The Glorious Gospel

Hello Friends and Family!                                                                     

What a beautiful, moving, and incredible week. There is no place in the entire world I would rather be, then here at the Provo Missionary Training Center. I can testify in full-faith of this Work, of this Gospel, and of the true reality of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

First off, I am truly loving it here. I have been so blessed to not only have a fantastic companion, but to also have an amazing District full of truly extraordinary Elders and Sisters. To begin, my companion's name is Elder Hafen from Huntington Beach, California! He is so chill, so cool, and will simply do whatever it takes to feel of the Spirit and get in touch with our Savior. From the moment we met, we connected. Even though I don't surf, like he does, we have been able to connect on both a friendship and companionship level. If you picture your typical California surfer guy, with the blonde hair and all, that is Elder Hafen! Except, unlike a lot of surfers, he has one of the strongest, and most sincere, testimonies of this Church as well as the work we are doing. I pray every night in thanks for being blessed with having such an incredible, and spiritual, companion! Not only is my companion literally the best, but I believe my District is one of the best Districts here on the MTC Campus! Even though we were told we are one of the largest Districts currently at the entire MTC (crazy!), we have all gotten to know each other so well, and been able to bond incredibly close in just a week's time. There are eight companionship's in our District, as well as two sister companionship's. I also feel so blessed, every night, to have been allowed to be involved with such great individuals and missionaries. Everyday with them is fun, funny, but much more importantly, spiritual, as we learn of our Savior's Love, and how to allow others' in the field to feel of that Love.  

Second off, I have been so blessed to have a countless number of spiritual experiences here at the MTC. There are far too many to be able to write all of them here, but I would still like to share a few that touched me deeply. From the first day, I have been able to feel of the Holy Ghost so strongly, as well as feeling deeply of my Savior's Love for me. Perhaps no greater feeling of the Spirit was stronger than on that on the first day of the MTC when 600 new missionaries (yes, there were 600 new missionaries this past Wednesday that entered the MTC!) sang strongly "Called to Serve". The Spirit simply swept the room, as we all joined in singing this praise to our Heavenly Father. Not only was the Spirit able to testify in that moment of the reality of modern-day-missionary-work, but more importantly of the Love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for all of their missionaries. It only helped to confirm to me, and calm my worries, that I was in the right place, doing the right thing. That in fact, it was the first moment I realized that I was on the Lord's errand. 

On the second day here at the MTC, while in our daily class (with our District), our teacher, Sister Perez, gave one of the greatest testimonies of the Spirit, and how it communicates. She stated, "Every good thought, every good action we think, is directed by our loving Heavenly Father. This is the Spirit speaking to you." I had never before thought of the reality of this comment, and of how the Spirit may communicate in this way. That in fact, as I have been here at the MTC, the Spirit has continued to testify to me so strongly of the truthfulness of this comment. As Elder Hafen and I have taught investigators, and practiced role playing even, that as I listen to the investigator, and apply every good thought I have towards them, our lesson's are always filled with the Spirit. This is just simply another example of how the Spirit has continued to teach me this week.

Also, on the second day, I had one of the coolest experiences of my entire week (with the Spirit). Before leaving for this mission, I continually told my parents, as well as some of my friends, that I was so worried inviting investigators to baptism during the first interview. That I had talked to many returned missionaries before I left, and they somehow always seemed to state that they had some of the best experiences inviting investigators to be baptized during the initial meeting with them. For some reason, this had really bothered me and had honestly become one of my biggest worries about coming into my mission. I prayed constantly that my worries would be calmed. With that concern in mind, I entered my very first class with both my companion, Elder Hafen, as well as my District. The lesson that was taught? "How to invite an investigator to be baptized in the first meeting." That was the exact title of the lesson, written on the white board in our classroom. Literally, the only deep worry I had, and the worry I had voiced several times in prayer to my Heavenly Father, had been addressed within only two days of being here at the MTC. It was just one of many witnesses to me of the power of prayer, of the reality of the Spirit, and the truthfulness of this gospel. 

Another one of the difficulties (among many) that I realized before I left on my mission, was how I was going to be able to condense deep Gospel Topics (such as the Atonement) into a simple few phrases for investigators to understand. By the length of this letter so far, you can tell I have a hard time condensing! But anyways, it was another one of my silly worries. Sure enough, the second lesson (literally) was all about, "How to teach Gospel Topics simply, and shortly." (as short as thirty seconds!). The Spirit testified so strongly to me that not only was Heavenly Father working to bless me by answering all of the worries I had previously voiced to Him, but He was also aiding me to be the best missionary I can be to bring others to this beautiful Church as well as His Son, the Savior Jesus Christ. Truly, I have seen so many tender mercies this week, and countless answers to prayers. 

With Elder Hafen, I have also had the best spiritual experiences. Truly, it was inspired by our Heavenly Father that we teach the Gospel, "...Two by two...". Among many experiences, one specifically stands out. We were planning to teach an investigator, and the Spirit prompted me so clearly that we should study the Missionary Pamphlets (by the way, I have fallen in love with the Pamphlets, they are incredible!). We read through them all, and then continued with our typical lesson plan. When we began teaching our investigator, Ren, he quickly voiced concerns about how an individual could connect and pray to God. We both looked at each other, completely changed our lesson, and let the Spirit lead us by teaching him the lesson of Prayer. It was because we were prompted to read those Pamphlets, that we were able to read a few sections to him and briefly summarize how to pray, and the importance of prayer in every individual's life. The Spirit was so strong, and me and Elder Hafen walked out of the lesson feeling like our Heavenly Father was truly watching over us each and everyday. 

There is one last experience I would like to share with all of you. On Sunday, missionaries at the MTC are given what is called "Film Time". This is where we can select about 10 film options we would like to watch that night. They are usually either conference talks, or past devotionals given at the MTC. Elder Hafen, along with a few others from our District, felt strongly like we should go to one called, "The Character of Christ".  It was a devotional given by Elder Bednar at the MTC a few years ago. He talked about what truly makes our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the Messiah, as well as the Son of God, it is his way of always turning outwards, not inwards. Meaning, when Jesus Christ was sad, he turned outwards to help others that were sad. That when Jesus Christ was lonely, he turned outwards to help those that were lonely. And even when Jesus Christ, our Savior and our King, was in the process of being crucified on the cross, he reached out to the others being crucified around Him, and spe​​cifically one, to promise and comfort him that day, that they would live in paradise together. Elder Bednar taught strongly, with the Spirit testifying to me powerfully, that the character of Christ is to be able to reach outwards to others, and not turn inwards. It would be my hope we could all try to reach outwards to others this week, as well. 

In closing, I want to testify of the truthfulness of this Gospel. That I do know that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did live. That in fact, he did die for me and for you. That Jesus Christ was always reaching outwards, and there was never one occasion where he was reaching inwards to try to help himself. That the power of the Gospel lies not just in testimony, but in serving and building up that testimony everyday. I testify of Joseph Smith, that he lived, and that he was the great prophet, being foreordained for his work, to restore the true Church on the Earth today. 

I am so blessed to be at the MTC. I love it. I love all of you, and thank you for always supporting and aiding me in every way possible.  I am so grateful for each and every one of you. Until next week, may we always continue to reach outwards through this Glorious Gospel.

Sincerely,

Elder Robb

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