MTC Week #2

Family and Friends,

 I appreciate so much all the prayers, letters, packages, thoughts, etc. Its funny because there isn't much to tell you in regards to day to day activities. Its study, breakfast, study, study, lunch, study, teach, study, dinner, study, gym, teach, study, sleep. Repeat. That's how the MTC is. haha. Cannot complain though because i have learned so much that will help me deliver the message of this gospel more effectively. Conference weekend was awesome. Watched and took notes on every talk. I literally took i think 25 pages of notes. I developed a little blister on my thumb from all the writing. hahaha. One really awesome thing was for last night's devotional the BYU acapella group Vocal Point came and performed/ bore testimony. Truly increased my testimony of the power of music. Use it always. Had a chance to personally meet President and Sister Nally (MTC President), and they remembered me from meeting me while i was dating their granddaughter. Sister Nally expressed how she prayed for me by name often.. it was so amazing to hear that. They expressed how proud they are of me, it was awesome. They are so loving and caring for all missionaries. Elder Evans and I have grown closer this week as has our entire district. It feels like we are family. I had the opportunity to give one of the Sisters a blessing for sickness this past week and it felt like she was really a sister of mine. The bonds at the MTC are intense and i am truly grateful for them. It feels like i have been here for AGES, but not in a bad way.. The days feel like weeks, and the weeks feel like days. It is the weirdest thing to explain but thats how it is. haha. I wish i could just copy and paste all my notes into this email so that you could see the profound concepts we learn everyday... but i will focus on a couple of them.

First. Obedience. It was talked about so much in conference.. and for a reason. Obedience is how we are truly converted. Strive to be more obedient and your life will be blessed. Do not pick and choose the commandments you wish to keep.

Second. Faith. Faith is not enough... sorry if that sounds harsh but its true. We must act on our faith to truly use it. Action on faith creates evidence of our faith which creates a pure knowledge.

Third. Conversion. Conversion is an ongoing process in our lives. No one is completely converted. Another thing about that.. testimony in our lives is NOT enough. Testimony will not create a lasting effect on our lives. Conversion comes through always being true to what we know. What we know will ALWAYS trump what we don't know. Exercise faith and reap the fruits of your action.

Fourth and Final. Turn out. We watched a talk that Elder Bednar gave at the MTC a couple years ago.. his focus was on the character of Christ. For lack of better phrasing... he threw it down hard in that talk. haha. He was so straightforward and concise. I learned that we are all much much too selfish. To truly be converted and follow the character of Christ we must resist the natural man. The natural man consists of turning inward and being selfish during hard times. Christ NEVER turned inward. Even when he was being betrayed, spat upon, tempted, ridiculed.. he turned outward to help those who were disrespecting him. Something amazing and profound i learned a few different times this week is to always always always seek others before ourselves. We must pray to find ways to help those around us and to be better disciples of Christ. Even when we pray for revelation, pray that the revelation will be able to bless someone around us. All of our purpose, not just mine, is to invite all to come unto Christ. Turn to God, and invite others to do the same. During Bednar's talk there was a part i loved.. he said something to the extent of, " i hear missionaries who say i feel like i am working hard, why am i not seeing the results? whining, complaining, murmuring." He stopped, stared into the audience and said, "STOP WORRYING ABOUT YOURSELF. its NOT your agenda. get over yourself. stop worshiping yourself. You need to get your motives out of the way so that the Lord can work through you in his own way." it was powerful and struck me deep. With that being said... we ALL have room to improve. Pray for others and put the lord's will first. I am pushing for this with all my desires and capacities.

Pray always. Study Dilligently. Not for ourselves, but for the eternal salvation of those who are not as spiritually fortunate as us.

Christ lives.. i have had it testified to me so strongly. Recognize that everything we do, we must rely on Christ. I know this gospel is the true way to happiness. by living its principles we can be edified and uplifted to help those around us. I know our Heavenly Father loves us.. all of us. He knows our divine potential and i challenge you all to pray for knowledge of his love and plan for you. Stay strong and be an example of the believers. Ps. there are too many cute girls here, it doesnt seem right ... Dyokslang, (just kidding) but really. hah!

Palangga (love),

Elder Stagg

Halong!

P.S.

a couple other things! elder evans and i went all day saturday without speaking english.. that was rough. haha. but good!

Also (phe and jay will love this one) we play basketball every gym time and elder evans and i are undefeated in 2v2 #hoopdreams haha! the language is getting sooooo much better! its a hilarious language! Love to you all!

 District 45-A at conference!

 President and Sister Nally, Elder Evans and I.

 Doing what i do best.

Sister sefeti is hilarious. She always makes new friends and this is her being best friends with all the islanders and taking their picture at the temple. She even snatched up some random toddler at the temple and was playing games with him. haha!

Our district loves being odd.