Weekly Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

The MTC has been good to me the last week or so. I've learned so many valuable lessons and I've come so much closer to Christ. I've been studying like crazy and it has payed off. I always thought of myself as having a pretty good knowledge of the gospel but I learned so much more. The MTC really is such a blessing. That being said, my time of departure has come. I will be in Long Beach California as of April 24th. I can't wait to get out into the field and start really teaching people.

I want nothing more than to be able to teach this gospel. It's harder than I expected and I have to try a lot harder to keep myself motivated than I though but it's all been for the best. My companions have taught me so much and the spirit has taught me even more. Luckily I am speaking my native tongue so that's something that has made this much easier. Along with that I have my family and friends to thank. Honestly, I would not be as prepared as I was and I would not be as motivated as I am without all of your love, prayers, and support. I appreciate you, I pray for you, and I think about each and every one of you. May the Lord bless all of you, I know he will.

I would like to share something with all of you. It's my favorite scripture. Omni 1:26

"And now my beloved brethren I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel and partake of his salvation and the power of his redemption. Yea, offer up your whole souls as an offering to him and continue in fasting and praying and enduring to the end and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."

Family and friends, come unto Christ and endure. I know the Lord will bless you for it. This Church is true. The Doctrine of Christ is real. The Love of God is real.

Much Love,

Elder Sanderson.

Week of April 13th

Here is the latest letter we have gotten.  Written on April 13th, mailed from Provo on the 15th.

Dear Family and Friends,

     The MTC has been wonderful.  I have already learned so much.  The Spirit here is so powerful.  It changes hearts and it can bring some powerful revelation.  I've had the opportunity to serve as a zone leader.  I haven't had to do much yet but I will be helping out the new Elders that are coning in this coming week.

     I've stared teaching some "investigators" that are teachers that act as nonmember.  Even though it's not the real deal, I have learned a ton of things.  It's been very humbling and I am so grateful for the experience.

     My district here is awesome.   We all get along really well and it feels like we've known each other forever.  It's like the fun of EFY mixed with Spirit of the Priest/Laurel trek.  I have 5 other Elders with me in my room and we have another set of Sister in our district.  Another fun fact is my former zone leader and the rest of his district are all going to the Minneapolis MN Mission!  If you see Elders Burnside, Olson or Thomas make sure you tell them Elder Sanderson says Hi!

     Another thing that's great are the teachers.  They honestly care so much about each and every one of us.  The are awesome teachers and the Spirit they bring is incredible.  We do a lot of role planing and even though it's sort of hard to get into, it actually helps a ton.

     I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me.  The hand of the Lord is very apparent in all of the lessons and teaching.  I hope everyone is doing well and I hope that the Lord blesses each and every one of you.

                       Love,

                       Elder S.

    

Pictures from the MTC

Here's some pictures that I got from one of my companions. The guy on the left in the first picture is Elder Murphy, he's not my companion but he pretty much is. (Mom he's from Magrath, Alberta, Canada!!) The Elder on the left of the bottom pic is Elder Murphy again and the Elder in the middle is Elder Nez, he's my companion and I love that guy to pieces!

So far everything is great! I love my district and my companions. Everything has been super cool! I hope you guys are all doing well. Tell everyone I said hi!

Love

Elder S.

The learning has been crazy but the last few days have been pretty chill because I had a mini p-day Sat and Sunday was church. I sit on the stand next to the branch president now because my companion and I are the zone leaders right now! That means we get to teach all the new missionaries on Wednesday when they all come in. That should be pretty fun!