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.

Mainly March Missionaries in Milan

March brought ten new missionaries to Milan in the form of two missionaries from Southern Italy who were Visa waiting to go to the United States to serve their missions and eight missionaries from the Provo MTC.  One of those missionaries Visa waited in the United States before coming to Italy.  We were so glad and grateful when they all arrived safely and were able to begin their missionary service.

These two brothers arrived from Rome on the train to start their missionary service in Northern Italy

March 8, 2016 - President Dibb meeting the new missionaries

President Dibb, new misionaries, Assistants to the President, Office Anziani

 Lunch at the Mission Home

A couple of hours of training

Match-ups

A fine group of missionaries before they are off to their cities

As usual, when new missionaries come in, missionaries commencing the rest of their lives return home.  These departing missionaries certainly added to the Italy Milan Mission.  We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Departing Missionaries - March 10, 2016

 On the way to drop off one missionary at the airport, President and Sister Dibb attended a baptism of a mother and son at Cimiano Church.  The mother was baptized by the Bishop of the Cimiano Ward and her son was baptized by his friend, the Bishop's son.  With the Anziani teaching the son and the Sorelle teaching the mother, it was truly a ward effort to bring these two great souls to baptism.

April 11, 2016

Anziano and President walking through Malpensa Airport

Last visit with this wonderful Elder from the island of Sardegna

Then, on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, eight (five Sorelle and three Anziani) new missionaries arrived from the Provo MTC.  We are excited for the growth and service which these missionaries will see in their lives in the next eighteen months to two years. Welcome to the Italy Milan Mission!

Office Anziani waiting for the plane to arrive

And here they come!

Class of March 2016

Giving a cheer for the Italy Milan Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Beginning words from President Dibb

Lunch

Other side of the table

Preparation of finding materials

Ready to begin "Teaching Repentance and Baptizing Converts"

Entering the subway system

Meeting people

Talking to people

and making new friends already!

Coming up out of the subway

and into the daylight of Milan.

One pause for a picture of the entire group in front of the Duomo

And then straight of to find people who would like to hear our message.

Nine referrals were received that day!

After a good night's rest? the new missionaries were ready for more training

New missionaries and the trainers before the match-up

President Dibb leading us in singing a hymn

New missionaries reciting "Il Nostro Scopo" (Our Purpose)

Trainers reciting 4th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants

And the match-ups begin!

Training regarding permessi from Sorella Hoopes

Unveiling their own pictures on the transfer board

Singing the mission hymn 

Singing the mission hymn.

Followed by a prayer

and sack lunches to take them on their way.

 On April 7, 2016, the new missionaries and their trainers returned to Milano for "New Missionary Training."  This is a day-long training to see how things are going, to share testimony and experiences, and to learn about planning and presentation, finances, companionship study and some words of the Prophets.

New Missionaries - April 7, 2016

New Missionaries and their first companions - April 7, 2016

Well, a new group is off and running and a former group is opening a new chapter in their lives.  We thank missionaries in the Italy Milan Mission and around the world in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their faithful service to Christ.