MTC Week 4 WOWZA!!

Ahoj, moje oblibená rodino!

I'm so excited to be emailing you again. It is a highlight of my week to fill you in on the latest and greatest from the MTC. The time here is really starting to fly - Christ was right in saying that the days are long and the weeks are short here. Time seems to all blend together. But it's good - it's ALL good!

How crazy to think I've been here 4 weeks! I'm almost halfway done here - 5 more weeks and I'll be in Prague. Wow! WOW! I'm so excited, and so anxious/nervous at the same time. The language is coming along great - but i don't feel like I could just start talking with a  native speaker haha. But I think that's how I'm going to feel right up until the day I leave. It's like how I am with tests - I don't feel prepared right up until the moment I take it, then it's pencils down...and I usually do OK. The Lord is on my side, after all - how can I fail?!

Thank you so much for the packages and letters you sent! When i opened it up and saw 2 boxes of thinkthin bars and like 50 fruit leathers, I smiled big time. And then, the next day, receiving the "not so healthy" package with like 15 boxes of sour patch kids? Haha, I love you so much - Mullens go big or go home. And I, like you, am going big here at the MTC, and most definitely NOT am going home. Thank you for the pictures, too - I LOVE them! I love how there isn't one sad looking picture from that last day -  we were smiling and laughing right up to the drop-off and beyond. I love it - I think that's how it should be: full of joy. I'm so glad you got my pics, too - hopefully it gave you just a taste of MTC life!

Now for some stories: Last Tuesday, Elder Nelson of the 12 Apostles came to speak to us with his wife! Wow - 2 apostles in 3 weeks. I love the counsel they give and the spirit I can feel there. Like I mentioned last week, we sang "This is the Christ" for him as a choir - Boy, was it powerful! To sing that for a prophet of the Lord who knew President Faust? What an opportunity. I raised my voice with the missionary Choir (yes, it is all volunteer - whoever comes to practice will sing!) in the praise of the Lord for one of his Chosen servants. I got chills - I felt the Spirit. It was wonderful.

I had a great experience in the temple last week, and guess who I saw in the Celestial room? Sherry Hoffman Nevers! It was so neat to see her there. I kind of did a double take when I saw her - I kind of forget sometimes that time goes on in the "outside" world haha. I went over to her and gave her a big handshake. It was neat to see her.

We're continuing to teach our investigators about 5 lessons a week, not including the 2 a week we teach to volunteers in the TRC (teaching resource center) - all in Czech. Unfortunately, Mario went on a "vacation" and we lost contact with him (bro. starling, who plays him, is getting married, so he had to leave. Understandable.) So now we're teaching a new investigator - Jarka. She doesn't believe in Christ, hasn't really ever read the scriptures at all, and believes in God but doesn't really believe in heaven. Hmmmmm...where to start? It's going to be a great learning experience for us to teach her - that mentality is apparently pretty common in Czech from what I hear. Bratr Johnson, one of our teachers, said Czechs are like M&Ms - a little crunchy on the outside, but as soon as you break through that crunchy shell, they're the most loving people on earth. I'm so excited to serve them!

I had the wonderful opportunity on Sunday to watch "the testaments" with our district. It is such a wonderful movie. They captured the spirit of that event very well. I love movie days here on Sunday evenings - a little taste of good media is a huge booster for me. It made me think of Dad - Testaments always brought the spirit when we watched it together.

The language is coming along nicely. It's definitely overwhelming at times, but I just remind myself I've been speaking Czech for less than a month. It's amazing what I can learn with the Lord's help. I'm reading out of the Czech Book of Mormon, Kniha Mormonova, every day, have memorized the first vision in Czech, am close to memorizing the Czech declination sharts (look them up - they're crazy!), and am still finding time to plan lessons for our investigators as a companionship that will uplift them. Wowza.

Our district continues to grow closer every day. We all appreciate each other for our individual strengths and laugh a lot together. Please keep Sestra Bean in your prayers today - she is having laproscopic surgery for a pre-existing condition, and we all want her to heal quickly so she can join us on schedule with our departure for Czech.

