Elder Richins - Midwood 1 - Oct 9, 1994 - "Seeing Elder Ballard come and address the Queens District on Saturday night was a real thrill. It helped to strengthen my testimony as he spoke about the Restoration and his experiences as a Mission President. It was a real treat."

Elder McBride - Midwood 1 - Oct 10, 1994 - "Hearing the Apostle speak built me up so much. As he blessed us all with a firm testimony of the gospel, I really felt my testimony solidify, sometimes wading through all the "mud" of the world, sometimes it can affect me. But I was reassured and ready to go after hearing him speak. He possesses a real power that is easy to be felt. There is no question in my mind, that he is an Apostle of God. I know he is. During his talk I noticed him say "The son of God". The way he said it really touched my heart."

Elder Barnes - Richmond Hill 11 Sp - Oct 16, 1994 - "I loved the talk that Elder Ballard gave. The spirit testified so strong to both me, my companion and our investigator family who were privileged to be there that he is an Apostle of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the Spirit and being able to feel it."

Elder Supinger/Liston - Bushwick 11 Sp - Oct 10, 1994 - "We have been doing a lot of reactivation work. We had a family of 7 inactives plus one single woman come to church. That's 8 inactives that are now coming back to church! It makes you feel so good to walk into church and see a whole row of chairs filled that would have been empty.

Our latest baptism Jahaida has a friend that came to her baptism, Conference with Elder Ballard and Church. We were over there the other day to remind Jahaida about attending Church and her friend was there too, who then leaned over and said to Jahaida "I need to get baptized fast."

At the end of Priesthood meeting last week, the teacher said, "Now the lesson is over we are going to ordain someone to the Aaronic Priesthood." All of a sudden Eder stood up and sat in the chair. He is the man you met at Church the last day of last month at his baptism. Tears were in my eyes when I was in the circle with my hands on his head. He's only been a member for two weeks now and he has the Priesthood of God. He sang in the Brooklyn Choir when Elder Ballard came and also took part in a play at the Family Home Evening. This church is true President."

Elder Campbell/Bangerter - Bushwick 1 - Oct 9, 1994 - "My spiritual experience this week was all day Saturday and Sunday. I had the opportunity to attend the Youth MTC, sing at it, go on splits with youth and watch them fearless, help them learn about missionary work, listen to an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ speak, receive an Apostolic Blessing, make new friends, fast go to church on Sunday, witness 6 baptisms, have 2 investigators there, and be a missionary for my Savior. I felt so blessed to sit in the congregation during Elder Ballard's visit, and listen to someone I taught and baptized stand in front of hundreds of people and help them learn what I was able to share with him. He's the Sunday School President in his branch now. It was about a year ago that I took part in his baptism, and nothing brought more joy than to hear him say, "I know that this is the true church." He has a testimony and I was able to help with that. I feel so blessed. I love this work, I truly do! I'm glad I can do it forever!"

Elder Park/Anderson - DL - Rego Park 11 Sp - Oct 10, 1994 - "To top the week off, Elder Ballard touched my heart with his boldness and love. A true example of missionary work.

Elder Liston/Supinger - DL - Bushwick 11 Sp - Oct 10, 1994 - "This week was great! So many things happened with General conference, the banquet at your house, the Saturday MTC with the youth and to top it all off, to listen to an Apostle of God! I loved to listen to him talk. The last song "The Spirit of God" was sung like I have never heard it sung before! I learned so many things from what he said that evening."

Elder Bateman/Regnier - DLC - Dyker Heights 1 Sp - Oct 9, 1994 - "When Elder Ballard shook the hand of my investigator and I translated what he said to her "I'm glad you're here today, when you know it's true, you'll be baptized!", she started crying. That lady is now so converted. I can't wait for the day when I have the spirit flowing through me so strong that I can convert people by just shaking their hands."

Hermana Reynolds/Washington - Rego Park 111 Sp - Oct 10, 1994 - "Having Elder Ballard speak to us this week was a real treat, he was so unbelievably powerful. If we could all be missionaries like that, we'd be converting so many more and much faster. His words were so filled of the spirit, it filled my soul, almost to overflowing. I love the Lord, he is my Savior. I love God and I continue to do my best because of that love."

Elder Douglas/Hoelzer - DL - Rego Park 1 - Oct 9, 1994 - "With Elder Ballard speaking this weekend, it really boosted my testimony, as well as our investigator's testimonies. We had five attend, four of which were from the one family, my first real family on my entire mission, a father and mother, who are married and two daughters, 13 and 16 years old. Finally!"

Hermana Byrd/Oliver - Richmond Hill 11 Sp - Oct 9, 1994 - "My testimony of the Priesthood and it's power is much stronger after listening to Elder Ballard. That was truly a richly spiritual experience. I have thought about Elder Ballard all week. My testimony is definitely stronger and my life just seems different. When he talked about where he got his authority from and when he said Peter, James and John received it from Jesus Christ, the spirit was so-ooo strong. Now that IS power and I felt it. Electrifying!"

Elder Frahm/Williams - Dyker Heights 11 - Oct 10, 1994 - "The highlight of our week was Sunday. Elder Ballard's talk was touching and heart felt. We had an inactive lady come to it. We had visited her previously and we were thrilled when she attended District Conference. After the meeting she came to me and said "You know Elder, usually the Apostles say things that are too deep and way over my head at Conference, but today Elder Ballard just spoke to us so simply yet so powerfully. He rejuvenated my testimony. I am now going to make an honest effort to start coming back to church." It was great. I really learned a lot about the simple, black and white truths of the gospel and the power of such a simple testimony. I know, Sister Hamilton, our inactive friend did also. I am so grateful that she did attend after our short invitation."

Elder & Sister Woodbury - BP - Rockaway Branch - Oct 10, 1994 - "Sydney Shepherd, about 75, in the church only a few months, is truly a great man. He's nearly blind, losing more sight rapidly, yet sang with us on Saturday evening at District Conference, to behold an Apostle of the Lord. He came to that building alone by subway, which required three subway transfers, taking about 2 hours each way. Our few cars were packed on the way up, but we had to make space to be able to take him back home. Brother Shepherd never complains and he never neglects his responsibilities as a priesthood holder. I'll soon be recommending his ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood. He's black, lean, tall, with a noble bearing, and he prizes his priesthood as a divine mantle (despite his family's contempt for the church.) Noone blesses the Sacrament with greater thought and precision. Watching his reverence for the holy power he exercises reminds me of mine and reconfirms my total commitment to it. I love he and all other members like him sacrificing for the growth in small branches such as this."