Season 12 Episode 4: Skirmishers of Catan

Hello Friends & Family,

There were few notable events here in the California Riverside Mission, but of such I will freely share!

We had Multi-zones this week. Elder Hallsted and I gave training on how to utilize Family History work alongside social media work. It is incredibly easy to find people to teach, because most everyone has an interest in their family history, and our church just happens to have the largest database of genealogical names in the world! 

So... yeah!

We gave a live-demo on how to login on behalf of someone else, and find their ancestors. 

I think this helped everyone in attendance.

We have been mostly teaching  friends who find us on facebook through one of our  videos.  We have had a lot of success sharing messages and answering questions. Any sometimes finding new friends to teach.  

To explain a little bit of what our teaching experience is like, I'll expound on 1 of our friends

Lz lives in Brazil, she doesn't know ASL, but knows Portuguese Sign Language. Unfortunately neither of us share the same written language, and so we have been using a strange system of translation as follows:

When we don't know a sign in Portuguese, we ask the sisters who speak Portuguese what a word is in Portuguese. 

(These sister missionaries are serving in Boston, the same mission as my cousin Elder Ryder Vance, they had remembered seen one of our videos and contacted us through facebook)

They spell it out to us, we spell it to Lz, then she shows us what the sign is. 

We write it down in the best way we can describe it so we don't forget it. We have taught all but the last lesson this way, using the 60 ish signs we know, we share the Gospel! 

ASL is the only Sign Language mission that the church sends missionaries for. 

In fact the ASL program is less than 50 years old! (I'll fact check later) 

When it comes to Lz, we are literally the only missionaries in the world she can talk with.  

President Watson gave a very inspired training on "deep doctrine theories" and also (my favorite) "Answering the question they should have asked".

To explain the latter, many people ask us questions about very particular principles in the restored church.

 For example:
"Why did the church practice polygamy?"

To the honest seekers of truth, a reply such as this can help them find answers,
"That is an excellent question! That was a revelation given to us to use at a specific time, and under specific circumstances. Revelation comes through a Prophet. Why do you think it would be important to have a Prophet today?"
(Response may vary)

The reasoning behind such an answer is to help our friends understand the core doctrine, rather than worrying about all the extremities. If you find yourself asking such questions, do not worry! It is normal to do so, however I would encourage you to answer the question based on the "branch" leading back to Christ. The most common "Branches" of questions are:
1. Is there a Prophet today?
2. Was Joseph Smith a Prophet?
3. Is the Book of Mormon True?
etc.

Answering the core questions is ESSENTIAL to resolving concerns. If you simply focus on the superficial questions, you will always find more questions that have no value, other than to satisfy a quick concern, and more will arise.
John 15:1,4
"I am the true vine"
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me"
Christ should be our foundation, not random sticks and twigs of theories that claim to be shoot offs from Christ. Be careful where you climb on this metaphorical tree.

Hopefully nobody got lost in the metaphor. I hope that was more entertaining than Jacob

-Elder Vance

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Season 12 Episode 3: The Han Dynasty

Hello Friends & Family

Elder Hallsted and I had an interesting experience last saturday as we were finishing up service. 

We found that our keys were no longer in the pocket they should have been, but rather locked in the 

backseat in plain view of our grieving eyes. We had to deliver all the cleaning supplies back to 

downtown Riverside on a deadline. Luckily the Office Elders were in our service group, and they 

quickly rescued us with a spare key taken from the Mission office. 

We also were able to bring 2 friends to an in person Sacrament meeting!! Yes, I said sacrament meeting in person, 

with masks. First one in about 6 months.  a missionary who has not been to church in 6 months is 

generally not recommended.

3 more were able to attend virtually, and all (myself included) were spiritually enlightened! 

It was very nice to be back at the ASL Branch again. It was a little awkward in our sacrament meeting 

to wash hands, put on gloves, and have taped off rows in the Chapel, but I'm sure that God was happy with our 

little gathering! 

President Watson is wanting a 5th ASLder in our apartment for what he says is 

"preparation for future leadership assignments", whatever that means. We are now "Drafting" 

the next missionary to serve in the ASL Branch. There are quite a few who are "fluent", but I beg to differ. 

It is strange how people have a sudden interest in the Language! We will be making our decisions soon.

We started our new series missionaries with out arms with arms.  I am not sure who had the most fun 

filming this...I hope you all enjoy!

*


All is well in Riverside. There is always room for improvement!!

