Elder Jepsen - My Experience at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah

The Missionary Training Center (MTC) is an amazing experience. Already the day after our arrival Elder Jeffrey R Holland came and spoke to us with such spiritual power, that I could only fail in trying to describe it and that was just the beginning. Everyone that spoke to us there had something of value and the whole experience was a tour-de-force of spiritual input. The MTC experience is like the most spiritual and powerful General Conference ever.

All the foreign missionaries (and I am one of them) were allowed on a field trip to visit Temple Square in Salt Lake City and go through an endowment session in the SLC Temple. We toured the temple grounds, the Family History Center, the Conference Center, the Salt Lake Tabernacle with that awesome old organ that has a total of 11,700 pipes. We also visited Welfare Square, where the church organizes emergency and disaster relief efforts for those in need all over the world. 

Being here is quite the contrast when coming from Canada or Denmark, where my Mom had to travel to Calgary, Alberta from Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada and my Dad had to travel to Switzerland from Denmark and to attend the temple when they were my age. Although the travel times improved dramatically when the temples in Stockholm and Seattle were built, the new temples in Copenhagen and Vancouver, BC really suggests the exiting growth that has been happening worldwide since then. But, here in Utah Valley things are a little different. Going the short distance from Provo to Salt Lake City, I passed three and saw a total of five temples on a stretch of approximately fifty miles.

Being a missionary is quite the amazing experience. I love it and I am grateful to you for giving me the chance to grow up in the church and to learn what essentially has allowed me here on this experience and at this point in life. Thank you.

I would like to write more but I 'm running out of time.

Love,

Elder Jepsen

Provo and Orem have the Biggest Percentage of Optimistic Americans

According to the Reuters News Agency a recent Gallup poll, hope and optimism can still/again be found among Americans. While it's not immediately clear why some areas hold more hope than others, the sum of the data still concludes: "Together, the data suggest there is likely a combination of factors that can create optimism about a community." 


Topping the list of American optimism is the Provo-Orem area in Utah where 76% of the population agree that "Their area is becoming a better place to live." In 2010 Orem, Utah was named 5th and Provo, Utah was among the top 10 cities in which to raise a family by Forbes magazine. 


Provo, Utah is home to the Brigham Young University (BYU), one of four universities/colleges run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). BYU is the largest religious university, the third largest private university in the United States and offers programs in liberal arts, engineering, agriculture, management and law. 


"Education is the power to think clearly,
the power to act well in the world's work,
and the power to appreciate life."
-- Brigham Young


According to Fall, 2011 statistics, the average BYU student GPA was 3.82 but not only good grades make the average BYU student stand out. All students are required to adhere to a Code of Honor of academic honesty, dress and grooming standards, abstinence from drugs, alcohol and extramarital sex. This is not an optimistic honor code but it does serve to build a foundation for both hope and optimism.


Provo also houses an LDS Missionary Training Center (MTC), where each week approximately 475 missionaries enter to begin 3-12 weeks training, preparing to serve in one of the 345 missions around the world, taking their message of hope with them wherever they go. Every day of every week, 52,000 missionaries are sharing that same message of hope, first given by our Savior Jesus Christ. Many of these missionaries learn a foreign language while attending the MTC in preparation to serve a multitude of nationalities. The Provo MTC is one of 17 such centers around the world, teaching missionaries how to best share their message of faith and hope to all who will listen. Perhaps it's mostly a matter of choice if you wish to share in that same hope and optimism?


The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints currently has 136 temples around the world, one of them in Provo, Utah. While the Provo temple is not the biggest of LDS temples, it is the busiest of all the LDS temples. More people go through the Provo temple than any other LDS temple in the world. On October 1, 2011 President Thomas S Monson announced that a second LDS temple in Provo would be built, restoring what was once known as the Provo Tabernacle. 


