october 2010

President’s Message

     New Curriculum We are really excited about the new MTC curriculum training materials we received last July. When Preach My Gospel first came out in 2004, there was a real focus on planning; something that 19-21 year old males do not normally do well. In July, the Church issued a new eight lesson curriculum, to be implemented in the Missionary Training Centers around the world in May of 2011. So that the Missionaries who go into the mission field after it is implemented don’t arrive in Missions which are not using the teachings of the new curriculum, the Brethren are implementing the new curriculum lessons in the Mission field now.

     Lessons The lessons are wonderful. They are intended for Missionaries and they focus on several areas in which Missionaries can significantly improve their teaching effectiveness. For example, they teach the importance of the Spirit in conversion and the importance of reading the Book of Mormon, prayer, and Church attendance in an investigator receiving revelation. They focus on helping Missionaries actually teach to the needs of each investigator (this lesson is entitled, “We Teach People, Not Lessons”). They do not replace Preach My Gospel—they simply highlight parts that need improvement.

     Teaching As we’ve taught these Preach My Gospel-based lessons to our missionaries, we’ve seen real, significant improvement in their teaching and inviting skills. It is wonderful to watch. They are making a real difference. 
     Sharing Sister Nelson and I are so pleased to be here with your sons and daughters. They are an incredible group of wonderful, excited, loving young people. We love them for who they are and who they are becoming and we are so grateful to you for sharing them with us. They are a joy.

     PS. We are also very grateful to you Senior Couple families, who are sharing your parents and grandparents and (gasp) great grandparents with us. They are making such an important, incredible difference in the lives of our members, investigators, and Missionaries. More on the next update.

Random Act of Service

    A Letter of Commendation--

    Incorporated Village of New Hyde Park,

    Village Hall

The following is a letter addressed to Bishop Shaw of the Little Neck Ward regarding two of our missionaries. It was written by a passerby who happened to be on a Trustee on the board of the Village of New Hyde Park. (September 2, 2010)

Dear Bishop Shaw,

     I would like to commend the actions of Daniel Casperson and Ryan Rouch. While approaching Jerico Turnpike from Lakeville Road at 10pm Sunday night, I noticed several thousand pieces of paper littered in the street and in the municipal parking lot. Apparently, a box of labels had fallen from a truck and scattered with the wind in the area. I made a mental note to contact the Village Department of Public Works to affect a clean up in the morning.

    While waiting for the light, I observed two well dressed young men who also noticed the mess. Almost immediately, they began picking up the papers one by one. I was so impressed that they acted simply because it was something they could do to fix the problem, instead of passing by as so many others must have done before them. By the time I drove around the block, each had collected a large hand full of papers and they were still at it.

     It is rare that someone stop to pick up litter, much less collect so much. However, the amount of paper was not as impressive as the spontaneous reaction that these young men had to a situation. And while they could not pick up each and every label, the fact that they took immediate action to right a wrong seemed instinctive.

     Mr. Casperson and Mr. Rouch are obviously men of high character. They seem genuinely concerned with the greater good and unconcerned with taking credit for their labor. I would like to give them that credit and share with you an isolated and, perhaps, not so random act of good that seems to reflect a deeper quality in these two young men.

Sincerely,

Lawrence J. Montreuil,Trustee

cc Mayor Daniel Petruccio



Elders Rouch and Casperson  

Queens College – Sociology-a Graduate Studies on Religions (Oct. 2010)

     President and Sister Nelson accompanied President Stan Kauffman, who is in charge of the Church Education System in our area, and his wife Shirley to Queens College, where he had been invited to make a presentation on Mormonism to a group of graduate students studying world religions. The presentation took about an hour. Afterwards, he opened up time for the students to ask questions. It was a very nice exchange. The purpose of the group was not to challenge, but to find out more about Mormons and our beliefs. Some of the points that were covered are as follows:

     Children We explained that we believed that we were all God’s children and that he loves us all equally, irrespective of our strengths or weaknesses.

