We chuckled a bit tonight at an incident that occurred during the weekly Fireside held in 19M. Fifteen minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time, the missionaries are to be seated in the large meeting room, sitting reverently, always with suitcoats on (looking their best), etc. A few of the Elders came without their suitcoats, so Bro. Williams, Executive Secretary, came to the podium and reminded them to put on their coats, and if they came without them, to return to their dorm rooms and retrieve! They want the missionaries looking (and acting) sharp during these meetings. After the meeting began, Elder Stephen Allen, Managing Director for the Missionary Department of the church, stood at the pulpit and loudly declared, "Elders, I want all of you to take off your suitcoats because I will need you to be comfortable and to be able to get out of your chairs more easily!" It was quite hilarious! Elder Allen was one of the more 'relaxed' and humorous speakers, to say the least. He must be a real jokester! His talk was full of audience participation and 'real life' situations and questions.

He spoke about the converted Lamanites who buried their weapons of war and sacrificed their lives to keep their commitment not to shed blood again. Then he asked the missionaries what their "weapons of rebellion" are. Notice, the scriptures say "rebellion" not "war." He reminded the missionaries that if they have had weapons of rebellion and have repented of them and perhaps needed to go through the repentance process with proper authorities, they are to forgive themselves. If not, see their Branch President/District President immediately.

Then he asked the missionaries to stand if any one of them ever wanted to give up and go home. Several stood. Then he asked if any of them had been comforted to 'stick it out' and not go home. Many stood. He asked a row of missionaries to come to a standing mircrophone and each tell what he/she had given up to come on his/her mission. All were true-to-life sacrafices from "Mom's cooking" to athletic scholarships. He reminded the missionaries that they have been called to serve with all their heart, mind, might and strength (not for whimps).

He said his favorite scripture is "I must obey. Amen." He had everyone in the audience stand and repeat this scripture and to memorize it!! He reminded the missionaries that they have been called by a Prophet of God, by revelation, to serve with all their heart, mind, might and strength, nothing wavering. Truly an inspirational sermon.