Week 6–Ready for a Change

Querido familia y amigos amados,

It has now been 6 weeks since the general public has heard directly from me and not my blog through my father’s editing and selection. Because of that, I know that the general public is dying for this email to receive a full and total update. This could not have been a better week for that. So let’s get started into what my beloved companion (who will receive this email) calls a novel.

Sunday was a pretty packed day, as they tend to be here in the MTC. Would definitely never call them a day of rest. I had meetings from 7:20 AM all the way until 9:20 at night, with maybe an hour of personal time in there during the late afternoon. Needless to say, it is full of all good things. This past week, the branch presidency kind of changed up how we do Sundays, and overall I enjoyed it. Rather than having more personal study time and a longer branch meeting of instruction, we got into smaller groups with two districts in a group and had five smaller lessons about 30 minutes a piece. The first one is always about the topic for the talk we prepare for Sacrament meeting the next week. So this week, it was the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which was really good and helped to give me some good ideas for the talk. Next is on a lesson from Preach My Gospel, which is the manual on how to teach people. That was on the Plan of Salvation, which is what the topic is in Priesthood or Relief Society the next week. For this, instead of studying it, we practiced giving a two minute overview of it in Spanish. The fun thing about both of these is that when you walk into church on Sunday, you do not know if you will be the one giving the talk or the lesson; they are chosen during the meeting by the direction of the Spirit. The third is a section again from Preach My Gospel but not one of the 5 lessons, instead it is a section on how to help us better achieve our purpose. We learned about how to better use personal study time by taking notes during it or by spending time trying to see how we can apply the scripture into our lives and really pondering on it. The 4th is a short lesson given by the zone leaders, and the 5th is a short lesson given by the branch presidency. Both were good. During the branch presidency one, we just went over making smart decisions and then picked apart and read as a branch Alma 32 about humility and the analogy of a seed. Overall, a very good Sunday meeting. Later that night was a devotional by Elder Tad R Callister on The Book of Mormon. It was really good and fit perfectly with a lot of the companion study Elder Durbano and I had done. We had watched a video the week before called “Finding Mesoamerica in The Book of Mormon” [maybe this one] which was really, really good and interesting, and I would highly recommend watching it. Anyways, it talked about how he through many things knows that The Book of Mormon is true. Everything from failed origin theories, archaeological evidence, biblical prophesies, and most importantly the confirmation from the Holy Ghost of the divinity and truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as the word of God. Super good devotional. After, we had a good devotional review, and the Spirit was very strong during it. 

Elder Kitchen & Elder Tonkinson

Monday Elder Kitchen left. Kind of sad, but I know he will bless the people in the Los Angeles Mission. We had another TRC, and we followed up with an invitation, and she said she had gone to church. We then talked about how her experience was with church and she said she enjoyed it. Then we got to the topic of how we should try to keep Christ with us through out the week and not just a Sunday, once a week thing. We talked about our experience with “Come Follow Me” (which our branch president encouraged us to use in our personal study through out the week), and how it has blessed our lives and helped us to remember Christ in our lives more. We then invited her to do “Come Follow Me” this week. Funny story from Monday, because of both the video and the devotional on Sunday about archaeology from The Book of Mormon I wanted to make one of those maps where based on the geographical information given in The Book of Mormon you find where things are in relation to each other. But I wanted to put it on an actual map because I was curious. Anyways, the best place to start was with the “narrow neck” which was a day and a half journey for “a Nephite.” and place that on the map. I don’t know why that was needed but some of my free time was spent trying to figure out and searching on ChurchofJesusChrist.org for “How fast could a Nephite run?” Yeah, no search results for that. The thing is it, like, a really fit Nephite, or, like, is it like your average “Nephi” Nephite? And are they running, riding, or walking or a combination? Also when do you count getting to the sea shore of either side? Like do you have touch the water or just see it? Needless to say, I learned nothing except that trying to figure it out was pointless. The Book of Mormon is true and is the Word of God and that is what matters. The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and helps us to learn how to be more like Him.

Tuesday morning, Elder Durbano was starting to feel sick and what we learned from my time being sick is to just accept it and take a day to sleep, so that’s what we did. Well, he slept and I got my personal study in, some language study done and then shined his shoes. Finally, I just decided “I’ll take a short nap” . . . yeah I woke up two hours later. Apparently, there were only six people in the morning class because three of our sisters were sick. We then studied what we had missed in class that morning and prepared our lesson for Sunday. Tuesday night devotional was the best we have had yet. Elder [David A.] Bednar and Sister Bednar spoke… it was so great. The topic was on recognizing the Spirit and having the Spirit. I took two very packed pages of notes, but I will sum up the devotional in 3 quotes. “Keep moving, do not just sit and wonder if you are doing it right”- 1 Nephi 4:6-7, “When you start becoming routine in your lessons, hear my voice in your head saying, ‘Stop it! Don’t do that!'” and finally “Just be good boys and girls and go.” Biggest take away was that when we keep the commandments, we are qualified for the company of the Spirit, even if we do not feel it all the time. So much more to say about that devotional, but I do not want to take more time than I already have. Email me if you want more. :-). Devotional review was good, but a little small because of the previously stated sickness, but good. Everyone did get to go to the devotional which is the important part. 

Wednesday, we had two TRCs: one with our normal person and one with a member over Facebook video. Understanding a member who lives in Argentina over the phone is a lot different and a lot harder than a TRC right in front of you. Really, just realized how few words I knew as I tried to share the message with the member about what Elder Bednar had shared using normal everyday words. I think Laura Cate [friend from Lynchburg] told me what she had heard from a friend that “Coming out of the MTC you have the vocabulary of a very religious toddler.” Too true. We also had the normal TRC, and we followed up with “Come Follow Me” which she had done. We then talked about what we had learned, and she had a question about why the natural man is an enemy to God, and we tried to explain why and how that it is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can overcome that element of ourselves. We also talked about agency and the Light of Christ which helps us to know what is good and evil. Finally, at the end, we got to the question we had been trying to ask for the last 3 lessons, what would she like to learn. She said that she did not understand that if the Priesthood is the power of God given to men, why so many men in the church had it and not just the Prophet and Apostles. We both quickly bore our testimonies of the Priesthood and how it used to bless God’s children. But it gave us some direction for Thursday.

Thursday, we again had two TRCs, one member and our last one with our normal TRC. The member one was good. She talked a bunch and shared for fifteen of our twenty minutes with her about her hiking club (she was like 65) and goes hiking once week with about 100 people. She also shared with us a movie called the “Fighting Preacher” which sounded pretty good. We finally, at the end, shared a brief message about prayer and how we can follow Enos’ example to turn to the Lord in vocal prayer in a quiet place. This TRC helped me realize how talkative people are and how in the field I’ll have to learn how to politely get to the message and then get back out. We are on the Lord’s time; and spending time with the members is good, but we need to strengthen them and then to get back out and find the people who need the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Later that night, we had our last TRC with who we normally meet with. We tried to teach that the Priesthood can only be used by worthy men who have been ordained. We also taught that the priesthood is used to bless God’s children through ordinances of baptism and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost through the proper authority. She had a question on why the priesthood is given to twelve year olds and men with no religious training. We tired to explain it, but we had yet to have really learned the offices and words for the priesthoods so it was rough. This week was pretty humbling for my Spanish, because I was thinking I was starting to get it down. After class on Thursday, we had a constructive criticism and then compliment session in our dorm between the elders. Basically all the negatives are the ones I have known for a while that I still struggle with. So here is the list

To improve on:

– Basic (joke is I look like someone everyone in the district knew)

– prideful

– patronizing

– inconsistent (one minute goofy then serious and upset why everyone is being goofy)

– passive aggressive when frustrated (take it out on other people sometimes)

– little unfocused sometimes because always trying to learn stuff just maybe not pertaining thing that we should be learning 

Good:

-Pretty good at leading

-knowledgeable

-kind charitable

-happy bubbly

-super knowledgeable 

-always trying to learn more and find answers to your questions 

-super generous always looking to serve people and do small acts of service

-always willing to give a compliment even if its cringy

-sociable: always want to be friends with everybody

-good missionary mind set 

It was a good time and good to have and to know as we all head out into the field this next week. 

