Sunday 17 March 2002 around 10.18 pm I am writing this short note to talk about my mission served almost 15 years ago. How am I going to remember? (Quick - dust off my missionary journals) My awesome mission started with a double shift into Warwick street, Western Springs, Auckland. Had an outstanding trainer in Elder Curry (not only did he need to train me but he needed to respond to the fact that we had no area records for member and non member contacts). We were blessed to have the opportunity to find people to teach through tracting, (after identifying local members) member referrals and self referrals.
Oh yeah a non member came up to the newest missionary in the City Zone during a street display on Queen Street, Auckland and said 'I would like to get baptised' Elder Newton calmly responded 'Would you mind if I got your name, contact address and phone number?' Later we learnt that a member family had been working with our new found golden contact over an extended period of time.
I could probably give 11 odd lines per companion that I served with after my trainer Elder Curry but, at this point in time, I won't. Only to say I am thankful to each and everyone of you for the things that you were able to teach me. President John Lasater mentioned to us that we would remember three groups of people as we look back on our missions.
Firstly those we served with, Secondly those we witnessed receive the first ordinances of the gospel and Thirdly those whom we could have seen receive the first ordinances of the gospel had they... or had we as missionaries...? This is so true. To any of you who have endured reading to this point of this thesis (please forgive) I would very much like to hear from you particularly to those whom I served alongside. I was just thinking today, as we heard missionaries speak in Sacrament, What an opportunity to forget oneself in the service of the Master as a fulltime missionary with no thoughts (or should be no thoughts) about employment, fast cars, fancy clothes, future wife/husband etc. I know that as we cultivate a burning desire we are called to the work. The Saviour has said 'If ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work... May we all be better Member missionaries now and in the future."
Monday 19 July 2004 around 10.04 pm. I am writing this long note to update about my mission served almost 17 years ago. (This coming 27 November 2004). How am I going to remember? (Quick - dust off my missionary journals)
1985
28 November During my time in the Missionary Training Centre I had a neat experience while viewing a video tape of President Joseph Smith Jun. The spirit confirmed to me [In 1979 The Spirit also confirmed to me of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith jun] again that Joseph Smith jun was a true prophet. I received confirmation during the part where Joseph Smith jun is with his brothers and sisters and Lucy his young sister asks, ‘Joseph is this the place where you saw Heavenly Father and the Saviour?, Yes Lucy, the spirit gave me a warm feeling inside my soul when these words were spoken.
December I got into the mission field on the 4 December, we moved to our flat on 6 December. I've been in the field five days and we have had partial success with knocking on doors. We met a couple, who we have plans to teach the gospel to, its only a matter of time. We collected Books of Mormon from the members on Sunday and all were very cooperative.
Monday 9 December We had an excellent response from knocking on doors, we plan to do call backs and do some teaching inside the homes…we have been ...finding people to teach.
1986
15 January We have just completed a 100 hour week of proselyting. We got 98 hours. We had an enjoyable Zone Conference. It was a good moral boaster. My companion and I have moved to 38 Prospect terrace, Mount Eden. We moved areas on 12 January. We are in our new area and ready to bring the blessing of the gospel too?
22 January I love my Mission and my other missionaries. The people are good. We are especially getting well received by the Polynesian people. We had what you call a Zone Development Meeting (ZDM) I enjoyed it very much.
26 January Elder Chris Curry and I were able to see a young man, start his journey. He has good support and was confirmed a member of the Church by his Bishop of the 18th Ward, Kiwitea Meeting House, Sandringham, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand.
10 February If you (whoever reads this) get the chance, buy and read the book JESUS The CHRIST by Elder James E Talmage.
1 February We got new bikes - Brand New. We couldn't use them because it was raining heavily.
2 February I gained my teaching certificate as a missionary. We attended a very special baptism, It was our Ward Mission Leaders' parents (Staunch in another faith for years) There was a really good feeling there.
Monday 10 February In the evening I have passed through some big and small trials. A small one happened and related to being honest. The man at the shop charged me $6.47 instead of $10.47. We returned to the shop and I explained that I had been undercharged and he thanked me for my honesty.
Tuesday 4 February Today I saw how our Father blesses us through other people. Since I was born I can see how many people have shaped my life for righteousness sake. Those who have always been there has been my grandmother Atareta Kamau Newton and our family, and many many many others.
