Elder Johns' First Email

1^st Email From Elder Johns:

Well, they say that if you make it to your first Sunday here you're good for the next two and a half week. And they may be right. I didn't exactly know what to expect about the MTC, which is a good things because my expectations would almost certainly have been wrong.

The MTC is many things; boring is most definitely not one of them. The daily schedule is packed from 6:30 AM -1030 PM with study time, lessons, teaching appointments, devotionals, meals, gym (sand volley ball is pretty fun), more lessons, and more study time, oh did I mention study time and lessons? While we don't do much physically, everyday is exhausting, physically, mentally, and spiritually. But the Spirit here is amazing. Nearly everything is centered on Christ. I have felt my testimony grow more than ever before in my life. Before I got here, I thought I had a fairly strong testimony, and a good handle on the scriptures and such... boy was I wrong! It has been a rather humbling experience, but the Lord has promised that through faith he will make weak things strong, and I have certainly felt that working in me. As missionaries we need to rely on almost constant revelation about what we need to study, what it meant, what the investigator needs to hear and such and we need to be listening to it all the time while I'm not quite there yet, I am on my way. 


My companion's name is Elder. It's funny how many people have that name here... (sorry couldn't help myself) Elder Bennett (he's going to Ventura CA) It took a couple days but I think we've finally clicked. We share a room (a "residence") with Elders Figaeroa (sp?) and Daines (both are going to Riverside CA too). Also in our district (class in other words) are Elders Hightower (the district leader), McKnight, Wikam, and Brown (all going to New Hampshire). For the most part we are a pretty good group. We do a LOT of role playing. Our teachers are named Brother Harward and Sister Knudsen. Aside from teaching us they play a couple of investigators, "Wes" and "Lacy" respectively, they are based on real investigators they taught, and they both play the parts REALLY well. We have scheduled appointments with them (separately). The lessons with them are pretty much as real as they get. (Our first one with Lacy BOMBED haha, it's funny looking back at it. our first one with Wes was better, but still not too great. Improving though).

We also do a lot of role playing as companionship’s/district. I am learning a lot about the gospel and how the spirit works. Everything boils down to the Doctrine of Christ. Which is: have faith in Jesus Christ, and his atonement. Repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost and endure to the end. Everything else is an extension of those doctrines, and through them we can have eternal life. The MTC is hard, But with God's help I know I can do it, and that it is worth it.

Elder Johns

P.S: Letters are great and apparently there is a website called dearelder.com were you can email me and they will give me a hard copy letter. Getting stuff in my box is great!

PPS: I'm cutting down on my food intake. The food here is usually good but there is a lot of it. I'm determined not to get fat.

PPPS: There is a lot going on but I can't write it all in the 5 seconds I have left.