     Wards It was explained that a ward is a congregation. The term, “ward” is an old English word that designates a geographical boundary.

     Missionaries Here in New York we have over 170 Missionaries between the ages of 19-21. They serve from 1 ½ to 2 years. They finance their own way. The clergy, etc. in our Church aren’t paid, either. President Kauffman explained that President Nelson was a retired businessman who received a three-year call to serve as a mission president. He also mentioned that many teachers in the Church Education System were volunteers.

     Prophet The question was asked—”How do you choose your prophet.? President Kauffman said simpley, “by revelation.”

      Joseph Smith and his vision We believe that the truth has been restored to the earth today. There were many reformers, Martin Luther, etc. who played a part in preparing the way, but that this is Christ’s Church, restored in these latter days by Joseph Smith, a prophet of God. The Priesthood, the authority to act in God’s name, was restored as well. We currently have a prophet at the head of the Church.

     The Godhead We believe that they are three separate beings—three separate persons, as witnessed by Joseph Smith.

     Women We were asked if women could be priests/bishops. The answer was no—it’s not that we esteem them less than men are, but they don’t hold priesthood positions.

     Tithing A couple of the women in the group had attended fast and testimony meetings the week before. They asked two questions: Why did we allow people to stand up and talk (“preach”) when they hadn’t had any formal training? They also noticed that we didn’t pass the plate for contributions. We talked to them about tithing and fast offerings. Contributions are a confidential matter between the person and the bishop.

     Nationalities President Kauffman said that we have missionaries throughout the world, and members (and missionaries) of all nationalities. We encourage members to remain in their own countries to provide leadership for the Church.

     Humanitarian Brother Kaufman also pointed out that the Mormon Church is heavily involved in relief efforts throughout the world. For example, $380 million were donated to the relief efforts over the past few years. He noted that the Mormons are always among the first to arrive.

     Same-Sex Marriage They also asked us about our stand on homosexual practices. We were very clear that we didn’t accept the practice--that it was against the commandments of God. But as children of God, we are all of equal value and he loves all of us equally—it isn’t dependent on our beliefs or practices. We don’t recognize same sex marriage. It was pointed out that a marriage between a man and a woman was ordained of God. Same sex marriage is ordained of man, not God.

     Plural Marriage The question also came up about plural marriage. We explained that although it was practiced in the late 1800’s, it is strictly forbidden. They asked us about TV and other groups that they had heard about. We explained that we really didn’t know who they were, that they weren’t a part of our Church. It was pointed out that almost all religions have splinter groups.
      Pre-Marital Relations It was added that another unique position of our Church is that we don’t believe in sexual relations before marriage, asking the group—”Who else believes that today? Nobody. We just believe differently than other people.”

     Young Mother: A student approached me (Sister Nelson) after the class. I told her that this seemed like a very interesting class and asked her why she was taking it? She said that she was looking into other religions. I believe what you are saying. It’s hard for me to say anything in my church, because they think I am closed-minded. The values aren’t constant—they keep changing—it will be too hard for my children. However, she said that she would not be able to leave the traditions of her religion (mainly believing that God and Jesus Christ are two separate beings). We said that that was fine. We don’t tell people how to believe—that that is a personal decision. I told her to start to read the Book of Mormon—two minutes each night. She said that she would.

Note. President Kauffman serves in the NYNYS Mission Presidency.

