The time is far spent. . . .

Thank you so much for everyone that has sent me letters. It really does encourage a missionary to get letters. To anyone who hasn't sent me letters; shame on you. To anyone who has; I promise I'll write you back eventually, its just that the time is far spent, there is little remaining. I only have 2 full days left here at the MTC. I can't believe that time has gone as quickly as it has. I guess when your brain is working as hard as it has been here, time just seems like a menial thing that your brain stops keeping track of.

I can't believe that in 2 days, I'll be in the field, with a companion, talking to real investigators. I'm so excited. Don't get me wrong, the MTC is amazing. I'm not sure of any other place where you can learn this much, surrounded by so many worthy priesthood holders, and a gym so nice to work out in. Seriously, I've lost 4 pounds, even though I've been stuffing my face everyday. So leaving the MTC, and all the missionaries in my district, and my teachers, will be hard, but its almost completely overshadowed by the fact that I'm about to do what I set out to do. Be a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. To help bring the restored gospel to thousands of people who need it. "Should we not go on in such great a cause?" I really love that Joseph Smith movie.

So, the spiritual thought I will share with you today is about the power of prayer. "Pray always, that ye may come off conqueror, yea, that you may conquer Satan..." Prayer can help every aspect of your life. Everyone of you should be praying the minute you wake up, right before bed, over every meal (even if you're in public! In fact, especially if your in public!) You see, God tends to like when we tell him we're thankful for things he has blessed us with, just like a parent likes hearing that from a child, and He is more likely to bless us with more if we show him that we're thankful for what we have.

One of the apostles said that the power of miracles is brought on through the power of prayer. It couldn't be more true. I wouldn't have made it through these last few weeks if it weren't through the power of prayer, and our Heavenly Father's grace. He truly loves everyone of us, and wants to bless us, we just need to ask for it before he will, because he won't pour out his blessings upon people that don't show appreciation for what he's already done. So keep that in mind, and pray right now!

I love you all,
Elder Keenan Monnett

MTC- Week 2

Has it really only been a week since my last letter? That shocks me, in that it both seems like it was only a few days a go, while at the same time seeming like it was months ago. That's the weird way that time works here at the MTC. As of tomorrow, my district will be the senior district in my zone. That seems crazy to me, though I guess I'm only here for 3 weeks total...

So, The other day my district had the opportunity to work in the Referral Center, or the RC. Ever wondered who you're calling when you call those numbers on the back of Mormon pass-a-long cards, or Mormon TV Ads? You're calling the RC! Where many young missionaries are working hard to answer your calls and help you with your needs. We where working on calling people back to confirm deliveries of things like movies and DVD's. You get a fair share of people who seem to not like you... its crazy! But I suppose that's life, and how it will definitely be when I'm out in the field.

On Wednesday we'll get the opportunity to be hosts to newcomer missionaries. Normally this invitation isn't extended to English speaking missionaries, but I'm pretty tight with Brother Jarman, the head of hiring services here at the MTC, so he pulled some strings for us. So I'll be bringing in new missionaries who are scared out of their minds, sort of like I was just a few weeks ago.

So I'm happy to say that I haven't gained any weight yet. Haven't lost any, but I'm still counting it as a win.

On a completely different note, the spirit here is simply amazing. I have nothing to compare to, because it blows everything else out of the water. We get the chance to go to the temple once a week, and that is amazing too! It is simply wonderful how much love our Heavenly Father has for us, and how much he blesses us, even though we truly don't deserve it. I simply cannot wait to go out to the field to help people understand that.

Until next time,
Elder Keenan Monnett

MTC- Day 5

So, Day 5 at the MTC and it has been quite an amazing experience so far. It truly is amazing how much my testimony has grown just in these last few days alone! The MTC grounds are a place where the spirit is constantly residing. So, I'm special here at the MTC, in that instead of just one companion, I get two! It can make things pretty complicated, when you want to go somewhere you have to have all 3 of you go at the same time. But I imagine it will be a pretty good learning experience for later in the field. My companions are Elder Anderson, and Elder Dicky (I'll send some pictures home when I have the chance.)

So they feed you here, ALL THE TIME. No joke, the food is delicious, and you can have as much as you want. I've been cutting myself back down to one plate a meal as of recently. See, I've started working out for the first time in months, and I don't want to counteract all that muscleness with fat.

So my district is probably the coolest district to ever roam the halls of this wonderful institute, and I was made District Leader over them! I was pretty shocked when I found out, but its been a pretty good learning experience so far. Its amazing how much more in tune I am with spiritual things since ariving here. Even just singing hymns sometimes I have to choke back tears. In a manly way of course. I've joined the choir here, and on tuesday we're going to be singing "Jesus, once of humble birth" for all the other MTC's.

We had an MTC fireside last night, and the MTC Director spoke to us. I am partially certain it was broadcasted on BYU tv. So on Sunday and Tuesday nights, look for MTC broadcasts on. I may be singing in one of them if Elder Nielson and I have our way.

Last night I had the oppurotunity to watch the Joseph Smith film again. If any of you haven't seen it, I implore you to find a temple or visitors center now an watch it! Theres a qoute at the end, and this isn't verbatim, but it says "Joseph Smith lived and died for this work, and now is being spread all over the world. Should we not go on with such a great work?" I am now part of that work. Nothing has hit me so hard before. I have never been more proud of any work I've ever done than what I'm doing now. The good kind of pride that is. For the last three years I've been doing the same thing, wondering if I living the way I should. But here, there is no question, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

Write ME!

Elder Keenan Monnett