-Elder Vance

Season 12 Episode 2: A Generally good week

Hello Friends & Family,

I love General Conference! I look so forward to hearing the talks and feeling the spirit.
Elder Hallsted and I interpreted all 4 sessions of conference for our friend C who is about 21-22 years old.
C understands simple ASL, so the regular church interpreter confused him. He simply has had no education
what so ever. He was born deaf so his family did not see any reason for an education. He is now going to school
and learning ASL but is about a 4th-5th grade level of education. He is amazing and is learning so much,
he is also teaching us so much! We simplified the talks for him to watch!
I think that helped me understand what the Speaker's focus was, as most of the time the simplified ASL
would leave us repeating many phrases. From what I interpreted, alot of the General Conference
was focused on Jesus... maybe that was just my interpretation :)

I would reccomend re-reading all of the talks. I will also be doing so!


We played frisbee golf this morning, not quite real golf, but I'll take it. Apparently Bees don't really like me,
and as I was about to tee off, one latched onto my ankle and stung me through my sock.
Luckily I was a big boy and only cried for 2 minutes.


We went on exchanges with Canyon Crest and also the Tech elders. Thats about it!
Besides amazing conference!

*

-Elder Vance

Season 12 Episode 1: Lost in Translation

Hello friends & family,

Elder Hallsted and I have had a incredibly busy week!! 

Every single minute was well used, and that knowledge alone is very comforting and rewarding!!

The highlight of the week was last sunday. We had 4 friends attending worship services at the same time, the only issue was that each of them required a different form of sign language.

1 of them is in Brazil, and needed Portuguese Sign language. Elder Hallsted has been teaching her for longer than I have, and knows roughly 40 ish signs, so he took on that task. 

We have another friend who needed a regular ASL interpretation, I decided to interpret for him. 

We had another friend who is still learning ASL and needed a simplified version, Elder Cluff was on that. 

Also at the same time, we had a friend who's mother only spoke spanish and wanted to go to the Spanish church, so Hermana Jacobs interpreted the Spanish service into english, and Elder Ericksen into ASL for her. 

We were all at the Family History Center  (FHC) with about 10 other missionaries at the same time, using different computers. 

Hands were flying everywhere!! 

I feel bad for all the other missionaries in the same room as us, they were not paying any attention to the Mission Devotional.

About Halfway through the talks, we found that our friend Cody was actually watching the Portuguese Sign Language instead of the Gesturing. He was a little confused, but then started understanding once he found the correct person interpreting.

Zone leader responsibilities are super fun! We had our first Zone accountability last saturday. Some excellent goals were set. I never understood how much effort needs to take place for every zone activity/meeting to take place.

*

Elder Hallsted and I visited 2 zones, Ontario and Jurupa to share the Series training. They seemed very excited to post their series, and we have already received positive feedback from each zone.

I want to leave y'all with some homework:
Scroll back to the April 2019 general conference and listen to

Elder Ucthdorf's talk, "Missionary work: Sharing what is in your heart"

Get ready for another unforgettable Conference!!

-Elder Vance

Letter from Mission President Watson

Dear Tiffini Vance & Sterling Vance

It is with pleasure that I inform you of Elder Tyson Vance's new assignment as a Zone Leader in the California Riverside Mission. 

It is an honor to have your son serving in this position. As a Zone Leader he will continue to be an example in all things to those missionaries in the zone where he is serving.

His great efforts and example in his previous assignments have qualified him for this opportunity and I am certain that the experience he will gain as a Zone Leader will prepare him for future callings in the Church and in life.

It is a pleasure to work in the gospel with such a fine young man. Thank you for sharing him with us and for the continued support you provide him. May God's choicest blessings be with you!

Sincerely,

President Edward S. Watson California Riverside Mission 

Season 11 Episode 6: ZL-ASL-SMS

Try pronouncing that title

I dare you... ZLASLSMS

Hello everyone!!

This week gave us transfer news!

We ate dinner with President Watson and his family last friday, and that is when he broke the news of Elder Hallsted and I re-uniting and becoming the Zone Leaders for Riverside. I am exceedingly excited for this responsibility! It is important that I keep my standard of work/use of time up so that I may be of use when the Lord sends me to help another!


When President brought out the transfer boards (on paper) and said,
"Alright... Let's talk"
His youngest son Chris responded with a groan,
"Oh boy, here it comes"

As far as transfers go, we have decided that we won't really move our apartment around, we all thought it would not be necessary nor entertaining.

