Jane Clayson Johnson - Mother, Journalist, Mormon

We Can Find Happiness

Changes Made in Senior Missionary Policies

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently approved changes in the policies regarding length of senior missionary service and missionary housing to encourage more couples to serve full-time missions and to improve their missionary experience.

As of September 1, 2011, couples may serve for 6, 12, 18, or 23 months. In addition, a cap of $1,400 (US) per month will be established for housing costs.

In the past, the policy has been that couples serving outside their country of residence were called for at least 18 months. Those wishing to serve outside their country of residence for less than 18 months may now do so if they pay for their own transportation to and from the field.

A change in housing costs for senior missionaries will also take place in September. Missions, temples, or area administration offices now will locate and secure appropriate housing and pay all housing costs (including rent, utilities, and furnishings). Missionary couples will then reimburse some or all of those housing costs up to the cap.

Missionaries from the United States, Canada, western Europe, Japan, and Australia will be expected to reimburse the cost of housing up to the cap, while those from all other countries will be expected to reimburse the costs up to their individual ability to pay (but not to exceed $1,400 a month). Couples will continue to pay for food and other personal expenses.

The cap on housing costs is intended to allow more couples to serve and to allow Church leaders to make assignments without being constrained by whether couples can afford housing costs.

If you have questions about senior missions, please call 1-800-453-3860, ext. 2-6741 (or 801-240-6741), or e-mail Senior Missionary Services to receive a response to your specific questions.

-June 2, Church News

Conversion Story - Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck is an American conservative radio and television host, author, entrepreneur, and political commentator.

Conversion Story - Sister Cathy Lee

All the way from primary to secondary school, I studied in a Convent. When I met my best friend Jean at 11 years old, Jean introduced me to Catechism classes (kind of like seminary classes for the Catholic children). From then on, I learnt about our Saviour and I so much wanted to follow Him. By the time I was in secondary school, I asked permission from my mother to be baptised as a Catholic. My mom told me,"You are born into a Buddhist family and you will remain a Buddhist until your dying day.....unless, the man you marry is a Christian, then you are allowed to follow his religion.".

So you can imagine what my prayers are for ever since..... it had always been for me to meet a nice Catholic boy so that I could become a Catholic! I had only wanted to become a Catholic because to me the proper authority was important, and Jesus Christ had passed the authority to Saint Peter....... so I believed that the Catholic Church was the only true church and no other churches would have the direct authority from Christ himself.

It took me a long time waiting for the right 'Catholic boy' to come into my life. Not a single one did......... until I met Eric.........he wasn't a Catholic yet but he was taking classes to get ready to be baptised as a Catholic. So I would finally marry my 'Catholic' and get to become a Catholic myself.....or so I thought..............

Then one day, Eric told me...... that he did not believe that the Catholic church is the true church and that he would go in search for the truth! I was stumped but I just waited and watched where the search would take Eric. He would become any missionary's favourite target! Any friend, contact or acquaintance who invited Eric to their church, he would willingly go....... One day, he was at his office when he saw one of his colleques (Sister Annie (Ling) Teh) reading some kind of church literature. He asked her what was she reading.... she said it was her church book (Eric can't remember now whether it was an RS Manual or Book of Mormon) and she invited him to investigate the church. Of course Eric willingly went along. He took the lessons and attended Sacrament meetings but I would not go along (because it was not the Catholic church!); but every time he came back, I would ask him what they taught him. He would share with me but when I started asking more and more questions, he said,"Why don't you just take the lessons yourself so you can ask as many questions as you like because I don't know how to answer your questions any more"!

So I agreed to take the discussions but was appalled when I found myself in the Mormon church! In my mind I was thinking,"What! Isn't this a cult?"! I prayed to Heavenly Father and asked Him what was happening and how on earth was I led to a cult and to please show me back to the right church"! However, I didn't get any answer from Heavenly Father so I continued with the discussions. I must have given the missionaries such a tough time because they had to continue seeing me for the next two years!

Finally, when Eric and I were ready to get married, I asked Heavenly Father to show me what I should do........... Interestingly, that was when Eric decided that this was the true church he had been searching for and wanted to get baptised (but he didn't ask me to because he thought I wasn't ready). So I thought about it and realised that perhaps it was THIS church that Heavenly Father wanted me to join! I felt that since I was marrying Eric and he was going to become a Christian, then so be it, this would be the right church for me....... So you can imagine the surprise I gave the missionaries....... I remember the day clearly........... The couple missionaries were asking Eric to commit to a baptism date and before Eric could answer, I said I would like to be baptised too (by then I had gained a testimony that Joseph Smith was indeed the Prophet who restored the Gospel after reading the book "Truth Restored" given to me by Brother David Chan). So we decided to be baptised together 3 days after our marriage registration!

When I think back, I am indeed grateful that through Eric, I found the true church and I am certain that was the reason Eric came into my life. I realise now that Heavenly Father has indeed answered my prayer after all. The best part is, He led me to the right church by placing Eric in my life otherwise I would never have in any way come into contact with the church at all!

Isn't it so amazing how things had turned out? I did not end up as a Catholic (much to Jean's disappointment) but I got something better..... the Restored Gospel! For this, I am thankful for Eric's part in my life because I now see a bigger purpose in Heavenly Father's plan for me!

Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration

People around the world now have a new way to learn about Joseph Smith, the founder and first president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A film called Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration is now available online, marking the first time the Church has shared a full-length film on the Internet.

Live Like You Believe

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?

David Archuleta - Joy to the World Live @ Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah

Look to the Light

Quote - Righteous Character

We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day. Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming. Righteous character is more valuable than any material object you own, any knowledge you have gained through study, or any goals you have attained no matter how well lauded by mankind. In the next life your righteous character will be evaluated to assess how well you used the privilege of mortality.

--Richard G Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character", October 2010 General Conference

Directing the Lord's Work

Quote - Accountability

Every day, every hour, every minute of your span of mortal years must sometime be accounted for. And it is in this life that you walk by faith and prove yourself able to choose good over evil, right over wrong, enduring happiness over mere amusement. And your eternal reward will be according to your choosing.

--D Todd Christofferson, "Reflections on a Consecrated Life", October 2010 General Conference

The Animal Odd Couple

Sister Annie Fan

On 7 July 2010, Sister Annie wrote:

I joined the mom's team last month. I got a baby boy. I am really happy. I am trying to be a good mum. He is not easy but I love him!

All my love,
Annie

On 16 August 2010, Sister Annie wrote:

My baby is 3 months old. He grows really fast and laughs a lot.

I bought a baby carrier yesterday because he has not gone outside yet. He is 8kg. It is really not easy to carry him for long time .

His first 100th day is coming. That is the second most important day for a Chinese baby. The first month is the most important. After the first 100 days, he is strong enough to go outside and do something.

The Chinese say the baby "3fan 6zuo 8pa". it means a 3-month old baby can turn the body over, a 6-month can sit properly and an 8-month old can crawl. Ha ... Have you ever heard of that?


Miss all of you.

All my love,
Annie