All Mission Conference with Elder L. Tom Perry

April 21, 2014 – All Mission Conference, New Jersey Morristown Mission with Apostle, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve. 

The following is a compilation of my notes and Sister Beans' notes:

Elder Perry called up a missionary from Saipan to stand beside him. Elder Perry put his big arm around Elder Alforeza and asked him where Saipan was. When the missionary couldn’t quite explain it, Elder Perry said, well it’s a little north of Guam in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. He asked if the missionary knew about the first chapel built in Saipan and the elder said, yes, that he attended church there. Elder Perry wanted to set the record straight and told him that the first chapel built in Saipan was built by a group of Marines and he (Elder Perry) was one of them. He was there for a full year and they had been meeting in a tent and the rain came through the holes caused by shrapnel. They found materials and asked the marines if anyone knew of an architect – a marine from Idaho said he helped his dad build a barn once - so he became the architect. They built this little chapel and dedicated it - the Navy chaplain came and said they were the only ones who completed a chapel there. They shipped out the next morning having held only one meeting there before going to Japan. He told Elder Alforeza that when he returns to Saipan to tell the saints that they are not in the first chapel built on that island. FYI - Elder Alforeza is in the first photo, the 4th missionary from the left (looking down toward the front row).

Elder Perry’s current assignment is Public Affairs for the entire world. He received this new assignment while away organizing a new stake. He said to the one issuing the call over the phone, “Do you know who this is? This is not Elder Ballard!” He confessed that he was not fond of public affairs. He said, “I’m an accountant! I love figures!” However, as he has met with the religious leaders of the world he has had “some amazing experiences.” His purpose in meeting with them is to find common ground so they can work together to preserve the laws of God. “But they are not organized! They look at me with glossy eyes and say ‘we don’t know how to do that, but we’re behind you 100%! We are in a great battle - laws are being passed that are against the laws of God. We are uniting in a great voice against things that are happening. Our church is the only one that has the organization to fight this war - we have the priesthood of God - others don't have this help.” “Never before in the history of the world have masses of people turned from right to wrong in so short a time! It is happening quickly now. We must add our voice as a voice of warning. Marriage is ordained of God between a man and a woman. Present the truth by stating the doctrine.”

Everyone needs quiet time to commune and listen to the Lord. It’s a time when the Lord will work on you. He never leaves you alone if you’re living worthy.”

Daily living the way you should helps you to access the enabling power of the atonement.

The Lord possess the priesthood - he gives it to leaders - women become one with your husband and you are equal in authority in that household - you are powerful because you bring new life to the earth - you teach and train your children, you are their most important teacher. They take on your personality. The father keeps the doctrine pure the wife trains the children. Couples leave parents and cleave to the wife to become one.

Missionaries have to teach faith so others will want to repent and receive the blessings of the gospel. First - have the doctrine in your heart so that you have a scripture to answer their questions - prepare your mind second - we teach from the scriptures - use it as a base for all of your teachings. Third - must have the Spirit with you - you can't teach unless the spirit is with you. You can't teach if there is a problem in your life that will prevent the Spirit from putting the words in your mouth to teach. Next - listen - they will give you keys and tips in what they say that will give you a guide in what to teach. If we are good listeners those keys will come to use. Last bear your testimony - nothing more powerful than a pure testimony.

How to help people avoid the pride cycle – the Book of Mormon goes over all those wars over and over - trial after trial - read it carefully - the world is becoming that way - changing from righteousness to evil rapidly - Our phones have more than the encyclopedias - a million times more - we must teach and be a voice of warning - very essential - warn the people of the way they are going! Marriage is ordained of God - anything else is sin- We must declare this boldly - living together is living in sin - Find a gentle way to call it what it is. 

Pres. Packer sits next to me - he is the most spiritual man I've ever been around - he goes to bed at 8:00 - I have to hear the sports before I go to bed! He gets up at 4 or 5 in the morning so he can have time with The Lord. Pray about your investigator's problems - pray alone - we all need time alone to feel the Spirit of The Lord. Quiet time is when the Spirit comes - we have to commune and listen and receive direction - find the time to really let the Lord into your life and let him direct you. Sometimes it will come to you in the middle of the night and you have to get on your knees and ask - he won't leave you alone if you are living worthy and asking for direction. He will always be there.

I want to assure you that the Lord is at the helm. He runs this church - the President isn't the head of the church but he is the Lord's appointed leader but Jesus Christ is the head - it is called by his name. He is our leader our savior and our redeemer - he leads us so directly that there is no question that he is in charge. The Lord our Savior leads this church. You can rest assured that is the case.

As you grow in your testimonies you will have a life full of experiences to enlarge your testimony. When He speaks to you, you listen - jot down what he is trying to tell you so you carry out his instructions. I know by personal experience that he is our Lord and Savior - I could never deny that. I have experiences that are too sacred to repeat except in certain times and places - but, you can rest assured the apostles are only doing what The Lord requires.

You as missionaries are ordained by those in authority to take this gospel forth - just the same as if the Savior himself put his hands on your head. I promise you by the power of the holy apostleship the Lord will be there to instruct you, comfort you, give you peace, and give you experiences that will give you everlasting joy throughout your life.