June 21, 2011-Zone Conferences and Goodbyes

Dear Family and Friends,

This last week was pretty rushed with the preparations for zone conference and stake conference. Stake conference was Sunday and it was really special because President and Sister Pizzirani were here. Yesterday was our zone conference and it was also very special, being the last one with President on the mission. President Gartner will arrive next Tuesday night and so things are moving very quickly on the mission now.

Because of problems with discipline last transfer, part of our conference had to be receiving correction, which was sad to think that some really stupid things could be done while as a missionary. One thing I will always remember about President Pizzirani will be that he never gave us a training that wasn't applicable in our life, both on and off the mission. Our personal conversion was always the most important thing. Here are some of the examples I will most remember:

"If you're having problems with your companion, resolve them, don't just ignore them. What will you do when you're married? Hope for a transfer from your wife?"

"If you can't study well on the mission, you'll never study well after and you will always be in danger of a weak testimony. A testimony that isn't being strengthened daily is like a plant without water-it will die."

"Obedience is not an optional activity. We can't pick and choose commandments that we want to keep. The Savior was always obedient and because He chose not to do certain things, now He can do all things."

I also had my last interview with President yesterday. It was very quick, only 4-5 minutes, and yesterday I was a little disappointed because I guess I thought as a zone leader I would have a longer, more instructive interview. He asked me how I was health wise, and then asked how I was liking being zone leader. When I responded that I was feeling a little lost on what exactly I need to do he gave me some advice I don't think I'll ever forget.

"Elder Barton, there is no school for being a bishop, a mission president, or a zone leader. You have to get on your knees and seek revelation." He then asked me a few questions about being a leader, and then finished the interview with "Elder Barton, yesterday you didn't know everything about being a zone leader, today you know everything. The Savior loves you, and has confidence in you. I love you and have confidence in you."

Thinking about what he said in study I remembered the Savior's promise to Peter in Matthew 16. The Savior told Peter that "Blessed art thou Simon bar Jonas, for flesh and blood did not reveal this unto you, but my Father which is in Heaven. And upon this rock (this rock being revelation) will I build my church" (not an exact quote from the Bible, but from my head).

And that is the way this church, and this work, must be driven. We talk a lot about the Prophet receiving revelation, about bishops, stake presidents, mission presidents receiving revelation, but until I start to believe that I can receive revelation in my callings, then I am not really applying the teachings of the Savior in my life.

So I have decided that I will not only wait for revelation, but start going after it. As the Savior taught in Matthew 7:

ASK and it shall be given

SEEK and you will find

KNOCK and then it shall be opened.

I don't know why it took so long to sink in, but I'm seeing now that I was:

WAITING and hope it comes

DO MY OWN THING and hope it works out

DON'T ASK FOR HELP because I think I can handle it.

I will miss President and Sister, but I also know that they have served a most honorable mission and that it is time for them to start a new mission. I'm excited for President and Sister Gartner. Are President and Sister Taylor in the MTC this week?

The pictures are of Aureny (the suburb of Palmas where I live), the elders are Elder Richardson, Elder Bean (Price, UT), and Elder Kolbo (Tyler, Texas). Elder Kolbo loved how I did my 5th grade report on Texas and remember a bunch of stuff about Texas, so I am now an honorary Texan. Tell Matt and Kate. Blue Bonnets and chili!

Are Grandma and Grandpa also going to Nauvoo? When do you guys head out? Please remember my brick and Book of Mormon.

I saw in the Ensign that Ken Matheson from the ward will do an article for Mormon Messages, that's really cool. How is the ward doing? How are the other missionaries?

With Love,

Elder Barton