MTC Day's

Dear Family,
I'm just about to head out into the field. I'm super excited to go and share the message of the Gospel with the people in my mission. It's kind of a bummer though. President Monson and the rest of the apostles are coming this week to train the new mission presidents including mine. Oh, well. I did get to hear Sheri Dew yesterday which was kind of neat. I think she is an insightful person and I learned a lot. I'll mail and email you next Monday to let you know how Santa Rosa is and what my area is like. I love you all. Elder Williams

This is the place.

Talon's Companion

Hi Mom,

I did have a wonderful Sabbath. I learn so much from the firesides and recorded talks then. It is great to take a break too.

The MTC has gone by in a flash. I am changing and growing rapidly, but it feels like a blur. I am becoming more prepared because I now realize that I need the Spirit so badly in my life.

I am glad that you all are reading. It´s so worth it.

I am coming closer to Christ. Everything I read, everthing I hear leads back to Him and His Attonement. 

We have our rocky moments, but mostly we get along. 

I wrote you a letter, so I hope you get that soon because this email has to be short. I will be able to call you on Tuesday in the airport.

Elder Thomson is a pretty cool guy. 

Thanks for everything.

Love you,

Elder Williams

Hi Brandt!

It´s good to hear you, My Sunday was great. I heard some great talks, and I´m all fired up. I´m glad that you are learning about the Book of Mormon.

Sounds like you´re listening to some awesome books! I hope that you keep it up. That is a great lesson to learn.

I love and miss you too. I´m happy that you want to go on a mission too.

Love you, Elder Williams

Hi Mom,

Thanks for all of the emails. I'm happy that everyone is glad that I am out here.

The MTC has been an inciting incident in my life. I have already made so many changes. I've been battling doubts, but I think that I will come out stronger in the end because of my challenges. I've really discovered what I have a testimony of and what I need to work on. Joseph Smith is one of the corner stones of my testimony. We watched the Joseph Smith movie on Sunday, and that helped me a lot. People always talk about how the church must be true because of all of the opposition he faced. There wouldn't be so much if it wasn't true, and they cite other church's histories for examples. I take a different view of it, however. I have a testimony of Joseph Smith because of Joseph Smith. He believed and held strong to his experiences. His example of standing up for what he knew to be true helps me hold on to my spiritual experiences. I need that.

What we have been learning about is the Gospel of Christ. It is amazing how many ways that that subject, the center of the gospel, can be approached.

My companion is a good guy. His name is Elder Robinson, and he is from South Jordan. Elder Thomson and Elder Merriam are my other roomates. We all get a long well. It was so interesting to see all of the diferent personalities mix and mingle.

I get thirty minutes on Mondays to send emails, so expect them then.

Thank you for all of your support. I love you.

Elder Williams

Hello Elder Williams,

Last night I was reading in Helaman and came across this:

"....my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings....repent ye, repent ye, the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

This is exactly your message-- repent and come unto Christ. You are building up the kingdom of God and are one of his blessed servants.

I also loved this from Helaman 5:6

"Behold I have given unto you the name....and this I have done that when you remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know  ....that it was good."

Your name is important because you are representing Jesus Christ as one of his special witnesses. I just thought that was very touching as I read it because you are now a full time missionary.

I have great love and respect for you. I send you my love and hopes of your happiness and joy in the gospel.

With love,

Mom