At Home MTC And A Mission In 2021

Elder Bryce Gardner

Ola! For those who don’t know I received my call late September to the Santos, Brazil Portugeuse speaking mission. I am approaching my final week of online MTC and have learned a lot. I have learned how to better prepare for and teach lessons e eu posso falar um pouco Portugués. My confidence is slowly growing but I know that I still have a lot to learn. So far in the online MTC I have taught over 10 lessons in Portuguese half of which to fake investigators who only understand Portugeuse. On weekdays I wake up at 6:30, teach a fake investigator at 7:30 (sometimes depending on the daily schedule) and have a class at 8:30-11:30, break for lunch then attend another class at 1-4. I then have 1-2 hours of companion study anytime after. On Saturdays I have P-day and watch a weekly devotional then meet up with my district to discuss it at 5pm. Sundays though are pretty normal. Our district has formed a strong bond with each other and with our instructors and we have already been making plans to meet up with each other after our missions and also checked out websites in which we can make t-shirts with “50A ING'' on the front with all of our faces. Because I’m not at the actual MTC I use a laptop and desk in my room. It can be tough because I’m not physically around others going through the same thing and I’m unable to get a taste of that MTC food I’ve heard so much about. It does have its perks though. If I was at the actual MTC, I wouldn’t have been able to go to a family reunion to see some family members I don’t often get to see.

Due to COVID the church is very careful concerning the health of the missionaries and of the possible investigators out in foreign countries. I have been temporarily reassigned to the Las Vegas, Nevada mission. It covers southeast Las Vegas, nearly a fourth of Arizona and a small section along the Colorado river in California. I am not disheartened by the change in plans however. I am actually thankful that I have the opportunity to likely serve 2 missions one of which I have the possibility to teach 2 families that I am related to (and for the chance to practice more Portugeuse before going to Brazil). I’m excited to experience living in two separate areas that I’m not used to. Las Vegas may be relatively close but the people there are still much different.

Adjusting to missionary life has been very difficult. Whenever I had free time I felt the urge to look through my phone, watch tv, or play video games. But, being set apart as a missionary, I can’t do those things which will distract me from the holy spirit. Learning a new language hasn’t been very easy either. When we started the MTC we were given a 20ish page booklet of Portuguese words and phrases. We were to memorize all of them in 10 days. Encouraged by the spirit of the lord, me and my companion did just that. With nearly 2 hours a day of practice we memorized all of the words and phrases or at least how to say the phrases in our own words. I can testify that the gift of tongues is real and that it comes to those who strive to do the work of the lord. But that is not the subject of the talk.

During my time in the MTC I could feel the holy spirit help me through the day and encourage me to keep myself clean. I also found that the scriptures were a great tool to keep me spiritually uplifted and focused on the work at hand. Every time I read the pages of the scriptures I felt at peace. My room, the room that I have spent all of my childhood, has truly turned into the MTC. A place where Prophets of old and new have taught how to be a better missionary and better person. I am blessed to have the gospel in my life.

I have gathered a list with many of the blessings that we receive from studying the gospel. This list is over 80 items long but I will share a few of them. This list can be summed up in just 2 short verses. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

First, we study the gospel to have an understanding of god’s plan. Through knowledge of God’s plan we know of Adam and Eve and their purpose on the Earth. We know of prophets and their role as seers and revelators for the members of the church in each dispensation. Through knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ we know (which are the headings in the Preach My Gospel) that God is our loving Heavenly Father, we know that the gospel blesses families, and Heavenly Father reveals his gospel in every dispensation, of the Savior’s earthly ministry and atonement, the Great Apostasy, we know of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and how it is another testament of Jesus Christ, and that we can pray to know the truth through the Holy Ghost. Having this knowledge helps me to know that I have a loving Heavenly Father that has given us a way to return to him. It gives me hope that will help me throughout my life. I am excited to be teaching these things to the people of Nevada and Brazil.

Second, Studying the gospel helps you to resist temptation. There is always a battle between the temporary and the eternal. Studying the gospel reminds us of God’s eternal plan and to turn away from what gives us temporary joy. A quote from a devotional by Elder Gary E Stevenson states, “ Consider what happens if your gospel perspective becomes the lens you look through in every aspect in your life. A gospel perspective will give you greater clarity regarding how you think about your life priorities, solve problems, and face personal temptations. This can truly affect your overall approach to your entire life and the various decisions you will make along the way.” As we improve ourselves through our gospel study our lives improve and we begin to feel the blessings God gives us every day we will experience the joy of being an obedient son or daughter of our loving heavenly father.

Third, studying the scriptures brings about a personal transformation. This happens because we learn how to become better people. Jesus is the greatest example of what we should be. And prophets like Paul, Alma and his son Alma the younger are great examples of personal transformation that we can learn from in order to be transformed ourselves. Since starting the MTC, as I read the scriptures more the gospel shows me the things about myself personally that I must change. Studying the gospel gives you the power to have a mighty change of heart. We learn of the freeing power of repentance that helps our burdens become lighter, and that through baptism we commit to God to change.