Seattle Washington Temple

Speaking of which, I leave Tuesday at noon get in about 6:00 PM. Then, we’ll go to the Seattle temple (which is 40 minutes from the mission home so hopefully we get to go some time) for pictures then dinner, interviews. Next morning, breakfast, training for three hours, lunch, meet trainers ([the first companions who] train you how to be a missionary in the field, usually been out for a while) and then out to our areas.

Friday was chill. Last class for Elder Keeler and Elder McQuinn with our teachers so we got groups pictures with them. Also, heard the conversion story of Hermana Olivares which was really cool. I am so thankful for her friend who reached out to her and the missionaries that taught her, because she is an amazing teacher. I won’t miss class for 6 hours a day but I will miss both our teachers. 

Today is pretty laid back because it is preparation day! So Elder Durbano and I got gym time knocked out right after breakfast and now we’re here. Later we’ll go to the temple and then I will call home, because it is my mom’s birthday! So everyone wish her a happy birthday! Love getting emails and pictures from people, even if I can’t always reply. Excited to get into the field next week. Also, won’t get to email again until Monday because that is my preparation day in the field. Overall, loved the MTC but I am ready to get off the one square mile campus and stop walking the same paths every day. [As proof that maybe they are getting totally stir crazy, and it is time to move on, see the pictures below :-)] Should finish The Book of Mormon before I leave Tuesday, I only have about 40 pages left and then I will start it over again. I think I should be able to read The Book of Mormon about once every transfer (6 weeks). 

Have not received any questions this week so I’ll wrap it up here. Hope everyone has a good week. 🙂 

Love,

Elder Tonkinson

Elder Dubano & Elder Tonkinson in front of the Provo Utah Temple

Week 5-One Month

This week started out pretty good. Sunday was pretty solid. We were able to go to the temple and walk around it, which was really nice. There is something really calming about going to the temple, even if you cannot go inside. The devotional was also really good. It was about temples, as on Tuesday the temple opened back up [it had been closed for renovation]. The two biggest things I learned and stood out to me were: One, how openly and freely both President LeSueur, the president of the MTC, and President Durrant, my branch president, talk about how much they love and admire their wives. I have seen Dad, Caleb, Mark, and Charles [his two brothers and brother-in-law] do this as well. It may be a few years until I am able to put these examples to use, but it was just very powerful. Two, President LeSueur quoted President Gordon B. Hinkley and the message was this, temple work is about as close a work we can get to that puts us in the shoes of the Savior. By no means do we even come close but we can get a taste of it. Just as the Savior’s Atonement was for us because we can not become clean ourselves, when we do temple work we do what the dead can not do for themselves. I really liked that comment because it also shows us how important it is that we do temple work. [I think the quote is this one: “I think that vicarious work for the dead more nearly approaches the vicarious sacrifice of the Savior Himself than any other work of which I know. It is given with love, without hope of compensation, or repayment or anything of the kind. What a glorious principle.” For more on the work done in temples, click here.]

Monday was also a really good day. It really start to hit me how little time I have left in the MTC. As of next Monday, I will have only a week left, because I will fly out on Tuesday pretty early in the morning. It is kinda crazy. I am all for it though. Funny moment was Elder Durbano and I had to practice our Spanish, and we practiced to two sisters who are going to Hungry. As we walked away I said, ” I hope they feed you there,” because you know it’s Hungry… Elder Durbano was literally dying. It was a pretty bad joke but hahaha. We started a TRC with a new sister. She is from Columbia and moved to New Jersey 5 years ago and Utah 2 months ago. She said that she heard the voice of God tell her to move to Utah. So the next day, she packed up and got ready to move. Wow, the faith she had to do that. She said that she wants to go into depth into some of the verses of the Book of Mormon, as she says she already reads it everyday, and that she wants to know for sure that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. She was very happy to hear that we have a living prophet, as she thought it was weird that there were so many in the Bible and none now. She just finds it hard to believe that Joseph Smith at fourteen had the First Vision. Overall, she is very friendly and talkative, which differs from our last TRC in the sense of being talkative. And the best part is I can actually understand what she is saying! TRCs, if I had not already made clear are actors, who act like we are the only missionaries teaching them right now, but that does not always mean they are members, and you never know who is and who is not a member. We also met our new teacher, Hermana Estada. She is pretty good at teaching; crazy thing is she just got off her mission in May. She is a native speaker, well kinda. She was raised in the US but spoke Spanish at home, but said that she learned a lot when she served her mission. 

Tuesday was a pretty interesting day. We learned on Sunday that about 2/3 of the MTC would have to switch rooms, whether to another room in the same building or to another building entirely but that we would know by Monday morning if we would have to switch, and the switch would take place on Wednesday morning. The goal of all of this was to make sure that a branch was all in one building and one floor. Previously, rooms were assigned based on language, which would split some branches up a bit because they were composed of missionaries speaking so many different languages, because some languages only have a few missionaries training at a time. Anyways, we found out Tuesday morning that we would have to move, but literally just down the hall. It is not that big of a deal, just mildly annoying. However I do feel bad for [Elder Kitchen], as he has to pack up in his suit case, where I can just move my stuff with out packing, because he has to move buildings. On top of that, he only has one week left, so he has to unpack his stuff for five days just to pack it up again and leave Monday.

On Tuesday, we also were encouraged to make a covenant with the Lord by Hermana Olivares to be obedient and ask for blessings in return. It was a powerful experience, but it was just a reconfirmation to myself that I want to be an obedient missionary that my mission president can point to as an example for others to follow, rather than a missionary who he feels like he needs to have a constant eye over. The Devotional was really good, it was a missionary Q&A from Elder Gifford Nielsen. His wife spoke for a couple minutes before he did, and I really liked what she said, “God and Jesus Christ are in charge of this marvelous work and want to bless all of God’s beloved children, and they do that through you all as missionaries.” I really liked that because we are called to serve, not called to proselyte. Whether or not they accept our message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, the service we do for others is pleasing to the Lord as we read in Mosiah 2:17. The other part that I really liked was what Elder Nielsen said about companions. We are on the same team as our companions, they just like us, left their families, had a desire to serve the Lord, and want to serve the people in the area that we are in. We should not criticize our companions, but rather work together in love to serve and have the Spirit.

Wednesday was pretty good and chill. We had to move halls that morning, it was a little hectic but it all worked out. Two sisters in our district were not informed that they had to move though, so they were surprised when a group of sisters came and told them they had to move. But it all worked out. We had a TRC, and it went pretty well. We kind of taught the Restoration but only in the last 5 minutes because she likes to talk a bunch. I understand much of what she says, which is good, but at one point she got really emotional, and I could not understand. We record our lessons and listen to them during companionship study, and we realized we did not understand what she had said, but upon translating what we said, it was, for the most part, what she needed. It was a great blessing. Later that night, I had to act [in my capacity] as district leader to help resolve a conflict. I won’t go into details, but needless to say I did not enjoy that. I am second youngest in the district, so it feels weird to have to [mediate] a discussion of people who are older, and I would suppose are more mature than myself. Elder Durbano reassured me I did a good job. I am thankful for such a good companion.

