Well, let me tell you two things that are partly true about Louisiana:
Every other house is a church and every other house is the pastor.
The people who made the roads in Louisiana were drunk. None of them are straight.
I am in Amite, Louisiana! pronounced (ay-meet)
Jan 8th We woke up at 3 AM and then used 8 modes of transport to get to the hotel (9 if you count my feet). We took the bus to the train to the Trax to the big plane to the subway to the small plane to the van to the truck to the hotel.
Jan 9th My trainer is Elder Flynn Stubbs, he went to ASA! I also got a ton of food, I got jambalaya, King cake, and Raising Cane’s. I also gave my first Priesthood blessing.
Jambalaya with my trainer, Elder Stubbs
Jan 10th We did some service and had some technical problems.
Jan 11 We had some good talks and conversations.
Jan 12 I went to my Branch and 20 people came! We also knocked doors as well.
Well… I can’t think of a way to connect that subject line. Anyway…
Dec 31 There is a loose rabbit on campus I have not seen it, the only wildlife I saw was a cat. Elder Steven Shumway of the Seventy was our devotional speaker and he invited a previous missionary to speak. Gibson Porter has a rare form of cerebral palsy that makes it difficult to speak. So he programmed a really cool talk about how God turns our weaknesses into miracles.
Jan 1 New Years doesn’t exist in the MTC.
Jan 2 We went to the temple and I gained some insights on what it means to be a missionary.
Jan 3 I got my travel itinerary! I also went to some devotionals about preparing for the field.
Jan 4 I met a Sister Ward! I also found out that the other Elder Ward is from Rexburg.
Jan 5 Fast Sunday was slow but spiritual.
Jan 6 The last day of classes so we ate lunch and dinner with our teachers.
Jan 7 Everyone left this morning and you aren’t allowed to work out the day before you leave so me and Elder Larsen packed all day we have to wake up at 3 in the morning so we have set the most annoying alarms possible.
When most of you read this I’ll be in Louisiana with most likely a different P-day. I’ll share my P-day day in my next email.
I urge everyone to share your testimony it is powerful! It will change someone’s life. God has called each one of us to be here today at this time right now! You were put here for a purpose. Find it.
May your roads be clear, and rise up to meet your every step.
It’s great to read your emails. I can only reply on P-days (Tuesdays in the MTC). If you haven’t heard from me yet I’ve been notified that there is some trouble with my email so if I haven’t replied to your email I didn’t get your email for some reason, so please send it again.
Elder Rasband came to the MTC for Christmas and he testified that some of his favorite things are rejoicing and remembering. I got to fist bump him in the cafeteria.
I fist bumped this dude
Christmas was really fun and we all had a great time opening presents and doing a scavenger hunt where Elder Behrens and Elder Helm had the funniest faces in the district.
On the 26th we went to the temple and did baptisms and initiatories, afterwards I found someone who felt the spirit in the same exact way!
Elder Behrens has had some leadership meetings so me, Elder Larsen, and Elder Swanson were a trio for the beginning of the day on the 27th and 28th.
On Sunday we had some good lessons and my testimony has grown from just listening my district teach.
On Monday we found the BYU Creamery on campus and got evacuated from our building when the fire alarm went off. The reason the alarm went off was due to some elders who burnt their popcorn and opened it right next to a smoke detector.
May the light of Christ be in your heart Elder Ward
This week was packed full of classes devotionals! First off, Chocolate Milk. Really good, and I mean really good. I drink at least two cups of it every meal. Thirdly, companion. Elder Larsen is a cool dude and is a blast to have as a companion. Fourthly, I met Elder Ward! But enough of me jumping around the week.
Chocky milk
Wednesday Dec. 18th, the final farewell. I woke up ready to go to the MTC then realized I had to wait for 6 more hours. When we got to the MTC the goodbye was quick a hug with everyone that came and then off I went. I got settled in my dorm then went to a welcome
my clean dorm room
Dec. 19th Thursday, first day of school My first day of actual classes. I met my district and teachers. In my district we have: Elder Larsen and Elder Ward Elder Behrens (pronounced Barins) and Elder Swanson Elder Helm and Elder Mckenzie Elder Layton and Elder Shaw Sis. Davenport, Sis. Boehm (pronounced Bame), and Sis. Jackson They are all amazing and funny people.
District photo at lunch
Dec. 20th Friday, organization Our branch got organized and Elder Behrens is the District Leader and Elder Larsen is my senior companion. We also went to the gym and played volleyball
Dec. 21st Saturday, I invite you (Happy Birthday Ivy!) We learned how to invite people to learn the gospel and then I didn’t do it very well in my practice appointment.
Moses parting the Red Sea mural in the MTC
Dec. 22nd Sunday, feed my sheep Had a cool devotional and if you have time read or listen to “The First Great Commandment” by Q. L. Cook Oct 2012.
Dec. 23rd Monday Met another Elder Ward walking to class, will update you when I meet him again.
I will also leave you with a quote from Sis. Davenport
Sister Davenport’s Book of Mormon
That night in Gethsemane, Jesus became you.
He became me too. He became every single one of us. He experienced every single terrible moment of our lives.
That night, He went through the agony of Chemotherapy. That night, He was a victim of assault. That night, He didn’t know how he was going to feed His family. That night, He battled depression and anxiety. That night, He lost a child. That night, He felt lost and alone.
That night, He felt hopeless. He felt terrified. He felt abandoned by His friends, and abandoned by His God. Whatever you have felt, He felt it too. He felt all the pain and anger and sadness and loneliness that you have ever felt. He knows everything you’ve done, and everything anyone has done to you. He knows you perfectly.
And He still loves you.
In fact, He loves you not in spite of knowing you perfectly, but BECAUSE He knows you perfectly. He loves you more than you can imagine. Even when you don’t love yourself–ESPECIALLY when you don’t love yourself–He loves you.
His love will never change or fade away, just as your worth will never change or fade away. You are a literal child of Heavenly Parents, the King and Queen of the universe. That makes you precious. Your worth is infinite.
Jesus Christ volunteered to feel what you feel, to suffer what you suffer, because of that love He has for you. He took it all on Himself so he can know how to help you and heal you.
It may not happen right now. It may not happen soon. But He will help you. He’ll take away your pain. And until He can, He’ll be there to strengthen you so you can handle it, to carry you when you’re too weak, and to hold you so you’re not alone.
Because of Him, there is always hope. The light is there because He is the Light.” ~Unknown
First off I would like to thank everyone who came to my farewell and the luncheon afterward and a special thanks to Brynnly who catered it.
I’m writing this on my first P-day after my first and only day of home MTC. It was like trying to drink from a fire hose. I’m still digesting everything that I learned! I met my companion Elder Larsen, who is going on the same mission as me! I woke up four hours earlier than I usually do and learned about how to teach with the spirit.
In the one day I’ve been in the MTC I have already had some spiritual experiences and I can’t wait to meet everyone in my district in person on Wednesday!
Since all I really have to talk about is one day of home MTC I’ll just share one of my favorite scriptures. D&C 34:10-12
10. Wherefore, lift up your voice and spare not, for the Lord God hath spoken; therefore prophesy, and it shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.
11. And if you are faithful, behold, I am with you until I come—
12. And verily, verily, I say unto you, I come quickly. I am your Lord and your Redeemer. Even so. Amen.
Zachary has been called to serve in the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission and reports to the Provo MTC on Wednesday, December 18, 2024! Send him email at ztward@missionary.org and packages or letters to this address:
Elder Zachary Taylor Ward 01-08 | LA-BR 2005 N 900 East, Unit #287 Provo, UT 84602
Elder Zachary Ward 