December 1, 2018 Email

So our P (preparation) days at the MTC are on Saturdays so this is when I will be emailing you guys.  So it has been an okay week at the MTC.  We have learned a lot and we have done a decent amount of activities where we just go up to talk to people and that isn't my forte so it has been kind of rough with that stuff and pretty overwhelming.  We had an activity where we had an investigator and me and my MTC companion, Elder Hall, got to know her and find out what kind of lesson she needs based on what she told us.  We will be teaching her 3 times next week.  When we talked to her it actually went really well.  We kept asking questions to keep the conversation going and it was a good experience.  It almost felt natural and I was nervous about it, but I didn't show it and I tried to be confident and it somehow worked.  The only problem was that we didn't get her name.  I guess that's kind of important, haha.  We are going to teach her the plan of salvation*.  I'm hoping the spirit helps me out a lot because I am going to need it.

I have an amazing district here.  We all get along real well and everyone is funny and most of them are pretty talkative.  The missionaries in my district are going to go out and be great missionaries.  Today we went to the temple to do endowments and it was great.  It was nerve racking at the end because the gentleman who was helping me had hearing aides and a speech impediment.  Luckily I am starting to learn what to say and do...sort of.  It was still a great experience.

Provo Temple

It feels different, in a good way, reading the Book of Mormon everyday and praying up to 5 times a day.  It's really helped me get more comfortable here.  I still don't know where everything is.  Luckily my companion does for the most part.  My last day here will be the 18th so if you guys could get a phone to me as soon as possible, that would be awesome.

The MTC is a pretty big place

Fun fact, we played basketball today and I learned two things:  members can ball and I am way out of shape.  I also found out that I am terrible at polishing my shoes.

Hopefully everything at home is going well.  I hope that Brigham is doing well in speech and drama and school.  I hope that Stockton is doing well at school and making the right decisions.  I hope Mitchell doesn't feel so stressed at work.  I hope that you and mom have a sense of peace and comfort.  I hope work is going great for you guys as well.  I wish you guys all the best.  I love you guys and miss you everyday.

Love,

Elder Smith

*The Plan of Salvation

In the premortal existence, Heavenly Father prepared a plan to enable us to become like Him and receive a fullness of joy.  The plan of salvation is the fullness of the gospel.  It includes the Creation, the Fall, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and all the law, ordinances, and doctrines of the gospel.  Moral agency, the ability to choose and act for ourselves, is also essential to Heavenly Father's plan.  Because of this plan, we can be perfected through the Atonement, receive a fullness of joy, and live forever in the presence of God.  Our family relationships can last throughout the eternities.

You are a participant in Heavenly Father's plan, and your eternal experience can be divided into three main part:  premortal life, mortal life, and life after death.  As you come to understand the plan, you find answers to questions asked by so many:  Where did I come from?  Why am I here?  Where am I going after this life?