Thursday was also pretty laid back. Elder Durbano and I decided to go to breakfast earlier than normal, and then go study before class. It was so nice, because rather than this hour and a half of broken half study interrupted by breakfast, we had breakfast and then a focused hour of personal study. We are learning more grammar and conjugations, which has been so useful when speaking because we can now express more precisely what we mean. We had another TRC, we had a loose plan but not too much because we wanted the Spirit to direct, and we felt together that she already seemed to know the lessons well and know a lot about the church. We went in and even that loose plan did not even happen. We checked if she had read the talk we asked her to read by Jeffery R Holland called “Safety for the Soul” (I recommend reading it highly). She had not. I now will mention that Hermana Olivares decided that she wanted to observe how we were doing in our TRCs. We told our TRC it was okay that she had not read the talk and our teacher stopped us. She said, “No! It is not okay, tell her that you need her to read it and why you want her to, even read a little with her.” After the TRC she told us that we had to show our disappointment, because otherwise they might not keep other commitments, and it is important that they should if they want to progress. She related it to how she reminds us when we have not been speaking Spanish as much as we could that we can be better, and she is disappointed that we haven’t and how we see that as an act of love. It reminded me of Alma 38:12 which I read this week. It talks about how we can be bold and as long we have love we will not be overbearing. Anyways, we resumed and we shared some of our favorite parts with her from the talk. We continued to testify of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith as both being of God. We then shared how we had gained our testimony of the Book of Mormon through studying it and praying. We then shared Moroni 10:3-5 and asked how she felt about it. She said she felt that just like Moses had asked and gotten answers, she could too, and this scripture confirmed it. We told her that most members got their testimonies through reading and prayer and that it was a process just like we had shared on Monday when we shared 2 Nephi 28:30 about learning line upon line, as Elder Bednar loves to share. Elder Durbano then asked if she knew how to pray, and she said she did kind of. He then taught her, and then confirmed the parts that she did know how to do to be right, which Hermana Olivares loved. I then extended the invitation for her to pray about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and to read the talk we had given her Wednesday, and that on Monday we would ask her about her experience, which Hermana Olivares also loved. After the TRC she pulled us away from the district to talk to us about how she thought we did. She told us that we brought the Spirit and liked how well we worked together and confirmed the testimony of the other and bounced off each other. She also said that she was so happy to see us show her we were listening and tell her we would follow up with her. Finally, she said that she had chosen to sit on our TRC “because the best way to tell how the district is doing is to see how the best two missionaries are doing.” She quickly followed with “Now don’t get all prideful on me.” Elder Durbano is not too bad about that stuff, so I knew that that was directed at me. It is kind of stressful to have her say that because it echoed the words of President Durrant when he released Elder Durbano and called me as district leader, saying that we work well together and are the strongest companionship and strongest missionaries in the district. It just makes me feel like I could be even better, because I don’t feel quite adequate, and I worry it will go to my head. I know how prideful I can be. So please pray for me to humble and have humility and use this knowledge to help strengthen my district. 

Friday was pretty solid. Elder Durbano and I focused on getting up early, and getting right to work. We woke up at 6:30 and then instead of waiting for our district like normal, we went when we were ready and when breakfast opened, which was at 7:00.  We then got our hour of personal study out of the way. Currently, I am in the war chapters of Alma which are some of my favorites. In Alma 48:17 it talks about how if all men were like Moroni, the very powers of Hell would be shaken forever. Alma 48:18 then proceeds to list who Moroni is like. Now when I see that it says that someone is like Moroni I mark it. Like it later says in Alma 53:2 that Lehi is like unto Moroni. So by doing so, I can find examples of who to be like, besides the Savior obviously, who is the perfect example. Also, we got our travel plans for Tuesday the 27th! We leave the MTC at noon, and then our flight out is at 5 and then we arrive in Seattle at 6, so like a 2 hour flight. After we land, we have no clue what happens from there, because we have had no communication from our mission president.

Saturday has been decent I guess. This morning I for the first time shined shoes, and it makes me happy. I also with Elder Boyle did an insane ab work out because he has been begging to go to the gym and do abs with someone. So I did. And then after I got some stuff for Elder Durbano, because I am OCD and he had no where to put his ties, an oil vial because he doesn’t have one and then an orange tie I had, because he loves orange. On the back I wrote From your OCD companion Elder “Tanto” Tonkinson.

We then went to the temple, which I was grateful for, but it took 4 hours, because the session was filled, 2/3 with Elders, and on top of that they did not have enough temple workers. Then, after we helped with folding laundry at the temple and helping those workers. Elder Durbano and I want to do that again next week and hopefully for longer.

Finally, last night and this morning were bad, just awful between a companionship, and I am trying to figure out how to help. I will talk to them individually tonight and then talk to President Durrant for some suggestions tomorrow. 

Elder Durbano has a girlfriend who sends him stuff and she usually includes a small thing for me. So one of those Krispy Kreme hats has my name and then other has his and I was entitled to some of the donuts.

Questions-

Is there anything in the MTC candy or food wise that you can’t get that you would like?-Nope not really, just wish I had Reese’s in bulk. I love Reese’s.

How is your Spanish coming along?–Pretty good I guess, I mean I can get my point across decently given enough time, with some grammatical mistakes.

Are you starting to dream in it?–I can’t even think in it yet haha, I’ll let you know though.

It’s a month in, are you a little more acclimated to the change in communication cadence?–Yeah, still really weird sometimes. Or having someone email you, and it would take 2 seconds to answer the small questions, but not being able to. Other than that it actually is pretty good, gives me lots to talk about when I do email home.

Things you wish you had?–Hmmm…. more music. Or at least high quality versions of some of my favorite songs from like BYU Vocal Point. I don’t know what else. I have pretty much everything I could need here at this point. 

Are you recovered or still struggling with illness?–Uh nope. At this point all good, no coughing or anything 🙂

Did your new shirts arrive?–Nope, I was going to ask about that, but only allowed to email on preparation day, unless given specific instruction

Pants hemmed?- Yeah for freeee, because they have a machine that does it. I walked in, and they did it in 30 seconds and said okay bye.

Share a time that someone served/blessed your life this week.–Wednesday, when we had to move that morning, right at 6:30, when we have to get up, the zone leaders were already up, knocked on the door and asked how they could help us move. That was pretty awesome.

Who won the prize for speaking the most Spanish this week, you or Elder Durbano?–We both did awful in all honesty so no one . . . It wasn’t that we weren’t speaking Spanish just not as much as we had planned. If we remember to speak it is actually pretty easy.

Favorite food to eat at the MTC?- Graham Canyon ice cream from BYU creamery, cereal, they order Papa Johns on Friday nights, and the sack lunch line sandwiches. Everything else here makes me pretty sad, especially any attempt at breaded and fried chicken . . . its a disgrace to Bojangles.

Share a moment/ time this week that your understanding has been broadened and enlightened- You (mom) and dad ask very similar questions. As I type this, I guess I realized that, just like it is painful to lift weights (I am a little sore from yesterday) to make you stronger, trials are hard and can be painful and make us stronger. Wow look at me I am so very wise 😉

Did you receive any helpful emails from friends this week?  – Got some emails from friends. I have sent the Book of Mormon to, saying that they would start reading it. I have no confirmation that they have, but either way it felt good that I had sent them.

What touched you most in your individual study?–Touched? I am going to interpret that as being something that I enjoyed because touched . . . I just do not get very “touched.” I really liked Alma 34:32 which says “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.”I find it interesting how it says that it is a “day” because in Genesis it also says that creation took place in days, but obviously this life is more than a day. Rather, that a day means a period, and not all periods are the same. It also makes clear part of our purpose is to prepare to meet God, by being faithful to the commandments we have been given.

Did you learn any fun Spanish words?  Independientemente – independent or regardless of, it’s just kind of fun to say.

What clicked for you this week?- That I am on my mission, and that only partly.

Love,

Elder Tonkinson

Week 4 -Line upon line

This week was pretty good but started out rough. Saturday night, I had a bad coughing fit and could not sleep. I can say during that time I was truly homesick for the first time on my mission. Even if mom could not have helped me or anything even if I was at home, just having her there would have been a comfort. None the less, I did get through the coughing fit and thankfully did not keep my district up from it.

