Sister, Sisters, Sisters

"We affirm that missionary work is a priesthood duty, and we encourage all young men who are worthy and physically able and mentally capable to respond to the call to serve. Many young women also serve, but they are not under the same mandate to serve as are the young men. We assure the young sisters of the Church, however, that they make a valuable contribution as missionaries and we welcome their service."

-President Thomas S. Monson

 Our first intake ever where the Sisters outnumber the Elders. Thanks for answering the call Sisters!

 Breakfast in the mission home.

 Taking the Sisters out for their first day of proselyting (and Elder Adams)

 Having all the Sisters around makes President Kezerian feel like we are at home with our five daughters!

 You have to admire our Elders for helping out in the kitchen.

 Elder Greer and Elder Van Beek kicked everyone out of the kitchen and took over dishwashing. They have learned some valuable skills.

 By including our three assistants this picture looks a little more balanced. Back:Elder Petaia (Assistant) Elder Howard (Assistant), Elder Adams (West Point, Utah, USA) Sister Patterson (Alpine, Utah, USA), Sister Watene-Zelezniak (Sydney, Australia), Sister and President Kezerian, Elder Greer(Assistant) Front: Sister Hough (Kettering, United Kingdom), Sister Puletua (Apia, Samoa), and Sister Hann (Dundee, Scotland).

Returning with honor: Elder Teaupa, Elder Kaumavae and Sister Holladay. Thank you missionaries!

Also returning home, Elder and Sister Chesley. We love the Senior Couples!

Napier District - Elder Bender, Elder Smith (Hawke's Bay Zone Leaders) Elder Dorius, Elder Tuckett, Sister Kezerian, Sister Patterson and Sister Nowers.

Flaxmere District - Elder Crawford, Elder Kerr, Elder Lawrence, Sister Toutai and Sister Kirifi.

Hastings District - Elder Nelson, Elder Hilliman, Elder Dalit, Elder Evans, Elder Taelega, Elder Nevitt, Elder Kavea and Elder Palmer.

LDS News from the United Kingdom - We wish this was in New Zealand

Mission President Seminar - Sydney, Australia

"Teach the missionaries to be true disciples, to be exactly obedient, to be a learner, to exercise faith, to work tirelessly and to expect miracles."

-Elder Kevin W. Pearson-

During the Pacific Area Interim Mission Presidents Seminar we received counsel from our Pacific Area Presidency, Elder Kevin W. Pearson, Elder James J. Hamula and Elder F. Michael  Watson.

For those who are from Sydney, Australia here is a little bit of home. What a beautiful city.

With the population close to 4 million people, this is a great city to do missionary work. President Kezerian and I took our mormon.org cards and Books of Mormon.

Nearing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Just like New Zealand, there seem to be many clock towers

Goodies galore. Hopefully the missionaries don't buy these.

 Darling Harbour.

We kept thinking we were seeing missionaries. There were so many men in suits.

President Leota (Samoa Apia Mission), President Lekias (Auckland New Zealand Mission) and President Kezerian. 

Before our meetings started. We thought it a beautiful view.

 At the end of the day - Wow!

Sydney Australia Temple.  This was the first temple built in Australia. Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a former mission president of Australia, presided over the ground breaking services for the temple. At a fireside that evening, he said, "There is no reason why we can't have temples in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, or where ever the number of saints justifies it." His statement proved prophetic with the construction of the Adelaide Australia Temple, Melbourne Australia Temple, Brisbane Australia Temple and Perth Australia Temple.

Elder and Sister Shaw (Marshall Islands Majuro Mission) Elder and Sister Lifferth (Australia Melbourne Mission) both couples are finishing their missions July 1st. They've been great examples, friends and mentors. We love and admire them all.

Many important messages were given at the seminar to help us move the work forward one of the greatest of which was to remember that we are increasing faith, deepening conversion, building future leaders and strengthening future husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, What  an honor it is to see missionaries become true disciples of Christ; lifelong learners and leaders who make and keep sacred covenants and endure to the end. We love you missionaries!

An Apostle Gives Counsel

"From our testimony of the truth and importance of the restored gospel, we understand the value of what we have been given. From our love of God and our fellowmen, we acquire our desire to share that great gift with everyone. The intensity of our desire to share the gospel is a great indicator of the extent of our personal conversion. The most effective missionaries, member and full-time, always act out of love.

