MTC Daily Planning Workshop: Plan for Investigators

Provo MTC

28 February 2009

Jacob 1:19

D.P.

Plan for investigators.

Lesson 1

• Vocabulary
• Sentences
• Lesson Plan
• Scriptures
• Quest
  
• Pamphlet

Topics

Personal, Companion

Weekly Teacher Plans

• Plan for every hour

Planning is hard but we have to be precise.

Missionary Letter: Rowdy Elders

Michael!

My favorite Brother! I knew your birthday passed but this is the first day I can write. How was your birthday? Do you feel older? What did you do? Did you and Travis play? Monopoly? HaHa

How is it being a teacher? Is it the same or different than being a deacon? Are you being nicer to Jessa or still not talking to her?

Chinese is hard! The older Elders who have been here 8 weeks now speak a lot of gospel stuff! Hopefully I am as good as them at teaching lessons!

You will like the MTC... There are so many boys/Elders. They are very rowdy and have a lot of fun... but they can also be very spiritual & learn a lot! The boys I have class with every day are very funny. They treat us sisters well though, they open our doors, get our trays at lunch, & stand until we sit down when we come in to a room. Well write back about your birthday.

Much Love,

Fu jiemei

MTC Scripture Study: Importance of Eliminating Contention from Our Hearts

25 February 2009

2 Nephi 26:32 commandment: no malice, lies, steal, take the Lord's name in vain, contend. Whoso does perisheth

Mosiah 2:32 evil spirit is who you obey when you have contention.

Mosiah 8:21 No contention, look forward with one eye, one faith, one baptism, hearts in unity and love.

Similar to Ephesians 4 we have truth. One truth, should each other for it creates disharmony in the Lord's work.

Mosiah 29:26 not common people desire anything contrary to what is right.

Helaman 16:22 Satan arouse contention against good and spreads rumors. If our hearts are lifted up with contention, we can't feel the Holy Ghost, without the Holy Ghost, we can't bless others lives. We can't show them the unique message of the gospel.

3 Nephi 11:29 He with the spirit of contentionn not of God. The Devil is Father of contention.

4 Nephi 1:15 Love of God needs to dwell in our hearts.

D&C 10:63

D&C 136:23

Parent Letter

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: February 26


Hi Flora,
I forgot to tell you that you have $262.00 in your account. Sorry I forgot that info. Today is a BEAUTIFUL day. It is so sunny and warm. I love weather like this. I don't know if I told you in my last letter that I am reading The Host by Stephenie Meyer. It is a really good book. Today I went to make little favors for our RS Homemaking meeting with some of the other ladies. So I am actually doing other things than being on the internet all day long. I am kind of bored with that and I am moving on. So if you think of any good activities for me to do, let me know. Not that I want to get a job or be a productive member of society or anything.

Desi right now is paying for her housing at BYU Hawaii, so I guess it is for sure she is going there. I am excited for her. I think she will have a lot of fun there.

I have a new visiting teaching companion, it is Sister Butler (Holly and Ty's mom). I'm sure we will have fun together. Hopefully we will be better about doing it than I have been in the past.

OK so I hope things are going well for you and you did good on your Chinese teaching. Tell me about the things that you are learning in your gospel study. We all love you a lot and are very proud of you.

Love,
Mom

MTC Instruction: The Spirit

MTC Provo

25 February 2009

Spirit has to be enough sometimes.

Teach according to what I want to say.

Real intent.

Memorize lines from script.

MTC Scripture Study: MDT

25 February 2009

To Learn, to Do, to Be (Thomas S. Monson)

1. Learn what we should learn.
2. Do what we should do.
3. Be what we should be.

This work is not yours not mine alone. It is the Lord's work. When we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help.

Lord will shape our back and bear burden placed on it.

John Taylor--If we do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those whom you might have saved had you done your duty.

"Do your duty that is best; leave unto the Lord the rest."

Pray concerning our assignments and seek divine help, that we may be successful in accomplishing that which we are called to do.

