Eleventh Week: Last Week at the MTC

The MTC is a great place. The experiences we have here are amazing. I have learned a lot. There is a power here. In the MTC I don't feel like I'm a sub-missionary, but that infact I am a missionary.

I got a new Chinese name and I love it. HUANG LING KAI
HUANG - my last name
LING - Spirit, clever, sharp, effectual
KAI - Triumphant strains, triumphant

We are it - We are THE force for good in this world. Missionaries have the authority to put people on the path home to their Father in Heaven.

I want you to know that the atonement is real. Faith has real power. Our covenants have real power.

I read this great talk by Elder Holland called "The best is yet to be". It was awesome.

With love,

Tenth Week: A Tender Mercy

The best part of this week was at our Teaching Center. We had these two awesome returned missionaries that we taught. The Spirit was there. After we taught we had a discussion about having faith to do hard things and relying on the Lord's promised blessings. As I pondered, the Spirit came into my heart and in my mind that made me know that the Lord had accepted my efforts here at the MTC. What a tender mercy. I think that is what we all are striving for in this life, to know that our attempts - poor, human attempts - to be the best we can be - are recognized by a divine Heavenly Father.

I am excited to go to Taiwan and give it my all. I feel like I have been given insight into who I am and what is expected of me.

Ninth Week: MTC Experiences

I'm not sure if you remember, but one time we taught a lesson to another Elder who was playing his friend. His friend's father wasn't a member and was having issues with the legitimacy of his citizenship. My companion and I had somehow felt that the lesson we had and our prayers for him actually helped. Anyway, this man got baptized and now the whole family are members. A cool little closure to this story.

My companion and I had a late night talk with an elder who was having a hard time. We gave him a blessing.

My teacher invited me to teach tithing to the whole class...In Chinese!!! It went alright, it was a good experience for me.

We also had a good experience in district meeting. We shared stories and scriptures about the Book of Mormon and its effect in our lives. The spirit WAS there!

I read a talk from Elder Uchtdorf, near the end he talks about having a Celestial Pedegree... He also talks about having an effect on those around us and the nation in which we reside. It gave me hope for my future experience in Taiwan.

Random Information:

Our district has 8 missionaries (2 of which are sisters)
There are 2 districts going to the Taiwan TaiChung mission
I am in the choir.
I lost about 5 pounds when I first got here - we were doing rigerous exercises
Now we are playing volley ball
My favorite thing is when your testimony is confirmed through a sacred special experience - or - when you feel that God accepts the work that you have done so far and He consecrates it for your good.

Eighth Week: New Year's Resolutions

This week I had the opportunity to give a blessing to a sister in our district, it was a special experience. She followed the instruction in the blessing to get some sleep and woke up feeling fine.

New Year's Resolutions:

Get to bed by 10:30 p.m. every day
Get up by 6:30 a.m. every morning
Learn Mandarin
Live in another country for 2 years
Wear a nametag everywhere I go
Wear a suit every day
Spend time studying the scriptures every day
Try new foods
Share my testimony with everyone I meet
Shave daily
Teach a nation

I hope you liked those.

p.s. The chruch is true!
With love, Elder Spencer Harris

Seventh Week: Learning form the Apostles

This week we had Elder Anderson and Elder Perry of the Twelve come to speak to us. It was AWESOME! Elder Perry is like your next door neighbor, and his family is just like ours. After he spoke, he came down and shook hands. I was like 3 feet away from him. I also almost bumped into him in the cafeteria. I didn't even notice he was there until I almost ran into him--I bumped into his body guard though.

This affected me in a big way. All the apostles are so different. Elder Holland is so on fire and Elder Perry is so patient and longsuffering. I learned that becoming perfect doesn't mean we all become the same. Our personalities are unique, Heavenly Father gave each of us the talents and traits needed to fulfill his purposes/our missions in this life. If we give up that to become something we're not, then we've lost the point. Heavenly Father needs you and he needs me. We've been sent down to this earth to fulfill a mission consistant with our eternal nature and personality. Elder Anderson told us that our premortal existance had arrange events while in this life. Heavenly Father needs the best me to fulfill my purpose and no the best someone else. I think that's why it's important no to compare ourselves with others. Either we will become content at feeling like we are better; or will try to hard to be someone else; or don't try at all because we figure we can't do it. I think comparison is something I'm struggling with right now.

