Elder O. Vincent Haleck, First Counsellor in the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife Peggy Haleck addressed new missionaries at the Missionary Training Centre in Manukau, Auckland on 28 April, 2015.
- Halecks greet missionary 28 April 2015 MTC NZ
- Elder and Sister Haleck Give Encouragement to New Missionaries
- Elder and Sister Haleck Give Encouragement to New Missionaries
- Elder and Sister Haleck Give Encouragement to New Missionaries
- Elder and Sister Haleck Give Encouragement to New Missionaries
- Elder and Sister Haleck Give Encouragement to New Missionaries
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Elder Haleck asked the young people to consider two things as they serve as missionaries: their commitment to the Lord; and the Lord’s commitment to them.
He reminded them of the Biblical account of Moses and how he wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, never entering the promised land. “Joshua felt inadequate when he was chosen to lead the Israelites,” Elder Haleck said. “The Lord reassured him, telling him he would be with him as he was with Moses.”
Elder Haleck continued: “Joshua made the decision to follow the Lord. ‘Choose ye this day whom ye will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).’”
“You have chosen to follow the Lord by serving a mission. Choices you make determine the path you take in the future.”
He concluded: “Remember who you serve. You are here for His purpose. The Lord does not forget His faithful servants. Go because you believe. Go with faith and with purpose.”
Sister Haleck also spoke to the young missionaries. “Serving a mission is a sacrifice that requires great faith to overcome the challenges you may face,” she said.
She encouraged them to “find your true self and be true to that person. Find your own voice. Be genuine.”
“We all have things to work on,” she continued. “We are responsible for our stewardship, and yours right now is to invite others to ‘Come unto Christ’.”
Referencing a talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf at the Church’s annual general conference this month, Sister Haleck reminded the missionaries “that there will be an accounting of our stewardship, and that includes an accounting of our hearts. We will all be accountable for how we loved and shared with others; how we treated our friends and families; and how we served.”