Although we didn’t travel to any exotic
places—which, of course, is not the norm—the week was filled with memorable
experiences. As is always the case, each experience proved helpful in teaching
us about our mission, ourselves, our family, and our dependence upon our Father
in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Early in the week, we were reminded that The
Proclamation on the Family is twenty years old. That was significant. This
inspired document has provided insight and understanding to our family and to
countless families in the twenty years since it was issued. On the Church’s
Newsroom website, we viewed an article and video clip about the Proclamation
with President
Gordon B. Hinckley speaking at Women's Conference. He spoke in behalf of the
First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve to issue this scriptural proclamation.
As each of
you know, the Proclamation has become historic in many ways. It is no
surprise in our modern day that Satan's assault on families is in full thrust.
And, in retrospect, I know it was not coincidental that they chose to first
announce the Proclamation to the women of the Church. As I watched and listened
to the video clip and President Hinckley's remarks, I was very touched by his
words. So much so, that I thought of my own daughters and daughters-in-law, and
of the tremendous role they play in the center of their families’ lives. No
doubt there are probably many, many times when these young mothers wonder if they
can continue to carry on, because the challenges before them are so formidable.
To me, President
Hinckley's words to the mothers in Zion and to fathers in Zion are particularly
moving, insightful, and comforting. Indeed, he was a prophet of God in every
respect. By remembering this important day, I believe President Hinckley’s words
can be reassuring once again to each of us.
So, if you
are interested—and I hope you will be—here is the link:
Then we learned that Elder Richard G. Scott
of the Quorum of the Twelve had passed beyond the veil of life. Although not a
total surprise, because he has reportedly been experiencing declining health,
nevertheless his departure brought sadness and reflection. It is likely that
every person who has ever listened to or been counseled by him has been blessed
because of his sensitivity to the Spirit and his testimony of the Savior. Many
of his exhortations about life’s challenges remind us of a scripture we studied
in Sunday School yesterday that seems particularly appropriate:
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of
the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not
distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken;
cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the
Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2 Corinthians 4: 7-10
On a happier note,
after work one evening, Susan and I decided to drive into downtown Auckland from
our apartment in Takapuna, which is only a fifteen-minute journey. We did so because the stores were open just a
little longer than their normal 5:30 p.m. closing time. When we are at the
office each day until 4:30-5:00 p.m., it is basically impossible to shop for
needed items, other than Saturday. We were hungry after shopping and learned
about a unique restaurant called The Stables. Actually, it’s a consortium of
small restaurants that surround a large central eating area in what was reputed
to be horse stables in days gone by. (Think upscale, old-world food court.) All
kinds of foods were offered, ranging from Indian to Italian, French to Spanish,
and so forth. Susan chose a New Zealand seafood offering and I couldn’t resist
the German bratwurst. The atmosphere was festive and the packed eating area
interesting to watch the people and the progress of the evening. We liked it
very much and decided when family or friends come, we would like to take them
there to experience it for themselves.
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| The Stables |
Once outside in the
evening air (wasn’t raining, for once!), we looked up in the sky and noticed
the Auckland Spire towering above our heads; it was lit in a beautiful blue
color, and it was quite striking from that perspective. It was interesting to
be so close, since we see it in the distance every day from our apartment
windows.
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| The Auckland Tower |
Sunday morning we
arose early—because Daylight Savings Time started—and drove across the Bay to
Glen Innes where we attend church. We
have missed several Sundays there because of Public Affairs assignments of one
kind or another, so it was nice to be in our “home ward” once again.
I got a little
surprise when I entered Priesthood meeting. At the beginning of the High
Priests Quorum, the leader who is Samoan said, “Now we will turn the time over
to Elder Preator who will give our lesson.” Say what?! Lesson, what lesson?
Elder Preator was running the question frantically through his mind!
Not knowing
anything about such an assignment, I simply gulped hard and said, “Oh, fine;
let’s begin.” It’s called impromptu! Or perhaps, think fast! And what subject,
what scriptures, what points to make, etc.? Well, how fast can one make such
decisions with a group of contemporary, Pacific area brethren from several
nations looking on expectantly, like, “Go ahead, Elder Preator . . .” Well, I
got it done.
We were also very
happy to hear this week from our dear friends, the Fords, who are serving a
Public Affairs mission in Uganda, Africa. They were in our Public Affairs
training group in Salt Lake City at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in late
July. They also experienced the Missionary Training Center week with us in
early August. In those two weeks, we became close friends. And Michael Ford and
Barry were bishops together in the BYU 2nd stake about 30 years ago.
Their Public
Affairs missionary labor sounds a lot like ours, perhaps even more challenging.
Just a sample, “ . . . We were
able to travel about 2 hours out of Kampala to Jinja a District which is on its
way to becoming a Stake and train the District PA Council there. This
weekend we are helping with an Open House in Kalooga Hills (4 hrs away) on Saturday also trying to get in some training
while we are there, then back to Nairobi for a Stake fireside “Meet the
Mormons” video screening and some social media training. Honestly, we drop
in bed each night and before we know it we are up again and running for yet
another day.“ And so it goes . . .
On the
weekend, we drove to Raglan, New Zealand on the west coast. The day was clear
and the countryside beautiful as we traveled to yet another part of this
incredibly gorgeous country. A few pictures included will tell the story better
than words can describe.
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| The town of Raglan |
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| A Raglan Farm |
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| The hills above Raglan |
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| The mountain adjacent to Raglan |
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| Caught a rainbow near Raglan! |
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| Tasman Sea near Raglan |
“Teaching
is not talking—it’s asking good questions.” He and Sister Balli had been taught
these principles by Elder and Sister Bednar when they
attended mission president training in the MTC the summer of 2014. It made a
lot of sense, and the Spirit confirmed that we should do more of this in our
teaching of and interactions with those around us.
Finally, we look
forward to General Conference this coming weekend to be renewed and refreshed
in the words of the servants of the Lord. Being in the mission field will make
it particularly sweet for us. And we hope it will also be sweet for each of
you! None of us could better spend our time than to listen to a prophet’s
voice. Until next time, we love you.
Elder and Sister
Preator
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