A Week I Will Never Forget - Being Taught at the Feet of an Apostle

Elder & Sister Bednar with Sister & President Quinn

Monday:

The week began with a fun P-day as we invited one of the Napa Districts over for pickleball and a barbecue. It was a great way to start the week—full of laughter, good food, and missionary camaraderie.

Napa District: Elders Hart, Harper, Mecham, Braithwaite, McIntyre, Gulbranson, Grover, Bracken

Tuesday:

We wrapped up the transfer board with the Assistants to the President. It always feels good to see the pieces come together as we prepare for transfers especially when we have 27 new missionaries coming in next week, seven of which are Visa Blessings! Wow!

Sister & President Quinn at Paradise Cove San Diego

Wednesday:

We drove to San Francisco and then flew to San Diego for our Mission Leader Seminar. The resort, Paradise Cove, was absolutely beautiful—big palm trees, bright flowers, and a sandy beach with sail boats on the water. It reminded me of what I used to picture when I thought of California. (Now of course, I think redwoods, vineyards and rock formations in the water.)

Conference room with Elder & Sister Peter & Stephanie Johnson presenting

Our power point slide for Elder Brian Holmes presentation

Thursday:

We spent the day in meetings with the other 28 mission leaders from the United States West Area. It felt kind of like a cheerleading rally with a focus on the missionary purpose and teaching the Doctrine of Christ. It worked! I am excited to get back to the basics with our missionaries!

A special highlight came when Elder Brian Holmes, a new assistant to our Area Presidency, asked President Quinn and me to prepare a video with a power point slide for his presentation about how our mission is helping friends come to church. He told us that our mission is leading the way in key indicators for conversion in the whole area. We were thrilled and deeply grateful to hear that!

Sister and Elder Bednar

Friday:

We had heard the rumor, but I could hardly believe it—the United States West Area was blessed to have Elder and Sister Bednar join us in San Diego for two days! As they entered, all of the mission leaders and area seventies stood in reverence. He and Sister Bednar took the time to shake everyone’s hand before he took his place on the stand.

As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Elder Bednar spoke with power and confidence. President Quinn and I were blessed to be assigned to the front row during this session. We literally sat at his feet as we were taught. He started out by talking to us about how he receives revelation. He went to read to us from Doctrine and Covenants section107, teaching us about priesthood authority, priesthood keys, and the governance of the Church. He also shared how a new prophet is sustained and ordained, sharing details and bearing a strong and tender testimony of our new and living prophet, Dallin H. Oaks.  It was fascinating—I could have listened all day. He also announced that there will be 5 new missions in California starting this next July 1st! The Lord is hastening His work! It is wonderful to be a part of it!

Sister Bednar also spoke, teaching about divine intersections and the reality of miracles.

That afternoon, we had a short break and were able to play a few pickleball games with other mission leaders—so much fun!

The Pulsiphers, The Andersons, The Quinns, and The Botchways

Friday evening, we enjoyed a presentation by Derrick Porter the voice of the Spoken Word with Mike Leavitt president of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. They announced that next June, the Choir will perform a major concert in Hollywood, with big watch parties across the area. We are excited and are looking forward to being a part of these big festivities. It was great to connect with Mike Leavitt, his wife Jackie was my Laurel advisor years ago, back in the Yalecrest 2nd Ward. It was also fun to say “hi” to Derrick Porter, President Quinn’s mother, Joan’s, former Bishop in North Salt Lake.

Sister and President Quinn with Mike Leavitt

Derrick Porter with the Quinns

Saturday:

We were again taught by Elder and Sister Bednar about the importance of covenants with our Heavenly Father and our Savior in the House of the Lord. We then participated in meaningful discussions with all the mission leaders and area seventies about how to strengthen and coordinate missionary work with members.

Elder Bednar ended with a sweet apostolic blessing to those present. His love for us was felt and he truly administered to the one.

President Wada conducting the training session

After the final session, we headed to the airport. By chance we ran into one of our missionaries’ bishops—Sister Knott’s bishop—there. President Quinn was happy to see a few plays of the BYU football game from a distance on a TV at the airport. Go COUGS! When we arrived home, the Hawkins, who were in town for Stake Conference, stayed overnight with us. We finished the evening with transfer announcements via Zoom. We stayed up rewriting our talks for Stake Conference after some instruction from Elder Bednar about the importance of speaking on covenants and the Doctrine of Christ. Most importantly Elder Bednar talked about letting the Spirit guide you as you speak in church.

Sister Knott’s Bishop

Sunday:

We spoke in the Santa Rosa Stake Conference. Sunday afternoon we were able to FaeTime with some of our grandchildren, and hear about their participation in their Primary programs that day. The week ended as we gathered with the Assistants for our return and report meeting.

It was truly a week I will never forget—one filled with spiritual instruction, inspiration, friendship, and a renewed sense of purpose in serving the Lord.

The Quinns with our area seventy Elder Naumann

I always love seeing all that goes on behind the scenes - Thanks Eric Limburg for technical support. It was also interesting to see the Bednar’s security people walking around.

Thanks for reading! We have another big transfer week coming up of “hellos” and “goodbyes” and a lot of training! We are charged up and ready to go!

Here is prompt #16 for our “Coming to Know Him” journals. I love keeping up these journals each week. ❤️ love, Sister Quinn