Sunday, January 19, 2008, was a glorious and memorable combined Relief Society meeting held in 19M--Sister Walker and I had the privilege of hugging and bidding adieu to many of our sweet sister missionaries who are leaving the MTC this week for their mission assignments. How quickly they become as our own!!

Sister Garrett, wife of President Garrett, MTC District President A, spoke most powerfully on the value of studying the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith these next two years, but focused most especially on testifying of the First Vision and its importance. She reminded us that people must be converted in the first lesson because all other lessons hings on the First Vision (which is taught in the first lesson). Joseph Fielding Smith stated that the "First Vision is the greatest event that has occurred in the world since the ascension of Jesus Christ!"

The Spirit reminded me of two separate but distinct occasions when, in our home, the missionaries were teaching dear friends who were invited investigators, e.g. Heather Quinn and June Mittlestaedt. On each occasion, the missionaries began to teach by rote and without the spirit different principles of the gospel, which was felt quite empty and alarming to me. I felt impressed to gently stop them and asked if we could read Joseph Smith History, including the First Vision. That made all the difference! Perhaps that was the boost and encouragement that each needed to proceed with their investigation of the gospel. The rest is history!! Now they are righteous, active, energetic mothers in Zion raising a righteous posterity!! How grateful we are to have Preach My Gospel and the encouragement to use the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith in the first lesson. That has made all the difference...