2nd week at the MTC

Dear Family and Friends

First I would just like to say that I am so grateful for everyone's emails and letters. It brings me so much joy when i get to read from you guys, and hear about how all of you are doing. It's already the second week at the MTC, even though it feels like I just got here yesterday. Surprisingly the time already seems to be rushing by. I am striving to love and enjoy every moment while I am out here. So far the MTC experience has been phenomenal. We have zone leaders who are so inspirational. Just last night one of our zone leaders came into our room and told me about his experience here. He talked about how none of them knew, (or even really know now), how to speak Japanese. They would struggle to use the language in their lessons, but they taught by the spirit. The spirit really does speak all languages. Even though half the time when I am teaching a lesson I may not know what I am saying, or what the investigator is saying, my companion and I are able to teach through the spirit. The lessons with the investigators here are great! At first I was really afraid to teach and I had no idea how I was going to do it, but now I know that I can teach. My companion and I pray every night for the gift of tongues and that our investigators will be able to open their hearts to what we have to teach them. 

I am continuing to  work hard on learning the language. We have class about 6 hours a day and language study for about 2 hours a day so it is a lot to take in. The teachers here are truly incredible. They are the nicest people in the world and work so hard to help us understand the Japanese language. Yesterday we were able to memorize the mokuteki (missionary purpose) within just an hour. Our teachers truly do teach us by the spirit, and I am very grateful for it. The language is coming. I know if i strive to work as hard as I can to understand it and speak it that I will be able to learn it. Each day we pray and sing hymns in Japanese. Hymns are all written in Hirigana so it helps us learn how to read as we sing along. I really enjoy this language. I cannot wait for the day that I can confidently say I feel fluent in Japanese. 

I know I have only been here for 2 weeks, but I have already developed a strong relationship with my companion and district. It feels like we have known each other our whole lives. We were put here together for a reason. I really cannot wait to get out to Japan and teach the people. Our district has a ton of fun together. We joke around in class, and everyone laughs and loves each other. Our teachers like to joke around with us, so it is really fun when we get to spend time together (which is everyday ha). We all love each other and get along really well. I am grateful my companion is able to speak Japanese so well because during our lessons if I need any help he will finish my sentences for me. I know he always has my back, and I am grateful for that. 

I am grateful for the chance that we get to have gym time every day. I know that each and every one of our schedules is really packed, but I get almost an hour each morning to pick up a basketball and play with some great friends. Even though these guys may not be the best basketball players ever, I really love playing with them. One of the Elders in my zone named Elder Hardy played varsity basketball at Desert Hills High School so I love playing with him. We like to talk with each other about St. George and different friends we had while we were down there. Every once in  while our zone will get together and play a big game of kick ball or soccer. Everyone in our zone is so loving, and every time we play games together we really enjoy each others company. This week is the last week our zone leaders are going to be here at the MTC so we are all going to get together and play a huge game of kickball today. I will miss them a ton because they have taught me so much within these last 2 weeks. 

When I arrived at the MTC I restarted The Book of Mormon. Ever since I have been here I have read at least 1 chapter a night (its like my new Netflix haha). I never knew before what a powerful book it is. Just last night I read 2 Nephi chapter 3. It talks about Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel. I encourage all of you to take a look at that chapter. My favorite verse is 24 because it talks about how huge of a role Joseph Smith had in this gospel. No man on Earth had a bigger role in this gospel, save it be Jesus Christ. Every Sunday we get to watch a church movie. Last Sunday we watched Joseph Smith, The Restoration. I really love that movie because you can see how amazing Joseph Smith truly was. We also get to listen to devotionals every Sunday and Tuesday. On Tuesday this week we heard from Elder Nash of the seventy. He gave an extremely powerful talk about the Plan of Salvation. When God said we would need a savior and Jesus Christ said he would do it, Elder Nash said, never before has someone said they would do so much, in so few words. I know this to be true and I am very grateful for the atonement in my life. The prophets have arrived at the MTC today. They are having a missionary training seminar for all the new mission presidents. Unfortunately I don't think we will be able to see them, but maybe one of them will talk in a devotional this week.

My favorite devotional was the one on Tuesday with Elder Nash it was very powerful. He also talked about eternal families and how that is the greatest gift of all, which I myself am extremely grateful for. My companion is not bad at basketball, but he isn't the greatest in the world. I love to play with him though anyways because he is way fun to be around. He is really into marvel. His Birthday was a few days ago and his mom sent him a huge package with masks, noise makers with batman on it, and a bunch of other stuff that was kind of extreme haha! He loved it though and I was glad I got to spend it with him. We play Frisbee and volleyball (which is extremely fun with our zone). I think that we are allowed to play board games, but we never have any time to play games. We get about 1 hour each night to settle in, read our scriptures, and say our prayers. If we get it done early we might could, but we usually just talk to each other. The Sister missionaries are more into volleyball and running, they don't play basketball with us. I have not been given the chance to use my translation device, but every Sunday during sacrament 2 missionaries are asked to talk on the spot! So I'm sure I will use it to prepare my talks for each Sunday. I am actually not sure how to say are you mad bro, but once I do I will let you know. I don't have any time to play piano here, but once I get in the field I hope to be able to practice. I am taking lots of pictures yes, but I don't have many new things to take pictures of. I will take a bunch anyways. I will try to take some with my teachers if they let me. The beds are pretty good, and the showers are not too bad either. Some of them are broken, but my companion and I always run back to get the good ones first haha. The first few nights were tough, but I am beginning to sleep a lot better. Yes, the shuttle was very easy to find at the airport because I had 2 other missionaries with me on the plane. It was a fun plane ride over, and I enjoyed talking to them on the shuttle over to the MTC. The first day getting here was really good, I had no problems. My favorite thing about the MTC has to be the people. Everyone here is so genuinely loving. My district, companion, zone, and teachers are all amazing people. It really has been only a short time, but we all love each other. 

