Truth Will Prevail!

Hello all!!

Elder Burns here! Wow, it has been so crazy here in the MTC, but it has been so good, and so many amazing experiences! Since I finished my email last week, we have had numerous spiritually uplifting experiences that have boosted the spirit in me, in the members of our district (Go Moroni!), and all the other Elders and Sisters. This week has been a powerful one.

Every Wednesday, all of the missionaries gather in the Heber C. Kimball room for a devotional. The first week, the day we arrived, we were greeted by a member of the seventy who presides over these parts of England. He taught us about what it means to walk like a missionary, and how different "walks" send different meanings. His wife also discussed about "be(ing) the missionary your mom thinks you are". It was so powerful. So, Mom, I hope i'm doing just that :)  This Wednesday, we didn't have a visitor, but we were able to watch a devotional that Quintin L. Cook gave to the missionaries. His message was so powerful, and if I could share just two points I took from his talk is 1) Love EVERYONE! Especially the Lord. And 2) Christ lives! He has a body of flesh and bone. He still visits the earth today to guide and direct the Prophet and the Apostles. It was such a powerful devotional and testimony.

Next.... gym time. I honestly thought that I would hate it, but I actually look forward to it every day! Elder Masango loves the gym, and has taken it upon himself to be my personal trainer. (Maybe I won't be a twig when I get back ;P) We been doing about an hour 55 minutes up gym time, and then 20 minutes playing ping pong. It is so much fun! I honestly think I'm not too bad, and getting better! (Especially if you can bounce it off random objects..... ;))

On Friday we had a very special day.... CHURCH HISTORY TOUR!!! It was a guided tour, by a very educated tour guide (whose name escapes my mind). We were able to visit many sites in Preston like: 

1) Where the Vauxhall Chapel would have been (it has sense been torn down), 

2) where the "Truth Will Prevail" banner would have been hung, 

3) the town centre where the first missionaries preached, 

4) the apartment where they would have stayed, 

  5) the River Ribble, where the first baptisms were performed, and thousands came to watch.

6) the home where President Hinckley stayed during his mission, where he followed his dad's message to "forget yourself, and get to work".

Then we continued to the town of Downham (I desperately hope i'm spelling all these correctly), where we went into an old chapel there, which payed many honours to the Ashton (american spelling) family... 

And of course, an old red telephone booth :P

The old architecture is so beautiful here, I literally cannot describe it! The details put into every crevice is overwhelming. It is soo beautiful! (I'm glad President Bunker said we could be tourist for the day, because I took a butt-load..... sorry, crap-ton...... sorry, uhh... considerable amount of pictures!) 

**(Note from his sister: I'm just guessing that these pictures are under the right number...with some help from Google. I have no idea what are supposed to be under the first three. I'll ask and update this later. He sent home a ton of pictures, so what I have could be wrong, but I hope you enjoy seeing what he's seen even if they are labeled wrong!)

So, Friday was a good day!

The lessons with our training investigators have been getting much better, and Elder Masango and I have been working a lot more as companions, and really filling in for each other. I've learned a valuable lesson doing these, and that is the Holy Ghost is the true teacher. If you listen to him, and let him do his part, that's when true conversion occurs. He is the master teacher. Always strive to have the Holy Ghost as your constant companion. If you do, every aspect of your life will be blessed.

So this week every missionary was given the topic of "The Holy Ghost", and asked to prepare a talk. On Sunday Morning, the District Leaders went to their leadership meeting, and recieved the names from President Bunker of who would be giving their talk..... and as you can guess, I was called to be one of them. I was so grateful for the opportunity though. It really drew me closer to God, and answered many questions I had while doing my studies.

I also have a testimony that the Holy Ghost puts you where you need to be in the right time, we just have to put one foot in front of the other. This week I started going through piano withdrawls, so while we had a little break in the schedule (which is seldom) Elder Masango and I went to the piano, and started to play/sing. Now, in walks the Sister Missionaries, German district. Next thing I know, they put a German hymn book in front of me, and ask if I can sightread it, so I did. Turns out, it was "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"! I am so jealous that they have it the German, but not the English. I love that song! Anyways, so i was able to accompany them as they sang on Sunday!

I am so grateful to be out on my mission. It is the best thing I can be doing in my life right now. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is His church. I know that God has blessed us with priesthood authority. I know the Holy Ghost is very important in our lives, and he will guide, comfort and teach us.

I love you all!

I want to add to the question of the week to include challenges, and then you can share your experience if you feel comfortable. Let us share God's love!

Challenge of the Week: Find a story about an ancestor of yours (church related or not). Share how their story can help you or others today!

With the greatest love,

Elder Burns

England Manchester Mission

Springwood, Suite G5

Booths Park

Chelford Road

Knutsford

England WA16 8GS

United Kingdom