The Days of Our Lives - Final Day 12

Senior couples with Elder and Sister Vinas.

When we arrived in Jamaica in March 2010, we attended a zone conference in Mandeville.  Today was zone conference for the Kingston Zone and we attended our second zone conference.  We humanitarian missionaries are always invited to zone conferences but not really required to attend, so we figured one at the beginning and one at the end makes for a good missionary experience.  Elder Vinas, the Area President for the Caribbean, was presiding and teaching.  What a delight to be taught by a general authority and catch a glimpse of their vision and wisdom.  We are always grateful to hear from President Hendricks.  He has such insight into the scriptures and he is seeing them as a past Temple President.  What a highlight for our final days.

Elder Vinas pointed out a scripture that was hidden from me, it really touched me.  He was talking about the importance of the Book of Mormon in the our day.  Personalize this --(let grandma preach a little now):

D&C 84:54-58 - 54: And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received -- (Think of what we have received by way doctrine, priesthood, etc. in these days.  One of the things we have received above all else is the Book of Mormon.  How is our mind darkened or what do we treat lightly?)  55: Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. (I alone can begin to bring the church under condemnation if I begin to neglect reading the scriptures, prayer, etc.  This is done one person at a time.)  56: And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.  (It doesn't matter what others say or do about the Church and it's teachings, it is what a "child" of Zion - a baptized, active member does.)  57: And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written-- 58: That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father's kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion.  (I was enlightened to think that not reading and applying the teachings of the Book of Mormon, individually, could have such a condemning power.  Do we take this too lightly? Think back when Pres. Hinckley asked everyone to read the Book of Mormon.  Wasn't he trying to lift the Church and elevate our lives and perhaps remove the condemnation that was eminent.  When was the last time you read the Book of Mormon or do you take it's teachings lightly?  Start reading today.)

The afternoon was spent moving our desk, filing cabinet and bookshelf to the Whitehead's apartment.  We are so thankful for full-time elders who bring enthusiasm to every job.  One elder in particular, Toutai, came up the stairs for the last time, "Sister Schaefermeyer, what would be to eat?"  (Now, these elders had just finished lunch at TGI Fridays.)  I told him I didn't have anything to eat, but we were giving away food in the cupboard, he loaded up and Sister Flake and I just silently laughed.  He took a large grocery sack full and told us we saved him for the month because someone had stolen his backpack on the bus with all his money.  You just have to love these elders, they are survivors and they do it with a smile.

Elder Toutai carrying the desk down the stairs.

The troop of elders carrying drawers and boxes.  Thanks guys!!!

Each day brings a last experience.  Our last zone conference, the last visit from the elders and the last of our food. I Guess this move is really going to happen.

Love to all. 

Appreciate the atonement and think about it's importance as you take the sacrament tomorrow!