On23 May 2011the missionaries of the India Bangalore Mission were privileged to participate in a special meeting with Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Sister Lona L. Jensen.   During Elder and Sister Jensen’s first visit to India, they were able to express their love to these missionaries, most of whom are from India and many of whom are first-generation members of the Church.

Using the scriptures, Elder Jensen taught the missionaries important steps in mastering the scriptures and using them in their teaching.  He observed that, “You teach to learn, rather than learn to teach.”  He expressed the hope that their study and teaching from the scriptures would help them to develop a great love for the scriptures as his missionary service did for him fifty years ago.

Elder Jensen also helped the elders to understand that their role is to help their investigators “receive” the word of God as they preach with the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.  When we preach and the Spirit teaches, both we and the investigators are edified and rejoice, feelings which come from God, not us.  He cautioned the missionaries not to place themselves between the investigator and God or they will not have those edifying experiences or feelings to rejoice.  He urged the elders to help investigators come to know the truth of all things by the Comforter.

Sister Lona L. Jensen reminded the elders that trials and hard things make us stronger and able to bear more.   “Look at trials as means to gain more blessings,” she taught.  President Randy D. Funk, India Bangalore Mission President, and his wife Sister Andrea C. Funk, and President Steven B. Mudumala, First Counselor in the Mission Presidency, also participated in the meeting.