Elder and Sister Gong - Lessons Learned
Elder and Sister Gong – Lessons Learned
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
April 20th, 2026
What a week! We extend a warm welcome to the 13 missionaries who joined us on Wednesday. We are grateful to have you serving here in CASRM with us. We look forward to getting to know you better.
It was also a wonderful blessing being with Elder and Sister Gong, President Wada, and Elder and Sister Nauman. I am grateful for the inspired instruction they provided us. I would like to share a few of the many inspired teachings I took from the conference:
Love Your Companion – Sister Gong taught us that the Lord will help us love our companion. She shared that she struggled to get along with a particular companion. She shared how her heart was filled with love for this companion – and for herself, as she prayed for a way to love her companion. It was a valuable lesson on how the Lord can fill our hearts with love as we seek His help to love everyone – even those we do not like.
Ministering to the One – Elder and Sister Gong took the time to personally greet each person who attended the five conferences this weekend. I estimate that they shook the hands of over 1200 people. More than just shaking someone’s hand, they asked the name of everyone they met. This took extra time and energy on their part. I believe that all who met them felt recognized and loved. What a gracious gift given by one of the Savior’s living Apostles!
House of the Lord – We were taught that one of the main purposes for attending the temple is to draw closer to the Savior. Elder Gong shared several scriptures with us that teach this principle. I love this scripture:
“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.” (Psalm 27:4-6)
Everyday Fulfillment of Prophecy in Missionary Work – I loved the instruction that each day missionaries fulfill the promise given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that the Lord would bring the gospel to their posterity. Our work is a testimony that the Lord remembers His promises and covenants. We can go forward with confidence the Lord is using us to fulfill His word.
Our Missionary Tag – Our missionary tag connects us to Jesus Christ by having both our names printed on it. Our missionary tag bears witness that each of us is a representative of Jesus Christ.
Savior’s Perfect Scars – We were taught that the bodily scars the Savior carries to this day from His crucifixion are signs of His perfection – His perfect love and perfect atoning sacrifice for each of us. What a beautiful understanding and witness given to us by an Apostle of Jesus Christ!
An Apostle’s Special Witness of the Savior – I was deeply touched by Elder Gong’s testimony of Jesus Christ shared with us in his closing remarks. He bore his “special witness” that Jesus Christ lives – and is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. The Spirit witnessed to me that I was in the presence of a true Apostle of Jesus Christ. I left the meeting knowing that Elder Gong possesses a perfect witness that Jesus Christ lives.
These are only a few of the many inspired and valuable lessons I learned this weekend. What lessons do you remember?
Sister Quinn and I are grateful for the blessing of being together as an entire mission on Saturday. Thank you for the spirit you brought to our meeting with Elder Gong. I was touched that through the Spirit he recognized our mission was one of deep discipleship, hard work, and obedience. As a result, Elder Gong was willing to share deeper instruction you were qualified and prepared to receive. Let’s continue to do those things that make us worthy of greater light and knowledge from the Lord.
I look forward to reading your Psalms.
Love,
President Quinn
(630) 881-4030