I lay my life down for my sheep.

Hope you know we had a hard time--A. Winston Cook.

MTC Scripture Study: Humility

25 February 2009

Humility and knowledge can go together but often people get lifted up in knowledge.

2 Nephi 9:28-29 Cunning plan of the evil one

Mosiah 4:11-12 Nothingness must realize you can't exactly do it alone

Alma 5: 26-29 Are you ready to let God take your sins upon him? Urgency in humbling yourself.

Alma 26:12 I am nothing God's strength in all things. Humbling yourself empowerment.

Matthew 32:1-16 Some people are compelled to be humble, happy if they humble, but how much more blessed are they that humble themselves without having to be compelled.

Ether 12:27 Give men weakness to be humble. God will make weak things strong if they are humble.

D&C 12:8 Nobody can assist in this work unless humble. Can't serve God without Christ-like attributes.

D&C 67:10 Strip yourselves from jealousy and fear.

D&C 112:10 Humble and Lord can lead thee

D&C 136:32-33 Spirit enlightens the humble and condemns ungodly.

MTC Scripture Study: Tree of Life Symbolism

25 March 2009

1 Nephi 11

Tree=love of God

Rod=word of God

fountain of living water=tree of life

waters=love of God

John the Baptist=prophet who prepares the way of the Lord

Holy Ghost=sign of dove

large and spacious building=world and wisdom thereof

Great and Spacious Building=pride of the world

36 Pride of the world will fall and great will be the fall

depths of fountain of filthy water=depths of hell

midst of darkness=temptations of the devil

MTC Scripture Study Notes: Know

Know:

Pray can help, you can know the truth through prayer.

Msermenjin zhenshide

Ganjue

They xuyao to know them the NEED to keep commitments.

Feel shengling de peiban

Urgency/xiwang to xuexi more

Zuo

Continue attending church

Read the Moermenjin!!1 or will rarely feel Spirit independently

Doctrine

Alma 22:18 prayer

MTC Devotional: Free Agency

Elder Daryl Garn of the Seventy and Sister Irene Garn

MTC Provo

24 February 2009

Irene Garn

Missions have more meaning than high degrees.

Cheer up your smile/Cheer up your day

• 2 Nephi 10:23 Love ye are free to act for self
• D&C 61:36-37 I am in your midst.
• D&C 68:6 Do not fear. Son of the living God.
• D&C 78:18 you can't bear all now.
• 3 Nephi 1:13: be happy cheerful when Jesus comes.

Daryl H. Garn

We have occasion to make great choices.

You have been called by prophets and apostles to your mission.

• Satan gets in the way.
• You used your agency to choose. Force was Satan's plan.

God gave us his children two gifts:

• Gift of the Savior.
• Agency

Without promise of the 2nd gift we may not have accepted the first.

Mosiah 4:3 God's whole purpose is to allow.

• Choose to follow Jesus or Satan.
• Important to do right because we choose.
• War goes on over issue of agency.
• Truth and error.

We are winning future never looked brighter (Gordon B. Hinckley)

Revelation 12:11; 2 Nephi 2:26

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.

Person must be taught. People must understand. Must act and live.

Young people think can forsake but not confess.

Study Mosiah 26. Discipline in the Church.

Mosiah 2613 feared to do wrong in the sight of God. 29: forgive repentance

Companion Issues

Companion is preparatory state. D&C 42:6

Essentially going as if angels of God.

• Angels can be great blessing
• Preaching two by two established by the Lord.

Stay together

• Almost all transgression comes from losing companion
• Priesthood leaders say sometimes companions let companions go to hell because don't tell on them. John 17
  

MTC LGM: Following the Spirit

LGM

MTC Provo

24 February 2009

Get power by obedience.

The Spirit is the most important single element in the work. Without the Spirit you will never succeed regardless of your talen and ability (Ezra Taft Benson).

