Missionary Training Center

First Week Missionary Training Center (MTC) 7-13 April 2008:
Monday after putting on our first day sticker on our Mission Chart at home, we packed up and left for the MTC, Provo, Utah. We arrived around 10:30 am and were immediately ushered into the Administration Building where we charged “board and room” for the time we will be at the MTC. We were given our meal cards and the key to our apartment (#157), we unloaded a couple of our bags then went to the orientation meeting.
There we met some of the other 18 couples and 8 single sisters that were checking into the MTC. There were many different mission calls from Nauvoo to Hong Kong Temple to Nigeria Temple to Chile to Australia to Africa to Florida to Honolulu to Georgia to Canada to many other places around the country and world. Eight of the 19 couples were assigned to Temples. We then went to lunch and enjoyed the first of many delightful meals.
Later in the afternoon the MTC Presidency greeted us and shared some stories followed by briefings on Health and Medical procedures. They then gave us an overview of the Senior Missionary Training schedule for the week (it looks like we be busy - homework and all). Following dinner we had time to unpack do our homework for Tuesday and try and sleep. The apartments are equal to a Motel 6 in size and condition.
Tuesday (we arose each morning at 0600 hours, that’s 6:00 am for you non-military people), got ready and went to breakfast. Classes began at 0800 hours and usually went until about 5:00 pm each day. Tuesday morning we were taught from Preach My Gospel (PMG). This is really a powerful book, I had read it as Ward Mission Leader but did not understand its’ significance in the work. We have truly grown to love this manual! We had opportunity to teach the first lesson “Restoration of the Gospel” to some individuals that come in to assist the MTC - a 45 minute lesson. Elder Robert S. Woods spoke at the devotional and he was fabulous his message of course had to do with missionary work and the growth of the church.
Wednesday more of the same, prepared and presented the second lesson from PMG to another group of “investigators” - we had a real winner. His opening remark was “well I didn’t read what you told to me read, but why does your book cut off a drunk guys head? And “why didn’t Lehi take the plates with him when he left Jerusalem?” It was really fun and challenging. We also started Spanish review classes tonight with out tutor (Hermano Pierson) from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, in addition we had homework form PMG.
Thursday was similar but we focused on how to work with less actives and in the afternoon we worked the Referral Center for about an hour. This was a neat experience I was able to take one of the calls from someone that spoke Spanish and I think I got everything straight. Spanish class.
Friday we taught lesson three from PMG and studied how to make ward councils more effective. We also had our final night of Spanish review then everyone (Seniors) that is learning a language got together for a testimony meeting. This was really spiritual even though we didn’t know what everyone was saying (Cantonese, Finnish, and others). Mom jumped up first and did a really nice job in expressing her testimony - the spirit was super strong.
Saturday was Preparation Day (PD), slept in a little longer, did the wash, went walking and then to a Spanish Session at the Provo Temple. Drew and Cathie came down and took us to dinner. We talked for a little while then they left. Found out that Ima Jean and her husband (Bro. Oakes) had received their mission call to Frankfurt Germany as Public Affairs missionaries. Studied the scriptures then retired for the night.
Sunday went to a church building next door to the MTC, took a short ride and had a departure fireside with the MTC presidency (308 missionaries are leaving for their fields of labor this week) then a devotional from Richard I. Heaton (Administrative Director of the MTC) about the importance of “pondering.”

Second Week Missionary Training Center (14-18 April 2008)
Monday we started our Temple specific training in the Provo Temple. Elder and Sister Rex D. Pinegar are the main instructors. We had a brother from the Temple Department of the church talk with us and show us several training films on how things should be done….he stressed that Temple President’s had some leeway to make some changes in their temples. He stated that President Howard of the Madrid Temple was in the process of making several personnel changes - something about doing away with several “paid” employees….I guess we’ll see what’s happened in a few days as we arrive.
Tuesday we returned to the Temple and more discussions and heard from the Temple Recorder…it appears that the temple recorder does everything except have the keys for temple work. His responsibilities are enormous. We also folded some clothes in the laundry today and found out how busy the Provo Temple is because it has been designated as the “Training Temple” for the church as well as BYU and all of the missionaries. They have 4,500 ordinance workers in this temple and it is open 3 nights a week until 12:00 midnight to meet the demands of the students. Bishop Richard C. Edgely spoke at the Devotional tonight….he gave a great speech.
Wednesday returned to the Temple and focused on Initiatory, Recommend Desk and Youth Center. Also, heard from the Temple Engineer and toured the upper floors and saw a lot of the equipment and furnishings that regular patrons do not get to see. Did a dry run on packing the luggage and checking the weight….looks like we may make it by the hair of our chinny chin chin.
Thursday we finished up at the Temple today by doing an endowment and some sealings to complete our training. Said our good-byes to our new friends and wished everyone well in their field of labor. Finished packing and taking some pictures then tried to sleep for a few hours before our 0430 hours wake up call.