I got a haircut this morning from the MTC barbershop. I miss Farrie. I don't think anything else needs to be said on that subject :)

We've been focusing this week a lot on Sacrament meeting and helping investigators to come. All of our teachers said that the Czech members are SO wonderful! They are so friendly to investigators, and it is normal to have at least a couple there every Sunday. Neat! How excited I am to get there and meet these people - I already love them, and haven't even met them!

I'm so glad to hear Geeg is doing well. She is in my prayers. That's awesome, too, dad about your calling! It is an awesome calling, and I hope that you enjoy every minute of it - studying the gospel is invigorating!

The missionary parent dinner sounds like an amazing idea! Let me know how it goes!

Know that I love you all, and all is well here!

S Laskou,

Starší Mullen

Wonderful Mothers Day Gift

Joseph sent me a belated Mother's Day gift in the form of a handwritten letter telling me his favorite stories of what has happened in the MTC thus far.  Accompanying the letter was a stack of pictures.  SWEEEEET!!!  He has sounded so happy in his emails but now I could actually see how happy he is.  So we thought you might enjoy seeing for yourself.  What a great kid...okay, I'm biased...but it's true:)

Pointing out on the MTC Map where he is headed...the Czech Republic!!

Joseph with his companions Elder Heath on your left and Elder Smith.  

They call themselves the TRIFORCE!!

The Czech District...this is the group of elders and sisters who

are learning Czech and will travel together on July 5th when they will arrive

in the Czech Republic and have a chance to put the language skills to the test.

From left to right

Elders Russell Smith, Joseph Mullen, Joseph Heath, Matthew Medonich, Lance Gabrielson, Taylor Story, Nathan Spencer and Cameron Salas

Sisters Emily Bean, Mary White and Lucy Brimhall

Elder Mullen and Elder Salas...they have become "running" mates.

Joseph has found he actually likes running for exercise and is up to five miles a day...

Go Joseph!!

Joseph's quote on this picture

"My glorious name tag- so cool"

Elder Mullen's long arms welcome us to his classroom,

where he spends a majority of his day, six days a week!!

So there you have it.  He looks extremely happy.  The Lord continues to watch over him and we pray that will never change.  God speed Elder Mullen, God speed!!

MTC Happy Week Three!!

Ahoj, ahoj, moje rodino!

 

This week has been SO wonderful! I love it here at the MTC - it's weird to think that I'm a third of the way done with my experience here. I've learned so much, and yet have so much left to learn. But now, for some neat experiences of the week (I figure that's what you like best anyway!:)

 

Last Tuesday, we had a wonderful devotional with Richard G Hinckley. It was wonderful - he talked about obedience and gave us some great advice. He talked about being a "I'm so glad I did that" missionary instead of a "I wish I did" missionary. I hope to be the former! He also shared a hilarious story that President Hinckley told him as a child: After Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden and had their first children, Adam would occasionally revisit the "wall" of the garden of Eden. Sometimes, he would bring the children with him, hoist them up on his shoulders to peek over the wall, and say "See that, kids? That's where your mother ate us out of hearth and home!" I laughed so hard! I love the humor here - it's so uplifting! We also had the opportunity to sing Redeemer of Israel as a choir for him - it was very powerful. Tonight, we're singing "This is the Christ", which I'm super excited for. Having quoted it in my farewell talk, I feel very close with those lyrics, and the music is absolutely gorgeous. I love Choir! I wonder who we'll sing it for...I'll let you know next week.

 

We go to the temple 2 times a week here - we have a temple walk every Sunday, which is just around the grounds, and actually get to go in every Tuesday at 12:55.  They are marvelous experiences. I've heard we don't ever get to go to the Freiburg temple on the mission, so I'm cherishing these experiences while I can. I think we're going to do another session today - I love doing them with my district. There is such love and brotherhood between us!

 

We're continuing to teach Milan and Mario, our 2 "investigators". I've figured out that we've taught 16 lessons in Czech so far - HOW CRAZY IS THAT? 16 in 3 weeks - that's a lot! During a lesson we taught Milan, we talked about the peace in the gospel and the spirit that it can bless our lives with; we also talked about how you can feel the peace of the Holy Ghost in prayer. We asked him to say the closing prayer, which was so sincere. The spirit was very strong. We asked how he felt during the prayer, and I thought he said "nothing new..." which made me so sad! But just in case, I wrote down what he said and asked one of our teachers what it meant, and it meant "SOMETHING new"!! Yes! We're continuing to teach them, and are all trying to more fully focus on their needs. I think I have truly been blesed with the gift of tongues and interpretations of tongues here - I could never have learned this language so fast along.

