"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together"
--- African Proverb
To put this blog post into context if you haven't read the previous posts, I just started my time as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Before going to Mexico, I spent 6 weeks at a Missionary Training Center (MTC) with other new missionaries whom I lived with and learned with. Our class consisted of 12 of us which was our "District". Because there were other Districts, we were identified as "District D".
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NEW FRIENDS
In a missionary context, a District is made up of a few companionships (See "Mission Administration"). Likewise, a Zone is made up of two or three Districts. A Branch (in the MTC) is made up of a couple of Zones. The MTC was like moving to a new neighborhood (See "Welcome to the MTC!"). We made friends with our neighbors but the first "strangers" we met in that new place, our hodgepodge District, quickly became the closest thing to family. We naturally developed a habit of doing everything together like a pack or a herd. Generally speaking, we didn't leave the cafeteria until everyone was ready to go. We wouldn't head over to class until everyone was ready to go. We didn’t have to, and most people didn't, but we had so much more fun doing everything together than when we were split up into our companionships of two.
As for our Zone, we only really got together after class every night before we went home. We'd gather outside under a tree, our Zone Leaders would share any announcements they had, and then they'd ask someone to offer a prayer in Spanish (See "Prayers"). After that, we'd usually walk the Hermanas (female missionaries) back across the street to Wyview since it was dark and only gentlemanly to do. We'd shake their hands goodnight and we'd go on our way home, enjoying the fresh air of the dark summer night.
We were assigned the name “District D” as a way of organizing us since there were so many of us on campus (I believe our Branch ranged from Districts A to F). We used it like it were our family name. District D was comprised of the previously mentioned Elder Johnson, Elder Hale, and Elder Scott as well as Elder Brogan, Elder Webb, Elder Budd (going to California), Elder Delgado, Elder McQuivey, Elder Watterson (going to Spain), Elder Simpson, Elder Whitlock and myself, Elder Robertshaw. For one reason or another, although we started with twelve in our District we finished with nine before the six weeks were up. But everything was for the best and life goes on.
The older Districts told us that the first 4 days were the hardest and if we could make it to Sunday, things would get easier. In many ways, I'd agree with them. It took me about that long for the full feeling of being a missionary to sink in. At least but that time, we'd become comfortable with our schedules and one another.
We got to know each other over many meals in the cafeteria. It was not a popular place to most but I thought that the food was decent. I thought that the cafeteria on the main campus was even better because it was larger and had more options although the others said it was worse; we got to eat there a few times on our Preparation Days which were on Thursdays in order to attend the Provo Temple across the street. One of the Elders from another District actually related the food to Jeremiah 4:19.
We attended a welcome devotional with the MTC President, President Roach, and his wife and sang, "Called to Serve" and "We'll Bring the World His Truth" which we'd sung since we were kids. There's a line in it that says, "And we will be the Lord's Missionaries". But in the MTC we sang, "And we are now the Lord's Missionaries". It was awesome!
CAMPUS LIFE
There were differences between Main Campus and West Campus. Certainly, the housing was worse on Main Campus since you basically had up to six in a room; community bathrooms and lobby were in the hall. At least we got entire apartments with commodities such as two comfortable couches, a kitchen, two bathrooms per apartment with two sinks per bathroom, and separate rooms for each companionship with a desk and dresser. All in all, our apartments were in reasonable condition, and no doubt refurbished since.
Both cafeterias were all you can eat (or, for some, “all you care to eat”). The meals were paid for on our missionary accounts so all we had to do was swipe our MTC card every time we entered the cafeteria. I never had much of a stomach for early breakfasts but I usually compensated by grabbing one of everything for lunch. Overall, I enjoyed the food and it was definitely better than cooking it ourselves. We didn't cook in the MTC, in fact, I believe it wasn't allowed for safety and maintenance reasons. We didn't even have silverware in our apartment anyway. There's no reason to go hungry in the MTC.
MY FIRST COMPANION
Elder Whitlock, who was assigned to be my companion, was the last to arrive. As soon as he walks into the classroom, I immediately jump the gun, “This guy is nothing like me. He’s blonde, white, and looks like pure muscle.” And you know what? I was right on all accounts! But we all have differences. Most importantly, he was a good guy, perhaps the first of many I met with personal challenges beyond my experience, as we all have. Looking back on it now, I see that Elder Whitlock set the mood for the rest of my future seventeen companions. He taught me how to sacrifice my wants for another’s, and how to look for the best in others.