Tell the people to be humble and faithful and keep the Spirit. D&C 5014,22; 29:34; 3 Nephi 19:9

To receive personal revelation listen, want, act on promptings.

PMG p. 89 Cautions 98-101

Supernal power of prayer (Richard G. Scott)

Celestial kingdom or bust.

Mommy turn off the darkness.

Parent Letter: Lack of Letters to Missionary

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: February 24


Dear Flora,

Michael's email is mikethemace@hotmail.com

I don't know what Stuart's is, Gen will have to tell you that one. Allison's address is 33 Thorndike St, Somerville, MA 02143

Michael has a stomach ache and he is groaning on my bed right now. He won't go to bed because he has a lot of homework, but he can't do any work because his stomach hurts. Poor thing. I'm sure he will be happy to be put on your email list.

I thought your story about Christian was funny. He reminds me of Dad sometimes, he just does what he wants with no sense of what is appropriate or socially acceptable!! That can be a good or a bad quality.

Sorry you haven't been getting any letters. We are not that busy around here, I guess we are just lazy. It is time to get outside and start working on the lawn. It is starting to get green and grow weeds. So I need to put some weed & feed down, and rake, and pick up trash, and do something with that ugly little circle out front. It is warm enough to start planting flowers. But (1) we don't have and extra money, and (2) I am lazy. Oh well, I will get to it.

Michael is getting very skinny from being on the track team. He has lost weight and grown a couple more inches. He has a flat chest now and no rolls around the middle. He looks good, except for his hair which he hasn't cut since you were here. It is waaaaaaaaaay too long.
I am reading the Host by Stephenie Meyer (she is the one who wrote the Twilight series). It is a good book so far. It's more of an adult book than her Twilight ones.
OK, have a nice day, and write back!!
Love,
Mom

Missionary Email: What Is That?

Monday, February 23, 2009 6:25 PM

Why is it that when I do the whole family business thing first, nobody ever tells me the answers. I still don't have aunt Allison's address or Michael or Stuart's emails. I was going to add them to the list. I've decided against buying another battery charger, I'll wait to get to Taiwan, they have the two pronged outlets there the weird European ones, so I'll have to buy a converter for my straightener. Mom, can you check on my bank account and tell me how much I withdrew to come here so I can withdraw the rest? I didn't want to withdraw the 500 and I forgot how much I took out, so I need to know. Also let me know how much is in my bank account. My alarm clock already died so I'll buy a new one at the book store today. So I'll probably spend some money there buying an alarm clock and sending you guys some things. I decided to just get a CD. So I could delete my memory card, so those pictures last time were pointless to scan almost because now I'll send them on CD...haha...but don't get mad, I just barely figured out how to do that.

Hey by the way, I haven't gotten mail in 2 weeks. Just 2 emails. So write to me people! I know you guys are teenagers and stuff, you have to have drama to tell me about. :) I have tons of drama. And if you know people that love me, have them write too. But i won't lie, i boycotted letters last week and took a nap instead, so that might be part of the reason i didn't get anything...haha. I think i might do that more often. I'm sooo tired right now. I probably should have napped today. But all the older missionaries leave today and tomorrow, so no chance. AWWW so sad. In 1 hour we are meeting up with them to take some pictures. That will be the last time I see them in 2 years because they are all going to Kaohshung...and the Netherlands, and Paris. Pretty much I didn't make friends with the older Elders going to Taipei. I'll probably have a chance to get to know them there though, so no big.

Nothing really happened this week. Yeah dad, Elder Ballard came and spoke. They played a movie after, so I didn't get to shake his hand or anything. But I can send you a copy of my notes. I'll go to the copy center and send that with the CD I have and stuff. I probably won't have time to check my email again today, so you can just send me letters on Dear Elder if you want.

