I Love to See the Temple

Halifax Nova Scotia temple

Dear Family,

Thank you for your letters! Everyone is so consistent it's great
(except for that JT he is wiley, he's up to no good). We had a great
week up here in Maine. It's interesting to think that we are in the
same country. It seems like I'm so far away but so close at the same
time. This past week we went to the French Temple session with all of
the French members and missionaries in the mission. It was a huge
session. Probably the biggest one I've ever been in on my mission
minus the MTC. I had the headphones for most of the session. I think
it's interesting how you can change the channel and listen in
different languages. I listened to most of it in English and a little
bit in Spanish and French. The gospel is the same no matter what
language you speak. On the way to the temple we listened to a great
devotional by Liz Wiseman. It's one of the best talks I have ever
heard. I recommend that you listen to it.
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/liz-wiseman_the-power-of-not-knowing/

In the devotional Sister Wiseman makes the case that 100% certainty
can be a dangerous thing. When we think that we know it all that's
when we are most dangerous. I think this is why a lot of people get
bored in church meetings. They think that they've heard this all
before and they don't make an effort to ask any questions or go deeper
into the gospel. Many church members, even if they have a strong
testimony can hit a plateau and become like the people Jacob describes
in 2 Nephi 9:28. I don't think we should be afraid to ask questions.
The entire Doctrine and Covenants was written because of the prophet's
desire to ask, seek, and knock. A lot of the how questions are pretty
simple. Probably the worst question to ask in a sunday school scenario
is "How can we better come closer to Christ, find peace, be happy,
etc." We've been saying it for years: church, pray, read. Better
questions for understanding the doctrine is "Why" "So what" "What's
the big deal about?" Through these questions we gain a deeper
understanding of the gospel. An answer without a question has no
meaning. Doctrine and Covenants 4:7

Like I said this past week we got to go to the temple. It was nice to
see so many missionaries that I used to be around in Canada. There's
actually quite a few French members out here in Atlantic Canada. Half

Temple trip!

of New Brunswick is French and there are pockets of French communities
in Nova Scotia and quite a few French speakers in Halifax. I remember
at the beginning of my mission I wanted to learn French so bad but
after a couple of weeks in Dieppe I was like "get me out of here." I'm
pretty content not knowing another language right now. I can get my
point across when I'm proselyting easier. We got into Halifax after 6
hours of driving and went to the mission home with the rest of the
French missionaries and members for a classic missionary meal: Taco
Bell. I had 6 tacos. It was great. We then went to a huge session in
French. The room was packed full of French. I had headphones to listen
in English. Headphones sort of gum up the whole project for an
endowment haha. I then got the opportunity to sleep at my old
apartment in Dartmouth. A lot changes in an area when you aren't there
for a year. We stayed up until 2 talking. So many mission stories.
Every day is amazing.

The next morning we woke up at 6 for another temple session at 9. The
storm was getting pretty bad so we had to remain in Halifax for a
couple of hours before we could make it home to Caribou. I do not like
how big the mission is and all of the travelling we have to do. We did
manage to get home before 11. The next day was a little hectic because
we didn't plan the night previous (the first cardinal sin of a
missionary). But we did manage to set up some lessons with

investigators. We met with Tia and Riley that night. We also picked up
Logan and Crystal as investigators, Riley's mom and brother. We are
legitely teaching a family! I love teaching families! An interested
family in New England/Atlantic Canada is few and far between. We
invited Riley to be baptized for April 9th with Tia. We are going to
have a baptism in April. Our teaching pool is fairly large right now
and we're finding consistently. I think it all comes down to finding
out here and not being afraid to invite people to be baptized in the
first lesson. My mission has really helped me get out of my comfort
zone. Difficult conversations always build character.

I love you all

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!

Love,

Elder McGuire

Don't worry, Brother Stiggle a recent convert is a professional chef.
He made me Boston Cream Pie for my birthday

Cats everywhere!

The moustaches on the birthday card were great!

Thanks for the birthday package!