It was Fast Sunday, so rather than lunch we had a mission conference on the Plan of Salvation. The Spirit was so strong during it and confirmed to me more than ever before the reality of the plan. I also realized it has been something I have just grown up knowing, but something that so few people know. We sang Oh My Father (Hymn #292), which is one of my new favorite hymns. We still also had the Sunday devotional, which emphasized the importance of communicating with the Spirit and the being one with your companion. They had a really good diagram that demonstrated that [inserted above]. It shows how the Holy Ghost is central to teaching. He will give us the message from Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and Himself, because they are one in purpose and message. Then the Spirit works with the companionship to help them be one and share the message that is needed. Then the last part is that the missionaries as one with the Holy Ghost testify of the gospel to those we teach. We deliver the message but the Holy Ghost is the one that confirms it and converts. The diagram will help clarify this. Sunday night was good though.

Monday we had a TRC again, and we taught her part of the Plan of Salvation. As we were going through she asked in Spanish obviously “How can we return to God?” She rarely asks questions, so we were so excited, and we jumped right into the Atonement of Jesus Christ and Baptism. We ran out of time to finish, but we helped to start answering that question.

Hermana Otuafi had her last day too which was sad. But we heard from her and she said she’s doing fine in Mexico, which I am thankful for.

Hermana Otuafi headed to Mexico

Tuesday mornings, we have service where we clean another residence hall. Usually my alarm is “A Child’s Prayer” because Elder Keeler and I both love that primary song. But on service mornings, it is “Called to Serve,” and on Tuesday night devotionals we always open with “Called to Serve.” I realized how many little truths are in that song that people just do not know. Such as how we “proclaim the Father’s story” which I take to be the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Plan of Salvation. Another big one is that we are “Sons and daughters, children of a King” and heirs to His kingdom and joint heirs with Christ. I have just taken these for granted and so few people know them. Very excited to be here and have the opportunity to share these basic truths with people.

The devotional was good. Elder [L. Whitney] Clayton spoke about how the Book of Mormon is a strong testifier of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on its own. And by gaining a testimony of it, the Book of Mormon can be the basis of a testimony that Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and that this is His Church on the Earth. At the end we sang “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” which was a requested change from Elder Clayton. So, so powerful because there were over 2000 missionaries in the gym, a literal Army of Helaman [This is a reference to a story in the Book of Mormon in the last few chapters of Alma about 2000 young men who were so well trained by their mothers in faith and devotion that despite being in many battles, none were killed]. After devotionals, we have a devotional and midway through our devotional, President Durrant comes in and says that after the devotional he needs to talk to Elder Durbano and I and then walks out. I was not in trouble which was good… well not in too much trouble. Elder Durbano, my companion, had been serving as district leader, and they like to change the district leader half way through as well as senior companions [one elder is the junior companion, and one the senior companion, so Elder Tonkinson is saying that it is common for each elder to spend time as the senior companion during the time they are together at the MTC]. Well, Elder Durbano was set to be released and both of us (even if not right) believed that one specific Elder would be called to be the next district leader. We were hoping [for the change] because even if it’s not all that much, we have to do about an hour of extra things (because we both have to go even if he is the district leader) and on Sundays it’s conducting and two extra meetings. Anyways, he got released, and I got called as district leader. So the only thing for us that changes is I now conduct and I am in the meetings instead of sitting outside studying. It’s not that much, as I said, but still. The trouble came when President Durrant called me out for writing my first email in Spanish and partly in English and then the next time being lazy and writing in only English [I’m guessing he has to write a daily report]. He said that he wants me to write only in Spanish… so I brought that on myself.

Wednesday was good. We got to host new missionaries as a district. We just help the new missionaries get to their rooms, classes, get their name tags and move their luggage. I helped only one Elder, Elder Hill, who is going to the Raleigh NC mission and is from Phoenix. We had another TRC which was on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We both felt like we did not do well. We usually get feedback, but this time it got lost in the great depths of the servers, and we never got it for Wednesday. Probably for the best. But we invited our TRC to read 3rd Nephi 11 [the chapter in the Book of Mormon where Christ comes to visit people in the Western Hemisphere after His resurrection].

Thursday was crazy. We got two new sisters, who, similar to Mark [Elder Tonkinson’s oldest brother who served his mission in the Ventura California Mission], were called to serve English but got transferred to Spanish speaking. But unlike Mark, they got the notice right before they left the MTC and are staying for training [Mark received his notice six weeks into his time in the field]. That brings our district up to 11 which is still smaller than most right now which is 14. Yeah, but they’re pretty nice. We are working to make sure they feel comfortable and welcome, as they are not only thrown into Spanish 3 weeks in, but they are also new companions to each other. I will let you know how that is going next week.

On top of that, Hermano Wright, one our teachers, got a new job that fits his major and will no longer be at the MTC. So Hermana Olivares taught us for the last couple days because we do not have two teachers right now even though you are only supposed to teach a single class a day. We will get a new teacher Monday and she is supposed to be a native speaker like Hermana Olivares. Exciting stuff. Also we had our last TRC with the person we have been teaching which was sad. However the last TRC was incredible. We had planned on teaching a lesson on commandments but she had done as we had invited to read 3rd Nephi 11 and had understood it but had a question come up as she was reading: how could she tell the difference between her thoughts and the Holy Ghost? It was tough, but with the help of the Spirit and some quick searches on Gospel Library [a mobile phone app that has the scriptures and many other church resources], we were able to explain in our own words about how all good things come from God, and if it is good, it does not matter so much if it is from our own thoughts or the Spirit. We then read Moroni 7:12 “Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God” and were able to answer the question. We looked at our time, and we had 3 minutes left and we finished with our testimonies. She was sad to hear we would no longer be teaching her anymore even though we were not leaving the MTC yet. We will teach a new TRC starting Monday for the next two weeks with 6 lessons. We got the report back and were going crazy about it. The Spirit was so power during the lesson. And apparently so was my voice…as it was a little too loud, cause I was so excited because, as I said, she rarely asked questions and apparently according to Elder Durbano, my eyes lit up when she asked us her question. Anyways Elder Willis was like “Elder Tonkinson you were a little loud,” when we got back to the residence.

Friday was very chill compared to the rest of the week. Elder McQuinn got three boxes of donuts and Elder Keeler got one, and so we walked back to our residence with four boxes. One of those boxes Elder McQuinn had was for our class for doing well at speaking Spanish during our days, but the other two were for his birthday which is today, Saturday. We also got some Oreos, Ritz and ice cream from the store to celebrate Elder  McQuinn’s birthday last night and today. Elder Durbano and I also got him Milky Ways, his favorite candy for him. Last night we watched some of the safety videos that we have to watch for training and read some of the letter that Elder Keeler and Elder Boyle had gotten from their girlfriends as well as some of the letters I had been given. I also saw a little note from Hillary in the envelope with the names for the temple, because next preparation day we can go to the temple. Overall, loving the MTC but I am also excited to finally leave in less than three weeks and get out into the field.

  • Sister Anglin from the Lynchburg 3rd Ward with her art
  • Impressive!
  • Studying the gospel

Now questions from the week

What do you all do for Come Follow Me [Sunday School Manual to be used at home to learn about the New Testament with your family] in the MTC? – Nothing, at least we have not been told to do anything. I will let you know if that changes in the field, but I guess I should ask President Durrant if that is something we should be trying to do through out the week in personal and/or companion study.

How have you seen the hand of the Lord in your life this week? – It is more of a question of where have I not seen it. Especially in the TRCs, it is very apparent as we can some how communicate , although we stumble some, our lessons and have the Spirit do all the real testifying.

Do you have a favorite scripture for this week and if so what is it and why is it your favorite? – In personal study, I am in Alma and just reading about Ammon is a little wild. So all those chapters so Alma chapters 17-20.

How is your exercising going? – Good, finally started again so I am a little sore, but good.

How has life been for you?? – Well if you read above you’ll know 😉

Do you think of us often??? – Yes at least once every day. Love getting the pictures from everyone especially of the boys as they grow. Everyone else is nice too though, but you all grow a little slower.