Mom I did see Elder Burstall and that's a funny story. I was sick and they sent me home...so the teachers were with me and he saw me and wanted to stop and talk, but my teachers were there, I wasn't going to stop and talk to an Elder...so we walked away...Well he RAN after me and a few seconds later there he is while we are like a couple feet from our building...he had tracked me back down. My companion was flustered and told him now was NOT a good time. Poor boy. He thought I was just being rude to him, but I just am careful about how people see me talking to Elders. That's something they have talked to us in our zone about is being careful about Elder/Sister relationships, so we are pretty good about it, at least in my opinion.

I still have 15 minutes left, which is rare and unusual, but I just don't have much to say. This is the first week I didn't feel too positive about our teaching appointment. But that might be a good thing because since we got some feedback now we have things to improve. Before we had mostly positive feedback so I didn't know what to change. Plan of Salvation, especially the Atonement, is kind of hard to teach simply...at least for me. I guess everyone has their struggles.

This coming Saturday is going to be our first Saturday that we teach all in Chinese, so who knows what situations will come up now that we have to teach in Chinese. I think it will be a lot different than English. This week was quite a struggle. I won't lie, sometimes I just want to give up. Especially when it feels like the girls in our room don't get along, but I think if I just have faith the Lord will help take care of things and everything will solve itself in due time. My teachers are really amazing and they are helping me out a lot. I really believe Song Laoshi and Han Laoshi are amazing at teaching to meet needs. They show me how important it is to do it, because it helps our class so much that they have changed so much because of how we change.

We get new missionaries a week from Wednesday. At least 2 sisters. I'm excited for new people to meet, and also the opportunity to not have the older people here for awhile, so we will all be at the same level. I think that SYL will change and we'll do it more. I can see such improvement in my companion's language. She's definitely at the same level as me, if not higher. She probably wouldn't believe me if I told her though. I'm going to try to focus this week though. Now that people are at and above my level, I need to work more diligently to use that to my advantage to become better by practicing with the missionaries around me. The gospel language is a lot different than every day language and it comes to me slower. But it also sticks pretty good when I focus. It's great. I'm excited to actually go to Taiwan. My teachers say nobody really comes home fluent, so I can't wait to at least immerse myself in it. It's such a crazy, but beautiful language.

Sorry this email is boring. But to be honest I'm a little boring today. I can't help it. I'm tired.

I guess a funny story I can think of that happened is that there is this Elder from Guatemala...he's just ridiculously funny. He struggles a little with English, so I can't imagine what it's like trying to learn Chinese through English...but anyways...one elder in district a made Sun Jiemei and I book covers for our three-column Chinese/English/pinyin /book of Mormon because they get so trashed fast...well Zhang Zhanglao wanted a cover and he didn't know how to make one...so he cut a tissue box open and tried to shove his book inside, even though the tissue box was like 3 times smaller than the book and you could tell. Maybe that's not funny to tell, but I was cracking up a lot. He wants my book cover a lot, but no dice. I love that thing. Elder Wilson is a nice guy to make them for so many people in our zone. I think he's made at least like 20. Too bad he's leaving today and Zhang zhanglao didn't ask him earlier. Maybe I'll take a picture to show you what it looks like. He made it out of cardboard...then he put pictures we gave him in, so I have cool ones of the temple and savior...then he taped it all up and our book fits in there....

Yeah...I can tell you wanted to hear that...hahahah. Okay 3 minutes left so no time left! latah!~...well and we have places to go :)

Write next week...and I'll send that CD soon.