I believe that the kind of relationship you choose, yes choose, to have with your companion determines the success you'll have. The more you trust one another, the more the spirit will be with you. You won’t have everything in common but you must be willing to care about your companion like you care about your own well-being. You can learn as much from what someone says as by their attitude. You talk together, you laugh together, you cry together, and you will disagree but you learn to press on together. Truly, the mission is the perfect practice for future relationships, including marriage.
Role-play was one of the best ways to prepare. One of our instructors would go into the room with the couch, shut the door, and wait. We would knock on the door, and try to get welcomed inside to share a message. On our first attempt, Elder Whitlock struck up a genuine casual conversation and we got inside and shared a message. None of the others could get past the door for the first few days. When we asked our instructor why he said it was because Elder Whitlock and I treated him as a friend rather than an objective. He may have had some challenges, but Elder Whitlock knew how to be himself.
FOLLOW THE LEADER
We were bushed that first night but couldn’t sleep. Some, including Elder Johnson, cried (Real men cry). I couldn’t sleep because I had nothing but Spanish conjugations whizzing through my head. (That may have been the first time I dreamed entirely in Spanish effortlessly. I still dream in Spanish occasionally). That and the custodians had failed to provide me a blanket and the cold air coming through the vents during that summertime was frigid. I assure you I felt completely helpless when my eyes opened at that early hour staring with my nose to the white ceiling, motionless, and thinking, “One down, only seven hundred more to go.” You can understand our initial weariness; homesickness is common.
We got to know our Branch Presidency (adult leaders) as they met with our District and each of us individually periodically to see how we were doing. In some ways, they were like parents to us. We had a Branch President, his two counselors, and their wives who usually accompanied them to visit us. Our Branch President was President Jameson. His counselors were President Swenson, and President Sharon who he and his wife were inspiring converts of 30 years.
They assigned Elder Johnson to be our District Leader for the first three weeks and Elder Webb took the last three. Being District Leader in the MTC really only meant informing us of upcoming stuff, making sure we were okay, holding the key to our apartment's mailbox (which was only to be opened at a certain time of day), and leading by example, but their leadership shined early on. Assignments never got in the way of friendship. Assignments were often how we expanded and deepened our friendship with others.
GETTING OUR VISAS
I actually got to know the two of them early on. August 14, 2014: the three of us and about another 30 missionaries took the Frontrunner to downtown Salt Lake City to get Visa work done at the Mexican Consulate. It was my first time on the Frontrunner. All we had to do was get our picture taken (so we wore suits) and fingerprints but it took us all day because of wait and travel. We didn’t have a proper breakfast or lunch because we had to leave early and it was the hottest day ever. Not a cloud in sight. Barely a breeze to be felt. And to make it worse, it was our Preparation Day (P-Day).
We passed by American Fork and Elder Johnson could point out his tree house to us in the distance. We passed Sandy and Elder Webb pointed out his house. And when I saw Mount Olympus, I knew my house lay somewhere nearby.
We arrived before the consulate opened at 12:45 pm so we killed time at the gas station down the street buying some snacks and whatnot. It was weird seeing “normal” people in normal clothes compared to us in missionary attire. Having grown up in Utah most of my life, I never felt so out of place at home. For a moment, I thought about the fact that my family wasn’t that far away. I was the closest I would be to them for a while.
Traveling back to Provo took forever. Elders Johnson and Webb took a nap while I stayed on my feet to let the other weary passengers sit down. When we made it back to Provo, we had to wait another 45 minutes for a shuttle to pick us up (I think there was a mix-up between the drivers). I just about suggested sewing our suits together to make a shady tent and to start digging for water. The high sun made me feel crispier than bacon; I probably smelled like bacon, just less pleasant. I had no idea where we were in relation to the MTC or how far away it was and there was nobody around we could ask for help. Luckily, our group leader had an emergency phone and was able to let the MTC know that no one had come and a shuttle eventually rescued us. At least we had a massive feast at dinner.
That was nothing in comparison to the exhaustion of summer in Reynosa, Mexico (See "Canícula"). The fatigue never ended there. How could it? It’s not like you can sleep in and getting to bed early was difficult. In the MTC, whenever someone fell asleep during personal study, Elder Johnson was quick to get a selfie with the unconscious victim. At the end of our six weeks, Elder Johnson had collected them all except for me although he was close once (They were talking about something boring during our break between gym and class and I only closed my eyes because I had nothing to do).