Thanks again for all the letters/emails and I hope to get more because I truly love reading them. I am grateful for all your prayers each day, and I know they have been strengthening me while I am here. I want you all to know I love and pray for each of you every day. This gospel is the only true gospel on this Earth. I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet and restored the gospel for us in these latter days. I know Jesus Christ suffered for our sins so that we could return with him, and live with our families for eternity. I am grateful for this gospel in my life, and I hope to bless others in Japan with the gift of the gospel. I love you all, and I will send some pictures a little later today.

Elder Hirschi

 There are twice as many sisters as elders.  

----------With President Burgess and his wife

1st week at the MTC

Dear Family,

I am sorry for the short email last week. Our presidency wanted us to give a quick email just to let our parents know we were okay, and that we made it here. First I would just like to say that the MTC is amazing! The spirit here is so strong! Every lesson we teach you can just feel it all around you. I had an experience a few days ago with learning the language. I was feeling really down on myself in the morning. We had gotten up really early, and I was very tired. I felt like everyone in class was so far ahead of me in the language. My companion took 2 semesters of Japanese at Harvard University before he came here for crying out loud! As i felt behind the rest of the class my teacher took me outside of class to do coaching. She told me she was amazed at how fast I was learning. She said that everything was going to be alright. In that moment I felt the spirit so strong, and I knew that I would be able to learn this language. It's not an easy language. I know some days are extremely difficult, but I am so very blessed to have these incredible teachers. They teach so powerfully with the spirit. I am also blessed with an awesome companion. He is the nicest guy in the world, and we get along very well. I miss you guys a lot. Out here my district feels like they are part of my family. We may have only known each other for a week, but it feels like we have known each other our whole lives. I know that the Lord has prepared us to meet each other here, and to learn and grow together. Mom I just want you to know now that I have been taking quite a few pictures haha. I will send you some in this email. I just want to say that the first few days I felt very overwhelmed with everything, but I now know with hard work I can do anything. I got the shampoo and body wash just fine. Thank you for that. I got Brinly's letters, and they are so cute. Please tell her that I love her very much and thank you. I will send you guys some soon (when I can find the time ha). I got Slade's and Dad's email and I will send you guys some individually or some letters when I can. My P-day is every Thursday. We get to go the the temple every P-day. I was wondering if you guys would mind sending me my white tie I forgot it. Also we have gym every day, but Sunday so maybe a few more socks, t shirts, and shorts. Don't worry about sending it soon I am fine without it, but if you can that would be great!. My companion is from Manhattan, New York. We get to play basketball pretty much everyday, but Sunday! It is so awesome! The food here is pretty good, I am trying to eat a little less so I can lose some weight. I think the best food we have had is alfredo noodles, of course haha. My companion is great, the most interesting thing about him I would say is that his mom sings in the Metropolitan Opera. Also he took a year of schooling at Harvard of course. Some days I feel really dumb because he is so smart, but he is always so encouraging and knows exactly what to tell me. I have learned so much here already! We have already learned how to pray and bear our testimony. Something fun in Japanese: Watashitachi wa senkyoshi desu. Watashitachi wa Iesu Kirisuto ni tsuite messeji ga arimasu. (We are the missionaries. We have a message about Jesus Christ.) We also like to say ai shitemas a lot which means I love you. We teach an investigator every day, but P-day and Sunday! So we are learning very quickly. We taught our first investigator on Friday 3 days after being out here. To be honest I was extremely nervous. I had know idea what to say. We had only learned 2 days worth of Japanese, and we were already told to teach someone; however, I know without a doubt that the spirit speaks all languages. Even though I didn't know what to say or how to say it, the spirit was able to teach our investigator through my words. We are just instruments in the Lords hands. Even though I may not speak Japanese very well the spirit does for me. How is St. George? How is everyone doing? I really want to hear about everything from you guys because I miss you tons. Is there anything fun you guys have been doing lately? have you been doing much boating without me? How is the summer? Is Logan doing well in class because I pray for him every day. I hope to hear from you guys soon I cannot wait to read all of your letters and emails. Thank you for everything you do for me. I will send a few pictures, but I have a lot more. (I'll send some more because they won't fit in this email.)

First day me and my roommates.

The Provo Temple

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At the temple with my roommates

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​I love all of you so much, and please know I pray for all of you every single day.

Elder Hirschi

Elder Justice Hirschi's Mission Japan June 2015 - June 2017

Justice set off to the MTC June 10th 2015.  He will be there for 9 weeks. The MTC address is:

Elder Justice Hirschi
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E 
Provo, UT 84602-1763

He will fly out to Japan August 11th and mission address will be :

Elder Justice Hirschi
Japan Kobe Mission
4-6-28 Shinoharahonmachi
Nada-ku
Kobe-shi, Hyogo 657-0067
Japan
His email is     justice.hirschi@myldsmail.net

His first email we received was to let us know that he made it there:

How is everyone doing!? I finally made it to the MTC. The first day here was a little overwhelming with so many things to do. It is somewhat tough to get adjusted to this new schedule, but i know that I am being strengthened by your prayers and our Heavenly Father. I'm used to waking up at about 12:00 most days so getting up at 6:30 everyday is a major change. The MTC is great though. I have been blessed with a great companion named Elder Mcarthur. I have a great district and some amazing Japanese teachers. The language is very difficult, but i know i will get it eventually. Today we taught our first investigator, in Japanese!! It was a great experience, and I am grateful my companion knows some Japanese because I didn't know anything! Anyways thank you for the prayers and I am doing well. I hope that you guys are all doing great because I will also be praying for you every day.