I learned this lesson as a young man. I was assigned to visit a less-active member, a successful professional many years older than I. Looking back on my actions, I realize that I had very little loving concern for the man I visited. I acted out of duty, with a desire to report 100 percent on my home teaching. One evening, close to the end of a month, I phoned to ask if my companion and I could come right over and visit him. His chastening reply taught me an unforgettable lesson. 

"No, I don't believe I want you to come over this evening," he said. "I'm tired. I've already dressed for bed. I am reading, and I am just not willing to be interrupted so that you can report 100 percent on your home teaching this month." That reply still stings me because I knew he had sensed my selfish motivation. 

I hope no person we approach with an invitation to hear the message of the restored gospel feels that we are acting out of any reason other than a genuine love for them and an unselfish desire to share something we know to be precious.

If we lack this love for others, we should pray for it. The prophet Mormon's writings about "The pure love of Christ" teach us to "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ"(Moro. 7:47-48).

-Elder Dallin H. Oaks-

Front: Elder and Sister F. Michael Watson, Elder and Sister Dallin H. Oaks, Sister and President Michael L. Kezerian

Missionaries from the Hutt, Porrirua and Wellington Stakes.

Greymouth District- Elder P. Cook, Elder Uasila'a, Elder Norford, Elder Otuhouma, Elder Hobby and Elder Ross. Front: Elder and Sister Turner, Sister and President Kezerian.

President Kezerian with Elder Atkinson and Elder Barnes - Zone Leaders in Nelson Zone.

Sister Dowe, Sister Kezerian and Sister Neilsen on a windy day in Nelson.

Elder Kendall, Elder Pasa, Elder Tairi, Elder Ebel, Elder Fahina and Elder Lelenoa.

Elder Oliva, Elder Terry, Elder Neria and Elder and Sister Hirschi. 

We're proud of you Elders!

Taranaki District with Brother and Sister Bolton.

Palmerston District-Back: Elder Beckstead, Elder Sovala, Elder Kaka, President Kezerian, Elder Aumua, Elder Tinei, Elder Raston, Brother Bolton, Elder Hayward, Elder Armstrong. Front: Sister Hayward, Sister Beckstead, Sister Bolton and Sister Kezerian.

Following a baptism in Cannon's Creek.

Sister Ronne Wilkensen and Sister Bolton. Sister Wilkensen is going to be celebrating her 90th birthday. She was blessed by Matthew Cowley.

Saying Good-bye to Brother and Sister Bolton, our dear friends. President Kezerian had the privilege of  baptizing the Bolton Family in California when he served a mission as a young man. They have had 3 of their children serve missions and one grandson so far.

The blessing of missionary service in Alexandra. Elder Dorius and Elder Christensen have received food and well wishes. The first church service will be held in the new facility in Alexandra on May 5th. Keep up the good work Elders!!

We love to hear missionaries sing!! It brings the spirit so powerfully!

Unselfish Service

"There is one responsibility which no man can evade, that is the responsibly of personal influence. It is what you are, not what you pretend to be, that matters." 

- President David O. McKay-

Zone Leader Council- Back row: Elder Hunt, Elder Siale, Elder Howard, Elder Tuihalangingie, Elder Salaivao, Elder Ma'u, Elder Bender, Elder Armstrong, Elder Kaka, Elder Atkinson, Elder Teaupa. Front row: Elder Petaia (Assistant to President), Elder Greer (Assistant to President), President and Sister Kezerian, Elder R. Barnes, Elder Smith.

Wellington New Zealand Mission Presidency. President Lyn Evernden, President Kezerian, President Anthony Morley.

Elder Tautua'a and Elder Jarvis helping out.

Elder and Sister Smith welcoming Elder and Sister Peterson to the mission. Elder and Sister Peterson will be serving in Christchurch as Family History Missionaries.

Elder Sasagi preparing the baptismal font for upcoming baptisms in Timaru.

Elder Jarvis and Elder Bender.

Wellington harbour.

Offering service are Sister Tukuafu and Sister Ramirez.

Hard at work. Sister Fitisemanu and Sister Neilsen.

Elder Lawson, Elder James, Elder Vimahi and Elder Sasagi dressed up to tell the stories of Alma and King Limhi to the primary children in Timaru.

Southland Zone participating in Helping Hands.

Volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent the morning cleaning the Ashburton Skate park up.

The volunteers, including missionaries, also cleaned up the parks surrounding area.