Friday March 22, 2013 we traveled to Syracuse, New York. We went with another senior couple that is serving in Ogdensberg, New York. This trip was planned several weeks ago. At our last zone meeting we were told that we would be having an all mission conference and meeting with Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Bishop Dean M. Davies of the Presiding Bishopric and his wife, Elder Gordon H. Smith, Area Seventy of the Northeast, President Joseph B. Wirthlin Jr. New York Utica Mission (our mission president) and his wife and President Jack R. Christianson of the New York Rochester Mission. Prior to this event were asked to fast and to read and study three of Elder Bednar talks;Seek Learning By Faith, an address to CES Religious Educators, Converted unto the Lord and Ask in Faith . We were admonished to prepare to receive revelation.
 Our meeting started at 9:00 a.m. but we were told to be there by 8:30. As the meeting opened you could feel the anticipation of all those in attendance. Elder Bednar put everyone at ease and told us he would not put anyone on the spot. He admonished us not to take notes unless it was something we felt the spirit was teaching us, and what the spirit taught may not have anything to do with what was being said, he taught us that by taking notes and keeping ourselves so busy trying to write everything down we would miss many things. After he finished talking he opened up the meeting for questions and answers, however the only questions that could be asked were ones that pertained to the leaders in attendance and the position they held. He said not to ask scriptural questions because we all have the same scriptures and we can all receive the same answers. The Elders and Sisters asked many wonderful questions and really reaffirmed to us the spiritual maturity of these young people and how well prepared they are to serve the Lord. At the close of the meeting we sang the New York Utica Mission Song:

We have been born, as Nephi of old,

to goodly parents who love the Lord.

We have been taught, and we understand,

that we must do as the Lord commands.

 

We have been saved for these latter days

To build the kingdom in righteous ways.

We hear the words our prophet declares:

"Let each who's worthy go forth share."

 

We know his plan, and we will prepare,

Increase our knowledge through study and prayer,

Daily we'll FIND, FOR WE HAVE BEEN called

To take the gospel to all the world.

Chorus:

We are as the army of Helaman.

We have been taught in our youth.

And we ARE NOW the Lord's missionaries

To bring NEW YORK his truth

 

original song by Janice Kapp Perry

 

At the end of the meeting were went row by row to shake hands with all of the visiting authorities. It was a wonderful day. Elder Huff (Philip) stayed for the second meeting for leaders. While they were meeting I spent sometime helping the sisters in Syracuse prepare  the meal for the General Authorities, after the four hour meeting with the leaders and the meal, Elder Bednar and the others spoke with the young single adults.
 We talked to President Wirthlin later in the week and Philip expressed his appreciation to him for admonishing all the missionaries to prepare for the meeting. Elder Wirthlin got tears in his eyes and shared with us that Elder Bednar had told him what superb missionaries were in this mission.

We have been praying for  people to move into this area along with the less active  and active members. We heard on the radio and Sunday it was confirmed by the branch president in Malone  that Alcoa Aluminum will be creating 500 more jobs and that the EPA is doing a multimillion dollar project on the river, that will also bring people to the area. We feel that the little branch will be blessed with some strong members and help those struggling here, We are at a point now that we feel the branch will be able to function with the members we have contacted, although some are reluctant. Please remember them in your prayers.

Easter Sunday we took a couple of sisters to church with us, Linda Holmes is a less active member we have been teaching, she is doing well and has been coming to church with us regularly and Nicole Lord who is taking the discussions with the elders and should be baptized soon. We had both sisters and Elder Hussey and Bybee for Easter dinner. It was fun!

I have pictures of our district and our new elders in Massena that I will be posting soon.