Beginning on August 20 the Santiago East Mission had the great blessing of being able to participate in various Devotionals, Mission Training, and Mission President Training Sessions with The Chile Area Presidency and their wives, Elder and Sister Costa, and Elder Scott.
We were also blessed in the East Mission to be able to attend a Devotional in which Elder and Sister Corbridge, along with Elder and Sister Costa spoke to the Young Men and Young Women of the Region at the La Reina Stake Center. Sister Corbridge spoke on the importance of deciding to decide and the importance of forgetting one’s self and going to work. Elder Corbridge spoke about the fact that “We” are our greatest work in this life. What we make of ourselves and what we are becoming must be part of a conscious and deliberate plan. We should follow the example of Christ as the Way the Truth and the Life. All of our choices will define us, even the little choices along life’s journey. Sister Costa urged the youth to be in the right place at the right time. She explained that she was able to meet and eventually marry Elder Costa because she attended a Young Adult Activity sponsored by the Church. She taught us to “choose the better part.” Elder Costa asked what do Nephi, Ammon, Alma, Joseph (of the coat of many colors), the Sons of Mosiah, Joseph Smith, Daniel, the 2000 Stripling Warriors and David all have in common? He explained that they all accomplished miraculous things as young single adults or as Young Men and Young Women. He encouraged all of the youth to make substantial contributions to the Church in the form of time, service, temple service, magnifying callings and through consistent faithfulness. He said that Angels go to bed at 11:30 p.m. He also admonished the Youth that they should not limit themselves to just have "virtual friends." He said to "have friends of flesh and blood." He spoke of the importance of marriage in life to perfect us and teach us. He concluded by testifying of the Savior, of His strength, His example and His atoning sacrifice.
On Saturday August 21, the East and North Mission met in the Pocuro Chapel and listened to speeches by Elder and Sister Amado and Elder and Sister Costa. Elder Costa spoke about the role and calling of a member of the Quorum of the 70. He explained that all members of the Quorum are Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ. He taught that as one of the 7 presidents of the 70, he has the opportunity to meet twice a week with the Quorum of the 12 Apostles and the First Presidency of the Church. He testified that a central theme of those meetings is to focus on the calling to proclaim the Gospel to all the world. He encouraged the missionaries to use Preach My Gospel, stating “If you believe, all is possible.” Mark 9:23. Elder Costa told the Elders and Sisters to Think Big and Do Big Things. Sister Costa spoke of her love for the missionaries even before she knew them when she and her husband were about to preside over a mission in Brazil. She compared it to the love felt for an unborn child. She confirmed the strength and power possessed by Elders and Sisters to do good and influence lives. Sister Amado spoke about the power of one’s calling as a missionary, noting that “there is someone prepared for you to teach.” She also spoke about the importance of the blessing to be called as a representative of Jesus Christ. She testified that it is the power to work miracles, the power to save eternal lives, and the very power to represent Christ. She quoted President Kimball when he said that he would declare the Gospel with all of his might, first running to share the gospel, then walking, then crawling, then pulling himself by his arms and finally, when he had no more strength by yelling to declare the message of the restoration. Elder Amado told the Elders that they are at great risk when they do not obey. He explained that there is nothing worse in this life than not being worthy to feel and be guided by the Spirit. Elder Amado cautioned all of the missionaries to avoid being alone with members of the opposite sex. There are no excuses. He referred to worthless excuses for disobedience as “escusas de cinco centavos - five cent excuses.” He boldly declared his testimony of the restoration and explained that no success in the mission work can be accomplished without the Spirit.
Left to Right, Sister Laycock, President Laycock, Elder Costa of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy, and Sister Costa
On Monday August 23, we were privileged to meet with Elder Scott, Elder and Sister Costa, Elder and Sister Corbridge, Elder and Sister Zeballos and Elder and Sister Amado, along with six other mission presidents and their wives (Swenson, Humphrey, King, Kemp, McArthur, and May). We began the meeting with a question and answer session. Prominent among the statements by Elder Scott was his declaration that we, as those who preside over the missions in Chile, are preparing the leaders of the Church. Elder Scott noted that two of the men sitting in the room at the time had served as missionaries in the mission over which he and his wife had presided many years ago. We received an outpouring of the Spirit as we participated in practice sessions for teaching lessons from Preach My Gospel. Imagine receiving teaching suggestions from an Apostle, a President of the Quorum of the Seventy and three members of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy. To conclude the morning session, we had a testimony meeting in which each person present expressed their testimony in one minute. Among the many lessons learned throughout the day, we were especially moved by the power of a “one minute” testimony when stated in the context of heart-felt belief. Elder Scott taught us that we must understand the concerns of those over whom we preside or we cannot help them. He encouraged us to observe, listen, discern, and to express love in word, deed, tone and vision. To be effective leaders, we must be direct and clear in our teaching and in our instruction.
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