On Saturday, April 19, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with Elder Ulisses Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder G. Lawrence Spackman, North American Central Area Seventy, visited Regina, Saskatchewan for a historic mission conference. For the first time, the Winnipeg mission brought 182 missionaries all together with some driving from as far as 12 and a half hours to attend.
The missionaries were all in their seats by 9:00 am reverently waiting to see, many for the first time, an Apostle of the Lord. The meeting started at 9:30 with Elder Christofferson inviting everyone to come up so he could shake their hand, hear their name and where they were from. He told the missionaries that they are the 'chosen vessels' spoken of in Moroni 7:31-32 and that the Book of Mormon is a great instrument in the process of conversion. He said the Spirit would carry their message to the hearts of men. The remaining meeting was opened for questions and answers.
Elder Pickett, from Oakley, Idaho said “One could not have walked away from that meeting without feeling the presence of the Spirit very strong. What an incredible blessing it was.”
Following the missionary conference there was a Priesthood Leadership conference. President Kirk M. Thomas of the Winnipeg Mission said they were counseled that the church was not a haven for people who live immoral lives and that making and keeping covenants is the only way to return to our Heavenly Father. He said Satan has no influence unless we succumb.
Bishop Ryan Cormack of the Winnipeg, Gateway Ward said “I was deeply moved by the humility of all the leaders and their love of the scriptures and the church handbook. What a great example it was to see them demonstrate the power and usefulness of these resources; teaching us by example, just as we should teach our leaders.”
Elder Christofferson concluded both meetings with an apostolic blessing to all that were present.
After the meetings, he flew to Edmonton, Alberta for a Stake Conference, leaving everyone in Regina thankful for the counsel and a feeling of gratitude to have been in the presence of one of the Lord’s humble Apostles.