Sister Cannon/McLain - Flushing 11 - May 14, 1995 - "TEACH FRIENDS IN MEMBER’S HOMES - Last week we were introduced to a man who has been investigating the church for a couple of months now, through a wonderful family in the branch. The Sy's have brought Jesse Cheng to church and talked with him about the gospel and once he felt he was ready, they invited us over to teach him the discussions. We have been able to teach him in their home with the Returned Missionary son helping us teach, with the parents sharing their testimonies. Jesse's progress has been excellent through the efforts of this sweet family. He will be baptized this week. This experience has taught me how much more effective we are as missionaries when we work with the members."

Bro. Samuel R Toomer - Richmond Hill 1 - "TESTIMONY OF SAMUEL TOOMER - My name is Samuel. I am a member of Richmond Hill Branch, located at 102-34 Jamaica Ave., Richmond Hill, Queens. NY. 11418. I have been a member of the church since April 21, 1991, approximately 40 months. I'm proud to testify, that during my tenure as a member of the church, it has been wonderful. 3 weeks after joining the church, I was ordained into the Priesthood, and granted the honor and privilege of baptizing my wife into the church. At the baptism, pictures were taken of my wife, the missionary who baptized me, my cousin, and myself. Much to our surprise, the following year there was a big write-up, along with pictures taken of us, in the Ensign. Another great honor and privilege was bestowed upon me, when the current Branch President of this branch, Charles W. McFarland, granted me the privilege of baptizing him into the church. This great event took place after we had met, during a 5 hour telephone conversation, and I having encouraged him to join the church, whenever he felt that he was ready to join. I also had the pleasure of ordaining him into the Aaronic Priesthood. I am currently serving as 1st Counselor, under the leadership of President McFarland, in this Branch. I have truthfully and faithfully served as a Counselor in the Far Rockaway Branch Presidency, since February 19, 1992.

None of the aforementioned callings, and accomplishments, would have been attainable to me, had I joined the church, prior to 1978. I say this because I am a black man, and before 1978, a black man was not considered eligible to join the Priesthood. Because of this, I would not have been able to truthfully testify, that the church was true. I just thank my Heavenly Father, for investing the leaders of the church, with the wisdom, and the knowledge, that all men are created equal, and should be treated as such. I sincerely thank the leaders of the church for acknowledging this and implementing it. I can now truthfully testify that the church is true. I believe that the BofM is the true gospel, and I know that President Gordon B. Hinckley, is our present leader of the church. I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Elder Slade/Davidson - Plainview 111 - Oct 10, 1994 - "MEMBERS PERFORM ORDINANCES - Last night we had 5 baptisms performed by 3 members, one of which was a recent convert. We then had 4 High Priests confirm them. It was incredible to feel the great spiritual power, these brethren possess. I was uplifted and edified all night. Thank you for counseling us to have members perform all the ordinances."

Elder Bret Davis/Proffer - DL - Rego Park 11 Sp - Sep 18, 1994 - "MEMBER REFERRALS - We sent a letter to all members asking them to invite friends to hear the charlas. We visited Victor by appointment. Washington, his brother-in-law was there to teach. 2 weeks later he was baptized. He had to change many things in his life to qualify. We are now teaching his mother and brother who have come to church and his baptismal service. His brother-in-law Victor baptized him."

Elder Arnold/Liston - DL - Flushing 1 Sp - Aug 29, 1994 - "BRANCH PRESIDENCY COUNS ON SPLIT RESOLVES TITHING CONCERNS - We had a good experience with Sonia Rodriguez. We passed by her house Friday and she still had a concern about tithing. It was the only thing keeping her from baptism. One of the members of the Branch Presidency came over with his wife to fellowship her. It happens that he had the same concern before his baptism. He shared his testimony with her and talked with her. Later that night I received a call from her saying that she knows that she needs to be baptized. It was really neat to see her baptized and the close relationship with a member of the Presidency."

Elder Brent Olsen/Price - DL - Jamaica 1 Eng - Aug 13, 1994 - "MEMBER’S FRIENDSHIPPING - Diane came to Church Sunday for the first time. She was so touched, she was crying during Sacrament meeting. She felt very welcomed by the members of the branch."

Sister Washington/Bishop - Coney Island 11 Sp, Aug 13, 1994 - "MID-WEEK ACTIVITY - BRING-A-FRIEND - We have organized a little FHE for the Branch at church. We are asking the members to bring a non-member and an inactive member."

Elder Reese/Tervort - DL - Park Slope - Jul 17, 1994 - "MEMBER REFERRAL - We received a referral from visiting a member. We set up an appointment and taught her a 1st Discussion. The Spirit was so strong and we knew of it's presence. We kept identifying it to her and kept asking how she felt and who gives her those feelings."

Elder Flamm/Cocco - Midwood 1 - Aug 7, 1994 - "STRUGGLES WITH HOME TEACHING AND SPLITS - I feel it's almost impossible to get Home Teachers active in teaching our converts or go on splits with us teaching our investigators. I have heard their names once and that's because I asked, but I still have no idea who they are. They each have about 40 people assigned to them and then add to that going out with us, we sure do have time conflicts."

Elder Doherty/Cowley - DL - Dyker Heights 1 Sp - Aug 22, 1994 - "SPLIT WITH BRANCH PRESIDENT - HE WILL "OWN" GOOD CONVERTS - A wonderful lady accepted the invitation and was baptized yesterday. We were on a split when I taught her the 4th discussion with the Branch President. When I invited her to obey the law of Chastity, she looked at me like I was crazy and said "I can't do that kind of thing after my baptism, I have to be good." When I invited her to obey the Word of Wisdom, she gave the same reaction. "of course I'm going to do that. I have to if I'm baptized." She was about as golden as they get. Imagine how excited the Branch President was afterwards?"

Elder Ward/Davis - DL - Jamaica 11 Sp - Aug 22, 1994 - "MEMBER’S FRIENDSHIPPING - Yesterday we had a surprise guest at Church, Victor, a friend of Thomas. We taught him the discussions after Church and asked him if he would be baptized when he knew the Church was true. He didn't respond too favorably, it being his first experience with the Church. He is a sharp young man and would be a terrific priesthood leader, so we took him to the Baptisms Sunday night. He loved it and we overheard him tell a member there that he thinks he'll get baptized. I love the members here and how they help the missionaries. They also work by the spirit!"

Sister Anderson/Bell - Jamaica 1 - Jul 10, 1994 - "MEMBER’S VISION OF THE JAMAICA STAKE - The Jamaica Branch is wonderful. The members will do anything to help us. At church they kept speaking about the tiny branch one day becoming the Jamaica Stake. They really do have great vision. Tonight we're having a FHE with the members in our Branch to set-a-date to invite someone to hear the discussions."