A Photo of a Cherished Moment in Our Lives

 

The above photo, is of us with Sister and Elder Gonzalez (on our left), and Sister and Elder Andersen, on our right, at the South America South Mission President´s Conference, in October, 2010. This was a moment in our lives that we will always cherish.

Elder Walter F. Gonzalez is a member of the Presidency of the Quorom of the Seventy. He and his wife Zulma visited our recent "South America South Mission President´s Seminar", accompanying Elder Neil L. Andersen and his wife Kathy.

Elder Neil L. Andersen is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. (See previous entry.) 

We enjoyed the teachings of Elder and Sister Gonzalez, in addition to the teachings of Elder and Sister Andersen.

We want to share additional inspiring (and sobering) words that Elder Andersen delivered to the South America South Mission Presidents and their wives at the Seminar:

"To you is given an enormous responsibility. Many of your missionaries will come into the mission equipped with the words to explain the Atonement. For many, your challenge will be to help them take it from their heads and secure it more firmly in their hearts.

As a missionary internalizes the Atonement, he or she experiences the "mighty change of heart" (Alma 5:13). This "mighty change of heart" brings with it a desire and ability to powerfully teach the blessings of the Atonement to others.

As this spiritual knowledge is deeply implanted in the soul of a missionary, and nurtured throughout his or her life, it will flow to his or her children and grandchildren and generations to come. This is one of your most important commissions.

A missionary grows in understanding the Atonement through selfless service and the spirit of revelation. You are to be the teacher and leader, discerning and influencing each missionary´s spiritual progress, as he or she is taught from on High."

We´ll always treasure the time we were able to spend with these special visitors, Elder and Sister Andersen, and Elder and Sister Gonzalez, as they imparted to us, the things that the Lord would have us know.

We continue to be strengthened, taught and guided by the Lord and His representatives in our responsibilities with our missionaries in the Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission.

For this, President Benton and I have a huge amount of gratitude, every moment of every day.