Below is Elder Warnick's talk on Senior Missionary Service, referenced in the last post.
"My dear brethren, President Martin has asked that I address the subject of Senior Missionary Service, hoping to “light a fire” in some of you to inspire you
to serve as senior missionaries. That is a tall order. I am reminded of the man who hitched his horse to a buggy and the horse refused to move. In his frustration, he lit a fire underneath it, and the horse moved just far enough to burn the buggy up. But knowing President Martin to be an inspired leader, I do not question the source of this call to speak to you.
As I have pondered, prayed and fasted about what I might say that would inspire you to serve as senior missionaries, two words have come to my mind: Remembrance and Gratitude
Remembrance
In 1848, my great grandfather, William Woodward, was a 15-year- old boy living in Bushy, Hertfordshire, just outside of London. His stepfather, who was foreman of a section crew, was able to obtain employment for William on the London and North-Western Railway. In 1848, there was talk and ridicule concerning a group of people—the Latter-Day Saints. These peculiar people had rented a small school house in which to hold their meetings, and one Sunday night, William decided to go see for himself what it was all about. William wrote of this first experience with the Mormons, “(I) sat close by the door so (I) could retire if the services did not suit (me). The opening exercises were simple: singing, prayer, and singing. Nothing remarkable in these proceedings but when the preacher commenced his discourses, it was electrifying. (I)had never heard the like before. It was Bible doctrine, and (I) was familiar with the scriptural passages given. (I) did not want to leave the meeting till it ended. Notice was given that a tea party would be held next evening and a public meeting afterwards. (I) attended it and received the first piece of Latter-day Saint literature, a small piece of paper about 3 inches square, and called an 'Invitation'; with references on Faith, Repentance, Baptism, and Laying on of Hands. These two meetings changed (my) course of life.”
William’s stepfather told him that he would put him out of the house if he was baptized a Mormon, and checked his hair each night to see if it was wet. William continued to go to their meetings till June 18 when he gave his name in for baptism, and on June 21 [1848] he was baptized by Martin Cole an engine driver, and a priest in the Church ... William said, “I dried my hair very carefully.”
It was some time after baptism before he heard the name of Joseph Smith or the Book of Mormon or of the gathering. As soon as he heard of these things he received them with joy.
Soon after, he was put out of the house, and lived for a time with the missionaries before emigrating to Salt Lake City in 1850. Heber C. Kimball took William into his home and treated him as one of his own children. William returned on a mission to England in 1852 and served there until 1856. On his return from his mission, he stayed behind in Iowa to help outfit and lead the Willie Handcart Company as a captain of 100. Leaving late in the season, they were caught in the early snows on the plains of Wyoming. On hearing of the plight of the handcart saints Brigham Young declared to the saints, “I will tell you all,” said he, “that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the celestial kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains, and attend strictly to those things which we call temporal, or temporal duties, otherwise your faith will be in vain; the preaching you have heard will be in vain to you, and you will sink to hell, unless you attend to the things we tell you” (Deseret News, Oct. 15, 1856, 252).
William wrote, “It was a sorry sight, over 400 people with hand carts, short of bedding, and to sleep on the cold ground. One thought is enough for a lifetime.”
When the relief party arrived, William said that they looked like angels when they saw them coming toward them through the snow. He did not think they were real men. He wrote that they had buried 68 of his people, and went on to say, “Had it not been for the timely aid sent us, it seems we must have all perished . . . Teams and help with food and clothing were sent by the good people of Utah to our rescue, God bless them. The best of all bread was sent to feed our hungry loads of people. What kind boys they were who were sent to our help. President Brigham Young seemed to be inspired and seemed alive to the occasion. God bless his memory.”
Gratitude
I cannot read this account of my great grandfather without weeping. I am so grateful for his humility and willingness to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ when it was taught to him by the missionaries. I will be forever grateful to those missionaries who left the comfort of their homes to declare the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to my great grandfather, and to those who offered their lives in Christ-like similitude to rescue him on the plains of Wyoming. I owe my own life and my membership in the Church to them. When I am privileged to finally meet them, I will thank them and thank them for what they have done for me and my family.
My brethren, each of us has his own story of the sacrifices of others to bring the Gospel to us and our families. We each owe a debt of gratitude to the Savior and to those He has called, who left the comforts of home and family to offer us salvation.
