... A Little Bit More 9/27/11

The classes and activities at the MTC have been great! I feel so blessed to be in these classes, they have strengthened my faith in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It's amazing to see how much God really loves us and how he wants all of his children to have the opportunity to hear the gospel message and receive the blessings this message brings. Just today, Elder Jorgensen and I went to the temple. We decided to eat in the temple cafeteria and a man who works at the temple came up to us, and he wanted to thank us for our missionary service. He said if it wasn't for missionaries knocking on his door, he wouldn't be working at the temple today. It made me so grateful for those who have served before me and those who will continue to serve after me.

So, on Wednesday my district will have the opportunity to be hosts (the people who welcome the new missionaries to the MTC). That will be very exciting! It seems like just yesterday I arrived at MTC, but in reality I leave the MTC in less than a week!! We got our travel plans on Thursday. I have to report to the travel office at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, October 3! Our plane leaves at 8:30 a.m. and we arrive in Portland at 9:34 a.m. It's crazy to think I will be one of those people walking down the street. I'm WAAAY excited!!

Oh, and can you write on my Facebook and ask my "friends" to put their address on my Facebook? You can just update my status like, "Elder Morgan is doing great! He'd like your address so he can write you on his mission!!!" That would be great, and THEN COULD YOU MAIL THOSE ADDRESSES TO ME!!!"

I'm also excited to get addresses from my Virginia friends so I can write to them. I just miss talking to people who are not Mormon. I know I'll have a lot of time to do that on my mission, but it will usually be about the gospel... not that that's bad... in fact it is great!! But everyone here are all members of the church and it would just be nice to talk to people who aren't all thinking about the same thing (church, BYU Football or Jimmer Fredette).

My next p-day will probably be in Portland, OR, so I don't know when I'll be able to write next. Hope all is well!!

Love you all,
Elder Morgan
Mom commentary: Note to Trevor's friends... HE MISSES YOU!! You are some pretty fine friends.... Thanks for your positive influence on my boy! :)

Howdy... again 9/27/2011

I'm glad to hear everything is going well in Virginia! I'm glad the family is well. That must have been great going to Morgan's baptism. I wish I could have been there.

On a related note, I was thinking of Ross, and wanted to tell him that the October Ensign is great, he should read it. In fact, you all should read it. This copy of the Ensign is a special copy about The Book of Mormon. It has talks from President Monson and the Twelve Apostles, a time-line of Joseph Smith's Life, a time-line of the Book of Mormon, it shows what books were written by who, and when they were written, and it also shows the order of the stories in The Book of Mormon. It is an amazing issue.

And let me say, I can agree with Meghan when she told me her favorite part of the MTC was the Tuesday night Devotionals. They are truly a blessing to the missionaries at the MTC. I have one tonight and we won't know who the speaker will be until he/she walks in. But last week's talk was amazing. The speaker was the Apostle Russell M. Nelson. He talked about the Book of  Mormon. He talked about how The Book of Mormon is convincing evidence that Joseph Smith is a true Prophet, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored church of Christ on the earth. He later gave us a history of the many publishing's and editions of the Book of Mormon. It was truly a blessing to listen to an apostle of God.

This week I got really sick at the MTC. I actually had a sore throat when we got to Utah, but I thought nothing of it. As the days went by, I got progressively more sick. I would be tired, I would have a sore throat, congestion, trouble sleeping, and sometimes headaches. I thought I could just get over it myself. But the more time I am at the MTC, the more I realize that I can turn to God to help me with my challenges. In faith, I asked for a priesthood blessing. I know that I need to rely on Jesus Christ for my strength, spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically.

Another great experience I have had while at the MTC is being a District leader. I try my best, and that is all the Lord can ask of me. But there was one night where I just couldn't handle my load. Maybe it wasn't just my load as being a District leader, but as my load as a missionary, District leader, and a person. I just felt like I had so many things to do and not enough time to do them. I'm really good at going to bed at 10:30, but one night I had to stay up and get things done. I was so hard on myself that night. I just sat at my desk and started to mope. It seemed like I just had so many burdens. But as I was sitting there, I reflected that Jesus Christ knows what I was feeling and that he cared about me. Through faith in Jesus Christ anything can be done. I got through that night knowing that I have a God who loves me and knows how much I can handle. Throughout the time at the MTC, I have grown so much in my testimony of faith in the Jesus Christ. Through Him, all things can be done. I know it. I have learned so much and I am so grateful that I get to serve a mission.

Love you all, and I pray for you every day.

Elder Morgan

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

So it's finally my P-day (day to get personal things done: laundry, letters, shopping etc.) I almost had to wait a whole week for P-day. It's crazy to think that about a week ago I was just entering the MTC. The first few days were crazy. I was just going from one place to another to another to another. I had no idea where I was going. I would just walk around campus 'til I found my building. I gradually became more familiar with campus as time went on. And now, I know exactly WHERE I am going,and WHEN I'm supposed to go. I guess that is what happens when a person has structured 16 hour days.

