Officially Elder Welch

Elder Trey Welch entered the MTC last Wednesday, June 16th, 2010. He was set apart on Tuesday, June 15th. We know he is going to be an extraordinary missionary!

His P-days are on Wednesdays, so make sure to write him! He is only at the MTC for another two weeks, but during that time you can utilize the website www.dearelder.com. To use it you need his Box # which is 271 and his expected departure date, which is July 5th. Other than that you enter your own personal invitation and they print out your letter that same day and deliver it to him! So please write him lots! It will be much harder to send real mail to Africa!

Also, I recorded on paper some of Trey's blessing when he was set apart, so that he could remember all that he was promised. I didn't get everything, but he was given a beautiful blessing full of many wonderful blessings and promises! Here it is....

Elder Trey Marshall Welch
Set apart by President Keller on 6/15/10, assisted by Dad
*set apart to be a full time representative for 2 full years, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
*you are extended all of the rights, joys, blessings and power that come with your call to serve
*it is your privilege and responsibility to be a beacon of light and to represent the Lord; to bring others to the church
*you rejoiced in the covenants
*there is one man called to be the prophet and He called you---you are fulfilling the covenants you made before you were born.
*it is a true privilege to be a missionary
*you are called to live a higher life and standards
*you are to become Christlike
*you are to humble yourself
*as you share the gospel miracles WILL manifest
*you WILL bless your family with your testimony
*you WILL be blessed as of this day with love for your wife, for the Ugandans and for your first companion
*you WILL feel great love from the Lord
*love your companions; care for and pray for them
*you will have a great Pentecostal experience in the MTC--you will learn the gift of the Spirit
*the Ugandans will be able to feel your testimony; you WILL share baptism and confirmation with them and you WILL teach them to go forward to gain the priesthood and to move forward to the temple
*you WILL be humble, meek, and submissive
*you WILL be a beacon to ALL
*you WILL OBEY THE RULES EXACTNESS AND HONOR
*your garments will be a shield to you
*LOVE the people---they will be drawn to you and to the Savior
*you WILL be protected
*you WILL be safe
*you WILL be strong
*you WILL be healthy
*you WILL return home clothed with the power from on high
*GO FORWARD IN FAITH
*your family will be blessed because of your service, even those yet unborn
*BE CHRISTLIKE


Pres. Keller counseled Trey to pray for your future wife as well as for the people of Uganda. He told Trey the story of Gordon B. Hinckley and the advice he got from his father: "Lose yourself in the service of your Lord. Love, Dad" We all had the opportunity to share our love and advice for Trey. We are ALL cheering you on Trey! And we all love you very much! We were also blessed to hear Trey share his testimony with us. The spirit was definitely felt that day! Pres. Keller also told Trey of D&C 31 in which the Lord is talking to Thomas B. Marsh. This revelation was given by Joseph Smith following a conference of the church:
1 Thomas, my son, blessed are you because of your faith in my work.
2 Behold, you have had many afflictions because of your family; nevertheless, I will bless you and your family, yea, your little ones; and the day cometh that they will believe and know the truth and be one with you in my church.
3 Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.
4 You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white already to be burned.
5 Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live.
6 Behold, verily I say unto you, go from them only for a little time, and declare my word, and I will prepare a place for them.
7 Yea, I will open the hearts of the people, and they will receive you. And I will establish a church by your hand;
8 And you shall strengthen them and prepare them against the time when they shall be gathered.
9 Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast.
10 Behold, I say unto you that you shall be a physician unto the church, but not unto the world, for they will not receive you.
11 Go your way whithersoever I will, and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whither you shall go.
12 Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward.
13 Be faithful unto the bend, and lo, I am with you. These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father. Amen.

I am personally anxious to hear how his first week has gone! I expect great things from him! He is one awesome guy and I know he will be an awesome missionary as well!