A TYPICAL DAY
My journal says we studied 11 hours per day. The order of class blocks varied day to day. One block of class consisted of three hours a day for instruction from our teachers whom we practiced teaching in Spanish. Another block consisted of three hours dedicated to Spanish study. We were highly encouraged to speak only in the target language via H.S.I. (Hablen su idioma, which means, "Speak Your Language"). The third block was three hours of personal study. And depending on the day we had other meetings and practices which accounted for the other 2 hours.
We got about an hour a day to exercise; of which I played mostly Volleyball with Elder Scott and the hermanas (sister missionaries) from the District next door because I had a history of hurting myself playing nearly anything else growing up; I got smacked square in the face by an air ball playing soccer my first day as proof (The soccer field was always overcrowded any way; there were between 50 to 75 guys running on the field at a time). The field would close on rainy days. I didn’t want to risk getting hurt before I got into the "field". When I didn’t play volleyball, I was on the cardio machines or playing basketball with Elder Johnson.
It took quite some convincing to ever get me to play basketball seeing as I was terrible except on a few random occasions when I was exceptional. One of Elder Johnson's favorite memories is when I joined him and Elder Budd against another really cocky Elder from another District. I got in at least two 3-pointers and a couple of steals. The moment that I remember the most is when this super cocky Elder spent a good ten seconds or so standing in front of me dribbling the ball between his legs like he was the best thing in the world or something. I got bored of waiting for him to move so I swiped the ball out of his hands as easily as if he were giving it to me. It was the last thing he was expecting out of a scrawny kid like me. He was completely dumbfounded and humiliated. Elder Johnson was dying of laughter. It was awesome!
Elder Budd was otherwise usually found on the sideline, weightlifting with incredible ease which none of us would ever have guessed just by looking at him. He wasn't a big person and he was such a meek down-to-earth guy. It was just as satisfying to watch him put the cocky Elder to shame.
I don’t know how they did it but the gyms weren’t even gyms; they were three enormous inflatable white tents with a solid floor. You entered the white circus tent through an airtight revolving door. As soon as you entered, you took off your name tag and set it in the cubbies for safety reasons, you said a group prayer, and had a quick safety orientation or review. When gym was finished you helped pack up the equipment and sweep the floor with a dust mop. When West Campus became BYU housing again after school started back up, the gyms were magically gone, hardwood flooring and all. Nothing left but the parking lot. I don’t know how they did it.
BREAK TIME
Every Thursday was Preparation Day (P-Day). We’d get an hour to email home at one of the computer labs, time at the temple, the opportunity to clean the apartment (we had regular cleaning checks), and enjoy time together in comfy casuals just talking. If time permitted, we were allowed to go across the street to an area called "Brigham's Landing" and buy food from Burger Supreme or Jamba Juice. I loved going to the temple the most because it felt like home. Washing laundry was the worst part of P-Day because it was time-consuming. Other things that we could do were to visit the book shop for missionary goods such as markers, notebooks, cough drops, toilet paper, t-shirts, dictionaries, laundry detergent, shaving stuff, and so forth. In the back of the book shop was a room where you could sign up to get a haircut but you had to get there early seeing as many missionaries needed haircuts.
There were times during our break when our Zone Leaders would invite whoever wanted to walk over to a small playground area in Wyview with a blue slide for some relaxing group time. There was a big tree of shade (among others) that they called "The Tree of Life". I only remember going there once, maybe twice, because it was often too hot outside for comfort. I remember sharing our most embarrassing school stories and just generally getting to know each other better. Actually, I had a writing class at BYU a few years later with one of the Elders from the other District, Elder Kelly.
The Wyview apartments across the street from Raintree were where the Spanish-speaking Hermanas lived. There was a chapel building there where we had sacrament meetings and occasional interviews with our Branch Presidency. There was also a BYU creamery where you could buy snacks but not much else. I remember visiting it once or twice, but the store in Wyview was much much more convenient and grand.
