The Book of Mormon is True!

Today has been a crazy P day! So much packing, but on the bright side I leave Monday morning for Korea! I'm so excited! However, it is hard to believe I have been at the MTC for 2 months!

This week was spiritually uplifting. Before class we always have a spiritual thought. One day this week our teacher shared her story of how she gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I decided I wanted to gain that testimony too. So I prayed and nothing happened. I felt peace, but I didn't know with all my heart. 

On Tuesday I was reading about the importance of Book of Mormon and I realized first I needed to decide why I feel the Book of Mormon is important. So I said a prayer and I began to search the Book of Mormon for my answer. This lead me to the story of Abinadi in Mosiah 17:9-10, 20. These verses take place at the end of Abinadi's life where King Noah gives him the choice between death and denying the word of God. Abinadi gave his life for his testimony. He would not deny it. This caused me to think about what I would do for the Book of Mormon.

What would you do for the Book of Mormon? Would I give my life for the Book of Mormon? As I studied the Book of Mormon in this way, it was testified to me by the spirit the Book of Mormon is true. I know it is true with all my heart and I can't wait to share this book I love with the people of Korea. I testify if you prayerfully and sincerely seek to know the Book of Mormon is true that you will receive an answer (Moroni 10:4-5).  

As you go about your week, don't forget to read the Book of Mormon. It is an incredible book that contains the gospel of Jesus Christ within its pages. I love you all and thank you for all your support. If you ever need me to pray for you, just let me know because I will.  

This week was amazing and I can't wait to get out in the field!

Sister Mustain

 

 

Remember Christ's Atonement

I can't believe I have made it this far! Tomorrow we should be getting our travel plans and then I think it will hit me how close I really am to being in Korea. I feel sad about leaving, but I feel like I'm ready. I know I have grown so much at the MTC and I needed to be here to prepare to serve God the best I can. 

On Sunday I was called to be the branch music coordinator. I did not see that coming, but I know through prayer and diligence, God will qualify me to fulfill this calling. 

My companion and I had the opportunity to act on a spiritual prompting and talk with a gold tag named Jonathan. Gold tags are real investigators who walk around the MTC.  It was amazing to talk with him and to learn about him. We gave him a spiritual thought, but we mostly talked about what the gospel has done for us and got to know him. This helped affirm my purpose as a missionary. It is to invite others to come unto Christ and through the spirit people's hearts are changed. 

On Monday I received a talk from my family on the power of the atonement in our everyday lives. Therefore Tuesday during personal study, I studied the atonement. It taught me how important the atonement is and caused me to reflect back on my experience of applying the atonement to myself. In my freshmen year of college I took seminary. We studied the first four books of the New Testament. As the semester progressed I drew closer to my Savior, but it wasn't till we studied the story of Christ in Gethsemane that I knew Christ had died for me personally. Christ knows me and he knows each and every one of us on a personal level. Tuesday night Elder Clarke of the Seventy’s came and spoke to us. He told us ten things that everyone of us needed to know. 

1. Love the people

2. Read the Book of Mormon

3. Recognize the Joseph Smith story really happened

4. Be obedient

5. Have faith

6. Remember the Holy Ghost

7. Family: The most important unit in time and all eternity

8. Believe in who you really are!

9. Remember the worth of soul

10. Enjoy the journey

All these things will bring us closer to Christ. I know this is true.  I know Christ's atonement is for us. I challenge you to incorporate it into your life as I strive to incorporate it in mine. I love this gospel and I know it has helped to make me the person I am today. I love you all and wish you the best of luck with the upcoming week!

Sister Mustain

 

Two More Weeks...

This week was amazing! For the Tuesday night devotional Elder Quentin L. Cook came and spoke at the MTC. It was amazing to hear from him. He talked a lot about the importance of our work as missionaries and how important our message is. He said we are the builders of the church not the marketers which was cool to think about. After the devotional we always have a district meeting and the one we had this past Tuesday was amazing! You could feel the spirit in that room, and it made me so grateful to all the amazing missionaries in my district. They all have added so much to my testimony. I'm so grateful I came to the MTC when I did. 

