The Atonement and the Missionary - Jeffrey R. Holland, Mission President's Seminar, MTC

This is a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland at a Seminar for Mission Presidents at the MTC in Provo UT. I'm not sure which year it was given.
I received this talk from a companion while serving my own mission in Italy in 2007. I listened to it hundreds of times on my mission and have since listened to it from time to time. The first half is an epic testimony about the Book of Mormon and specifically the many doctrines and testimonies of Christ that it contains. The second half is a testimony to missionaries of the power that is contained in their calling and an earnest plea that they not give up when the going inevitably gets rough.
I transcribed it here. While I don't think reading it is anywhere near as touching and potent an experience, I do recognize that many missionaries do not have access to youtube and so this is a way they can experience the talk. And for many, perhaps you want to read along and have an opportunity to cross reference his scriptures and words in your own study.
docs.google.com/document/d/1m...

[@arotogtech]

I remember listening to this. This was and is one of the most powerful talks ever given by this man for missionaries.

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

I have probably listened to it hundreds of times. I was always up for it once a week to remind me why I was out when things were just hard. And a few times since, because the first part is such a good recounting of the small plates + King Benjamin's testimonies of Christ.

[@arotogtech]

@@Giftig--Daniel-P I second that. I remember my time in a certain city I was so harshly treated by a contact that I felt so low and so discouraged and embarrassed in front of the public. I listened to this talk and it really lifted my spirits and I carried on. Now it's been 10 years since I finished and the 2 years remain the most special, sacred and treasured moments of my life.

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

@James Wines I am not sure. The Church is the same that Christ set up, and which fell away into apostasy after His Apostles were killed. It was restored beginning in 1820.

[@brigitteromoleroux-chonghi5473]

Loves it liked I shared it as much ch as I could Thank you God from rever bless you Elder Holland love his message reached me and touched me and miv d me closer to him our Savior Jesus Christ Amen just want chef mission stories the movie and met briefly with my missionaries from my ward and our dear ward missionary and tell you there doing just that Thank you as a member missionary and ward minister In doing what the spirit taught and testified to me during your great talk service legendary ongoing mission as one of our most beloved 12 of today

[@andrewgordon5127]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your effort in getting this to us.

[@noventropy]

thanks for making this available

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

Absolutely. This talk impacted me a great deal, I hope it does for others as well.

[@BenVillagrana]

It helped me lots

[@timlewis3974]

Is there a written version of this talk?

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

I'm not completely sure. I will have to look. Edit: I forgot I had transcribed it: docs.google.com/document/d/1mk4leJO2axo_QwniQAnZziT0dRgcXsQ12ndTHNT3Wng/edit?usp=sharing

[@caseyhill8163]

What year was this?

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

I'm not 100% sure

[@noventropy]

Missionary Work and the Atonement By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles From a talk given at the Provo (Utah) Missionary Training Center on 20 June 2000.

[@hollayevladimiroff131]

I wished the missionaries would have told me that their doctrine believes in a created Jesus, that he was born in heaven, this would have been a good thing. This doctrine is totally different than the bible, Jesus is not created, he is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, he was before the foundation of the world, he is eternal..

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

Jesus Christ is the eldest Son of our Heavenly Father. This is in the bible. He is the "Only Begotten" of God the Father.

[@hollayevladimiroff131]

@@Giftig--Daniel-P Jesus was not created in heaven by a Mother God and our Father God, nowhere in the bible does it say this, Mormonism is unbiblical. Begotten means special, unique, one of a kind. This is the biblical meaning of begotten, it has nothing to do with procreation. God also said this about David, Psalm 2:7 that he was a special one, I have begotten you, God told David, He is bringing forth David to do the work of the Lord.

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

@@hollayevladimiroff131 I'm not interested in arguing with you. Jesus Christ Himself explained all of this to a modern prophet, Joseph Smith, whom He called personally as a prophet. He then provided Joseph Smith with additional scripture to back this all up, none of which contradicts the Bible. If you believe it does, your problem is simply that you don't believe Jesus Christ called a prophet today. He gave Joseph Smith the Book of Mormon as proof of Joseph's prophetic calling. It was handed to him on golden plates written in an unknown language (reformed Egyptian), and which Joseph Smith translated in 62 working days with a 3rd grade education by the power of God--the exact coming forth of said book was prophesied by Isaiah in chapter 29 of the book bearing his name in the Old Testament. If you want to know if this is true, read the Book of Mormon. If you aren't willing to do that, you aren't willing to actually know.

[@hollayevladimiroff131]

@@Giftig--Daniel-P The Book of Mormon has never been validated or proven by any Historian or Archeologist, not one artifact has been found. Joseph Smith said he transcribed the gold plates through a rock in a hat, I think I will stick to the bible, the bible has been proven.

[@hollayevladimiroff131]

@@Giftig--Daniel-P Book of Mormon has never been validated by a historian or an archeologist, not one artifact has been found, unlike the bible. I will stick with the bible.

[@ApatiEktetheimenos]

Poor lost Jeffery. He thinks he heads "the restored church" but is a deceived man, dead in his sin.

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

@@ApatiEktetheimenos lol you clearly know what you're talking about.

[@ApatiEktetheimenos]

@@Giftig--Daniel-P Nothing funny, Daniel. The LDS believe Holy Eternal Almighty God is merely a "glorified man of flesh and bone living on planet Koleb". Well, that Mormon idea IS funny!!! LOL! Right! But seriously, if the Christ of the Bible does not KNOW you because you have no concept of His Nature and His Cross, then eternal damnation is the fate of most all Mormons.

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

@@ApatiEktetheimenos Elder Holland is an Apostle of Jesus Christ, living today. He does not lead the Lord's church, but he is part of the leading body of Apostles, Jesus Christ leads this Church. President Russel Nelson is Jesus Christ's prophet today.

[@ApatiEktetheimenos]

@@Giftig--Daniel-P There were only 12 Apostles whose 12 names are going to be on the 12 gates, and not one says Holland. The LDS is not "The Lord's Church" it is a Polytheistic Occult of 180 years old and JESUS CHRIST Who paid it all on the Cross, never lost CONTROL of His Church!!! That lie about the LDS being "the restored church" is narcissism. The claim the LORD GOD is a glorified man, is occultism. The belief in multiple gods is polytheism. Elder Holland is dead in his sin and damned already, for he does not worship the God of the Holy Bible, but the idea of a god in the Book of Mormon. The last Prophet of God, was John the Baptist. Mormons are biblically illiterate people.

[@ApatiEktetheimenos]

@@Giftig--Daniel-P I have to laugh, Daniel... Your said "He does not lead the Lord's Church" as some other Cult leader is doing that. But for Christians, Jesus leads His Church and has for 2000 years.