Final Week at the MTC!!!!!
Date
September 10, 2016
Area
Missionary Training Center
Companion
Elder Perrins
Final Week at the MTC!!!!!
Hey Family!!
I loved getting packages from Grandma and Grandpa Cook, the Ogletrees, and you. I was so grateful for them. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to send me things and to let me know that you care for me. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Smith for the nice card you sent me. I loved reading what you had to say.
Sunday was a great day. It was fast and testimony meeting. As the meeting went on I felt that I needed to bear my testimony to my Zone. Once I bore my testimony I spoke Spanish without stopping to think what to say. It was definitely the words of God and his power flowing from my mouth. I felt the spirit strongly as I spoke. I only needed to know the spirit was with me and would testify of truths that I spoke of. I was so touched that the Lord could use me. He felt that I could be his mouthpiece. My testimony wasn't greater or better than anyone's in that meeting but I was filled because I had the Spirit. Later we watched a film on Joseph Smith. After watching the movie I had a strong witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet. It was a sad story but the Lord shed love upon them. He lifted them up to new heights. The Savior made them strong through their hardships. He did allow bad things to happen but it was to deepen their faith. The Hand of God was throughout their experiences. He guided them and redeemed them. He did much to assist with bringing salvation unto many souls. He was a man of God who endured much and never fell away. He was not perfect, but his example is one of the greatest to man. I am so thankful for my ancestors that accepted the Gospel. I have been insurmountably blessed and almost undeservingly blessed. But Christ loves me and he gave me so much. I stand all amazed.
Monday was also a great day. We had a part of the day where the teacher pulled each of us aside talk with us. When it was my turn he said that he is grateful for the light that is in my eyes. He said I have a strong countenance and when he looks at me he sees Christ. That was a compliment that I have never heard nor think I deserve. I thanked him for that. He then asked how he can help me. I just said that I need to find out what God wants me to do or focus on right now. I told him that my desire right now is to glorify the father. He pulled up a scripture in D&C 19:16-20. It was powerful. I got emotional when he explained that Atonement hurt Christ and that he didn't want to do it. He finished it because he wanted to Glorify the Father. That is my desire.
Tuesday was a great day. We had Elder D. Todd Christopherson speak to us. He gave such a great message. It was on our new purpose. Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts. It encompasses all that we need to do. Repentance is not just asking for forgiveness. One needs faith to repent. They all need to change in order to truly repent. He also talked about how he loves all the missionaries in the entire world, but he doesn't trust all of them. Does he trust us? It gave us a new perspective to look and a time to reflect on our lives. It was such a great talk. I don't have all my notes with me.
Wednesday was not bad. I had a talk with Elder Evans during the day about feeling the Spirit. He said that he is not sure if he has felt the spirit. He says he was struggling to feel the spirit when his companion talked and wondered if he ever has felt it. I shared with him a scripture in JSH 1:25. We read it and I said that you have felt the Spirit. You know it and God knows it. Don't question it. He said that it really helped him. I am glad God was able to use me to help him.
Thursday taught me how to question the gospel. We had an activity where the object was to find out the "why". It was a little vague but I went along with it. I started studying the law of Chastity and the teacher told us that God gives us commandments to help us develop Christ-like attributes. I found in that section that that Law helps develop self control. I then asked more questions about the law like why do we have to be married even though we may have a good relationship with someone before we are baptized. As I searched I found the answer. Marriage is a promise. Promises make us accountable. With a promise there is also a potential for blessings. Without that promise we cannot have those blessings. It deepened my understanding of The Law of Chastity and also Covenants. It is the same thing with a covenant.
Friday was infield orientation. It was really good! I learned how to set goals for the mission, contact people, obtain referrals, and work with the members. It helped me understand how to be a missionary and how to better fulfill my purpose to bring others to Christ. It was a great day. I also memorized D&C 4 in Spanish! That took forever but I am so glad that I was able to memorize it with the help of God.
Today has been great so far. I have been able to get a lot of things done. Going to the temple was great today. I was able to read about the Christ's teachings in the Book of Mormon. In 3 Nephi 13 I read that I need to seek not for the Glory of Man but instead search for the Glory of God.
Scriptures that touched me: D&C 4, 19:16-20, 121:36, 41-46; Mosiah 4:11-16; John 13:15, 2 Nephi 25:23,
Thanks again for the love and the support!