So, on Tuesday, I was assigned as District Leader (responsible to support 10-14) other missionaries... the district). I'm grateful to be a District Leader, but at the beginning I didn't think I was qualified. Through much prayer, I felt like I would be a successful leader. I'm really happy with my District. In the district there are 4 Sisters and 7 Elders. We have two companionships of 2 and 1 companionship of 3 Elders.

My companion is Elder Jorgensen. He is a really good person. We have a lot of same interests, including the gospel. He listens to similar music and he plays a few instruments. He loves the drums especially. What's interesting is that he only has 3 fingers on one hand and 3 toes on one foot. Even then, his "regular" hand and foot are a little mis-shapen, but this has never stopped him in anything. He told me he would always look for other ways to do things, especially when drumming. He also is an animator. He is a great artist. Apparently, he has even designed a computer graphic design for the government. I forgot to mention he is from Layton, Utah. Most of the elders and sisters in the district are from Utah. I think one is from Colorado, another from California and another from Arizona. Sorry, I just realized I went from talking about my district right to my companion.

Anyway, I don't think I have ever prayed more in my entire life than while being in the MTC. When I teach, talk and give instruction, I feel I am saying the things that God would have me say. Even within the last six days I feel so much closer to the Lord. While I might not know everything, through much prayer I know I have the Holy Spirit with me. I am doing and saying those things that God would want me to do and say and that is all. I know this church is true. There is no denying that. The way anyone can know it is true for themselves is by reading the Book of Mormon. Though prayer with real intent and faith in Christ, one can know the truth. With knowing the Book of Mormon is true, one can know Joseph Smith was a prophet, that modern revelation is true, and that the restoration is true. I love you all and pray for you every day.

Love,
Elder Morgan

Elder Morgan's First Letter

I did it! I successfully completed my first day in the MTC (*Missionary Training Center). It was amazing. I was going all over campus just going from class to class. My companion is Elder Jorgensen. He is really nice. He is from Ogden, Utah and he is a very good companion. He loves art and we have many similarities. My other room-mates are also very nice. We all work together well.

Classes were awesome! We had a class where we met the Mission President and **Branch Presidents. That class was full of all the missionaries who came today. Our other classes were amazing. We worked on learning to teach people the gospel. I think some acting teachers came and played the roll of non-members. As I tried to teach them, I realized that I am ready to serve, but I still have more to learn. I can't wait to go to Portland. I know I will learn so much as I am here at the MTC and in Portland.

Love, Elder Morgan

Additional commentary by Mom:  More about the MTC, thanks to Wikipedia

*Missionary Training Centers (or "MTCs") are centers devoted to training missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The flagship MTC is located in Provo, Utah, USA, adjacent to the campus of Brigham Young University.

At the beginning of their service, LDS missionaries usually spend 3-12 weeks at an MTC where they receive training in doctrine, conduct, proselyting methods, and when required, a foreign language. There are 17 MTCs located in nations throughout the world including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Peru, Philippines and United Kingdom.

New missionaries assigned to the Provo MTC arrive Monday-Wednesday (Couple missionaries on Monday, International arrivals on Tuesday, US & Canada on Wednesday), at which point they begin using their titles of "Elder" (for the young men) and "Sister" (for the young women). They are also assigned companions and are organized into districts and branches. During their training, the elders and sisters will spend the majority of their time in class, with breaks for meals, church services, temple attendance, fitness activities, service projects, and personal preparation time (for laundry, letter writing, etc.).

All missionaries are given at least three weeks of training in proselyting methods. This includes lessons on church doctrine and teaching, mission rules, and proper interactions with the people they will serve, teach, and work with in their assigned missions. Missionaries are also encouraged to use their time outside class to actively study Church doctrine and a language if necessary.

In many cases, missionaries who already speak the language of their assigned area are sent to their mission after just three weeks. Other missionaries may spend as many as nine additional weeks in language training. The Missionary Training Center language programs encourage a full immersion experience with the motto "SYL" for "Speak Your Language". In some cases, missionaries learning foreign languages go directly to the MTC in the country where they are called to serve. This depends on the capacity of the MTC in the area.

Each MTC is directed by a mission president, just like any of the 345 missions worldwide (this number constantly fluctuates). Classes in the MTC are typically taught by returned (former) missionaries. The missionaries are also assigned to small congregations called **branches, which are led by local church members called to serve in the MTC.

Welcome!!

Welcome to Elder Trevor Morgan's blog. For two years, Elder Morgan will be serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to serve in the Oregon Portland Mission. I know he'd love for you to follow his journey as a missionary by reading this blog.

Each week, Elder Morgan sends an e-mail to his family, and his mom will be posting snippets of his emails on this blog. You'll also find pictures here (if Elder Morgan actually sends some home) and updates on where he is serving. Elder Morgan will spend these next two years inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.

Take a moment to watch this short 3 minute movie below to learn more about what Elder Morgan will be teaching...