Tuesday, March 27, 2012

27 March 2012:  We have experienced a "little slice of heaven" the last week and a half here in the Provo Missionary Training Center.  It has been such a joy to share this time with approximately 2,000 other elders and sisters. Of course, most of the missionaries are young (19 to 22), energetic, eager, and enthusiastic. In addition there are the "senior" missionaries (about 150 of us here right now) who have assignments all over the world, from Fiji to Florida to France.  Missionaries in our group will be serving on military bases, in mission offices, in Centers for Young Adults, in PEF offices, and in Church Institute programs (like we are). What a blessing it has been to meet and share testimony with these fine people from all over the US and Canada who have so many years of experience in Church service.  We have been wonderfully taught by young returned missionaries, mature Church volunteers, and Church service professionals.  We have been treated to inspiring devotionals (Elder Oaks last week), amazing meals, and an abundance of the Spirit.   The most memorable messages from our instruction have been to use the Book of Mormon as our primary tool for conversion, to teach people and not lessons, to INVITE people to come unto Christ, and to NOT get in the way of the Spirit as we teach. We are excited to set out tomorrow afternoon for our adventure in Alaska.