Sibling Letter: Seminary Drama

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: February 23


Well I already wrote you once today, but i read your email and i see you want to hear about drama. haha well. We got a new seminary teacher who is particularly annoying... Well last week she was teaching the class about grace and she brought up the example of when christ is on the cross telling the thief about seeing him in paradise and she was all like we can assume that the thief was baptized and repented of his sins and is going to the highest kingdom and i was all like no we can't we can say he went to the spirit world but not the highest kingdom and she tried to make me look stupid like if you dont think its true then just think of it as a what if its true and i was like its not true i know its not. anyways then i just stopped talking to her and i looked up in the bible dictionary the word paradise and it says usually it refers to the highest kingdom except in a few cases in the new testament and the example they used was the thief on the cross, and it says that Jesus was talking about Spirit Prison haha yeah ever since then shes hated me, and this morning i said one thing about Franny being annoying and everyone freaked out so franny left the room (not because of me, because everyone was making a big deal out of it). Anyways the teacher tried to make me go after her and i refused and she told me you cant be doing this anymore and i told her id do whatever i wanted... Well i feel bad for this morning and i told her sorry but seriously i hate when adults try to tell me how and how i cant act. Well thats the drama of the week... Oh yeah and i was right Franny liked Tanner all along hahaha and i dont even punch her when she says his name.
XOXO
Desi

Sibling Letter: Choosing Which BYU to Go To

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: February 23


Hey Flora.

I haven't written for a week and last weeks was kind of mean so sorry... Anyways what have you been up to? Nothing much here. Still just school and church and trying to find a job. So I'm pretty sure I'm going to Hawaii but then again I'm not 100% positive. It's actually cheaper in the long run which I did not know until I researched. The only thing is its more expensive up front which is kind of a bad thing since I'm pretty much broke. Oh well hopefully I'll be able to find a job soon. Well I'll keep praying for you. Love you hope your having a blast. I can't wait for my mission

XOXO
Desi

Parent Letter: I Remembered!!‏

Sun 2/22/09 7:52 PM

Aren't you proud of me, I remembered to write you Sunday night, so you will actually have this when you check your mail the first time!! Hooray for me!

I got an email from Christian Burstall's mom where she forwarded a letter from him in the MTC. Thought you might like to read it--it is funny and sounds just like him!

Subject: An email from Christian

christian.j.burstall.CFM@myldsmail.net

So, LDSmail is probably the worst email application in history. This email is only going to parents because the address book won't save anything.

The MTC is pretty great, all else withstanding! Each of the Elders in my district has been swooned by a Sister here. The mission rules say that one cannot flirt with a missionary in their mission. So, we can write them once we leave the MTC, but missionaries are not to have distractions har har. Even so, I threw caution into the wind and talked to the Sister I noticed, and learned she speaks only speaks Japanese. Awesome!

Showering is a team endevor here. Since two showers are connected to one pump, the hot and cold are shared perfectly. Any requisiton of cold from Elder A is granted through a surprise deposit of heat to Elder B. Wednesdays are great, because the new Elders, who don't understand how this works, arrive, and with their arrival the promise that you will freeze or fry in the morning.

I've gained six pounds. Oh my heck.

Speaking of which, Utah has a pretty interesting venacular. I've noticed myself becoming considerably less thuggin'.

I remembered to bring my camera cable to the lab today, only to realize that the computers are so locked down. So very locked down. If you'd like pictures, assuming I don't find a good terminal in Fresno, I may need another Olympus XD picture card, so I can send you one while I keep one in my camera. Or I could just mail you prints. Let's see if I can find a machine before we start spending dollars.

My mission president at the MTC (who is technically a bishop, but we are to call him president) thinks I'm just a lot of awesome.

We fly out of Salt Lake on Wednesday. My companion has been called to be the travel leader, so I'll be tippin' on ginger ale while he keeps 24 Elders from screaming "Fres-yes!" every few minutes.

Sister Burstall wrote me on Dear Elder and mentioned that she and my moms had been talking. By a weird coincidence, a substitute teacher we had yesterday asked me if I knew an Elder Burstall from Nova Scotia. I said I knew his mom. The teacher had taught him a few months ago. Small world!

Sorry for the disjoint of the email. Lots to say, very few minutes. Give my best to the kids, and I hope you two are doing well. Keep me posted!

Hahaha! Have you seen him yet? If you do, you can tell him the proper etiquette for Elders and Sisters! Sounds like he needs to be reminded!!

Franny was sad today, she was crying and feels like she doesn't have any friends. She (Kelsey) has a full time job at Subway but it doesn't keep her out of trouble, apparently.