NIGHTLY GATHERINGS
Our District would take turns leading our own mini-devotional before bed. We would switch off between our two apartments to share a spiritual thought and open mail together (We could get printed out letters daily through the website "Dear Elder"). As far as I know, no other District did that. We really didn’t have to, but it was something we enjoyed doing that really brought us together. It was a time to share our testimonies with each other which only added to the love and respect we felt toward each other. I'm not sure where the idea to have our own devotionals stemmed from but it was almost immediate. I think it was the first night that we got mail and we wanted to open everything together and only felt it appropriate to start with a prayer, share a spiritual thought, and close with another prayer before opening our mail. I have in my journal a near full account of those devotionals if you wish for a summary. I think it's just interesting to get a feel for what was on our minds at what times:
Fri. Aug 8 -- Elder Brogan -- Pre-mortal preparation to serve from D&C 138.
Sat. Aug 9 -- Elder McQuivey -- shared his talk about the Book of Mormon he'd prepared for sacrament meeting.
Sun. Aug 10 -- We had a devotional on campus and then Elder Scott taught us about the Armor of God.
Mon. Aug. 11 -- Elder Hale -- Proverbs 3:5-6 about Trusting in the Lord with all our heart.
Tues. Aug 12 --Elder Webb -- Mosiah 2:17
Wed. Aug 13 -- Elder Whitlock -- Joy
Thurs. Aug 14 -- Elder Budd -- Enduring trials like Joseph Smith did
Fri. Aug 15 -- Elder Watterson -- Enduring trials
Sun. Aug 17 -- Elder Brogan, Scott, and Hale taught the class about enduring to the end. The on-campus devotional was by Jenny Oaks Baker about recognizing different answers to prayers and the Will of God. Elder Johnson -- Who we might be at the end of the mission.
Mon. Aug. 18 -- Elder Budd -- Bringing Souls Unto Christ -- D&C 18
Tues. Aug. 19 -- Elder Whitlock -- Divine Help and Safety
Wed. Aug 20 -- Elder Hale -- Ammon's Service in Alma 18
Thurs. Aug 21 -- Elder Webb -- Putting Satan Behind Us like Moses did
Fri. Aug 22 -- Elder McQuivey -- Forgiveness (We watched the Mormon Message)
Sat. Aug 23 -- President Eyring's Mormon Message "Choose ye this day"
Sun. Aug 24 -- Elder Brogan gave an impromptu talk in church about the Holy Ghost. The on-campus devotional was by Stephen B. Allen about enduring tribulation.
Tues. Aug 26 -- Me -- Our Missionary Commission and becoming good leaders (since we were switching senior companions and a new District leader the next day.
Wed. Aug 27 -- Elder Whitlock -- Love
Thurs. Aug 28 -- Elder Johnson talked about a feeling he had in the temple that day about how we'll feel after 2 years and being missionaries then.
Fri. Aug 29 -- Elder Budd -- Joseph F. Smith's vision of heaven and the Mormon Message "Sanctify Yourselves".
Sat. Aug 30 -- Elder Brogan -- The news story about the football players who befriended Shay who was being bullied.
Sun. Aug 31 -- Elder Whitlock and I taught the class about the Atonement and we watched "Because of Him". Elder Hale talked in sacrament meeting about Faith in Jesus Christ. The on-campus devotional was from Richard N Holzapfel about keeping a study journal. Elder McQuivey -- continued thoughts about that night's on-campus devotional.
Tues. Sep 2 -- On-campus devotional by Elder Clarke on retention and fellowshipping.
Wed. Sep 3 -- Group discussion about the Second Coming and Gifts of the Spirit
Thurs. Sep 4 -- We watched the Bible video of Mark 12
Fri. Sep 5 -- Elder Hale -- D&C 9:11 and working hard now for the future. We got our flight plans that day. Elder Johnson's mom gets District D matching ties. She compared it to a sword and had us read D&C 27:15-18 and the armor of God.
Sat. Sep 6 -- I gave the devotional on Alma 17:11. A month in the MTC!
Tues. Sep 9 -- On-campus devotional by Elder Sitati.
Fri. Sep 12 -- In-field orientation on the main campus which lasted 10 hours. We saw a sketch of "member/ward involvement in which the "ward mission leader" named all his kids after Little Mermaid Characters. We heard from Brother Christiansen from "The District 2" about baptismal qualifications and interviews. And we learned about goals with planning.
Sat. Sep 13 -- We said our goodbyes. Our teachers shared their testimonies with us.
We had hot days. We had rainy days. Some days we missed home. Some days made us never want to leave.
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