First week in the MTC

Dear all,

 

OH MAN!!! The first week has been crazy! I have had so much fun and the days have been going by sooooo quick. Before I realized it, it was fast sunday which was probably the slowest day because we didn't have classes. The classes are my favorite part of the MTC. 

My teachers are amazing. Br. Starky is a skinny redhead who went to Anchorage, Alaska Spanish speaking. He is so strong spritually. He has taught my district so much. Oh I love my companion, Elder Barney. He is from Grand Junction, Colorado. He probably paid a lot more attention in seminary then me because he has alot more scriptures down then me. I am definitely a bit still slow with pulling up scriptures are the right time. But if I study well and effectivly I know the Holy Ghost will bring those things to remembrance as said in DC 84:85. Because if this, I know that I do not teach anything really. If I do my part and invite the spirit, the spirit will teach through me. We have been taugh so many things in class. My favorite part is teaching the investigators. The investigators are actors based on real investigators. Br. Starky pretended to be a 65 year old man named Migel. This man has been married for many years and has 2 kids. He has seen the missionaries for 6 years and nothing has happened. So Elder Barney and I started off teaching lesson one. And it went downhill from there. We asked the normal questions such as do you believe in God and such. Then when we reached eternal families he said that he did not want to be with his family forever. And I just stared at him and didn't know what to say. This is where the Spirit comes into play. We continued with the lesson because we didn't really have anything else to do. My companion took over while I was troubled because of his answer about eternal families. While my companion was teaching, I was getting hit about the head by the Spirit telling me to stop and go back and press him more about eternal families. So I stopped the lession, apologized to my companion becasue he had a very troubled look on his face and I looked at "Migel" and asked him why he did not want to be sealed to his family for life and all eternity. He looked at me and said that he did not want to drag his wife (who is a memeber and excellent active memeber of the church) down. His kids are not good and are rather rebellious at age 26 and 29. With that the flood gates of the scriptures and the spirit opened up. Elder Barney and I tag teamed him and pulled scriptues such as DC 132 which talks about eternal marriage and the blessings achieved from it, you will obtain principalities, kingdoms ext. Migel still said that even with his wife being active and good his kids have still not become good people. Elder Barney took him with a strong right hook saying, "If I may be so bold. Maybe its not them that need to change first, its you." He looked at us and didn't know what to say. I finally knocked him out with the famous malachi scipture found in 3 Nephi 25:6. "The hearts of the Fathers will turn to the children and the hearts of the children will turn to the Father..." BOOOM!!! he didn't really know what to say. Now here is key part. Br. Starky has taught us to be bold. Ask if they are willing to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by one holding the Priesthood Authority at the end of the first lesson. Elder Barney asked and I bore testimony that as he changes his children will see the change and follow the fatherfigure in their family. Well, he accepted and we will be teaching him more this coming week. After the lesson Elder Barney looked at me and gave me a bear hug. He thanked me for following the Spirit and backtracking to ask more about his family. That experiance taught me as that really without relying on Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost I can really not teach. Theres a scripture that says, "Without me, ye can do nothing." I testify that this is the truth. Such a crazy experience. Something that I needed in my first week. I love my companion so much. I love all of you guys. Be safe and I'll email again in a week

 

Love

Elder Clason.