The weather is getting nice, and I am going to have to start working on my yard. It is a big mess. It needs raked, and weeded, and I should plant flowers in that ugly little circle thing. Oh well. One more thing I will get to eventually.

The young men had an activity at our house this week. They painted the inside of our garage. They had a lot of fun. Can't believe Michael is a Teacher now. He is now as tall as Dad, as he grew 2 inches in the last few weeks. I was going to cut his hair tonight, but I forgot, and now it is too late.

Have a great week, Flora. Can't wait to get your email. They are always so spiritual.

Love you,
Mom

MTC Fireside: Missionaries Need to Learn to Listen

Stephan B. Allen (Managing Director MTC)

MTC Provo

22 February 2009

Everything is about the Savior.

Social conversion is more difficult than initial conversion.

Treasure doctrine by studying it.

Let go of memorized stuff. Tell people about the gospel.

Missionaries as a whole struggle with listening.

• Body language was w_ and little attention to missionaries. Got to look at all the clues.
• You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders ask ? troubling.
• Missionaries bring into the church but fail to link them into the Church.

When everything says you can't believe in the part of you that says you can." "It's not about who you aren't it's about who you are."

Sometimes the most important thing you can share is yourself.

• Don't stress about if you are happy enough, or know enough.

Your testimony is unique to you. "Don't let the moments magic pass you by." If you love them let them know.

How children think and feel about themselves is by the labels you put on them.

• Build not destroy.
• Sharing is the icing on the cake.

If you don't think childish arguments hurt your companion, you're kidding yourself.

The message that has changed the world hasn't changed.

Family isn't about time.

Being different is being great. Allie Synder, no leg use, still swam and finished every race she entered. Whatever you do in life, just do your best.

MTC Relief Society Meeting: Keep Commandments

Carole Stephens (General Relief Society Board) and Au Zanglao

MTC Provo

22 February 2009

Abraham 3:11 face to face Lord. We kept our first estate agreed to plan and shouted with joy.

Job 38:7 "Teach her" Spirit told her about seat belt. Chloe need to know grandma wanted her to wear seat belt out of love.

Heavenly Father love=commandments. Commandment--Love Lord they God.

• If we truly love the Lord all other things drop in to place. Galatians 5:13
• Commandments are about love.
• LeGrand Richards "Marvelous Work and a Wonder" do things Lord commanded.
• Obedience with exactness Ephesians 6:1-2

Au Zhanglao

Roman Empire rule made easier for Jesus Christ to travel freely.

Sadducees politically power denied ancient tradition. Freedom of will wouldn't accept immortality and angels and demons. Didn't believe in the resurrection.

Pharisees practice strict observance of the law. Oral tradition=written law. Obstacle for Christ.

Important we represent Jesus Christ.
Put on armor of God we fight against wicked.

• Keep your shield up.
• Faith to obey Father. Greatest desire is us to return again.
  

Missionary Friend Letter: Missionaries Use Pitchers to Fill Font

February 22, 2009

Hey!

How's the MTC treating you? Hopefully you're doing well; I wouldn't know what's going on because you haven't written me. (Ooh..burn.)

Anywho.

We had a baptism yesterday. It will be the most or at least the most memorable one I've had. Travis had been investigating the church for 5 months. We finally struck a chord with him, and his baptism happened in a unique way. The font wasn't filled on time, in fact it didn't begin filling till 5 mins before the baptism. (Bad juju) Our dumb arrogant Branch (YSA) mission leader was more concerned with his girlie than his duty. 8 missionaries started filling up pitchers of water and dumping them in the font. (My idea) Then the YSA saw us and pitched in. 20 people filling a font was an awesome sight to see. We worked to get Travis baptized. It was a neat experience.

In other news my jaw hurts like no other. I've got some serious problems. I hope nothing bad is going on with me, but I'm really starting to worry. I'm going to make an appointment today. Say a prayer for me.

So write me back and remember to find me a cute one!

Elder S.