2/11/13 "Ask the missionaries!"

Hamlet: "To be, or not to be?"

Elder Nelson: "Ask the missionaries!"

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The last few days have been an incredible experience. Elder Nelson came to our mission, which was amazing, but he also visited my stake, so I got to hear from him not once, but three times, which was even more amazing.

Let me share my testimony with you that there are prophets on the earth today. There were no miracles or manifestations while Elder Nelson was there. His face didn't shine like Moses' did when he descended from the mountain. However, I cannot doubt that that man is an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. There was such an incredible difference from when he was in the room and when he was not. The Spirit he brought with him was so powerful. It was the most wonderful and comforting feeling, and I loved every second that he talked.

Honestly, I didn't do all that much exciting this week. I went on exchange with Elder Brown and his pants ripped open, so that was pretty fun. We also ran out of pass-along cards this week. In slight frustration, I asked Heavenly Father to find us some way to leave an invitation with someone instead. Literally seconds later, we found a $5 bill on the ground. I wrote "Mormon.org" on it and gave it to the next person we talked to on the condition that she visit the site before she spent the money. Prayer answered. 

But I won't dwell too much on the rest of the week, since I feel that what Elder Nelson said is more important for you to hear. So, I'll sum up:

1. I asked Elder Nelson "When did you first know the Book of Mormon was true? Was there a verse or experience that made you realize you knew?" In response, Elder Nelson told me his testimony of the Book of Mormon. He said that the Lord has two great promises that He has yet to fulfill; the first is that the Savior will come back, and the second is that Israel will be gathered. As I see it, this means that all nations of the world will receive the Gospel.Elder Nelson said that the Book of Mormon is the great instrument that the Lord will use to fulfill His great promise.

2. Elder Nelson asked us to imagine the Savior; a portrayal of Him, like perhaps the Christus statue or the Del Parson picture that we all know. Any picture of the Savior; what we see when we think of Him. He asked us to put a one-word caption on that image. What would you put?

3. There were two parts to the Savior's life: His mission, or the Atonement, and His ministry, the things He did. Only the Savior could complete the Atonement; it was what allowed Moses 1:39 to come to pass. We can't emulate the Savior's mission, but we can emulate His ministry. The Savior's love was always manifested by service.

4. Perfection is an immortal result. Even the sinless, error-less Lord did not claim perfection in this life.

During the morning session of Stake Conference, Elder Nelson asked all the children in the congregation to stand up and sing "I Am a Child of God." Afterward, he gave the members of list of things that we must do:

1. Teach the children what it means to be a Child of God.

2. Teach the children to love the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to love the sacrament. Help them understand that this is Christ's Church.

3. Teach the children the importance of the prophets, especially the modern-day prophets.

4. Teach the children that the Book of Mormon is a gift of God.

5. Teach the children of the importance of the scriptures.

6. Teach the children about the restoration of the Priesthood.

7. Teach the children about the temple. Have pictures of it in your house.

8. Love your children. Let them know you trust them. Correct them with love, quietly, privately, and compassionately. Raise your sons to be missionaries.

9. Teach the children about tithing.

To conclude his remarks, Elder Nelson told all of us about the work of the Lord. In very calm, comforting tones, he told us that "things are speeding up, time is running out." I know this to be true. What a privilege I have to be a part of this great work, at this time of the world!

Eventually, Elder Nelson had to leave. I got to shake his hand after all three meetings with him, and every time all I could say was "I love you." What a wonderful man. I was so sad to see him go. The very feeling of the chapel changed when he left.

It made me think: if I was so sad to see an Apostle leave, I could only imagine what it would have been like for the Nephites, watching the Savior leave. To this day, one of my favorites stories of all time was when the Savior saw the Nephites in tears, wanting him to stay just a little longer with them. They had waited all their lives for this moment, and they didn't want Him to leave just yet. Please, just a little longer, they said. Well, faced with that, the Lord of the Universe simply had to stay, just a little longer. He stayed and blessed their children, one by one. What I would give to have been one of those children.

I know that the Savior lived. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that we are led by prophets today. I love you all, and I love my mission. Hurrah for Israel!

Elder Fisher