The many sources for the optimism found in the Provo-Orem area are far from exclusive but based on principles that can be replicated anywhere in the world. The Gallup poll states that "What works in some of the best performing cities could provide an example for other regions to follow." Most important, optimism is an attitude found in people not things and people travel, giving hope that the optimism found in Provo-Orem might one day come our way. The missionaries taught and trained in Provo, Utah also travel and when you meet some in your neighborhood you must remember that somewhere in their message is a source of hope and optimism.


Bibliography:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/13/us-usa-optimism-idUSBRE82C0ST20120313
http://www.lds.org/?lang=eng
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/statistics/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provo,_Utah
http://home.byu.edu/home/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionary_Training_Center
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigham_Young_University

Elder Jepsen - At the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah

From the left at the Copenhagen International Airport: Returned Missionary and oldest brother Paul, Elder Jepsen, Returned Missionary (Paul's wife) and now Elder Jepsen's sister, Brittany. 

It's only a few weeks ago that my US visa was approved and I left from the Copenhagen Airport for the Missionary Training Center (MTC). Although I officially already was a missionary and my journey from Copenhagen to Provo, Utah basically was a really long transfer, I still had the benefit of a send-off with good friends and family at the airport. My good brother Paul and his wonderful wife Brittany who I call my sister, not "Sister-in-law" as it somehow seems to me like less than a sister. Brittany treats me like a brother and I am blessed to have her as a sister. 


Paul and Brittany unselfishly gave me a place to stay for a portion of the time, when I had to work in Copenhagen to save up for my mission. After being called and set apart as a missionary but still waiting for my US visa to be completed, I managed to serve as a missionary in that same area where Paul and Brittany live and once again be in the same congregation that I had attended while staying with them. I count that little experience as a bonus blessing on top of all the other blessing I have already experienced on  my mission.


Arriving safely at the MTC and trying to learn as much as possible in as short a time as possible has made for some very hectic few weeks but paying attention now can seriously help me later. The MTC is an amazing and effectively run place, each Wednesday several hundred missionaries arrive and they're leaving just as fast, off to their missions. It all happens faster than one could imagine but never at a rate as to diminish the experience. I love it here but soon I must go on to what I have really been preparing for all along, the  mission I was called to do!


A mission only lasts a mere two years and it's my best chance for showing the Lord my appreciation for the many blessings He's allowed me through the gospel. By sharing the message of hope that has helped me in so many areas of life already, I'm taking my own understanding of that same gospel to a whole new level and while the primary focus of a mission is to serve God and our fellow beings, I continually seem to benefit more than anybody.


President Gordon B Hinckley stated that: 
"If you serve a mission faithfully and well, you will be a better husband, you will be a better father, you will be a better student, a better worker in your chosen vocation. Love is of the essence of this missionary work. Selflessness is of its very nature. Self-discipline is its requirement. Prayer opens its reservoir of power. 


It's overwhelming how my own efforts in serving the Lord has an effect similar to that of a boomerang but in a multiplied force. I get back more than I give but this is not to suggest that missionary work is effortless, that it's not hard work and that I don't get tired. To serve a mission  according to your own conscience is without a doubt hard work but well worth it.


Elder Russell M. Nelson said, referring to the Doctrine & Covenants, 63:33 :
"As the work expands at a rate that many have described as "unbelievable," we should recall a remarkable admonition given by the Lord through the Prophet Joseph Smith on 11 September 1831 to the elders of the Church assembled at the Morley Farm near Kirtland, Ohio. There the Master simply said: "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great." 


Because of my US visa delays I am already a few months into my mission, yet it's only just beginning as I'll soon be to heading for Washington.


Love you all,


Elder Jepsen

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 54 - Easter Message

The weather is changing and we're back on our bikes again, it's wonderful and I have missed it! I can finally start burning some of all my winter fat. Woohoo!

Wow! Those pictures of Paul and Brittany are amazing! They look very happy together, and very together!

Eric met Elder Dane Christensen? Awesome! He had just barely started his mission in Denmark as I was leaving for the MTC... Wow...

