Life in the MTC: A Farewell to the MTC

The Elders received their travel plans to Mexico! 

This past week, Dallin moved from the MTC West campus in Provo to the main campus. Before he and his companions were transferred, they found the rumored "pillow room" with the custodial staff. They let them in and Dallin said they were "floating on clouds" while playing in the pillow room! The sweet custodians snapped a photo for them, and e-mailed it to us! Too funny. On Monday, October 27th, Dallin will head to Mexico! He is very excited to head out and start to share the gospel!

 Here is an excerpt from his letter this week:

I had an awesome week here at the MTC! This week Chad Lewis was the speaker at the weekly devotional.  Chad played football for BYU and the Philadelphia Eagles.  His devotional was so funny and encouraging. Chad speaks Chinese which he learned in the mission field and is now the NFL Ambassador to China, what an awesome opportunity.  He spoke about his relationship with the Head Coach of the Eagles, Andy Reid who is a member of the Church.  Chad told us about his experience in the NFL and how he always tried to share the gospel with others.   He also talked about Coach Reid's speech to the Eagle Team and Organization immediately after the 9/11 event.  Coach Reid basically shared a conference talk with the Eagles team, organization and media.  All the media in Philadelphia began referencing and quoting Coach Reid’s remarks.  Coach Reid was surprised that the players, team organization and media were talking about his talk.  Coach Reid confided with Chad that he basically summarized a General Conference and the entire Eagle organization and local media where quoting an Apostle!

We also had Carlos A. Godoy come and speak to us on Tuesday.  He was so funny with his remarks!  All the missionaries were dying with laughter. He talked about Alma 22:26 which speaks about 4 things we need to do and 2 promises we will receive for following and being obedient.  We need to repent, pray, have faith, and do good works.  In doing this we will receive revelation and baptized thousands.... It’s so true.... If I only baptize one soul, events about that person’s family will change including those who are dead.  They too can receive the blessing of the temple beyond the veil and the blessing will continue forward for many generations to come. 

The infamous pillow room! Looks like fun!

So tired.... Must take nap... ZzZZzzzZZzz

Sister Jones & Elder Jones in the MTC!

Doesn't this look like a boy band CD cover?

All the suitcases ready to transfer to the MTC main campus!

Life in the MTC: Week 4

Dallin received 9 letters in one day because Becca (his sister) was sending his letters to Mexico instead of the MTC. Don't worry, it only took her 3 weeks to figure it out. HA HA HA!

Another great week for Elder Jones in the MTC. He is still enjoying all his classes, his time in the call center, and getting letters from everyone who supports him! Before Dallin left, Derek gave him his philosophy of the MTC: "The days feel like weeks, and the weeks feel like days." It seems that Dallin has taken that to heart, as in every letter he can't believe it's already P-Day and a chance for him to write to all of us! The date for his departure to Mexico is Monday, October 27th! Very exciting for all of us! Here is an excerpt from his letter this week: 

The MTC has been great! I can’t believe its preparation day again! The weeks move so fast and I will move to main MTC campus next preparation day, and then I will leave 5 days to Mexico!  Time is flying by and it seems so weird that I will be leaving for Mexico in just 2 weeks from today!

Today I was able to the Temple as usual, and as I walked out, there was this super cute cat, and it came up to me and laid down right in front of me.  So I spent some time right in front of the Temple doors petting this cute kitty.  It made my whole day. 

We had an awesome devotional last night about how to stay away from Satan and how he tries and tempts us. It is nice to know that God only gives us feelings of love and peace, not doubt and hate which come from Satan. Whenever I face doubt, I know I can pray and ask Satan to leave and I will feel peace.  He also talked how Satan tries to replicate happiness or other things.  The truth is white but Satan might have a slight off white... looks good but it is wrong.

All ready to learn, work, and preach the gospel!

Shaka, brah!

I guess Frozen fruit snacks have taken the place of his iPhone case? 

With some Spanish literature about the church!

