More Second Week in the MTC

 

We learned more during our second week. Our class taught by previous Family History missionaries was a party. Two women who loved family history and were good at provoking interest from people who shy away from the subject. Family History is for everyone. The slightest interest is a positive influence. The gathering we are all engaged in includes family history! There are more non-members than members actively engaged in Family Search. Helping people find their family members brings many positive things. Discover, Gather and Connect is a positive experience for everyone.  A discovery can change hearts. 

There is a lot of engaging and discovering in the activities available on the Family Tree app. I have gone through them before but had a new experience in this setting with Relatives Around Me. I learned that I had a second cousin, one time removed in our class - Mary Jane Neville! We had a little while to chat. She remembers as a teen, going to Nathan Hale Gardner’s home in Logan to type out the original journal of one of his ancestors. My grandfather printed copies of her typing and now we descendants have those little booklets. I need to follow up with her. She still lives in Logan for part of the year and thinks that his house is still there. She wasn't sure which ancestor she was transcribing but the experience is still strong in her mind. Our connecting ancestor is Celestial Snow, my great great Grandma, I noted that she was born in Lehi. She lived to 100 and I have a photo of her at my parents' wedding and with me as a baby. This is a photo of Mary Jane Neville and her husband:

Pedigree Pie is a fun tool. Google it. It is from BYU. After you sign into Family Search it shows you the countries your grandparents are from. The Memories app can provide an easy way to add stories, photos, or documents about you into Family Search. 

We had a class on Welfare and Self-Reliance. Caring for the poor is a prime effort of the church. But poor is hard to define. There are many people far happier than our culture who have little money. Poor is relative. We need to see people as they can become. See them as the Lord sees them. The Life Skills class is highly recommended. Many classes are available and can make a big difference if people choose to learn and change. All of us can change if we choose to do so. We all need repentance as we move away from the natural man, improve, and become more like Jesus Christ. 

If working with people who have difficult problems, perhaps some of these questions will help us see what would be useful for them. We are looking forward to getting to know you better. What are some of your interests? What do you look forward to? What are some things that bring you joy? What do you feel proud about? What makes you feel worried or frustrated? Help me understand more about the challenges you are facing. When I pray for you, what should I be praying for? What are some things that concern you right now? What are some things that you wish others understood about you? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? (or...What would you like to see in 6 months? and in 6 years?) Create a relationship of trust. Can we come again in a week with some more information and suggestions? Be positive. Complement all you can. What can you see? A well cared for yard? Get verbal permission to tell the story of the family with difficulties. With their permission, share with the Bishop and Ward Council (if invited) and the ward can begin to become involved and able to support and help. 

Pathway began in 2009. 65% of Pathway students are older adults. English Connect 1 and 2 can be taught by missionaries in a spiritual-based manner.

Brainstorm on how to help - Ask to be a greeter. Attend activities and help with set up and clean up. Be a mentor. Teach members that they need to serve in the ward/branch. Support all the positive things in other cultures. Pray for the leaders. Ask for advice. Get "Tools" populated with all of your units. Learn names, write them down, and use them frequently. Be on time. Get involved. Be open to requests. Be supportive of others. Teach from the Handbook. Follow up and report back. Be a good listener. Volunteer. Compliments are always welcome. Don't judge. Don't gossip. 

Tools have been used by prophets and members over the centuries. Some examples are a seer stone, the Urim and Thummin, the Liahona, and Social Media. Tech is God-given. It is up to us to us to use it well. We could have Family Home Evenings over Zoom and defeat the distances between our homes. We need to represent the truth and treat all people kindly. Sending messages of love and strengthening relationships is a good use of Social Media. Be prudent and never click on links that might be from those who would harm us. Sending a spiritual message is part of missionary work. How can you bring good to the world? 

Senior missionaries can change plans if they are inspired to do so. Be open to the Spirit. President Monson often made his security men work hard because he changed his plans frequently. He wanted to go to a funeral or hospital with little notice. Try to do an act of service every day. Work together as a couple and gain the confidence of the people you work with. Choose to be a servant to others. Do not seek for glory. Be patient. Be prepared when it is time to preach. Participate and help to improve things. Ask questions.

What will ye that I should prepare for you? What will ye that I shall give unto you? Don't give advice. Ask an inspired question. What would you like to change? Be sensitive and always have a prayer in your heart. Ask leaders - What is your understanding of the role of a MLS couple? What are your branch's strengths? What are your challenges? Deeper questions: Can you help us understand...? What do you think the solution is? What needs to change? What should replace it? How can we support you in finding a solution?