 

I am finally finding a good balance now between fun and focus. For the first week or so, I was so intent on being solemn and spiritual that I forgot to have fun! The Lord doesn't need sombre servants - he needs valiant servants, and I'd like to think that valiant servants laugh and have fun as they work! So I've been having a lot more fun lately, while still learning so much. It's truly a blessing.

 

So, in the spirit of fun, I thought i'd share a couple funny experiences I've had lately - during our last lesson with Mario, I wanted to ask him if he'd read the introduction to the Book of Mormon, or "uvod". On accident, I said "obed" instead...which doesn't mean introduction...it means lunch. Oops. We had a good laugh and continued on with the discussion. That made me smile for sure, though. Other funny language mixups our district has had: Starsi Spencer told an investigator he came on a mission to marry everyone, instead of serve everyone; Starsi Heath prayed for the Lord to "please protect our devil," instead of from the devil. Pretty funny - those brought lots of laughs and have become inside jokes between us.

 

I reached my end of the mtc goal for gym already - I ran 5 miles in our gym time without stopping. It felt so good! I am truly feeling the effects of the blessing to "run and not be weary and walk and not faint." I love it!

 

Dad, thanks so much for your letters so far - I love getting them with the little signature cartoon on the envelope! They are a highlight of my week.

 

I have been getting all my Dear Elders without a hitch - it works great! Keep on sending notes - I love getting them! And as far as the package goes, I would love a couple more fruit leathers/thinkthin bars from trader joes - they're delicious!

 

A couple of favors to ask - I've really wanted to sing Cori's songs, but I can't remember all the lyrics! Could you maybe send 1 song lyrics a day/couple of days for the next while? I love singing her music here - it really recharges my batteries!

 

Tell Stuart and Zach congrats on their calls! I look forward to seeing them here - they'll love it!

 

Unfortunately I must end here. I love you so much!

 

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

Week 2 of the MTC

Ahoj, Rodina!

I'm so excited to email today to tell you about my week! We only get 30 minutes to email (literally - the computer shuts down after 30 minutes...haha) so I'm gonna try to fit in as much as I can in this email.

The MTC is a whirlwind - our district is in a "pilot program," with a different curriculum from anyone else at the MTC that really immerses us in learning Czech and learning the Gospel. I haven't even been here for 2 weeks, and we have already taught 8 lessons to "investigators" (either our teachers or other Czech RMs acting as investigators they had in Czech, or sometimes even just being themselves)...in Czech! I am truly amazed and humbled at how fast the language is coming - it truly is a miracle and the gift of tongues in action. I could have never learned this fast on my own (proof: high school spanish. I know WAY more in Czech already haha)

I, along with nearly all of our district, have joined the MTC choir, and what an awesome experience that is! Our director is hilarious - we like to say that our rehearsals are one part singing, one part devotional, and one part comedy show. What a joy it is to raise my voice in praise of my Lord, along with hundreds of other missionaries here at the MTC! We practice 2 times a weeks (Sunday and Tuesday) and perform at our Tuesday evening firesides. We have 2 firesides/devotionals a week - Sunday evening and Tuesday Evening. The first Sunday I was here, the administrative director of the MTC spoke (his name escapes me now haha), then last week on Tuesday, Elder Neil Anderson spoke to us! How neat it was to be in the presence of an apostle of the Lord as a missionary! And, what was even more special was that the song we sang for the devotional he spoke at was "Consider the Lilies." I love that song! Remember singing it in stake choir together!? Reread the lyrics (or post them on the blog or something) - they're pretty amazing if you look really close, and have so much power and symbolism in them. Elder Anderson spoke on the Merits, Mercy, and Grace of Christ, and the spirit was so strong. This last Sunday, we had Cecil O Samuelson speak to us - I felt like I was back at BYU haha! 

