Week 4

Dear Family,

 

We have had a very special week. Last night we were blessed to hear from Richard G. Scott for our evening devotional. He talked for the most part about being led by the Spirit. Elder Scott invoked an apostolic blessing on us that we would have the gift of tongues, confidence in the guidance of the Spirit, and retain the lessons learned on our missions. He bore powerful testimony that the Savior Jesus Christ lives. He said I know He lives because I know Him. He emphasized that gratitude is an essential part of being led by the Spirit. We show gratitude by acting on spiritual promptings and recording them. A proud person will never be led by the Spirit. I will be sending a copy of his points home in the envelope I send my SD card in. The night before the devotional, our teacher showed us a devotional by Elder Bednar about being led by the Spirit and then in a letter I received from you (Dad) shared with me your impressions on the subject. The importance seems to be stressed by repetition.

 

After the devotional, we went back to our classroom and had an hour discussion about it. We went over his points and had a really good testimony meeting afterwards. I have a really good district that teaches me a lot.

 

It snowed for the first time last night. It was really coming down hard. We had fun running around in it while walking back to our apartments after planning for the next day. It has gotten absolutely freezing here. Fortunately, we are required to wear our suits every day now. (I think I would anyway). I do not want any sweaters or anything though. The buildings are all very warm, and I would end up stripping it off anyway. The MTC is really beautiful when it is covered in snow. We have taken many pictures.

 

My companion Elder Biesinger is no longer the district leader. He was released this last Sunday. Elder Schrimsher is now our district leader. I enjoy have my companion around more now that he doesn't have to go to so many meetings. Elder Schrimsher will be a good leader. It has been fun to see him grow into the position. He is already leading by his righteous example.

 

Elder Scrimsher and I have been pretty sick these last couple days. Our throats are feeling better today, but we are still pretty congested. This turn in the weather has not been helping either. Up until now we have been blessed with very good health.

 

I appreciate all of the letters and packages I have been receiving. I am sorry if I am unable to respond to many of them. I am getting them and am thankful for them. The Mullens were very thoughtful of me while they were visiting for parents' week. They are great friends, and I am blessed to know them.

 

It is fun when Elder Biesinger and I do not realize we are talking in Spanish. The language is really coming fast. We have been studying hard and are realizing the gift of tongues.

 

I am finding more joy in the work each day. As we delve deeper into the gospel, my desire to share it grows.

 

I love you,

 

Elder (Jeff) Whiting

Week 3

Dear Family,

 

What a great week I have had. Last night Elder Russell M. Nelson and his wife came to speak to us for our Tuesday devotional. He had much to say about missionary work. My favorite thing he said was having character is better than being one. First impressions are everything. He encouraged us to remove everything that draws attention away from our message and the Savior towards us. Elder Nelson reassured everyone that we are safer on our missions than our peers back home. Furthermore, we will receive rich dividends from our investment now in our missions. His wife, Wendy Nelson, said the battles we will face on our missions will be all too real. As a result we must thrust in our sickle and our sword. We left the devotional very uplifted and excited about the work.

 

Today I will have another opportunity to attend the temple. Weekly temple attendance has been a great blessing in my life since arriving at the MTC. Today we also have service. Our assignment was changed from vacuuming various hallways and classrooms to washing windows and helping out with preparations for the incoming missionaries like setting up tables, chairs, and stations. Because our service assignment is also on our preparation day, we get an extra hour of personal time on Friday morning to do things like write letters and iron our clothes.

 

Last Sunday I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost in Spanish. The President calls on random elders and sisters to give talks several minutes before we actually speak. So I was chosen and after racing through my mind for everything I could say, I gave what others called a very good talk. Several elders from the older classes came up to me afterwards and asked me if I had been here for several weeks more than them.

 

Typically on Sundays the elders are allowed to walk around the temple for an hour or so to take pictures and relax. This was cancelled last Sunday and indefinitely because many elders were meeting with friends and family during this time. They were also leaving lots of trash behind from picnics and such activities. It is always unfortunate when a few ruin it for the whole. On the plus side, we were still able to take pictures and relax here at the MTC. I have taken a lot of pictures and will send my SD card home soon.

 

Both of my teachers, Hermano Vigil and Hermano Castillo, have encouraged me to move up to the harder language classes here at the MTC. The decision has been weighing heavily on my mind for several days now. If I moved up this would mean a new companion, teachers, district, dormitory, and schedule. Since I have grown very close with my companion, district, and teachers the switch would be very hard. It would be nice to be challenged a bit more than I currently am though. I would also be able to practice my Spanish a lot more with the elders in the more advanced classes. I just do not know what to do though.

 

Thank you for all of the letters, dear elders, and packages. I really like Mom's package with all of the scriptures attached to the different items in the package. My companion and I have been tackling a couple a night and then devouring the contents if its food. I got one of the funniest letters from Elder (Ben) Whiting. He sealed it with this royal wax seal of a "W". I was cracking up. He is so funny, and I cannot wait to see him when I get back. I feel very fortunate to have such support while I am out here serving. We aren't allowed to open mail and packages until after we are done planning at 9:30, so we have fun writing in our journals and opening our mail together when we get back to our rooms.

 

I love you all.

 

With love and appreciation,

 

Elder Whiting

Week 2

Dear Family,

 

I am still alive and doing well. I appreciate all of the dear elders and packages I have been receiving. It seems like they always come on the days I need one.

 

Richard C. Edgely, the first counselor of the presiding bishopric came to speak to us last night at our fireside. He shared some very useful comments on how to be a better missionary. His wife shared her testimony before him and encouraged us to put our faith in Christ. After the fireside we had a very spiritual testimony meeting with just our district. We all just sat stunned in our seats afterwards.

