Hey y'all!

I realized when I sent my email on Friday that I totally forgot to put my MTC address. Well here it is:

Elder Samuel Joseph Williams

AUG18 DC-NORTH

2009 N 900 E Unit 173

Provo UT 84602

so if any of y'all want to send me a letter before I get to DC, that is the address to send to

or if you just want to email me, it is: samuel.williams@myldsmail.net

The MTC (Missionary Training Center) has been pretty great thus far. The spirit is super strong here, though the 9ish hours of classes a day kinda wears on the mind quite a bit... My companion's name is Elder Chapman. He's this surfer dude from California and as such, I sometimes can't understand about half of what he is saying. He's a pretty cool guy and has a pretty strong testimony. He's also really good at putting things in simpler terms (something I'm still working on myself). The two of us couldn't be more different though so that's been rather interesting.

The food has been supremely decent. Actually, it's pretty good, though there is definitely a lot of it. 

Yesterday, I finished the Book of Mormon again during some free time we had before we went to work out. I seriously love that book so much! Every time I read it, I get a confirmation of its truthfulness all over again! I know that it is the word of God and as I have read it, I have felt myself become closer to my Savior. 

I seem to get a new confirmation every day that the church is true and that Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us so much more than we can possibly comprehend! On Sunday evening, missionaries have the opportunity to watch one of several movies (usually recordings of a devotional). My district all decided to watch "The Character of Christ" by David A Bednar (it's this Christmas Devotional he gave in the MTC that I think one can ONLY watch in the MTC (if that isn't the case, I would highly recommend watching/listening to it because it is seriously life-changing)). Just wow. It is probably one of the most inspirational yet hilarious devotionals I have ever seen (Turns out Elder Bednar is a pretty funny guy). It really gave me some much needed perspective in my life, especially in regards to looking outwards at what we can do for others rather than inward at ourselves (it was very much needed as at that time, I was feeling a little sorry for myself due to some disagreement/annoyance with my companion. Don't worry, it's all good now). Again, if y'all have the opportunity to, I would HIGHLY recommend giving it a watch/listen.

So it turns out, I don't get my iPad until I get to the field so I don't really have any way of taking pictures right now... No worries though, Elder Bailey (from Gilbert, Arizona. went to Highland so maybe some of you Highland peeps know him) took some pictures of my district so I'll send them as a separate email. (Mom if you could please send those out to once you get them, I'd appreciate it).

I've been able to sing in the MTC choir while here. Apparently there is a general authority coming tonight for a devotional. Though it's likely to be one of the Seventy as President Nelson just came to speak to the missionaries last week and supposedly, Members of the Twelve only come about 2 or 3 times a year... Oh well, I know that whoever comes to speak to us is going to be wonderful and that the spirit will be super powerful.

I had the opportunity to give one of the Elders in my residence hall a blessing earlier today (he apparently fell while playing kickball on Saturday and apparently has some sort of sprain/break/injury in his hip). Although I don't really know him very well, I was the only one in the hall who was still dressed up so Elder Chapman volunteered me to give it. Although I've only met the elder maybe once or twice before (I saw him in the temple this morning in the session I was in), as I was giving him the blessing, I felt Heavenly Father's love for him so powerfully. It was truly a wonderful experience that helped to strengthen my testimony in the power of the priesthood. 

Well this email is getting a bit on the long side so I'll end with my testimony that I know that this church is true and that serving a mission is exactly what Heavenly Father wants me to be doing with my life right now. I know that He loves each and every one of us more than we can possibly comprehend and that blessing come to those who follow his counsel. 

I love all of you so very much and hope you all have a wonderful week! (pictures forthcoming)

With love,

Elder Williams