President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, “As this work rolls forward, that need (for senior couples) is increasing. Let us, in our richest years of experience, maturity, wisdom, and most of all, our faith, rise to meet that need as only we can.“ (To the Bishops of the Church,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 19, 2004, 27.)
President Gubler, our mission president, has told us that the church is down 2000 couples from previous levels. “The harvest is great, but the laborers are (indeed), few.” I urge each of you to meet with your bishop or branch president and not put off the call to serve the Lord as senior couples. He will help you prepare and qualify to serve as missionaries.
We may think that our talents are so meager that we have little to offer in the Lord’s service, but if He was able to bless five loaves and two fishes and with them feed five thousand, surely, with His blessing, we will be magnified in his service to feed thousands. Some of those thousands will be our own descendants whose lives have been blessed by our service. You may have the sweet privilege of having those you rescue think of you as angels sent from heaven to save them.
President Hinckley said to the bishops, “There is a constant need for more couple missionaries. They perform wonderful service throughout the world. You [leaders] need not wait for the couples to volunteer. The sacrifices associated with serving the Lord full-time will abundantly bless the couples, their families, and the people they serve.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “To the Bishops of the Church,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 19, 2004, 27.)
I testify of the blessings that have come to us as senior missionaries. I testify and promise, as you lay aside the cares of this world and place your all on the altar of sacrifice, the Lord will come out of his hiding place and bless you in rich abundance.
As one of his ordained servants, I bear you my witness that I know Our Father and the Savior live. I know Joseph Smith was the Prophet of the Restoration, and that through him the Lord restored the only true church on the face of the earth, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know Thomas S. Monson is his prophet today.
I pray that we may each have the privilege of bearing that witness as one of his missionaries. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
Sunday, August 14, 2016
22 July 2016
"Since we last wrote one of our young single adults, Edward Blow, received his mission call to the South Africa Johannesburg Mission. He is a recent convert himself and had been one of our YSA stake leaders. His story, in short, is that he went out in search of a crab sandwich and found instead the church as he was approached on the street by missionaries. He expresses a strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and has consistently been one to be counted on in any request made to the YSA, sometimes arising very early to catch a train to help others out. We will miss him when he leaves in October.
We attended the Exeter district meeting and made a presentation on working with members to find people to teach. Afterward we took them all out to lunch and then put on our 'Hoover' repair hats again while inspecting the sisters' flat. They thought the vacuum didn't work at all, but it turns out that previous missionaries had hooked up the hoses wrong. It is amazing how sometimes simple fixes can bring great results. This is our third 'Hoover' in our district we have managed to repair.
We took apple muffins to our meeting, and two of the missionaries asked for the recipe. By the time we leave we should have quite a few missionary approved recipes.
Friday evening we were invited to dinner at the Zugcic home. The mother was a missionary in England, and another guest was also a missionary in this very area (having come from Austria) and now lives in the same ward as some people she baptized. We had a full bowl of soup and bread, which Mom thought was the meal; it was followed by much more. We went away stuffed. They have a flat right by ASDA, which is the Walmart affiliate here. Some stores have an American aisle, but that doesn't really mean you can find anything you might want. Did you know Chex cereals can't be sold here, but Cheerios can (although more sugar is added)?
Saturday Dad spoke in stake priesthood meeting on senior missionary service. We will send it separately.
Dad taught missionary preparation, then visited with the Pearces, who have been called as the YSA couple in Exeter. We count it as a great blessing as this ward has the second highest number in the stake, but don't have anything going except a YSA Sunday School class.
On Tuesday we visited Compton Castle, home of Humphrey Gilbert, half brother of Sir Walter Raleigh. He established Newfoundland, but really only stayed there 2 weeks. He is infamous for his brutality in wars in Ireland. We are quite sure that had we lived in the times of those early castles we would have been field hands or in the kitchen instead of living in the house, but then they weren't always the best people. This castle had a separate kitchen as they were worried about fire. It was used in the filming of Sense and Sensibility.
Yesterday we drove to Poole for a 3 zone conference and had to rush back for Dad to teach Institute, both ways providing rides for missionaries. At the conference we were particularly impressed with Brian Martin, a counselor to President Gubler, who is British. His humble manner and view of the history here that he has experienced firsthand were the highlights for us. We were going strong from 5:00am to 11:00pm."
