Today my parents spoke in the Grantsville 15th Ward before they enter the Missionary Training Center tomorrow before going to the Democratic Republic of the Congo Lubumbashi Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They will be serving for 23 months as Office Support in this French speaking mission.
We went to our own Sacrament Meeting and then hurried to Grantsville to hear my parents speak. We arrived during the Sacrament (we knew we would be late), and snuck into the back.
My mom spoke about the temple, forgiveness and the Atonement. She used many experiences form her calling in the Relief Society Presidency at the Tooele County Jail. One thing I wrote down was, "the temple is not for perfect people--it is for us trying to work toward perfection". She also taught us not to judge others, to forgive others and to allow others to change. I loved the quote she shared from Elaine Cannon, "when the prophet speaks, the debate is over."
My dad spoke a lot about the DRC. He said that this mission has been 44 years in the making and 44 years of preparation. He spoke about how the new apostle, Elder Renlend spoke about the challenges in the DRC soon after he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve. One member in the DRC said, "We have the gospel of Jesus Christ" when asked about challenges--the gospel totally gives the peace and hope. My dad mentioned that he wants "No empty chairs" when we return to our Heavenly Father--he wants each and every family member there. I loved how my dad said, "attend the temple to really understand Heavenly Father's plan."
After Sacrament Meeting, my parents were set apart as full time missionaries by their Stake President. I wrote down a few things from their blessings.
Shauna Peterson:
- talents and gifts to share with those you will serve
- sweet experience
- Heavenly Father prepared you and your husband to serve the people of the Congo
- Blessed with help
- enabling power of the Atonement
- anxieties would go away and be replaced with a measure of God's love
- develop other gifts
- tongue loosened to share feelings of your heart
- people will feel of your goodness and love of the gospel
- worries of home and family, children and grandchildren will go away
- set apart from the things of this world
- listen well--listen to those who have keys-- Mission president has keys and will teach you
- help other sisters feel of the love Heavenly Father has for them
- Show others a husband and wife relationship
- blessed with good health
- protected from the elements and things of the world
Ronald Peterson:
- blessed with a tremendous amount of knowledge--of how the priesthood works
- example to help wards and branches and stakes
- language help and understanding of culture
- seek to understand people first
- first listen
- speak what comes to mind with power and authority and love
- reach out to those who need strengthened
- remember power of the priesthood
- be prepared to use priesthood at all times
- ordinances of the gospel will strengthen home and family
- take counsel well
- all will be well at home
- share experiences with family--spiritual experiences through letters
- protected-- protected from the evil of this world
- protected from elements
- strength to do hard work and to adjust to the difference in the weather
- Heavenly Father loves you and He is grateful for your service
- put forth best effort
- love those you serve
We enjoyed a luncheon at Rebecca and Joe's home afterward with family and friends. We didn't leave until almost 9 p.m. It was a great day!
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