“Arrivals”

Arriving Missionaries September 2010

The “Arrivals” from the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah arrived here September, 27 and spent Monday night at the Mission Home in Port Washington. In the morning, the missionaries went to the Rego chapel in Queens for a transfer meeting where they were assigned to their new companions and area. The “Arrivals” were as follows:

     Sister                               Language

    Sister TauraLee Heiner   Spanish
     Elders

    Elder Douglas Beadles    English

    Elder Scott Clement      Spanish

    Elder Kyle Finlinson        English

    Elder Daniel Hall            Spanish

    Elder Wei Yu Hsu          Mandarin

    Elder Kenneth Scott      Spanish
    Elder Gary Wilson          English

Couples

    Elder and Sister Rasmussen
     The Rasmussen will be working in Richmond Hill. Elder Rasmussen, a former bishop, will be in involved in leadership training in the Brance, CES teaching and auditing. Sister Rasmussen is a nurse by profession and will be over the medical area. One of her goals is to come up with a more comprehensive list of doctors and medical facilities that are more accessible to our missionaries. Many of them still need to go to Manhattan for their doctor appointments (we have some really great doctors there).

“Departures”

  

Departing Missionaries September 2010

On Tuesday evening, the Departing missionaries came to the Mission Home for the traditional farewell dinner and testimony meeting. In the morning beginning at 5:30 they began to leave for the airport for their return trip home. The “Departures” are as follows:

     Sister                                 Language

    Sister Lachelle Crandell   Spanish

     Elders

    Elder Jihoon Kim             Korean

    Elder Pun Yui Lam          Cantonese

    Elder Kenneth Merrill       English

    Elder Juan Mijangos        Spanish

    Elder Garrett Nagaishi     English

    Elder Michael Olsen        English

    Elder Kurtis Roberts        English

Note. We now have missionaries serving in the New York South Mission from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Korea, Guatemala, Russia and Taiwan.  These are the first group of missionaries who will end their missions serving under another President.

Flu Shots

Sister Rassmusen along with Rosemary Romero, our former mission nurse, helped to arrange for flu vaccinations this year (the missionaries were not happy to hear this news). These shots were effective in cutting down the number of illnesses last year. Sister Romero has since moved to Carolina (she answered her phone while on a 100 miles bike ride). As mentioned before, Sister Rasmussen is a retired nurse.



 

President Gordon B. Hinckley “Every morning…, missionaries should get on their knees and speak through them to the blessings of those they will be teaching. If they will do this, a new light will come into their lives. There will be greater enthusiasm for the work. They will come to know that in a very real sense, they are servants of the Lord speaking in His behalf. They will find a different response from those they teach. As they do so by the Spirit, their investigators will respond under the influence of the same Spirit.”  (Preach My Gospel, page 94)

New York South Missionaries...

President’s Message

Dear Elders and Sisters:
     A little over a year ago, we began a focus on the Savior’s Atonement as it related to us as missionaries. I felt (and continue to feel) additional strength and joy in the work as I learned more about the Atonement and, more importantly, applied it more effectively in my life.
     Elder Neil L. Anderson gave a talk entitled, “A Missionary and the Atonement” in this year’s New Mission President Training Seminar. I want to quote part of his talk, because I think it is such a great description of what the Atonement can do in our lives:
     “The merits, the mercy, and the grace of the Holy Messiah. Let me share an observation discerning a missionary’s spiritual understand of the Atonement of Christ. I remember interviewing missionaries, new to their missions who would say, “President, I don’t know if I can do this. I miss my family. I miss my friends…I find all this rejection painful…I can’t do it. I don’t have what it takes. I…I…I…” When a person’s spiritual understanding of the Atonement is still relatively small, the concerns about self, about “me,” loom large.
     As I prayed to know how to help these missionaries, the answer came: “Brother Anderson, you didn’t call them. I did. In their difficulty they will come unto me.
    “And my grace is sufficient for all men that they might humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27).
     Elders and Sisters, I testify that as we apply the Atonement to our own lives and seek the Savior’s help in magnifying our callings in the interest of those whom the Lord has prepared, we will find them and bring hope into their lives.
President Nelson

                                 President and Sister at the branch picnic in Bermuda.
 
 Visiting Authorities
Elder Jose A. Teixeira of the Seventy visited in our mission in August. He and his family came to pick up their son, Elder Teixeira. The Teixeira family is currently living in Frankfurt where he is serving as second counselor in the Europe Area Presidency. The Teixeira family has lived in various parts of the world including France, Portugal, the United States and Brazil, where Elder Teixeira formerly served as a Mission President. While he was here, he spoke to the missionaries in their Leadership Meeting in the Rego Park Chapel in Queens.

