MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER

    

Senior Missionaries at MTC

Today we completed Preach My Gospel training at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. Long days and a short week! About 100 missionary couples were trained this week. This is a picture of a part. Elaine and I are third from the left. We made great friends and everyone was so friendly and kind. The young returned missionaries who instructed us brought a remarkable spirit. If the rest of the world could have the spirit found in the MTC it would literally be heaven on earth. The love shown to Elaine by so many co-workers with whom she worked at the MTC was almost embarrassing. Everyone was hugging and lavishing her with praise and kindness. For over 10 years she has come home each evening from the MTC and commented on how much she loves working there. Now, she is willingly leaving the place she loves and is going to Europe with me to thrust in our sickle.
     I met a senior sister missionary who took English from my mother at Ricks College. She raved about her. She remembers Mom telling the class that it was good to be open-minded, but not so open that your brains fall out! I would add my own wisdom: if you can look through a keyhole with both eyes you are too narrow-minded. I met Robert Cushing (and wife) who grew up in our hometown of Rexburg, Idaho, just a few houses up the street from us. He has an identical twin named Bill. I remember them well from my boyhood. It was fun to see them after 45 years and get caught up.
     We have been promised that we and our family members will be blessed by the Lord for serving in the mission field. We are sure of the truthfulness of this promise, and that our children, grandchildren, siblings, and others will receive blessings from the Lord as a result of our consecrated service. We hope that each of you will live so as to be worthy to receive those blessings, and that you will be watchful and mindful of them when they come. Trust the Lord. He will not forsake you. Show your gratitude by your obedience to his commandments. Be kind to each other and filled with love and compassion.
     Tomorrow we go to Salt Lake City to get ready for four days of training starting on Monday about missionary medical needs and procedures. We will finish up on Thursday afternoon and return to Provo on Friday and Saturday to get packed and fully ready to leave. On Sunday we are going to stay with our son, Greg, and his family in West Valley. They will drop us off at the airport Monday morning and we'll be on our way.