                     

This week for Social Media, I spoke at the

Hemet Stake conference     

President Watson was asked to go, 

but was unable to attend due to 

a meeting with the Area authorities. 

Sister Gugelman and I were asked

to go in his stead. 

I thought it was superb! 

I only talked for a few minutes, but 

was very happy to visit again and see some of the members I had

befriended during my time there. 

Here are some of my talking points:

We HAVE been prepared for this like no other church, group, or organization!

Elder L. Tom Perry announced: “Missionaries are now authorized to use the Internet in their proselyting efforts.” (“Missionary Work in the Digital Age” [June 2013]

“This represents a permanent change to the way we will do missionary work in the future”
-Leif Ericksen (Aug 28, 2020 NAW Social Media training)

D&C 4
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the [post, like, comment and share];
4 For behold [Social Media] is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his
sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

This is our proof so far Fact about the California Riverside Mission since COVID began:
Facebook ONLY

• 2.2 Million Views  (SIDE NOTE 1.5 M from ASL alone)
• 1.2 Million minutes viewed
• 20,000 Hours
• 833 Days
• 2.28 Years
• 20K Followers
• 234K Engagements

What can Members do??

Share Missionary made videos to your Facebook profiles and/or groups

Create your own content! Or join missionaries videos!!

Message your friends directly when sharing content.

Add your own testimony to posts you share!

General tips

Avoid Church specific terms
Share experiences rather than testimonies (IE I know this church is true VS sharing HOW you know this church is true)

Zones are planning video series, each companionship should have a episodic plan to teach with.

Contact the missionaries!!

I will be busy, busy, busy...
But busy = Good!
I will not allow myself to look back on my mission and think,
"I could have used my time better"
So work I shall!

I'm sure I will have more to talk about next week!
-Elder Vance

Season 11 Episode 5: Peace out!!

HelHello Family & Friends,
Another week has come and gone!!
This week had a few notable events:
1. Our most recent music video came out! I decided some time ago to focus this on mental health, also to hopefully honor my late friend Aaron Zundel. I came across the song, "Where can I turn for peace" in the Hymns at home album the church released. This fit perfectly with what I wanted to represent, both the lyrics and the sound of the song. Little did I know that I posted during National Suicide Prevention month, I think it is alright to assume the Spirit was involved in the process of this video.


FACEBOOK POST:
To @Aaron Zundel
I miss you bud
Through my short time on this earth, I came into aquantance with Aaron. We quickly bonded over our shared love for anyting Star wars and/or Sci-fi. We would spend hours discussing each episode as though it were Shakespeare. He taught me so much about how to care and love for people in the most Christ-like way! But what I didn't know about Aaron was that He was suffering. Aaron took his life just over 2 years ago. It shocked me, and devastated me in a way that I never knew it could.
You do not have to suffer alone
I am here to tell you that there is Peace to be found! It comes through our savior Jesus Christ. He is the true and lasting source of Joy!
I know this because I have experienced His love for myself, and know of the strenght that comes from relying on the Lord.
If you, or anyone you know cannot seem to find peace, please turn to Christ. If you need help, message us! We are all in our own journeys, but that doesn't mean we cannot love and support eachother on our paths!
#NationalSuicidePreventionMonth
#SuicidePrevention

2. I was able to have dinner with my family!! Steve and Tauni Vance hosted us yesterday for dinner. The canyoncrest Elders pulled me aside one day, I thought they would ask me about Social Media, but rather they invited me to dinner. I asked them why they had done so, and this was their answer,
"We have a dinner planned, but they said we could only come if we found and brought Elder Vance with us".
I found out Steve Vance (My Dad's cousin) was the member they were going to eat with and readily accepted the invite.

We had a great time talking about our family, and especially the Gospel.
I'll admit it was a little strange and nice during the dinner, when I was only referred to as "Tyson",

 but I don't think that will happen again any time soon. :)



3. We have a new Stake President! Don't ask me his name because I forgot.

4. I have been called to as Committee Chair for our SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALISTS in my mission. As the chair I meet with my mission president weekly, the 6 social media committee members in RIVERSIDE CA MISSION weekly. I also meet all with the Mission Presidents in the West and area 70 from SLC twice a month to discuss social media improvements and missionary involvement and success. I have proposed with my mission president budgeting plan for mission accessible equipment. As now we are only using our cell phones and the editing software from our phones to make videos. The great news this week is that, I was approved for some film equipment! Stay tuned for some superb video quality.


The end


-Elder Vance