At the MTC

View from MTC looking east.

Stephanie and I will be spending the coming week at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. It is a bit hard to adequately describe what it is like here. It is one of those places that needs to be experienced to  fully understand. Not because there is anything particularly unusual about the facilities or the physical settings, but because of the focus, the Spirit of the place, the enthusiasm and love for God felt in the midst of a couple of thousand young people excited to dedicate a portion of their lives to a cause greater than themselves, the quiet resolve and stability of senior men and women dedicated to the same cause. It’s an experience best described today by “IYKYK” or perhaps with a slight twist on Jesus’ sometimes repeated phrase “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

We have completed our one Sabbath day here. It started with typical LDS Sunday services. The central purpose and ordinance of this is the administration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s supper in remembrance of Christ’s body and blood. We use bread and water instead of wine for this. Most Sundays this will be followed by talks prepared by members of the congregation who were previously requested by the Bishop to prepare thoughts on a particular topic but once per month (usually the first Sunday) it is “Fast and Testimony” meeting to which the members of the Church come fasting (go without food or drink for two meals, if medically able) and share if they so desire their feelings about and experience with God and Christ. They then donate the money that would have been spent for those two meals - and often much more - to a fund that is used to assist those who are in need. Today was a Fast and Testimony Sunday. Following services, we had a full day of study and devotionals about drawing closer to and better following God in our own lives. Tomorrow, we formally check in and begin our training for the week. 

 

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