On Monday morning a group of missionaries left for Korea. Here at the MTC, there is a cycle where every three weeks a Korean group of missionaries leave and then new ones come in. To see the group leave this week was bitter sweet. I'm so excited for them to get out in the mission field, but it was hard to say goodbye because we had grown so close. As they prepared to leave, I felt as Ammon and his brethren (from the Book of Mormon) felt as they prepared to serve their missions. Alma 17: 13, "that they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken."  

I leave in just two weeks, and it is crazy to think about how long I have been in the MTC, but I know that I'm supposed to be here and that I need to be here two weeks longer. My testimony in the power of faith, obedience, and prayer has grown so much at the MTC. I know my Heavenly Father wants me on this mission and through him I can do all things (Alma 26:12).  

I wish everyone the best of luck as they go about their week and remember you have a loving Father in Heaven that is always there waiting to answer (John 14:18). 

Sister Mustain

 

 

That Mountain Can Be Conquered!

First of all I want to take the time to thank everyone who has supported me on my mission with their letters and their prayers. Thank you!

I feel so much better this week. At the end of last week, I felt so low I could tell I wasn't progressing. I also was stressed about being stressed. I had a prompting to talk with our Sister Training Leader, Sister Weston. Through her, I was able to go talk to someone and get help in managing my stress.  I'm so grateful to her and my companion, Sister Sewell, who is very supportive. I'm also eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father and Savior who care so much about me. I learned I was so stressed about the language that I wasn't letting myself progress. Since figuring out what I was stressed about, I have been able to progress. I can see myself progressing in the language and getting more involved in class. I'm not perfect, but I'm trying my best. I feel satisfied with myself and no longer have any regrets. I know God answers our prayers, because without prayer I would have never made it this far in my mission. 

Our branch president, President Perriton had an interview with Sister Sewell and I on Sunday. He told us three things to remember when learning the language: 1. Over pronunciate  2. Go at your own speed  3. Be positive.  These three tips have meant the world to me in learning the language. I feel more confident in my abilities and I am happy with the struggles. I know challenges will help me grow. Mosiah 24:14 &15 explains how the Lord will help us if we turn to him. It may not be in the way we expect, but he does answer. 

This week I learned a lot about obedience and how before faith we need to be obedient. I was reading the story of the stripling warriors (Alma 56-58), it made me realize how many blessings come from obedience. Before this week, I wasn't doing SYL (speak your language) and I wasn't speaking up when I should. From changing those behaviors and becoming obedient to the things the Lord wanted me to do, I have been blessed with a satisfaction in myself. This gospel makes me happy beyond belief. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve my Heavenly Father. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. No matter what happens in my life, I know as long as I follow the example of my Savior Jesus Christ, everything will be alright.

 

Sister Mustain

My Companion Sister Sewell



This week was definitely a roller coaster!

On Saturday I started having stomach problems again and this time it was bad.  My stomach was growling so frequently and so loudly that it was disruptive to class.  I thought I had just had something bad to eat, but Monday rolled around and it was still happening, and I was eating pretty healthy.  So on Monday I made an appointment to see the doctor on Tuesday morning. I found out that it was caused by stress.  You know how some people get migraines from stress, well I learn my body reacts with loud stomach growling.  When the doctor told me that, it made a lot of sense.  The doctor was able to give me some medicine that is helping a ton. 

On Monday, my companion Sister Sewell asked for a Priesthood blessing.  Right after her blessing, I knew I needed a blessing of healing for my stomach.  After the blessing my stomach didn't instantly feel better, but it became more durable until I was able to go to the doctor. 

On Tuesday I used a study technique my instructor taught me.  First you think of a topic you want to study. Then you randomly open up your Book of Mormon and start ready.  I did that on stress and I was able to find my answer.  And of course you start with a prayer.  We say a lot of prayers here, but it has taught me how important prayer is.  Yesterday was altogether overwhelming.  I felt so discouraged, but the minute I took a moment to say a prayer I felt better. Not completely better, but somewhat better. I'm so grateful for the priesthood, prayer, and scripture study.  It is blessing my life so much on my mission.  I know it can bless you no matter where you are or what you are doing. 

