PROVO, Utah – Just moments after expressing his deep and emotional gratitude for the impact of his mission and its mission presidents, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited four other Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to do so reflect on their own impact as mission presidents.

But before Elder Neil L. Andersen, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, and Elder Ulisses Soares could respond, surprise attendees took the stage at the 2023 New Mission Leaders’ Seminar—emphasizing a powerful message without words.

Kurt Christensen was a missionary under Elder Andersen in France; Ryan Werlick was a missionary under Elder Rasband in New York; Shimpei Yamashita was a missionary under Elder Stevenson in Japan; and Ty Bennett was a missionary under Elder Soares in Portugal.

Kurt Christensen (left) served as a missionary under Elder Neil L. Andersen in France; Ryan Werlick was a missionary under Elder Ronald A. Rasband in New York; Shimpei Yamashita was a missionary under Elder Gary E. Stevenson in Japan; and Ty Bennett was a missionary under Elder Ulisses Soares in Portugal. The men attended a special session of the 2023 New Mission Leaders Seminar in Provo, Utah, on June 22, 2023.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The men hugged their former mission presidents—and, with underlying feelings, demonstrated the impact a mission president has on the lives of his missionaries.

When Elder Holland addressed this topic for seminary, he quoted 3 Nephi 18:24, “Hold up your light, that it may shine on the world.”

Elder Holland spoke months after temporarily retiring from his full-time Church duties due to health reasons. “May I thank everyone who has prayed and continues to pray for the general authorities of the church,” he said. “I am evidence of the effectiveness of these prayers. And thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

With great emotion he urged Latter-day Saints to “believe in prayer.”

“Believe that this is truly God’s work and that He will lead, guide and bless you,” he said. “Call down the blessings you need. Heaven is ready and waiting to send them. I am an example of that today.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will attend the 2023 New Missionary Leaders’ Seminar on June 22, 2023 at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Holland said he asked to speak about the influence of Church leaders because “this is one of the most important messages” that local mission leaders will bring.

“And once again, I humbly offer myself as a visual aid,” said Elder Holland. “I have walked through this church and visited hundreds of missions and thousands of missionaries—I have been doing this for 33 years—I explained to them that no young man has been more affected by a mission than I have been. My entire life, on the mission and in the 60 years since, has been transformed, refined, and renewed like no other. …

“That rebirth and dedication ultimately came from my Heavenly Father, but His mortal agent was this man, my mission president, Elder Marion D. Hanks. He opened the scriptures. He opened my heart. He believed in me and led me to the Lord Jesus Christ. He committed me to be faithful to him for the rest of my life. To this day I have faithfully tried to do so.”

Kurt Christensen served as a missionary under Elder Neil L. Andersen in France, left; Ryan Werlick was a missionary under Elder Ronald A. Rasband in New York; Shimpei Yamashita was a missionary under Elder Gary E. Stevenson in Japan; and Ty Bennett was a missionary under Elder Ulisses Soares in Portugal. The men attended a special session of the 2023 New Mission Leaders Seminar in Provo, Utah, on June 22, 2023.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“All Heroic”

During their ministry, mission leaders are “everything” to their missionaries, Elder Holland said. “Presidents, you are teachers, priests, confessors and judges. You are advisor, motivator, advisor and king. You are father, shepherd, theologian and friend. You are a historian, a safe haven, and a living disciple of Christ. In short, you are all heroic and ideal in their eyes, and they will speak your name with reverence and respect, even reverence and holiness, throughout your life.”

This was absolutely the case for the missionaries of Elder Andersen, Elder Rasband, Elder Stevenson, and Elder Soares.

“I can only explain my relationship with the President and Sister [Kathy] Anderson as deep spiritual feelings,” Christensen said. Except for his own father, “no other man had had a better or greater positive influence on my destiny and my life than President Andersen.”

Elder Stevenson gave his former missionaries “a clear vision of what kind of father and priesthood holder they should be,” Yamashita said. “His powerful testimony was really inspirational to us” and “closed our hearts.”

After converting to the gospel at age 14, Werlick served as an assistant to then-President Rasband. Eventually he married the Rasbands’ daughter. “I didn’t know the gospel. I learned it as a missionary…” he said. “And life has changed for me.”

Bennett looked at Elder Soares and said, “I remember the moment I met you and the love I saw in your eyes. It changed me.” That influence remains, he said, “as a teacher, a mentor, a father figure, a spiritual leader, as someone I want to be proud of.”

From left: Elder Quentin L. Cook, Elder Neil L. Andersen, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, and Elder Ulisses Soares, all members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, participate in the 2023 New Missionary Leaders’ Seminar—missionary training Center in Provo, Utah on June 22, 2023.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Always teach”

Elder Holland also asked the leaders what they had learned during their time as mission presidents.

Elder Andersen spoke about the importance of bearing your testimony of the Savior. “In the secular world in which our missionaries are growing up, the big question is, ‘Is Jesus the Christ?’”

There is nothing, he said, that can more profoundly strengthen the spirit of missionaries or help them “than to center what is taught on Jesus Christ.”

Elder Rasband quoted advice he once received from Elder Holland, noting that Church leaders are always teaching—”and sometimes words are used.”