What an odd sequence my mission turned out to be so far. Not that I mind, like Dad I like the road less traveled. Dad never was a flock animal either (you know, like sheep) more like the lone wolf, the leader of the pack that you gladly follow, but don't want to cross. But, thankfully my mission has been nothing ordinary: First I am called to serve in one mission, then due to changing visa-laws I begin serving my mission in my home country to not delay everything. I even get to serve in my old home congregation for a little while. After being on a mission for some time, I get my visa and can travel to the MTC (Mission Training Center). I get my training to learn what I have been doing, not that I didn't have LOTS to learn (the MTC was a great experience and I enjoyed learning more of what I was to do). Then, well into the timeline of my mission I get to go to the mission where I was originally called to serve, only to leave the country again to serve in the one corner of the mission that overlaps yet another country entirely, namely Canada where I was born. It's been a long trip to get here, but I am finally in the heart of the mission I were was first called to serve and I love it here too. My mission sure is a mission to write home about, in every way there is and I am grateful to be here!

When my current companion Elder Noffsinger and I talk about my past areas, we don't refer to a specific area but which country I was in at the time... it's pretty funny that it took me a whole year to finally get to the States.

I love that the Lord has a great sense of humor, and also the fact that he knows me perfectly enough to know what I need to experience on my mission. Here's just one example:
The Bishop in our ward has stressed ever since we began the program called "Mobilizing the Ward Mission" that we start with a hymn in the beginning of every single missionary lesson. It was NOT my idea, you know me! I was terrified of singing before and it took a lot of guts to do any public singing. I will NEVER forget my EPIC FAILURE of singing in front of 500+ people, but I really wanted to challenge myself.

When I heard that we had to start singing, my stomach just went into a knot... this was going to be TOUGH. I realized that if I had to do this I couldn't do it alone. I knelt down and just admitted to God that I was terrified (as if He didn't know, I'd bet He was expecting my call for help). I pleaded with the Lord that this needed to be a little bit more successful than last time I sang for others to hear.

At our first appointment after receiving our new directions to use song, we began with a hymn and you could immediately feel the difference. The singing was not fabulous and it was not the kind of miracle where we suddenly sang as if we had fifty years of professional singing behind us, but we followed the directions of our priesthood leaders and offered the Lord our compliance and obedience. Our offering was accepted and the response was immediate as the Holy Ghost made it's presence known. The Spirit was present and strong, and the awesome thing was that I had no problem with my expected fear and inadequacy. I just sang, and keyed in just great with Elder Noffsinger and since then we've just been singing everywhere we go. We even sang on the street once and now we have a baptism coming up because of it in three weeks from now. Words really can't explain how this feels!

Easter is here and it's a time where people are reminded of our Saviour. We are just running into people left and right these days, wanting us to teach them. We meet people on the street, who are truly searching for truth in their lives. It's amazing and I love it!

We're trying to get as many people to the upcoming General Conference as we can, because I know that can be a powerful experience. I can't wait, it's going to be amazing! If you humble yourself before God and open your heart, General Conference is a spiritual feast and always serves to confirm and remind me that our priesthood leaders are men of God. I am so grateful that Jesus Christ Himself truly is the one leading this Church, as He has said: "This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people." (Mosiah 27:13).

Oh hint, hint! For a birthday gift... mormon.dk has a whole bunch of free download mp3 downloads with church music and stuff.... Please?

Love you all!
Elder Lee Jepsen

PS: Eric, give the Boulder a wrestle from me, please :) I miss you kiddo, STUDY "PMG" NOW, NOT LATER--NOW! To wield the force wisely, you must first know what it is! AHA!

Elder Jepsen - MTC group, all with their new trainers

President and Sister Howell with new group of missionaries, fresh from the MTC with their newly assigned trainers.

Elder Jepsen is number three from the right in the second row.

If you click on the picture, it will show in greater detail.

This is one of three pictures sent to us from the mission office with a nice letter from President Howell.

Elder Jepsen - Fresh From the MTC

President and Sister Howell with the group of missionaries arriving from the MTC at the same as Elder Jepsen.

These missionaries all trained together at the MTC while preparing for their missions in the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission. Elder Jepsen is standing to the far left in the second row.

The next group from the MTC will only be six missionaries.

