Missionary Training Center

I love the MTC. Its been a challenge. The spirit is really strong though, and the Lord is on my side.

I have a really good district and I love all the Elders who I get to spend everyday with. We have a really good time and help each other out.

One of the biggest challenges for me, and I knew it would be, is having a companion 24/7. Its hard. And if anyone tries to say its not, they are a liar. haha

The first week was ok. It was really hard and we all just pushed through it. But by the second week we all started to get comfortable with our companions. I was pretty sure that's when the blood would start to spill.

Last week was really hard for me. I let a lot of things my companion do get to me and started to get really annoyed. Which distanced us from each other. We were silently battling everyday. haha its funny looking back.

But Sunday night we sat down and talked about it for about an hour. He's going to relax and go with the flow a little bit more, and I'm going to be more meek. And by that I mean I'm going to be patient and tolerant towards others. Especially my companion. I love him. Even though he is the slowest person on earth, I can't help but love him for it. I know the Lord is helping me do that. I'm so thankful for all of His help here.

The language is still so hard! We are going on week three. Which means by next week we are supposed to speak Espanol 24/7. I don't know if we're quite there yet. But its amazing that three weeks ago I couldn't speak any Spanish, and now I say all my prayers in Spanish, I can talk with the people I'm teaching, and testify what I know to be true with them. It's amazing and I know that we learn at an accelerated rate here because The Lord helps us.

One cool experience with Spanish; One of our teachers gave us a lot of advice and helped us realize how special our call was as missionaries. He's from Peru, I think, and it's hard to understand his Spanish. But as he gave this mini devotional all of us understood every word. We all felt the spirit present. But as soon as he said amen, it went back to normal and we had to struggle to understand what he was saying. It was awesome. I know that the lord is going to help me in the mission field. That was evident to me that the spirit helps us with Espanol, and without the spirit, I'm nothing as a missionary.

I love being a missionary. I love it here, and I love the blessings that come with being a missionary. I love how close we are to the spirit, and I know that we are doing Christ's work.

This is hard. But it's the best!

I love and miss everyone!
Write me letters if you'd like ;)

Elder Jonathan Robert Harder.

p.s. I heard a cool quote.
            "A Missionary is someone who leaves their family for two years, so that others can be with their families for eternity."

12 Hours

It's finally September 14th. I've waited for this exact day for over 2 months. But I've waited for the day that I would go on my Mission for a lot longer. At 12:55pm today I will of started my mission. I enter the MTC so soon, I don't know how Im going to Sleep tonight.
I'm so grateful for the opportunity I've been given to serve as a Missionary. I know Ive been given such a great opportunity. I'm thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and to have the Holy Ghost in my life to help guide me and to teach me. Im grateful to be able to share this blessing with people in Arizona.
I'll be serving in The Arizona Tempe Mission, if you dont already know. I will be in the MTC for two months learning Spanish. And I'll enter the Mission Field in Arziona on November 15, 2011. Ill serve there for a period of Two years.
Im grateful for the blessing of social networking. I really am so that Im able to share whats going on on my Mission with my friends and family. Please share my blog on your facebook with your friends if you would like.

I wont be able to communicate with telephone or email while Serving, so if you want to contact me I would love to get a letter from you and Ill write back! :)
My address for the next two months in the MTC will be:
Elder Jonathan Robert Harder
MTC Mailbox # 267
AZ-TEM 1115
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

And after November 15th it will be

Elder Jonathan Robert Harder
Arizona Tempe Mission
1871 E Del Rio Dr
Tempe, AZ 85282-2822
United States

Like I said I'd love for anyone to write me.


I want my friends and family to know how much I love them! And that I know that I am going to do the work of The Lord. 
We all have a loving Heavenly Father who loves us so much. His son Jesus Christ is our Savior and Knows us. He has made it possible to return to live with our Heavenly Father and to be happy in this life by following him. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is his church, and that through the Prophet Joseph Smith he restored it to the Earth. I know that we have a prophet today that is lead by God for our benefit. That Prophet is Thomas S. Monson. I know that if we follow Jesus Christ we will be happy and grow so much.
I love the Lord and am EXCITED to do his work! Keep me in your prayers please. Love all of you so much!




Elder Jonathan Harder

I'm finally a Missionary!

Today was an awesome day for me! I was able to have my second farewell :)
I had it in the Sunset 1st ward, in St George, Utah which is the ward Ive been in for the last year.
I really love all of the people in my ward here and have been so thankful for them in my life.
I only had 13 minutes to give my talk, but I was able to bear Testimony of my Heavenly Father and his love for us so I am happy.
I was also set apart tonight by my Stake President. Lon Henderson. He's a really great man and I love him alot. It was a very spirtual experience and I knew that I was really being set apart as a Missionary for the lord. I know that this is Christ's work. I know that he'll be with me as I labor in the mission field.
Im going to give it my whole heart and soul!
I report on Wednesday! I cant believe it's finally here! I am so excited and am so thankful for the oppurtunity I have to serve!
God is my Heavenly Father. He really is! And his Son Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know that. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves me so much. I know that he helps me when Im not strong and comforts me when Im down. I know that this is his work and that Joseph Smith is a Prophet and that through him, Christ restored his church on the earth for us today! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His church. I know that its true. And I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that by reading it I've come closer to my Savior.
I love all of you. Please keep me in your prayers!
Please pray that I can learn Spanish!
And I really know that I am a Missioanry now. I feel different. I feel great!




Elder Jonathan Harder.