Missionaries constantly monitor their mission leaders; They’re watching you with your wife, they’re watching you with your kids. You always teach.”

Elder Stevenson said that as the new mission leader, his zone conferences are full of good business practices. He quickly realized that “we lacked the teaching of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.”

He said sharing the gospel is “one of the ways mission presidents hold their keys.”

Elder Soares added, “You are an example of what you teach.”

He often spent time teaching and evangelizing with his missionaries “to help them understand principles by example.”

Elder Ulisses Soares will participate in a special session of the 2023 New Mission Leaders Seminar on June 22, 2023 at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

• 8:22 a.m.: The “anti-terrorist operational regime” is established in Moscow (Russian authorities)

The “anti-terrorist operational regime” has been established in Moscow and its region, while Russia is being shaken by an uprising by the paramilitary group Wagner, the National Anti-Terrorist Committee said.

“In order to prevent possible attacks,” this regime was also established in the Voronezh region bordering Ukraine, according to a statement by the committee quoted by Russian news agencies. This measure strengthens the powers of the security services and allows them to restrict movements.

• 8:12 am: “Ukraine is watching with great interest what is happening in Russia,” explains our special envoy for Ukraine

• 7:58 am: Vladimir Putin will soon address the nation (Kremlin)

Russian President Vladimir Putin will address the nation “soon” as his country is rocked by an insurgency by the paramilitary group Wagner, the Kremlin has announced.

“Putin will give a speech soon,” presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news outlets.

• 7:04 am: Prigozhin says he is at military headquarters in Rostov inspecting military sites

The leader of the Wagner paramilitary group claims to be at the Russian army headquarters in the city of Rostov, a key center for the Russian attack on Ukraine, and to have taken control of military bases, including an airfield.

“We are at headquarters, it is 7:30 a.m.” (4:30 GMT), Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a video transmission on Telegram, “the military bases in Rostov are under control, including the airfield,” he adds behind him go men in uniform.

He assured that the military planes involved in the Russian offensive in Ukraine “usually” depart from the airfield to carry out their “combat duties” and reiterated that “there is no problem”. “The main command post is functioning normally,” he continued, assuring that “no officer posted there” has been suspended from duty.

“A large number of conquered territories” in Ukraine “are being lost” and “many soldiers are being killed,” he affirmed, again accusing the Russian army of not telling the truth about the situation on the forehead. The army is losing “up to 1,000 men a day”, including dead, wounded, missing or refusers, he assured.

• 05:44: Uprising in Russia: Increased security measures in several Russian regions

The Russian capital, the Rostov region, neighboring Ukraine and the Lipetsk region on Saturday announced increased security measures in the face of the insurgency by the paramilitary group Wagner.

“Because of the information [nous] “Anti-terrorist activities are ongoing in Moscow with the aim of strengthening security measures,” the capital’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote on Telegram.

In the south of the country, in the Rostov region, where the Wagner group is said to have invaded, calls have been made to stay at home.

“Police are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of residents in the area. [de Rostov]. I ask everyone to keep calm and not leave the house unless necessary,” Governor Vasily Golubev wrote on Telegram.

The authorities then asked the residents of the capital of the same name not to go to the city center. Pictures and online publications show armed men near official buildings.

• 5:33 a.m.: “A military coup,” according to our journalist Elena Voloshin

• 5:05 a.m .: The Russian opponent Khodorkovsky calls for the Wagner boss to “help” against Putin’s regime.

Russian opponent and businessman in exile Mikhail Khodorkovsky calls on the leader of the Wagner group Yevgeny Prigoyine in the uprising against the Russian army for help in the fight against Vladimir Putin’s regime.

“Yes, even the devil would have to help him if he decided to go against this regime! (…) If this bandit [Evguéni Prigojine] wants to disturb the other [Vladimir Poutine]”This is no time for a grimace, now we have to help,” he wrote on Telegram.

• 3:01 am: Wagner boss claims his forces shot down a Russian military helicopter

The leader of the Wagner paramilitary group, which has launched an armed uprising against the Russian general staff, said overnight his forces shot down a Russian military helicopter.

“At that moment, a helicopter opened fire on a civilian column, which was shot down by Wagner’s units,” Yevgeny Prigoyine said in a new audio message, without specifying the location of the incident.

AFP could not confirm the veracity of these comments.

• 2:30 a.m.: Anti-aircraft defense deployed in Kiev, explosions in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine

Explosions erupted overnight in Kyiv and Kharkiv, authorities in both cities said, as all of Ukraine was on alert for impending Russian attacks. “The air defenses in the capital are working,” the Kiev military administration said on Telegram.

Then Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported about “explosions” in the Solomiansky district. “All services [de secours] are sent to the crime scene,” he added.

“Explosions can be heard in Kharkiv,” said Igor Terekhov, mayor of the country’s second largest city.

Finally, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that missiles were flying in particular towards the Sumy, Poltava and Dnipro regions.

• 1:54 am: Putin is “continuously informed” by the security services (Kremlin)

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “continuously informed of developments” following the announcement of an armed uprising by the leader of the paramilitary group Wagner.

