A Great Day

One of the most universally loved mission experiences is Zone Conference every 6 weeks.  It is a day-long gathering of a large number of missionaries where they are trained and inspired.  It is a big deal for the missionaries.  The Elders usually arrive with a fresh haircut and often the companions will wear a tie that matches.  The Sisters are likewise often matching, and take extra care to look their best.  Some travel 3 hours or more to attend the conference.  They arrive early to ensure they are on time.  New missionaries arrive unsure what to expect and a little nervous.  Old missionaries come wanting to spend time with old companions and batch mates (those they came into the field with).

The day starts with a group picture to preserve the moment.  At the Cauayan Conference the Sisters decided they wanted a picture with just the Sister missionaries in it.  When they were done, the Elders decided they needed a picture as well.  After a more formal picture, we decided that each missionary would put his arm around the shoulders of the Elders on each side of him for another picture.  In the center of the group was Elder Abay.  He is maybe 5 feet tall.  He had the misfortune of standing between the "twin towers"--two of our tallest missionaries.  Undaunted, when it came time to place his arms around the shoulders of these Elders, he simply jumped in the air threw his arms around the Elders beside him and hung on for dear life.  Our picture shows him smiling between them, dangling about 1 foot off the ground.  

The morning is mostly spent on doctrinal training and instruction.  Sister Craig took her text from John 15:1-11 which says Christ is the True Vine (a common theme within our temples) and we are the branches, and how if we abide in Him, He will in turn abide in us.  She spoke of how the husbandman (the Father) purges and prunes (cuts back, afflicts and challenges) the branches so they bear more fruit.  If it was not for the pruning, the branches would spend their energy and growth in foliage (leaves for show) rather than fruit.  She also taught how the branch must abide (be permanently attached to) in the vine to receive the best nourishment and growth.  We talked about what we must do to abide in Him, and strengthen our connection to Him.  One must ask: "Am I permanently attached to the Savior or lightly clinging to Him by a scant thread?"

I reviewed in detail the missionary journeys of the sons of Mosiah (Alma 17-27).  When one asks why this was chosen to be included in the Book of Mormon, one recognizes that it presents a fair picture of missionary work as full of trials and afflictions but is also remarkably joyful.  It also demonstrates that one reason that one goes on a mission is to change and grow and then teaches how to accomplish this important purpose (see Alma 17:1-3).  Finally, it models for us many remarkable missionary teaching skills as Ammon teaches King Lamoni and Aaron teaches Lamoni's father; king over all the land.  The effects of their flawless teachings of spiritual matters is remarkable.  King Lamoni's father was prepared to surrender half of his kingdom to save his life before he engaged in learning of the Savior (Alma 20:23).  This same king, once he had commenced learning and believing these great teachings of the soul was prepared to surrender all that he had, his entire kingdom and all his sins to receive eternal life and to be filled with joy (Alma 22:15,18).  In other words, he valued the joy of belief given to those who seek a closer walk with God twice as much as he did his own life.

At the end of the conference an opportunity is given to the missionaries to stand before their peers and express the deepest beliefs of their hearts concerning Jesus Christ, His gospel and the work they are engaged in.  The missionaries who will soon complete their missions go first and are followed by other missionaries who desire to express their feelings.  This is a wonderful experience to hear these young people full of faith and commitment.  One young Elder stood to express gratitude for his privilege to repent saying: "Our mistakes need not define us."  Another Elder stated simply, "We need to teach that God speaks, NOT that He just spoke in days of old."  A beautiful Sister would next stand and marvel at the love of God as she tearfully exclaimed, "I know He loves me even though I am wounded and broken".  Another Sister, appreciating the many small miracles she notices as she does her work stated, "There are a lot tears when you see the Lord work; an ocean of tears."  An Elder next stood who is struggling with the hardest part of repenting of mistakes--forgiving himself--said: "It is such a privilege to be a missionary.  I now actually know that God loves me. I now have the power to change and become a person the old me would look up to."  Finally a spiritually observant Sister would stand and note: "I see miracles. I see the Lord's hands extended to me and my companion."  It is a great way to end a great day. 

In a old wooden box I made in school in the 9th grade I keep my most precious remembrances; my ankle bracelet worn as a newborn baby, pictures of family and loved ones and other treasures.  Included in the box as one of my greatest treasures is an old missionary name tag which says, "Elder Craig".  I wore that tag here many years ago as a young missionary.  It has a scratch on it; received while hanging onto the outside of a Jeepney traveling from Orani to Hermosa, Bataan in 1981.  I took that name badge off in February 1983.  I have never been entitled to wear it since.  It reminds me of marvellous days filled with joy and adventure.  Soon I will remove the name tag that I now wear and carefully place it beside the one from long ago.  It will be hard to remove it.  It will also remind me of marvelous days spent in the service of the Lord.  Each day is a great day.