MTC Highlights: Week 5

Friends and Family,

Week 5 is here and marks the halfway point here at the MTC.  Last week has been pretty good.  Last week we went to the temple and I was able to do an endowment name for one of Elder Schultz ancestors.  Some how it makes the whole experience better when you do a session from a card you brought.  I was so happy to have the opportunity.

Ok so I had a lot of questions about how general conference is in the MTC and I would have to say it’s amazing.  Before here, I always kind of treat General Conference lightly, especially when women or Seventies speak.  But since I feel closer to the spirit than I ever have been, I realized you don't have to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve or even the Prophet to give an amazing talk.  I mean I sometimes even wrote more notes for them than anyone else.  Some of my favorites where L. Whitney Clayton, Ian S. Ardrean, Keith B. McMullin, Wadell, and also many of the Quorum of the Twelve, but that is expected.  But my favorite of all time was Holland's in Priesthood session. There is just something about that man that I love, and I think part of that reason is he reminds me of Bro. Heywood.  My favorite part of his talk was that "Satan does not have the power to take a life, but he does have the power to bind peoples lounges.  By stopping the work from progressing, Satan is doing much more damage than if he could have taken a life.  NOW is the time to not let yourself involuntarily bind your tongues and to speak out not just against evil, but be a voice of light and truth in the decreasing moral standards of this day."  He really made us in the MTC feel proud to be here and "On the front lines" of the battle that is waging.  It gives me a bigger drive to arm myself with as much as I can here so I can do damage out in the field.

Sunday night we had Chad Lewis come and speak to us for the fireside.  Even though he played for BYU football, it was still exciting to see that we were going listen to a young guy for a change (No offense to the old guys out there).  He and his wife told a bunch of amazing stories about sports and how they related to the gospel.  He told a story about a time when he climbed this mountain in Africa with a bunch of injured soldiers from Iraq and how difficult and hard getting to the top was and only by listening to their guide were they able to climb at the right speed, not get lost, and survive up there.  It’s just like us needing Christ to lead us up the mountain to reach the top of the next life.

My companion... what a character.  I started off this week on not so good terms with him as usual.  It wasn't until Tuesday night when we had a General Authority come and talk that things started to turn around.  What was funny is that he seemed to have a solid topic of getting to know your Savior during his whole talk, but then he had 2 side comments right in the middle out of nowhere that seemed to be directed right at me. (And idk if he actually said this or if I was just getting real strong revelation) but he said "The biggest problem you will have on your mission that will effect how you feel the spirit in your lessons is with your companion" and "I know you think that if you just focus on your studies and the language that you will be the most prepared missionary you can be, but you can't.  God paired you up with your companion here in the MTC because he knows what will make the both of you the most effective you can be.  If you learn the lessons you are supposed to."  Then that night my Branch President came and had a little interview with me and said he was receiving inspiration that he needed to talk to me.  It worried me a little because this never happens.  But we went in there and he told me that "I was strong and steadfast, and that I was the only missionary in the district that could have been put with E. Bailey."  He just thanked me for being so strong and made me feel pretty good about myself and said there was a point in the last week where Bailey was considering going home, not necessarily because of me, but stuff was happing at home and he still was slow with the language.  Since then, I have strived harder than I ever have in my life to have "Christlike love", including praying every time I pray to have love for my companion.  Every morning and every night we say prayer together and read the Book of Mormon.  I give him a hug and tell him I love him 5 times a day, which I know sounds like I should be going to San Fran, but the last 3 days have been a miracle from God.  We have gotten so much closer, and now we laugh and have a good time and can finally feel the spirit through our lessons again.  Now we just have to work on the Spanish part.

You’ll be happy to hear that I am still way ahead of the class in the language and work hard every day to stay that way. I love you all so much especially my Mom and Dad for everything you do. Keep the letters coming.

-Love Elder Stewart