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    26 June 2023 - SALT LAKE CITY
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    New Mission Leaders Gain Training, Inspiration During 2023 Seminar

    Teachings share are a ‘tutorial for lifelong discipleship,’ says President Dallin H. Oaks

       
    Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. 1 / 2
         
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      Updated Monday, June 26, 2023

      President Russell M. Nelson announced a new edition of the “Preach My Gospel” missionary manual during his opening message at the four-day 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders at the Provo Missionary Training Center on Thursday, June 22.

      “As you study and apply the teachings from ‘Preach My Gospel’ second edition, from the scriptures and from living prophets, you will be blessed,” he said. “Your own testimony will be enriched, your capacity to share the Savior’s gospel will increase.”

      Learn about the new edition on Newsroom Second Edition of ‘Preach My Gospel’ Is Now Available
       

      Members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will continue to participate during the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, held June 22–25 from the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

      Today, there are 416 missions in the world, with one third of those missions receiving new leadership each summer. The new mission leaders, who begin their three-year service July 1, will be serving in one of the 138 missions across the globe.

      Learn more about these mission leaders 2023 Mission Leadership Assignments

      Speaker Highlights

       
      President Nelson 

      Speaking Saturday, President Nelson said that understanding eternal laws — and following them — will always lead to blessings. There is a “divine law that works 100 percent of the time,” he said, and will not only bless missionaries but also every Latter-day Saint.

      “It is simple. You focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will know how to resolve every challenge you have had.

      “And when you teach, you teach the doctrine of Christ. You want your missionaries to be disciples of Jesus Christ through all of eternity. Help them to start now.”

      Read more about his message in the Church News Focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and ‘you will know how to resolve every challenge,’ President Nelson promises mission leaders

      President Oaks

      The plan of salvation shows Heavenly Father’s love for all His children — and the restored Church of Jesus Christ has a unique understanding of this plan, taught President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, on June 23.

      “We look on [the plan] as a map that shows us how to chart our life’s journey through mortality to the Heavenly destination He desires for us,” he said.

      Read more about his message in the Church News President Oaks emphasizes the role of Jesus Christ in the plan of salvation

      Offering the final remarks at the conclusion of the seminar, in a special sacrament meeting held Sunday, June 25, at the Provo Missionary Training Center, President Oaks expressed appreciation and gratitude.

      The principle lesson of these important teachings, he said, “begins and ends with our understanding of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ and our love and commitment to serve Him, our Savior and Redeemer.”

      Read his closing remarks in the Church News. The 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders is a ‘tutorial for lifelong discipleship,’ says President Oaks

      President Eyring

      Speaking June 24, President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency said as missionaries study and prepare to teach the doctrine of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end, they will find their own conversion deepen.

      “That deepening will increase their ability to teach by the Spirit and to testify with greater power,” he said. “They can then help those they teach increase their conversion. The doctrine of Christ is how the deep spiritual transformation comes.”

      Read more in the Church News President Eyring teaches how the gospel of Jesus Christ leads to conversion

       
      President Ballard

      During the opening session on June 23, President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke spoke lovingly of the devotion shown by brothers Joseph and Hyrum Smith as key to the Restoration.

      “Joseph and Hyrum — missionary companions — true and faithful to one another and to God,” said President Ballard, who is the great-great grandson of Hyrum Smith. “Their example of love and support on their mission is an example for every missionary companionship.”

      Learn more in the Church News President Ballard encourages missionaries to ‘protect, support, teach and love’ each other like Hyrum and Joseph

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