General Authority Tour of the Singapore Mission

Rarely does one have the opportunity to hear from a General Authority of the Church of 

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in an intimate setting.  On March 10th, the 

missionaries in the Kuala Lumpur District were privileged to not only hear from a 

General Authority from the First Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Brent Nielson, but also 

from his lovely wife, Sister Marcia Nielson at a Zone Conference held in the Petaling 

Jaya meeting house.  Elder Nielson is the Executive Director of the Missionary 

Department of the worldwide Church.  The Nielsons were touring the Singapore Mission 

area with Mission President and Sister Simmons.  All four addressed the missionaries in 

Singapore, West and East Malaysia by the week’s end.

The day in Kuala Lumpur (Petaling Jaya) began with Elder Nielson teaching the missionary leaders

and Sister Nielson addressing only the Sister Missionaries.  She said the most important thing

happening today in Malaysia was this meeting, that this work is the most important work on the earth.

 Then, with inspirational and encouraging words and stories, she assured these sisters that 

missions are emotionally hard and arduous, but that is what teaches them things about 

themselves. Those are the things that Heavenly Father wants them to learn.  She went 

on to stress that there needs to be holiness in daily life.  She encouraged the sisters to 

“cheerfully do all things that lie in our power,” and then to stand still to see what direction 

and inspiration await them.  She affirmed that Heavenly Father loves them, no matter 

what level each person is on.

In the main session, with all missionaries in attendance, Elder Nielson took some time 

to address Christlike attributes. He said the Lord has called these missionaries to labor 

here and has a special work for all to do. There is no room for fear. All should move 

forward in faith and diligence.  

Sister Simmons spoke about faith. She challenged all missionaries to not just endure 

their missions, but to rejoice in the opportunities that have come, and find joy.  President 

Simmons followed with counsel to listen with open hears to receive guidance.  He said 

that the adversary attacks families to frustrate the Lord’s work.  In the mission field, he 

attacks companionships.  He reminded the missionaries that he talks constantly about 

obedience, since disobedience chases away the Spirit.  Each person needs to ask the 

Holy Ghost to guide and comfort them with a brightness of hope and faith.

Sister Nielson then warmly thanked all the missionaries for their service, and proceeded 

to talk about diversity.  She explained the Nielson family background and what activities 

they enjoyed doing together.  Then, when the children married, their spouses had 

different upbringings.  This added to the overall family talents and abilities. She 

compared these family in-laws to companions who are diverse.  While there are 

differences, a companionship is on the same team, wanting the same results.  She 

challenged the missionaries to learn what it is they are supposed to learn from their 

companions each transfer, and to be grateful for their companions.  No criticism is 

allowed.  Be 100% obedient.  Help others to be happy.  These were some tidbits of 

wisdom learned from her sons as they served successful missions.

Elder Nielson graciously expressed his appreciation for the missionaries’ service.  He 

said that the Lord has called you here and has a special work for you to do.  Be diligent. 

Don't be discouraged.  He brought the audience along in his presentation of the 

Doctrines of Christ.  He explained that is what missionaries teach. Christlike attributes 

are taught in Preach My Gospel. Discouragement, doubt, and fear are not Christlike 

attributes. When there is fear, there is no faith. With faith, there is no fear.  Move forward 

with faith, he said.  There is power in the Atonement, both redeeming power and 

enabling power.  We are saved by grace and then changed by grace. A missionary is 

called to connect people to heaven.  Help people see what the Doctrines of Christ can 

do in their lives.

During the concluding question and answer session, Elder Nielson masterfully 

explained scriptures to answer questions, to build faith, and to recommend obedient 

behavior.  He reminded all that Lord is hastening his work and carrying the gospel to 

nearly all the lands of the earth.  He said that our faith should be in Jesus Christ.  We 

trust in His will.  During his final remarks, Elder Nielson expressed the love of the First 

Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles.  They pray for the missionaries. 

Their hearts and prayers are always with the missionaries.  He said the Savior fed the 

5,000 miraculously, and there were baskets of leftovers.  This is symbolic of His grace 

being sufficient for all men, with more left over. He bore his testimony as one who is 

ordained and set apart to do so.

The attending missionaries expressed appreciation for Elder and Sister Nielson’s visit.  

They received encouragement and validation, and they felt loved, watched over, and re-

energized. Sister Andrewson stated that she appreciated Elder Nielson’s words on the 

Atonement and its relationship to the presence of the Holy Spirit in her life.  Elder 

Barney especially liked hearing in the leadership meeting that the job of missionaries is 

to help people improve and to focus on what is truly important and not just to focus on 

doing good things, but to continually improve and grow.  Sister Crandall said it was so 

good to travel to this meeting, to be buoyed up, and to learn more about being faithful 

and finding holiness in everyday life.  

One observing the events of the day could not deny that there was joy in the room, in 

the service of the Lord.  His Spirit was poured out in abundance.  Time together was 

cherished as the missionaries enjoyed seeing one another from different areas.  A 

General Authority came to visit today.  They shook his hand, felt the Spirit, received 

strength and encouragement to carry on in this important work.  The concluding hymn 

was especially poignant, “Thy Spirit Lord has Stirred Our Souls.”