It's hard to find God or even peace in such a fast-paced, never-quite-peaceful, get-out-of-my-way ... type of city. ... The MTC helped me find peace. It strengthened my testimony by proving to me that our gospel and the Holy Spirit can be felt anywhere. – Edgar Columna, MTC participant

When Benjamin and Shayla Frandsen moved to New York in 2011 to attend graduate school, they were excited to meet new friends. But they didn't anticipate some of their closest relationships being with teenagers in their LDS stake.

"I’ve come to really love the youth in the New York New York Stake and really learn from them," Benjamin Frandsen said. "We have so much fun together and also have such wonderful experiences together."

In 2013, the Frandsens, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were called to lead a new initiative called the Manhattan Training Center, also referred to as the "MTC." It was inspired by President Thomas S. Monson's announcement in 2012 that the minimum age requirement for missionary service would be lowered to 18 for young men and 19 for young women.

After serving as leaders for two years, the Frandsens wouldn't trade anything for the experiences they've had and the friendships they've made.

"The relationships and interactions with the youth have been the most important part of the MTC," Benjamin Frandsen said.

Wanting to prepare the youths in his stake for missionary service, President David Buckner of the New York New York Stake assigned Slade Combs, a member of the high council, to create a program that would keep older youths engaged. The Manhattan Training Center was born, and in August 2013, President Buckner called the Frandsens to be MTC leaders.

"Brother Combs, the high counselor, organized and designed the whole curriculum," Benjamin Frandsen said. "He put in a huge amount of work. He planned everything out — activities, picking monthly themes, and possibilities for discussion topics and such. He actually came up with a very detailed curriculum."

High school juniors and seniors meet with the Frandsens and seven other adult leaders twice a month.

"The idea with the MTC was to have something new, exciting, different that the older youth can really look forward to and have fun with but that will also provide meaningful testimony-building experiences, as the name suggests, to help prepare the youth for full-time missionary service," Benjamin Frandsen said. "But more generally, just help them solidify their testimonies, help them prepare to be lifelong, engaged, committed disciples of Christ."

During one of the semimonthly meetings, the group visits locations such as synagogues, mosques, cathedrals, museums and historical monuments. The group also serves at hospitals and soup kitchens.

"The MTC prepares the youth for missions and adult life by exposing them to new and often challenging experiences," Shayla Frandsen said. "For those who decide to serve missions, they will confront unique experiences daily, experiences that will cause them to turn to the Lord and increase their faith."

Elise Graham participated in the MTC program in the New York New York Stake and is grateful for what she learned.

"I loved participating in the MTC because it shaped my worldview and lowered my ignorance towards others who I did not share similar experiences with," Graham said. "The MTC empowered me to inquire and ponder deeply our destiny to live with (God) again."

For the other semimonthly MTC activity, youths and adults meet at the chapel or a leader's apartment to discuss the activity they did that month. They also answer gospel-related questions.

"We connect these activities as much as we can to specific doctrine, specific aspects of the plan of salvation so that they will have lived experiences that help cement their understanding of these doctrines in their hearts and minds," Benjamin Frandsen said. "We want them to feel comfortable asking questions, even hard questions, questions about doubts, uncertainties, whatever it might be. That’s also been a very, very important part of the MTC experience. In these discussions and devotional sessions, I think maybe that’s where the important progress has been made as the youth feel safe and comfortable in opening up, asking their questions, strengthening each other and listening to some of what we have to say."

Karina Orton participated in the MTC during her senior year of high school and said the discussion nights were her favorite part of the program.

"We could talk about any spiritual questions or concerns," Orton said. "Something that made these so effective was the obvious care our leaders have for us. At least for me, it was a very safe, loving environment to be vulnerable in. The Spirit was strong during these times. I gained new insight and made new connections that built on what I already knew."

Edgar Columna, a recent convert to the LDS Church, also participated in the program. He said the activities provided an escape from hectic New York City life.

"It's hard to find God or even peace in such a fast-paced, never-quite-peaceful, get-out-of-my-way ... type of city," Columna said. "The MTC helped me find peace. It strengthened my testimony by proving to me that our gospel and the Holy Spirit can be felt anywhere."

Although the MTC program is only for members of the New York New York Stake, other stakes may join in the future.

For Benjamin Frandsen, serving as the MTC leader has provided him an opportunity to befriend the youths in his stake and helped him learn and grow from their examples. Although Frandsen and his wife were recently released as leaders of the MTC, the couple still finds ways to participate.

"We love the youth, and we love their great examples — so stalwart," Frandsen said. "It’s been great to serve them."

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