Letter #7: Adversity in All Things

This week was another fast one, Nothing has really changed here in the MTC other than: I only have about a week and a half left here! It just feels like a dream and does not feel real at all. I am pretty sure it will tomorrow when we get our travel plans. They haven’t told us what it is going to be like for General Conference yet. But we heard that we will get a schedule on Sunday.

As for some highlights of the week, yesterday we had to teach about three lessons in a row. Both of our progressing kyudosha and then we had Skype TRC which was fun. But the best was our last lesson of the day which was Kato-san. We’ve been teaching Kato-san for some time now and he hardly ever talks, you kinda have to push him and get him to open up each lesson. So this week we just struggled to find out what his needs were because we have taught him alot of the lessons. As I was sitting there trying to figure out what to teach him, it got in my mind to teach him the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Which is Faith in Christ, Repentance, Baputesuma, Recieving the Gift of the HG and Enduring to the End. Just teaching him those steps. The lesson however drifted to baputesuma and I told my experience of receiving baputesuma. Told him how I was scared cuz I have never seen a baputesuma kai before and told him of the words my Dad said to me that helped me calm my nerves. I told him, while tearing up a bit, that I wanted him to receive those words of comfort and receive baputesuma. Then he said “If that is what God want me to do then I’ll do it.” We sat there stunned for a moment but it was a wonderful experience.

Also, I found my favorite scripture which I shared in my district meeting and in our TRC experience yesterday. It is Ether 12:4.

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

I love how it speak about if we sincerely believe in God we can have hope that the world will become a better place. That’s something that I realized here. We have are called to make the world a better place by helping them believe and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Everything hinges upon building that faith.

I have one more quick experience to share: Last P-day we were walking back to the MTC after doing initiatories and a endowment session in the temple. When we came upon a couple yelling and giving out anti-Mormon pamphlets. As we approached them to cross the street, they started yelling at us saying all manner of things, like how we worship Joseph Smith and stuff. But all I said was “Hello! How are you doing today?” and was just friendly. And then before I crossed I felt impressed to say that the reason I am here is to tell others about how much I love Jesus Christ and then I said have a wonderful day and went on my way. Through that whole experience I felt the Spirit testify to me that this is the true church and that I am now a missionary. It just reminds me that we have to be examples and take upon ourselves those Christlike attributes and think what would Christ do in our situation. It made me also think of Come Come Ye Saints second verse which is very powerful.

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? ‘Tis not so; all is right. Why should we think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight? Gird up your loins; fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake; And soon we’ll have this tale to tell—All is well! All is well!”

This tale is an amazing one and I’ve felt like I’ve learned so much here. Its scary that I’ll be leaving in a week in a half but I know that I will not be alone. I have everyone’s hopes and dreams behind me and most importantly I know that God is with me.

With so much love,

Bryce-choro