Elder Hunting Tanner: Week 5 MTC

Week 5 MTC

Hola Familia y Amigos! This was another awesome week here at the MTC. I've been a little sick but it's just a cough so it's all good. Everyone gets sick here haha. This was our last week of TRC investigators and it was actually really sad to say goodbye and sop teaching them. We had our investigator Ernesto the whole time we have been here. We taught him 8 or so lessons and committed him to baptism and everything. Even though Ernesto was probably a member (we still aren't sure), the spirit was definitely there during our lessons and you could see he had a change a heart.

Most of the days this week were the same old same old MTC stuff so I'll just write about my favorite days.

Sunday was my first sunday as Zone Leader so i had to wake up earlier than everyone and go to meetings with the branch presidency and District Leaders. They were fun though and it kinda felt like SYC (stake youth committee) again. We had a devotional that night by Chad Lewis (former BYU and NFL player) and it was SOOOO good. He's such cool guy and gave an awesome talk about we NEED to have love for everyone including our companions and our mission presidents (and all his rules). My favorite part was when he said “remember who you are.” That hit me hard because my Mom would tell me that EVERY day before school and I never always listened or really let it sink in. But right now i need to remember who i am because i'm a missionary for the Lord. I can't waste time because it's not my time to waste. So i've really been trying to work on diligence all week and study as hard as I can.

Tuesday we had another Devotional. We FOR SURE thought it was gonna be Elder Holland and were a little disappointed when it said the speakers were Elder & Sister Kearon. HOWEVER, he gave probably the best talk I have heard since being here so it's all good. Plus Elder Holland is coming next week so it's fine haha (they don't tell us btw). Sister Kearon expressed how important it is to remember how sacred “in the name of Jesus Christ” is when we are praying. We tend, i know i do, to rush it or slurr it at times. So this week i have really trying to show respect for my savior and say those words with real intent when i pray. Elder Kearon Talked about 3 things i really liked. He said “remember your primary songs” they contain amazing principles and teach so simply. That's what we need to be able to do as missionaries. The second was “pray like you mean it” At night and in the mornings especially, just tell everything to your heavenly father. Everything you are thankful for and everything you are struggling with. HE IS THERE! The last thing was to “work hard and stop worrying so much” if we are working hard the lord will bless us. Plain and simple.

Wednesday there was another set of newbies were added to our zone so we got to do another orientation for them. Almost all the missionaries are going to the Long Beach Mission which HB is in the boundaries of. So i told them to say hi to my fam and friends when they get there.

We did Skype TRCs this week too where we taught a lesson on skype to some members. It was really hard to hear but still pretty cool. Other than that the week was pretty normal. Hard but amazing. Side note, i came across Mosiah 23:10-11 during personal study. I read it like 20 times this week hah. If yall have time i recommend reading it :)

Love you all so much! I have a strong testimony of this church and of being a missionary. I know there is no better place i can be right now.

- Elder Tanner