Week 6, Headed to the field

Hey everyone!! This week has been a rollercoaster but I’m so excited to tell you about what’s been happening! This week was my district’s last full week, and it was a long one for sure. We learned a bunch more Spanish this week, and got a lot better at future and past tense. I am so excited to go to the field and learn more. I feel like once I start using my Spanish every single day as my primary language it will rapidly improve. I have recieved a lot of tips and advice about learning the language, and I’m super grateful for all of the suggestions!

Tuesday night was our devotional night, and there were rumors going around that it was going to be someone from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles! At first I didnt believe it, but just like when Elder Christoffersen was here, there was security everywhere and a lot of cars coming into the MTC. When 6:30 came around, we all were settling into our seats. My district was in the bleachers in the back when the publicity secretary asked us to follow him. Elder Brown and I got moved up into like the 10th row of seats, and it was exciting! Around 6:45 Elder Rasband, a member of the current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife entered the devotional hall! We all stood and felt the change of atmosphere when he smiled and waved at us missionaries. At 7:00 the devotional started.

As a little bit of back story, recently a new LDS Temple was dedicated in Rome! The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency (President Russell M. Nelson and his two counselors) all were gathered there. It is the first time in decades that the entire leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been together outside the U.S.. Elder Rasband said that it was a very powerful experience.

Elder Rasband got up and told us that the Prophet gave him a little mini-message for the missionaries. President Nelson said to tell the missionaries three things.
1. That he loves us (And that’s coming from someone who knows about the heart because he was a heart surgeon!)
2. That he is thankful for our Christlike service, our decision to serve, and out willingness.
3. That we are needed. We are the youth battalion of the church and we are called servants of Jesus Christ.

After Elder Rasband gave us that message, Sister Rasband got up and talked to us a little bit about “What made this Rome Temple Opening so important?” She asked herself this question and thought about some possible answers.

1. That there is now a temple in “The Eternal City”
2. That there is an Oval depicted all throughout the temple to symbolize one eternal round.
3. That on the temple grounds, there are olive trees that are over 500 years old!!
4. The visitors center with the Christus Statue and the stained glass window of Christs miracles.
5. The fact that we can know of Christ and we get to testify of his life while we are on earth.

She said that above all though, the thing that made this so so special was the testimony that the Priesthood Keys are once again restored on the earth.

When Jesus died, be gave the Apostles the responsibility to lead the church. Over time and one by one, the Apostles were killed and eventually the true church of Christ was lost. We believe the priesthood keys were also lost, the truth was distorted. When Joseph Smith restored the church the priesthood keys were back on the earth, and so was the true church of Jesus Christ.

After Sister Rasband spoke, Elder Rasband got up and told us about his experience in Rome. He first thanked us for paying our tithing. Tithing money from members is how the Church grows and how we build new temples for members all around the world.

Elder Rasband then began to tell us about his experience. While preparing to travel, he said that the Apostles were a little scared about how the Vatican would accept them. They had a tour of the temple scheduled with Vatican leaders and I loved hearing about this.

The Vatican leaders met Elder Bednar and Elder Rasband for the tour and asked if they would base the tour of biblical scriptures. The Vatican leaders wanted to know how our church interpreted the scriptures. Our temples are based off temples in the bible, and the Vatican leaders didnt know that. Our temples are built with “the finest of materials and the best workmanship” just like it describes in the bible.

Once they got to the baptismal font, the Vatican leaders asked for a scripture and Elder Rasband shared 1 Corinthians 15:29. One of the Vatican leaders said to Elder Rasband “Brother Rasband, I have never considered that scripture like that before!” They then explained the 12 oxen and the symbolism with the 12 tribes of Israel, which the Vatican was familiar with.

They next went to a sealing room, and looked into the mirrors. Elder Rasband asked the Vatican Leaders “What do you see?” The Vatican Officials replied “we see ourselves forever.” “That is what we teach,” said Elder Bednar!

The Vatican officials were very pleased with the tour and after conversing with the Pope, the Pope decided to meet with our Prophet. President Nelson said this after meeting with the Pope: “The differences are real. They are important. But not as important as the things we have in common.” President Nelson then testified of how important it is to build bridges of friendship, not walls of our differences.

Elder Rasband continued to talk about publicity day, the visitors center, and testified that President Nelson is our Prophet on the earth. But he stressed that this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and that Jesus is at the head of our Church. President Nelson is called of God to guide and teach us on the earth.

I loved this so much and took almost 6 pages of notes. My testimony of missionary work was strengthened and I was motivated to serve my God to try and help his children on this earth. I wanted to write more about my week but for times sake I have to just summarize it.

Elder Brown has been struggling this week with a lingering stomach bug and we all have spent time at home recovering. This MTC is like a chamber of sickness. Our Spanish is coming along well and our TRCs (Teaching nonmembers) went great. Elder Brown always shares his personal experiences and we even got Anna to commit to baptism. She is going to meet with the Provo missionaries to continue her desire to join our church. We were not the only ones to ask her if she would be baptized, but it is really cool that I got to help her come closer to Christ just a little bit more.

I love you guys so much and I wish I had more time to write but unfortunately I have to go on with my day. I love you all so much and I’m thankful for your support. I feel your love and prayers and I know that you will be blessed for helping me in any way, especially in your prayers. I hope you guys are enjoying normal life and fast food, cause boy I miss it! Tonight is my last class with my whole district, and it is bittersweet. I leave for Philadelphia on April 3rd, this coming Wednesday. I’m super excited and I couldn’t have done this without all of your help. I’ll talk to you guys next week in Philadelphia!! Love you all <3

-Elder Petty

P.S. here are the two video links. One of them is a tour in the Rome temple, and the other is outside of the Mamertinum Prison. I have watched both of these videos and its actually really cool. I invite all of you to watch these, whether you are a member of our church or not it’s a very cool video. Love you guys!!