California Ventura Mission 2011-2014: Mission Vocabulary

Mission Vocabulary

Baptismal Map

A customized list of key commitments and steps an investigator agrees to complete in order to be ready for baptism. This term was first used by Elder Matthew Smith in a letter to the President. "When an investigator has set a firm baptismal date, schedule when you will complete all the events that lead to baptism and confirmation as listed in your daily planner" (Preach My Gospel, 204).

"Bloom Where You Are Planted "..."Prepare Your Fields for Rain"

Mr. Bridges to Coach Taylor in the inspirational movie Facing the Giants (Director: Alex Kendrick; Rated PG)

Declaration

The teaching of one or more gospel principles from the lessons with an invitation to make commitments. “And now it came to pass that the sons [and daughters] of Alma did go forth among the people, to declare the word unto them. And Alma, also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth” (Alma 43:1).

EDPEP

The acronym for "Explain-Demonstrate-Practice-Evaluate-Practice again." This training model is designed to help missionaries practice teaching to the needs of actual gospel investigators by creating realistic settings through role playing.

Elder Ipsen and Elder Whited (as the missionaries) and Hermana

Coleman (role playing an investigator) in an EDPEP on July 2, 2013.

Eye of Faith

The power to visualize a goal, a desired outcome, in one's mind so vividly that one can see it as if it were already realized (Alma 5:15-16; Alma 32:40; Ether 12:19). "To exercise the eye of Faith is to engage fully the imagination and senses under the influence of the Spirit" (M. Catherine Thomas, Light in the Wilderness, 264).

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

"At the Other End of the Eye of Faith"

Five Areas of Focus

A simple yet powerful approach to fulfilling our missionary purpose the Lord's way while also intending to create and maintain a unifying mission culture of exact obedience and complete consecration to serving Heavenly Father and His children. The Five Areas of Focus define what a Great California Ventura Mission missionary is all about.

"Forget Yourself and Go to Work"
President Gordon B. Hinckley's father as quoted in Ensign, July 1987.

Forty Worthy Converts
The monthly mission baptism goal since July 2013.

"It’s Always Good Weather!"
President Boyd K. Packer as quoted in Mission Presidents’ Seminar, June 2002.

"We Need More Sweet Boldness and Less Reluctant Shyness"
Elder Neal A. Maxwell as quoted in Mission Presidents' Seminar, June 2002.

Preach My Gospel Apartment

A safe, well-kept, clean apartment that allows missionaries to maintain the dignity of their calling, invites the presence of the Holy Ghost, and is ready for inspection at all times.

Preach My Gospel Vehicle
A well-maintained, clean, spotless mission vehicle usually means proper understanding and good practice of the principle of stewardship of the Lord's resources.

"Shine Your Shoes and Press Your Shirts"

"Appropriate dress and grooming will help you earn respect and trust. Your appearance is often the first message others receive, and it should support what you say...Never allow your appearance or your behavior to draw attention away from your message or your calling" (Missionary Handbook, 10).

Spiritual Creation

The process of creating a mental picture of one's desired outcome and then exerting faith as a principle of action and of power over a sustained period of time until such desire is realized.
"Alma 32 tells us about the spiritual creation, the temporal creation, and the eye of faith, meaning that you create in your mind first of all, Elders and Sisters, the spiritual creation of that which you desire, and you concentrate your mind on it until it comes into reality in the real world...Every idea, the exercising of faith, anything that has any value that I know of, is created first of all spiritually in the mind of man and then later, because of his exceeding great faith, he brings it about temporally--he literally causes it to happen" (Elder Gene R. Cook, Devotional Address given at the Provo MTC, 7 June 1983).

Elder Jensen and Elder Jarnagin spiritually creating their next day
during nightly planning while on exchanges on May 18, 2012.

(Click on image to read details)

The Grapevine
40-mile mountainous and zigzagging stretch of I-5 between Ventura and Bakersfield, sometimes snow-covered in winter months, but always beautiful.

TIWI
Driver safety and accountability device designed to help missionaries follow safe driving practices and provide feedback about their driving.

Traveling Sisters

Customized leadership assignment given to a companionship of sisters to hold exchanges and assist with the training of sister missionaries throughout the mission. This mission-created assignment was introduced in 2011, and then replaced by the official role of Sister Training Leader in 2013 when the Church announced mission organizational changes to implement the new Mission Leadership Council.

Hermana Doxey and Sister Dalton
First companionship to serve as Traveling Sisters in the mission

Sister Bennett, Sister Burwell, Hermana Coleman, Hermana Palafox
First sisters to serve as Sister Training Leaders in the mission

Traveling Trainers

Customized leadership assignment given to a companionship of elders to hold exchanges with and train new missionaries during their first transfer in the mission. This mission assignment was introduced in September 2012.