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Monday, August 15, 2016

August 8-13, 2016 MTC - First Week

August 9-13, 2016

I want to go back to record some things about our first week in the MTC. This blog not only serves as a way for us to share our experiences, but it is also a great way for us to keep a journal.
                             
In the previous post, I mentioned watching an inspiring video Monday evening. It is of a devotional Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave on Christmas day here at the MTC in 2011, entitled, "The Character of Christ." I highly recommend viewing it; it is available on YouTube.

A few pictures from our first days at the MTC.

We received mail on our very first day at the MTC. 
Thanks, Paidan, Liam, and Faryn!

This photograph of baptisms taking place in some foreign land hangs in one of the hallways of the MTC. If you look closely you'll see some men with different tools in the left of the picture.  It appears they are poised and ready to fight off crocodiles or some such threat. Yikes!  


The rest of our week was a busy schedule of training meetings in small and large groups from 8 in the morning until about 4:30 each afternoon. We received training as all missionaries do to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ even though our primary assignment is as Welfare Service Missionaries. Throughout the week, we were taught how to use the manual on missionary service called Preach My Gospel as well as all the standard works of the Church: the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, to help us prepare to be effective missionaries. 


We had wonderful instructors who were all young returned missionaries. They were so enthusiastic and motivated in every session. We were impressed and touched by their knowledge, expert teaching skills, and inspiring presentations. We ended the week with such love in our hearts for these fine young people and will be forever grateful for their dedication to the Lord. 

Tuesday evening we attended the weekly devotional with ALL of the young missionaries, senior missionaries, leaders, and teachers here at the MTC. It was an awe-inspiring sight as over 2700 elders and sisters filled the auditorium. The choir had over 1000 people in it. Jeff asked us later in a text if we sang "Called to Serve." I replied that, yes, we did, but I told him it was mostly that everyone else was singing; we were so overcome with emotion it was hard to sing. The special speaker for this devotional was Elder Neal L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He spoke about our charge to help the kingdom of God roll forth throughout the earth. He reminded us that a mission is not complicated, but it is also not easy.
     “The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth.” (Doctrine and Covenants 65:2)


On Wednesday and Thursday, along with continuing to learn from our instructors, we had two opportunities to role play as a missionary couple in the TRC - Teaching Resource Center. We were to use the various principles we had learned so far, and especially we were to listen to the Spirit to direct us to know what our "investigators" needed to be taught and to know how best to invite them to come unto Christ. It was a little scary at first, but amazingly, even though this was not a real teaching appointment, we could feel the presence of the Spirit and knew what we were teaching and discussing with them was truth. I told Buddy and others, that I felt so much love for the two people we taught even though we'll probably never see them again. 

We watched several short video clips from various talks and devotionals in our classes throughout the week.  One that we watched in a large group meeting is called, Because of Him. It can be found on YouTube or lds.org. Please watch it when you have a chance. It's less than 3 minutes, but oh my, it is powerful!

Friday was our last day with all the senior missionaries, with our district, and with our wonderful teachers.  In the morning , we heard from a couple who have served about 10 missions. They had some amazing stories. We also had another couple come in to speak to our district in our last small group meeting.  This couple has served 4 missions together. The brother had also served as a youth, and the sister had served another mission with her first husband who is deceased. They were so cute and eager to encourage us.  

In the afternoon, all the senior missionaries met together for one last large group meeting. At the end, it was sad to tell the others in our district good-bye. We are so grateful for all we were able to learn together in such a short amount of time. Our lives are truly changed. 


A few more pictures from the week:
Our name tags and daily planners
Doing laundry
Studying in our room
Our nice room at the MTC
The next two pictures were taken after our tour of Welfare Square in Salt Lake City. We went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building downtown for a delicious luncheon and training meeting with several of the managers and other staff for the Church Welfare Department.
Salt Lake City Temple































1 comment:

  1. I love this picture of Dad in the laundry room! He has such sweet smile!!!

    ReplyDelete