April 28, 1995

April 28th - Mike Bement set up the satellite for us at 8:15am. And then we studied at the church - piano! I played for 1½ -hours; to my heart's content.

We then tracted a neighborhood near the church. We got one stopback and one other man told how excited he was about Catholicism and bigotry and racism. Hmmm... He tried to convert us to his theology (?).

The District came to the church for the Spring '95 MTC Satellite Broadcast. The Lansdale elders now have their car back.

The first segment of the broadcast featured Elder L. Aldin Porter explaining how to conduct baptismal interviews.

We then had a meeting in which Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin conducted and spoke on how to friendship and nurture new converts.

Elder Earl C. Tingey spoke on following the Spirit.

Elder Rex D. Pinegar spoke on the duties, responsibilities, and accountability of a District Leader: to be a role model, to teach and train, and to pray specifically for Dist. members and investigators.

And finally, Elder Dallin H. Oaks spoke on the purpose of missionary work. He asked us never to use the words "my mission" again. It is not our mission, it is His, which is why, he explained, we need direction from the Spirit. When we realize that this is His mission and we are His servants, then we will lose ourselves in the work and find ourselves secure in His arms of love.

"We do not teach and preach," he continued, "to add people to the Church. It doesn't help anything. Baptism alone is not sufficient. We have to persuade people to love Christ, keep the commandments, and come unto Him by, and only by the Priesthood of God, which no other church has, and which are keys to the entrance of the Celestial Kingdom. Any other degree of glory can be reached by any other baptism."

This talk has been the most inspiring and motivating missionary talk that I have ever heard.

And being out for as long as I have, and with a companion who openly wishes to be the District Leader and trainer. I love Elder Taylor, but I pray he will realize he needs to lose himself in this work, and to forget about bullcrap like "I wish I had this calling, etc." When it's time for him to receive a calling or any other desire of his heart, he'll likely receive that.

I want to get motivated! I will get motivated!

We tracted in a Chalfont complex to try and find someone for the sisters to teach. No such luck.

There were a group of teenagers I approached. At first I thought about how much I hated to have to walk past their whisperings. But, I went up and talked to them. We had a good laugh.

Tonight we ate dinner with the Gillis'. Mike Gillis had some forms to give us and a real pep talk on member missionary work in this area; it all came as an answer to a prayer of Elder Taylor. I'm glad we had the experience to talk with Bro. Gillis tonight. I feel the member missionary work accelerating as it is beginning to be measured. Good night.