Now for the highlights of the week. My district was able to host this week.  It was so much fun and I was able to help two sisters who will leave before I even leave. On Tuesday night we had an amazing devotional about the impact we hold as missionaries. Following that we had a district meeting in which we were able to share our thoughts on it.  It was an incredible meeting and you could feel the spirit swelling within the room. My district is full of amazing people. There are two districts of missionaries that came in the week I did. I know the way we were divided was inspired of God.  I love being on a mission and even though there are some bumps in the road, I know this is what my Father in Heaven wants me to be doing. 

Just a little side note, we have service twice a week and this week at service the person who was assigning us jobs served in the Rancho Vista Ward in Palmdale, California at the end of his mission. How cool is that?! 

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father and to help others come unto Christ.

Sister Mustain

 

 

The Power of Faith

This week has past faster than I can remember. On Saturday, I wasn't feeling so well. Even though I didn't want to miss class, I slept for a couple of hours and my body was able to heal faster. What a miracle! A huge group of Korean missionaries left this week, and now the MTC feels so empty. The people here are wonderful, and have such amazing testimonies.

On Sunday night, our branch was one of three that they had watch a new video. It was a fireside given by Elder Bednar at the MTC in 2009. It was amazing! Elder Bednar spoke on how we sometimes question whether something is a spiritual prompting or just us. His advice was don't worry about. Act on it. 

Last night, we learned limits and how through God there are no limits. Jacob 4:6 explains this. I learned that as long as we have faith, God will be able to help us do all things. My teacher told us (mostly in Korean) that here at the MTC the only limit we have in learning Korean is ourselves. There is nothing stopping us here. This made me realize that I'm stopping myself from learning Korean. I haven't been learning it as fast and as well as I should here. This made me realize the only thing stopping me is me. We read this talk called the fourth missionary this week and it explained how the one thing you can give to God that he doesn't already have is your will, and I have been holding mine back. I haven't been giving my all because I'm afraid of failing. I guess that is what failing is for. It is there to humble and teach us. I was in the temple and I went with this question in mind. Ether 12:27, answered my prayer. This week my goal is to completely devote my heart and will to God. 

I know we have a Heavenly Father who loves us beyond comprehension. I know I can be with him again through the doctrine of Christ (2 Nephi 31). I know this gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share it.

Sister Mustain

                                                                    

Life is Getting Better...Through Prayer

This week was so much better!  First of all, I got to do a temple endowment session in the Provo Temple and it was amazing!  After the session, my companion and I said a prayer together in the celestial room, and I could feel us drawing closer together.  It didn't smooth out all the glitches, but things got better. 

On Sunday, I was feeling emotionally distract and I felt like I was holding the world on my shoulders.  So I told my companion I needed a priesthood blessing for strength because I felt as if I was going to break down then and there. We asked the elders in my district to give me a blessing and it was incredible!  It gave me so much comfort and it helped me realize how I haven't been praying like I should.  I need to pour out my soul to my Heavenly Father when I pray because he knows me the best and he wants to hear from me.  Our district leader keeps telling us that we need to pray, and until I got that blessing, it hadn't hit me how much I needed it. I felt all the cares and worries wash away, and afterwards my companion decided to ask for a blessing also!  It is amazing how much you can feel the spirit when you seek it. 

On Monday, I was able to finally figure out what was bugging me in regards to the relationship between my companion and I.  As soon as I figured that out, I was able to pray about it and since Monday night, I just feel so much love for my companion.  She is funny, caring, and very social. She makes me a better person, and even though I didn't realize this from the start, through prayer I was able to figure it out. 

It is has been so hard for me to express my emotions.  I'm used to doing it in private, but here I am with someone 24/7. So I found that the best thing to do when you feel discouraged is say a quick prayer. Whether it be on your knees or in your heart, say a prayer.  It won't magically fix everything, but it gives me the strength to endure my challenges. It gives me the courage to move forward and do the things expected of me. 

1 Nephi 2:16 explains how Nephi prayed to the Lord to know what his father, Lehi, said was true. Before that it explains how Laman and Lemuel didn't believe in Lehi's words. Nephi probably had some doubts like we all do, but the difference between Nephi, and Laman and Lemuel is that Nephi asked.  The Lord is there just waiting for us to talk to him and the more we talk to him the more strength we will feel as we go about our lives. I testify that prayer is there to help us and that when things get hard, that is when I need it the most. 

Sister Mustain