Thing are going really well here at the MTC. Our schedule is jam packed because of the 6 week program that we're on, but it's neat that we get the opportunity to see if it works. I want to make sure I'm prepared when I get to the field. We've talked a lot in our class about how instead of becoming an expert teacher of the gospel by the end of 2 years, we can become masterful teachers now and know the best ways to teach the gospel. I know that's true, and I'm doing everything I can to figure out how to get the Spirit to people's hearts and rely less on my own ability to teach.

Spanish is going well, and because I can comprehend the greater percentage of what our investigators say, it's easier to know how to respond in a way that they need. I can say most of what I want to, and what's nice is that when you can't think of what to say, there's always another way to say it. But, that's nothing compared to how the Spirit teaches. It could matter much less what we say most of the time. Because the Spirit is the greatest witness, and it's usually invited best by the scriptures, handing The Book of Mormon over to an investigator and having them read a verse and then tell us about it is much better than trying to explain the significance of something. We've had a number of times where there were obvious concerns or difficulties an investigator was having, but after reading the scripture and taking the time to think about it, they were able to explain their concern to us, or simply fix it on their own. We've also seen and been told of times when from reading The Book of Mormon, investigators have completely changed their mind without any explanation from the Elders.  The Book of Mormon is a POWERFUL tool for helping people feel the truth.

I encourage all people to read and re-read The Book of Mormon with a new purpose and rejuvinated desire to find the truth of the words of the prophets. The most important thing about reading The Book of Mormon is to have a reason for doing it. Simply flipping it open, you'll read incredible things, but if you want "respuestas de Dios" (answers from God), then you will need to have a purpose and question in mind. That will pull the truth from the words of the prophets and apply it to your own life. Las palabras de los profetas son esencial para recibir respuestas de Dios, y traves del Libro de Mormon, es possible para nosotros conocer la verdad de El Evangelio y todos cosas. (The words of the prophets are essential in order to receive answers from God, and through The Book of Mormon, it is possible for us to know the truth of the Gospel and of all things). I ask all people to read this book with the intent to know of its surety. A testimony of it will verify the legitimacy of the Restoration of the Gospel. A testimony of the Restoration will affirm the sanctity and genuinity of Joseph Smith, its prophet. Upon The Book of Mormon, our entire Gospel is based. It is a foundation upon which we can be converted. And once we are truly, and unquestionably converted, we will NEVER fall away.

I bear testimony of the role of the Holy Ghost, and that it is a gift from Heavenly Father to help us discern truth. I know that if we live worthily and ponder quietly, we can hear los sussuros (the whisperings/promptings) of el Espiritu Santo (the Holy Ghost), and know for ourselves that The Book of Mormon is true. And, sometimes when the Lord see's fit, the Holy Ghost can ring in our ears with boldness that is undeniable. I promise anyone who has or has not read The Book of Mormon if they will open it again, and ask with real intent (see James 1:5), then they will receive that burning, powerful, and irrefutable testimony of its legitimacy as a record of the Lord's dealings with His children. Please open it again, and I promise that somewhere between the front cover and Moroni 10, somewhere in those 531 pages, "ud. tenera un milagro" (you will have a miracle). In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.