Our Newest Missionaries

On January 31, ten new missionaries arrived in Jacksonville. President Barry and I and the Assistants to the President welcomed them at the airport and at the Mission Office. It's so fun to see them arrive. They are full of excitement and apprehension. There are so many unknowns and they are anxious to find out everything. What is the mission like? Who is my companion? In what area will I serve? Will I be able to do this? Will I get along with my companion? Can I really teach people the gospel? The unknowns are numerous.
You would be proud of your son or daughter. They have learned so much already at the MTC. They have learned the Doctrine of Christ and how it relates to their purpose to invite people to come unto Christ. They have learned to recognize the Holy Ghost in their lives. They have learned the importance of the Holy Ghost in conversion and how prayer, reading the Book of Mormon and attending church brings the spirit and thereby brings conversion. They have learned how to teach people. They learned that you can't go in with an agenda of what you will teach but to follow the spirit and teach to their needs. They have learned how to invite people to keep commitments and how to follow-up with those commitments. They have learned the techniques of how to begin teaching. 

Back Row:  Elder Huckvale, Elder McCarthy, Elder Moser, Elder Tibbitts
Front Row: Elder Hernandez, Elder Craynor, Elder Lang, Elder Cancel
Sitting:  Sister Waldman, Sister Santos

Picking them up at the airport

This is a lot! They learned that all in 3 weeks. Now is the time to apply these principles. Now is the time to be completely obedient. Now is the time act!! We feel confident that these young missionaries are prepared and ready to do just that.