In Gospel Library there are many things that can strengthen new members. Help people understand callings. Help to see that what is in the Handbook is happening. My Covenant Path has 19 steps for new or returning members. Young missionaries have this Covenant Path Progress Report. We can cheer the young missionaries on to follow through. Bishops and Presidents have access to this information. Missionaries have it on their phones. Pray for people. Listen to the Spirit. See in others what they cannot see. Pray for the gift of discernment. 

Elder Packer: If all you know is what you see and hear with your natural eyes and ears - You don't know much. 

Develop the skill of helping to lift others. Peter lifted up the lame man and then he could walk on his own. People are more important than the process. "Never let a job that needs to be done overcome a person who needs to be loved."  President Monson

Missionaries are the catalyst, not the change. Support youth as well as adults. Don't be the hero. Build up others. Strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ. What impact do you want to have? How can we leave a lasting impact? Avoid feeling regret at the end of your mission. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Angels bear you up. 

A good way to strengthen relationships - Invite a couple or a family to do something together. Go out to dinner. Choose an outdoor activity. Or just go for a walk. Know Him and work to be like him. Take my yoke. We can come to know him by doing the work to improve ourselves. Covet the best gifts and seek for them. Teach one another. The words of Christ will tell you what ye should do. Ask and knock. By the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things. Try to motivate every person to choose to move closer to Jesus Christ.

We were able to go to an endowment session at the Provo Temple We also had a couple of opportunities to spend time with the Murals in building T4. They are beautiful and very engaging. They are backlit and very large. They encourage our thoughts to go to scripture stories and people we read about in a deeper way. I wish we could have spent more time just looking and thinking. This is Esther:

This is Joseph Smith in the Liberty Jail. Each mural has an accompanying question to ponder.

Second Week of MTC Training for Senior Missionaries

 

California Ventura Mission - September 11, 2023 until September 11, 2024

 First week in the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah

September 11, 2023 - We spent two weeks at the Mission Training Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. These are the newer buildings. We spent most of our time in the older buildings behind these buildings. One of the new buildings has 12 murals that are amazing. They are scenes from the scriptures and are huge and backlit. If you ever get a chance to see these murals do take advantage of it. Jeri has an overview with lots of teaching questions on her computer. I will email a copy to anyone who asks for it. The whole MTC campus is beautiful and well cared for. When the weather is good, some classes are held outside. One of the murals.

Jeri loves to go to classes and take notes. Lewis, not so much, but we both enjoyed our experience with our excellent teachers and the good people who were our fellow students. We were all anticipating our missions worldwide. We had 105 senior missionaries in the first week. There were also thousands of young men and women that we sat with in the cafeteria and at the Devotionals. The numbers were high (typical for late summer) and so were the mood and the energy. There are 82 categories of senior missionaries currently. So many things to do. We focused on Preach My Gospel this first week. The second week will be broken down into smaller classes that cover specific assignments. 

We were told that all missionaries need to teach people how to return to their Heavenly Father. We have a wonderful opportunity to help people. We will engage in the work to gather Israel. President Nelson has told us that this work is "the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth." Our job is to find needs and fill them. We have the privilege of participating in the greatest work in the world. We get a chance to help. We need to be focused on our Purpose, be Christ-centered and Spirit-led. We need to model that the advantage of living the Gospel is that it brings joy and peace into our lives. We all need to use our agency wisely. Our focus should be on the here and now and also on our eternal lives. We understand that we have the option to live with our Heavenly Father again and we need to share that knowledge with others. 

There wasn't room for all of the Senior Missionaries to stay on campus. We were placed in a hotel and were very comfortable. They had a complimentary breakfast buffet. I enjoyed the oatmeal, granola, and fruit. The potatoes were good too. Lewis had those items and liked some other things as well.  

Highlights of the first week. 

I loved this wisdom from somebody's mission president, "Scripture study has a shelf life of one day"

One of our first experiences was to be paired off with another couple and asked to get to know them and then give them an invitation to do something that you think will be appropriate for their needs. We were to promise blessings and bear testimony. We should always help people to use their agency wisely. We should also model the gospel with our actions and reflect the joy that being obedient brings. 

We enjoyed getting to know Elder and Sister Fox and a little of their background. Getting to know people is a lovely adventure. I hope to learn how to be open with people but never pry. The things we have in common are comfortable and their differences are fun to explore and learn from. We were taught that every missionary could benefit from having these 2 goals - To help others feel the Spirit and to invite others to do something that has the ability to bring them closer to our Savior. 

