June 26: Last Email from the MTC

My time in spirit prison is almost done. We have an 11-hour direct flight from Salt Lake City to Paris at 5pm on Mondayy. Here we go.

It's been a good last week, including a real celebrity siting.

So every Sunday and Tuesday evening we have a devotional, typically with a general authority of the Church, or some member of the missionary board of whatevers or yadee yadee ya. Normally they're a little dry, but honestly usually quite good, inspiring, and always very spiritual and churchy. Anyhow, this Sunday, the Sabbath day our Sunday devotional speaker was Donny Osmond. I honestly thought the guy who made the slides was playing a prank when I first saw the picture and name Donny Osmand, but then I looked at the stage area and there he was. When I realized it wasn't a joke, I was actually excited because it was a unique and perspective on the gospel that would be very refreshing to hear after a bunch of old super churchy men and women. And I was excited to hear some of the experiences he might share from his life/career. Then he started talking. He probably spent the first at least 15 minutes asking how many people knew who he was, and how, and then preceded to explain all the reasons why people might know who he is (singer, tv host, was the dude in Mulan who sings "let's get down to business", stuff like that). Once he actually started his speech >9000hours after he made sure everyone knew how awesome he was, his speech was okay, but every story he told just pointed back to his own awesomeness. He convinced some radio host to play his song by beating him in an arm wrestle, he refused a beer his manager gave him at a party, his mom gave a book of Mormon to the QUEEN OF ENGLAND. He tried to give an example of how to talk to someone and relate to them by singling out a random person in the audience, asking two questions, and then not listening to the answers. Not a single mention of God's grace or gratitude for blessing. Not only that, but he made some weird and slightly sacrilegious comparisons between P-day and the Sabbath, saying that even God took a day to rest after the creation, so you should all have fun and enjoy your P-days. I'm all for enjoying P-days, I whole-heartedly plan to, particularly in France, but that day (really period of creation) of rest mentioned in the scriptures is actually honored on the Sabbath when we're meant to remember and honor God. P-day is not the Sabbath, and it's not even a full day. He also said that when non-Mormons think of Mormons, they think of him--as if he were some beacon of an example. I'm not saying he's a horrible person, he clearly cares about his faith and his family and has had a very unique life, but egoism and pride really stand out to me, and he was dripping with it. He also did a great job of representing artists and performers......The best part is is that he got away with it because he's Donny Osmond and people worship him in Utah. Sooo many face-palms. 

I did appreciate the change of tone, and it was hilarious to watch the MTC president (President Martino) squirm and sweat in his chair during the whole presentation because President Martino is a pretty by-the-book, exact obedience, steel-rods-in-places-where-there-shouldn't-be-steel-rods, your-socks-have-stripes-and-therefore-you're-dress-is-inappropriate kind of person, and then the person he invited to speak for Sunday night devotional is encouraging all of the missionaries to break many of the rules that President Martino enforces. For example, we're not supposed to take videos of ourselves in the mission, and Donny showed selfie videos his son had taken in his mission in Italy as an example of how much fun we should be having as a missionary. It was gold. Words cannot describe the glorious irony that was in the room. To his credit, Bro Osmond did bring it back at the end with a spiritual message about God's love for us--but even that indirectly glorified himself as a great dad being there for his son. I might send the notes that some sisters took of his talk, it was pretty hilarious. Sorry that was harsh, but it was pretty bad. 

Ok, that's all of the weird, funny and slightly off-tone stuff. Let's get down to business.

I've learned quite a bit here at the MTC. Obviously some French, but mostly about following the spirit and receiving revelation from the Lord. I've had many many very enlightening studies of the Bible and Book of Mormon since being here. The other day I was reading in the New Testament in John--which if you haven't read John, read it, it's pretty short and amazing--but I read the last 8 chapters or so, which are around the end of Christ's life and his resurrection. Near the end of his life, knowing he doesn't have much time left, the messages he chooses to leave with his disciples are that of pure love and peace. Some quotes: "Hereafter I will not talk much with you" (meaning I'm going to die soon) "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Knowing he was about to be betrayed and killed by his people, he turns out in love and forgiveness. That's why we try to follow Christ. He's the example of perfect love in the face of hate and fear.

Also in chapter 20, after he's resurrected, the first person he appears to outside the tomb is Mary Magdalene when she's looking for whoever stole the body of Jesus. In chapter 20 verse 14: [Mary] saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master."

I thought it was interesting that it wasn't until he called her by name that she recognized him. You see example of that all of the scriptures of God calling people by name. Blessed art thou Alma, or Nephi, or Mary, or Peter, or whoever it is. God knows us all personally by name. I'm pretty sure there's more significance about names that I don't understand too.

Eget

Sorry for the long email. My emails in France probably won't be as long, but I will try to include more pictures. My P-days in France will be Mondays, though I'm not sure that I will be able to email this upcoming Monday because we'll be travelling all day. Here's some pictures of Donny Osmond and us being tired.