Date
October 13, 2017
Area
MTC
Companion
Sister Tensmeyer
Strength, Mileage and The Book of Mormon
сайн байна уу everyone?!
Well, staring out week four has been great! I keep thinking that the MTC can't get any better, and then it does!
This week, we had the awesome opportunity to hear from Elder D. Todd Christofferson, and he shared a message about the Book of Mormon. That seems to be a theme this week with general conference, and when three different apostles echo the words of the prophet on the importance of the Book of Mormon, it is kind of hard not to listen. So, this week, in one of our district meetings, we all had the opportunity to share our testimonies of the Book of Mormon. There is nothing quite like the strength in ten missionaries all sharing their testimony, and it was a really uplifting meeting. I also realized how much stronger my testimony has become over the past few weeks in the MTC. I have had a testimony of the Book of Mormon for a long time, but with missionary eyes, my testimony means something a little different. On a mission, any and all weaknesses you have are always exposed. In a lifestyle where you are trying all day every day to be the most Christ-like you can, it is hard to not feel like you don't quite measure up. However, any time I read the Book of Mormon, I feel my confidence as a missionary boosted. That is because I don't need to be confident that I am perfect at sharing the message of the Gospel, I only need confidence that the message itself is perfect, and I know that I can have 100% confidence in that. Every time I read the Book of Mormon, I am reminded of how life-changing the Gospel is, and I know that when others start to read it, ponder it, and pray for confirmation of their feelings, they too can have 100% confidence in the path that they are following.
Another cool thing I would like to share is a story from one of my MTC teachers. He told us that while serving in Mongolia, he had an experience trekking up some mountains in the cold. He told us that he felt like he couldn't carry on, but in his heart, he prayed to God and asked, "If you will give me the strength, I will give you the mileage." This has stuck with me as I have been trying to do everything I am asked to here in the MTC. There is so much to learn and so many ways to fill my time, it feels like an uphill climb sometimes. However, the Lord is willing to help us when he asks us to do something. If we are willing to keep working and give Him the mileage, He will give us the strength to endure.
I hope everyone has a great week, and enjoys the fall weather! It is beautiful here in Provo!
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Sister Elizabeth Workman