S. Robinson, E. Dias, Charlotte;Neide, Diana, Agnes, Charlotte; Agnes & George

APRIL 4, 2010 SUNDAY GENERAL CONFERENCE

Just as promised we were up early to get on the train that runs once an hour and goes directly to Oerlikon, Zurich, without having to transfer somewhere down the line. We arrived in Oerlikon at 10:14, took the bus to Saatlenstrasse again and were walking to the stake center when Neide called us on our cell phone. She wanted to invite us to come for lunch after the priesthood session or later between the 2nd and 3rd sessions. We were sorry we had to tell her we had already been invited for these two times, but made arrangements to stop by after the last session when we’d have a few minutes before we would have to catch our train back to Schaffhausen. She knew she was late in trying to schedule us, but that’s the South American way. The Swiss, on the other hand, plan and schedule way in advance.

We had a few minutes before conference started and were able to have time to greet and talk with our old friends we had grown to love. Some of them were Rolf Hediger (hasn’t received approval back from the First Presidency for restoration of ordinances yet), Bruno Diethelm, the Wichtermanns (David’s betrothed in Russia hasn’t gotten her visa to enter Switzerland yet so their marriage is still on hold), Eddie Fuhrer, Stephen Schmidt, as well as a lot of missionaries. Diana stayed with me for the priesthood session and was the only sister in attendance but, of course, we sat in the English session where mostly missionaries were although quite a few others were there, too, because they like to hear it in English. We echo the words of Pres. Thomas S. Monson that this priesthood session of conference was the best one he’s ever attended. The one that I especially liked was by Elder Oaks who talked about exercising priesthood authority in giving blessings. This is a must read for all Melchizedek Priesthood holders especially, but applies to all other members as well for understanding how blessings work.

After the session we, Elder John & Sister Janet Walters and Elders Dias, Stucki, Irick & Porter went over to Charlotte’s (Agnes was there as well) who had a wonderful lunch already on the table. She served a delicious German potato salad, meat loaf made of fleischkaese (meat cheese) and a green salad all of which disappeared rather quickly. It’s great to spend time with missionaries and Charlotte and brought back memories of many previous similar occasions before we were transferred to Schaffhausen. The hour went all too quickly and then we hurried back to attend the next session which was the Saturday afternoon session in Utah.

John & Janet Walters who serve in the mission home.

When we got to the Church Neide was waiting at the door and greeted us with big hugs. Madeleine was also there as well as many other members from the Schwamendingen ward. We enjoyed this session of conference immensely after which all the same group except Charlotte and Agnes made our way to our old apartment where the Walters are now living. George was a welcome addition. The Walters had graciously invited us to spend the time with them while waiting the hour and a half for the next session to start. They had prepared a gumbo soup as well as a lentil soup for our vegetarian friend, George Wimalasuriya. Elder Walters also made a cornbread out of polenta that was very good. In fact it was all very delicious, especially the gumbo; it was his own recipe that he’d developed over the last twenty years, working on it until he got it just right. We concur!

The time went too fast and we were back at the stake center for the last session for the day. It seems to us that the talks just get better and better as conference goes on. Maybe it just that we get more spiritually in tune and can understand more deeply. Elder Jeffery R. Holland seems to tackle hard subjects that need to be talked about straight on and always does a magnificent job. The final talk of the day was given by Pres. Monson on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Of course he added to it, but the basic talk was taken right out of the Preach My Gospel lesson #1. It’s wonderful to hear our Prophet speak of Jesus Christ in such reverent tones and bear such a strong testimony of Him.

On the way out of the conference we met Brigitte Roffler, one of our dear member friends. She had undergone the operation on her eye and now both of them are coordinated and look the same direction at the same time. It was wonderful to see her look normal and to see her so happy. It’s done wonders for her self confidence although the hoped for better vision in it hasn’t occurred yet. We escorted Madeleine back to her apartment at a snail pace and then hurried over to visit Neide. We only had fifteen minutes and then we had to run to catch our bus. We met George at the bus stop with some of his neighbors he brought to the conference with him. He’s one of our best member missionaries. We rode to the Oerlikon bahnhof together and then we got on our train while he left for home.

It was a long, but wonderful day, however, we weren’t quite finished. As we neared Schaffhausen we got a call from Elder Bentley, our new district leader, wanting to talk about our weekly report. We told him everything we knew, then he asked us several questions and gave us assignments for district meeting Tuesday. Each time we get a new district leader they don’t realize the questions they are responsible to ask each companionship in their district is only for the young missionaries and not especially for seniors. One of the questions is if we have any obedience problems. But we answer them as best we can all the while explaining that the mission rules can be adapted for seniors such as using the internet for emails etc. whenever we want, staying up later or sleeping in, staying out proselyting until 9:00, not having to stay within our district boundaries or keeping one another in sight all the time, etc.etc. It’s nice to know they take their responsibilities seriously. We also received our district meeting assignments. Diana has the opening prayer and song and also was asked to give a ten minute dissertation on our commission to preach the gospel as discussed on page one of Preach My Gospel. My assignment is the closing song and prayer as well as a ten minute dissertation on “Power and Authority of our Calling” on page four of PMG. In addition to those we need to turn in our transfer goals (six weeks) which includes our future baptism plans and vision for our area.

We got home late and just didn’t have the energy to do our journal so it had to wait until the next day. As we ponder the talks given in conference, who can listen and not receive a testimony that the speakers speak with power and authority witnessed by the Holy Ghost.



Madeleine, Diana, Neide & Robert