MCRD= Mormon Church Rid of Distractions!

I heard this saying from one of the MCRD Branch Presidency members.  It is sort of true because the recruits here are unable to have contact with the outside world.  No internet, TV, Cell phones, etc., they are only focused on being trained to be marines.

I have heard so many testimonies from these recruits.  They rely on the Lord in their day to day training.  When they are hurting or when they just need emotional support.

I heard a story this week about a recruit that asked for a blessing every week to know how he could be accepted of the Lord.  He continuously asked to understand this.  He had it in his heart when he went to the last week of training which they call the Crucible... it is very intense, but after they climb what they call "the Reaper" they finally become marines.  This recruit was at the Crucible when they were told to stack their rifles in a tent. One of the other recruits put his rifle bayonet down into the dirt.  The DI went crazy. He threatened everyone in the company with harsh punishments if someone did not fess up to doing it.  The recruit who was always asking how he could be accepted of the Lord did not do it, but felt prompted to say he did in order to be accepted of the Lord.  He stepped up and told the DI that he had done it even tho he did not in order to save his whole company from punishments....He knew this was his test and he completed it.  This is just one example of the many instances of  humility, answers to prayers and blessings we see here at MCRD.

We had another baptism this week and Elder Hodges was able to get a better picture of the font after the baptism.

We went to a missionary fireside on Sunday. It was amazing!  All of the young Elders and Sisters came up the sides of the chapel singing "Called to Serve".  I cannot express the strength of the spirit during the whole fireside.  It was so well done.  The many talented missionaries sang in solos, and quartets.  Videos were shown and then President and Sister Schmitt spoke at the last. Wonderful!
Elder Hodges spent a long time talking to a Captain in the Navy who was not a member, but visiting with a neighbor and some young men from Utah.

This is the Lord's Church restored to the earth today.... and we are so blessed to have this knowledge.