Last hours for Departing Elders

During our transfer meeting, each departing Elder has a chance to share their testimony to a chapel full of Elders getting transferred. This slide comes up behind them while they are sharing. They also get this picture framed as a keepsake to take home. 

Ten Gifts Every Missionary Should Take Home

By President Gordon B. Hinckley

1. A knowledge of and love for our Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ

2. A knowledge of and love for the scriptures

3. An increased love for parents and family

4. A love for the people among whom you labored

5. An appreciation for hard work

6. The availability of inspiration when needed, and the ability to pray and ponder the things of the Spirit

7. An understanding of the importance of teamwork

8. Increased personal virtue

9. The faith to act and obey

10. A thirst for knowledge and the praiseworthy things of life

"When my ministry is all over, it will not be 'any lesson that i taught, how many baptisms i had or if i was an AP' that will be important in the sight of the lord; but what will be important to him will be my hearing his voice and responding to his promptings"     -M.Russell Ballard with  a   missionary twist…                                                                      Zachary John Anderson

Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully but also as the determination to live decently. Be of good cheer, the future is as bright as you faith

Elder Andritiana Tsilanja Nariniaina Pierre

 "How can you go home if you are leaving it behind"               

                                                         Elder Jason Paul Haynes

Elder Nkululeko Magrangqa

 ''The more we become righteous and thinking about others Salvation we become a blessing to many, let us cast out the works of darkness and put the Armour of light''

''The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding

Sbusiso Mxolisi  Majozi

"There are occasionally hard days for each of us. .Do not despair. Do not give up, look for the sunlight through the clouds. Success comes with hard work, it doesn't just land in your lap". By president Gordon B. Hinckley.                                                                        

 Elder Aaron McLean Mead

''Our duty is to preach the gospel to all men....This what God expects of us.''        -President John Taylor

 Elder Samuel James O'Riordan

And the king inquired of Ammon if it were his desire to dwell in the land among the Lamanites, or among his people. And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.”     -Alma 17:22-23 

Elder Jake Michael Raymond

As long as we are willing to rise up again and continue on the path..... We can learn something from failure and become better and happier. Is not late Elders ! Atonement is still there . Learn from it and change the future, dust up and continue. Be of good cheer!   -Mother    Beatrice Nduku.

 Alec Mitchamm Ryan

-"We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny. How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings.”    - Dieter F. Uchtdorf              

     Wambua Joshua Kyumwa

 Later in the day, our departing Elders rode in a local taxi after the transfer meeting. This is an experience they are not allowed to do in their areas due to safety concerns, so it was fun to do on their last day all together. At least 80% of the population gets around solely by taxi transport, so you see them everywhere, filled to capacity. It is a SA experience to ride in one before heading home.

We ended up at the Family Search Center at the Area Office. We paired each of them up with senior family history missionaries to take some time to find their own pedigree chart and see what temple work is waiting for them to do when they arrive home. 

This activity was also intended to remind them of the importance of continuing to be consistent in temple attendance. President Dunn completed final interviews at this time, reminding them as returned missionaries to move forward with their lives by getting sealed in the temple at the right time, with the right person!

In addition to the Family Search, we also took a walking tour around the temple and read the re-dedicatory prayer given in 1973 by Spencer W. Kimball for the land of South Africa. Each departing missionary read a part of the prayer. It was sacred and very touching. The prayer is at the end of this post!

The dedicatory prayer spoke about the day a temple would be in this land blessing generations to come. How lucky these Elders have been to participate in many sessions during their time here. They are also able to help members get prepared to go to the temple. 

We loved having Elder Zach Anderson's parents join with us for this activity. Afterwards, they went to a temple session together.

Re-Dedication of the land of South Africa

Dec. 3, 1973

Spencer W. Kimball

“Our Heavenly Father, our Eternal Father, O God, our Eternal Father, we come before thee this morning in deep reverence, in deep humility and in deep gratitude for all the blessings that Thou has showered upon us. We are grateful for this day. We are grateful for the privilege we have, gathering together in this beautiful spot on Thy landscape.  We come to Thee today as leaders of the Stake and of the Mission in this land to re-dedicate the land, that the people may open their hearts, that the government may open doors, that the things which we teach, which are all clean and righteous and faith building and character building, that they may reach the great masses of people in this area. Let Thy great kindness conquer and subdue the unbelief of this people. Change any stony hearts there may be to hearts of flesh, and dispel the cold mists of darkness which dilute the beaming rays of the sun.”

