Sunday, August 31, 2008

Combined Meeting of Priesthood, Relief Society, Young Men & Young Women
Topic: Being Member Missionaries

Our first speaker was Bishop Soderborg. He passed out a handout for each family titled "Missionary Emphasis in the Ann Arbor 2nd Ward." If you missed this meeting, please get a copy of this handout for yourself/ your family from a member of the bishopric. Bishop S. told us that earlier this summer, all of the stake/ ward/ branch leaders of the church received a request from the First Presidency to help the members of their units improve in sharing the gospel. This is what prompted today's combined meeting, as well as this new handout and our ward fast theme for September. Bishop S. emphasized two foundations of missionary work: 1) Faith & Testimony; 2) Love. We must follow the Lord's timetable in sharing the gospel, not our own. We can pray with the expectation to act and not just to express. Next week (today, actually), please fast for yourself as a member missionary. Ask how you can use your own unique talents and gifts to share the gospel. The Bishop went over the entire handout with us, which includes the Ann Arbor 2nd Ward Mission Plan, a number of helpful quotes from church leaders, and a large excerpt from Elder Bednar's May 2008 Conference address, "Ask in Faith."

Our second speaker was Kathy Diehl. The main point that she made was that in her conversion experience, it was a personal relationship with one special elder that drew her, finally, to accept the truth. We can cultivate those relationships that ultimately make the difference in others' ability to accept the gospel.

Our third speaker was Walt Garf. He asked this question: Do you believe that God has prepared families in Ann Arbor to hear the gospel? Do you believe that he has brought students to this university in order to hear the gospel? He then encouraged us to use the Preach My Gospel manual in our work as member missionaries. He shared a favorite quote from Bruce Lee: Beginners study basics; Intermediates study technique; Advanced study basics. He said the Preach My Gospel manual is full of the basics, for both beginners and advanced. He read us the First Presidency letter at the beginning of the manual. He reminded us that when our friends ask us questions about the church, they are ready for us to push the button on the drinking fountain of knowledge, not to have the fire hose of information shoved in their mouths and turned on.

He recommended these finding techniques. 1) Start with people you care about. 2) Ask "what do you think about when you think about god?" 3) Stop, and listen to what they say. Really listen. As you are waiting for their answer, they have a chance to think, and the Spirit can touch their hearts. 4) Invite your friends to do something based on their answer.

There are people who are seeking the truth. We can find them.