carries His power.”

Sister Sainsbury honored all the birthdays since the past Zone Conference with big movie box size of candy and we all sang an upbeat Happy Birthday Primary song.  She said, “Thank you for being born!!” as each one chose which kind of candy they wanted and made everyone laugh!! 

Missionary Miracles were solicited at each Zone Conference and had us all in tears from the Spirit: A few examples …

One Sister related filling her car up with gas on the missionary credit card and visiting with another person putting gas in her car and taking the receipt.  She drove off and when she arrived home realized the gas tank still registered empty!! That was so strange, so the companionship went back to the gas station to fill up.  This time while they were pumping their gas, another person called out. “Hey I know you and want a book of Mormon for one of my friends!!”  The Sisters followed up with a great teaching opportunity.

Another Elder related doing service at a pawn shop and getting to know one of the employees fairly well.  A few days passed and the missionary was given a referral to a home and when they arrived, the pawn shop employee was sitting in the yard.  The missionary said he was looking for a certain lady who turned out to be the employee’s mother-in-law!!  She was not home, so he asked the employee if he would like to learn about the restoration of Jesus Christ’s gospel and read the Book of Mormon?  The employee said “Yes!!” So service opened this door to teach!!

There was another set of Elders who were “finding” in the Mall and started singing some primary songs!!  One girl came out of the store and asked them to sing to some customers in her store!! (The missionaries had the courage to perform for the small group.   They all enjoyed it and the music broke the ice, so everyone was really friendly and they were able to make some contacts for the future.

President Sainsbury challenged the whole mission to pray for a full hour before breaking our 24 hour fast, to strengthen and bless the mission.  Each fast Sunday He wants us to combine our “Mighty prayer and fasting” in moving forward the work of the Alabama mission!

The Zone leaders did 3 trainings on : “Daily Contact,” “How to Do Missionary Work in the Dark of the Evening” and “How to Overcome Fear of Talking to Everyone.”  Theyshared ideas and some very great pointers for safety and success.

Sister Sainsbury taught about making Commitments: “Will you?... I promise… and I testify of the blessings that come from keeping each commandment.  Everything God asks us to do has a specific blessing that goes with obedience. Keeping the Sabbath day holy shows God that we are serious about commitments.  Exodus 20: 8-11 tells us “the Lord Blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” Isaiah 58:14 reminds us:” Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Deuteronomy 32:13 says, “He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields… 3Nephi 18:1-25 promises strength to keep the Lord’s commandments as we partake of the Sacrament each Sabbath.  D&C 59:9-15 promises that the fullness of the earth shall be ours if we have cheerful hearts and thankful countenances keeping the Sabbath day holy.

Senior Missionaries gave presentations of the safe use of cars and maintenance and good hygiene and sleep habits.

Sister Sainsbury taught about small and simple things and showed a movie clip of a Navy Seal who had become Admiral about “If you want to change the World, start by making your bed!”  It was great, funny and powerful(available on u-tube) A discussion followed on the power of simple things becoming great things over time. An Australian missionary said, “Doing little things over time, makes little a lot!”

There was more teaching on “How to Plan and Prepare for Baptismal Services” and a Baptismal Form Reminder.  Lunch was served by the Stake Relief Society and each time the missionaries sang, “Armies of Helaman” changing the verse to ; “We are NOW the Lord’s missionaries to bring the world His truth.”  It was a great time to visit with the missionaries over lunch.  The conference finished with a group discussion on common problems missionaries face, a musical number and testimonies of departing missionaries.  President Sainsbury gave closing remarks before the hymn and a prayer.