LETTRE DIX-HUIT POUR LE 26 SEPTEMBRE 2012

Where would you find a place where the Pope of Avignon, Jean XXII was consecrated in the 14^th century; King Henry IV married Marie de Médicis in 1600 and an astronomical clock that was crafted during the 14^th century and still operates today with figures that move around and one plays a religious song? If you answered the St. Jean Cathedral in Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) that was constructed beginning in the 12^th century and finished 200 years later in the 14^th century you would be correct.  We experienced that history when we visited the cathedral a little over three weeks ago.

Where would you find fifteen tired young adults from France, Belgium, Canada (2), Texas, New Jersey, California, Arizona, Wyoming and Utah (6) who traveled all night and early morning, stood for individual pictures by mission photographer, Sister Jeppson, on a hill above the St. Jean Cathedral; and then that evening would stand around a baby grand piano (well most of them anyway) at the home of their mission president and sing hymns accompanied by a Belgian missionary that didn’t need music to play with virtuosity any hymn that was chosen?  If you answered our September Transfer Missionaries:  13 elders and 2 sisters, you would be correct.  We were blessed to get acquainted with their enthusiasm and their testimonies and keep two of them in Lyon while thirteen others traveled with their new trainers to cities in France and Switzerland.

Where would you go to feel the spirit strongly among a group of missionaries and be taught by an inspired mission president, his wife, 2 assistants and 2 zone leaders as they presented a message focused on Jesus Christ and prayer and encouraged us to be part of the Miracle of bringing the people of France unto the  Savior and helping them find lasting peace and happiness as they join His church that was restored a little over 180 years ago,  not quite as long as it took to complete St. Jean’s cathedral?  If you answered the Lyon Zone Conference, you would be correct.  During the zone conference, President Roney encouraged us to be obedient, show love, exercise mighty prayer and trust in the Lord to achieve that Miracle.

Nos Petits-Enfants

We believe that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, with the help of angels can guide us to be instruments in their hands to achieve the Miracle of bringing people to Jesus through our faith and prayers and the guidance of the spirit and helping them to be happy because they come to learn about Jesus and become members of his church by being baptized and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  We have been asked by our mission president do be united in prayer for this Miracle to happen.  We ask you and your moms and dads and anyone reading this letter to join us in prayer by not only praying for us but praying specifically for the missionaries and our success of bringing the gospel of peace and happiness to the people of the France Lyon Mission.

Just today, one day after the zone conference, we witnessed an answer to our united prayers when a woman who arrived in France just a little over a month ago from Gabon in Africa came to our office saying that she was looking for a church that worships Jesus Christ.  Sister Jeppson and I were happy to briefly teach her that our church was the restored Church of Jesus Christ and that we believed Jesus Christ and in the Bible like she did, but also believed in another book of scripture that testifies of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon.  We gave her a DVD about Jesus Christ and a copy of the Book of Mormon and the address of our church building and meeting time.  She gave us her name, address, and telephone number and indicated interest in having the missionaries contact her and her husband to learn more.  

LETTRE DIX-SEPT POUR LE 13 SEPTEMBRE 2012

In the last letter I mentioned our visit to Lyon’s Gallo-Roman Museum which is constructed in a hillside above the city of Lyon with views of the ruins of two Roman theaters outside.  The largest Roman theater seated 10,000 during its glory years.  The artifacts inside the museum are well organized and displayed in chronological order on four floors.  We were provided with English speaking headphones that explained many of the exhibits in an interesting way to supplement the displays with explanations in French and English.  Most of the artifacts were found locally including an unusual bronze chariot that dates from the seventh century B.C.

At the end of August, Elder Teixeira from Portugal, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and the Europe area president, and his wife toured our mission and spoke to the missionaries along with President and Sister Roney at three zone conferences in France at the cities of Lyon, Bordeaux and Aix-en Provence.  They stopped by to see our mission office the day before the Lyon Zone Conference, and Sister Jeppson and I were able to meet Elder Teixeira and his wife and speak briefly with them.  President Roney went out of his way to praise the extraordinary work of Sister Jeppson in the office.

We learned from and were inspired by the messages of Elder and Sister Teixeira and President and Sister Roney and the Lyon Stake President during the zone conference in Lyon.  Sister Teixeira challenged all of the missionaries to read the Book of Mormon during the next two months.  Sister Jeppson and I are going to achieve that goal.  We read at least ten pages in the Book of Mormon in French every day while listening in English.  We have reached Chapter 13 in Mosiah to this point.  During the zone conference meeting, one of the hymns that President Roney chose for us to sing was Angels We Have Heard on High.  He said that it is not just a Christmas song because it is about Jesus and should be sung at other times besides during the Christmas holidays.  I was especially touched while we sang that song and felt that Grandma Jeppson could be present and singing with us.  She was really enjoying the Glorias.

Recently, the Elders in our district organized a date night and invited couples in our ward to attend.  The main purpose was to fellowship a couple that they are teaching.  Four couples including Sister Jeppson and I were able to participate in an evening during which the Elders cooked and served the dinner and then taught us how to waltz.

Nos Petits-Enfants

A few weeks before celebrating Grandma Bagley’s birthday, I had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting in French at the Villeurbanne Ward and describe her story of meeting Grandpa Bagley in Kansas City, Missouri and her being touched by the spirit while listening to general conference that led to her baptism and becoming a member of the church in Star Valley ( La Vallée de l’Etoile), Wyoming at the age of 25.  She has demonstrated a depth of faith, testimony and perseverance through many challenges in her life that has been a great example to all of us.  I encourage all of us to honor her and follow her example as we strive to live the gospel in our lives.