Week 4: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true and I can not deny it."

This week has truly been a very special week. Being able to perform for the outgoing 128 mission presidents, their wives, the first presidency, quorum of the twelve, and other general authorities has been such a blessing to me. We prepared and memorized six songs within six hours of rehearsals. We sang "Joseph Smith's first prayer", "Testimony" (an arrangement of I know my redeemer lives), "Praise to the man" (we sang this on the day of Joseph's Martyrdom) "did you think to pray", "Be still my soul" and "The morning breaks" (which Elder Oaks requested us to sing in the middle of his talk)

* Click to hear "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" *

(Select members picked from the MTC Choir for special performance)

* Click to hear "I know that My Redeemer Lives" *

The spirit was incredibly strong and as we sang the spirit testified to all in the room of the truthfulness to what we were singing. I've realized that when we sing, we are amplifying our testimonies many times over. It's amazing how the spirit is able to touch so many souls in a single room.

We also had a Tuesday devotional where ten of the apostles came and Elder Bednar spoke on the power of the word. It was broadcasted to all of the MTCs around the world! He spoke about how Christ is the Word and how the Word is the scriptures as well. It was powerful. It's a simple truth that we sadly overlook, underestimate, and take for granted time and time again.

(Apostles in the Quorum of the Twelve)

If we let go of reading the Book of Mormon and other scriptures daily, we let go of the word and thus Jesus Christ.

I hope we all can hold fast to the rod by reading the Book of Mormon daily. It's incredible how much of a difference a little bit of time each day can make when reading the Book of Mormon.

* Listen to "A Book of Mormon Story" *

This week we were also teaching our investigator Martin. Now here in the MTC there aren't very many investigators who speak Danish haha so it really is just our teacher. However the spirit can work miracles when we are teaching our "investigator".  When we were teaching the first discussion, I tried explaining that we can be together with our families forever. I asked if that was something he'd like and he explained that him and his wife split, he doesn't want to be with his mother for forever and he doesn't want to be with his wife. However it's hard because he wants to be with his kids. Despite this Investigator being fake, the spirit struck my soul with so much love for our investigator. My heart ached for him and his situation. I desired so much for him to realize the blessings that the gospel can bring. I almost started to cry. That was the end of the lesson.

* Watch "Families Can Be Together Forever" *

The next lesson was incredible. Through out the week I would pray for my investigator to have the spirit and for him and his situation. In the lesson I felt so much love for him. My companions were teaching him about repentance and praying to God to ask for forgiveness. Our investigator Martin expressed how he is an alcoholic but he wants to stop because he wants his children to respect him. My heart was full for him. As tears began to trail down my cheeks, I bore my humble testimony to Martin that God loves him. I bore testimony that God can help him overcome his problem because of our loving elder brother Jesus Christ who suffered for us and our sins. I said that I knew that he would be able to gain the respect from his children and live with them forever.

Martin wouldn't break eye contact while I was bearing my testimony. He committed to repent and to read the Book of Mormon more and ask for help. He even said his first prayer after much consideration. The spirit was so strong.

(Nate and his companion teaching)

Again, the lessons being taught are merely roleplays of sorts. However, through the spirit I am being able to learn so much about the language the spirit speaks. I believe that the language of the spirit is Charity. I may be far from perfect in speaking Danish. But i know as I strive and pray earnestly to gain charity for those I teach I know that the spirit will be able to touch the hearts of many. That is the power of God.

I know this Church is true. If anyone doesn't have a testimony, is doubting, or has a testimony. I invite you to read the Book of Mormon every day to know for yourself. I know that you will gain a testimony of it's truthfulness if you only try. I love you all and have a wonderful week!

-Ældste Haruch