Elder Batty/Boston – Uniondale 11 Sp – Sep 16, 1996 – “STAKE PRESIDENT’S VISION”
- We had a great Branch Conference on Sunday. The Stake President brought a vision-raising message to the members and everyone felt the Spirit strongly. He promised in the near future that thousands of people would soon begin to know the church through the Uniondale 11 Branch. This message of hope and vision really took the members by surprise. It also gave the missionaries a better vision of what the Stake Presidency wants to achieve. We talked to him about starting in Long Beach with the few members that live down there and they seem very excited. Hopefully we can start this next Sunday.
Elder Brunson/Esquibel – Richmond Hill 1 – Sep 2, 1996 – “PREPARED MAN MET WITH MINI-MISSIONARIES”
- We took our mini-missionaries to Liberty Ave., to teach them how to fearless. They were excited as we met a man who said he wanted to be baptized right then. We met with him that evening. He had been taught most of the discussions in England, was not baptized, but missed the fellowship and the spirit he had felt. He was baptized two days later, and all because of the help from our mini-missionaries. Peter is such a strong convert, in his activity.”
Elder Batty/Bartlett – Rego Park 111 Sp – Jul 21, 1996 – “REACTIVATION LEADS TO FURTHER BAPTISMS”
- I love this area so much. I have so much desire to see this branch grow with priesthood and families. It was great to baptize Emily and Theresa yesterday, because of the family support that was there. Grandpa baptized them as their recently reactivated mother watched with a smile. We also had a reactivated Melchizedek Priesthood holder at church with his non-member brother and a friend. Baptism is the focus here, but only after we are committed to reactivation first.”
Elder Barlow/Beck – Midwood Canarsie – Jun 23, 1996 – “CANARSIE BRANCH #”s
- There are a lot of good members who are inactive because of money, the long 1 – 1.5 hour bus ride and health with travel. There’s 13 Elders, 12 of which are endowed, 4 of which are sealed. Approximately 50 families, consisting of about 100-120 members (which 70%-80% would come if they had their own branch), with 9 prospective elders. With the increase in activity and convenience of travel, the success we see now will skyrocket. *
Elder Boulton/Priddis – Jamaica 11 Sp – Jun 9, 1996 – “WHAT IS A GOOD CONVERT?”
- I have learned that by baptizing people who in my limited understanding may not be instant leader type converts, they are “worthy” all the same. The Lord will then start to trust me more and more and feel confident in giving me the super-elect type. That’s why all people must be baptized regardless of the Branch’s stereotyped ideas about what “good baptisms are.”