     “Arrivals” The “Arrivals” from the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah came here on Monday, August 16 and spent the night at the Mission Home in Port Washington. The next morning, the missionaries went to the Rego chapel in Queens for a transfer meeting where they were assigned to their new companions and area. The “Arrivals” were as follows:
                        Sisters                 Language
            Sister Brooke Bassett            English
            Sister Rachel Winfield            Spanish
                              Elders
            Elder Ryan Gillis                    Korean
            Elder Christopher Hanson       Mandarian
            Elder Benjamin Jones             English
            Elder Shattuck Kuzmic           Spanish
            Elder Dylan Moyers                Korean
            Elder Richard Mun                 Spanish
            Elder Dalton Nackos              English
            Elder Jordan Parker               Spanish
            Elder Jacob Simkins               Spanish
            Elder Noel Cowley                Spanish
            Elder Jared Udall                  English

                             Couples

            Elder and Sister Brownell

            Elder and Sister Heinhold

Elder and Sister Brownell drove across country from Oregon, stopping “on their way” to visit friends and family in Utah, Nauvoo and Cleveland. They will be working in the East New York Branch. They will also be responsible for inspecting the missionary “pads” (the New York term for apartments).

Elder and Sister Heinhold are neighbors and members of the same ward in Salt Lake as President and Sister Nelson. Their children grew up together. They took the place Elder and Sister Adolphson in the office. They will be working with the Bushwick Branch.

“Departures”
Couples
Elder and Sister Bullock
Elder and Sister Adolphson
On Tuesday evening, the Departing missionaries came to the Mission Home for the
traditional farewell dinner and testimony meeting. The next morning beginning at 5:30 they began to leave for the airport for their return trip home. The “Departures” were as follows:
       Elders                                 Language
       Elder Alex Alder                      English
       Elder Robert Childs                  Spanish
       Elder Camryn Froerer               Spanish
       Elder Robert Furlong                English
       Elder Blake Law                      Spanish
       Elder Richard Low                   Spanish
       Elder David Mangum                Spanish
       Elder Ellis Miller                      Spanish
       Elder Brian Rowley                  Spanish
       Elder Joao Teixeira                  English
       Elder Josue Torres                  Spanish
Note. We now have missionaries serving in the New York South Mission from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Korea, Guatemala, Russia and Taiwan. This is the first group of missionaries who will end their missions serving under another President.

Bermuda

     Bermuda. Included in the New York South Mission is the island of Bermuda. Although it is situated 570 miles off the coast of North Carolina, it is easily accessible from Long Island because of the La Guardia and Kennedy airports. There are always two missionaries who serve there (currently Elder Selander and Elder Grimm and Elder Selander who will be replaced by Elder Frandsen). We also have a senior couple (Elder and Sister Bowen). President and Sister Nelson go to Bermuda to meet with the missionaries and members about three times a year.
     People. The people are religious. There are more churches/per capita there than anywhere else in the world. They observe the Sabbath day (this is a challenge for the hotel/tourist industry because many Bermudians just say they won’t work on weekends). The people are willing to listen to the missionaries, but many times don’t see the uniqueness of what the restoration means nor its implications.
     Branch. Traditionally, the work has been difficult (missionary work always is). However, things are changing—there is feeling of motion. The elders are having baptisms and the little chapel was full on the Sunday we visited in August and has been for a while. The members have been meeting in this same church --an old historic building—for over 40 years.
     About Bermuda:
*Bermuda sits on the top of an extinct volcano and is surrounded by coral reefs.
*Bermuda is 22 miles long and only 2 miles wide at its widest point.
*It’s a British territory.
*It used to be a stop-over for slave-trading ships. Many of the people can trace their ancestry 
     to this period in history.
*It forms a corner of the Bermuda Triangle.
*War of 1812 was staged from Bermuda.
*Due to the coral reefs, there are over 600 shipwrecks dating from the 1600’s.
*All the food has to be shipped in (the Bermuda onion is one of the few foods that is grown
     locally).
*Their water is mostly purified sea water.
*Gas is $7 /gallon. Life there is expensive but the missionary work is great!