If you click on the picture it will show in greater detail.

This is one of three pictures sent to us from the mission office with a nice letter from President Howell.

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 022 - Soon, I'll be OFF TO MINNESOTA!

The MTC is a spiritual feast beyond the mere inadequacy of words, but words are my only tools available for sharing this, so I have to try: I've had the privilege of being district leader for a wonderful district these last two weeks. Conducting interviews with my whole district every week is a new experience which can be awkward at times, but extremely giving. I'm surprised how much I've learned in my short time here and how much it has taught me about myself. Besides the obvious in preparing for a mission that I am already in the middle of, it's as if everything I am doing here will forever change my priorities and views on life. I'm so much looking forward to use the new me and what I have learned for my mission, although I strongly suspect the impact of this to carry far beyond the bit of time that a mission really is. I really feel like my life has taken a more permanent turn for the better over these last few weeks.

Since my last e-mail to you I have had a pretty intense week. No time is wasted here at the MTC and there is not a moment in the day that has not been planned for. All missionaries here are completely accounted for at all times of the day. Except for the Temple Square (Salt Lake City) excursion, we only leave this place to go to the Provo Temple. It may sound restrictive to some, but being here has been a one the best and most teaching experiences in my life so far, and as long as they have something planned for me here I have no inclinations to be anywhere else than here. Life here is so uncomplicated and so very simple, you wake up, follow the schedule, eat, and go to bed again. This allows the freedom to totally focus on the task at hand and I've never done or learned so much in a day as I have here. I love it.

But, as much as the experience here is incomparable, I know it can't go on forever. I like it here but I am looking forward to what comes next. I have a mission waiting and in view of all the obstacles with the new visa rules it was almost looking as if it would never happen, but it is happening: I'm out of here next Wednesday and off to Minnesota and I have so been looking forward to that part. I was supposed to be arriving in Minnesota only five whole months ago (that's like being told on the morning of December 24th that a new rule has postponed Christmas). I almost can't wait to see what new exciting adventures await me ahead. I've heard that there is twenty-eight missionaries going to Minnesota at the same time as me, not at all like my first mission travels where I stuck out like a sore thumb. For this first time in my mission I don't stick out and I can blend in, although probably not for long though. I have noticed an uncanny ability og mine to stick out no matter how uniform a crowd I might try to hide in.

There is a flu going around in my district and I'm the latest victim. My voice has gone down two octaves and my nose is like a faucet that just can't be turned off all the way. To speed up my recovery I have asked sister Harris (branch presidency counselor's wife) to bring me some cayenne. That stuff works miracles every time!

Well, I wish I could just hug you all and you would know exactly how great an experience this really is. Words are such a poor substitute. I love you all! I hope that things are going OK at home! I miss you! (not enough to wish myself to anyplace other than here though). How are you all doing these days?

Loves!

Elder Jepsen

PS: To watch the videos you must install Flash Player in your browser (unless you already have it). A simple and easy process, it installs itself if you download it by clicking on the link below:

http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 021 - Unpacked and Ready to Learn

I was at Temple Square today! What an experience seeing the Church so... everywhere! We saw the new conference building, the Tabernacle, the Church History Museum, Joseph Smith Memorial building, the big church office building, the Lion's house, the Beehive House, the Visitor's Center and a nice replica of Bertel Thorvaldsens "Kristus"... (the original, together with Thorvaldsen's twelve apostles still remains in Copenhagen, Denmark). Our day was all very impressive and quite an enjoyable experience.

But, while playing the tourist what really tempted me, all I really wanted to do, was to get inside the doors of that beautiful temple. I'll be back. (Yes, the Schwarzenegger pun was intended, sorry--can't help it).

My companions are wonderful and they are a great additional blessing to my MTC experience. We have lots of fun and our compatability helps get things done.

I have been called to be a District Leader and I am looking forward to what I might learn from that experience, although I wasn't exactly looking for more responsibilities as becoming the kind of missionary that the Lord can and will use a pretty big responsibility in itself.

