Elder Perkins/Jensen - Park Slope - Sep 10, 1995 - "FOLLOW THE PROMPTINGS OF THE SPIRIT - I have been stepping outside the "compound" and the blessings are flowing. #1 - Joyce was converted to Christ because the spirit told us to go back to see her after she "juked" us. As we taught another discussion, we felt strongly that we should go back. This happened at 8 pm. If we returned and taught her, we would be late getting home. As I explained my feelings to my companion, he agreed that we should follow the spirit. We went to see Joyce and taught her one of the best discussions I've ever experienced! She said she felt that the Lord had led us to return because she needed to talk with us about baptism. She has committed for baptism this month. (The reason she juked us was that she was caught at work). #2 - Carl Snipe was converted to the Restoration of the Gospel because we put the discussions back down and followed the spirit. We discerned his questions and thoughts by the spirit, before he even asked them. We knew exactly what to say to resolve them through the spirit. Continue to watch this branch for miracles."

Elder Keller/McNairy - Bushwick 11 Sp - Jul 3, 1995 - "HELP SUPER AT 6.30 AM - Albert is a very busy person. He is working 2 full time jobs, while at the same time his wife Johanna is going to school full time. He also has a family of 3 cute little girls. Every time we would go by and see them, they would always be busy. One of his jobs, he is a super of a building. We would always ask him if we could help and he would always say No! One day the spirit told me that we needed to go down and help him. So we did, we went at 6.30 am and helped. He was surprised when we showed up and helped him. Later on he told us that he thought we were only offering to help him just to be nice. When we showed up to help him, then he knew we really meant what we said, and he knew that our message was true. So he and his family were baptized."

Elder McNairy/Liston - Midwood 11 Sp - Jun 6, 1995 - "MOVING CAUTIOUSLY OUTSIDE THE COMPOUND WILL TAKE US TO 630 - Your talk about CM, helped my testimony, about why I'm a NYNYS missionary, really grow. I feel that one reason the Lord sent me here to this mission, is because you are the MP. This whole idea about being "compound" is something I have believed, and used, my whole life. I hated being compound, and I still do, I feel that rules are to help us become Gods. To be compound in a way takes away our "free agency". I know the Lord trusts me a little, and with the trust he has given me, I will not be a CM. An example is that my father and I are mirror images, we understand each other. I feel in a similar way that we also think alike, which gives me great comfort. I'm excited to work with you during the next 1.5 years. I know we will see many miracles together ... 600 y mas."

Elder Alexander/Platis - Staten Island 1 - May 28, 1995 - "WE MUST LEARN TO LOVE THE CREATOR OF THE LAW AND NOT THE LAW ITSELF - This past Mission Conference was a spiritual highlight of my mission. I learned great and helpful things about the gospel that will not only help me in my missionary efforts, but also throughout my life into the eternities. What stood out was your instruction on CM and members. I desire strongly to live outside a compound. It can be so restrictive as to feel that free agency has been taken away. It can be so subtle, an easy trap to fall into. I did. For the past couple of months, I've been pondering how I can be my own person, absent from a compound of set rules or a feeling of forced obedience, kind of having a feeling of mother hanging over me 24 hours a day.

I realized the importance of using my own free agency to glorify God and show my love for him and my neighbor. It is more important to assist a fallen neighbor than make sure your in at exactly 9.30 pm or to help a struggling companion than to achieve a full hour of personal study or be in bed by 10.30 pm. Love and service is the key, this is what Christ did throughout his life. Christ did not heal the lame on the Sabbath to openly disobey in rebellion, but to demonstrate the importance of love of God and man rather than love of law and command. We must love the creator of the law and not the law itself. Yet in so doing, to follow the spirit as when Nephi killed Laban. I must be free from a compound so that when the spirit directs, I can look past the fence into an eternity of opportunities. What if Nephi was a compound person? Think of the consequences. I will carry this with me throughout my life and achieve the highest heights and deepest dreams. Thank you for being the Lord's instrument."