Overcome and overwhelmed with emotion, Elder Cook and myself literally sat at the feet of the prophets on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, in the Mission Presidents' last day of training at the Missionary Training Center before they scattered to their various assignments around the world. Responsible to assure that all who needed interpretation into one of the five native languages, e.g. Russian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese, was completed, we basked in the opportunity to 'rub shoulders' with many of the great senior missionaries of the church. In attendance at this meeting, sitting on the stand in this small chapel, and representing the Quorum of the Twelve were Elders Packer, Holland, Ballard, Perry, Scott, Bednar, Nelson and Christopherson.

Twenty of the young missionaries, led by Brother Brenchley, sang "Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee," setting the stage for President Boyd Packer's powerful talk which followed. As he stood, he admonished all to "turn out the noise of the world and turn onto revelation." Then he thanked everyone for their reverence as "it is hard to 'come by' anymore in the church." He began by stating that he had an "interesting experience this morning...but that it had cleared up before he awoke." He reminisced that when Harold B. Lee would begin by stating either the phrase "...Remembering what revelation or the scriptures say..." or "Early this morning...," I knew to always listen and to take a 'mental needle to record' as to what would follow. He then noted that only one out of twelve of the present apostles served missions in their early years and that if a missionary were to learn a foreign language in those days, the mission lasted three years.

Then, as powerful as only President Packer could exhort, he stated that "the single most important thing he ever did was to bare pure testimony to a missionary so 'he will know.'" He cited a story of a terribly impudent missionary (cited several examples) whom he called to repentance and wanted to send home, but inspiration admonished him instead to bare witness to this impudent missionary that at the Judgment Bar of God, he (President Packer) would bare witness against him and the Spirit told him to allow the missionary to remain on his mission. Later, this missionary became one of the powerful and spiritual leaders in the mission.

He reminded the mission presidents' wives that their responsibility is to guide their husbands at times, correct them at times, but greatest role is just to be there for him. He reminded all of th 'women's lib' movement and that women wished to be equal to men, but that the "great atrocity to mankind is when women were lowered to man's level!!" Also, he stated that "you have passed a major test in mortality; you have a basic knowledge of the gospel."

He reminded all that it is critical to remember this one thing: "All beings who have bodies have power over those who do not!... You have power and authority over the adversary...no one in mortality is totally lost!... You are on a winning team!! The scoreboard will always be on the other side, although we're on the winning team!

Of a sensitive nature to several in the congregation but poignantly stated, he relayed a message of encouragement. "This is a gospel of repentance. Delegate a wayward child to the Almighty! When Joseph Smith was seized upon in the Grove, he called upon Heavenly Father and delegated the responsibility to God. Satan is on the earth. Don't let the elders be apologetic about church doctrine!! Mission Presidents not only have authority but POWER and will be sustained (should be first by wives). Alma 26 reads about depression. Hold hands and hearts and march forth into the mission field. You won't be left comfortless. Your righteous prayers will sustain you. The Church is moving forward and a Power will visit you at times and work upon you! God bless you!!