We attended the Exeter district meeting and made a presentation on working with members to find people to teach. Afterward we took them all out to lunch and then put on our 'Hoover' repair hats again while inspecting the sisters' flat. They thought the vacuum didn't work at all, but it turns out that previous missionaries had hooked up the hoses wrong. It is amazing how sometimes simple fixes can bring great results. This is our third 'Hoover' in our district we have managed to repair.
We took apple muffins to our meeting, and two of the missionaries asked for the recipe. By the time we leave we should have quite a few missionary approved recipes.
Friday evening we were invited to dinner at the Zugcic home. The mother was a missionary in England, and another guest was also a missionary in this very area (having come from Austria) and now lives in the same ward as some people she baptized. We had a full bowl of soup and bread, which Mom thought was the meal; it was followed by much more. We went away stuffed. They have a flat right by ASDA, which is the Walmart affiliate here. Some stores have an American aisle, but that doesn't really mean you can find anything you might want. Did you know Chex cereals can't be sold here, but Cheerios can (although more sugar is added)?
Saturday Dad spoke in stake priesthood meeting on senior missionary service. We will send it separately.
Dad taught missionary preparation, then visited with the Pearces, who have been called as the YSA couple in Exeter. We count it as a great blessing as this ward has the second highest number in the stake, but don't have anything going except a YSA Sunday School class.
On Tuesday we visited Compton Castle, home of Humphrey Gilbert, half brother of Sir Walter Raleigh. He established Newfoundland, but really only stayed there 2 weeks. He is infamous for his brutality in wars in Ireland. We are quite sure that had we lived in the times of those early castles we would have been field hands or in the kitchen instead of living in the house, but then they weren't always the best people. This castle had a separate kitchen as they were worried about fire. It was used in the filming of Sense and Sensibility.
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| These little mice were hidden all over the house! |
Yesterday we drove to Poole for a 3 zone conference and had to rush back for Dad to teach Institute, both ways providing rides for missionaries. At the conference we were particularly impressed with Brian Martin, a counselor to President Gubler, who is British. His humble manner and view of the history here that he has experienced firsthand were the highlights for us. We were going strong from 5:00am to 11:00pm."
12 July 2016
"Institute this week focused on the Book of Abraham. In preparation, we read the Gospel Topic Essay on the Book of Abraham. We continue to attend district meetings with the young missionaries. They are such an inspiration to us. We have a new elder from Thailand whose companion is patiently helping him learn English. We tried a new recipe on them: muffin tin chicken tacos. The meeting does end at lunchtime, after all.
On Friday night we attended the Plymouth concert band performance held at our chapel. The stake president said they like holding it there as it has a 'good feeling'. Kathryn Martin, one of our young single adults, is a featured singer with the band and did a wonderful job. She has a degree in vocal performance. We got to sing along with some English favorites and enjoyed some Broadway tunes as well. There was even music from a Beatrix Potter ballet, if you want to google it. The ballet takes place in full animal costumes, and is quite entertaining. The concert was in remembrance of the Battle of Somme in WWI where there were over 1 million casualties on both sides, without anyone gaining a clear advantage. We don't think about it much in the US, but WWI cost England the best part of a generation. They still think of it here in painful and vivid terms.
On Saturday we went to Broadsands Beach near Paignton for a YSA activity. Dad fell and hurt his knee playing cricket (fielding, not batting), but is on the mend. He says his body is becoming increasingly resistant to what his mind tells it to do. He gets reminded he is not 25 anymore.
Sunday we went to meetings in Newton Abbott. Dave Grant, a convert of less than a year, is the new YSA Sunday School teacher. He did an outstanding job teaching Alma 30 and 31 about Alma's encounter with Korihor. He started the lesson with a profound question: is there anywhere in the world you haven't been, but you know is there? He went on to emphasize the need for faith and reliance on the testimony of those who have actually seen God, rather than dismissing those witnesses simply because we have not personally seen Him. It was a powerful lesson, and we were so impressed with his conversion to the gospel. He expresses such great gratitude for coming to know the church is true and the difference that has made in his life.
