The Mission Conference - A Reminder of Who We Are

This past Thursday we gathered our entire mission for a mission-wide conference—the first time in over a year and a half. Everyone was very excited, as for me I was also very nervous to pull off such a big day with missionaries coming from all over. We had many hands helping though and the Lord watched over our efforts.

We kicked things off with a mission photo. Imagine trying to get a “family picture” with over 180 people in it. Yes, it was chaotic as you can imagine. Somehow, we squeezed everyone in and have a wonderful photo for CASRM history.

California Santa Rosa Mission photo September 25, 2025 - Peterson Lane Building Santa Rosa

The conference began with reciting our missionary theme and singing “Called to Serve,” complete with our mission’s personalized third verse. Hearing 180 voices fill the chapel, filled my heart. Each missionary brings their own energy and testimony, and together the Spirit was tangible. Truly, it was one of those moments I will remember forever.

Singing opening hymn - “Called to Serve”

The day itself was joyfully full of hugging, smiling, teaching, learning, taking notes, doing “prácticas,” eating, snapping photos, and of course lots of laughing.

President Quinn and I trained on and taught about consistently “going deep” in our discipleship to Jesus Christ. We compared deepening our discipleship to our experience with triathlons. We brought our bikes, running shoes, helmets and other equipment we used during a past triathlon. We shared four key lessons with our missionaries:

Slide from our power point presentation - Elaine and Mark Quinn triathlon in Illinois

1. Consistent Training – Holy Habits
   Small and simple things, practiced daily, shape us into great men and women. Just like in training, consistency—not perfection—creates strength.

2. Strategic Fueling – The Sacrament
   Just as athletes fuel their bodies, the sacrament fuels our spiritual growth as we prepare for and partake of the sacrament each week.

3. Mental Preparation – Understanding Who We Are
   Knowing our divine relationship with Heavenly Father and the Savior gives us purpose and endurance. It’s the “why” behind everything we do and “why” we are here on the earth.

4. Injury Prevention – Prayer
   Prayer protects us spiritually. Satan whispers, “Skip it, you’re too tired, too busy, too unworthy.” Don’t listen. Pray always!  Prayer is our shield. Prayer brings us blessings and gladness!

President Quinn finished the training by speaking of his ½ Ironman experience in St. George. After swimming 1.2 miles and biking 43 miles, he faced the steep climb up Snow Canyon. His consistent training carried him when his body wanted to quit. The lesson? Discipleship—like triathlons—requires steadfast faithfulness and spiritual consistency when we face the challenges life can present to us.

Elder Parrish in practica with Elders Klopf, Graves, Judd, and Tippets

Our Assistants, Elder Ritchie and Elder Parrish, then taught powerfully on the doctrine and covenant of baptism. They had the missionaries break into groups to practice extending baptismal and confirmation invitations. Missionaries always throw themselves into these practices, You could feel their confidence grow.

Of course, no mission conference is complete without good food, which makes missionaries of every age happy. We enjoyed a delicious lunch and had lots of snacks for our missionaries.

Snacks for missionaries organized by Elder and Sister Cawley

We closed with a mission variety show that had us laughing, cheering, waving our cellphones with the lights on, and applauding. I loved what Sister Doner said with a grin before the show, “I have my clapping hands ready!”

the opening act “The Blues Brothers” from Chicago - the Quinn with the Somers

President Quinn, Elder and Sister Somers, and I kicked things off with an act from The Blues Brothers (yes, sunglasses, hats and all). From there, the talents unfolded: beautiful singing, duets, piano and cello pieces, tap dancing, magic tricks, impersonations, ukulele and guitar solos, and a heartfelt poem and more! It was wonderful. I was grateful to each missionary who participated. Thank you! We have so many talented missionaries. Here are a few photos from the night.

When the day ended, my heart was both full and tender. I had prayed for safety as the missionaries traveled, for gladness as we interacted with each other, and for the Spirit to remind us of who we are and why we’re here on missions. I told the missionaries to please look around and remember this moment together!  A mission conference isn’t just a meeting, it’s a reminder of who we are, disciples of our Savior Jesus Christ and what we’re striving for, serving and growing together to further the work of the Lord here in Northern California. We had been greatly blessed this day! The Lord is good.

Missionaries at the conference

Thanks for reading. I hope you will enjoy all the photos below from our conference. Our missionaries are all back to work. President Quinn and I were with some missionaries last night (Saturday) at dinner at President Johnson’s home, a Stake president here in Santa Rosa. They did a great job sharing a spiritual message with this family. I also enjoyed hearing these missionaries as they encouraged this family to “love, share, and invite” the Gospel with their friends! Good job missionaries.

Elders Griguhn, Whitman and Martin

Sister Johnson and President Johnson

Today, Sunday, we sorrow with each of you as we think of our sweet prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, at his passing. What a tremendous prophet who provided inspired leadership. He made such an impact on President Quinn and me as he called us to be mission leaders. We will miss him!

Here is our 12th, “Coming to Know Him”, journal prompt. Our missionaries continue to do a great job spending time each week writing in their journals. I love seeing their handwriting and having them share with me their thoughts on the different journal prompts.

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE MISSION CONFERENCE!!

Flowers by Sister Wilson