May 3rd, 1963

 Date: 5-3-63

Missionary Conference

People Present: President and Sister Russon, President Burton, and 50 Elders

Talks-

1. Sister Russon- 

    a. Get Perspective

Story about a stone cutter- asked one, he said he just cut stone, another said he was building a cathedral

    b. Members in Beirut, Lebanon are quite active, and things are growing there

    c. Italy- there are a few branches for the service men mostly in the North and South. However, the            field is ripe

2. President Russon-

    a. Quotation- Confucius said, “Journey of 1000 steps begins with one” Confucius lived 2500 years             ago 

    b. Clifton’s Cafeteria in Los Angeles. Clifton was a philanthropist. And quite a Christian. In the                     basement was the gardens or a set that depicted Jerusalem at the time of Jesus Christ with a             little dialogue about the things Jesus Christ did. President Russon read it to us (6th and Olive)

    c. No one in 2000 years has measured up to the stature of Jesus Christ or better

    d. Story- while in Beirut, they were desirous of performing some baptisms. But they had no                         baptismal font. So, a man there was obliged to find one, he not being a member of the Church.             He went from one Christian Church to another receiving the same answer after the minister                 found out it was for the Mormons (NO). To this man he said, they were not Christians if they                 didn’t love their fellow men enough to let them us a baptismal font for the Lord’s work. 

3. President Burton-

    a. Those who Contend and Argue are of the devil because of their lack of love.

    b. Commend about the Swiss people, “I wouldn’t be interested in religion if I had been taught what             they had about religion” 

    c. Voltairine- French writer- called an Atheist, but this is what he had to say about religion. “ I cannot         believe in a God that didn’t love His children.” Concept of being damned when you are born into             the world

    d. Become selfless-don’t be afraid-forget your inahibtions – Mark 8:34

    e. Story- Samuel the Lamanite standing on the wall- (“A red Indian tell us Nephites white people to             repent”) They throw stones at him because he preached repentance to this proud and iniquitous         people – Helaman 13-16, Book of Mormon -- Need to advertise like that which they do on T. V.             For instance: M-M- Don’t melt in your hand but in your mouth

    f. Correlate with the D&C 38:4;41- the warning voice is to come with (1) mildness and (2) meekness

    g. Teaching: 

    1. Don’t get discouraged

    2. Get commitments as you go through the lessons!

    3. Always follow-up

    4. Learn the scriptures so well that you can use another approach if necessary

    5. Need 24 contacts each month to get 2 baptisms

    h. Knowledge: 

        D&C46 – 

Read D&C 34:4 – Prophecy given to a 19-year-old Orson Pratt to go and preach after being a member of the Church for 6 weeks

    i. Story- repentance- Tolstoy (author), about a lady who committed a wrong and told her friend. She          was quite remorseful, but her friend couldn’t see how she could do it. She admitted that she too             was not perfect, but that? The gal Olga asked her what she should do. She said to go down to             the village patriarch he, being an old man, listened to this story. Then he told Olga to take this             gunny sack and find the biggest rock that you can carry and bring it back. So, she went. Her                 friend asked what the sack should do. “Well,” he said, giving her a gunny sack also. Telling her to          fill it with small rocks until she can barely bring it back. They both came back at about the same             time. Olga no longer weeping. After a rest, the patriarch told Olga to return the large rock wo                 where she had fount it. Her friend asked what she should do. The patriarch said the same. She             said it was impossible. He said, “then do the best you can.” So is repentance necessary for all.             Whether we have an accumulate a large load quickly or over a long period of time. 

    j. Word- repentance often misunderstood

        Comes from Greek

        Really it means a change of mind. Remorse is not enough. (2 Peter 3; D&C 112:13) 

        Old Testament- Hebrew           New Testament- Greek

    k. Chastity 

        D&C 42:23, 58:42 (forgiveness), 61:2, 82:7, 59:6 

        Don’t listen to confessions because you have no authority to forgive. If people think it is                         necessary, they many see their (1) Bishop of Branch President (2) Stake President (3) First                 Presidency or Apostle or (4) Mission President

        Classification of people not to inherit the kingdom of God: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (fornicators,                     liars…) 

        D&C 64: the Lord will forgive whom He chooses but you must forgive everyone. The Lord said, “I         have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, so turn and change your ways.”