 

There have been many instances that I have felt the Spirit since entering the MTC. I really enjoy teaching the first lesson out of Preach My Gospel with Elder Biesinger because as we go through the lesson and invite "the investigator" to accept commitments, we always come away from the experience with stronger testimonies of what we are teaching.

 

Spanish is coming so fast. I cannot believe how far all of us have come with the language. The gift of tongues is a curious power that I am only just beginning to understand. I experienced this yesterday when we were supposed to teach the first lesson to two of the other elders in our district. After contacting them in Spanish, we began teaching them the first lesson in Spanish without even noticing it. They had to stop us and remind us we were teaching in English for this particular exercise. We are working hard and practicing whenever we have any free time.

 

Elder Biesinger and I are still getting along really well. I am lucky to have him as a companion. I have noticed his laugh is very close to Johnny's, so when he laughs (which is often) I really miss Johnny. I notice that when we are teaching together it is so natural. There aren't long pauses or awkward "its your turn" moments. The lessons flow with ease. I enjoy rooming with Elder Polera and Elder Scrimsher. They are so funny, and we all laugh a lot.

 

Sunday has become our favorite day here at the MTC. First we go to Priesthood meeting in one of the classrooms. If there is a district leaving that week, they sing a song they have been working on for awhile. This last Sunday the elders sang til we meet again. Sacrament meeting is a little stressful because our zone president will call on two random missionaries to come up and talk on a subject. Needless to say, I avoided eye contact with President Krougar for the beginning of that meeting. We do not have Sunday school. We then get to walk around the temple grounds, relax and take pictures. We took some really good ones of our district and of the temple.

 

I am not sure how to send pictures home yet. These computers are blocked from sending attachments or even copying pictures into the body of the e-mail. I cannot burn the pictures onto a CD and send that home. Some elders suggested mailing the SD card home, but I would risk losing them since I don't have a back-up. The bookstore will develop photos which I can then mail home, but I'm not sure if this is the best route. I am taking pictures though so eventually some will make it home, maybe not until I'm in the field though.

 

I enjoy seeing Wilson around the MTC. He seems to be getting a grasp for Hungary very quickly and will greet me and respond in (what I think is) convincing Hungarian.

 

The climbing wall Jordan built sounds very fun. I enjoyed using the one at Cavitt Junior High very much. This one sounds quite bigger though. I would love to try it. Please give Jordan my regards. I was reminded of him yesterday as I was talking with an elder that reminded me of him. Their senses of humor are very similiar.

 

I love you all.

 

Love,

 

Elder Whiting

Mission Week 1

Dear Family,

 

Like college, the mtc was hard at first but is becoming something I am really enjoying. It is true what they say. The days are long, but this week went by so fast.

 

Today is P-day and the first opportunity I've had to e-mail. I have 30 minutes, so I'm flying through this. We have the opportunity today to write letters, do laundry, and go to the temple.

 

My companion's name is Elder Biesinger. He's a really fun person, and we get along very well. He's from Riverton, Utah and took some classes at BYU over the summer. He was made the district leader several days ago.

 

There were eight elders in my district and a ninth (Elder Monterosa) was added a couple days ago. Elder Biesinger and I share a room with Elder Polera and Elder Scrimsher, both going to Panama as well. Five elders in my district are going to Panama, Elder Wasden and Elder Ames to Honduras, and Elder Lake and Mills to Mesa, Arizona. Our district is already very close. We go everywhere together and try to eat every meal together.

 

I have two teachers here at the MTC, Hermana Norris and Hermano Vigil. They are very effective, and I enjoy their classes very much. They both served missions in Peru. They know Spanish very well. I am learning a lot of "Church Vocab" right now that I struggled with in my phone interview before. We practice speaking Spanish with each other all the time. It really helps. It amazes me to see Spanish being "called to [my] remembrance" as I teach lessons, pray, and bear my testimony in Spanish.

 

General Conference was very special here in the MTC. I enjoyed President Uchtdorf's talk on returning to the essentials during those times of turbulence in our lives. Quite an emotional moment for me when Elder Holland spoke for a moment about the sacrifices of our parents in allowing us to serve missions. We were all crying as we were thinking about this. I am thankful for how well equipped I am for my mission thanks to your financing and help packing. My shoes are so comfortable, and I have everything I need.

 

At night, I am able to look at my picture book and think about home for a few moments before companionship prayer and bed. Sometimes I miss home so much that I can hardly contain it. Our teachers taught us to focus on our purpose during these times, to remember that we are here to invite others to come unto Christ by receiving the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentence, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Hermano Vigil made the great point that the last part, enduring to the end, qualifies all of us and not just our investigators.

 

I enjoy seeing Elder Wood, Sewell, and Maughn quite a bit around the MTC. They look like they are doing great and are always cheerful.

 

I am thankful for your letters and enjoy reading them. Thank you for sending Joseph's letter. As the district leader, my companion gets the mail with me every day so I notice the mail a little more. The DearElder service seems to be quite remarkable. I see a lot of Elders walking around with those distictive long sheets.

 

The only thing I can think of to ask you for is Joseph and Colin's mailing addresses. They should be in my room or on the game table. If you cannot find them, you can use my cell phone to call them. I seem to have forgotten/misplaced them.

 

I am taking lots of pictures, so you can expect some soon. I love you and enjoy hearing from you. In a devotional on Tuesday, the emeritus general authority compared the mission to a fast from food and drink. I like to think about that.

 

Love,

 

Elder Whiting

Entering the MTC