Church Leaders Inspire and Encourage Missionaries

"We have to look beyond the here and now.  We need to develop self-discipline and develop lives of doing good for others.”   

This was the message given this week in Auckland, New Zealand by Latter-day Saint leader Elder Donald L. Hallstrom to over 300 young men and women who are currently serving or preparing to serve missions throughout the Pacific Area.

In a day when many youth are struggling with social issues, over 80,000 young men and women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have chosen to dedicate 18 to 24 months to teach others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

They leave their homes and families to serve throughout the world.  Men can begin missionary service at age 18 and women at 19.

Elder Hallstrom told the young men and women, “We love you and appreciate your willingness and sacrifice to serve others.  I know that each one of you has trials in your lives, but you will be helped through your trials because of your dedication.” 

Elder Hallstrom’s wife, Sister Diane Hallstrom, also expressed her love to each of the missionaries. She challenged them “to learn by study and by faith.”

Elder Hallstrom was named a member of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 4 April 2009.   Elder Hallstrom was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States.   He and Sister Hallstrom are the parents of four children and have five grandchildren.

Members of the Area Presidency of the Pacific Area of the Church — Elder James J. Hamula, Elder Kevin W. Pearson and Elder O. Vincent — also spoke to the missionaries.  Accompanying Elder and Sister Hallstrom were President Paul Lekias and Sister Rebecca Lekias (New Zealand Auckland Mission) and President Taylor Tarawhiti and Sister Cairo Tarawhiti (New Zealand Missionary Training Centre).