I love my district and the camaraderie we have. We eat every meal together and really enjoy going through this journey all together. I've gotten closer to my companions this week, and to the others in my district. I love how we are all so different, yet are all united in our love for the Savior and by the common thread of the Gospel. 

We have gym time every day except P-day and Sunday for 50 minutes, and I have actually really enjoyed it! That was one of the things I was actually most nervous for (as you know), so I feel so blessed that I truly enjoy it. We sit A LOT here at the MTC, so it's nice to get up and active. I usually run for the whole time, and have actually enjoyed running as I never before have. I on average run 2.5 - 4 miles each day, which feels really good. I run with Starší Heath sometimes, but mostly with Starší Salas and Gabrielsen. I've enjoyed bonding with them all during that time.

Thank you SO much for the packages and letters -  I love getting mail here! It really makes my day. I've been sharing the cookies and toffee with my district and branch (half of our floor is one branch) - please tell Aunt Cori thank you again - the toffee bars were a huge hit among the branch. I told them that they were starting to get stale, and they didn't even care - they just kept on coming back for more! haha.

Every Sunday, we have the chance to watch a church video in the gym, which I really enjoy. This week, we watched Legacy as a district, which was wonderful. I haven't seen it in so long, and forgot how much I love it! I miss movies, but I'm more than willing to sacrifice for the Lord :)

Now, for a neat story from yesterday:

Yesterday, we got 2 new investigators - Milan and Mario. And we were informed that we were going to teach both of them. That day. In Czech. Yeah. I was so nervous, but tried my best to stay focused to prepare a good message for both of them with Starší Heath and Smith. We developed a plan we were all comfortable with, and before we knew it, the time had come! The 3 of us were to teach Milan first, so we all said a prayer together for the gift of tongues and went to contact him. I had nothing but a little phrasebook and a couple notes, but I was ready to talk. We contacted him on a bench ouside, and it went SO well! We told him about God and Christ, the power of God, that He loves us, about the Kniha Mormonova - the whole 9 yards! And the best part for me was that at one point he asked how long we'd been speaking Czech, to which we replied 11 days -  and he was shocked. He told us that we spoke Czech very well. Wow - what a boost! I have to say, earlier that morning I was a little discouraged about learning the language - all of the words started to blend together, and I got scared of the task of learning Czech. It just seemed so daunting. But that experience teaching Milan was exactly what I needed. I truly was blessed with the gift of tongues during our meeting - I could understand what he said and could convey what I wanted to say. I couldn't ask for more. With God, all things really are possible.

Well, I must unfortunately end here. Know that I love you all! You're the best. I do miss you - but I'm so glad to be here. I truly am blessed.

Until next week - Your boy,

Starší Mullen

Consider the Lilies of the Field

 

Consider the lilies of the field--how they grow, how they grow.
Consider the birds of the sky--how they fly, how they fly.
He clothes the lilies of the field. He feeds the birds in the sky
and He will feed those who trust Him and Guide them with His eye.

Consider the sheep of his fold--how they follow where he leads.
Though the path may wind across the mountains,
He knows the meadows where they feed.
He clothes the lilies of the field. He feeds the birds in the sky
and He will feed those who trust Him and Guide them with His eye.

Consider the sweet tender children who must suffer on this earth.
The pains of all of them he carried from the day of his birth.
He clothes the lilies of the field. He feeds the lambs of his fold
and He will heal those who trust Him and make their hearts as gold.

He clothes the lilies of the field. He feeds the lambs of his fold
and He will heal those who trust Him and make their hearts as gold.

First Email to Home from the MTC

 Dobry Den!  Jak se mate?

I’m so excited to write to you  I’ve been looking forward to it all week!  Thanks so much for your letters and package – mail here is a precious commodity, and we all love to get it!  And the package was PERFECT!  I’ve already partaken of the fruit leather and the delicious strawberries – they make a great late-night snack.  Thanks also for all your cards – I loved dad’s signature drawings and your sweet words.

First of all, I want to answer your questions in mom’s letter and in the email and fill you in on all the details of my MTC experience so far:

1.  How were the toffee squares?  Cori had stayed up late Tuesday night making them...we all love ya!!  Hopefully your district enjoyed them too...

