Mission Report No 45
Wednesday 8 February 2023
Do you remember in my last mission report than I talked about what we did on Saturday 4 February? We visited Josephine Falls, a popular tourist spot about an hour and a half drive away. This was an activity organised by a member here, who brought 2 semi-active/part-member families together for the day, and one of the mothers is scheduled for baptism very soon. We were taking some photos at one lookout spot, where people were swimming. A young lady who had been swimming photo bombed us and then excitedly walks up to me. She'd spotted my name tag (the only indication I was a missionary) and told me she was a YSA member from the Canary Islands, working here and unable to attend Church. After a quick chat we parted ways, but not before I got her name, Xiochu, saying that I would find her on Facebook and invite her to YSA institute.
Anyway, I got her name wrong and couldn't find her on Facebook. We have number of YSA tourist/students here, and we really try to keep them active while they are here, so it was disappointing to lose her.
Today (Wednesday) my wife and I went shopping. Now, I follow my wife when it comes to shopping and if anyone is going to be guided by the Spirit it's her. She insisted on going to a supermarket that we don't often go to, but there is a semi-active YSA, Tirzah, who works there and she hoped we might bump in to her.
Well, we didn’t bump in to Tirzah, but guess who we did bump in to? That’s right, Xiochu!
Just to give some perspective, Cairns is not a small town. Population about 150,000. Lots of supermarkets. What’s the chances?
My theory – two people led by the Spirit arrive at the same place at the same time, for the benefit of the one who needed contact. Both people exercised their agency. Not a coincidence. What do you think?
Think about this - my wife and I are both set apart as missionaries, official representatives of the Church. We are both given priesthood authority to preach the Gospel. Who has more more priesthood power in this companionship? I think the answer is that we both have equal authority, but at times one of us may have more power than the other. I think when we were in Cairns Central, my wife had more priesthood power than I did at that time. Thanks be to the Lord that I listened to her.
From President Nelson in October 2019 General Conference -
"The restoration of the priesthood, along with the Lord’s counsel to Emma, can guide and bless each of you. How I yearn for you to understand that the restoration of the priesthood is just as relevant to you as a woman as it is to any man. Because the Melchizedek Priesthood has been restored, both covenant-keeping women and men have access to “all the spiritual blessings of the church”2 or, we might say, to all the spiritual treasures the Lord has for His children.
"Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God. Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power."
Let me tell you another story at this point (it's really a collection of stories). Many times on our mission and when we were back home, my wife and I would visit single elderly sisters. We would often ask them if they would like to have a prayer with us before we leave. Invariably they would ask me to say the prayer. Of course, I would honour their request, but would always try to point out that my wife's prayers have just as much efficacy (if not more) as my prayers. Just because I have been ordained as an Elder, that does not mean that Heavenly Father takes more notice of my prayers
Back to President Nelson. "Now, may I clarify several additional points with respect to women and priesthood. When you are set apart to serve in a calling under the direction of one who holds priesthood keys—such as your bishop or stake president—you are given priesthood authority to function in that calling.
"Similarly, in the holy temple you are authorized to perform and officiate in priesthood ordinances every time you attend. Your temple endowment prepares you to do so.
"If you are endowed but not currently married to a man who bears the priesthood and someone says to you, “I’m sorry you don’t have the priesthood in your home,” please understand that that statement is incorrect. You may not have a priesthood bearer in your home, but you have received and made sacred covenants with God in His temple. From those covenants flows an endowment of His priesthood power upon you...
"As the Church grows, more temples will be built so that more families can have access to that greatest of all blessings, that of eternal life.5 We regard a temple as the most sacred structure in the Church. Whenever plans are announced to construct a new temple, it becomes an important part of our history. As we have discussed here tonight, you sisters are vital to the work of the temple, and the temple is where you will receive your highest spiritual treasures."
Now, I know that up here in FNQ, we are a very long way from a Temple. That means we do not get to attend the Temple as often as some people. But does that mean that the priesthood power that we can receive in our lives is less, because of our distance from the Temple? No, because that power is dependent on our faithfulness to keeping the covenants that we have made in the Temple and thereby being worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and hearkening to His promptings.
What priesthood power do women in the Church have, who have not been set apart as missionaries? When a teenage girl is assigned as a visiting teacher, or as a class president, she is given priesthood authority. It is up to her, perhaps with advice from her leaders and parents to learn how to gain priesthood power. When a sister is called or assigned to any position in Primary, YW or RS, she is given priesthood authority to perform that task. She then needs to learn how to exercise that priesthood power.
From Sister Carol M Stephens in 2013 General Conference.
"Daughters of God, do we know who we are? Do we know what we have? Are we worthy to receive the power and blessings of the priesthood? Do we receive the gifts given to us with gratitude, grace, and dignity? Do we embrace our roles and responsibilities to strengthen homes as mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts? Do we show respect for men, manhood, and fatherhood?"
When my wife and I visit single sisters, I will usually ask if they would like to have a word of prayer before we leave. They, as head of the home, have the right to choose who says that prayer. Invariably they will ask me, because "I don't have the priesthood in the home". I will often point sideways to my wife, and let them know that God will hear her prayer just as well, if not better, than mine. The sisters of the Church have just as much priesthood power, when calling upon God in prayer, as any man.
What does the authority of the Priesthood allow men to do? It allows us to perform ordinances, such as administering the sacrament, blessing the sick, baptizing, etc. and to preside in certain meetings. Interestingly, it does not allow us to be Relief Society Presidents, or Primary Presidents or Young Women Presidents. In those callings, the women of the Church exercise the priesthood authority given to them by someone who holds the priesthood keys to do so.
Saturday 11 February 2023
Can't remember what we did this morning but I do remember having my best ever kite foil session this afternoon at Yorkey's Knob. I actually went way upwind, like I never had before when foiling. I had to purposefully go back downwind to get back to the track to the carpark! That was quite an achievement. Saw my friends Paul and Craig there, and some others, like Steve, a guy who lives in his van and doesn't do any foiling, but comes to Yorkey's to fly model planes.
I watched Jiah's basketball game via WhatsApp today as well. He, Jiah, is playing really well and scored one third of his teams total score. They lost to a much better team, but they're getting the experience in losing and knowing how to be good losers.
Sunday 12th February 2023
We set a record today (for us anyway) in attending 3 sacrament meetings.
Cairns 1st Branch, then Cairns 2nd Branch, and then the Thursday Island Branch via Zoom. We spoke in the TI Branch Sacrament, which was a first too, having never done that before.
Then this afternoon I recorded a new interview with Jame McIvor, who is a new member down in Brisbane. I could tell you all about Jame's story, but it's a whole lot easier if you listen to watch the video below. Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!
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