Close to 100 Mormon women—some young, some more senior—are spending every day in the service of others in the Auckland area.
They come from many countries including Belgium, Zambia, England, Fiji and also New Zealand.
They are missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have volunteered to spend 18 months, at their own expense, teaching people about Jesus Christ and performing acts of service and kindness for their neighbours and community. They are called “Sisters.”
The purpose of the gathering in Auckland on Thursday was to discuss in depth the subject, “We need women who…”—a subject formerly introduced in talks by Russell M. Nelson and Boyd K. Packer (1924-2015), apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Nelson said, “We need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices.
"We need women who know how to make important things happen by their faith and who are courageous defenders of morality and families in a sin-sick world."
Elder Packer said, “We need women who are organized and women who can organize. We need women with executive ability who can plan and direct and administer; women who can teach, women who can speak out.
"We need women with the gift of discernment who can view the trends in the world and detect those that, however popular, are shallow or dangerous."
Sister Robyn Balli, wife of President Frederick K. Balli, who presides over the New Zealand Auckland Mission, organized and conducted the day-long conference.
In her message to the women on Thursday she likened each individual's development to that of a pearl in an oyster that takes an "irritant" or "weakness" and from that develops lustrous layer upon layer of learning as our knowledge and faith develops until one becomes a "pearl of great price."
Balli said the talks given by Nelson and Packer were for today's women. "They can empower us to realize the scope and influence we can have as we seek to be daughters of faith and understand and teach the doctrines of Christ."
Her talk included the following points:
“We need women who know how to make important things happen by their faith.
“We need women who know how to receive personal revelation. Who speak those things that come to their heart and mind as directed by the Spirit.
“We need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ who will use that understanding to teach.
“We need women who speak up…We need your impressions, your insights, and your inspiration.
“We need women who teach fearlessly, who can speak with the power and authority of God.
“We need women who know how to draw upon the powers of heaven.
“We need women who with the gift of discernment can view the trends in the world, and detect deception in all of its forms…who are courageous defenders of morality.”
The young missionaries participated in short talks and presentations relating to the need for women to stand up, speak out, and hold fast to high moral values.
One young missionary, Sister Tasmin Dixon from Australia said, “Five years ago I didn’t even know what faith was.”
She talked of her difficult earlier life and then, "Heavenly Father sent the missionaries to me. The first thing they taught me was to have faith and trust in the Lord.
“This has given me that sure foundation and has made such a difference. I’m so grateful to be on a mission, to share my faith with others. Now, every time I face difficulties, I go back to my foundation of faith in the Lord.”
Sister Selwa from Zambia said, "It was a wonderful conference and a great reminder of who we are and who we are striving to be--as daughters of God and pearls of great price."
Another Sister said, "On my mission I've learned things that Heavenly Father wants me to improve in."
Sister Vatauomalo Siafua from Samoa who is just completing her mission said, “It’s really good for me to apply all these things I have learned today.”
Following the conference, Sister Balli said, “These sister missionaries come from many countries, including Belgium, Tuvalu, Australia, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, England and many others to serve in a country where there is great diversity of culture and religion.
"They learn from each other and they all have one thing in common—that is their desire to serve their God by inviting others to come unto Christ.
"Theirs is a unique opportunity to grow. Many sisters coming from the islands are called to speak English and many English-speaking sisters are called to speak Tongan, Samoan, or Mandarin Chinese. We appreciate what they offer—they are great listeners, teachers, and students of the scriptures.
"We love our sisters!”
