Mission Letter for the week of August 15
Dear Mom and Dad
I have had a really wonderful week this past week I had the great privilege of being able to pass the sacrament in the Salt Lake 2nd Branch last Sunday. One of the young elders told me that I did a very great job. I was quite a little bit confused as to where I was going. Even though I usually know where I go when I pass in our ward. Because I have done it without help before. but because this branch that I am in is a Missionary Branch and pretty larger the room compared to our Chapel I needed to have help but I did great. Just this last Sunday as we were entering the Joseph Smith Memorial Building a couple of hours before our meeting started. I almost ran into M Russell Ballard. It’s interesting I was walking into the JSMB I saw somebody open the door and waved and it pretty much to me looked like M Russell Ballard. I asked my companion if it was M Russell Ballard. He didn’t think it was. He thought originally that he was out of town. because he was in I believe it was in Illinois to dedicate a Cemetary I called the Smith Family Cemetary. So but we went to church early so we could go over where go for passing the sacrament. Each district in our mission takes turns. And last Sunday it was our turn to pass. and I had a great time.
You asked me what type of candy my companion likes. I asked him just now and he said that he likes Snickers. So I thought how about you feel my package with candy like Snickers Resses Peanut Butter Cups I do love Reeses and I would want Skittles and a whole bunch of chocolate bars included in my birthday package. So that is the type of candy that I want. Dad I forgot to ask you this question But last Sunday in church what were all the songs that you played for prelude and postlude? Did you do both of my Postlude songs for me like you always do? Will you also let me know What songs you played for prelude or Postlude in Stake Priesthood Meeting tomorrow what type of hymns you sang and who spoke etc. Now because you are playing in the priesthood meeting tomorrow I do have a question to ask you? If there is going to be an Opening Hymn is there also going to be an Intermediate or Closing Hymn for the meeting tomorrow let me know please?
This past week I pretty much did a whole lot better than I did last week and Dad to answer your question Yes the Salt Lake 2nd Branch does meet in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building every sunday beginning at 1pm. You also mentioned to me in your last email that there was a Bishopric change in Chippeham and that Bishop Witt was released. to me that seemed quite unexpected because Bishops usually serve for 5 years. and he hasn’t fully completed his 5 years as bishop yet. So why was he released as bishop even though he hasn’t yet gone up on 5 years?
I am not able to send any pictures to you this week of what has been going on in the mission but I am going to send to you a video. We had our Monday Morning Devotional this last Monday and the Elijah Choir sang Lead Kindly Light. My companion has a recording of that So I will attach it and forward that your email sometime next week when I write but we did do that. This past Wednesday we had our monthly Temple Trip all of our young elders went to the temple. I attended an Endowment Session and did some Initiatories. So far as I have gone to the temple. I haven’t brought any names yet. But my companion was the biggest supporter of this for me. And the way he did so was that he let me borrow some of his names to do temple work for. He has way more temple names than I do. That’s because he has been working so hard when we were at our Evening Zone. Our Evening Zone is the British Zone It is not in the Family History Center. But it is in the Family History Library. My companion mentioned to me last night That I was better yesterday than I was on Wednesday and the day before I have had a little bit of personal anger problems but I have been getting along with my companion just this last week.
It was a huge surprise when I left my wallet at the temple this last Thursday because when me and my companion went to see Elder Musgrave about what I did Wednesday. He had mentioned to me that he left my wallet at the temple. And I didn’t even realize it at the time but he told that he would get it the next day. I like Elder Musgrave not only he’s a very nice guy but also a very funny guy as well He said that I have had anything wrong he has something to whack me with if he does but he was just kidding. So the next day we went to Elder Musgrave’s apartment to get my wallet and Sister Musgrave found it and she told me that I have to keep track of it. I told how sorry how I was and how I didn’t realize that it was there. and she told me to keep it with me at all times and that it is very important that you do that partially because my recommend is in there and I definitely don’t want to run into any problems signing in when going to the temple because they definitely do want me to scan my recommend as I enter into the temple.
That basically is all I can say I am running out of time My companion and I are headed to our apartment. We are going to be having a couple of young elders over to have dinner with us and we need to be done in time for that. There is definitely alot more I can say but I can save it for next week. But anyway I love you all very much The work is going well here in Salt Lake City Utah. And I am thinking about you and what you all are doing each and every day. I appreciate everything you do for me. and I am continuing letters from you and from the ward each and every day.
Sincerely
Elder McIntosh