“Father, we are grateful for the many blessings. We are grateful that we know Thee, that we know that Thou are our Father, in very deed, the Father of our spirits. We are grateful that we know that Thou art our Father, in very deed, the Father of our spirits. We are grateful that we know Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Elder brother, who is also the God of this land, and has created many things. We are grateful that the Gospel was established by Him. It is the Gospel. It was created before the world was organized. And now, it has been given to the earth at different dispensations, and again restored to us this day. We are grateful for the priesthood, which is the power that Thou hast given us to act in Thy stead, and all the gifts and blessings we are thankful for. Father, we grateful for the revelations that come from Thee to Thou servants and through them to Thy numerous handmaidens and servants in this earth, to bring knowledge and power and faith and testimony to them. We are grateful for all the opportunities and privileges, for this is a Church of the people, where everyone has some opportunity to serve and magnify and to develop himself. We are grateful for the scriptures which have come through the prophets of the past, and to show us the true way of life. We are grateful for the prophets of yesterday and the prophets of this day, from Adam to this day. We are grateful for all that has come to us in the joys and privileges, from Joseph Smith to President Harold B. Lee. We are grateful for each of the eleven prophets who have presided over this Church, and this world.  We thank Thee our Father for this beautiful land, with its flowering trees and bushes and plants, with its greenery, with its soil that is deep and rich. We are grateful Father for all the flora and fauna thereof. We are grateful, our Father, for the wealth that lies under the surface of this land, for diamonds in great profusion, and gold and valuable things. The things of life are found in rich abundance; we are grateful that they provide for our people, employment, and the blessings of the land. We are grateful for warm-hearted people who live in this city and this land, and these provinces. And we are begging of Thee now, to put all in order, so that they may receive the Gospel through the missionary effort. Father, we are grateful for the seeds that have been planted in this land, the seeds of righteousness, the seeds of truth and honor and integrity. And we ask Thee to harvest; to help us harvest those seeds that have been planted.”

“Let peace envelope this land. Bless the leadership of this country to the end that Thou people might have always freedom of belief, opportunities to teach, and the chance to learn and get acquainted with the people. Touch the hearts of the magistrates, the leaders of this land, and cause them to open the doors to the righteous efforts of our people, who will proselyte and bring many to knowledge of the truth. Bless all those good people in this land, the honest in heart who have a sense of righteousness, who want to do right. Help them, Father, that they may open their hearts, and that they may be listening and ready for the Gospel, the great luxury of Christ, the Prince of Peace. Father, from the center of Thy center stakes, far away, will continue to come missionaries, who, with the local missionaries will find and teach and convert and baptize. Bless their efforts, make them fruitful. Open the doors to them, Oh Father, inspire the missionaries that they may be rich in purpose and diligent in service, that no hungry or thirsty soul may ever miss the privilege of hearing and accepting the truth. Let not their enemies prevail against them. Let not weariness of taciturn or carelessness prevent the conversion of the many people. Bless the seeds that have been planted and let them come forth in beautiful flower. Bless all the conversions, Father, and all the people who accept the Gospel, that they may live Thy commandments. Thou hast promised us, Father, the fullness of the earth and all the good things that come from the earth, for food, and raiment and houses and barns and orchards and gardens and vineyards and for all the food and the raiment, the taste and smell, for the strengthening of the body and enlivening of the soul. And for all this we are grateful.”

“Now in this 120 years in which the Gospel has been on this land, we are grateful for the progress that has been made. We are grateful for this great Stake, the Beginning and the first of many to dot the cities and the areas of this nation. And we ask Thee to cause that the people may respond. Bless all the saints in this land who will make the effort to find interested people and make connections so that they may receive the truth. Bless all the missionaries with health and strength, especially with discernment and inspiration, that they may be impressive in their proselyting, numerous thousands may be convinced, and comforted and converted, that they numbers may increase, and Wards and Stakes and Branches may dot this land, that it will grow in numbers and in power. We look forward to the day, Our father, when all the processes might converge to bring a temple to this land, wherein all the youth and the people of this land may have their endowments and the blessings that are available to righteous people. We ask Thee now to bless the Presidency of the Church and the Kingdom, and the Brethren who assist them. Bless their extended efforts, that Thy work might continue to go on and progress. This land has been dedicated before long ago, but now we rededicate it for Thy Holy purposes where the sons and daughters of Israel may gather and sing praises unto Thee. Thou, Oh Father, who didst covenant with Abraham, Thy friend, and who didst renew that covenant with Isaac, and confirm the same with Jacob with an oath that Thou wouldst remember their seed forever. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have long ago closed their eyes in death and made the grave their mansion. But their children have been dispersed among the nations of the earth, including this land.”

“May we pray now, Our Father, for this land, this beautiful land. Cause that the soil may bring forth grass and feed the flocks and the herds and let the fields smile with plenty. Let the flocks and herds multiply upon the hills and in the valleys. Let this be a beautiful land, and industrious people, and a health filled climate. Father, let Zion grow, let Stakes multiply. Let people become more righteous. We pray all these things, Our Father, and call to Thine attention the good people that have already gathered here, who have already accepted the truth, who have had the courage to set aside the world and to accept into their hearts the truths of the everlasting Gospel and all that it includes. And so we now rededicate this great land of South Africa to the preaching of the Gospel, to the conversion of the people, to the transformation of lives. And ask Thee, Our Father, to keep it in mind, to keep it in Thy sight, to never let it be forgotten by Thee. Now we bless all these good people and we dedicate it in the name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer whom we praise and honor and worship. Amen”