PS.  President was presented with a pair of  Bermuda shorts. (No, this isn't the official missionary attire for Bermuda.)

Random Weather

     Hurricanes. We continue to experience more random weather here in our mission. A couple of weeks ago, it was we had a hurricane warning (Hurricane Earl—a great name for a hurricane--was coming to Long Island!). We made sure that all the missionaries were prepared with food and water, flashlights, etc. A couple of the sister missionaries spent the night at the mission home. Luckily, "Earl" fizzled and everything was fine.

     Bermuda. This weekend, the missionaries on Bermuda were awaiting “their” hurricane. The eye was 40 miles off the coast. Again, it changed direction and died down. It left in its wake rains, waves and high winds. Except for a few homes on the beach, there was little damage. The homes in Bermuda are quite weather-proof. They are mostly built of cinder block (painted in many pastel colors) and white limestone roofs (the limestone helps purify the rainwater that they gather to use for drinking). Because of Bermuda’s tropical weather (in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean??), hurricane warnings are not uncommon. Even President and Sister Nelson had “theirs” when they were in Bermuda in August. Elder Bowen said that they always feel the protecting hand of the Lord.
    Tornado. At the same time on Long Island, another tornado seemingly came out of nowhere
It “chewed up” Long Island, but there was not a lot of structural damage. Thousands did lose their power (this year we’re getting used to it), and many trees were down. It “caught” President Nelson. Because of fallen trees and traffic congestion, it took him four hours to get home from the mission office. At one point it took him one hour to travel a mile. He arrived home at 1:30 in the    morning.

Jamaica First Ward - Queens
President Nelson was visiting the Jamaica First Ward in Queens. He was impressed with the diversity of the members:
Bishop                       Bishop Urbanowski      Germany
1st Counselor             Brother Craig              Trinidad
2nd Counselor             Brother Jean-Louis      Haiti
Ward Clerk                  Brother Hack             Guiana
Elders Quorum

    Pres.                     Brother Grant             Jamaica
Primary President         Sister Jean-Louis        Haiti
Relief Society Pres.      Sister Maharaj            Trinidad
Young Womens Pres.    Sister Monfiston          Haiti
Ward Mission Leader     Brother Robinson         Jamiaca
High Priest Group
   Leader                    Brother St. Fleur          Haiti
Executive Secretary     Brother Dovoedo          Africa
     Note. It brings to remembrance the scriptures found in 2 Nephi. "Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the lord your god, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea even upon all the nations of the earth?" (2 Ne 29:7)

New Dress Guidelines for Sister Missionaries
In August 2010, the Missionary Department came out with some new dress guidelines for sister missionaries. They include:
     Dresses and skirts (that cover the front of the knee)
     Fun prints and fabrics
     Stylish shoes and boots
     Scarves and jewelry
     And last but not least--wearing nylons is no longer required.

If the sisters (as well as elders) are in public, they are expected to wear regular missionary clothing, but they may wear jeans for preparation day activities. As Sister Heinhold, one of our senior couples, suggested: "Now, just ask President Nelson for his Visa card and we will all have a wonderful P-day shopping." Happily, that won’t be necessary—our sisters already dress like this.