Do you miss gum and music, real music??? –  Gum some, but mints are alright haha. I have so much music from Caleb, it’s fine. Plus, in the Sacred Music app, we have all the Youth Music so we rock out to that music hard haha.

Do you miss the white car??? – I mean driving is nice but not really hard to miss a car when you do not even get to drive another one or see the inside of one.

Are the beds like cabin beds, terribly uncomfortable??? – I mean they’re no Purple Mattress or anything. They’re alright though, a little more comfortable than a hotel pull out sofa.

What was your best experience speaking in Spanish this week? – Elder Durbano and I have started a companionship goal to speak pretty much only Spanish all day and who ever does better that week gets something from the other. Surprised at how easy it can be to speak only Spanish when you remember… the hard part is the remembering.

What touched you that you read this week? – How the Spirit can soften the hearts of almost any one.

What was the most challenging thing this week? – Adjusting to having two new missionaries probably and being district leader.

Love reading all the emails and seeing those pictures. I will continue to remember you all in my prayers. Also Dad, thank the Mannings for their fast on my behalf that really touched me. [The story is quite touching. The Mannings attend another congregation in Lynchburg. They have a son, Dustin, who is a few years younger than Gideon. They were in the Boy Scout troop at Church together and friendly, but not necessarily close. Two Saturdays ago, when their family was getting ready to fast, Dustin said he felt like they needed to fast for Gideon. He had no idea why until I posted last week’s posting that talked about how ill Gideon had been. He had been inspired by the Lord.]

Love you all bunches.

Love,

Elder Tonkinson

Week 3! – Quarantined

  • Elder Hobson & Elder Tonkinson

This time I remembered to take my journal with me so I can fill in more details about each day that I may have forgotten through out the week. Alright, so Sunday morning, I woke up and my throat hurt and my ears had pressure behind them, so I knew I actually had a real sickness. Anyways, at breakfast I saw Evan Hobson from Illinois [the Hobson’s attended the same congregation we did in Champaign/Urbana]. He left Wednesday for Philadelphia, PA while he waits for his visa to Portugal. I do not know how I had not seen him yet in the time I was already here but it was good to talk to him for a bit. Sunday night devotional was good. President Titinsor from the MTC Presidency spoke about how we learn more from our hard times than our easy ones. We also should not dwell on what we can not change. 

  • Beautiful, if not somewhat confining, MTC Campus

Monday I went to the doctor, he told me I did not quite have an ear infection but that it was getting there. He told me antibiotics would waste my money and the side affects would not be worth it either. So he just told me to got the BYU health center (which is one of the places off the MTC campus we are allowed to go) and get some over the counter meds. So, Elder Durbano and I went to the gate and walked out–no questions asked. I guess I had not realized that they are not forcing you to stay or follow any of the rules. It is all based on your personal decision for how closely you will follow the rules. Anyways, it felt so good to be outside the MTC and walking somewhere new, even if it was less than half a mile walk and the campus was just on the other side of the road. We had our first TRC (lesson thingy I do not even remember what TRC stands for) [Teaching Resource Center]. Anyways, we were told it was going to be a 5 minute meet and greet thing with a bunch of different people, but nope, the TRC office messed up and thought we were there for a lesson. So after about 7 minutes, Elder Durbano and I were just looking at each other panicked. It’s okay though because we just went into asking more about who we were teaching and her relationship with God. The issue is she is not very talkative even with questions that are beyond yes and no. Yikes. 

Tuesday “I felt like death”- that’s a quote from my journal. I could not breathe very well, ears hurt, and throat was sore. On top of that, about midday I started to loose my voice and by the devotional I could not talk. Devotional was good. But hard to pay attention when you’re in pain. Key points I learned–Not only are we learning Spanish in the MTC, we are learning the language of the Spirit. Similar to how you have to continue to speak Spanish to retain it, we have to continually be listening and looking for the language of the Spirit.

Wednesday was kinda bad. Elder Willis came in, looked at me as I was getting ready, and then pretended to be mad (quite convincing and intimidating when he’s made of mostly muscle) and said “You will go to breakfast, come back here, and sleep. THIS SICKNESS WILL NOT DEFINE YOU! YOU WILL OVERCOME IT!.” I was resolved to go to class; but during the morning we were trying to memorize the First Vision (which I did) but Elder Durbano said he looked over one minute, and I was working on it and then 30 seconds later I was slumped over it. Hermana Olivares (one of our teachers) told us to go back to the dorm. On the way back, I got three copies of the Book of Mormon and some small notebooks and marked them and wrote my testimony and a message to the people I was going to send them to in the notebooks. Then I napped for 3 hours. We had to cancel our TRC for that night given I was sick, and I still could not talk. Elder Durbano and I did not go to class that night either and just prepared our lesson for Thursday on the Restoration. Blessing that day was that Elder Durbano and I were looking at one of the large maps and a sister came up and pointed out her home, Pensacola Fl, to her companion. She said she loved it there and it’s wonderful. [In case you wonder why that was a blessing, Elder Tonkinson’s parents are in the process of moving from Lynchburg, Virginia to Pensacola, Florida. So, it was a comfort to him to hear someone who was excited to be from that area]. Also, [I am] blessed to have district and a companion who want what’s best for me.

Thursday was good. I was starting to be on the up and up and could talk decently again. Took another nap in the middle of the day between class and dinner. We had our TRC that night which went really well. We opened with a prayer and felt the Spirit the whole time, and we easily filled the 25 minutes we had. We were worried we might have planned too much, but the woman that we were teaching would always say she had no questions or if we asked a question she would be able to reply in like a minute. She seems to understand what we are saying and is so helpful as she helps us and corrects our Spanish. Elder Durbano and I both love teaching her. [Later], Elder Durbano wanted to wrestle and Elder Keeler and Elder Willis took up the challenge. Both got destroyed. 

  • Book of Mormon Share

Friday was pretty standard. Still sick. Found out one of the Hermanas in our district is leaving on Tuesday to go to the Mexico MTC. She had just been waiting for her visa, and she got it. All the Elders and I are going to miss her. She’s Tongan, and she’s the nicest person ever. She’s just very friendly and a lot of fun. We had a Book of Mormon share, which was good; and we were able to share a scripture from our personal study. I shared Jacob 5:71 which I think perfectly relates to missionary work.

Today has been good. Pretty chill. Throat still sore, but I think that will be good in the next couple days. I got Elder McQuinn sick, which I feel bad about; but not much I could have done to prevent it because he is in my dorm room. We did not waste three hours in the morning doing laundry [this week] either which was good; we just popped in before lunch and dropped them off and switched them to drying after lunch. All is good here. Really excited to write home every Saturday. We were listening to the talks from my branch president, President Durrant , we could find on gospel library and here is a quote I like from a talk he gave in 1984, “Most obstacles we face are in our own minds.” The talk was on missions, and I just liked it because he was talking about how he was worried about things at home or whatever, and it was making it harder for him. But once he realized he did not have to focus on them, then his mood and attitude improved.

Questions of the week:

Are you buying candy at BYU Bookstore on the credit card :-)?– Uh, a couple times, but mostly I am buying medicine and pencils and a notebook for Spanish words I want to remember. Oh and some copies of the Book of Mormon to send to friends.

What has brought you joy this week? –Uh, being on the upside of my sickness and having some funny conversations with the Elders in my district.

Share a favorite gospel insight from the week. – Something I learned during the Tuesday night devotional from Sister Craig of the General Young Women’s Presidency was that the Holy Ghost rarely tells us to do nothing, but rather it impresses us to act and get going.

Were you able to exercise or were you under the weather all week?–No running or lifting this week, but I still played four square and spike ball which was pretty fun.

How did your practice teaching go? – Pretty good as you read.

How is your Spanish coming?- It’s coming, feels good to be able to have conversations and lessons in Spanish. I am far from fluent but it’s coming.

Is there anything you need? – Yes more athletic shorts I only have 3 pairs and I am going to buy another pair of sweatpants from the MTC store I think. As long as that’s alright.

