Provo MTC

Set apart Wednesday, June 1, 2016 as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Entered the MTC on June 6th

The 1st day at the MTC and the 1st day of our mission!  It is very impressive.  Much different than the LTM I attended in 1973.  We checked in at 10:40 and the process was very efficient.  They had a packet ready with our room key and at least 6 elders standing by to carry our luggage up to our room.  Then there was a 20 minute orientation with about 20 couples at a time that covered what we would be doing for the week.  Our arrival times were staggered. In every meeting, they seem very aware that we arrive with concerns for family left behind, nervousness for what we will be doing, struggles with language, etc.  Lunch followed at noon and our first class was at 1:00, that was a welcome by the MTC presidency and their wives.  There are about 2,000 missionaries here this week and 103 senior arrived today.  The afternoon was all held in a large assembly room, like a hotel conference room.    We had 3 classes: the welcome, instruction on Our Purpose as a Missionary from Preach My Gospel (PMG) and then we had a chance to divide into 13 districts of about 4 couples each.  I was selected as the District Leader for our little group.  We will be together for the week as we are instructed and role play with PMG, which starts tomorrow morning at 8:00.  

Here is a summary of my notes and impressions on this first day.

• Luke 18:29-30   "There is no man that hath left house or parents ….who shall not receive manifold more in this present time …" 
• How will I ever be able to accomplish all that is asked of us?  One step at a time.  One prayer at a time.
• Pres Monson:  We are on the Lord's errand and He will qualify us.  We must being desire and diligence.  D&C 4
• The hour of our mission has arrived.  It is never convenient for a sr couple to leave on a mission.  It is an indication of our deep love of the Savior that we are willing to make this sacrifice.  
• It doesn't really matter what we have done in the past in the way of church service.  We have not "earned" our way here.  What matters is what we do going forward and what we become during our mission.  
• While at the MTC focus on the young missionaries.  We can be a great help to them.  Many come from homes where life has not been ideal - maybe they do not have endowed families.  We can encourage them, and be examples.  Be happy. Have fun. Hold hands. Enjoy being with a companion of our choosing.  Work to serve each other, smile and complement each other.  
• Remember that we are the lucky ones who have the health, finances and family situations that allow us to serve (Big Thanks to our families who are supporting us and encouraging us to serve at this time.)
• Bear our testimonies often to our children in our journals, letters, etc.  Write down every tender mercy. It will bless them now and in the future.
• Eph 4:32  Be a little kinder than necessary.  Observe to serve.  Look for opportunities to serve members, other missionaries, the younger elders and sisters.  
• Our purpose is to invite all to come unto Christ.  Teach doctrine simply and clearly.  What we say or how we say it, is not as important as what and who we are.  The spirit teaches.  People want to know more, not so much because of the teachings - though ultimately that is important - but because of the spirit that they feel when we are  in their homes.  

We finished classes at 4:15 and then spent an hour unpacking before dinner.  At 6:00, we had a video of Elder Bednar talking about the Character of Christ and how we should strive to develop those characteristics ourselves.