Scripture of the Month

Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds withersoever the enemy listeth to carry them. (Alma 26:6)

July 2010

To view Past Posts, click on Archives (on right)

NY NEW YORK SOUTH MISSION
July 2010

Message From The President

“These are days never to be forgotten.”
     Oliver Cowdrey used almost that phrase to describe the times when he served as scribe for Joseph Smith as the Book of Mormon was being translated. Elder Ringwood used it to describe the NY New York South Mission, right now. He also quoted Doctrine and Covenants 58:16 (“Behold his mission is given unto him, and it shall not be given again.”). He made the point that this is our time, our only time as full-time missionaries serving the people here in New York. We will all look back on these months and years for the rest of our lives.
     Sister Nelson and I are so grateful to be her, with all of you, involved in this process together. And it is a process . We have the opportunity to help in eternally blessing the lives of people whom the Lord has and will prepare. We can make these unforgettable days of unity and joy as we come together and help each other change mightily.
     However, to succeed, we must really work to consecrate ourselves. We must help our companion to do the same. We must actually yield up our hearts to the Lord and humbly, passionately, and obediently serve Him. Let’s remember these times, eternally, as days when we came together in love and unity— days never to be forgotten.


One Year Anniversary

1-Year Anniversary. President and Sister Nelson arrived in New York at the beginning of July
     after spending 3 days in the MTC in Provo. They have now completed a year in the “field.”
1,500 Missionaries. Sister Nelson prepared over 1,500 meals for arriving and departing  
    missionaries, zone conferences and various and sundry other missionary events during the
    year (with a little help from her friends—the senior couples and others). Her forte is frozen
    entres starting with Stoffers' frozen lasgna, etc.
1,400 Wonderful Interviews. President Nelson interviews each missionary once every 6 weeks.
     With an average of 175 missionaries in the mission, that comes out to about 1,400 interviews
     during the year.
64 Zone Conferences
200 Missionaries. Over 200 missionaries (“Arrivals” and “Departures”) slept over at the mission  
     home during the year. Actually, sleepovers in the mission home are very fun. We have 5 guest
     bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 8 sets of bunk beds, numerous couches and a lot of floor space.
60 Carbon Monoxide Alarms installed in all the apartments in the mission.
2 Airport Closures. Had to close the airports down for a few days because of storms. Some
     friends ended up 3 nights in the airport—they couldn’t get hold of us.
1 Tornado. “Only” one tornado. It mainly took out large trees, depositing a number on tops of
     houses and across streets. They termed it eratic winds or a tornado—they couldn’t decide.
Most Snow recorded in 30 years (month of February). Hottest Month in the history of New York
     (month of July).
1,036,800 Gallons of water pumped out of the Bulloch’s (one of our senior couples basement
     after the floods. That’s about 17,000 gallons/day for 60 days. The rains had ceased, but the  
     water kept coming. The reason was the high water table.
19 Grandchildren. One grandchild born was born this year. That makes the count 19. Also, one
     marriage (the “baby” of the family was married in December). All eight of our children are now
     married. Two of the sons got jobs in New Jersey. So, by a stroke of luck, we actually have 
     had family near by.


Visitors. We’ve had various visitors from Salt Lake . Also, the Area Medical Advisor (Dr. McIff) and his wife came for a mission tour, but ended up extending their stay because they got snowed in. We’ve also had some of our children (actually adults) pass through. They love NY. We’ve especially loved the visits of Elder Pace and Elder Ringwood of the Seventy and Brothers Steve Allen and Jason Mitchell from the Missionary Department.


Health. Also had our share of missionary health problems. We have had sprains, breaks, cysts, lumps, bumps, bites, crutches, canes, rashes, rabies (as in treatments), warts, etc.--not to mention, holes in hearts. They discovered a hole in Pres. ’Nelson’s heart. After a few tries in NY and a trip to Salt Lake, they were able to diagnose it. Happily it was easily corrected—just plugged it up (out-patient surgery).

