Bula Vinaka Na Noqu Matavulvale!
First off, so David doesn't think I'm teeling you off, the top part translates into HELLO my family (just try figuring that out as I continue the rest of my email). This week has been such a whirl wind of activity I scarcely know where to begin. I must first say they wasted no time getting us to work. The first thing I did after grabbing all the packets they had for me and putting my stuff in my room (not unpacking, just throwing it in) was learn some Fijian. We learned greetings and simple questions the first day. Sadly, I'm still not very good at those, but I can do the more advanced things...which is weird. The Lord works in strange and mysterious ways.
I guess what everyone really wants to know is about my companionship and "home life" first, and then the rest later. My companion, Elder Moantewa (Mohn-tey-wa) is native to the large island grouping of Kiribati. It's hard to really explain where it is because it's very spread out, but look on a map, it's hard to miss. He's hard to communicate with because his English is broken, my Kiribus is nonexistant, and we are both lousy at Fijian. Mostly, if he can't express an idea in English, he uses hand motions to make me understand. I'm getting pretty good at being his urim and thummim (for you non Mormons, it's used for translation) for the rest of the missionaries. He's great, been a member his whole life, but was going wayward. His girlfriend turned him around and sent him on a mission. I'm grateful to that faithful girl. I also have Elder Tafuna'i and Elder Peery in my room/district. They are both American, though one of them is half Samoan/ Rotuman (I'll let you guess which one). They hail from Utah and Idaho respectively. They are great guys. Elder Tafuna'i was called as the district leader, my first indication that this is the work of the Lord, he's been keeping us on track so well I know it was right. Elder Peery is quieter, but loads of fun when he speaks. We all get a long so well it's crazy we've only been here a week. The two sisters in my district are Sister Trammel and Sister Crowell, they are from California and Hawaii respectively. They are loads of fun as well, sometimes we all have so much fun that we get sidetracked, but we're trying to lick the problem. It's hard when you are all such good friends.
The great thing about coming to the MTC now is to see that the work of the Lord is truly moving forward. 8 months ago, the Fijian district had three people. Now, we have two six person districts. The other district is just as fantastic as my own, we sit together at lunch because we like each other so much. In that district there is Elder Moka and Elder Wall, E Motuliki and E Tenney (I call him Tini- he's a pretty big guy) and Sister Wright and Sister Tauhivaajhoiahwefhjahsd;jfhiwoe (her last name is about that long and I have yet to learn how to say it or spell it, we just call her sister T). So, I have a confession to make and a great story to tell. Despite what my family thinks, I dated two girls in college, you met the second. :D Anyway, you'll have two years to get over that. The funny thing is that Elder Tenney, one of my favorites, dated that same girl in high school. We've had a lot of fun making jokes about that as I'm sure anyone that knows me would know.
ANYWAY, I don't know where to start besides that. The week has been such a blur and I didn't bring my journal with me to compare notes. I guess the first really cool thing was on Sunday for the missionary conference. The rest of the days were just average learning Fijian, writing a lesson (in Fijian), giving a lesson (in Fijian), hard stuff, but hey, that's missionary work. Speaking of which, we've been allowed notes in our lessons thus far, not anymore. After a week in they cut you off and expect you to give a lesson, if not in your on the spot words, then from memory. It's going to be tough, but I'm keeping a positive attitude. Right, missionary conference. A missionary conference happens once a month on fast Sunday, basically a stake conference type meeting (sorry, revelatory experience) in which the members of the MTC presidency speak. It was quite inspirational, and I have a thought to share about one of the talks. Sister Nally, the MTC president's wife, spoke on the power of the Priesthood and how it is truly God's power on the Earth. She spoke of John the Baptist restoring the priesthood to the earth to Joseph Smith when he appeared to Joseph. It was then that it occurred to me that you need a body to lay on hands and give the priesthood. John was killed by beheading before Christ was crucified, which was quite sad at the time, but when Christ was resurrected, the saints who were already dead were ressurected as well. Therefore, in order for John the Baptist to have a body to be able to confer the priesthood upon Joseph Smith, he had to be resurrected, and that could only occur if he died before Jesus was resurrected. It was a testimony to me that God's works cannot be frustrated. No matter how hard we trying to fight against Him, it all ends up for his good and his glory. I have another brief testimony to give, this concerning the language. I've been here for seven days, roughly, six of which I spent trying to learn Fijian. The very thought that I can teach a twenty minute or so lesson, in my own words more or less, in that language is a miracle. I never really understood the gift of tongues, nor did I ever think I would because I thought it was only when someone got up and spoke funky words and only one person in the room understood because it was needed for that person alone or something like that. I'm here to tell you that the gift of tongues has blessed this simple 19 year old boy from Medford Oregon to be able to teach another in a different language in a matter of six days.
On Sunday night we had a fireside in which a man names Ted Gibbons "spoke." I put that in quotes for a reason you will see soon. Basically, he got up an recited a story to us, but it felt so natural that I had to remind myself that the person he was portraying was indeed dead and had been for some time. He told the Joseph Smith story through the eyes of Willard Richards, one of the three men with Joseph Smith when he was martyrd. This man did not get a a single hole in his clothes, and only a scratch on his cheek while two lay dead and one severely wounded. His witness, through the eyes of another that, as he said at the end, "I don't think Joseph Smith is a prophet of God anymore...I know it," struck me with so much force, I knew it was true. He told of many prophecies of Joseph Smith, and that they all came true. That was such a great testimony to me that I'm doing the right thing out here.
I know I'm giving an overload of stories of speakers, but those have been my favorite parts thus far. Elder Tad R Callister came and spoke to us about what he called the blueprint of the church. He said that when Christ came to the earth he left a blueprint for how he wanted the church to operate. This blueprint is called the New Testament. He compared this to his own home. Since he designed his own home, no other home in the world matches that blueprint perfectly. Some homes come close, others not so much, but no other except that one. This is like Christ church, everything from the foundation of apostles, prophets, seventy authorities; to ordinances of blessing of babies, baptism by immession when older, and baptism for the dead since baptism is essential to get into heaven; to teachings of the nature of God and Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that they have bodies of flesh and bone because Christ, when he was ressurected, had a body and would never die again, death being the separation of body and spirit; and lastly the fruits of the people which discusses happiness and healthiness and good works. This all finally reaches a pinnacle of revelation directing Christ's church, which is a direct link to heaven. What is great about this talk is everything he said had a scripture in the New Testament to back it up. Basically, he showed how one can logically know the church must be Christ's church restored on the earth. I'll have to show it to everyone in two years because it was amazing and I think you all need to see it, if I remember. I have it all written out in my journal thankfuly.
I don't have much more time to write, so I guess I should close now. I'm doing well, and enjoying it. I'm working hard and obeying the rules. I have other emails that I need my emails sent to, but I forgot to bring them. Mother, I'm sorry your computer is on the frits. I hope all is well at home, but not in Zion. Let the process of becoming a Zion people begin with you. I know from being here that man doesn't qualify for the work of Christ, Christ qualifies the man for the work (I made that up myself).
Elder Morgan
P.S. give my Fiji mailing address to Brother Minor