Love,
Elder Smith
I loved getting packages from Grandma and Grandpa Cook, the Ogletrees, and you. I was so grateful for them. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to send me things and to let me know that you care for me. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Smith for the nice card you sent me. I loved reading what you had to say.
Sunday was a great day. It was fast and testimony meeting. As the meeting went on I felt that I needed to bear my testimony to my Zone. Once I bore my testimony I spoke Spanish without stopping to think what to say. It was definitely the words of God and his power flowing from my mouth. I felt the spirit strongly as I spoke. I only needed to know the spirit was with me and would testify of truths that I spoke of. I was so touched that the Lord could use me. He felt that I could be his mouthpiece. My testimony wasn't greater or better than anyone's in that meeting but I was filled because I had the Spirit. Later we watched a film on Joseph Smith. After watching the movie I had a strong witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet. It was a sad story but the Lord shed love upon them. He lifted them up to new heights. The Savior made them strong through their hardships. He did allow bad things to happen but it was to deepen their faith. The Hand of God was throughout their experiences. He guided them and redeemed them. He did much to assist with bringing salvation unto many souls. He was a man of God who endured much and never fell away. He was not perfect, but his example is one of the greatest to man. I am so thankful for my ancestors that accepted the Gospel. I have been insurmountably blessed and almost undeservingly blessed. But Christ loves me and he gave me so much. I stand all amazed.
Monday was also a great day. We had a part of the day where the teacher pulled each of us aside talk with us. When it was my turn he said that he is grateful for the light that is in my eyes. He said I have a strong countenance and when he looks at me he sees Christ. That was a compliment that I have never heard nor think I deserve. I thanked him for that. He then asked how he can help me. I just said that I need to find out what God wants me to do or focus on right now. I told him that my desire right now is to glorify the father. He pulled up a scripture in D&C 19:16-20. It was powerful. I got emotional when he explained that Atonement hurt Christ and that he didn't want to do it. He finished it because he wanted to Glorify the Father. That is my desire.
Tuesday was a great day. We had Elder D. Todd Christopherson speak to us. He gave such a great message. It was on our new purpose. Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts. It encompasses all that we need to do. Repentance is not just asking for forgiveness. One needs faith to repent. They all need to change in order to truly repent. He also talked about how he loves all the missionaries in the entire world, but he doesn't trust all of them. Does he trust us? It gave us a new perspective to look and a time to reflect on our lives. It was such a great talk. I don't have all my notes with me.
Wednesday was not bad. I had a talk with Elder Evans during the day about feeling the Spirit. He said that he is not sure if he has felt the spirit. He says he was struggling to feel the spirit when his companion talked and wondered if he ever has felt it. I shared with him a scripture in JSH 1:25. We read it and I said that you have felt the Spirit. You know it and God knows it. Don't question it. He said that it really helped him. I am glad God was able to use me to help him.
Thursday taught me how to question the gospel. We had an activity where the object was to find out the "why". It was a little vague but I went along with it. I started studying the law of Chastity and the teacher told us that God gives us commandments to help us develop Christ-like attributes. I found in that section that that Law helps develop self control. I then asked more questions about the law like why do we have to be married even though we may have a good relationship with someone before we are baptized. As I searched I found the answer. Marriage is a promise. Promises make us accountable. With a promise there is also a potential for blessings. Without that promise we cannot have those blessings. It deepened my understanding of The Law of Chastity and also Covenants. It is the same thing with a covenant.
Friday was infield orientation. It was really good! I learned how to set goals for the mission, contact people, obtain referrals, and work with the members. It helped me understand how to be a missionary and how to better fulfill my purpose to bring others to Christ. It was a great day. I also memorized D&C 4 in Spanish! That took forever but I am so glad that I was able to memorize it with the help of God.
Today has been great so far. I have been able to get a lot of things done. Going to the temple was great today. I was able to read about the Christ's teachings in the Book of Mormon. In 3 Nephi 13 I read that I need to seek not for the Glory of Man but instead search for the Glory of God.
Scriptures that touched me: D&C 4, 19:16-20, 121:36, 41-46; Mosiah 4:11-16; John 13:15, 2 Nephi 25:23,
Thanks again for the love and the support!
Love,
Elder Smith
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