The Missionary Training Center (MTC) is like a little University Of Christ and I have learned so much already. The Spirit here is very strong, and it's clear to see how it influences all involved.

I am really trying to get as much out of this experience as I can and I've been busy filling in the gaps from my previous missionary service, trying to improve and become a better, more commited missionary before I leave. I don't want to waste any time becoming as effective as I can be, as I know that the Lord sends prepared people to prepared missionaries. I need to be more prepared.

When God reaches into his great toolbox I want to be one of the sharp and ready tools that he can use. Chipping away with a dull chisel accomplishes little more than tiring the handler and I wouldn't want to do that. Effort spent on keeping a chisel honed and sharp minimizes wasted time and need for repairs, placing the effort as a sharply defined edge exactly where needed and wanted, producing a good piece of work in the hands of a Master. Even the smallest miracles and marvels don't come about with dull tools.

Love y'all,

Elder Jepsen

Elder Jepsen - Mission Entry 020... finally, at the MTC

I'm finally at the MTC and oh, does it feel weird. While I still have a long way to go and lots to learn as I have only just arrived, I was surprised to discover how much I've already learned while serving in Denmark!

I have 2 way cool companions. Elder Taniuchi from Japan, who is going back to Japan for his mission (he plays the ukulele) and Elder Tuiasosopo from the Samoan Islands. The are both very special people and I admire their dedication. I am truly blessed being here, experiencing the spirit and the testimonies of the missionaries I serve with.

I hope you are doing well back home. I recieved a blessing from President Olausson before I left for the MTC. In it he mentioned my family and that they will be blessed and taken care of in my service. The Lord knows our struggle. Later during testimony meeting he made me a promise that with the authority and keys that he held as a mission president, the wishes I had for my family would be fulfilled. I would not need to be concerned, for they were taken care of and they were in loving caring hands. It truly makes me grateful to know that the Lord knows us, I love you all and I am so grateful that we have the priesthood.


Here is my mailing address for the next three weeks:

Elder Lee E. Jepsen
MTC
Information desk
2005 North 900 East
Provo Utah 84604-1793
USA

Following MTC my address will be:

Elder Lee E. Jepsen
Minnesota Minneapolis Mission
5931 West 96th Street
Bloomington MN. 55438-1715
USA

Take care!
Love y'all

Elder Jepsen

Elder Jepsen - Mission News - The Unexpected Phonecall

Editors Note: Computer problems unfortunately are preventing my usual efforts on the blog. I must complete this entry away from my computer and software. Consequently I am unable to modify any pictures for internet use.

Elder Jepsen's brother Paul was kind enough to take some pictures at the Copenhagen Airport and I am looking forward to share them with you all. As soon as I again can access my computer I will process the pictures of Elder Jepsen's departure from Copenhagen Airport to a sufficiently small format to suit normal internet use (people have to be able to download them in order to view them).

We did however get a phone call from our dear Elder as they at the MTC had asked him to call to notify his parents of his arrival. I have tried to the best of my ability to share that phone call with you. We should soon have regular e-mails and pictures again, I hope.

After crossing the Atlantic Elder Jepsen had three hours in Atlanta, Georgia where he was looking for something more substantial than the light lunch served in flight. Having spent his last cash on luggage fees it was time to pull out the plastic. The magnetic strip on his credit card was damaged and he was asking a stranger where there might be place that had a credit card chip reader. Noting the missionary attire and missionary badge the stranger mentioned that he to was a christian and that christians should help one another. Figuring that our Elder Jepsen was looking to buy food he offered to buy him lunch and helped him out of a tight spot. Landing an impromptu dinner appointment out of his area is not at all a bad start and a terrific opportunity to talk about missionary work and the church.

Elder Jepsen was soon on route again and off to Provo, Utah where he had already had breakfast when we spoke to him. There had been nothing else on the schedule yet except meeting all the other missionaries when we spoke to him. I am sure we will hear more exciting news later.

When he called, he was tired after nineteen hours of transit but Elder Jepsen is well and happy. He enjoys where he is and what he is a part of and that is really the most important news.