The toffee squares were DELICIOUS! Please tell Cori thank you for me - I enjoyed every bite, as did my district. What great aunts I have!

2.  Did you get your little love package from us?   Just making sure you know you are loved and that things actually get to you...hehe

I did get the package - and I love it! Great munchies to remind me of home - what else more would I want?

3.  Now the important stuff....Who is your companion?  Where is he from?  Who is in your district?  Do you have a district leader yet?

As I said in my letter home (which I hope got to you safely) I am actually in a triplet companionship with 2 other elders - Starsi Russel Smith and Starsi Joseph Heath. Starsi Smith is from Rexburg and is a solid, awesome elder. He's really a jack of all trades - basketball, soccer, ballroom, etc. He is a great friend and we enjoy our time together immensely. Starsi Heath (as you know) is from Pittsfield, Massachussetts and loves folk dance, theater, and cracking jokes that make all of us laugh. Like Starsi Smith, I love talking and serving with Starsi Heath. I am in a room with just my companions, so we have one empty bed in the room (there's 4 in a room usually). We all get along great and have set great goals of what we'd like to achieve individually and as a companionship.

Our district is actually bigger than I thought! We have 9 Starsi and 3 Sestry, and all of them are solid. The Starsi (Starsi is plural and singular in Czech) are Starsi Salas, Spencer, Medonich, Gabrielson, Story, Jones, Smith, Heath, and myself; the sisters are Sestra Bean, White, and Brimhall. We have great camaraderie in our district and enjoy laughing, learning, studying, teaching, and - most importantly - feeling the Spirit together.

4.  Is there in fact only one Czech Class?

Yup - all twelve of us are in one class together.

5.  What is a typical days schedule for you?

Wake up, Get showered and dressed, personal study, class (three hours), lunch, more class (three hours), personal language study, more personal study, dinner, TALL computer lab assisted language study, companionship study, personal study, daily planning, personal time (write in journal, shine shoes, etc), and bed - Lots of studying!

6.  Are you sleeping okay?

Yup! I love my pillow and pillowcase. It was a little hot in our rooms at first because our AC was broken, but it's started working now, so I sleep great.

7.  Any requests for things you need or want?

The only thing that I can think of is a whitening stick for the collars of my shirts and maybe a lint roller - but those aren't big deals, and I might be able to find them here.

8.  How was your first day?

Absolutely great.

I am amazed at the Spirit that is here at the MTC. I love this gospel so much, and feel so priveleged to be a full-time servant of our Lord, Jesus Christ. He truly is at the helm of this work. I am amazed at how fast the language is coming - while at times the enormity of the task of learning Czech seems too daunting, I feel as though all of us are being blessed with the gift of tongues to speak and understand the language.

Vim, ze Buh zije. Jsme jeho deti. Ja vim, ze Jezis Kristus je nas vykupitel a nas spasitel. Miluju vas. (I don't have time to add the symbols, sorry!)

Until next week.

S laskou,

Starsi Mullen

The Days Leading Up to Joseph's Departure

Elder Mullen entered the MTC on Wednesday May 4th on the heels of a whirlwind 5 day trip to NYC the week prior where he spent time with Mom, Dad, Chris, Jenna and of course, little man Landon.  The entire family enjoyed sightseeing, shopping, dining out and just plain spending time together -- wonderful times for memory making!!  

As documented in his earlier post he was then set apart as a full time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by President Murphy of the Rocklin CA Stake on Sunday, May 1st.  Monday was spent with final packing details and Monday afternoon we boarded the plane for Salt Lake City, enabling us to spend those last few days in Farmington with family.

Tuesday morning took us (Joseph, Mom, Dad, and Aunt Libby) south to the magnificent Salt Lake Temple .  It was Joseph's first experience in that temple and the time together was both sacred and sweet.  The temple grounds were covered with tulips and hyacinths all in full bloom, an absolutely glorious sight.  

Tuesday evening culminated in Joseph receiving a Father's blessing from Michael.  Joseph found himself surrounded by his extended family gathered together to wish him Godspeed.  