Sixth Week: Sharing the Gospel

Once a week missionaries call on referrals. We chat with people online about the church. We also call to confirm people's orders for a Bible or Book of Mormon, etc. On my second call the lady who answered was so nice! She was actually the daughter of the person I was calling, but she was willing to talk to me so I took the change. I didn't know how to create a gospel discussion out of this, so I just asked her if she knew much about our church and if I could tell her more. I told her about Joseph Smith and the first vision. I asked her if she thought an instance like the first vision was possible, and she said yes. I told her how I had come to know that the church was ture. I told her about my mission call and she was excited to talk to me about that. I offered to send the missionaries to her house and she said that it would be fine. Her mother had just had a heart attack, and I told her that I would pray for her mom. I know that God led me to her at a time when she was ready to hear the gospel. I'm going to try and find the bishop of her ward, call him, and let him know about her just incase the missionaries can't find her.

I feel healthy. I feel more like me than I've ever felt like me in my whole life. Even though my day is planned for me, I've never felt more like an agent unto myself. I feel like I don't have to pretent to be anyone. I'm loving the mission!

Fifth Week: MTC Mission Conference

The MTC is awesome. For our Sunday devotional we watched the 1st Presidency's Christmas Message. I really liked when President Monson said that the Spirit we feel during Christmas is the Spirit of Christ. I want that feeling all the time.

I guess each Fast Sunday the MTC has a Mission Conference. Wow! Powerful Stuff. Sister Clegg gave a talk about Mary (mother of Jesus) and it was awesome! The BYU Men's Chorus gave us a Christmas performance and it was great! Sunday's are amazing here!

Thank you so much for making me work the past few summers - and throughout my life. I know that the time I've spent working has blessed me in so many ways in addition to earning money.

Elder Costa of the 70s talked to us last Tuesday. He has a fire of a testimony! I learned that people who I come in contact with in Taiwan may not accept what I have to say and may not understand what I have to say because they are not ready. But everyone I talk to can know for certain that I know the Church is True! Like Elder Holland said (quoting someone else) "We could warm our hand by the fire of his faith." said by a boy in a rowdy Sunday School class talking about his teacher.

One of the cool things about the gospel is we don't have to be apologetic. We can invite, or even tell someone to repent and be on the Lord's errand - if His Spirit so directs. We can ask people to do hard things - like overcome addiction - and promise them bold blessings. We can put faith in gospel principles and know the end result.

Thank you for your prayers. Love you lots.

Fourth Week: Snow!

Probably the most interesting part (of this week) was the snow and I'm sure you know about that already. It's funny though because my companion is from Sacramento, and I guess it never snows there. He, unknowingly, tells me all the interesting little things he learns about the snow--stuff I never really thought of--It's fun.

I got sick this week and I thought I was going to die. About wednesday I got a really bad sore throat and by friday it was REALLY bad and I started getting a fever and feeling really tired. So we went to the health center and they had just closed. The Elders from my district gave me a blessing. I'm feeling much better now.

Hai you shenme?... (one more thing)

Our companionship had two very awesome teaching experiences again. I feel very blessed. In one of them the missionary we were teaching played the part of a friend he had who was going through some struggles. We talked about how the Atonement could help him and we read Alma 7:11-12 (i'm pretty sure that's what we read.) anyway it talks about how the Savior took upon himself the pains, sins, and afflictions of the world so he could know how to succor us. Then as my companion and I testified and told our investigator of our love, the spirit was SO strong! For the closing prayer, the missionary gave a real prayer for his friend. Every one was crying.

Something I remember from President Eyring's last conference talk is that he said, "Love of God enables us to obey his commandments, love for others increases our capacity to obey." Think of how much love Jesus Christ has for us in order to to obey God's commandment to atone for the sins of the world! I think it was his love for each of us that allowed his mortal body to withstand the pains of the Atonement.

I know this church is God's true Church, and this gospel is the source of true joy.

with love,
elder harris

Third Week: Gratitude

Ni Hao, (Hello)

The Lord is merciful (Ci Bei de). I'm glad that I can be here at the MTC doing what I'm supposed to be doing. My reason for being here keeps growing and expanding! Right now, I yearn to let people know that Christ's Atonement can heal them. This past week I've seen missionaries (including myself) change their minds and their hearts. I've seen and took part in giving a blessing to a sick Elder who was blessed to have his illness quickly pass and that he would endure cheerfully - both of which he did. Each day the Lord molds me a little bit closer to the missionary he wants me to be. The Atonement can heal us! The Lord's tender mercies are around me every day! I have a great companion! We have been able to teach with the spirit! I get to listen to two General Authorities this week (Tuesday's Devotional and a special Thanksgiving Fireside). I feel the spirit each day! I get to wear Jesus Christ's name (in a language that will allow me to share the restored gospel with 1/4th of this world) right next to my name! I have a family who loves and writes me. Oh how much this church is true. Wo ai Ye Su Ji Du fu xing de fu yin. (I love the gospel of Jesus Christ)