 Are the notes we send during the week distracting or helpful?- Helpful.

To explain some of the pictures, the drawing is from the word ojo which looks like eyes with a nose and during every break in class I would add a mouth and then a ears and then the body. The next morning Elder Durbano went on splits with another district leader from our zone to go to branch council and while we were waiting for him I drew a replacement Elder Durbano. He then drew me… but out of the word poop instead of ojo. I felt the love there for sure from him.

Hopefully this week my health will be better and I can get more work done and take less naps and study more Spanish. Love you all and miss you all. Love getting your updates and pictures. Keeping you all in my prayers.

Love,

Elder Tonkinson

[this was included in a separate note to his mom]

Oh funny thing I forgot to include in my email. They do random dorm cleanliness checks. My bed was the only one that was made and for my bed they checked it as commendable.

Week 2! Time is Flying

(THIS EMAIL IS ALL OVER THE PLACE) This week was pretty solid and flew by compared to last week. Don’t get me wrong, it definitely had it’s slow parts; but over all it seemed to go by in a blink of an eye. Sunday was good, even with Sacrament Meeting being in Spanish. During the meeting, we also had a new branch president called, President Durrant [small congregations in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are called Branches; larger congregations are called Wards]. He later spoke at the Sunday night devotional. During the devotional I recieved an impression to buy a Book of Mormon and send it to one of my friends (nope not saying who). So first thing I did after breakfast was go buy a Book of Mormon and mark my ten favorite verses and included a note with my testimony. I had been recieving this impression since I had gotten to the MTC and decided I liked not being struck dumb and acted. It was kinda scary in some ways because I don’t want the person to receive it to understand my good intentions. But I am glad I acted.

Tuesday night was also really good because of the Tuesday night devotion and Elder Allan Packer spoke [He is a recently released General Authority of the Church]. Wish I could give more details about what he said, but I am writing in the computer lab and forgot my journal (which I have been writing in every night) with all my notes. Learned lots of good things though and took some really good notes. One thing that stood out that I can remember from each talk: From Sunday night, we just need invite people, it can be that simple. People like to feel included and usually won’t immediately turn down an invitation to something. From Tuesday night, we have to trust in the Spirit on who to ask and act on it because the Spirit knows better than us who is ready to receive our message.  One of the songs we sang on Tuesday night was Called to Serve which was so powerful given the number of missionaries singing it.

Classes are good and I’m learning more and more Spanish, which is coming along nicely. I just wish it would come along faster though. I have trouble pronouncing the rr sound which is just annoying me and frustrating me, especially because my companion does it with such ease.

Thursday morning one of the hermanas (sister missionaries) fell off the top bunk and hurt her ankle. They went to the hospital and everything just to make sure nothing was broken. It wasn’t, but the sister was still in a lot of pain. So she asked Elder Durbano (district leader [leader over three or four sets of missionaries] and my companion) to see about giving her a blessing. Our branch president gave Elder Durbano and I the authority to bless her. I anointed and Elder Durbano gave the blessing. I have only two other times felt the Spirit so strong that I have had to wipe water from my eyes. Now I can add a third. But the Spirit during blessing was so strong and powerful.

 Friday morning I woke up feeling a little under, with a headache and stomach ache. I am still yet to be up to a hundred percent but it’s better now than yesterday. Also I saw Emmie Anglin [sister missionary who is headed to Houston, Texas to serve] from third ward [another congregation in Lynchburg; ours is the second ward], and I totally forgot she was going to be here! She got here Wednesday, and it was nice to see another person I knew.

This morning we got up at 5:45 AM hoping to beat the rush to do laundry . . . it backfired entirely. It was so packed in there. It took us 3 hours to do laundry and the loads are only 35 minutes for washer and 40 for dryer. It was crazy.

Now time for questions:

Share something that made you laugh this week.
— So I was reading in 2 Nephi and Nephi write “And my people would that we should call the name of the place Nephi; wherefore, we did call it Nephi.” [2 Nephi 5:8] and I was like that’s such a subtle flex that he has a city named after him. Then we get talking about how he said he was large in stature too [1 Nephi 2:16]. And I was said you know what I say to people who say the Book of Mormon is a fictional thing written by Joseph Smith, I say look here why would he make a prophet slide that in? It just shows Nephi was real and like the rest of us can be kind of self righteous. Elder Boyle said “oh for sure Elder Tonkinson, just get up on fast testimony Sunday and say that, or during a lesson and they’ll definitely be converted and because of that testimony also know that the Book of Mormon is true. I was laughing so hard.

Also another one is Elder Durbano swears by this thing called super brain yoga, and he claims it makes you smarter. It just looks really stupid and funny. The [supposedly] reputable sources for it’s magical brain properties are from a YouTube video and a substitute math teacher.

An impression or inspiration you had this week while doing personal study.
— I have been going through the Book of Mormon again, and I just noticed that almost every scripture some how ties to the missionary purpose and the core doctrine of the Gospel of Christ. So that was really cool to see.

Were the resistance bands what you were looking for?-Yurp 🙂 also this week I have gone to the gym three times. It’s painful but you feel good after and I actually lost some weight so that was good. Beating the MTC at its own game.

Are you speaking more Spanish or English?
–Supposed to speak Spanish as much as possible. I say we do a pretty good job, but right now it’s about 60/40, with Spanish taking priority.

This coming week we are going to start TRC, where we teach a native speaker the lessons. Some are actual investigators [people interested in hearing the message that the missionaries are sharing] and others are just members who are acting as members of a different church. It’ll be challenging but Elder Durbano, and I work well together so I m not too worried about it.

Anyways lots of love; loved hearing about everyone’s week.

  • Laundry Day
  • Sister Anglin
  • A bad sewing job 🙂
  • The view out the window, looking southwest toward BYU Campus
  • Edler Tonkinson’s District

Love,
Elder Tonkinson

Pre-MTC/Week 1

Dear Friends and Family,
So it’s finally here. After years of preparation and looking forward to it, I have started  my time as a missionary for the Church  of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Am I still nervous? Definitely. Am I excited? Even more so than I am nervous.  Alright, so Monday I flew into Salt Lake City. On the flight from Charlotte to Phoenix, I sat next to this older gentleman who was familiar with the Church and with what we did as missionaries. It was nice talking to someone I did not know but who reassured me this was the right thing to be doing and that missionaries do a lot of good in the world and that it would make me grow as a person. The other person next to us was a young woman who had lived in Everett for a couple years and had loved it. Talking with these two strangers help me calm my nerves at least a little.  

Not having constant access to the internet  and all the different forms of communication is weird. For most of the plane rides I just was sitting there unable to watch a movie like I normally would. I took the time to read the scriptures and some letters that I had been given which I greatly appreciated. I also was able to take the time to write some emails and scheduled them to be sent as I entered the MTC on Wednesday which was kinda cool. Still I feel weird not texting friends constantly  and being up to date on what’s going on, even if I haven’t even been gone for a week yet. One of my biggest points of anxiety right now is that lack of communication. I worry about  not being able to keep in touch with all my close friends and me being more interested in what’s up with them than they are in what’s up with me. So to all my friends in this email [or reading this blog], every once in a  while just please send me a quick email updating me on how you’re doing. I do not need one every week or even every month, just enough to feel connected still. Maybe that’s a bit much to ask but it would definitely be a big help to me.

Monday night, we had a family dinner with who ever was in the area at Mark and Whitney’s [Elder Tonkinson’s oldest brother and his wife]. There, I got plenty of mission advice from my brothers Mark  and Caleb and my cousin Ben. Everything from how I’ll probably make a fool of myself at some point by saying the wrong words in Spanish to why it’s important to communicate well with your companion. Either way, it helped some and made me aware of things that I will probably experience that the Church doesn’t put in any of the training packets.

Tuesday was pretty good. We had dinner with family  friends and that was great. We also went to the aquarium and the temple. Both of which were great blessing. The aquarium was a great way to spend time with the four nephews because they were just there running around and having fun. The temple was a blessing because of the peace I was able to feel in it; that really helped calm my nerves. 

