Anti-Mormon visitor experiences the VC

On Friday all the sister missionaries attended a meeting with Elder Tom Perry, leaving the Senior Couples to staff the Visitors' Center.

I (Donna) had a great experience on Friday am.  I talked to a young couple and their mom (from South Jordan, Utah) who were members of the church plus their non-member grandmother (from California).  As I began to show them around, the mother whispered to me that the grandmother was "anti-Mormon."


 We stopped with others who were watching the children in a kiosk presentation. The grandmother just stood their and REALLY listened and enjoyed the presentation. Then we moved on to the Mormon Ads. Again she really enjoyed them and pushed a button herself so she could listen to more. I suggested we go to God’s Plan and they all agreed. While there the members all had tears in their eyes and the grandmother was also touched. She left smiling and I testified of the importance of families and the temple. I could not get over the difference in her countenance from when we first started and when we finished. They were all happy and I bet anything they will have better gospel discussions than ever before. The gospel can change lives and I’m praying that the grandmother will listen to her children.

Transfers

This week five sister missionaries left the Visitors' Center, two completed their missions and returned home, Sister Jager to Germany and Sister Mulipola to Western Samoa.  Three other sisters were transferred to "the field" and are serving on Maui.

In exchange, two returned "from the field," Sister Ganochkina (Russia), and Sister Smith (Utah.)  The three new sister missionaries  who just arrived from the MTC are: Sister Clark (Utah), Sister Watanabe (Japan) and Sister Magno (Philippines).  This picture shows everyone serving in the Visitors' Center and the two elder zone leaders.

Samoan sisters from BYUH

Tonight, just before we closed, these three BYUH students asked if they could see "God's Plan for Families" a twelve-minute presentation that is my favorite part of the VC. At the conclusion I asked if they were all members.  Two were, one wasn't and she said she felt "tingly" inside as she watched the presentation.  I explained she was feeling the Holy Ghost witnessing to her that what she had just watched was true.  She ended up asking to have the missionaries visit her and teach her the gospel.  Her name is Anna Oloaga.  She and her member-friends are all Samoans.  Anna is standing between her two friends, Jennifer and Euemma, who were just doing what we all should do more often: being friends and sharing the gospel.

Birthing Stones

Today we visited a sacred Hawaiian site: the Kukaniloko Birthing Stones where past royalty came to give birth to future rulers.  When the time came for Royalty births the woman would arrive at what was then a secret spot, and in the presence of 36 male chiefs she would position herself at certain stones to give birth while they watched.  Within minutes of birth the child would be taken away and the mother would never see her child again until it was grown.  First born sons were raised by the husband's relatives and first born daughters were raised by the mother's relatives. Every boy, first born or not, was taken from the woman's hut when weaned and raised in the men's hut.  Never again in his lifetime would the male be allowed to eat with women, not even his mother or his wife.

Hawaiian Chickens

At 9:30 pm tonight I finished eleven Hawaiian chicken pin cushions to be sold at PCC for eight dollars each .  Last night I repaired the flag of Hawaii (for the second time).  I also hemmed a muumuu for Sister Tripp as the one that fit her was about three or four inches too long.  What a different mission but I guess everything we do helps build the kingdom in some way. 

I also had a wonderful tour today.  One member who attends the University of Hawaii brought her three non-member friends to the visitors' center this morning.  I got an e-mail referral from Clare Warwick, one of the young students..  When we get an e-mail referral like this, Elder Peterson, one of the senior missionaries, sends an e-mail with offers of multiple items they can have.

 It is a fun mission!  I know the church is true and the Lord is blessing us as we help the young sister missionaries.

Referral for the week

Don hosted a young couple who are members of the Church.  After "God's Plan for the Family" Stephanie expressed her love for her father, a less active member.  We do not send missionaries to members but I was able to write him a letter and send along two pass-along cards.  His name is Keith Sabin, from Oregon.

Senior Missionary Change

Elder and Sister Jay England finished their twelve-month mission and returned home to Draper, Utah this week.  They were replaced by Elder and Sister Steve Tripp, also from Draper, Utah.  Elder Tripp is a retired building contractor - "retired" by the economy.  As I understand, he also worked with his sons in the building business.  Their son is a bishop in Jenn and Pat's stake

Elder and Sister England                           Elder and Sister Tripp

The next couple goes home in March and the Mission is looking for a brother with strong computer skills - someone who knows his way around excel spreadsheets, and other presentation programs.  If you know of someone who qualifies and would have an interest in serving in Hawaii, please have them contact me: 801 550-5525.