Elder Spencer Harris

Second Week: Teaching Experience

You know you're a missionary when...
...you have 5 minutes and you feel like you are wasting time.
...you can feel Gods love for someone you are teaching.
...30 seconds late to personal study time is need enough to repent.
...you know what 'quiet dignity' means.
...you reference the Missionary Hand Book.
...you try to "convert" someone in your district to rasberry lemonade.
...mail is a BIG deal!
...things like PS, CS, WHB, 3CB, TA, TE, 1M, and PMG have real meaning.

Anyway, my companion, Elder Summerhays, and I had a special experience this past Saturday at our Teaching Appointment (TA). We had to contact some people in a room, then prepare and teach them a lesson. Nothing could have prepared me for the experience we had. Our goals going into the lesson were to 1. teach to needs, 2. teach for understanding, and 3. teach like we would have a gospel discussion like a friend. Also, in preparation, we talked about certain doctrines of lesson 1 so we could teach with unity. Up to that point we had had a not-so-good and semi-good teaching experience at the Teaching Evaluation Center (TE).

As we taught, we stuck to our goals. I felt the spirit, especially when I recited Jospeh Smith's First Vision. When an important question was asked, my companion gave the same answer I was going to give!

Afterward, we went to evaluate how it went. Brother Hodges told us that our lesson was one of the best lessons he has ever seen, if not the best! He's been here for 3 Years!! He said that one of the investigators (a girl named Cassi from China) was so effected by it that she asked Sister Tanner to go get our teaher so she could tell him that it was the most she has felt the spirit with the missionaries and that even though we had only met her, she felt like she could talk to us like we were her friends.

Little did we know, she was a real investigator! She has a baptismal date, and she had been meeting with Provo Mission Missionaries. I'm sure she has helped out at the MTC before too. It was truly a humbling experience to hear this! I'm so greatful for the tender mercies of the Lord!

Love you all!
Elder Spencer Harris

First Week

Hello Everyone,
wo shi chuanjaioshi (I am a missionary)

Someone told me that the first few days of the MTC are like trying to drink out of a firehose--overload, and that's exactly what it is. Language, teaching, schedules, plans, etc. I kept worring I was forgeting something or in the wrong place. We didn't have any classes on Sunday. It was nice to finally take a breath and soak everything in.

The spirit is so strong here! Many times daily I feel that burning in my heart that I previously would feel about once a week at a fireside or at church. That burning mostly comes when we talk about people who are serching for the truth. I know there are people out there who are willing to change their lives when they hear the truth; they just know not where to find it. I hope I can take every opportunity to share the gospel.

My mom said she wanted specifics so here is my try: We have a blue card that is our lives--really. We use it to eat, get into our dorm, log onto the computer, buy stuff, wash our laundry, etc.

My companion is Elder Summerhays from Sacramento. He's awesome! We have the same strong desire to share the gospel, and HE LOVES TO SING TOO! He is a music major though he's only gone to college for a bit. We are the only two Elders in room 211. It's nice and not nice. No one else to talk to, but twice the closet/desk space.

Our Zone leaders are awesome. Oh and my companion is District leader.

Wow...30 min sure goes by quick! Um I love you. Next week i'll tell more. Thank you for the letters. DearElder.com is a great way to send letters.

bye. loves
elder harris
Huang2 is my xing. (xing means name)

MTC Address

Elder Spencer Brian Harris
MTC Mailbox #130
TAIW-TCG 0128
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

The Mission Begins

FAREWELL:
Thank you to all who came and supported Spencer last Sunday! We enjoyed having you there to share that wonderful day with us. We realize many of you came long distances....St. George, Cedar City, Ephriam, Logan, Nibley, Farmington, Bountiful, Riverton, etc. ....and had to wake up early to travel and make to our church by 9 am. Thank you! We feel blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who have been such a great influence on Spencer throughout the years. You are truly great.

ENTERING THE MTC:
We dropped Spencer off at the MTC at 1:00 p.m. on Wed. Nov. 11, 2009. He left with a big smile on his face; so excited to begin his mission. We are grateful for his enthusiasm to serve the Lord, but we also feel some emptyness in our home and in our hearts knowing we won't see him for two years.

We look forward to hearing from him regarding his first week in the MTC.