We Left Full & On Fire - Mission Leader Seminar
Mission Leader Seminar at the MTC - Provo, Utah June 21-25
For five days Mark and I have been spiritually, emotionally, and physically fed. We have been at the Missionary Training Center - MTC, in Provo Utah. A little bit of information about this place: The MTC's campus has 21 buildings on a 39-acre site, with a capacity of housing and training 3,700 missionaries. This week 276 more missionaries were added as a 138 mission leader couples came to be taught and trained.
It was an incredible event where the newly called mission leaders were instructed by the 12 apostles, general authorities, general officers of the church, along with the church’s missionary executive committee. All these people and their spouses were with us at the MTC the entire time we were there. It was wonderful to visit with them in the foyers and at meals. It was sweet to hear the twelve apostles and general authorities call each other by their first names and to witness the kindness and friendship they extend to each other. Each of them were accessible, approachable, and engaging with us.
We were introduced to the new edition of Preach My Gospel - a Guide for Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, by President Russell M. Nelson through video. Wow, what a great resource! We were taught chapter by chapter from this inspired manual. By the end of our time here we were so excited to go to our mission and use it with our missionaries.
Buffet tables with delicious food and beautiful flowers were filled for us three times a day and between classes there were tables with hors d’oeuvre, snacks, candies, and nuts, along with lot of nice choices for soda pop and other bubbly drinks. We were even greeted with a box of See’s chocolates at the door to our hotel room.
The week ended on Sunday with a highlight of going to sacrament meeting with the 12 apostles and being able to partake of the sacrament with them. Tears rolled down my cheeks as we sang the sacramental song and watch missionaries break and bless the bread and water. I love the prayers given and the promise that I can have His spirit always with me.
We were spoiled with so much goodness and strength. We left full and on fire to teach the Doctrine of Christ to our missionaries and the people of Northern California. I am sure the ripple affect from this seminar of feeling the Lord’s love will now be spread throughout the world. The thought of bringing people to Christ and making their lives more joyful, more peaceful, and more hopeful, brings me great joy.
This week will always be a treasured memory for me. Here are some photos from the week:
