# 2 - Completing MTC Training & Move to Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission for Interim Assignment - October 2, 2022
Another week has gone by and our MTC Training in Provo is complete. The first week was primarily Preach My Gospel training (the missionary handbook used by all 90,000 missionaries world-wide), and this last week the training was focused on our mission type, Member & Leader Support. Sister McMurray and I both felt that this last week was extremely valuable - practical and useful.
The topics for our mornings, conducted by a Senior Service Missionary couple or couples, included: 'Taking Initiative', 'The 4 Divinely Appointed Responsibilities of MLS Missionaries' - which are, Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Caring For Those In Need, Inviting All to Receive the Gospel, Uniting Families for Eternity; Seminaries & Institutes/CES Training on the gospel teaching method; Temple and Family History; Welfare and Self-Reliance; Developing Leaders and Supporting Local Leaders. These morning sessions were with our whole MLS group - I believe there were 45 in our group. We typically would receive some instruction, then break into smaller groups of 4 or 5 for some brainstorming, then summarize our group's consensus on the particular principle with one from each group presenting to the larger group. The room was well-equipped for sound, portable microphones, video, etc. The mentoring couples typically had served multiple missions so not only had the book-learning but also the practical boots on ground experience.
The afternoon sessions were held in our smaller classrooms, with Districts of 8 or so in each, and led by a returned young missionary. Our afternoon teacher was Sister Madeline Smith, 22yrs old, and attending Brigham Young University.
She was outstanding as an instructor, and a very gentle, sweet person. Some of our afternoon classes covered: 'Keeping Records', 'Working With Young Adults', gaining proficiency with Zoom, Resolving Concerns, Teaching Skills Basics, Preparing to Help Individuals to Come Unto Christ, Building Excitement for Family History, Interacting With Young Missionaries, Guiding Members to the Temple, utilizing Facebook and other social media to put out positive messages about our Savior and other aspects of our faith. One of our favorite activity assignments from the week was to complete a Missionary Application - we could select a person not at the MTC to share a gospel principle with, or demonstrate features on the Family Tree App, or whatever we had covered so far in training. Sister McMurray immediately thought of Allison, and decided we would try to demonstrate a fun family 'discovery' activity using Family Tree App, and invite her to do a similar activity in a Family Home Evening activity with the grandchildren. She happily agreed and although we weren't as smooth through the demo as we'd like, I think we succeeded. Then we asked her, 'where are the kids?' and we had about 7-8 minutes to talk with Kalea, Brynlee, and Desirae and see how well they're doing. They are very special to us and those few minutes on a zoom were priceless.
The Tuesday MTC Devotional guest speaker was Mark Pace, General President of the Sunday School for the Church - and also a former Mission President in Spain. His main themes were the importance of 'unity' in missionary work; unity with your companion, with the members, and with anyone we come in contact. It was a perfect message.
In the auditorium, there is room for all 1500 missionaries. A choir is always gathered on a volunteer basis, led by Brother Eggett, who does an amazing job of bringing everyone together - usually about 300 voices. If you watched the Sunday morning session of General Conference, you will have seen him conducting the 'Elijah Choir' which are made up from the mission we are in, and the MTC. He is outstanding at what he does. The Church News did a feature story on him last week. In addition to the choir numbers that impactful - it is a special experience to join in on the congregational hymns such as 'Called to Serve' being a regular song, 'Hark All Ye Nations' being another. It is powerful.
Our very good friends from the MTC, Elder & Sister Thurston - living in Provo and heading Monday to Chile for their mission, were very helpful in getting us away from the campus for some good food. Thursday was one of those days they could tell we needed out so they took us for Spicey Tai in Provo. And a drive past Donny's house and neighborhood. Donny Who??? There is only 1 Donny people.
NO, WE DO NOT YET HAVE OUR IRELAND PRE-CLEARANCE AUTHORIZATION
Because our authorization has not arrived, the Senior Mission Department has assigned us to serve at the Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission in Salt Lake City. After our tearful goodbyes at the MTC on Friday noon, and finishing packing up our little apartment S2-332, we hustled our bags to the Admin Building reception desk, passed in our keys/passes and bade farewell to MTC Provo. A 1 hr shuttle took us from there down to our new apartment, Garden Apartments, 133 W 200 N #03, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103. We were met by our new Branch President and two service missionaries. We received orientation to the apartment complex (just west of the Conference Center) and given contact lists, and tips and tricks for getting around. Sister Miller invited us to join her and 2 friends who had flown in to see her before they embark on a 2 week church history tour.
We walked from our apartment, about 3 blocks to City Creek shopping area just south of Temple Square - and went into the Blue Lemon Cafe. Had a great dinner. Just before leaving we noticed a special customer walking in and ordering some Take Out - Elder Gerrit Gong, a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. Sister Miller took a moment to advise us of our protocols relating to interacting with such leaders. The guidance is that we do not approach them, but if they come to us or say hello, to reciprocate. Security are usually nearby even if we don't see them. When we got up to leave he was ready to leave as well - as we walked to the door I just turned a little and said, 'Hello Elder Gong', and he replied, 'How are you?' Which in my view now makes us besties.... Sr Miller then drove us (Sister McMurray and I) over to Smith's grocers to get our initial supplies - for how long, who knows?
