ELDER TAD R. CALLISTER
Date: March 10, 2012Area: Dallas Texas
Companion: Elder Jordan Jones from Kanab UT
Hello Everyone,
Last week, Elder Tad R. Callister (presidency of the seventy) and Elder
Fluckiger (area authority) came to the Richardson 2nd ward sacrament meeting.
There are so many positive experiences Elder Jones and i had that day. There
were quite a few non-members that came. 5 of which we are teaching. With last
Sunday being fast Sunday, we had been told that Elder Callister was going to
take time speaking to us rather than having time for testimonies. Everyone was
excited and had no objections to the program change. Our Bishop conducted and
announced the program, and to our amazement, the program had been changed back
to a normal testimony meeting. Nerves were elevated a bit with the presence
of two visiting authorities, but it quickly went away as everyone focused on the
testimonies being born. After about 10 minutes went by, Barbara Silva (woman
baptized 4 months ago; introduced to the church by Brandon Osmond) stood and
walked up to the stand. Her turn finally came, and as she began to share her
experiences of being a new member of the church, the spirit came into the room
even stronger then what it had already been. This set the tone for the remainder
of the meeting. Several recent converts soon followed Barbara, and shared their
stories of how they came to know the church was true. It couldnt have been any
better. It was by far the best sacrament meeting I have been in. I could
continue to write about my thoughts and impressions that came from that meeting
for the rest of my letter, but there are other amazing things that happened.
Soon after the meeting was over, Elder Jones and I split up to talk to all of
the non-members attending. Elder Jones was approached by Stephanie (12 year old
in the Sotomayor family) explaining she wanted to be baptized soon. Stephanie
was interviewed to be baptized last night and will be baptized on the 17th. That
was an amazing thing to happen. President and Sister Durrant's ward is also in
our building, so soon after Stephanie had expressed her desire to be baptized,
we were able to introduce her to the Durrant's, and they did a great job
congratulating on her choice and helped her become more excited to be baptized.
I was able to talk to a man named Daniel that proudly stated he was orthodox and
his belief in the trinity was not going to change. Just as he was explaining
this to me, Elder Callister walked off the stand and introduced himself to
Daniel. The Spirit was working with Elder Callister and he was able to convey a
few pieces of wise counsel to Daniel. Elder Callister then proceeded to the
cultural hall for his lesson during Sunday school. Daniel then asked me several
questions that had been on his mind. I was able to confidently answer them and
help his understanding of restored truths take root in his heart. After herding
as many people as we could into the cultural hall, we were able to sit down and
enjoy the lesson Elder Callister had prepared. He spoke of the positives and
negatives of the fall of Adam and Eve, and then taught how the Atonement
addresses each of the negatives brought about because of the fall. The spirit of
the sacrament meeting continued to Sunday school and all present were uplifted
and edified by his words. At the end of the lesson, Elder Callister again
approached Daniel and discussed a few differences from his orthodox background,
to biblical truths that have been manipulated as a result of the great apostasy.
During that time, Elder Jones and I were able to talk with a family that had
been invited to church. They felt so welcome in our church and have the desire
to attend regularly. My hope and prayer is that we will be able to teach this
family and help them be baptized. Before Daniel left, we were able to ask him if
he had any other questions. We had 30 or 40 minute discussion where we answered
several of his questions. He expressed to us that several of his preconceived
notions had been eliminated and his understanding of our Christian values had
grown. He continued to proudly express his orthodox background on the trinity
would not change, but with the questions he had asked, we knew an interest in
the church had been sparked. I am confident he will some day join the church.
Later in the week, one of the investigators at that sacrament meeting chose to
set a date for his baptism. It will be April 7 (Easter weekend). Elder Jones and
I are excited about all of the recent success and hope to continue with the
Lord's will. There is so much to do with so little time. We are striving to use
our time wisely and find the motivation to find keep sifting through the ever so
white fields. It is a miracle to have unseen forces guiding us to do His work. I
am so blessed to have opportunities to teach and train other missionaries, as
well as serve in the area I work in. The joys of laboring in the Texas Dallas
Mission are becoming stronger, and as I recognize time is going faster, I become
more sad. I love being a missionary. With recent efforts to increase the number
of missionaries throughout the world, this church will continue to be
strengthened, and the worlds perception of this being Christ's restored church
will become more evident. I love you all and hope you continue to look for
opportunities to share the gospel with others and strengthen those who have
forgotten what they have felt in the past.
Elder Seager