 
“Arrivals”  (Arriving Missionaries)
     The “Arrivals” from the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah came here on Monday, July 5 and spent the night at the Mission Home in Port Washington. On the morning of the 6th, the missionaries went to the Rego chapel in Queens (13 miles away) for a transfer meeting where they were assigned to their new companions and area.
     Our new senior couple is Elder and Sister Brownell. They are from Oregon and will arrive in July. The “Arrivals” are as follows:


Sisters                              Language
Sister Emily Jewkes          English
Sister Kathleen Reed        Spanish
Sister Rebecca Roberts     Spanish
Sister Meegan Robinson     English
Sister Michelle Smith         English
Sister Melinda Valverde      Spanish
Elders
Elder Ethan Alridge            English
Elder Eric Carnohan           Spanish
Elder Justin Casper            English
Elder Andrew Crawford       Spanish
Elder Kevin Durr                Spanish
Elder Jordan Egbert           Cantonese
Elder Julius Ha                  Korean
Elder Michael Hatch           Spanish
Elder Josiah Kinikini            English
Elder Timothy Long            Mandarin
Elder Michael Moulton        English
Elder Tanner Spear            English
Elder Jonathan Westover    English
Couples
Sister Anna Brownell
Elder Lyle Brownell

     Note. We now have missionaries serving in the New York South Mission from Argentina,
Brazil, Chile, China, Korea, Guatemala, Russia, and Taiwan.
!
     Another Note. All the missionaries here in the mission will finish their mission serving
under us. The next arrivals will finish their mission serving under another president.

“Departures” (Departing Missionaries)
     On Tuesday evening--July 6th, the Departing missionaries came to the Mission Home for dinner and a testimony meeting, and they spent the night. In the morning beginning at 5:30 they
began to leave for the airport for their return trip home (we will miss them!!). The “Departures” are as follows:


Sisters                         Language
Sister Heather Burton       English
Sister Liz Carney          Spanish
Sister Cathryn Isert         English
Sister Kendra Johnson      Spanish
Sister Tiffany Mullin         Spanish
Sister Brittney Twitchell   Spanish
Elders
Elder Grant Anderson       English
Elder Harrison Douglass      English
Elder Dongkoo Khang        Korean
Elder Andrew Law            Cantonese
Elder Eric McGuire            Spanish
Elder Aaron Norris            Spanish
Elder Chad Oliverson         English
Elder Joseph Pape            English
Elder Christopher Stewart  English
Elder Skyler Thiot             English
Elder Jacob Werner           English
Elder Shun Yi Wan            Cantonese
Couples
Sister Carol Williams
Elder Robert Williams
Kimberly Williams

Convert Quotes

“I have the Book of Mormon in front of my nose. I read it every day.” (A member who is unable to get to church--she is unable to walk).


A man who held a prestigious position in another religious was being taught by the missionaries. He received a testimony and knew that it was true. However, converting to Mormonism meant that he would lose position, his home and possibly his family who still resided in a foreign country. However, the thing that he wanted above all was the Priesthood. He recognized that it the was the authority of God here on the earth. Unfortunately, his number was disconnected and the missionaries lost track of him.

“Do you want to hear my testimony?” asked a recently-baptized 12-year old convert. “When I got baptized it felt so good that I wanted to do it again. However, I can’t. But I do know that when I take the sacrament it’s like being baptized over again.”


New Mission Program (Schedule)

     New MTC Program The Church sent out a notification of a revised Zone Conference and   
     interview schedule.
Zone Conferences. Until now, Conferences were held once every six weeks. Now they will be  
     held once each quarter.
Interviews. Missionary interviews, instead of being held once every six weeks, will also be held   
     once a quarter.
This revised schedule will enable a mission president more opportunities to work individually with the missionaries-- accompanying elders in finding and teaching (Sister Nelson goes out with the sisters). It will also give him the opportunity to observe district meetings, personal planning and study, etc.

Teaching  The Church has recently developed eight new curriculum lessons. Their purpose is to help the missionaries become more effective teachers— to teach people, not lessons. Much attention will be given to become better listeners and to teaching with the Spirit. Preach My Gospel doesn’t change. All the lessons will continue to be taken from this manual.


Some points of focus will be:
*More conversation,
*More effective use of the Book of Mormon,
*More interaction and conversation with the
     investigators.
*More effective prayer.
*Stronger baptismal commits.