They asked us to text them our testimonies. Lewis wrote this: "I love Jesus Christ. I know he loves the world, and I know he lived, died, and was resurrected so that we could be resurrected too. He suffered for the sins of all those who would believe in Him and repent and follow him. I know he loves each of Father in Heaven's children. To this, I bear my solemn witness." Lewis Pettingill

Jeri wrote more words.   My Testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ

"I have been taught all of my life that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father and my Heavenly Mother. I approved the plan and chose to come to earth to receive a body and have experiences that will teach me the difference between good and evil. I was raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and chose to be baptized at age 8. I have always believed that my kind and loving parents taught me the truth. As I grew, I read the scriptures, said my prayers, and was very active in all of the programs of the church. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of Heavenly Father and has paid in full the penalty for all of my sins and weaknesses. If I have faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ, and obey his commandments I will qualify for all of the privileges of those who honor their covenants. I have found throughout my life that I have been guided and blessed. I know that the Book of Mormon is a true record to teach me more about my Savior. I know that the prophet Joseph Smith did see and speak with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He was authorized by Them to begin the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have experienced serious challenges in my life. They were not solved quickly and efficiently but I was comforted, strengthened, and able to press forward. Looking back, I can see the miracles and feel so very grateful for the blessings that I and my family have received. I have felt love and support from my Savior and I know that he will not override anyone’s agency but he will assist in every way so that all of his children will have the opportunity to receive all the blessings they most desire."

Another skill recommended is to learn the Book of Mormon very well so we can 1. describe the background 2. read a passage together with someone and 3. apply and testify. Pray before reading and afterward. 

Teaching - see Alma 18. Be a servant, follow the spirit, and teach with love. Adapt teaching to meet needs. Bear testimony. Use the scriptures. Ask questions and listen carefully. Encourage others to make commitments. Don't hang back, contribute. Social Media - people who were contacted by social media were baptized in greater numbers than those contacted in person. Perhaps they self-selected but the numbers were higher. Don't discount the tools that the Lord has provided for us. We let the young missionaries lead out when we accompany them. Testify through personal experiences. Ask inspired questions. Listen to the Spirit. We do our best and the Lord can take it from there. We should study Preach My Gospel every day. Prepare with prayer, learning more deeply the doctrine and principles. Become ready and able to encounter someone, and able to have a conversation that will give them an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus Christ. 

The Character of Jesus Christ Experience - repeated each Wednesday evening so everyone can attend once. Joseph Smith taught that we must understand God and his character. Jesus Christ submitted totally to the will of His Father. We need to understand the character attributes of Jesus Christ. The character of Jesus Christ is to turn outward and serve others. We need to do the same. What do our Mission Presidents need from us? Serve to bless and not to impress others. Choose to smile. Is our life in accordance with God's approval? Learn of Him, not just about Him. How do I begin this lifelong pursuit? Pray for help to change. Celebrate where you are and work on being better. Keep at it. We can go from good to better with His grace. We are to invite and help. Tell people how you appreciate their Christ-like attributes. See Preach My Gospel Chapter 6 for the attributes of Jesus Christ.

The natural man is focused on his wants and deeds. The atonement would not have happened without the quality of character that Jesus Christ had developed. The character of Jesus Christ is not turned inward. He is focused outward and desires to serve others. He is love, compassion, and charity. He is not self-centered, self-absorbed, or selfish. Our testimony is turned into conversion when I turn to - not what I want but, what Jesus Christ desires of me. How? Start with being obedient to our Mission Leaders. Find ways to serve. Choose to smile. Don't worry about impressing other people. Pray for help to improve. Celebrate where you are. Work to do better. Keep at it. Line upon line. Pray for patience and grace.

President Monson reminded us that we need courage. Courage to stand for truth and righteousness. Courage is required to refrain from judging others. Be an example of the believers. Have the courage to refrain from gossip and criticism.

YouTube links to a full devotional from 2011 and a retelling of the 20 Marks story - do watch

https://youtu.be/f6bofAYBpN8?si=F0kqI395s-c-BP6h - 2011 version

https://youtu.be/AGS45Fd9nmE?si=vC66OvNpw08IWlq_  - the shorter story of the 20 Marks

We also had a long session with a man who has been doing security for the church for many years. He said to use common sense. Set a good example of prudence. Report anything that should be known by the Mission President and the police (unless the President does that). If anyone tries to rob you of something - just give it to him. Nothing is worth a life. Know that the robber will take your phone. Never let your car have less than 1/2 tank of gas. Drive with your doors locked and the windows up. Hide objects. Don't leave items on the back seat. At a hotel, park near the entrance. Park where it is lighted and near a busy street. Stay in a group of friends if possible. Avoid bad areas. If you feel unsafe then leave. Use difficult passwords. Don't say anything critical on Social Media. Missionaries are representing the Church. Don't share personal stuff. Virtual kidnapping is a real thing and is profitable. Do not discuss politics. Do not treat children like they are your grandchildren. Follow the guidelines of the church. Never give significant gifts, loans, or promises.