One of the hi-lites of our orientation was Sister Miller handing us 2 tickets for semi-annual General Conference of the Church this morning. For us who live so far away, it is a rare pleasure to attend in person. The 21,000 tickets for each of the 5 sessions - now reduced to probably 15,000 as covid precaution seem to be taken up by those who live more proximate to Salt Lake. Sister McMurray had never attended a session in person. She absolutely loved hearing the Tabernacle Choir. And observing the apostles, general authorities, general officers, come in, greet each other so warmly. And, at about 5 minutes to the hour, a hush permeated the auditorium and all rose as the Prophet, Russell M Nelson, 98 years young, came in with his dear wife Wendy Watson. He waved, we all waved back. The 2 hour session of amazing talks and uplifting music provided some magical moments, moments of personal inspiration/revelation, that I know will assist us in our missionary efforts. We hope it blessed your lives as well.
After the session, we spotted Elder & Sister Johnson who were part of our week 1 at the MTC, and we walked out together. Outside on the main plaza in front of the Conference Center we spotted a kilted piper so we had to say Hello. He was an Irish piper and of course he was very excited that we were going to be heading to Ireland for our mission service. We walked over to City Creek to find a spot for lunch - then I saw Jeff Champion, Young Adult Stake President in Edmonton, and someone I've known since I was a pre-teen. His mother taught me Seminary when I was a teenager for 1 year (or tried). He said 'I thought you were in Ireland', so I answered, 'Isn't this Ireland? I must have got on the wrong plane.' Har Har. Then I explained our status and the waiting period we're in. We see Jeff and his wife once in awhile in our Calgary Sundance Ward since his wife is sisters with one of our Ward members. And it was great to see them here in Salt Lake. Speaking of teens, we were given a copy of the new 'For The Strength of Youth' booklet that will be distributed throughout the world. Made it part of our companionship study along with Rick Steeves' book The Best of Ireland - which I read out loud in my best Irish accent imitation....
We knew that Greg & Evelyn Stringham from Calgary were going to be in town so I had sent a text to them yesterday. They responded to invite us to supper at Cheesecake Factory in City Creek at 4:15pm after the 2pm Conference session. We met them there and did we ever have a great dinner, and visit. Their primary purpose for being in Salt Lake is to receive training for Greg's new position as Chaplain (Education) in Calgary. We learned a fair bit about the Chaplain role. They'll be in Salt Lake for 5 days for the training then off to their desert Oasis in Scottsdale for a break.
Sister McMurray elected me to utilize the 1 ticket we were given by Sister Miller, to attend the Music & The Spoken Word at 9:30am. I went over at 8:45am and settled in. A young Mexican brother and sister sat next to me. Pablo could not speak any English. His sister spoke with me. I gave them some background/details on the Conference Center, the organ. They had headsets through which they heard all of the talks in their native language. A young boy of about 8 yrs of age sat in front of me with his mom, dad, and sister. It was his first time ever being inside the Conference Center, and when the Prophet came onto the rostrum, he was so excited - reminded me of about 60 yrs ago sitting in the Tabernacle when President David O. McKay came out and everyone stood and I couldn't see so dad hoisted me onto his shoulders. I still remember that moment and I'm sure today will be a memorable one for this youngster. The 10am session was wonderful. I had my eye on President Lund, Young Men President. Prior to the Spoken Word and the session, he was visiting with a few people in wheelchairs just in front of where we were. So gentle and kind. A few years back, while Scott & Valerie were taking us on a walk around the Provo City Temple construction site, we walked in front of the NuSkin building and Scott told us about his cousin, Steven Lund, who was President of NuSkin. And, then came a blue Corvette coming to the sidewalk curb and out stepped his cousin. We all met and he then kindly took us on a tour of the NuSkin building - which was adjacent to the Temple site. We spent a fair bit of time in his office together. And now he is the leader over all the Young Men, 12-18yrs. He loves the youth.
While alot of this blog is a bit of a travel log, we want to say to you all, our family at home, dear friends - it is not easy to be away from you, to know that each of you have challenges and a need for encouragement as do we - and playing games. We do not want nor do we need to sever any of these relationships. After all, we are now tech wizards, right Sister McMurray?! Seriously, we will learn how to maintain those close relationships, and nurture each other in spite of the distance. We thank you for your prayers as we take a pause in our normal lives so we can serve in this way.
This work is the work of the Lord. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth in these Latter Days - as foretold by ancient prophets. We are grateful to those missionaries of times past who brought the message of this restored gospel of Jesus Christ - to Tina, in Liverpool way back when; meeting Elder Johnson who was a missionary in Liverpool shortly after Tina's joining the church was one of those tender mercies that have touched us and affirmed that we are where we're supposed to be and we will be spending more time with them here; and the missionaries who brought the gospel to my own family - Grandma in New Zealand, Great Grandpa in Denmark, some in England, 3rd great grandfather/mother in Ohio.
Do we feel 100% ready? Absolutely not, but we are ready enough, and we are willing, and we believe we will be magnified -enlarged in our capacity as we, like our pioneers who crossed the plains, put our faith in every footstep - until the work is done. May our Father in Heaven's choicest blessings be upon you always.
Love, Elder & Sister McMurray
The Conference Center is the largest auditorium of its kind in the world, and there are so many amazing and beautiful features. The simultaneous translations of Conference sessions into 90 languages during General Conference - and those rooms where that all happens are behind the scenes, but amazing.
This high-rise was built by the Church recently. Note the steeple - it has a couple of chapels for church services in the lower levels, plus additional administrative offices above in the upper levels.
Salt Lake Temple upgrades and renovations will be marvelous when completed in 2024/2025. We are able to walk through the southwest portion of Temple Square past the Tabernacle. The gardens and flowers are still beautiful and thriving.
Comments
Post a Comment