First E-Mail Received from Elder Wilde - August 28, 2019

WADDUP Y'ALL,

First week in the MTC down, 8 more to go!  The days feel long, but the week sure felt like it went by quickly. They really push us here! 

The first day I got in, they had us learning different phrases, words, and vocab, before even learning the alphabet!  However, thanks to the Gift of tongues, I have been able to become familiar with the language, slowly but surely. I can now pray, testify,and greet someone, all in Russian! We learned a ton of vocab as well.  The language classes last 6 hours a day.  You really gotta give it your all to keep up.

I have loved the people in my district!  They all have big personalities, and I just enjoy being around, as well as learning with them.  We have two Elders from London, one from Australia, two from Utah, one from Wyoming, one from Switzerland, and my companion is from San Diego, California.  He and I totally get along.  Bless up. 

Two stories for ya.  The first night at the MTC, it was crazy hard for me to sleep, and not because of any emotional reasons, but because of a slight snoring problem from one of our amazing elders!  I took the liberty of taking a video of it because it was quite remarkable.  I was astonished by his skills.  My companion does not snore that bad, but I got a good video of him snoring during devotional haha. 

The second story explains the picture of the ripped pants!  As we set up the chairs for devotional, Elder Spoors dipped a little too low, and ripped the biggest hole in his pants that I have ever seen 😂 He made us hide him from all sisters' views on the way back.  It was absolutely hilarious.  I, also, find myself attempting to mimic his British accent all the time.  I love it 😂 

 

So all in all, besides having a fever over the past 4 days, and long classes, the MTC is awesome! 👍😁

Best wishes, Elder Wilde

Entering the MTC - August 21, 2019

Elder Wilde would be attending the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, so his family flew with him to Utah to begin his days as a missionary. 

 Elder Wilde with his Uncle Tyler, Aunt Carrie, and Cousin, along with his Grandpa Wilde.

 Elder Wilde's cousin, Jenna, saying good-bye.

 Family in front of the Provo Temple

 Elder Wilde had already said good-bye to his brother, Bracken, and Sister-in-law, Taryn, a couple of weeks ago before they moved to Texas for work.  

 Driving to the MTC and saying good-bye to the rest of the family.

And he's off--although he won't see his family or friends for two years, may only e-mail  home and call once a week, we all know this is one of the most growing times in a young man's life.  By serving the Lord and his fellowmen, which he will do the next two years, he will grow and become the person that the Lord wants him to be.  We all will miss seeing his effervescent smile and fun personality!  We wish him the best on this two-year mission!  The people in Ukraine are getting a wonderful young man who loves the Lord and is dedicated to helping those around him in any way he can.   We will continually pray for him in all he does in this worthy work.

Setting Apart as a Missionary - August 19, 2019

Elder Wilde was officially set apart as a missionary by President Clark, Stake President of the Danville, California Stake.  This is the priesthood ordinance of giving authority to members called to labor in specific responsibilities.  It is done by those having the proper priesthood authority and by the laying on of hands.  He was given a beautiful blessing and many promises were made if he would devote these next two years to the Lord and be obedient in all his responsibilities.

President Clark, Elder Wilde and his father, John Wilde

Speaking in Sacrament Meeting and Farewell Party - August 18, 2019

      Elder Wilde bore his testimony in the Alamo Ward Sacrament Meeting on August 18, 2019.  His message was about service and how excited he is to serve the Ukrainian people.

 That evening, Elder Wilde's family held a wonderful farewell party for him at their home.

Elder Wilde's parents, along with his two brothers and sister-in-law.  His third brother had already said good-bye to him before he and his wife moved to Texas for work a couple of weeks before this.

 Grandparents Copeland, who just returned from serving a year in the Europe East Area with headquarters in Moscow, Russia, about a month before this.

(Clockwise) Connor Copeland, Elder Wilde's cousin; parents; brother, Preston; Parker and his wife, Lauren

 Elder Wilde with his two dogs, Rosco and Roxie--probably the hardest part about leaving for two years!  

 This was such a wonderful day of family and friends wishing Elder Wilde well as he serves the Lord for the next two years.

Receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood and Going Through the Temple

Receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood

In the Church today, worthy male members may receive the Aaronic Priesthood beginning at age 12. These young men, typically ages 12–17, receive many opportunities to participate in sacred priesthood ordinances and give service. As they worthily fulfill their duties, they act in the name of the Lord to help others receive the blessings of the gospel.

Upon reaching the age of 18, the higher priesthood, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is conferred upon faithful male members of the Church.  The Melchizedek Priesthood holder may administer in higher ordinances such as giving the gift of the Holy Ghost to newly baptized members, healing the sick, and naming and blessing children.

Elder Wilde's father, John Wilde, conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordained him to the office of Elder by the laying on of hands with other Melchizedek Priesthood holders on July 17, 2019.  This line of authority dates back to Jesus Christ.

Attending the Temple for the First Time

Elder Wilde  attended the St. George Temple on July 31, 2019, for the first time.  Since Elder Copeland's cousin, Lauren Copeland, has, also, been called on a mission, they chose to go to the temple for the first time together, along with their parents and many other family members.

Elder Wilde with his parents, John and Alison Wilde.

 Elder Wilde, along with his two brothers, Parker and Bracken Wilde, and Grandparents George and Laura Copeland who have all fulfilled two-year church missions.

 Elder Wilde and Sister Lauren Copeland, his cousin, along with family members who attended the temple with them today.

Elder Wilde's brothers and cousins who have all fulfilled two-year church missions.  

For a better understanding of why temples are so important in the lives of every individual, please click on the link below:

Why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Builds Temples

The Calling of a Missionary

When a young man or woman decides to go on a mission, he/she must first be found spiritually, physically, and mentally worthy to do so.   

  The Savior taught, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19).  Church members consider it a privilege to show their love for other people and the Lord by sharing the gospel.

Missionaries generally begin serving when they are from 18 to 21 years old. Many retired seniors, men, women, and married couples also serve missions. Missionaries serve from 18 months to 2 years. Missions are voluntary, and missionaries are not paid for their service.  Missionaries come from around the world, and they serve wherever the Church calls them. While serving full-time, missionaries are official representatives of the Church.

As is done with every single perspective missionary, Elder Wilde first had to fill out his paperwork stating his desire to serve with recommendations from his ecclesiastical leaders of his worthiness in order to serve a mission.  This paperwork was then sent to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The perspective missionary then waits for the special letter to come with the particulars of his/her "calling."  This calling and the place where the missionary will serve is done by revelation through the Lord's servants, the prophets. A member of the Quorum of the Twelve assigns prospective missionaries to one of nearly 400 missions of the Church throughout the world.  

When Elder Wilde received his mission call on May 1, 2019, he was absolutely thrilled.  He would be serving in the Ukraine Dnepropetrovsk Mission for a period of 24 months, and would be preaching the gospel in Russian.  He was told that he would be reporting to the Missionary Training Center in Provo on August 21, 2019.

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