Week 13: Elder Bednar Speaks to the Missionaries

So much happened this week. I will try my best to cover the high points.

We still have that one solid investigator named Bonnie. She came to church this Sunday, and told us she had been keeping the word of wisdom! A couple of less actives also came. The church meeting was probably one of the most uplifting ones I have been to here in Australia, and it was exactly what our investigator and less actives needed. The first hour was a solid fast and testimony meeting. Then we had a really good lesson second hour on why the atonement of Jesus Christ was necessary, and essential. Many people don't understand this concept, and it was taught very simply. Then third hour was combined, and we had a lesson, or more of a discussion, on why we live the gospel, and get baptized and come to church. Many members testified how the gospel, and being baptized had changed their lives, and that really helped Bonnie and our less actives. He also asked people what their lives would be like without the gospel. This made me think a lot, and remember how blessed I am. The gospel has really blessed every aspect of my life, from my conduct, to my education, to my relationships with others.

ELDER BEDNAR talked to all of the missionaries in Melbourne! Actually it wasn't as much of a talk as it was a discussion. Similar to when I saw him in the MTC, he spoke about how during the creation, God created things to act and things to be acted upon. He was going to let us act, and participate in the discussion. He asked us missionaries some questions, and let us ask him some questions. I had a few questions, but other people happened to ask them,or I got my answer through other things he said. The same thing happened when he did a Q and A session at the MTC. There were also 4 people from the quorum of the 70 in the meeting, and Elder Bednar had them and their wives answer some of the questions. Here are some of my notes from that meeting;

-Whom the Lord calls he qualifies
-The atonement made us agents, to act
-Acting as an agent, we can chose to exercise our faith, and receive witness.
-Q: Am I feeling the Holy Ghost or my own feelings? A: Don't worry about it. If you are living the gospel, both should influence you to do good.
-Be persistent, but don't press a testimony. This applies to your own and other peoples' testimony.
-You don't need an apostle to receive answers to your questions. You can receive your own answers from God through his messenger the Holy Ghost.
-If you share a testimony building experience during church, share a recent one.
-Treat investigators as agents. Ask them inspired questions.
-How do we prevent spiritual roller coasters on our missions? That is part of life. (I personally found that reviewing my spiritual notes and journal helps me when I am down)

I have some more notes, but I do not have time to type them all. I wish I would have taken more notes. Elder Bednar had another similar meeting for the church leaders in Melbourne, and a leader took notes on that and let me have a copy, so I also got to see the questions asked and answers given for the other session. The way Elder Bednar conducted the meeting (Q and A) was similar, but the content was quite different. The leaders asked questions about things like balancing their family and church responsibilities, and about helping the youth.

Just a super good week.
I miss you all.