Friday we had interviews with President Cottle. I had this brilliant idea to invite him and Sister Cottle to our lesson with Brittany! It was such a great idea! We asked them at interviews, and then about an hour later... we were nearly having a nervous break down! Haha, but the lesson was awesome! We taught Brittany about the symbolism in Lehi's dream. The spirit was very strong and we were able to teach well. Sister Cottle said that Brittany is the best prepared investigator that they have seen yet! It was humbling, I am so blessed to be able to help her be baptized.
This weekend Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the quorum of the 12 Apostles came to speak to the Tifton Stake. He called a new stake presidency. It is beautiful to me how smoothly we can transition between leaders. Here in the south a new church leader will result in many changes and opinions, even in the formation of new churches! But in Christ's church, we know who is the Head so it does
n
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t matter to us who he calls to be His representative. It shouldn't matter. I am so grateful to be a part of His restored church with its awesome organization!
I got to shake Elder Oaks hand twice! One of the High council members had an interview with him Saturday, he said the he was going to give Elder Oaks a picture of us. We thought he was kidding...but he wasn't! So now Elder Oaks has a picture of us, our signatures on the back of it. He said he wanted to meet us, so Brother Keanon took us up to the stand and introduced us to him after Saturday night's meeting. And then the next morning he came around and shook all the missionaries hands in the choir. That was so cool! And I was surprised to see how well he got around, for being 82 years old. He was hopping up and down the stand and maneuvering through the crowd, he shook at least every single person's hand who was in the chapel, and I know he shook more than that later. It was so neat to see him go 'one by one' to each person. He taught me a lot about representing the Savior.
Here are some of my notes from his talks, his focus was on helping the stake become better member missionaries:
"As your understanding of the Atonement grows, your desire to share the gospel will increase." ~ Preach My Gospel pg 2
How to be member missionaries-
- Talk about religion. Find ways to relate subjects to the gospel
- Bear testimony. "I know that God answers prayers", testimonies are best when they are short and simple!
- Give reading material. Ex, Mormon.org, or a Book of Mormon
- Invite others to church. They will never be offended by an invitation.
The way to measure your success as a missionary is not by whether or not someone comes to church or joins it, but we must measure success by 'whether or not we asked'. People will not change unless they are invited to do so. It is up to us to provide that invitation, and be there for them should they accept it! "The Lord's plan has us doing something. So we can become something !"
Matthew 7:26 "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:"
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15
"Lovest thou me? ..Feed my sheep." John 21:17
Here is some other highlights that President Cottle talked about in his letter:
"Elder Oaks taught many things during his time in Douglas. One that I thought I would relate to you came from the general session on Sunday Morning. The principle taught was that revelation comes to us from TWO sources, and not just one. To demonstrate, he asked me to come to the pulpit and asked that I bring one of our missionaries with me. Not knowing what we would be asked to say or do, on the spur of the moment, I asked Elder Stewart, one of our Tifton Zone Leaders, to come to the front with me. Elder Oaks simply used us to show that one avenue of revelation was what he called the Priesthood line of revelation. Direction from the Savior to his Prophet, to a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, is given to the Mission President who in turn gives that same counsel and revelation to his missionaries. He taught that this Priesthood channel was the same for every member through their Stake President, Bishop, Quorum President, RS President, and to the individual. The other source, he indicated, is the revelation that comes directly from Heaven through the Holy Ghost. He called it the personal channel of revelation. Then he taught this VERY "revealing" doctrine that unless one is "in line" with the revelation that comes in the Priesthood channel that we would not be ready, or worthy, to receive the revelation that would come from the personal channel. Obviously, the Holy Ghost can and does testify to truth and inspire people everywhere to do what is right, but that personal revelation would come to those who were first receiving revelation as it comes from the Priesthood channel. "
Elder Oaks quoted Elder Eyring: "The more you know Jesus, the more you will trust Him." and Elder Maxwell: "We are completely safe to submit to Him who is all Surpreme."
We must entirely submit our minds to the Lord, are we holding on to anything that prevents us from knowing Him?
The faithful will see the face of the Savior!
We are excited for Brittany's baptism this Saturday :)
I love teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
-Sister Karely Madsen
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