One Year. All the missions in the world are starting these lessons now. The Mission Training Center (MTC) will start them in a year. The reason Missions are beginning these new curriculum lessons now, is to have the missions “up and running” so that when new missionaries arrive in the field next year everything will be in place—so that they won’t be entering an alien environment.

What’s Happening?
Red Cross. The apartment building across the street from the Rego Park chapel in Queens caught fire. It completely gutted the sixth floor. All the people in the apartment complex were evacuated. The Red Cross set up their headquarters in the cultural hall of the church where everybody gathered for the day.


Chapels. The groundbreaking for a new chapel in Jamaica, Queens took place recently and things are starting to move. The members have looked forward to this event for a number of years. Plans are also in the making for building a new chapel in Flushing, Queens.


Wedding. The sisters in Brooklyn (Midwood), were invited to attend a traditional Hasidic wedding last month and loved the experience.

      Real Food for Imaginary Chefs
                Concocted by:
The Young Women of Richmond Hill I Branch

Under the direction of the Brady’s, the Young Women of the Richmond Hill I Branch have put together a 113-page cook book. They have collected favorite recipes from friends, family, members, missionaries (gulp), etc. They are raising money for their summer camp. The book contains recipes for soups and stews, meat and main dishes, desserts (pies, cakes crisps, puddings) and food storage recipes. It even contains cooking terms and tips. The cost is $10.
It’s a great gift idea (not to mention a great deal! (Questions--call Elder and Sister Brady, 512-461-0510).


Think Outside The Box
     New York is a unique place here on earth. There are many, many “pockets” of people living together of different nationalities—different languages. Many live in mixed communities, intermingled with others. Others live in contained communities and speak their own language. In some neighborhoods you need to be ”invited” in to live.
     Missionaries have come up with many varied and creative ways of finding people to teach. They have many different ways of finding. Here are some of them:
Lists:
1. Area book (missionaries keep an on-going lists of their contacts over the years—a source of
    people to check-in on over time).
2. Ward/branch membership lists
3. Media referrals (The NYS mission receives around 5,000 each year from TV clips.)

Referrals from:
4. Members
5. Part-member families
6. Less-actives
7. Investigators
8. Dinner Appointments (with members and investigators known as DAs
Activities:
9. “Fearlessing”— (a New York South Mission term for contacting people on the street.)
10. Pass-along cards (contain contact information)
11. Singing on the Buses and Trains
12. Soap Boxes
13. Street Sweeps (talking to everyone!)
14. Train Calls (talking to everyone)
15. Knocking Doors (A favorite—you never know who’s on the other side.)
16. Zebra Finding.  Spanish and English missionaries pair up into twos and go knocking. No 
     matter who answers, they will be able to communicate with them—at least in English or
     Spanish.
17. 2-2-5 Go to a specified address (investigator, part-member family, etc.) After knocking
     their door, knock the 2 doors on each side and 5 doors across the street.
Free!!

18. Free Lemonade Stand (The missionaries display our “goods” and those who are
     interested sign up.)
19. Free Hot Chocolate Stand
20. Free DVDs
21. Free Bibles
22. Free copies of the Book of Mormon
23. Free English classes
24. Free Piano lessons
25. Fliers (advertising!)
And More
26. Church activities (Organize it and “they” will come):
27. Cultural Night
28. Talent Show
29. Food Night (Taste of Nations)
30. Movie Night
31. Sports Night/Day (basketball, volleyball, soccer, etc.)
32. Service Projects
33. Firesides
34. Roadshows (The mission has a “traveling” musical program.)
35. Geneology (Offer the members a service. Help them fill out Family Group
     sheets or Family Tree sheets.)
36. Let interested people approach you! (Works only on occasion.)
Note. In some parts of the country people might think that some of the above are rather
unusual or that a person may even be somewhat “off.” Not in NY—here anything goes!


Scripture of the Day

"How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well mighty man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints." DC121:33