"WHY I BELIEVE" --FIRESIDE AT VISITORS CENTER

Each month a "Why I Believe Fireside" is held in both the DC South and DC North missions. We have attended a number of these. The stakes take turns in our south mission hosting these firesides. We were asked to be the speakers at the August fireside at the Temple Visitors

Center in the North Mission.

Pres. put together a great presentation. We used a power point and showed pictures to accompany our talk. Mark began with a statement that describes how our testimonies are built brick by brick. It is by Daryl Hoole from the FRIEND magazine.

"A testimony is gained little by little, just as a building is built brick by brick. We can compare gaining a testimony to constructing a building. For example, one brick could stand for having a testimony of the importance of attending church; another brick, a testimony of the Book of Mormon; and yet another brick, a testimony of prayer.

"Our testimonies are often strengthened by our experiences."

We then told of different experiences and miracles that have contributed to our testimonies. These included family experiences, Missionary experiences and then the fruits of Mormonism.

We took our Office Elders, Stockham and Ford and Sisters Malmberg and Hahn with us. I was a little nervous that it might be poorly attended. I think the word has spread that Pres. Albright is an excellent speaker. The theatre was full- over 500.

They began with testimonies of 2 recent converts. They put two microphones into the audience and had all new converts stand and tell their names. It was incredible. There were about 30 or more. They were from all different cultures, countries, and races. It was beautiful. The church truly is covering the whole earth and some of that is happening right here in Washington DC South and North.

We met the new Mission President and his wife in the DC North mission. Pres Matsumori, and his counselors, Pres. Lorenzana, and Pres. Williams . Elder and Sister Rich , the directors of the Visitors center were also there. It was a very nice evening and we visited with many wonderful converts and investigators. One of our dear friends from Las Vegas, Sis Maurine Carlson was also there. She works at the DC Temple as a missionary. It was a treat to see her.

We also took wonderful pictures at the temple. The flowers were in full bloom and look spectacular.

Flower at the temple

Pres and Sis Albright, Sister and Pres Matsumori and Elder and Sister Rich


Elders Ford and Stockham with Pres
Sisters Hahn and Malmberg