Life in the MTC: Week Three

Elder Sweeten, Elder Jones, and Elder Struhs outside the Provo, Utah LDS Temple

Elder Jones had another great week in the MTC. He was able to watch General Conference with all the missionaries serving in both the Provo MTC and the Provo West campus! He knew a lot of Elders in the MTC choir, but since he had no choir experience, he wasn't able to participate. Darn it! We always knew Dallin should've been in Glee Club! :) Elder Jones also took a trip up to the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake City for a Visa interview, and rode the train with some other missionaries who will be serving there! He also ran into his good friend from Carlsbad, Elder Jordan Anderson in the MTC this week! Look at those handsome CA missionaries! Elder Anderson will be serving in Australia speaking Mandarin. Dallin also has another MTC companion named Elder Sweeten from Utah. Here is an excerpt from his letter this week:

Hey Family! Love you all and having a blast here at the Missionary Training Center!

So to start off.... yes the bat and mouse story was really funny and made our whole week fun.  Be sure to tell everyone about it.

So to begin, I loved conference.  I can’t really say i had a favorite talk but it was all so good. I enjoyed all the talks in foreign languages.   It was really neat to have my prayer answers re-affirmed about a certain question I had.  I was seeking additional help and continue to ask for guidance all week.  The day before conference I was reading my scriptures in Doctrine and Covenants section 3 verse 2 which reads, “For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round." And those exact words were said 3 times during conference! It was a great feeling to see my question and worries answered through conference! It was a tremendous feeling. 

I love the temple and I miss serving in the every Tuesday and Thursday.  

LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Elder Jones is loving his Dr. Pepper stash his cousin Matt picked up for him.

Elder Jones and the giant world map in the MTC. He is pointing to his mission, Mexico Guadalajara East!

Carlsbad Boys! Elder Anderson & Elder Jones serving in the MTC together.

This is what General Conference looks like in the MTC! 

Riding the train to Salt Lake City!

Interview at the Mexico Consulate in order to get his Visa!

MTC Companions- Elder Sweeten (UT), Elder Jones (CA), and Elder Struhs (UT).

Viva La Mexico!

As always, Dallin loves receiving letters! He only has a couple more weeks in the MTC! If you would like to write him, visit www.dearelder.com and click on the Provo MTC! Below is a screen shot of what to fill in! 

Life in the MTC: A Mouse in the House & A Bat at the Door

Elder Jones wondering if he should touch the bat or not..... 

Dear Family,

I am SO dumb! I forgot about a really funny experience! There was a bat outside our class and it was there all day! Two of the elders touched it! Hahaha! It was super weird! They said I should have touched it because I had a rabies shot! I didn't though! Also, there was a mouse in our apartment and one of the elders, Elder Sweeten, was screaming and standing on the table. It was the funniest thing I've seen. He actually was the one who killed it. He kicked it and it  hit the door and started to seizure. So we picked it up and dumped it in the water feature outside. Proper burial! It was sad, but funny! I have pictures of the bat but not of the mouse. I love you all! 

Love,

Elder Jones xoxo 

Life in the MTC: Week Two

All work & no play? Looks like these guys know how to have a little bit of fun!

Dallin has had a busy week in the MTC. Classes have been keeping him very busy, but he said that he is getting a good grip on Spanish! We are excited to hear that he is doing so well and so excited for General Conference this coming weekend. We didn't get any new photos this week, but Dallin mentioned that at night sometimes he and his roommates play games that have them laughing so hard they are crying. I think we can see from this photo that he's with some pretty funny missionaries! Here is an excerpt from his letter this week: 

It finally kind of hit me that I would be away for two years and made me kind of sad, but the MTC is still super fun and cool place to be.  We have such a busy schedule at the training center.  The days are busy and full from 8:00 AM - 9:30 PM every day!  I’m excited for conference this coming weekend!  All the missionaries from the west campus get to venture to the BYU main campus all day for conference.  That will be an exciting couple of days. 

I love when you all send me letter via Dear Elders! They really make my day and make me happy so thanks for doing that and please send me more, I love them.

I like everyone here including my instructors who are awesome.  They are all super fun and we get a lot done! I am learning the language pretty well and growing spiritually! 

For my missionary plaque I would like the scripture Mosiah 8:18, "Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings."

Elder Dallin McKay Jones Missionary Scripture