7 February We worked our plan and we had great success. We found 4 good individuals and two families.
Saturday 8 February I left the key (to our flat) in the Zone Leaders car (They were gone) I was trying to stay cool, calm and collected. I said to myself you've lost the key don't do it again. We were trying to figure out what to do for half an hour going here, there, and everywhere. A thought came to my mind to try the occupant that lives above the missionary flat. They may have a spare key - they didn't. About half a minute later we were told where we might be able to get one. I know I was inspired to ask - even though my carelessness was the cause of the situation I am grateful that our Father overlooked this and still inspired me and also the neighbour. We are blessed to have a golden convert, warmed up by member missionaries, to receive the gospel.
23 February After Elder Chris Curry and I were double shifted into a new area we were privileged to see a young single adult sister fellowshipped by her relatives into the gospel.
March We met a family at Sandringham, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand. Elder Durfey and I organised the Model Missionary flat, on Pine Street, Sandringham, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand, with much needed food and also got much needed cleaning gear
6 April A young man was highly surprised with some different gears to wear on his special day today.
16 April A young man started his gospel journey, previously he had accepted and kept missionary invitations, from the time my companion first knocked on his door. I felt very humbled when a most humble benediction was said aloud, after moments of meeting for the first time and teaching this young single adult brother, about the Apostasy and Restoration. To this day I remember him saying "please help me to know whether I should be baptised by the Priesthood that these two men have told me about."
27 April We were blessed with a member referral and a newly baptised brother joined his wife, who was already a member, in the gospel, and commenced his journey in the Church.
11 May We were blessed with a member referral and a young teenager commenced her journey as a baptised member of the Church.
20 May We were blessed with a member referral and young primary young man joined his mother and aunty, who were already members, in the gospel, and commenced his journey as in the Church.
Moerewa
In the Northland Zone we were blessed to be strengthened by Priesthood leaders, members and families not of our faith (At that time)
Served alongside of Elders: Karewa Arthur, Treg Julander, Todd Lybbert, Mangakahia, Watts, Kohu, Mayor and Robson.
We the Elders and Sisters of the Northland Zone had the great opportunity to serve and we were blessed to see a young single adult sister make her transition into The Church, surrounded by friends, fellowshippers and supported by local leaders.
We also had the privilege of seeing a young mother, young single adult sister and young single adult brother, surrounded by friends, fellowshippers and leaders, commence their journey in the Church.
Gisborne
Sixty four wonderful days in Gisborne in which we were privileged to serve with Elders: Peterson, Smart, Gale, Stokes, Waycott, Musselman, Waters, Mottor and Sisters: Kohu and Kirk. We were privileged to see young women and young men commence their journey in the gospel.
1987
Elder Hamilton and I organised ourselves quickly and well. Like previous areas Priesthood Leadership support was excellent and we had some keen Ward Missionaries who went out of their way to serve alongside of the full time missionaries.
We were privileged to know of a sister who was a good example of the gospel to her non member friend and we were able to witness a young single adult sister start along the path on 8 February. Member fellowship was excellent in our Ward. Our High Priest Group leader referred us to a married couple who were golden who inturn introduced a friend to the gospel.
We were blessed to meet a sister in her twighlight years and we were humbled to see her start on the path on 22 February. Through excellent fellowshipping by a single adult sister, coupled with determination and worthiness on their individual parts, a young sister and her fellow shippers' brother were able to commence their gospel journey on 25 January.
Serving with Elder Wadley in Westmere District, Westmere, Auckland we had the Privilege and honour to meet and hear sweet prayers of prepared baptismal candidates.
We were blessed to see the result of member examples, on a couple of single adults, who desired to learn more about the gospel and who commence their journeys in the gospel on 12 April.
We were blessed to hear that a young man had baptised his fiancée (before leaving for a full time mission himself), who Elder Hamilton and I had worked with, on 21 June 1987
Rotorua
We served with Elder Hogan and Elder Anderson.
We were blessed by the local membership and saw member fellowshipping and example influence the commencement of others along the path. We were able to meet a family of 3, with the mother commencing her journey in the gospel from August onward.
Tairua
In Coromandel we served with Elders: Parker Parai, Hapuku and Carlsen. We were blessed to meet Stan and Dawn [our landlords], and excellent member support and family's not of our faith (At that point in time) who were kind and hospitable.
We had the honour of travelling from Tairua to the Coromandel each Sabbath after holding Sacrament meeting and Sunday School in Tairua Community Hall and then travelling from Tairua northward until we got to the 309 road and then through to Coromandel.
I know that Heavenly Father lives, Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith was called as Heavenly Father's prophet of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to this earth. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. The Priesthood authority has been restored to the earth. The Living Prophet is Heavenly Father's Mouthpiece on the earth. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
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