Wednesday morning came all too quickly and by mid morning we headed south to Provo.  We arrived early so we spent 45 minutes or so walking the Provo Temple grounds where we met about 12 other families  spending those last few moments together prior to the allotted drop off time at the MTC.  Every time we came upon a new group or family Joseph extended his firm and welcoming hand asking their name, where they were from, and to which mission they had been called.  It was absolutely amazing to watch his enthusiasm as he greeted the elders and sisters who were also about to embark upon this new life adventure.  

The time passed quickly and Joseph was ready.  We drove up to the MTC where we were greeted by an older gentleman who welcomed our new missionary, told him that others going to his same mission had already arrived, and pointed us to where we would drop him off.  We pulled into the designated curbside parking where an Elder Funk greeted us, helped Joseph to unload his bags,  told us we could take pictures as needed, and then when we had said our good byes, said to Joseph "Are you ready?"  To which Joseph replied, "Let's do it"  Off they went and he never looked back.  

As parents we were grateful for the new "curbside dropoff" for missionaries.  They are greeted personally by an elder and escorted into the MTC.  They are not left alone...such a great feeling.  Joseph is so ready to serve.  We are ever grateful.

Elder Mullen's Farewell Talk - "Hands of Christ"

(given Easter Sunday, April 24, 2010, in the Granite Bay 2nd ward of the Rocklin, CA stake)

I am humbled by the opportunity I have to speak to all of you this Easter Sunday – I couldn’t ask for a better day or a better group of people to give my mission farewell.

In the Spring 2010 General Conference, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf related the following story –

“A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II, a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.”

Ever since I heard this story, I have marveled at its divine implications. We have been entrusted with an incredible gift and responsibility. Like those from Galilee, (HOLD UP HANDS) these hands are the hands of the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of all men. Your hands and mine can be and are the hands of the Christ.

But what does it mean to be the Lord’s hands?

I believe that if we are to be his hands in mortality upon the earth today, we must look to what the Lord himself did with his hands during his mortal ministry.

His hands healed the sick. In Mark 8, we read of one such instance –

22 - And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
23 - And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and [he] … put his hands upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

I love how this story underscores the love of the Savior each of God’s children individually. When this blind man – this beloved yet anguished son of our Heavenly Father – was brought to him, Christ led him by the hand away from the hustle and bustle of the town that were surely there during the day. Then, through divine power and authority, Christ laid his holy hands upon this poor man’s eyes and restored his sight.

In Matthew 8, we read again of Christ healing the sick. Being followed by a great multitude after his Sermon on the Mount, Christ was approached by a leper, saying,

“Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”

Leprosy, a terrible and contagious disease of the skin, provided a cause in biblical times to shun the infected person. Because leprosy can be transmitted through touch, those with the disease were traditionally banished from their family, friends, and neighbors. But Christ, our savior, looked beyond his outward appearance, beyond the disease, and into his heart. Our elder brother reached out his hand, not caring about what the world would think, and touched him, saying “be thou clean.”

If we are to be the hands of Christ, we too must reach out our hands. Through our actions of demonstrated faith in his name, we can lift the heads and hands which hang down.

Christ’s hands blessed little children. In Mark 10:13-16, we read:

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Christ recognized that children are perhaps closer than any of us to heaven. The poet William Wordsworth articulated this sentiment in his poem Ode to Intimations of Immortality when he wrote:

“Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
Heaven lies about us in our infancy!”

Let us learn from the savior’s example and learn to more fully serve little children. While many times their company brings immense joy, I admit that at times their presence can emphasize the “suffer” in “suffer the little children to come unto me.” But let us, like Christ, forbid them not. This week, I will have the opportunity to travel to the east coast to see my little 5-month-old nephew, Landon (and his parents too). I cherish every moment I have with him. What an experience it is to hold a little child, to feel heaven radiating from his tiny, innocent little hands!

Spend some time with the little ones in your life, be it your children, siblings, nephews, nieces, or grandchildren. Our hands can bless their lives, and our own, through something as simple as a hug.