Sunday afternoon we had a Face Time with the Germanys, a senior missionary couple who are assigned here who are in Sneddon's ward in Providence. President Gubler has asked if they can move up their arrival as they are sorely needed. Three couples are leaving, without replacements. We made a list of the things we thought would be useful for them to know before they came. Number one on our list was getting a no-international-fee Visa card, as Heather arranged for us. It has saved us a lot of money and been convenient to use rather than always going to the bank. We have been very glad to both have iPads. They are used constantly by the missionaries here as well. We hope our suggestions are helpful to them. Sister Sneddon would love to come to this mission.
Yesterday Bishop Vousden and his wife Susan took us on a ferry ride across the river Exe from Starcross to Exmouth. We spent some time walking on the beach, but did not find any sea glass this time. We stopped for lunch in Shaldon with them on our way home and just got to their place before the rain poured down. We think it has rained some portion of nearly every day since we arrived.
Dad is studying for his drivers license exams. It is a much more difficult process than in the US, and more expensive as well. It will be a relief when he has passed."
On Friday night we attended the Plymouth concert band performance held at our chapel. The stake president said they like holding it there as it has a 'good feeling'. Kathryn Martin, one of our young single adults, is a featured singer with the band and did a wonderful job. She has a degree in vocal performance. We got to sing along with some English favorites and enjoyed some Broadway tunes as well. There was even music from a Beatrix Potter ballet, if you want to google it. The ballet takes place in full animal costumes, and is quite entertaining. The concert was in remembrance of the Battle of Somme in WWI where there were over 1 million casualties on both sides, without anyone gaining a clear advantage. We don't think about it much in the US, but WWI cost England the best part of a generation. They still think of it here in painful and vivid terms.
On Saturday we went to Broadsands Beach near Paignton for a YSA activity. Dad fell and hurt his knee playing cricket (fielding, not batting), but is on the mend. He says his body is becoming increasingly resistant to what his mind tells it to do. He gets reminded he is not 25 anymore.
Sunday we went to meetings in Newton Abbott. Dave Grant, a convert of less than a year, is the new YSA Sunday School teacher. He did an outstanding job teaching Alma 30 and 31 about Alma's encounter with Korihor. He started the lesson with a profound question: is there anywhere in the world you haven't been, but you know is there? He went on to emphasize the need for faith and reliance on the testimony of those who have actually seen God, rather than dismissing those witnesses simply because we have not personally seen Him. It was a powerful lesson, and we were so impressed with his conversion to the gospel. He expresses such great gratitude for coming to know the church is true and the difference that has made in his life.
Sunday afternoon we had a Face Time with the Germanys, a senior missionary couple who are assigned here who are in Sneddon's ward in Providence. President Gubler has asked if they can move up their arrival as they are sorely needed. Three couples are leaving, without replacements. We made a list of the things we thought would be useful for them to know before they came. Number one on our list was getting a no-international-fee Visa card, as Heather arranged for us. It has saved us a lot of money and been convenient to use rather than always going to the bank. We have been very glad to both have iPads. They are used constantly by the missionaries here as well. We hope our suggestions are helpful to them. Sister Sneddon would love to come to this mission.
Yesterday Bishop Vousden and his wife Susan took us on a ferry ride across the river Exe from Starcross to Exmouth. We spent some time walking on the beach, but did not find any sea glass this time. We stopped for lunch in Shaldon with them on our way home and just got to their place before the rain poured down. We think it has rained some portion of nearly every day since we arrived.
Dad is studying for his drivers license exams. It is a much more difficult process than in the US, and more expensive as well. It will be a relief when he has passed."
Independence Day
"For the Fourth of July we saw a country mansion previously owned by a man who went to fight against those 'rebellious colonists'. Major John Acland bought a commission and fought under his friend John Burgoyne, but was wounded early on in New York. His wife crossed the Hudson into the enemy camp to ask permission to care for him during his recovery for nine weeks, for which she was much celebrated later in her life. Acland himself was called before King George for his evaluation of the war after returning to England. The following from a biography:
'Acland was grateful for the treatment received when recuperating as a prisoner of war, so much so that following his return to England he challenged a certain Lieutenant Lloyd to a duel when the latter spoke poorly of Americans at a dinner party. Although he survived the duel, he caught a cold during it, from which he died at Pixton Park in 1778.'
