Springing Forward with Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Timothy J. Dyches

Spring in the Italy Milan Mission brought sunshine in the form of a missionary meeting with Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Christofferson.  Elder Timothy J. Dyches of the Europe Area Presidency and member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Sister Dyches were also in attendance. Over one hundred missionaries were able to come and return that day to receive inspired counsel for us in the Italy Milan Mission. The meeting was held March 21, 2016, in the Cimiano Chapel.

Elder Christofferson and Elder Dyches and their wives also held a Member Devotional the evening before in the Lampugnano Chapel.  The following Sunday, Elder and Sister Christofferson and Elder and Sister DeFeo (then an Area Seventy, but sustained as a General Authority Seventy at the April 2016 general conference of the Church) attended a special Stake Conference in the Firenze Stake.

Piano prelude and scripture study in preparation for the meeting

 Before the meeting began, each missionary in attendance was able to greet the General Authorities and their wives. 

Following the greeting and introductions by President Dibb, Sister Dibb spoke.  We were then blessed to hear from Sister Dyches who taught us from Doctrine and Covenants, Section 88, Verses 1 and 2, inviting us to have revelatory experiences and to share them. Elder Timothy J. Dyches spoke regarding the hymn, "Hark All Ye Nations" and how the atonement of Jesus Christ is what we teach every day.  He also challenged the missionaries to memorize the last two paragraphs of the Introduction to the Book of Mormon.

Sister Christofferson shared an account from II Kings 4:1-7 and asked, "What are we doing to tap into the blessings the Lord has prepared for us?"

Elder D. Todd Christofferson brought even more light into our souls when he helped us to know that we are unique because of our "majestic commission" to testify of Christ.  Love of our Heavenly Father and His Son is our motivation as explained in Moroni 7:48. Elder Christofferson then opened up his teachings to questions from the missionaries and ended with a special and sacred Apostolic Blessing for all of the Italy Milan Missionaries.

Sister Dibb at the podium

Elder Dyches sharing with us

Singing of the Mission Hymn as the intermediate hymn

President Dibb conducted the meeting

Sister Christofferson bearing testimony

Elder Christofferson sharing his love

Group photo after the meeting Elder Dyches (front row, red tie), Sister Dyches, Sister Christofferson, Elder Christofferson

Missionaries from all parts of the mission have been blessed by this visit.  We can see a new "spring" in our step and more understanding of our missionary purpose as we missionaries accept the guidance of the Holy Ghost from these teachings and the Apostolic Blessing we were given.  

We thank our Heavenly Father for the joy and blessing of having these special witnesses with us, and recognize particularly at this season of renewal, that we can continue to have joy and be blessed by accepting and acting upon the Atonement of Jesus Christ during our mission and throughout our lives.