Christ’s hands lifted the faithless. In Matthew 14, we read of Christ’s interaction with Peter on the water:

“25 And … Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Like Peter, I believe that all the people of the world feel at times like their faith is sinking. We may take notice the boisterous winds around us and feel as though life is just too difficult to bear. Any significant trial, such as the death of a loved one, can cause us to question our faith and recognition of the divine. If we are to be the hands of Christ, we must be there for those who are sinking with our hand outstretched. It is our duty and responsibility to be there for those who may be emotionally or spiritually drowning.

Christ’s hands fed 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fishes. Christ’s hands comforted Martha in her grieving and called forth Lazarus from the dead. Christ’s hands reached down to gently and tenderly wash the feet of the apostles. 

Christ’s hands were doing good his entire life. Our modern day prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, articulated the value of our Lord’s divine hands in 1991 when he wrote,

“With the finger of his hand there was written in the sand that message which the winds did erase but which honest hearts did retain. The hand of the carpenter. The hand of the teacher. The hand of the Christ.”

Yet this Easter morning, I am solemn in recalling what was done to his hands on my behalf. His hands, which had done nothing but good his entire life, were gripped in pain in Gethsemane as he suffered for the wrongdoings of the hands of all mankind. Into those tender hands was thrust a scepter of derision as the King of Kings was mocked and ridiculed by the hands of men. Then, after bearing his cross to Golgotha, those hands – those holy, faultless hands – were nailed to the cross, sealing his supernal act of sacrifice and love.

For three days, his hands lay still in the Garden Tomb.

But on the morning of the third day, 1,978 years ago, I testify that those hands rose again! Those hands, which lay still for 3 days, again received their divine strength and conquered death itself!

The late apostle James E. Faust captured the wonder of that glorious day in the lyrics to the hymn, “This is the Christ.”

“They heard His voice, a voice so mild; 

It pierced them through and made their souls to quake;
They saw Him come, a man in white, 

The Savior who had suffered for their sake.

They felt the wounds in hands and side,
And each could testify; This is the Christ; 

I read His words, the words He prayed
While bearing sorrow in Gethsemane;
I feel His love, the price He paid.
How many drops of blood were spilled for me?

With saints of old in joyful cry
I too can testify; This is the Christ;

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God,
Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.
This is the Christ, the healer of our souls
Who ransomed us with love divine!”

And so do I testify that Jesus Christ, the son of God, truly came to this earth to redeem us all. Even as he showed himself to the apostles at Jerusalem, so did he come to the people on the American continent. And when he showed himself unto the people, each of them felt the prints of the nails in his heavenly hands and spoke in awe, “This is the Christ!”

I testify that Christ will come again! One day, the Lord and creator of Heaven and earth will return to the work of his hands – and when he does, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess the divine truth – “This is the Christ!”

But until that day, that glorious day, each of us must use our hands in a way so that those who see the works of our hands can recognize the hands of the Savior and say (HOLD UP HANDS) “This is the Christ.”

It is my hope and prayer that the people of the Czech Republic will see in my hands the hands of the Savior. I pray that in 2 years my hands will be a little more rough and worn than they are now – for I intend to use them. My hands will knock on the doors of concrete communist apartments; they will clasp in earnest prayer as I plead to be led to those ready to listen; and, God willing, perhaps they will be instruments in bringing others to my Redeemer – to our redeemer – Jesus Christ.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Vítejte!

Wecome to my missionary blog!

For those of you who may not know, I am entering the Missionary Training Center this Wednesday, May 4, as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I will be in the MTC until July 5, at which point I will be flown to the Czech Republic to begin the Lord's work in that part of the world.

Dad, Mom, Elder Mullen, and President Murphy

Yesterday, I was officially set apart as a full-time missionary! My mission has officially begun, but I can't wait to enter the MTC at 1:00 on Wednesday to really begin the hardest, but most rewarding, 2 years of my life!

For those of you who weren't able to make it to my farewell talk on Easter Sunday, I will post my talk (as requested) in a separate post above.

These will likely the the only posts I actually post myself - my parents will be taking over starting Wednesday, posting all the pictures I send and emails I write weekly for you to enjoy.

How excited I am to be the Lord's hands! I know that this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ, that the Book of Mormon is a sacred record, and that all men can come closer to our Heavenly Father by reading and living by its precepts. Sbohem na dva roky!