Apparently a lot of Englishmen thought the Americans a bunch of rabble and not a match for the great army sent by the king. To set his man straight through a duel was a rather stalwart defense of their character. So he was loyal to the Americans after all, and we celebrated American bravery unknowingly by being in his home."
'Acland was grateful for the treatment received when recuperating as a prisoner of war, so much so that following his return to England he challenged a certain Lieutenant Lloyd to a duel when the latter spoke poorly of Americans at a dinner party. Although he survived the duel, he caught a cold during it, from which he died at Pixton Park in 1778.'
Apparently a lot of Englishmen thought the Americans a bunch of rabble and not a match for the great army sent by the king. To set his man straight through a duel was a rather stalwart defense of their character. So he was loyal to the Americans after all, and we celebrated American bravery unknowingly by being in his home."
2 July 2016
"Last Monday we took a steam train and bus to Greenway, which was Agatha Christie's holiday home. It can be reached by boat, as it is located on the water, but forget about getting there by personal vehicle. This country has a real problem with parking availability and road width. The house is full of her collections and even clothing.
Last evening we went to a YSA activity in Paignton on the beach, then returned home and did some emergency baking, as we didn't get the announcement about zone training the next day. Luckily we had something on hand to contribute to the meal. The reason we didn't get the announcement is that Dad had to deal with a man who appeared at the church during the district meeting, wanting money.
Tuesday morning we drove the Newton Abbott sisters to zone training in Plymouth. There are three new sisters, fresh out of the MTC, in our zone: one from California, one from Missouri, and one from Taiwan. The one from Taiwan speaks very little English, but is learning, and has a huge smile on her face.
We had an unexpected trip back to Plymouth on Wednesday for a district meeting, as one of the two missionaries couldn't get home by train; a tree had fallen across the tracks.
Thursday was our regular institute class, where we tried having Edward call in with a computer from Cornwall. We need to refine how that is done, as it cut out roughly every 15 minutes. Not all young people are equally tech savvy, and we depend on them to a great extent. Eventually each unit is supposed to receive broadcast and reception equipment.
We made a quick trip to the mission president's home yesterday for lunch with the other senior missionaries. While we were there, we were very close to a fox who is apparently a frequent visitor.
Last evening we went to a YSA activity in Paignton on the beach, then returned home and did some emergency baking, as we didn't get the announcement about zone training the next day. Luckily we had something on hand to contribute to the meal. The reason we didn't get the announcement is that Dad had to deal with a man who appeared at the church during the district meeting, wanting money.
Tuesday morning we drove the Newton Abbott sisters to zone training in Plymouth. There are three new sisters, fresh out of the MTC, in our zone: one from California, one from Missouri, and one from Taiwan. The one from Taiwan speaks very little English, but is learning, and has a huge smile on her face.
We had an unexpected trip back to Plymouth on Wednesday for a district meeting, as one of the two missionaries couldn't get home by train; a tree had fallen across the tracks.
Thursday was our regular institute class, where we tried having Edward call in with a computer from Cornwall. We need to refine how that is done, as it cut out roughly every 15 minutes. Not all young people are equally tech savvy, and we depend on them to a great extent. Eventually each unit is supposed to receive broadcast and reception equipment.
We made a quick trip to the mission president's home yesterday for lunch with the other senior missionaries. While we were there, we were very close to a fox who is apparently a frequent visitor.
It was a four-hour drive each way, so we don't know that we will try to go that way in the future. We are the farthest away, except the Dames on Guernsey Island, and they don't come to everything. We had to be back for a stake primary activity that the YSA was asked to help with. Our stake is very spread out, so it is a real commitment for people to attend any function, and with the price of petrol it can be hard. Some people back home can't relate, with a church right down the street.
We discussed this morning whether and how we might celebrate the Fourth of July on Monday. For obvious reasons it is not a holiday here. The biggest issue is the UK exit from the European Union. Many Brits resent the power the EU wields over all aspects of their lives. We see the political turmoil both in the US and UK as signs of the times."
We discussed this morning whether and how we might celebrate the Fourth of July on Monday. For obvious reasons it is not a holiday here. The biggest issue is the UK exit from the European Union. Many Brits resent the power the EU wields over all aspects of their lives. We see the political turmoil both in the US and UK as signs of the times."
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