Finally, Wednesday morning came, and we had some Kolaches which were delicious, then said goodbye to Mark, Whitney and Taryn. Caleb, Hillary and I then headed to sushi which is a good final meal before the next six weeks of cafeteria food. Caleb dropped me off quickly with a very short goodbye, nothing drawn out, which I was thankful for. Elder Noah Kitchen, my best friend from Ohio was there to greet me right as I left the parking garage which was pretty great. Our dorm rooms are also right across from each other so I see him at least twice a day. After getting all the materials from Preach My Gospel [a training manual for missionary work] to the name tag reading “Elder Tonkinson La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimas Días.” I then met my district (the other missionaries I will be learning Spanish with) and my companion, Elder Durbano. From Thursday to now it has felt like a dream. It still doesn’t feel real; like, I’m actually a missionary for the Church. That’s pretty much the tagline for our district. Spanish is coming along well; we try to speak as much as we can and only use English when we have to. Surprisingly, we’re probably speak about 1/3 of our time in Spanish. Its pretty incredible. We’ve learned how to introduce ourselves and pray in Spanish, and it kind of awesome to be able to do that already. Granted, spending 6 hours a day in class and then studying for an hour or more each day does help pick up the language more than in Spanish class. Anyway, I love my district. Already we’re laughing a ton and having fun all while learning Spanish and studying the scriptures. We’ve already had a “movie night” watching the required safety videos. Elder Durbano is also super fun, and we both want to stay in shape and not gain weight so we are pushing each other to exercise and run in the mornings. Overall, I’m loving it here, but sometimes I do miss it back home. 

Spiritual moment of the week- During a people and purpose workshop we were constantly reminded of our purpose, which is to invite and to help bring people to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We do not convert people; the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His atonement does. We just facilitate getting that important message to them. Elder Boyle, one of the Elders in my district, put it like this: we are like a violin and we have all this musical potential to help spread the music (the gospel of Jesus Christ) and the Lord is the violinist. He is the one who creates the beautiful melody that people love. People love the musician not the instrument used to spread the music. Hopefully, that makes sense. Elder Boyle explained it much better than I.

Questions from my father: How did moving in go? -Besides not having hangers because the packing list said they would be provided in the MTC, fine. Was your companion there already?–Yes Elder Derbano was there. Where is he from?–North Ogden, Utah . . . typical. How many siblings does he have?–One older brother. How old is he?–18. Are you getting along well?–I’d like to think so, but he’s also maybe so nice he just acts like he tolerates me. Will you have time to go to the temple? Is that preparation day or another day?–Yes every p-day but currently the Provo temple is closed until the 12th of August, so I can not go to the temple until it is opened again.What are the classes like?–Gospel centered and more of an open conversation rather than a lecture. We do lots of practice speaking in Spanish and are encouraged to SYL (speak your language) as much as possible. How is your Spanish coming?–Spanish seems to be coming along alright. Until we finish basic core (first 10 days), we are going to be speaking Spanglish; and then after that, we are supposed to be trying to speak 100 percent Spanish. How are you feeling?  Are you beginning to feel comfortable instead of anxious?–Since I got to Utah, I’ve felt fine. Spurts of missing home here or there though. But worst was Sunday morning when I had to speak in church.

In response to my wonderful mother, here are my top 10 things I enjoy about missionary life at the end the 3 things I don’t enjoy as much:

Good

  1. Elder Durbano, he’s a great easy going companion. He also has a strong testimony of the Saviors love for him individually, which is powerful.
  2. The district, we have so much fun it’s just like being with 5 close friends.
  3. Personal study, studying my scriptures has never felt so easy and gone by so quickly and its wonderful.
  4. Language study, this also goes by incredibly quickly and I feel like I’m learning a lot.
  5. Teachers, both of my teachers are pretty fluent in Spanish and have good accents and have been really helpful in learning Spanish.
  6. Schedule, we have two 3 hour classes each day one in the morning from 8:30-11:30 and then 6:15-9:15. The time in between is up to us on how to use it which is nice.
  7. BYU Creamery, we can get mini 8 oz. ice creams from vending machines and it’s great.
  8. Exercise time, forces me to exercise when I might have just chosen to sleep or something
  9. Elder Willis, he’s in my district and totally ripped and has a ton of resistance bands and is helping us smaller Elders learn to use them effectively to build some muscle
  10. The [Holy] Spirit, the Spirit here is so constant and strong and it’s incredible.

Not as Good

  1. The food is pretty rough here.
  2. Schedule, waking up at 6:30 is hard and so is going to bed at 10:30 because you have so much you want to get done.
  3. The beds, I have to sleep top bunk and getting off in the mornings half asleep to shut off the alarms is kinda scary. And the beds are definitely not very comfortable but get the job done.


Anyways I look forward to this coming week and being able to share it with you all next Saturday. Also, here are the pictures for this week:

  • Elder Tonkinson with the Editor
  • Bennett
  • Collin & Owen
  • Collin
  • Bennett
  • Elliott
  • Caleb & Hillary
  • Elder Tonkinson with Mark
  • Elder Tonkinson with his two oldest nephews
  • With Elder Kitchen
  • The District
Someone who likes to fidget had too much time on his hands

Also, Dad please do not forget to update the blog and do not make fun of me in it just because I can not check it ;-). Love and miss you all.

Love,

Elder Tonkinson

Gideon’s Farewell Talk

Good morning brothers and sisters. I would like to start by thanking everyone in this ward, especially those who have taught and guided me in Sunday school, young men’s and seminary. Without the support and the valuable lessons learned in those classes, I would not be able to now feel prepared to serve a mission. I love this ward and everyone in it and am so grateful for each of you.

“We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” 2nd Nephi 25:26 

The full title of the Book of Mormon is “The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” This immediately makes clear that Christ is the center and focus of the book. “Of more than 6,000 verses in the Book of Mormon, far more than half refer directly to Him.”  President Nelson points out that it is “Another Testament” because “It is a companion scripture to the Holy Bible.” We were living in Ohio for my freshman year of high school. In seminary, we were learning about the Old Testament. My teacher, Brother Hatch, drew a single point on the board and asked each of us to draw a line through that point. Each of us drew a different line through it.  It looked like a compass.  Brother Hatch then drew another point on the board and asked us to again draw a straight line, this time incorporating both points. All the lines were the same. This simple exercise illustrated how the Bible works together with the Book of Mormon to testify of Christ and His divinity as our Savior. Without both witnesses either book could be interpreted in an infinite amount of ways.  But by having both, there can be only one interpretation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. President Nelson also clarifies that the Book of Mormon “teaches the doctrine of Christ. It expands and clarifies many of the ‘plain and precious’ truths that were lost through centuries of time and numerous translations of the Bible.” I  know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and agree with the prophet Joseph when he said “[It is] the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” 

          One of the many truths found and clarified in the Book of Mormon is the Plan of Salvation, the need for a Savior and “an infinite and eternal sacrifice,” that being the atonement of Jesus Christ. We lived with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the premortal life and knew the plan before we came to this earth. We knew of the need for the fall of Adam, for “behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end. And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin. But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things. Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”  The fall of Adam was not a punishment but rather a necessity that allows us to progress in ways we could not when in the presence of God premortally. 

Because we are fallen and mortal and prone to mistakes we needed an Atonement, which is central to the Creator’s plan. “The natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” We have to put off the natural man and be willing to humble ourselves and partake of the Atonement of Christ. Alma 34:9 reads “For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.” Without the Atonement, the Plan of Salvation would not work. Christ is the mediator between justice and mercy “the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.” At baptism, we covenant “to keep his commandments” and “[take] upon [us] the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.” We can take upon us the name of Christ by standing as a witness of Him and living as an example to those around us.

