1st Week In The MTC

There were about 50 senoir missionaries in our 'class'. For part of the day we would separate into smaller groups for instruction and workshops. This is our group. One of the instructors, Sister Pinegar, in the grey sweater, is one of our teachers. She volunteers at the MTC and also works as an elementary school teacher. She served her mission in Italy.

This is the MTC dinning room. Usually the tables are pretty full. The food is great, but its hard to get small portions and its hard to thow away uneaten food - so I probably have gained a little weight.

Janet at one of the Call Centers answering requests for Church information. There are several call centers; others cover requests in multiple other languages. This was a great experience!

The world map in the MTC hallway. Sister Muhn is pointing to our previous mission in Africa, Elder Muhn to our current mission location - Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

This picture is from a window in one of the classroom buildings. Although there is snow on the mountains, it is still pleasant outside (when the sun is shining). It looks like these pictures take a little time getting them into the blog. Please be patient. . .

Some of you have asked for some detail about what we are doing so I've included the ‘cut & dried’ outline below. This has been a wonderful experience. We are instructed mostly by return missionaries in their early to mid 20’s; both men and women from all over the world. As we work together the spirit is often strong, a feeling of love and support pervades, and we get to meet and talk to people going all over the world serving in all different capacities. We like to break away from the senior missionaries and eat with the young missionaries and hear about their lives and how they are doing; I think it invigorates us all. The Preach My Gospel is quite a guide and we spend many hours in the evenings with that book and studying the referenced scriptures as well as those brought up in class. It sure beats TV!

As senior couples and sisters, our training is greatly condensed due to our many years of experience in the Church. We get in 1 week what the younger missionaries get in 6 weeks or so. Longer for both if a foreign lanquage must be learned.

Monday
11:30: Arrived at MTC, check in, get room key, and meal/building card, pay for room/board.
11:30-12:45: Lunch, go to mail room & get mailbox, go to bookstore purchase needed materials.
1:00-2:00: Senior missionary welcome by MTC Presidency
Break
2:10-2:45: Health/Medical Presentation (wash your hands)
Break
3:00-4:00: General overview of training schedule and activities for the week
4:30-6:00: Dinner
Assignment: Read P 1-15 of Preach My Gospel (PMG); What is My Purpose as a Missionary.
Read P 29-46 of PMG ; The Message of the Restoration.

Tuesday
6:30: Get up, shave, shower, etc. – Dress.
7:00-8:00: Breakfast
8:00-9:00: Large Group Instruction: The Message of the Restoration and practice.
Break
9:15-10-15: Continued
Break
10:30-12:00: Small Group Study, practice, share experiences, etc.
Lunch
1:30-2:30: Small Group Study, continued
Break
2:45-3:30: Appointment: Teach Lesson 1 to Church Service Volunteer
3:30-4:15: Large Group Summary and Conclusion: Evaluate, conclude for the day.
4:15-5:00: Immunizations if needed.
5:00-6:00: Dinner
6:45-8:00: Devotional with emeritus general authority, Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone
Assignment: Read P 47-59 PMG; The Plan of Salvation.
Read P 71-81 of PMG ; The Commandments.

Wednesday
Same as Tuesday, except working with The Plan of Salvation
4:45-5:45: Dinner. This is the day the young missionaries arrive.
No Devotional – that is only on Tuesday.
Assignment: P 213-217 PMG; How Do I Work with Stake and Ward Leaders?
P 103-114, What is the Role of the Book of Mormon?

Thursday
Similar schedule but today we focus on working with the less active member in the morning.
In the afternoon we receive orientation to the Referral Center, the work in the Center from 2:45-4:00.
4:15-4:45: Evaluate the days activities, conclude.
Assignment: P 60-70 PMG The Gospel of Jesus Christ
P 138-145 PMG Key Indicators, Area Book planning & reporting
P 217-223 PMG How Do I Work With Stake and Ward Leaders?

Friday
Morning: Instruction and practice The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then appointment is with less active members and applying the Gospel of Jesus Christ; followed by evaluation and discussion.
Afternoon: Instruction and discussion on working with stake and ward leaders to strengthen new and less active members. Work with case studies with focus on councils and counseling together. Summary & conclusion.

Saturday & Sunday: We will head back home to Salt Lake City and return on Monday.

This second week, those of us that will be serving in temples will be receiving our training specific to the temple in the Provo Temple just east of the MTC.