Hello Family!
What a powerful and amazing week! On Saturday we were blessed to hear from a prophet of God:) President Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, came to our mission for a mission conference. It was such a powerful experience to have our whole mission grouped together singing We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet when President Nelson walked in. The Spirit filled the room and I know that he is a prophet, seer, and revelator called of God. He enjoyed his 93rd birthday there with us:) We were blessed to hear from President and Sister Nelson, Bishop and Sister Waddell (from the Presiding Bishopric), Elder and Sister Gong (For the Presidency of the Seventy), and Elder and Sister Buckner (from the Seventy).
That morning we traveled two hours to get to the city earlier so we could hear from Sister Wendy Nelson and other sisters at the 87th street chapel in Manhattan. One thing I loved so much about Sister Nelson's talk was that she talked about the importance of having a question for General Conference and even just questions in general that we pray about. What stuck out to me the most was when she said, "You can't pray 'lead me, guide me' and then say just kidding." We have to be ready for the guidance and inspiration He WILL send. I loved that sisters meeting so much. All the messages shared were powerful and inspiring.
Then we traveled down the rest of the Manhattan to get to the Lincoln Square Chapel. Hearing from these men and women called of God was amazing. Bishop Waddell talked about something that stuck with me. In the examples of Nephi and his family, the Broher of Jared, and Moses and his people, they all had a journey or a mission, and they allhad a physical thing to help guide them (Liahona, 16 lighted stones, and the cloud and pillar of fire). In our journey today (whether we think of it in smaller terms of school, work, or bigger terms of making it back to Heavenly Father), we have a physical tool to help and guide us. That tool is the Book of Mormon. That is our Liahona (Alma 37:44-45)!
President Nelson is so wonderful, optimistic, and cheerful! He really is a Special Witness of Jesus Christ. He talked about our calling as missionaries and about the blessings of serving from D&C 31, but one thing that stood out to me the most was just a little side comment he made that meant a lot. He said "We're all human, we all make mistakes. Don't spend 10 minutes feeling bad about something silly you did in the past. Just forget about it and move on." That's truth! Repentance is cool. Let it go! It was so inspiring and amazing to shake hands with a prophet of God and to hear what he saw in us. To hear the potential that a prophet and seer of God sees in each one of us, and to feel the power from his message and from the blessings he left upon us. I will remember this experience forever:)
I invite you to start preparing for General Conference now, for when we all get to hear from these great men and women again. Come with a question, and be prepared to be led and guided:) I love you all!!
Love, Sister Johnson
P.S. Just for the family:) President Nelson wanted us to email you and tell you thank you so much for sending me out here! Thank you for your prayers, and thank you for your love and support!! I love you, and I love being here:)
1-2. Me and Sister Ho at the church
1-2. Me and Sister Ho at the church
3-4. Temple Trip with Sister Precour
5. Our car battery died twice this week. Our nice neighbor jump started our car. Then the Elders got a recharger box thing from a member just in case, and it came in handy after district meeting cause we had to jump start our car. The Elders stood by to make sure we knew how to do it haha! So here's the picture. We did it successfully though:)
6-7. Poughkeepsie Zone
8. Me, Sister Ho, and Sister Israelsen
9. Me and Sister Perkins!
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