1. We had a half-mission conference and got to meet Elder Zwick of the 70 - one of the nicest guys in the world! He has also the picture perfect smile! He was so awesome we just got to listen to him for a few hours and it was awesome. Here are a few highlights!
2. He told us about his mission in Bolivia which was crazy, he told us how he went to a city with no members that had no fresh water they relied on corn liquor for drinking. So he went to work and built a well and then a ward building. They had to haul supplies over a mountain with donkeys. So his mission was hard and every once and a while a donkey would fall or the work would be hard and he would want to quit but then he would remember a verse in the Book of Mormon from Alma 26:27 "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." So much power but it's so true and I have seen it on my mission as I am ready to turn back is when the Lord gives us that strength. He takes us to the ends of our rope and then gives us more to work with!
3. He also talked a lot about simplifying when we teach! It was awesome. He told us to use power statements. So we say something short and simple, then we share a personal experience about that and then we both testify in the name of Jesus Christ. It was amazing, as we did a few examples, of the spirit that came into the room!
4. Working with members! He talked a lot about that because this mission should be baptizing a convert every month per companionship!!! That's not happening right now. He said we need the members so he gave a special fireside for the members and is trying to get them involved and working harder!!!
5. So I took that advice to heart and called out our ward council. I told them the vision for the area that L. Tom Perry and Elder Zwick have of 1 baptism a month per companionship and then I told them that it was impossible without them. The bishop totally took my side and said they all need to do better! So now every time we go to a member's home we say who do you have for us to teach in your home. Working hard and following up!
6. He also talked a lot about building our foundations. He talked about a building in Salt Lake that has more concrete in the foundation than in the whole building. It actually has 3 times more invested into its foundation. That's how we should be, we should put forth that effort to invest on our testimonies and our conversion!!! It was such a great talk. He is such a great guy, I wish you all could have heard!
7. Half mission is so great because you get to see so many friends. I love missionary friends! If the picture works I'll be sending a picture of me and elder beckstrom who is a stud muffin, and i came out and sister king! I served with two sister kings! I love having missionary friends! elder beckstorm looks like a glorified being in this!
I'm out of time. A senior couple who is checking our apartment is waiting on us so we have to go but I love you all!
Elder Taylor
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