Effective use of Study Time

Sister Rios uses her gift with languages to assist Hermana Greene & Hermana Luna as they study using the whiteboard

Sisters Brown, Pickett, Orr and Jeppson VC Trainers

Welcome New Sisters to the Visitors' Center

Hermana Greene from Manti, Utah

Hermana Greene with companion Hermana Luna 

Hermana Leon with companion Hermana Brons from New Zealand

Hermana Lund and companion Hermana Alcocer

Hermana Lund from Salt Lake City, Utah

Happiness in God's Plan for His Family

Sister DeMille with Amanda, Charlie and daughter

Full Circle of joy as Sister DeMille visits the Visitors' Center

     Sister DeMille shared an experience she had in the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center while on her mission.
   
    " One evening in the Visitors' Center I noticed a couple as they finished watching 'Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration.'  As they looked at the exhibits, the young man introduced himself as Charlie and asked if we could get a Book of Mormon for his date. He introduced us to Amanda, and asked if we would mark some scriptures that we really liked while they went through 'God's Plan for His Family'.  While they were in the exhibit, Sister Smith and I highlighted our favorite scriptures.  At the end of the presentation, I bore my testimony of how families can live together forever because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I told them  that everyone can know if the gospel is true if they read the Book of Mormon, and ask Heavenly Father if it is true with a sincere heart.  I remember Amanda's face and knew that she felt the Spirit confirm to her that this message was true.
     Six weeks later, I was told that there was someone at the Center to see me.  Amanda surprised me by telling me that she had been baptized after receiving the missionary lessons.  A few months later, I learned that she and Charlie were planning on getting married, and being sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple.
     When I returned to the Visitors' Center for a visit following my mission, I was able to meet Charlie and Amanda and their little girl. This wonderful story shows that happiness exists and its because this is the Plan of Happiness that God has set for each one of His children."

Happy Father's Day June 15, 2014
for Elder Cameron

A Life Changing Experience

Steven and Brother King one year after his first visit to the Visitors' Center

Young Men and leaders visit the Center with Steven on the one year anniversary of his visit 

Steven's Story

I remember the first time I came to the Visitors' Center because it was about the second or third time I had attended Young Men.  The activity of the night was to watch a video at the Visitors' Center.  I wasn't really looking forward to going because I hardly knew anyone, but I was being forced to go to another thing with these "Mormons" by my grandmother.  The video we watched was "Treasure in Heaven: the John Tanner Story".  I didn't remember which video it was but I certainly remembered the way I felt the rest of the night after watching it.  It was a strange sensation in my chest.  I felt that I had no worries.  I now believe this to be the Holy Ghost telling me that this was a good thing for me.  When I got home that night my grandmother asked me how it was.  I explained how I felt and said that I actually enjoyed going this time.  The next week it was about time to go to mutual and my grandmother said "Steven, I have been thinking and I'm not going to make you go to mutual anymore."  I surprised her by saying, "But I want to go".  She didn't hesitate and grabbed the car keys to take me.  Thus my spiritual journey began.

I went to Young Men for about a year and loved going.  I had lots of fun and Brother King suggested that I start seeing the missionaries.  The first time I met with them we were in a member's home, and Brother King came.  One of the things I told the missionaries was that I was willing to sacrifice things for baptism.  I couldn't wait to meet again.  The missionaries always lightened up my day.  I had lessons for about 6 months and was baptized.  When I was baptized, as I came out of the water, I had the same exact feeling that I had when I went to the Visitors' Center that first time, only ten times stronger.  I felt warm and peaceful.  I love what I did and know that it brings me great happiness to have this religion in my life.  Growing up I had it pretty tough.  I was constantly moving place to place.  My parents were both addicts and I just couldn't seem to get away from it all.  My life is finally on the track I want to be on.

Visitors' Center Happenings

Avalon Ward Youth Group performed baptisms for the dead  in the Mesa Temple and explored the Visitors' Center

Sisters Jeppson and Alcocer assist Elders Rippstein and Niko with guests in the Center

Working Together in the Visitors' Center

Visitors' Center sisters collaborate with full field missionaries to improve teaching in the Visitors' Center

The Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center serves missionaries from five missions:  Arizona Gilbert, Arizona Mesa, Arizona Phoenix, Arizona Scottsdale, and Arizona Tempe.  The Center has consulted with each of the mission presidents and discussed how to provide a more focused way to assist full-field missionaries. 

In response to this collaboration, when full-field missionaries call the Center to schedule a teaching room or theater, they are asked for some information about the needs of their investigators.   Aided by this information, the Center sisters are able to provide suggestions of Center resources that will assist the full-field elders and sisters in meeting their investigators’ needs. 

The Center sisters feel like they are fulfilling their purpose as explained in Preach My Gospel through this service and the missionaries who bring investigators have commented about their excitement in learning how to use the Center to assist them in teaching and answering questions.  This cooperation in maximizing the resources of the Center is blessing the lives of all concerned. 

Sister Castillo assists Elders Roundtree and Goodwin in the "Savior of the World" exhibit

Sister Finau consults with Sisters Andrus and Doolhoff from the Scottsdale Mission

Sister Luna and Duffin assist Elders Clark and Hornsby in teaching a family about the "Armor of God"

Elders Clark and Hornsby and those being taught experience "God's Plan for His Family"

Sisters Grow and Avanesjan teach a YSA Ward