Family and Friends,

I hope all is well there. I am doing fine. The MTC is pretty cool. There is always plenty of food and always lots to do.

I am slowly catching on to Spanish. The spirit here is great! One of the best times of the week is Tuesday when we get to have a General Authority come and talk to us. When a General Authority comes, all (about 2000) missionaries gather in the Gym. This large group of Missionaries can really invite the spirit when we sing hymns. The testimonies of the General Authorities and their wives are awesome. I can really tell and feel that they really know that the Church is God’s Church. They don’t doubt a bit that Joseph Smith was a prophet or Christ is our Savior.

The presence of the Holy Spirit is so comforting, it brings so much joy and peace. It is the only reason that us missionaries can study different languages without crashing under the stress.

One thing I suggest to anyone thinking of serving God as a missionary would be “study the Gospel well”. Know it. Study out of Preach my Gospel. But not only that, practice teaching it. Practice in Family Home Evening. You may think you know the gospel, and you probably do, but try teaching it to someone who doesn’t know it. It is a little challenging at first. I promise if you study and practice teaching the gospel, you will benefit one way or another. One way you can benefit is that your understanding will get better. Another, is you will get better teaching. Which will help you share it with others.

The one thing I can promise if you study and practice teaching with the right attitude is you will feel the holy spirit tell you it is true. You can feel the spirit whisper to you it is true.

I can feel the spirit so often here. It helps me so much. It comforts me incredibly. I know the holy ghost has been testifying to me that Joseph was a prophet, Jesus is the Savior. He loves us, he atoned for us, and we are, in reality, amid the progress of God’s plan of happiness.

I am so happy that I have the opportunity to serve God and take the truth to some of His children.

There is something the missionary dept has found. That is that the missionaries have more success and converts have stronger faith if members help the missionaries. Members can help testify of truth. As people testify, the Holy Ghost testifies as well. Members can fellowship investigators. When investigators feel welcome it is easier to get them to come to church.

Thank you everyone who has helped me get to where I am so I can help others in this vital work.

I hope we will all remember the greatness of our blessing-to know the Gospel.

Mark Runolfson 5/27/08