          Captain Moroni is one of my Book of Mormon heroes because he is an example of constantly being a witness of Christ in any circumstance, even during a war. Heleman writes of Moroni saying, “he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood. Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.” Moroni’s unshakeable faith in Christ allowed him to be able to lead his armies and know that they would prevail against their enemies because of their faith in Christ. Moroni understood the importance of a testimony in Christ and began “preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God.” so that in the face of the Lamanites they might find strength in Christ. 

In Alma 42, the armies of Moroni and Lehi have surrounded the Lamanite forces lead by Zerahemnah. Moroni has called for his armies to hold their ground. Moroni, after stopping the fighting bears his testimony of Christ, “But now, ye behold that the Lord is with us; and ye behold that he has delivered you into our hands. And now I would that ye should understand that this is done unto us because of our religion and our faith in Christ. And now ye see that ye cannot destroy this our faith.” Moroni’s courage, in the face of one of the greatest enemies of the Nephites, to bear his testimony has been a strength to me. Even when it may seem futile to share my testimony, as I am sure it may have seemed to Moroni there on that battlefield, I can open my mouth and proclaim my beliefs. No matter the circumstances, whether we are serving a full-time mission for two years or out in the world living our daily lives we can share our testimony of Christ and the joy that comes with it to all of those around us. While we may not be fighting in a physical war like Moroni was, we are fighting a spiritual one. Our testimonies will be challenged at some point, whether from someone around us or our own doubts, it is inevitable. By reading and studying the scriptures and learning at church and in our homes, we can strengthen our testimony and work towards being as strong in our faith as Captain Moroni was.

          Finally, the crowning event of the Book of Mormon occurs in 3rd Nephi when the resurrected Savior visits the descendants of Lehi on the American continent. As Christ descended from the clouds above clothed in white His Father proclaimed “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.” Christ, as he stood, reached out his hands towards the believers, as he does towards us, and says “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.” Christ then teaches the Nephites and delivers a sermon similar to the Sermon on the Mount and gives the Beatitudes. Christ also commands them to “be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” President Nelson points out that in Matthew 5:48 the scripture is “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” But “that Jesus attained eternal perfection following his resurrection is confirmed in the Book of Mormon.” thus changing the statement to “even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” Both of these are examples of how the Bible and the Book of Mormon are companion scriptures. Being commanded to be perfect is literally impossible; we all fail and come short of perfection. Elder Holland beautifully reminds us “Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving it as a gift from heaven—we can’t “earn” it.” We can not be perfect without Christ but Elder Holland again reminds us “If we admit that [we fall short of perfection] honestly  and are trying to improve, we are not hypocrites; we are human.” We should work towards being more Christlike and perfect while realizing we can not do it on our own.

Christ then announced that the law of Moses had been fulfilled in Him by being the last sacrifice of which all previous sacrifices had been in the similitude of. He then instituted the sacrament among the Nephites, which reminds us of His sacrifice through the symbolism of his body and blood through the bread and water. He also commanded the Nephites to establish the Church in His name because “if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.” 

The importance of the Savior’s resurrected ministry to the Nephites can not be understated as it parallels His ministry to the Jews half a world away and fulfills in part His words in John 10:16 “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” The Church today is the same as the Church established by Christ during his mortal ministry to both the Jews in the Old World and the Jews in the New World. The Book of Mormon testifies of the truthfulness of the Bible, the Church as the true Church here upon the earth, and most importantly of the divinity and necessity of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer.   

          I know that this is Christ’s Church here on the earth. Russel M. Nelson is a living prophet of God, and God leads and directs this church. I know of the truthfulness of the Restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith and the legitimacy of the translation of the Book of Mormon. I know of the blessings that come from reading the Book of Mormon and following the commandments given in it. I am excited to be able to go out into the world and serve a mission and be able to spread the joy and the light that comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Christ is my Savior and that through repentance and obedience to His commandments I can return to live with my loving Heavenly Father. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Farewell Elder Tonkinson

Your editor here. Elder Tonkinson asked that I give an update. The past four days have been busy and emotional. Sunday began with Gideon delivering a message during Sacrament Meeting (the main Sunday Service), which I will post separately. After Church, we went home for a few hours, ate our last meal together, and played some games. I remember when our oldest son left on his mission, and the feeling of each activity being the last of its type before he left and the profound sadness of that. With Gideon as our third, this was much less pronounced, though still present. It is hard to prepare to part for two years. I cannot imagine the challenge to the early Latter-day Saints when husbands left wives and children for two, three or even more years in order to share the gospel. Their faith and sacrifices are inspiring.

At 4:00, we went back to the church to attend the baptism of our bishops youngest daughter. Because many people were at the church for the baptism, Gideon had the opportunity to say goodbye to many of the friends and families he loves so much.

At about 5:15 PM, President Malone of the Buena Vista Virginia Stake (as stake is a geographic collection of church congregations similar to a Catholic Diocese), having been authorized by the Prophet of the Lord, laid his hands on Gideon’s head and set him apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to labor in the Everett Washington Mission. Thus, Gideon became Elder Tonkinson until he is released from his mission.

  • President Malone & Elder Tonkinson
  • Elder Tonkinson with his family

We returned home and Elder Tonkinson packed. It was a tight fit, but he was able to fit everything into one suitecase, a roll aboard, and a should bag. About 9:15, Mirella, a neighbor, came to wish her goodbyes, and about 11:00, we finally went to bed.

The day started about 3:50 AM Monday morning, so that we could leave the house by 4:15 and get to the Lynchburg airport and check bags prior to the flight to Charlotte, which departed at 5:29 AM. The whole family came, although Addie was not at all happy about being out of bed that early. Elder Tonkinson and I flew together to Charlotte, enjoyed a breakfast biscuit from Bojangles in honor of his friends Drew and Carson, and then visited together at his gate until he boarded for Phoenix about 7:25. I then hustled off to my flight to Pensacola. I shed a few tears.

  • Last hug from Mom
  • Departing from Charlotte
  • Safe in SLC
  • Eating the best ice cream
  • Heading into the MTC

Elder Tonkinson arrived in Salt Lake about 12:45. He spent Monday and Tuesday with his brothers (Caleb and Mark), their wives (Hillary and Whitney), his sister (Taryn) and his four nephews (Elliott, Bennett, Collin, and Owen). They had a dinner with cousins on Monday night and one with the Stewarts, good friends from our time in Illinois. Elder Tonkinson was clearly anxious. On Wednesday, he talked with Cameo, Nathan, and Addie in Virginia, and me in Florida before enjoying sushi for lunch and ice cream from one of the best places in the country (Rockwell’s Creamery in Provo). Then, the time arrived and they dropped him at the Missionary Training Center (MTC), where he will spend the next six weeks learning more about how to share the gospel and honing his Spanish. He sent a quick email letting us know that his p-day (Preparation Day, the day in which the morning and afternoon are available for taking care of things like emailing home, buying groceries, doing laundry, and other similar activities that they don’t have time for when missionaries are busy studying and teaching the gospel) will be Saturday while he is in the MTC.

Purpose of this blog

The purpose of this blog is to share communication from Elder Gideon Matthew Tonkinson, a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Elder Tonkinson was called to serve in the Washington Everett Mission and began his service in the Provo, Utah Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, 17 July 2019.

I, Rob Tonkinson, Elder Tonkinson’s Father, will be maintaining the blog. Gideon will be sending weekly emails of experiences and pictures to post. I may also, as any good editor would do, correct glaring grammatical errors (such as replacing “there” with “their” or “to” with “too” as appropriate) or provide clarification for terms that may not be generally understood by those who are not of the LDS faith.  Such clarifications or other alterations will be shown in brackets.  We hope you enjoy following this blog, and please feel free to leave comments, ask clarifying questions, or otherwise make a contribution.  

If you would like to contact Elder Tonkinson his email is gideon.tonkinson@missionary.org. His time will be limited and he will try to read as much as he can. If you would like to ask him any questions, contacting him by this email will be the best way to do so.

If you have any additional questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints feel free to visit ComeUntoChrist.org