Special Sister Training Conference

May 30, 2013

The following are excerpts from a newsletter about this special conference that was held Sister Lewis' mission. Her mission president's wife writes up all these summaries of the conferences. We, at home, love them because we get a peek into the things our daughter is learning. 

With all the Sisters in the mission, most of whom have been here only one or two Transfers, we felt the need to have a special Sister Training Conference, and did so, May 29th, 30th, and 31st. 

        President W presided and he, Sister W, the Assistants to the President, Elder W and Elder D, and the Sister Training Leaders, Sister M and Sister V ran the show, so to speak.

        "As Sisters in Zion" was the Opening Song, which the three males especially enjoyed (?), then everyone recited the "Remember This" from the back inside cover of Preach My Gospel that the Sister Training Leaders had asked all the Sisters to learn.

Since so many young Sisters are needed right now as Trainers of even younger or newer Sisters, Sister M and Sister V began the day by teaching how to train. They had everyone fill out a training survey as to how well they were trained and where there might be skills lacking or not as strong in themselves. They talked about how a Trainer/new missionary relationship is a lot like a mother/daughter relationship, and how in both you need patience, love, trust, support, and communication, and need to pick your battles. They described how Christ is the perfect example of the good trainer as he worked with his disciples. Then they had everyone do role-plays with them being themselves but correcting their companion on their very own weaknesses in a way that they would want to be corrected. They also talked about criticism versus correction. 

        Elder W and Elder D discussed the Prayer Approach in contacting and tracting. "We are representatives of Jesus Christ. We have been sent to you today to bring the Savior's peace and blessing into your home through prayer. May we pray with you right now?" They conducted an ingenious role-play where one Sister contacted another who was playing the role of the investigator, using the prayer approach. Before praying she was to ask the investigator about any concerns or problems they would like included in the prayer. The investigator Sister would then mention an actual concern or problem they were having and the missionary Sister would then pray with and for them. It was an effective and tender experience for all. Every Sister got the opportunity to be both the contacting missionary and the investigator.

Before lunch Sister W did a Sisters-only talk and in Sister Lewis' next letter she told of this special experience. I will insert her own words here from her letter: "Here in my mission they started something new - they have Sister Training Conferences! We went to one on Wednesday & it was so amazing! I learned so much. One of the things Sister W talked about was 'Orbits'. She said that the star of Bethlehem was set into orbit before Christ was born & it didn't just come from nowhere. It's purpose was thought of way before. Sister W said that we were born in 1991-1993 for that same reason - so we could be here now in Kentucky on a mission. I haven't said it very well - Sister W said it way better - but I thought that was cool."

So back to the newsletter excerpts:

Sister W shared her conviction that it is not coincidence that these very Sisters were born when they were born, to the parents they were born to, and had the exact Primary teachers, and Young Women leaders, and Seminary teachers, and other experiences so that when they heard the invitation of the Prophet last October, they would be stirred and respond. She also said that because of this, they have all that they need, all the faith, and courage, and strength, to do this, with the Lord's help, and that He would make them equal to whatever they were asked to do.

After lunch, Elder W and Elder D did a workshop on Contacting Commitments, whether it be to read the Book of Mormon, attend church, and/or make a return appointment.  Every Sister got multiple chances to practice in a role-play situation.

A question and answer session followed where the Sisters could ask, by way of slips in the Question box, about things that eluded them or bothered them, or ways to handle certain situations and improve in various areas, with President and Sister W, Elder W and Elder D, and Sister M and Sister V providing answers and insight.

President W wrapped up the day with Final Tune-Ups and closing remarks. In his remarks the President:

                  -referred to Elder Holland's talk where he states that salvation isn't cheap and that as missionaries we must spend our own few moments in Gethsemane.

                  -talked about false insecurity that many people have, and the difference between Divine discontent and devilish dissonance to which Elder Neal A. Maxwell referred in his talk, "Not Withstanding My Weakness."

                  -related how Satan wants us to believe we just can't do this, and that if we feel insecure it doesn't mean we are bad or that we are unique. Everyone feels that way at some time or another.

                  - spoke about the sons of Mosiah, and how when their hearts were depressed, and they were about to turn back, the Lord comforted them, saying: “Go amongst they brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.”

                  - said that we must all go out each day as Alma did. with faith believing that we will find Amulek,

                  - told them we should not be discouraged if we don’t know everything, that like the Sons of Mosiah, we will receive line upon line, precept upon precept.

                  - said that it is hard to keep your balance on a bike if you’re not moving and the same goes for missionary work. It is hard to find balance as a missionary unless we are continually pushing and moving forward. So  keep moving, going forward with faith, knowing that the Lord is on our side and will not fail us.

          In the end, the purpose of the training conferences was to strengthen the skills and enrich the knowledge of the Sisters and build their confidence and faith. In the letters that came to President Woodbury the next week and the one after, many commented how it was just what they needed and that they have taken what they learned and felt to keep moving forward.

                  Mission accomplished.