“The special services, the law enforcement agencies, that is, the Ministry of Defense, the FSB (security services), the Ministry of Interior, the National Guard, continuously inform the President about the measures taken to implement the instructions given to them,” presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies .

• 1:50 a.m.: White House monitoring situation in Russia, Biden keeping in touch (Narrator)

The White House is monitoring the situation in Russia after the Wagner paramilitary group’s uprising against the Russian General Staff, a spokesman said, adding US President Joe Biden will be kept informed.

“We are monitoring the situation and will be discussing these developments with our allies and partners,” said Adam Hodge, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.

• 1:45 a.m.: Wagner vows to “go all the way,” says to enter Russia

The leader of the Wagner paramilitary group, which was rebelling against the Russian military command, vowed to “go all the way” and “destroy anything that gets in their way,” and said his troops had invaded Russian territory.

“We continue, we will go to the end,” Yevgeny Prigoyine said in an audio message on Telegram after announcing that his armed forces “(…) crossed the border of the Russian state while deployed in Ukraine.” had. Evguéni Prigojine claims to have 25,000 fighters.

Wagner’s boss did not provide any evidence to support these claims and AFP could not confirm the veracity of these remarks.

• 00:37: Ukrainian troops are preparing to attack, using “the provocation” of the chief of Wagner (Moscow).

Russia claimed Ukrainian troops are preparing to attack near the town of Bachmout and are “exploiting” the chaos caused by the Wagner squad leader’s call for an uprising against the Russian General Staff.

“The Kiev regime is taking advantage of Prigozhin’s provocation to destabilize the situation and is regrouping units of the 35th and 36th Marine Infantry Brigades for offensive actions,” said a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry in the Bakhmout area, armed forces with aviation and artillery.

• 00:03: An influential Russian general calls on the Wagner group to “stop” before it is “too late”.

Influential Russian General Sergey Surovikin on Friday urged Wagner Group fighters to “stop” and return to their barracks “before it’s too late” after their leader Yevgeny Prigoyine called for a rebellion against the military leadership.

“I address the fighters and leaders of the Wagner group (…) We are of the same blood, we are warriors. I [vous] asks you to stop (…) Before it’s too late, we must obey the will and order of the President-elect of Russia,” he said in a video broadcast by a journalist from Russian state television on Telegram.

The Russian Security Service (FSB) has launched an investigation into “incitement to armed mutiny” after the leader of the Wagner group called for an uprising against the military command, which he accuses of bombing his men.

“President (Vladimir) Putin is aware of all events surrounding (Evgeny) Prigoyine. The necessary measures will be taken,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by the agency. Cup.

With AFP and Portal

Is Sex in the Restaurant the New Frontier of Transgression? Damon Lawner, the 52-year-old American has opened a French cuisine restaurant in Hollywood where, in addition to the dishes, it is allowed to have a sexual relationship, hidden by a tent set up around the table, protected from the curiosity of the other patrons of the place. But still in the public context.

Elon Musk-Mark Zuckerberg, argument on social media: ‘See you in the cage…’

Unique

It’s called “Puzzle, the Sex Restaurant” in Los Angeles, but not everyone’s clientele has access to it, since prospective diners must disclose their net worth and pay an annual fee of $10,000 to guarantee a reservation.

Andrew Tate, the former kickboxing champion, is still in trouble after being accused of rape and human trafficking

wealthy customers

Lawner, an eccentric entrepreneur, is well known on American news for founding a club called the Sanctum, which hosted extravagant sexual encounters for wealthy guests, including US President Hunter Biden’s son.

Will it work?

The restaurant will have 15 cozy tables hidden in arched alcoves behind thick velvet curtains that can be closed for privacy, where people can do whatever they want as long as it’s legal. On the other hand, the founder has made sure that nobody looks behind the scenes.

Read the full article
on Leggo.it

This visit serves to personally check the implementation and sustainability of the implemented reforms and measures.

From estrategiaynegocios.net

Panama President Laurentino Cortizo announced that the International Financial Action Task Force (FATF) officials had agreed to an on-site visit to the country.

During this visit, Panama will be able to show the progress it has made in implementing the FATF recommendations and how it will maintain its action plan over time.

Four months ago, at the last FATF plenary session, Panama received an upgrade of its action plan, the Ministry of Economy and Finance reported in February.

Given this scenario, the country made progress towards long-achieved goals with 13 of the 15 measures set out by the FATF in June 2019.

The President clarified that this approval was obtained after 15 measures of his action plan were “long since accomplished”.

The aim of this visit is to personally verify the implementation and sustainability of the reforms and measures implemented on the ground and to reaffirm that political commitment is maintained. FATF officials urged Panama to swiftly complete its action plan by June 2023.

“Panama is prepared for the on-site visit of the Joint Group of the Americas and we want the entire international community to witness our tangible and concrete results and their sustainability,” Minister of Economy and Finance Héctor Alexander said at his meeting with the FATF representatives.

According to MEF, Panama will “demonstrate the developed institutional strengthening and will also allow to demonstrate the national commitment in relation to the prevention of money laundering, terrorist financing and financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”

With information from La Estrella de Panama