Richard G. Scott, in a1990 April General Conference, Said, ‘’Once I had a measuring tape that didn’t work. I decided to fix it. I began to remove the side cover plate to find out what was wrong. In a few moments into that process, and I knew I was in trouble. Suddenly, the whole mechanism exploded in my hands. There were tape and spring flying in all directions. My efforts to put it all back together were frustrating and often painful. Irritated, I was just about threw the whole thing away. Then I thought, ―Someone designed this tape. If I can discover the principles that make it function, I can fix it. With greater patience, I began to examine the mainspring and found that if coiled in a certain way, instead of resisting and complaining, it easily responded. Soon the spring was coiled, carefully placed in its housing, the tape joined, the cover replaced, and it worked perfectly. So it is with you. When, through violation of God’s laws, you cease to function properly, force and compulsion will not restore you. You must search out the Designer’s plan. As you follow it, you will become more pliable. You can be ―repaired more easily, and you will function well again under His divine influence. “

Fourth, study the gospel gives you courage. In Joshua 1:8-9 it says, “8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” I know that as I walk in the ways of the Lord I will be protected on my mission. And I know that God will bless the work to be successful. When asked on where I wanted to go on my mission I would reply, ”Somewhere warm and doesn’t have cheese”. I don’t like the cold and I have a distaste for cheese. I would be worried if I went to Canada or Wisconsin or most places in Europe. Kidding aside, I have never been the most comfortable public speaker but know that God will fill my mouth with words as I try to preach the gospel with strangers …and in Brazil; understand my words that I attempt to speak. I know that by studying the gospel I will be filled with the courage to press on in faith to teach others about the fullness of the gospel.

Fifth, Studying the gospel gives answers to our prayers. John 15:7 reads “7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall bask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” It is important to pray about specific concerns and questions before we study the gospel. Why you might ask? It is common to receive answers to your prayers when studying the gospel. I am sure many of us have received answers this way. God has given us his gospel so that we may study it and receive answers. Prayers are our questions and concerns and the gospel is his answer.

Sixth, studying the gospel helps us to stay on the right path and avoid personal apostasy. When we neglect our church duties, forget to pray, read the scriptures, or go to church, we can lose and forget the feeling of the holy ghost in our lives. In these periods in our lives it is easy to become depressed, disheartened, or our hearts could even be hardened against the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have a story about a boy. This boy loves hiking and he does it all the time. He’s practically hiked everywhere. One day the boy decides to go to a new hiking trail. He prints out a map of the trail, packs up his snacks and heads out. The trail is long and winding with many smaller routes branching out in many different directions. He is constantly checking his map to make sure he is staying on the right trail. A couple of hours pass and he thinks “I’ve must’ve checked this map a thousand times now, I know everything there is to know about this trail now. I don’t need the map anymore.” So he puts away his map and begins hiking again. Another couple of hours pass and he’s beginning to feel a little tired. He says this was a fun hike but now it’s about time to head home. He begins to take a step and then stops… he looks to the left… he looks to the right… he begins looking around and scratches his head. He says “I don’t remember seeing this area on the map.” He looks through his bag for the map and he can’t find it. He takes 30 minutes to look for the map and can’t find it. He’s lost the map. He begins to cry. After a couple of minutes he decides to pray. He prays for safety and a way to find his way back. When he finishes he sees another hiker hiking down another path and yells out to and asks for help. Next the hiker kindly leads the boy back down the correct path and safely home. It is important that we constantly study the lord’s gospel. We don’t want to make the mistake of leaning unto our own understanding instead of the lord’s.

Seventh, studying the gospel helps us find a deeper love for Jesus. We come to understand that Jesus died so we can be cleansed from sin. We develop faith in Jesus Christ and learn that we can repent and be baptized. We find peace and comfort from the gift of the Holy Ghost. And that we can return to a God who loves us if we endure to the end. We know that this is all possible through Jesus Christ. John 14:6 states “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” I am grateful to have a savior and have felt closer to him through the study of the gospel.

Lastly, Studying the gospel helps us to return home. After my 2 year mission I will return home but the goal of this life is to return home to our Heavenly Father, to have Eternal life with our Families. The scriptures, modern day prophets, local church leaders, families all help us to know the things of the gospel. What a blessing it is to have them. I am so grateful for everyone that has helped me to get to this point in my life. This last month in the MTC has been such a great blessing to be able to dig into the gospel and to feel closer to God.

• I know these things to be true.

• I know god loves us and wants us to keep his commandments.

• I know our purpose here on earth is to learn and grow to be like our heavenly father and return to him.

• I know that when we do his work he will protect us and bless us.

• I know gospel study teaches and blesses us every day.

Amen.