Elder Logan Porter: 6 days left in the MCT

Hello everyone!!

Well this week flew by!! It blows me away how much stuff you can do in one week. So bad news. Elder Holland didn't come it was just a rumor so that is lame. But Sister Oscarson came! She is the general young woman’s president! She was fantastic and talked a lot about humility and fulfilling our duties as missionaries. She said "success isn’t probable… It’s promised" she goes on to talk about the promises are made when we are faithful, obedient, and charitable. It was absolutely amazing and so inspiring. She also said "Let the Lord show you who you are." I have learned this principle since being here in the MTC. It is absolutely amazing what Heavenly Father has in store for us; the strength he gives us when we trust in him and the abilities we never thought we had. I know that my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Loves me. Christ is with me every step of the way, He is there to pick me up when I am down, pushing me to grow, and to cover me and all my short comings. I know this is not just for the missionaries in the field. That Jesus Christ does these things for each one of us each and every day. Come close to Christ, find out who he is, what he can help you do, what Gods plan is for you, and most importantly, how to grow closer to him.

8/17/16 Wednesday; our lesson with Bryce went outstanding!! He kept all his commitments and is progressing so fast! It was so cool to see him start to recognize Gods love for him, and the ways that this has been expressed in his life. OHHHH and new missionaries came so I’m not the new guy anymore!! It was a big deal!! LOL

8/18/16 Thursday; I learned today about the Atonement and the role that repentance and baptism play in it. Repentance removes the guilt and bad feelings, but it isn’t until we are baptized that our sins are washed away. Baptism allows us to access the full power of the atonement and it is only through baptism that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father, family, and friends. I have learned the importance of repenting every day. None of us are perfect and we all need it, in fact it is a commandment. Let us all strive to repent daily and fully use the atonement in our lives.

8/19/16 Friday; Hey guys my dad is 40!!!! Today was pretty relaxed, as in nothing big happened to tell about. We got Bryce our TRC to commit to baptism though so that was awesome! I can’t wait to get to Hawaii and have it happen for reals!!

8/20/16 Saturday; Well today I decided to spend my study time reading the Book of Mormon and I ended up studying and reading through 14 Chapters! It was such a cool day. I read and study a lot every day but today I never left the Book of Mormon. I love how the spirit can testify over and over and over of the truths of the gospel. Friends and Family, even if you have already, read the Book of Mormon diligently and ask Heavenly Father if it is true. As Moroni teaches, I also tell you from experience that you can know for yourself the truth of the things in it and also of the amazing man Joseph Smith was! It’s incredible. Do it, and do it again!

8/21/16 Sunday: Sundays are always awesome but this one was my favorite for sure! Have you guys heard of the Nashville Tribute Band? Well they are awesome!! I listened to these guys all the time before I left on my mission. Look them up!! Anyways they came and performed for us!! It was outstanding!! One of my favorite songs by them is "The hardest thing I have ever loved to do". Anyways, the end of their program came to a close and this wasn't performed yet and I was so bummed... then it happened. They started playing it and it made every missionary in the MTC break down into tears. After it concluded, he said he wanted to play it again but wanted everyone to sing with him. Every missionary in the MTC sang this song with him. This was like a perfect dream come true. I absolutely loved it and it was so powerful! It blows my mind how strong music can invite the spirit into a room.

8/22/16 Monday: Today I learned that my role as a missionary is to invite the spirit UNTO the hearts of the people, and the Holy Ghosts role is to take it INTO their hearts. This was so cool and such and amazing principle. Oh and Mondays the MTC has catered foods and it was ALOHA foods. How convenient having Hawaiian food on our last Monday!!

Oh I head to Hawaii on the 29th!!

Anyways, that is the gist of what happened in my week, the spirit here is so strong and the testimonies that are given are so powerful. Thank you all for your support and prayers. I feel strengthened through all of you.

-There is a difference between testimony and Conversion. Testimonies fall while conversion last forever. Family and friends, convert yourselves to the Lord. Be willing and able and ask how you can come closer to Christ and as you do this and try to be more like him, your conversion process will pick up and increase. Never be stagnant. Always be on the move!!!

I love you all<3

Elder Porter

Honolulu, Hawaii

Elder Pugh (Meridian) Elder Wills (Rexburg)