Mission President's Seminar: Dresden, Germany

Every year, the Mission Presidents and wives, from the 32 missions in the Europe Area get together for a Mission President's Seminar where we receive invaluable instruction pertaining to missionary work. This year we met in Dresden, Germany. Elder Kevin Pearson of the first Quorum of Seventy was the presiding authority. Here we are with him and his wife, June. Elder Pearson set me apart with Elder Russel M. Nelson, as a missionary back in June. It was great to spend time with them.

The main town square in Dresden. We are in front of the Lutheren Frahenkirche. Notice the statue of Martin Luther, one of the great Reformers setting the stage for the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ--- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The church in the background was completely destroyed during World War II and reconstruction started in 1992. The variation of color of the stones are the mixing of original and new.

 Not only did we get to see some of the sights in Dresden, but we also got to go to the Freiberg Temple. This is our one chance in a year's time to go to the Temple. We have missed not being able to go to the Temple frequently.

The grounds are beautiful and quite impressive. They include a chapel building with a family history center and living quarters for those that travel far to come to the temple. Poland is in this temple district.

An extra surprise!!!

At the end of the Seminar, each couple was given a copy of President Monson's biography, "To The Rescue". Each book was signed by our prophet.

A personal mission of President Monson was to bring the gospel to the people in this area. He told the people that one day a temple would be in their land. This seemed impossible because this was in Eastern Germany. Dresden, where our conference was held, has special meaning to our prophet, as you will learn as you read his biography. Sister Heidi Swinton, who served with her husband as mission president in the London South Mission and attended this seminar last year, wrote this book and requested from President Monson to sign each copy for us to be presented at our training. Elder Kopischke, our Area President, grew up in this area and knew of all of the promises and visits from President Monson. A wonderful few days where we saw and learned of fulfillment of prophecies.