Week 5 - Singing for the Apostles

This week has probably been among the most spiritual weeks of my entire life.

The big highlight for this week was easily singing in the choir for the Mission President's Seminar, which had all of the new mission presidents, tons of members of the Quorum of the 70, and 14 of the Apostles, except for President Monson. We got to sing 6 songs over the course of 4 days for them. When we walked in for the first time, the Spirit hit us like a wall. It was so unbelievably strong as we bore our testimonies to them through song. We stood about 6 feet in front of the Apostles. I was right in front of Elder Bednar, President Uchtdorf, Elder Oaks, Elder Holland, and President Eyring. Although it wasn't my favorite song that we sang, singing Praise to the Man in the presence of Apostles and other leaders on the 173rd anniversary of Joseph Smith's martyrdom was nothing short of a once in a lifetime experience. My own testimony and love for the Prophet Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ has grown so much this week. I was the first person to walk in the room and the last person to leave when we sang, so I looked around quite a bit. After Praise to the Man, I looked back at Elder Holland sobbing because of the power of the Spirit and watched Elder Nelson hold his hand and comfort him. It was a sight of such a strong love and bond that I will never forget. 

Photo of the seminar - from lds.org

Update on the open house video: I haven't personally seen it yet, but I've heard from people who have seen it that I'm on it a bunch! Check it out at the open house at the end of July! It's going to be a really great event.

We had the opportunity to hear from Elder Bednar and his wife yesterday at our devotional. He talked about the Word of God, and how to plant that seed in our own hearts. It was such an amazing experience. 10 of the Apostles were on the stand with him. When they walked in the room, everyone went absolutely silent! You could've heard a pin drop. Super spiritual and definitely super awesome.

My companion was getting a new Mission President this week so he was part of the Seminar this week. I got the chance to meet and talk with him a little bit, and it was super awesome. 4 missionaries in my district were getting him as their new president so he met with all of them and got to know them. His wife is from Ukraine!! When I found that out I immediately told her I was serving in L'viv. She LOST it. She went on and on about how L'viv is her favorite place in Ukraine, and how she begged her husband to go there one last time before they became Mission Presidents. She claims it is the soul of Ukraine and told me 100 reasons why I should be excited. She started speaking Ukrainian to me and then I lost it too!!! For the past 5 weeks the only Ukrainian that I have ever heard has been inside the walls of my classroom. It was such a huge relief and so exciting to hear that real people actually speak this real language!! Everyone in the room said they have never seen me light up more than when she said Ukrainian was their second language. Kinda ironic that I was probably the most excited to talk to them and they weren't even MY Mission Leaders!  (For you that know Elder Mackay Oakey, this is his new Mission President!)

Me and the new President of the Baltic Mission, President Pokhilko

Part of the Seminar included Mission Presidents practicing teaching us throughout this week. We had the opportunity to be visited by President and Sister Savage, who will be the new Colorado Springs Mission Leaders. I have to admit that I was not excited to devote 2 hours of personal study to random mission presidents. But as they began to teach us and meet with us for a couple days, the love that we felt from them was absolutely amazing. They taught and testified with such a strong spirit and I will honestly never forget it. They taught about Christ a lot. One amazing thing that really puts into perspective who Christ is and was, and who we are is something President Savage said: "Christ lived for about 33 years during his mortal life. That is roughly 12,000 days. For these 12,000 days, he lived an absolutely perfect life, with no need of repentance. There was nothing wrong that He did, nothing else that He could've done more perfectly for 12,000 days straight. Have we even had ONE perfect day?" Wow. That hit me like a truck when he said that. No one needs repentance more than we do. Every day there is something we can fix, something we can do better. Repentance is a part of our everyday life and it is truly one of the greatest blessings from our Heavenly Father.

Last but not least, my little sister Sophie turned 11 today!! Crazy how someone so much shorter and younger than me can be someone I actually look up to. Happy Birthday Soph. Love ya tons!

Next Monday, the oldest missionaries in our zone will be leaving and serving in their respected missions, which means my district and I will be the oldest ones in our zone now. Time flies by here in the MTC. In less than a month I'll finally be in Ukraine doing what I love most.

Have a good week!

я люблу вас!

Старійшина Стотт

Some of the flags surrounding the MTC - That's mine straight ahead